Li Chenggui and the others had already recognized the severity of the situation; they deeply understood one principle: Li Erye absolutely could not be harmed, otherwise, the five great families would lose their protection and face complete ruin.

Initially, they hadn't even regarded Ye Fan and the Chu Group as any threat. With Li Erye taking charge, Ye Fan was bound to die. From this perspective, they arrogantly wanted to obliterate the Chu Group and then expand their own benefits.

But now, they realized Ye Fan's prowess, and the Chu Group was not so easily merged. If they couldn't retreat in time, not only would Li Erye die, but the five great families would also face total destruction.

When you can bully, you can be a bit wanton, but once you've kicked a rock, it's time to think about selecting the right retreat path.

If they don't retreat now and continue to act harshly, they will definitely meet a dire end.

Since Zhang Lu, this intermediary, could not terminate the duel, Li Chenggui and the others could only plead with Li Erye to make a concession.

Li Chenggui, Huang Jingwei, and Chen Tiande moved forward, trying to approach the battlefield where Ye Fan and Li Erye were dueling, but Zhang Lu ordered her men, "No one is allowed to approach the duel site. As an intermediary, I must fulfill my responsibility. Anyone who intrudes will be severely punished without exception."

With a commotion, Zhang Lu's people blocked the path of Li Chenggui and the others.

"Miss Zhang Lu, please make an exception. We'll be forever grateful for your kindness," Li Chenggui pleaded humbly.

"Yes, Miss Zhang Lu, please let us through," Chen Tiande implored miserably.

"Our five great families owe you a big favor; it will surely benefit you," Huang Jingwei whispered.

"A duel has its rules; no one is allowed to disrupt them. As spectators, you can only watch from a distance, not approach," Zhang Lu replied ungraciously, "When you issued the challenge, I'm sure the five great families were quite imposing, seeking to bully and annex the Chu Group, intending to kill Ye Fan. Now that you realize the situation is unfavorable, you want to terminate the duel. Isn't it a bit late to regret? If you had known today, why did you harbor malicious thoughts to divide the benefits of the Chu Group and even resort to assassination then?"

"We regret it deeply; we're utterly remorseful."

"If we had known it would come to this, even at the risk of death, we wouldn't have been so arrogant and heedless."

"We are willing to offer sufficient benefits, as per the terms of the challenge, ensuring that not a single cent is missing when delivered to the Chu Group."

"We have already paid the appropriate price for our foolish actions, which can be considered our punishment."

Li Chenggui and the others pleaded pathetically.

"Without rules, nothing can be achieved. I will not accept your request," Zhang Lu replied impatiently. "Where in the world is such good fortune? Assuming you could win, you disregarded others, now facing defeat, you think of disrupting the rules to survive. Is that possible? Aren't you being too naive?"

Zhang Lu was extremely displeased with the conduct of Li Chenggui and the others, and would not heed them. Besides, when she took on the role of intermediary, Master Fu explicitly told her not to concern herself with Li Erye's fate. Therefore, she naturally hoped the situation would become as extreme as possible, and it would be best if Li Erye were to die.

Realizing they couldn't get Zhang Lu to relent, Li Chenggui and the others could only turn to Chu Mengyao for help.

"President Chu, you are generous; please negotiate with Miss Zhang Lu to terminate this duel."

"We concede."

"The benefits we owe will be guaranteed without missing a single penny. We only plead for the duel to be terminated."

"President Chu, kind and virtuous, you will surely pity us and agree to our request, right?"

Li Chenggui and the others surrounded President Chu, courteously pleading with hands clasped.

"When you issued the challenge, it was with the intent to destroy us. Now sensing the situation is unfavorable, you think of enduring humiliation to end the duel. Have you reckoned just how naive you are?" Chu Mengyao replied displeased, "Not to mention, I don't even have the power to end the duel. Even if I did, I wouldn't want to help you. Once the challenge is issued, unless all three parties—the challenger, the challengee, and the intermediary—reach a unanimous agreement, the duel cannot be terminated. Otherwise, nobody can stop this duel."

Realizing this logic, with President Chu not relenting and Zhang Lu indifferent to them, Li Chenggui and the others placed all their hopes on Li Erye.

"Li Erye, even the ancient Han Xin endured the humiliation of crawling between another's legs, which later brought him such renown."

"Today, our five great families have provoked someone we should not provoke. We hope Li Erye can swallow this indignity for the future of our families and bear this shame."

"We implore you."

"The five great families cannot do without you."

Li Chenggui, Chen Tiande, and Huang Jingwei spoke as their knees weakened and they knelt.

These three business tycoons, who were usually so glorious in public settings, were now entirely setting aside their dignity. In the face of the life and death of the five great families, personal honor no longer mattered.

"Li Erye, you are our pillar of support; you mustn't be harmed." The rest of the five great families also knelt, pleading.

Ma Qianqiu, witnessing the pitiable appearance of everyone present, lamented, "When in absolute advantage, they were lords, indifferent to others' life and death. Now that things look bad, they're eager to become subservient just for a good outcome."

As a member of the five great families, he knew these people's virtuous conduct very well.

Li Erye showed a sorrowful expression. He knew he wasn't a match for Ye Fan; continuing to fight meant certain death.

He didn't want to die.

He possessed such formidable combat power and hadn't lived enough; how could he resign himself to die like this?

With Li Chenggui and the others kneeling and pleading, he had an easy way out. So he pondered how to survive, as long as he preserved his life and avoided Ye Fan's killer intent, then everything would be fine.

"I understand your hardship. Well then, under such circumstances, even if I must suffer even greater shame, I will bear it. I can only leave a shell of myself, to use my remaining years to contribute to shielding the five great families from this catastrophe," Li Erye appeared very noble, as if considering the family despite the disgrace.

In reality, he mentally found an excuse for himself, an excuse to beg Ye Fan for mercy.

Now, he no longer held the easy confidence with which he could rearrange the fate of the five great families, nor the disdain for Ye Fan. What remained was despair and dejection.

Even if begging for life, he needed a dignified reason, so as not to disgrace himself too much.

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