Chapter 724: Chapter 297: Hou Jing’s Unusual Behavior, Hou Kong’s Decision
Hou Jing’s expression darkened slightly, but he did not get angry. After shaking his head, he merely said lightly, "Adding flowers to the brocade, no matter what, cannot compare to sending charcoal in the snow. Once you understand this principle, you will know."
Hou Kong’s face froze, seemingly unable to come up with any rebuttal to Hou Jing’s words.
But he quickly reacted, his expression slightly tense, "Second Uncle, is it because of Hou Bing and Hou Quan that you want to surrender to Great Xia?"
Apart from this, Hou Kong really couldn’t think of any other reason for Hou Jing to have the thought of surrendering to Great Xia.
Hou Jing has only two sons, Hou Bing and Hou Quan. Now both have been captured by Great Xia. He is worried about their safety and wants to surrender to Great Xia in exchange for his sons’ lives, which indeed makes sense.
"Of course, but I am doing it not only for my sons, but also for all of you."
Hou Jing did not deny and continued solemnly, "You are so confident that Long Mountain can defeat Great Xia, but have you ever thought why Long Mountain is willing to provide the Holy Sun Pill and eight hundred sets of armor to form an alliance with us to fight against Great Xia?"
Hou Kong’s expression tightened. Hou Hu previously decided to ally with Long Mountain, primarily because of the Holy Sun Pill and eight hundred sets of hundred-forged level armor sent by Long Mountain.
Faced with such a high price from Long Mountain, coupled with the fact that Zhaoyang already had antagonism with Great Xia because of the Beehive, everyone including Hou Hu at the time agreed to the alliance with Long Mountain.
At this moment, being so suddenly reminded by Hou Jing, Hou Kong finally reacted.
The high price offered by Long Mountain is already intriguing in itself.
On the surface, Long Mountain’s strength far exceeds Great Xia. Even if Zhaoyang and Great Xia join forces, they may not be able to fight them. Do they need to offer such a high price to enlist their help against Great Xia?
"Long Mountain must know more about Great Xia than we do. They know it’s difficult to fight Great Xia alone, which is why they offer such a high price to enlist our help. This means that Great Xia’s true strength has already started to make Long Mountain afraid. Such a simple fact is right in front of you, yet Hou Hu and all of you were blinded by anger and could not see it."
Hou Kong’s face grew increasingly gloomy, his gaze began to wander; it was evident he had started to believe Hou Jing’s words.
Leader, is it really a mistake?
He was even starting to doubt Hou Hu’s decision to join Long Mountain.
"Hou Kong, your brother Hou Ming is now also in Great Xia’s hands, not to mention other cousins. Joining Long Mountain means standing in opposition to Great Xia completely. Have you ever thought about what you would do if Great Xia used your brother’s life to threaten you?"
Hou Kong’s father passed away early, and he was almost raised single-handedly by his elder brother. His feelings for Hou Ming are naturally profound, and when Hou Ming went missing at Beehive, he was worried every day. Later, when it was found out he was captured by Great Xia, he immediately requested Hou Hu to send someone to Great Xia to negotiate, hoping to exchange supplies for hostages, but Great Xia directly refused without even listening to the terms Zhaoyang offered.
At this moment, Hou Jing’s intention couldn’t be more obvious.
If Zhaoyang could turn to Great Xia, his brother, including the nine Cold Resistance level experts previously captured, could all return alive.
No, no!
Hou Kong’s expression suddenly hardened. He turned to look at the already distant migrating group behind him and then stared at Hou Jing, stating earnestly, "Second Uncle, aren’t you acting a bit off today? Joining Long Mountain was the leader’s decision, and it was unanimously agreed upon by everyone. Now you’re saying these things..."
Footsteps, footsteps, footsteps...
Suddenly, a sound of footsteps echoed from the flank, interrupting Hou Kong’s words.
"Who’s there!"
Hou Kong’s expression shook and he angrily shouted as he drew his large knife from his waist. Then, turning to look, he found a young man in black clothing, who had unknowingly approached within twenty or thirty meters of him without making a sound.
The young man was of youthful appearance, carrying a slender long knife, his black clothing of obvious quality. Most crucially, he walked through the snow without leaving even a trace. Not even a subtle footprint.
"Slender knife, black clothing, you are Great Xia Leader, Xia Hong?"
Although Hou Kong had never seen Xia Hong, from his attire, weapon, and incredibly deep strength, he deduced his identity.
Footsteps, footsteps, footsteps...
Even though Hou Kong had already drawn his weapon, Xia Hong was unfazed, continuing to walk forward until he was no more than three or four meters away. Then, turning, he looked at Hou Jing and smiled, "It seems Senior Hou was unable to convince Hou Hu."
Hou Jing bowed respectfully to Xia Hong and said solemnly, "Subordinate greets the leader. Hou Hu is stubborn, determined to join Long Mountain, and I indeed failed to persuade him. According to Lord Zhao Long’s instructions, I have already separated all members of Zhaoyang. Those loyal to Hou Hu among the Cold Resistance level, as well as some die-hard followers from Earth-digging Realm, their families are all in tonight’s migrating group, totaling about five or six thousand people."
After saying this, he pointed at the migrating group behind, indicating to Xia Hong.
Xia Hong nodded slightly and then turned his gaze to Hou Kong.
Hou Kong at this moment completely understood that his respected uncle Hou Jing had already betrayed and secretly sided with Great Xia, even organizing tonight’s migrating group after intentionally separating them.
His face alternated between redness and pallor, his expression shifting several times. Realizing Xia Hong was watching him, he swiftly retreated dozens of meters before angrily speaking to Hou Jing, "Zhao Long was the one who previously came from Great Xia to Long Mountain. Second Uncle, you were involved with Great Xia as early as April?"
He suddenly remembered that after Great Xia took over Wushuang in April, they had sent a special envoy to Long Mountain, and that envoy’s name was Zhao Long.
Hou Jing shook his head in denial, "Not at all. In April, I merely chased after Zhao Long to inquire about the situation of Hou Bing and Hou Quan. As I said, what truly made me decide to side with Great Xia is the current situation in Longyou. Joining Great Xia is the best path forward."
At this point, even if Hou Kong were foolish, he realized the truth.
Ten Cold Resistance level experts from Zhaoyang were captured by Great Xia. Hou Hu, along with Hou Ning, Wang Peng, and Lu Yan are in Long Mountain. The camp originally had only ten Cold Resistance level experts; excluding himself and Hou Jing, of the remaining eight, five have already gone to Long Mountain.
Now, upon careful consideration, those five are indeed die-hard followers of Hou Hu. The remaining three who didn’t go likely have already been persuaded.
This means that Hou Jing deliberately accompanied him to escort the migrating group tonight in an attempt to persuade him to join Great Xia as well.
"Hou Kong, listen to my advice. Your elder brother is living well in Great Xia. As long as you join me in siding with Great Xia, you can reunite with him immediately..."
Hou Jing likely felt that Hou Kong, the younger generation, had a high potential to be persuaded, which is why he kept urging him nonstop. Even though Hou Kong showed little reaction, he never stopped.
Xia Hong, however, stood aside silently, saying nothing. And as Hou Kong continued not to respond, Xia Hong’s expression became somewhat impatient.
In Xia Hong’s eyes, someone with merely the strength of a Three-maned Cold Resistance expert wasn’t worth much effort to persuade. He stood there mostly to give face to Hou Jing.
"Hou Kong, do you think each of the five or six thousand people tonight are walking freely? If the leader wished, he could completely seize these ordinary people and use them to hold us all hostage. But instead of doing that, he ordered me to distinguish those who are willing to join Long Mountain, along with their families, and let them calmly head to Long Mountain.
The leader shows such generosity, what more is there to worry about by following him?"
This statement made Hou Kong’s expression freeze. He looked up at Xia Hong, his gaze rising with complexity.
Indeed, Hou Jing’s words were not wrong.
Great Xia could easily capture the families of all Cold Resistance level experts with just a few more Cold Resistance level experts and Hou Jing’s cooperation, making it easy to seize their family members and then using them as hostages would be even more certain.
But Great Xia hasn’t done that!
After much deliberation, Hou Kong clearly had an answer. He clenched his fists and loudly asked Xia Hong, "May I ask Leader Xia, if I do not surrender to you tonight, will my brother Hou Ming be put in danger?"
Xia Hong was looking towards the eastern direction, but upon hearing Hou Kong’s question, he waved his hand without hesitation and said, "Go to Long Mountain! Rest assured, I won’t kill Hou Ming."
......
Hou Kong was taken aback upon hearing this, and when he saw Xia Hong not even bothering to turn his head while saying it, his expression was somewhat awkward but more complex.
After much contemplation, he finally bowed to Xia Hong with clasped fists:
"Thank you, Leader Xia. Should the opportunity arise, Hou Kong will surely repay you."
After saying this, he saluted Xia Hong and promptly turned to run westwards after the migrating group.