Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 373 - 373 372 A Compromise Solution

373: Chapter 372 A Compromise Solution 373: Chapter 372 A Compromise Solution Lady Zhu was equally troubled.

She had become aware of the predicament facing the tour group.

Although she seldom involved herself in worldly matters, it didn’t mean she failed to grasp the awkwardness of the situation.

She couldn’t blame these people for lacking commitment; cultivation was a personal endeavor.

It wasn’t reasonable to keep a group of people tied to Bamboo Island, nor did she have the authority to do so.

Six were dead, several injured—this was already a debt of gratitude so heavy it couldn’t be repaid.

She should not ask for more.

Only one person could resolve the tour group’s embarrassment, and that was her.

“Thank you, my Daoist friends, for drawing your swords to help.

Without your assistance, Bamboo Island would now be a den of thieves, no longer peaceful.

Shortly, Bamboo Island will send a small gift as a token of appreciation.

It is a humble offering, not meant to convey the full extent of my gratitude; yet, I can find nothing that matches the contributions of my Daoist friends.

Please understand.

For those Daoist friends who died in battle, Bamboo Island will send condolences to their sects through the Mirage Commerce Guild and will provide compensation.

If it could be done over, I would willingly take their place, alas…”

Having said this, she, along with several disciples of Bamboo Island, knelt in thanks on the spot.

This was a mark of respect for the deceased, for nothing could replace a life.

The members of the tour group returned the gesture, addressing the situation.

Regardless of what had happened before, at least the attitude of Bamboo Island was sincere, which quelled some of their resentment.

Lady Zhu sighed and said, “The difficulty of Bamboo Island lies not in others, but in ourselves; our virtue does not match our status, our strength is not sufficient—simple as that.

Having cultivated for over a hundred years, I used to think I had seen through all the rights and wrongs of the Cultivation World.

Yet, when the moment came, I found that I was just a self-deceiving fool, thinking I had distanced myself from the mortal world, while in fact, I’ve never left it.”

She gestured towards the scenery of Bamboo Island, “The only thing I can do justice to is this piece of nature; yet even this nature has bound me unnaturally.

The desire to leave Bamboo Island has long been there, yet I could never take the final step; home is hard to leave, and one’s native land is hard to abandon—a common human sentiment, but for me, it shouldn’t be.

After this battle, my mind is made up.

I shall pack up and organize and the cultivators of Bamboo Island will travel to other places.

This is farewell.

So, my Daoist friends, disperse.

Compared to the Cang Pirates, we lost in terms of timing.

It’s an insoluble dilemma.”

Lady Zhu bowed deeply to everyone again, but this bow weighed heavily on people’s hearts and was difficult to bear.

They all were clever and perceptive, understanding the unsaid within what was spoken.

Whether or not Lady Zhu had long decided to leave was anyone’s guess, but it was clear that by saying so, she had indeed given everyone a face-saving way out.

They no longer had to face the inner struggle, the vexation of choice, the decisions of life and death…

At that moment, everyone began to feel fondness towards Lady Zhu; at least this time, their involvement was not in vain.

In the cultivation circles, this was an understanding—the so-called unspoken agreement—and no one was going to ask Lady Zhu directly whether she really intended to leave, when she would go, where she would go, or if she needed protection.

She gave them a way out, and it was best to take it quickly.

Those who spoke out of turn and destroyed this path were bound for further awkwardness.

Where would they find another way out then?

Everyone understood the principle, but there were indeed people in the world who were oblivious to the nuances.

“Madam is rationalizing, simply searching for an excuse for us to leave, correct?

I don’t believe we’re in such a dire state that we need to resort to such poor tactics to flee disgracefully; it’s self-deception and as futile as trying to stop the wind by covering one’s ears, merely out of cowardice.”

“I don’t know about others, but I care about my dignity.

If I were afraid to die, I would simply leave.

Why would I need to find a flimsy cover for myself?

Can it even shield anything?”

With those words, all pretense was stripped away.

Dozens of angry gazes settled on him, but for a moment, no one dared to speak up and rebuke him because the person who spoke was somewhat extraordinary.

After a chaotic battle, although most people were not aware at the time, it was quickly known to everyone why the Cang Pirates had retreated—their two leaders had been slain, namely the prominent You Chongshan and Huang Qigong of the Brocade Sails.

Some people witnessed who did it, like the cultivator who faced You Chongshan alongside Hou Niao.

As a result, after the battle, he and another person who had boldly spoken out became recognized as hidden experts among the travelers.

Some speculated they were the true disciples of some major power, others guessed they were maritime enforcers sent by Jiedu Mansion, and there were even whispers of an inside job among pirates, with numerous theories abounding.

Everyone then simultaneously turned to look at the other hidden expert, but the Daoist sat with his eyes slightly closed, displaying indifferent nonchalance.

The abilities displayed by You Chongshan and Huang Qigong in their demonstrations were chilling, but even these fierce thieves had little chance to fight back against these two.

Although the success was partly due to a surprise attack, taking advantage by ambush was also a skill after all.

In the melee with dozens of combatants, why couldn’t the others achieve a sneak attack?

Therefore, these words could be spoken by him, but not by others; yet hearing them was highly uncomfortable, exposing everyone to scrutiny.

Lady Zhu’s eyes focused, dreading what might come.

The reason she spoke of abandoning Bamboo Island was the unclear motives within the tour group.

To cut down two leaders in the open was no small feat, and she, being of the Natural Realm with considerable Divine Sense, had a clearer view of the battle than most.

In Lihai, troublemakers weren’t just pirates; there were other unclear and unspeakable forces at play.

Even if the Cang Pirates were straightforward, who knew what lurked behind them?

If multiple forces were eyeing Bamboo Island, she had no choice but to leave, unless she was resolved to be buried there.

It was her responsibility to salvage the situation—who else but the host could do so?

“This Daoist friend, everyone has their own aspirations, and it’s not right to force others.

Whether to act heroically or to judiciously assess the situation, one must act within their capabilities.

Bamboo Island appreciates your assistance.

If you have any ideas, please share them, and let us all consider them together?”

Hou Niao waved his hand, “Madam misunderstands.

I am well aware of my limits and have no intention of sacrificing myself.

So yes, running is still the plan; but my point is, since we’ve all decided to run, can’t we make it a more dignified retreat?

It wouldn’t take much time for the Lady to pack and attend to the aftermath on the island; half a month should be more than enough.

Why not have us escort everyone from Bamboo Island to the Mirage to regroup temporarily before making further arrangements?

This way, we ensure the safety of Bamboo Island’s people, and we also maintain a reputation for seeing things through.

Wouldn’t this be the best of both worlds?”

Lady Zhu paused, not fully grasping the cultivator’s true intentions, but on the surface, it seemed to make some sense.

This would save face for everyone, turning a hasty escape into a strategic withdrawal…

“No need for a month, half a month will suffice.

This is only because the bamboo forests on the island need attending to; personally, there’s nothing I can’t let go of.”

Hou Niao smiled, “In that case, how does everyone feel about this?”