Before Elian could respond, Wei Xuyuan stroked his long beard and continued speaking.
"Not long ago, this person came to my Wei Clan, claiming that your Chen family had discovered a black iron mine and intended to sell this information to us."
"A traitor who forgets their roots is truly despicable, and I find such behavior intolerable."
Wei Xuyuan spoke righteously.
"Our Wei Clan and your Chen Clan are both foundational clans of the Chu Kingdom. Naturally, we would not allow someone like this to act recklessly. That's why I brought him back to your Chen family today for you to handle as you see fit."
The members of the Chen Clan present couldn't help but direct their gaze toward Chen Niansu. His face was pale as paper, and his expression was filled with despair and fear.
At that moment, everyone understood what had transpired, their faces turning grim as they looked at him with deep disappointment.
Elian glanced at Chen Niansu, his expression calm. He gestured for the others to take him away, then invited Wei Xuyuan to a nearby mountain peak for tea.
"This Black Iron Mountain is newly established as a stronghold. The conditions are barren, so I hope you will forgive us."
"There's no need to apologize."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the three Foundation Establishment cultivators sat down. Elian poured a cup of tea for Wei Xuyuan and expressed his gratitude.
"It is unfortunate for our family to have such a disgraceful descendant. Thank you for going out of your way to bring him back, and please forgive us for the trouble."
"There's nothing to forgive."
Wei Xuyuan took the tea, sipped it lightly, and then smiled.
"We are all comrades among the human race. This was the right thing to do. But today's matter is indeed significant. I hope you take it as a warning."
"I understand. Rest assured, we will punish him severely to uphold the family's reputation."
Elian nodded. His demeanor remained calm, showing no signs of rage. However, his steady gaze carried a chilling intensity, making those around him uneasy.
Only those who were weak relied on theatrics. As he grew older, Elian, with his decisive methods, became more composed in the face of challenges, his emotions hidden beneath the surface.
The three Foundation Establishment cultivators chatted happily on the mountain peak. Half an hour later, Wei Xuyuan rose to leave.
As he departed, Elian escorted him partway down the mountain and said with a smile, "Today's favor will not be forgotten. One day, I will personally visit Sky Ridge Peak to express my gratitude."
"Then I shall welcome you with open arms," Wei Xuyuan replied with a laugh before transforming into a streak of light and disappearing into the horizon.
Once Wei Xuyuan was gone, Elian and Chen Qinghao exchanged a glance before returning to the Black Iron Mountain stronghold.
Back at the stronghold, they entered the main hall, where they found Chen Niansu. His face was bruised and swollen, and several of his brothers from the Nian generation stood nearby, their faces grim. It was clear they had not held back in disciplining him.
Chen Qinghao glanced at Niansu and said angrily, "Chen Niansu, how dare you!"
"What gave you the nerve to do such a thing?"
The third elder was so enraged that his face turned pale, and he seemed to be clutching his stomach in pain.
Chen Niansu, his face ashen, clung to Chen Qinghao's leg, sobbing.
"Uncle Qinghao, I made a terrible mistake. Please, I beg you to spare me this time."
"My grandfather was one of our ancestors! He died in the beast tide protecting the family. I beg you, for his sake, forgive me this once."
"You have the audacity to mention your grandfather?" Chen Qinghao kicked him away and delivered a hard slap.
"You worthless scum! Do you think you've honored your grandfather's legacy?"
As he spoke, Chen Qinghao moved to strike him again, but Elian intervened.
"That's enough. There's no need to beat him anymore," Elian said calmly.
He approached Chen Niansu, his expression steady, and asked, "Why did you do this?"
"There's no need to explain. It's because of the Foundation Establishment Pill, isn't it?"
His tone was indifferent, but the cold killing intent in his eyes was palpable.
Everyone present felt their hair stand on end as a wave of terror swept over them.
The third elder's heart sank as a thought flashed through his mind: Chen Niansu's life is over.
Chen Qinghao had initially intended to spare Niansu's life, given his lineage and the fact that no real harm had been done. He planned only to strip him of his cultivation as punishment.
But he could see that Elian's killing intent had been roused. Unless the old patriarch intervened, no one could save Chen Niansu.
"Elian, I admit I was wrong," Chen Niansu said through gritted teeth, trembling under Elian's intense gaze.
"But I'm already fifty-four years old. If I miss this chance, I'll never get another opportunity for a Foundation Establishment Pill."
It turned out that he had leaked the information to the Wei Clan in hopes that they would seize the Black Iron Mine, thereby depriving Chen Nianfu of the pill. He believed that, under those circumstances, he would become the most suitable candidate for the pill.
However, his plans backfired spectacularly. The Wei Clan deemed the Chen family too dangerous to cross and instead handed him back as a gesture of goodwill.
"Everyone, leave us," Elian said, closing his eyes briefly.
The other Chen family members hesitated before quickly exiting. Chen Qinghao exchanged a glance with Elian but eventually left as well.
Left alone with Chen Niansu in the main hall, Elian spoke in a cold, measured tone.
"You're not a child. You should understand that some things cannot be done."
"If you betray the family, you must be prepared to pay the price."
"Elian, I admit my guilt!" Chen Niansu wept bitterly, his face contorted with regret.
"Please, spare me."
"Spare you? And then what? Should I let others follow your example, betraying the family for their own gain?"
Elian's voice rose as his anger erupted. He grabbed Chen Niansu by the collar, his eyes blazing.
"I ask you, has the family ever wronged you in all these years?"
"No, it hasn't."
"Have you lived up to the family's care, to the teachings and protection you've received since childhood?"
"I..."
Chen Niansu stammered, tears streaming down his face.
"You're a disgrace!" Elian roared, throwing him to the ground.
"Others have earned merit for the family, but you've done nothing but ride on your ancestors' coattails."
"Even the third elder promised you priority for the next Foundation Establishment Pill, yet you still acted out of greed. You had the nerve to betray the family but lacked the courage to forge your own path?"
"Compared to Uncle Qinghe and Uncle Qingmeng, you're worth less than dirt."
Elian's voice turned icy as he continued, "Chen Qinghe died refusing to use this very Foundation Establishment Pill, leaving it for the younger generation."
"You grew up under his care. Do you think he would be proud of you now?"
Chen Niansu collapsed to his knees, sobbing uncontrollably.
"It was my mistake. I've failed the family."
"You should end it yourself," Elian said, his tone cold and resolute.
Chen Niansu hesitated before drawing a dagger.
"I deserve this. All I ask is that you spare my family."
"I promise," Elian replied.
Niansu gritted his teeth and raised the blade to his throat.
Just as the blade was about to pierce, a metallic clang rang out as the dagger was knocked aside. Elian retracted his hand, turned, and said coldly, "Your grandfather died for this family. You're his last direct descendant. Today, I'll spare your life for his sake."
Chen Niansu stared in disbelief. The famously ruthless Elian had spared him.
"Remember, Chen Niansu is dead. You are banished from Yu County forever," Elian declared.
"Your mortal family will be placed under the care of the Meng family."
"Thank you for sparing me," Niansu sobbed, retreating with trembling steps.
After he disappeared into the night, Elian forged a scene with the Purple Sun Furnace, creating ash and bones as if Niansu had died. He summoned the others to the hall.
Seeing the evidence, the clan members felt both vindicated and awed by Elian's decisiveness. They swore never to betray the family.
Later, alone with the third elder, Elian gazed into the distant wilderness.
"Do you think I was too harsh?" he asked.
The elder hesitated before replying, "Betraying the family deserves death, but punishing his innocent family..."
Elian interrupted, "A traitor must be punished severely to deter others. If we don't, the family's downfall is inevitable."
The elder sighed.
"Perhaps you understand human nature better than I do."
...
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I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D