Discovering that something is amiss, promptly notifying the Ancestral Hall is the right course of action. But since it's not an emergency and the situation hasn't exceeded his capability, dragging an elder out of bed in the middle of the night is somewhat indiscriminate.
It's just that a Tier Five Cultivator's whereabouts are suspicious, that's all. What's He Kao doing? Is he a useless person? If he can't handle even this, then he doesn't deserve to be a Hidden Moth.
He Kao wanted to explain that he isn't cowardly or shirking responsibility; it's just his habitual caution... Yet, in front of Li Xiuyuan, he ultimately said nothing and later went back to reflect thoughtfully.
Recalling Li Xiuyuan's words earlier, the elder reminded him of one thing: one must be mindful of restraint. While Hidden Moth excels in assassination, he must not develop a habit of excessive bloodlust or a reckless mindset.
