Claire noticed the change in her uncle’s eyes and her smile widened even more, making the latter think that the former was still naive.
However, the words she said next turned him speechless.
"I didn’t say I was returning to the Alstreim Family though..."
Daniuis couldn’t help but mutter, "Little brat..."
Claire laughed as she spoke, "How are we supposed to improve ourselves here in this barren territory, especially when we’re being chased. It’s better if we head to a famous city in the Alstreim Family Territory to make a name for ourselves."
However, behind Claire, the two men were dumbfounded. One was in disbelief that his wife was called a little brat while the other was in disbelief that his mother was called a little brat.
Davis and Logan both had expressions indicating ’What the fuck?’ on their faces and even Evelynn was in disbelief, wondering why Claire hadn’t killed Daniuis by now.
Nevertheless, this told them that their family ties were much stronger than they imagined.
"I wish you and your family safety first and foremost before prosperity. When are you leaving then?"
Claire blinked and shot a gaze at Daniuis with her eyes narrowed, "You are not coming with us?"
Daniuis couldn’t help but smile, "What are you saying? I have so many people here to take care of including my family... Besides, I was exiled from the Alstreim Family Territory."
He did indeed have many people to take care of... Even though a few traitors would appear, there were still many people who hold faith in the rebirth of the Cloud Spring Mercenaries. He felt that he couldn’t just leave them behind.
Claire opened her mouth but then pursed her lips, not knowing what to say. She didn’t know the circumstances of her uncle or the Cloud Spring Mercenaries, so she couldn’t speak on this matter.
However, there’s always a way.
She shot a look towards Davis, her eyes turning moist.
Davis inwardly grunted before rolling his eyes. His mother’s intention was as clear as the cloudless skies.
In any case, there were already a few people who are tagging along with them. What would a few more amount to?
He stepped forward and spoke, "Grand Uncle, decide between the family you’ve been blessed with or the family you’ve created. You can’t have both unless you’re powerful."
Davis spoke straightforwardly, inducing Daniuis to laugh, "You’re posing me the same question I asked your mother."
Davis simply nodded his head, "I can see that you are increasingly weakening. It’s just a matter of time before Grand Uncle regresses to the Peak-Level Sixth Stage."
Daniuis’s expression froze while the others turned stunned.
"At that situation, it’s only a matter of time before you’re hunted down or betrayed by your own people from the lack of trust and benefits."
"Is it true!?" Claire widened her eyes in disbelief, "Is his cultivation really dropping?"
Davis indifferently nodded his head, "He has kept his undulations concealed but he can’t escape the probing from my Soul Sense. He is indeed weaker than two days ago, although the difference is still in a negligible degree."
Daniuis turned aghast as he looked at Davis. He was even able to learn that much just from his slightly weaker undulations?
"You burned some of your blood essences in the fight with Jawan, didn’t you, Grand Uncle?" Davis laughed as if this matter didn’t concern him.
Claire frowned but she didn’t rebuke her son. She turned to look at her uncle before speaking, "Uncle, let’s move to the Alstreim Family Territory. There are more medicines and the chances of healing you while increasing your blood essence vastly increase there."
"I know... I know... But!" Daniuis blurted out and was just about to explain.
"You are the naive one, Grand Uncle, not my mother. Remember your initial aspirations in creating the Cloud Spring Mercenaries. Was it for self-improvement or was it for looking out for a non-blood-related family?" Davis suddenly changed his tone into a cold one. His chin was slightly inclined above, making it as if he was looking down on his Grand Uncle.
Daniuis dropped down his shoulders, his back no longer straight. He stared down at the cave floor as he wrinkled his nose.
"Just disband the Cloud Spring Mercenaries completely and those people who think of you as a burden in their lives will automatically leave. After all, the one who is being chased by the Tripartite Alliance is you and your family, not the others who would not even be recognized if they ever walk in the streets openly."
Daniuis’s expression changed while Davis inwardly sneered.
In reality, by gathering the people around him, Daniuis was only harming them. It was better to let them go as they would be better off living in the outside world rather than pathetically hiding all their lives as members of the Cloud Spring Mercenaries.
"It’s fine if you have a plan to strike back but can you even consider that when your cultivation base is slowly regressing?"
It was the final straw.
Daniuis took a step back as if he had taken a hit. He looked straight at Davis before slightly grinning, although it looked ugly, "You have managed to convince me."
He sighed and looked as if he had aged a little bit, "I have lost."
Davis just shook his head in response. It took everything from a prideful person to accept defeat. Most people who have pride, especially vain pride... They would rather die than accept defeat!
However, it looks like his Grand Uncle was different, being able to accept defeat even though he utilized the latter half of his life to building and raising the Cloud Spring Mercenaries.
Davis knew that there should be deep sentiments that Daniuis had placed on the Cloud Spring Mercenaries. Nevertheless, he had managed to give up on it.
Daniuis took a deep breath before opening his mouth to exhale a sigh.
"I’ll disband the Cloud Spring Mercenaries after a talk with my family."
Davis nodded his head, "Grand Uncle should better disband it after we’re ready to leave. Opportunists might take the chaos of the information to their head before directing their hatred at you for their fallen comrades, potentially harming us by reporting this location to the Tripartite Alliance."
Daniuis pursed his lips as he turned inwardly stunned. He knew that his niece’s son was cautious but wasn’t he over cautious now?
’Whatever, it’s better if I heed his words since the scenario he said seems likely to occur...’
"Alright..."
Daniuis took a step back and turned as he walked out of the cave. His figure slowly disappeared from their view as if was just going to let out a heavy burden from his shoulders.
Claire shot a look at Davis as an amused expression lit up her face, "How do you always manage to convince people?"
Davis just shrugged, "Just target their weakness, provoke, console and convince them. Of course, the requirements for this to work is for them to be not in their right mind or be heavily burdened by something."
"Do this in balance and you should be able to make the other party dance to your tune as long as they don’t jump out of your pace."
"Is that how you made me and your father battle against each other?" Claire’s smile turned resplendent.
"..."
Davis could only avoid his mother’s gaze while Logan and Evelynn laughed at him.