I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense

Chapter 592: Chapter 593: Mindset Unbalanced
“As you command.”

Patriarch Situ nodded, watching the faint blue silhouette disappear inside the grand hall from the high platform, his expression exceedingly ugly.

His original intent was to use delaying tactics to let the third family head come out and clean up the mess, but he hadn’t expected the other party to wrap things up neatly and even turn around to play him at his own game.

While the Situ Household kept its doors shut for the better part of the day, Master Rong had already aligned them with new forces, and the factions among the cultivators within Aolai Country’s borders became even clearer.

The Elders remained silent, for while the third family head indeed helped them solve a problem, he simultaneously tied an even bigger knot for them without any visibility.

Now, they had no choice but to support him with all their might.

“Father, the third family head did not blame me; our Situ Household’s actions were completely in line with the third family head’s wishes!”

“If the third family head emerges victorious in the struggle, our Situ Household will surely be the foremost contributor!”

Situ Guixiong’s face was filled with joy, having originally thought that acting on his own, setting fire, and looting in the villagers’ residences would bring severe punishment. Instead, he found himself without fault and even received praise from the other party.

His strategy, after all, was correct!

Just waiting for the third family head to unify Aolai Country, he would undoubtedly soar above his peers!

“Foolish boy, what is cluttering your mind?”

“How can you not see the purpose of the third family head’s visit today?”

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“Praise you? That was clearly throwing our Situ Household into the fire!”

Enraged, Patriarch Situ’s hair seemed to stand on end, he stared at Situ Guixiong in front of the hall, his face a picture of disappointment.

“This… What do you mean, Father?”

“The third family head came here today to resolve the nuisance of the common folk for our clan, didn’t he?”

Situ Guixiong was also stunned and looked around. The faces of all the Elders present were clouded with worry, and only he was elated, indeed out of place. However, he could not understand why.

“The third family head did resolve a trouble for our clan, but have you forgotten our Clan’s situation before this? Targeted by thousands, even the Elders of the Punishment Hall held numerous doubts about the Situ Household. Yet at this critical juncture, the third family head set aside all dissent and risked the world’s censure to protect our Situ Household. Have you given any thought to the reason behind this?”

“The third family head’s actions are declaring to the entire Aolai Country that our clan is under her banner, untouchable to others. She has pinned our position down firmly!”

Patriarch Situ coldly stated.

“But hasn’t our Situ Household always been under the third family head’s banner…”

Situ Guixiong was still somewhat puzzled.

“When did the Situ Household become the third family head’s subordinates, did you decide that?”

“The so-called faction conflicts are vague, all secretly competing; there has always been only one harmonious Aolai Country on the surface. Now, with our clan pushed to the forefront by the third family head openly taking a stance, in the future, we have only the path of steadfastly supporting the third family head!”

“As the eldest son of the Situ Household, you can’t even see through such a simple matter, what a waste these years of nurturing have been!”

So furious he could barely see straight, had the person standing before him not been his progeny, he would have struck him dead with one palm.

“Ah, this…”

Situ Guixiong’s realization dawned; no wonder the Family Head was so furious. The struggles between the three family heads were, at most, subtle pressures exerted in the shadows with small maneuvers, and the true battles always belonged to those at the Half-step Human Immortal realm.

This meant that when concealed in the shadows, the family had a wide range of maneuvers. If the third family head became weak, they could immediately switch allegiance to the Great Family Head’s side, betraying at any moment for self-preservation.

But now things were different. With the third family head’s stir, virtually everyone knew that the Situ Household and the third family head wore the same pants, putting an end to those previously possible small maneuvers. Their only option left was to loyally follow the third family head.

“It is my stupidity that I failed to comprehend my father’s intentions, please punish me, Father!”

Situ Guixiong trembled all over. Confused as a party directly involved, he was so fearful of punishment that he overlooked such an obvious matter. This time, his Situ Household had been completely thrust into the eye of the storm.

“Utterly foolish, I have nothing more to say to you. You will compete in the arena contest in a few days, now get out!”

The Patriarch Situ said with a cold expression.

“Family Head, considering the Third Great Family Head’s actions, how shall we respond?”

A certain Elder beside him inquired. The question was of utmost concern to everyone present; if the Situ Household were to submit and do nothing, they could only become a tool, and it was very likely that they would end up as the Third Great Family Head’s scapegoat at a critical moment.

No one wanted to be eliminated without understanding why, especially not in the midst of such a struggle for power and cunning.

“Heh, the Third Great Family Head’s move does have its advantages and disadvantages for us,”

“Elder Su has always been skeptical about the Third Great Family Head’s intentions, right? This time his concerns should finally be put to rest.”

A contemplative look flashed in the eyes of Patriarch Situ.

“So, the Family Head means…”

The Elder continued to ask.

“If we’re being dragged into the mud, it definitely can’t just be my Situ Household. Now that the Third Great Family Head’s intentions need no longer be doubted, I’m going to drag all those old fools down with us, none of them shall escape!”

“If it’s something we’re all in together, why should only my Situ Household bear the risk?”

The Patriarch Situ’s face showed a trace of flush as he already envisioned the verbal sparring with those crafty old foxes. But, as the saying goes, the barefooted fear not the shod, and his Situ Household had openly become the Third Great Family Head’s supporters.

With all former concerns now to be cast aside, he was set on dragging everyone down with him, confident it would succeed!

“Excellent!”

“The Family Head is wise!”

The Elders responded.

“Also, when will that person from Central Province arrive?”

Patriarch Situ asked.

Elder: “He can arrive by late night today.”

“Very well, change of plans: when that gentleman arrives, we will accommodate him well within our Situ Household. We absolutely cannot let Elder Su and the others snatch him away, understood?”

Patriarch Situ instructed.

“Understood!”

The old ancestor coming from Central Province is at the Half-Step Human Immortal realm, and perhaps at a critical moment, he might be able to save the Situ Household as well. Such a lifesaving trump card must not be carelessly handed over.

As for being resented afterward, that was a matter for later— in the midst of this unfathomably deep vortex, ensuring the continuity of the clan was of utmost importance.

“The matter with the commoners has just been resolved, and the city has not yet returned to its former bustling state. You all swiftly send people to the shops established by the Third Great Family Head’s clan, and bring back all the Huazi. I want as many as there are—let Guixiong prepare diligently for the big contest at the arena!”

“Tomorrow, I will seek out those old undying for a chat. As for all matters big and small within the clan, I leave them to you all to decide.”

“Acknowledged!”

“As you command!”