⚖️The Weight of Judgment
A silence thicker than the mountain's roots settled over the hall. The Clear Sky Clan had come expecting battle—but what they faced was something far worse: understanding.
In the span of a single confrontation, they had seen the truth. Yusheng's crew moved as one, their power effortless, their unity unshakable. Had this been war, the Clear Sky Clan would have been erased before their hammers even left their belts.
Yusheng stood before them, his voice calm, his eyes unyielding.
"There are people in this world stronger than you can imagine," he said, echoing Qiao Ming's words."Arrogance has buried entire clans. Never assume the beggar in the street is weak—he might be the one who ends you."
"a wiser man than I told me this once: 'The strongest souls wear no banners.' Remember it well. For the day you mistake humility for weakness is the day your name is erased from history."
He turned to the elders, his gaze stripping them bare.
"I will not kill you today. Not because you deserve mercy, but because your ancestor was my father's only friend. And because I made a promise—to someone I love—that I would never choose war where peace could grow."
A breath. A pause. The weight of his restraint pressed down on them harder than any blade.
"But do not mistake restraint for fear. We do not fear war. We fear the waste that follows it."
The air itself seemed to still. Then—
"Uncle… I'm hungry."
A small voice cut through the tension. The child in Yusheng's arms blinked awake, rubbing her eyes. She glanced around at the armored men, the bowed heads, the elders frozen in place. Then she frowned, tiny fists clenching.
"Don't hurt my uncle!" she shouted, voice trembling but fierce. "If you do, I'll scream!"
For a heartbeat, the elders paled. Not because she was a threat—but because of what her distress might summon.
Yusheng smiled, handing her a glowing fruit. "Mei Rulan,"he said softly, "take her to see the mountains."
The patriarch swallowed hard before barking an order."Escort her. And if any fool so much as breathes too loud near that child, feed him to the crows."
The message was clear: She is not to be touched.
As the girl was led away, Yusheng turned back to the elders.
"Now. Your sentence."
He spoke without malice, without gloating—only finality.
"The Clear Sky Clan is disbanded. Every branch will scatter. The Tang family's compound will be sealed for ten years. Not for revenge, but for remembrance. A small hole can sink the mightiest ship,a tree bends as its roots have taught it. Those who shaped him shall now carry the weight of that shaping. And the disciple's crime reveals the master's failing. As Tang Hao's sins scorch the earth, so too must the hands that fed his flames know the heat."
The patriarch's voice cracked. "Is there no other way?"
"No. you gave him pride without wisdom, strength without compass—now i will let you drink from that same bitter cup". Yusheng's voice was the closing of a tomb. "You will learn, as all who cling to pride must learn. Your ancestor is dust. The age of unquestioned might is ashes. And the Spirit Hall now keeps six Super Titled Douluos who weep for Qian Xunji as a mother weeps for her child."
He turned to leave, his cloak whispering secrets to the stones.
"Remember this day. Remember that you lived only because someone greater than you chose to remember kindness."
No grand threats. No final curses. Just the echo of his steps—and the last chance he had given them.
The patriarch's shoulders slumped. "The Clear Sky Clan… is no more."
No one protested.
What could they say?
They had no strength to fight.
No allies to call upon.
And no one left to blame but themselves.