Novel Full Chapter 405 The Call to Withdraw
Chapter 405 The Call to Withdraw
"We are withdrawing!"Bai Tianheng announced.
Despite Bai Tianheng saying that he and the Bai Clan would leave the battlefield, no one argued with him instantly.
Because before he said that, Bai Tianheng had already brought up how the supposed allies weren't fulfilling their responsibilities.
Anyone with eyes could see that Li, Zhao, and even those of the Azure Holy Sun Sect were deliberately targeting Bai Zihan.
And in a crisis, they would rather increase the burden than help.
In such a situation, Bai Tianheng had no choice but to demand that they leave. Of course, that could not be allowed.
Without Bai Ren-or, for that matter, the Saint-Grade Sword-there was no way to handle the Half-Qilin if it were to return, which it surely would.
And Bai Chu might also be the only one capable of handling Mó Zun one on one.
Other Bai Clan members were also contributing the most, so losing them would be a serious blow.
But Bai Tianheng was adamant about leaving. "We have already contributed the most."
Not a lie.
Bai Zihan himself had taken out a large number of Grade-9 Demonic Beasts, not to mention Great Ascension Realm Demonic Elders.
Even those at the Soul Formation Realm had performed admirably for their cultivation level.
Then there was Bai Ren, who killed Gou You and injured the Half-Qilin.
When it came to contribution, no one even came close to what the Bai Clan had done. "What bullsh*t!"
Li Jianghong angrily interrupted. "We lost our Grand Elder. How dare you complain?"
Li Jianhong added.
Others nodded. The Bai Clan contributed the most, yes, but the ones who suffered the most were clearly the Li Clan.
Not only had much of their force been killed by the Demonic Cultivators' sudden invasion during the previous clash, but today they also lost Li Zhenhe, one of their pillars. "Hmph! That is because he lacked strength," Bai Tianheng replied.
Li Jianghong's face twisted with anger, veins standing out on his temple. "What did you say? If not for you hiding the Saint-Grade Sword, Grand Elder Zhenhe wouldn't have died!"
He spat, voice sharp and accusing.
Bai Tianheng's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing to slits. "Hmph! It's not like we are friends. Why would we need to disclose every trump card we have? Did you disclose yours?"
Li Jianghong froze, momentarily caught off guard by the rebuke, but his glare only intensified. "You-! We lost so many, and your Bai Clan didn't suffer nearly as much. Yet you're complaining just because of a bit of a lapse in our performance?" "Do not lecture me about losses! Every clan is responsible for their own survival. I've already seen enough betrayal and negligence today."
All he cared about was that, along with the Demonic Beasts and Demonic Cultivators, he also had to worry about his supposed allies potentially betraying them.
It was too much. They had endured for the previous two clashes, but today- that was it.
When his son was fighting alone against the Three Great Ascension Demonic Elders, if not for Bai Zihan's power, he would have died.
Rather than helping Bai Zihan, he saw how those bastards were acting-and even stopped those attempting to break free to assist him. "Bai Tianheng, please-don't blame us so harshly. We've been doing our best under extreme circumstances."
Zhao Wutian said, trying to ease the situation.
Bai Tianheng's eyes narrowed, and he let out a low, humorless snort. "Doing your best? Doing your best would have meant saving my son when he was surrounded by three Great Ascension Demonic Elders, not standing idle and pretending to be injured!"
Before Zhao Wutian could respond, Minister Xiu Yucheng interjected calmly, his voice carrying the weight of reason. "Clan Leader Bai, please. Consider the bigger picture. The war is far from over. Pointing fingers now will only fracture alliances that-"
Bai Zihan cut him off sharply, stepping forward despite the tremor in his legs. "Even a blind man could see what happened!" he spat, his gaze piercing. "How dare you say I am pointing fingers when these allies are doing nothing but watching!"
Bai Tianheng's face turned ashen, rage flaring. His hands clenched into fists, veins throbbing at his temples. "How dare you!"
Bai Tianheng bellowed, his voice shaking with fury. "You all think you can easily brush aside what happened today by simply 'seeing the bigger picture! Minister Xiu, you disappoint me!"
Minister Xiu kept his face down, unable to argue.
Indeed, anyone could see that the Li Clan, Zhao Clan, and some others were deliberately holding back when Bai Zihan's life was in crisis.
Instead of helping their allies, they were intentionally making it easier for the Demonic Cultivators to kill him.
And now, the person who should be managing everyone-who should be scolding and reprimanding them-was instead trying to calm the one who was rightfully angry.
What should have been a meeting to discuss their next steps had devolved into Bai Tianheng scolding everyone and demanding to leave.
Minister Xiu Yucheng finally let out a slow breath.
Then-unexpectedly-he cupped his fists and bowed. "Clan Leader Bai," he said solemnly, "this minister apologizes."
Minister Xiu straightened, and the warmth in his eyes vanished, replaced by cold authority as he turned toward the others-his gaze lingering on Li
Jianghong and Zhao Wutian. "I know very well that the Li Clan and Zhao Clan are not on friendly terms with the Bai Clan,"
Minister Xiu said bluntly. "Old enmities, hatred and grudges-I am not blind to them."
He paused, then slammed his sleeve against the armrest. "But this is not the place to bring those grudges!"
The pressure in the hall rose sharply. "During this battle, your clans deliberately neglected the Bai Clan's side," he said coldly. "When their forces were overwhelmed, when Bai Zihan was fighting for his life, your people conveniently became 'busy.' Injured. Delayed.
Preoccupied."
Li Jianghong's face darkened. Zhao Wutian opened his mouth-but Minister Xiu did not let him speak. "While the Bai Clan was cleaning up your mess," Minister Xiu continued, "they were also holding the most dangerous fronts. Handling Great Ascension Realm Demonic Elders. Restraining the Half-Qilin. Containing Mó Zun."
His gaze sharpened. "And yet, when they needed support, you chose to watch."
Silence fell! Minister Xiu knew very well that these words would offend both clans-but he also knew he had to say them.
Only then did Minister Xiu turn back toward Bai Tianheng.
His tone softened-but the seriousness remained. "Clan Leader Bai, Believe us," Minister Xiu continued, "for the last time."
He took a deep breath. "If this crisis is not handled here and now, then the Desolate Heaven Empire will be finished as we know it."
He said slowly.
His gaze swept the hall. "We need every bit of strength we have. Every clan. Every cultivator."
The hall remained silent.
The decision now rested with Bai Tianheng alone.
For a long moment, Bai Tianheng said nothing, his expression unreadable, muscles tensing as if weighing the enormity of the situation. Finally, he exhaled slowly, a sharp nod following. "Very well," Bai Tianheng said, his voice steady but cold. "We won't leave."
After all, the Bai Clan was in the Desolate Heaven Empire. If the Northern Defense Line is breached, the Bai Clan would also be in danger.
A murmur ran through the hall, relief and apprehension mingling among the clans. But Bai Tianheng's eyes did not soften. He turned sharply toward Li Jianghong and Zhao Wutian, his glare cutting like a blade. "Make no mistake," he continued, voice low and deadly serious. "If any clan- especially the Li or Zhao Clan-dare to pull the same stunt they did today, I will personally make them pay."
Bai Tianheng's eyes were filled with genuine killing intent. "You will know personally what happens when you cross the Bai Clan!"