“Not at all, honorable Head. I’ll ask you to forgive me if my words sounded insulting,” the old rogue bowed his head, although it was obvious that the gesture meant nothing to him. “Nevertheless, let’s imagine that we do indeed leave. Your clan would lose the aid of six strong cultivators. In a month or two, another family would appear on your doorstep. Would you have enough time to use the resources of the Underground Whisper clan to much effect by then? Unlikely. Would you have time to hire enough mercenaries? Probably. But what worth would they have in battle? Would they betray you? You can’t say for sure. What’s left, then? For you to form an alliance with another family. Considering that you would be negotiating from a position of weakness, what would be the conditions of this union?
