Chapter 542: Chapter 542

But, Cao Zhi had no choice but to take action!

If he didn't act, death was certain.

By acting, at least there was a chance to survive.

However, with the prior example of that young man, these people resisted extremely fiercely.

In a short time, although Cao Zhi had killed several people, he himself was subdued by the crowd.

Someone took the broken arrow from his hand, pointing at him and coldly said, "Cao Zhi, you actually turned against your own family members, you deserve to die!"

Pinned to the ground by the crowd, Cao Zhi miserably chuckled and said, "I deserve to die? I was only trying to survive. After all, death was inevitable for us, so you might as well die to fulfill me. If I live, there's hope to rejuvenate the Cao family, but with me dead and you alive, there's no chance for the Cao family to rise again."

"Hmph! Spouting nonsense to bewitch people!" Fifth Master angrily rebuked, "I'm not agile enough, I couldn't save my grandson in time, but now that you're subdued, I will avenge my grandson!"

With that, he picked up a broken arrow and stabbed towards Cao Zhi!

Cao Zhi snorted coldly, "You're avenging your grandson? If you kill me, wouldn't you be just like me, hands stained with the blood of Cao family members? How could you face our ancestors?"

"I am executing a traitor, what's wrong with that?!" Fifth Master said righteously.

"A traitor? Have I betrayed the Cao family? I simply chose the lesser of two evils! I'll say it again, if I live, there's hope for the Cao family, but if I die and you live, there's no hope. Isn't it true? Sacrificing just one Cao family member who is unwise and insignificant, to save me, who is crucial for the family's pillar, isn't this what our ancestors would want to see?" T#e-x@t+ a#cq*u@ired fr&o%m M#|V|L-E*MP&.YR^.

Cao Zhi swept his gaze over the Cao family members, sneered, and said, "He can die, but I, Cao Zhi, cannot! If you still prioritize family honor above all else like before, then you should understand what I'm saying!"

People looked at each other uneasily, no one daring to speak.

If it was solely about the overall interest of the Cao family, the death of an ordinary Cao family youth indeed meant less than the death of Cao Zhi, as, after all, Cao Zhi who was daring and strategic, had the capabilities to bring hope to the Cao family.

But, when the matter was put on each individual, no one would agree!

Often times, the talk of family honor above everything else is just that - talk, and very few are willing to sacrifice themselves for family honor, and even more people would do everything to survive, even if it meant others wouldn't have it easy after their own death.

After my death, let the floods come!

However, to the surprise of many, there were actually seven or eight people who stood out and said together, "Young Master, we do not seek posthumous fame; we only hope that after we die in your place, you will ensure the safety of our children!"

Everyone understood that Xu Hao would not possibly kill all the Cao family members.

But, some Cao family members had to die to quell Xu Hao's fury!

As for seeking help from the Wu Family right now, that was simply unrealistic; how could Xu Hao possibly allow them to seek reinforcements?

So, these people chose to stand out, hoping their sacrifice would secure a measure of peace for their children.

But, Xu Hao would not spare them just because of this!

Having chosen to be the enemy, they had to be prepared to swallow the bitter fruits of failure.

Cao Ren sneered, "Cao Zhi really has a way with words, able to charm and manipulate, but even at the brink of death, he still tries to manipulate others, which is rather wishful thinking."

Cao An remained silent, clenching his fists tightly, now realizing the gap between himself and Cao Zhi lay in eloquence; Cao Zhi was more persuasive than he was which was why he had garnered so many people's covert support.

Even Xu Hao couldn't help but applaud Cao Zhi, and he said with a faint smile, "Not bad, very impressive, to actually make others die for you. Your tongue, indeed, is quite powerful."

"You flatter me, Young Master Xu, it's just because they care about the family and know what choice is the correct one," Cao Zhi hurriedly said bowing deeply, displaying extreme deference.

Xu Hao nodded slightly and said, "I forced you to kill your own family members; how come I feel like the one rebelling? Isn't it only in novels and movies that rebels would do such a thing?"

Cao Zhi quickly responded, "Young Master Xu, you may act as you wish, we mere ants are but tools for your entertainment."

Xu Hao's gaze sharpened; the lower Cao Zhi's posture, the more humbly he spoke, the greater his hatred and his schemes must be!

Xu Hao was pondering whether to just kill him outright.

Seeming to sense Xu Hao's thoughts, Cao Zhi hastily pushed the seven or eight middle-aged men forward and said to Xu Hao, "Young Master Xu, they have already stepped forward to die in my place, perhaps you could be generous and spare my life?"

After a moment of contemplation, Xu Hao said, "They're just a bunch of weaklings, incapable of defending themselves; it's no fun for me to act against them. You kill them."

Cao Zhi clenched his teeth; Xu Hao was pushing him step by step towards a dead end!