Chapter 596: Misunderstandings

Chapter 596: Misunderstandings

Hui coughed. Many apologies. Er, I came here to issue a grave warning and it seems youve come to understand it?

Glancing around at her fellow cultivators, a female cultivator stepped forward. Timidly, and with great respect, she cupped her hands to Hui. With all due respect, aside from kidnapping your children, what has this Eight Tiers Palace done to break morals and disrespect the Heavens? I dare not disbelieve Senior. Its merely that this cultivator wishes to know Seniors immaculate reasoning.

Ahh uncomfortable, too uncomfortable! This small cultivator cant handle this. Its not right, not right! Treating me with so much respect? Ah! Please, Id rather be treated as someone lesser, or an equal, at most! Im not used to this. Not used at all!

Scratching the back of his neck, Hui nodded. Right, right. The Eight Tiers Palace ah, well, if were putting aside the kidnapping, which is a considerable threat they have also sown resentment in the land they occupy Hmm. Thats not very compelling. Its not as if anyone here has seen the resentment demons or has any idea how much of a problem this is for the Underworld. Hui considered for a moment.

The female cultivators brows furrowed. Resentment?

Huis eyes lit up. He nodded. Ah! Thats it. Theyre also the aggressors in a territorial war to their north, against the Northern Lands. They dare to one-sidedly attack the frozen wasteland occupied by demons why wont they one-sidedly attack our small, resource rich Southern Conference? Were a ripe fruit ready for the picking in their eyes. Even if you dont choose to prepare for war now, war is inevitable. They will bring it to us, if we dont bring it to them.

The female cultivators eyes shone with dangerous light. All around the room, cultivators began circulating their cultivation subconsciously, glimmers of killing intent in their eyes.

Wait, wait, wait! Is this small Hui warmongering? Me? No, no! Ahh, the message is coming out all wrong. I want to warn them, not incite them to attack!

Quickly, Hui cleared his throat. Which is why we have to prepare! It would be beyond foolish to bring the war to a massively more powerful enemy. Instead, we should prepare, prepare! Build our defenses. Train our warriors. Give them such a fight that they regret ever attacking us.

Across the room, the cultivators nodded along. A few of them reached for their swords. One or two glanced at the windows, ready to leap forth at a moments notice.

Hold on. That still sounds like warmongering! Hold on, hold on! I need to impart upon them that this is all defensive. Defensive-only! I dont need anyone haring off as a lone wolf to attack the Eight Tiers Palace and inadvertently bringing all its might down on us!

Defending our home is vital. The most essential of all! If we dare make such a mistake as to attack the Palace wholesale, only to turn back and find our home razed, weve accomplished nothing at all. Defense. Defense first! Once we have a strong defense, we can worry about offense! Hui said, nodding furiously.

Clearing her throat, Bai Xue stepped up beside him. What Weiheng Hui means to say is that defense is the best offense. First, we focus on defense. Only once our defense is ironclad should we turn our attention to striking the Eight Tiers Palace.

No, no, no, we should never turn our attention toHui took a deep breath. No. Even I realized it. To hunker down and defend ourselves is to cut off our own feet. We wont get anywhere that way. We need to strike first. In a way that cant be detected, using techniques to hide our true nature, we need to find a way to raze that impossibly stronger force before it can even think about attacking us.

Because as soon as Eight Tiers Palace decides to destroy us, were gone.

In a way, were fortunate that the Palace decided to kidnap my children rather than attack outright. I dont know exactly why, but clearly they value Li Xiang and Bai Xues future potential enough to leave them alive, when they could easily crush the entire sect conference. But now that they know that theyve failed

Hui stilled. He put a hand on his chin thoughtfully.

Hui sagged. That I hadnt

Bai Xue spread his hands. Why dont I stand in as the escort? You can disguise me. I know youre more than capable of that. You can disguise yourself as one of the children if you brought up this plan, I trust you have a method for it. Ill play your escort, and then, once we enter Eight Tiers Palace

You can fake your death and escape back to the Southern Sect Conference, while I learn as much about Eight Tiers Palace as I can! Hui said, nodding along.

Bai Xue chuckled. In any case, Ill escape somehow, and you can investigate the Eight Tiers Palace alone. The only question is, Xiao Hui are you prepared?

Hui nodded. After a moment, he looked at Bai Xue and nodded harder. Yes. Yes, Elder Brother. II may have already laid out the foundation for a nearly unstoppable army in the region of Eight Tiers Palace? Ah, in any case, I have backups and escape plans. Theres no need to fear for me.

Shaking his head, Bai Xue caught Huis ponytail in his hand and ran his fingers through it. Of course my Hui does. I should have known. You wont fight on your own, but youll raise an army to fight for you, hmm?

Ah? No, no. That isnt Huis voice petered off.

The lotus beast, then the lotus clones. Your ghoul pet, who became the leader of an undead cultivators demonic sect. Now the phoenixes. Xiao Hui, once is a coincidence, but thrice is a habit.

Four four times already? Hui muttered to himself, shocked. I forgot about the lotus clones and the ghouls when I was counting earlier! How many armies have I raised? To think, Ive raised so many armies as to forget them! Er, this small cultivator never meant to cause any harm. Please believe me, Elder Brother!

Four? Bai Xue asked, frowning.

Nothing, nothing! Hui waved his hands. He cleared his throat. Ah I should go prepare.

Yes, yes. Say goodbye to the children and Li Xiang too, this time, Bai Xue reminded him gently.

Hui nodded. He took a deep breath. The children

I know they arent used to you yet. Li Weiqi particularly. But theyll come around, Bai Xue said, nodding. He stroked Huis hair again, comfortingly. Trust me. Ive had my fair share of child troubles.

How many children do you have, again? Hui asked.

Bai Xue smiled. One shouldnt ask questions they arent prepared to hear the answer to.

Right, right. Hui nodded to himself, then to Bai Xue. Ill Ill go see the children.

Yes, yes, Bai Xue agreed, patting him on the back.