I Am A Notorious Hidden Boss In The Alternate World

Chapter 156 - Xiao Family's Decision

While the Seymour family discussed important family decisions in their ancestral family home, the Xiao family was doing the same in the secret base underneath their own ancestral home.

"The emperor's invitation, we must accept," Old Xiao made his decision firmly before adding, "I've only called everyone to let you all know and mentally prepare yourselves in advance."

"Are we not even going to consider the pros and cons, Grandpa?" Xiao Qing asked with surprise.

"There's nothing to consider, Qing-er. Attending the banquet is the right choice to make," Old Xiao stated confidently, 

"It's an opportunity to mingle with many powerful families and meet Emperor Polemos in person, even better if we can meet the mysterious lord."

"Why would we want to meet the mysterious lord, Grandpa?! That person is said to be very ruthless and evil! Someone who plundered the world's resources and manipulated the dark forces from the shadows for ten millennia!"

Xiao Qing was shocked. 

"Do you think the four emperors who used to work under such a person are also evil?" Old Xiao asked before shaking his head, "The truth is we won't unless we see for ourselves."

"The media has always been packed with lies and deceit, only showing the public what they wanted to show. They manipulate our emotions and incite us to act accordingly like chess pieces, Qing-er."

Xiao Pipi suddenly spoke before adding, "Your grandpa is completely right. We should see with our own eyes to ascertain the truth."

"However, I also believe Mars is the future. If we can join Emperor Polemos's faction, we can move to Mars to develop."

"Eh? According to a documentary I've watched, it is said that humans have a habit of destroying whatever we set our foot on. Isn't killing one planet enough for us, father?" Xiao Hua suddenly asked with an innocent look.

"Are we going to kill off another planet, dad?"

"Huh?" Xiao Pipi glanced down at his youngest daughter with a bit of speechlessness before he corrected her, "You're wrong, Hua-er. Humans are killing the planet before they are selfish." 

"Even with the establishment of the world government, the pre-existing countries are still around. Borders divide us, differences create hate, and hate incites chaos." 

"The major powers in the world are too competitive and too busy pursuing self-interests. If everyone could put down their differences and work together, we could have saved this world from destruction." 

"Could have? In other words, the world is f*cked, so we are leaving it behind?" Xiao Hua questioned curiously. 

Everyone was immediately taken aback before Xiao Pipi reprimanded with a stern look, "Mind your language, little missy. Do you want to be spanked by your mother again?"

Xiao Hua instinctively retreated behind Xiao Qing while clutching her rear bottoms with both hands before shaking her head vigorously.

"No!" she said.

"Then you better behave properly," Xiao Pipi smiled before he continued to explain, "Mars won't be like Earth with the emperor's sustainable technology around."

"Not to mention it completely under Emperor Polemos's control. There's no competition from other countries vying for its rich resources."

"Then it's final." 

Old Xiao tapped the digital invitation's accept button on-screen before feeling some weight lifted off his shoulders, causing the old man to slump back on the couch and heave a sigh of relief.

While he had been very decisive, it did not mean there was no pressure in his decision-making. 

Ding!

<Damocles has confirmed the Xiao family's acceptance to the grand welcoming banquet>

<The passenger-class spacecraft will be sent to pick up the guests in the evening>

<Estimated time of arrival: 8:00PM GMT+8>

<5x boarding passes have been automatically generated>

A string of notifications was displayed on Old Xiao's electronic tablet before the image of a black and red ticket with intricate golden line-markings was shown. 

<Please scan the boarding passes at the gate to board the passenger-class spacecraft>

<Damocles will be looking forward to your expected arrival in the evening>

The message eventually ended with a real-time countdown of the passenger-class spacecraft's expected arrival in Silvercove city, including a map of its landing location. 

"Future Tech never ceases to amaze. Even a simple mail contains such attention to details and neat automated arrangement," Old Xiao sighed before saying, "Well, that's finally out of the way." 

"Have you been working hard on your Hunter levels in the past two days? Qing-er? Hua-er?" 

"I have managed to reach level 18, Grandpa." Xiao Qing answered politely.

"Level 18? Un, that's not bad." Old Xiao nodded before turning to Xiao Hua, "What about you, Hua-er?" 

"I have reached level 7, Grandpa," Xiao Hua replied.

"Oho, that's not bad as well—huh? What did you say, Hua-er? Level 7? Not 17? Have Grandpa heard wrong?"

Grandpa Xiao immediately furrowed his brows with doubts while glancing at his youngest granddaughter, wondering if his hearing was failing due to old age.

"No, Grandpa. You heard correctly." Xiao shook her head and answered truthfully, "Hua-er is indeed a Level 7 Hunter."

"How? Didn't you follow your sister to hunt interdimensional creatures in the past two days? Why is there such a big disparity between you two? Just what have you been doing?" Grandpa Xiao questioned. 

"I… Err… Hehe," Xiao Hua giggled awkwardly before smiling with two V-sign hand gestures, "Hua-er was acting cute…?"

"…" 

Grandpa Xiao's expression darkened immediately. 

At the same time, Xiao Pipi and his wife threw questioning gazes at their eldest daughter, Xiao Qing, before she began opening her mouth to explain. 

"Qing-er thought it was too dangerous for Xiao Hua to join the hunt directly, so I let her attack from the backline with the firearms. However, her aim was terrible, thus resulted in wasted bullets and little kills." 

"Haiz, you two… You had subordinates with you to protect the both of you in case anything goes awry…" Grandpa Xiao sighed speechlessly, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

Perhaps, it was too much to expose Xiao Hua to such things as hunting interdimensional creatures, considering her young age. 

From another perspective, Grandpa Xiao guessed it was also better to be safe than sorry.

"Sorry for failing to live up to your expectations, Grandpa." Xiao Qing apologized in Xiao Hua's stead with her head lowered nevertheless.

Of course, what really happened was that her little sister had been too busy cheering her on that she forgot to shoot for herself.

In short, Xiao Hua was doing too much hoo-hah and not enough pew-pew.