But the routed troops the two elders had brought back, together with the clan members who had recently arrived from affiliated sects seeking refuge, had nearly doubled the sect's population. Their food stores would not last even a month and a half.
Bibi Dong did not need to lose a single soldier. She meant to trap them on this mountain until they starved to death.
"Bibi Dong... that madwoman!"
Tang Hao slammed his fist into the armrest of his stone chair, shattering it.
He gritted his teeth, his eyes full of regret and fury.
"We never should have tried to assassinate Fang Fan! We failed to kill him, lost two elders for nothing, and handed Bibi Dong the perfect excuse to retaliate.
"If we'd swallowed our anger back then, the Clear Sky Sect might have held on for a few more years..."
His voice faded, leaving only his ragged breathing.
Tang Xiao was silent for a long time.
He knew it was too late for regrets. Regret would not feed anyone, and anger would not kill their enemies.
When he finally spoke, resolve edged his voice.
"We can't sit here waiting to die.
"Before Spirit Hall launches its final assault, we have to get the talented disciples of the younger generation out.
"As long as the Clear Sky Sect's seeds survive, we can rebuild one day, even if the sect itself falls. But where can we send them?
"We can no longer count on the Lower Four Sects. The Heaven Dou Empire is now a vassal of Spirit Hall. The Star Luo Empire has not fallen, but we have no ties to it, and the journey is long and full of checkpoints. There's no way it would take in Clear Sky Sect disciples."
"Find Grandfather." Tang Hao suddenly looked up,