"Then tell me, Sikong Yi, what would you do if you were in my position?"
Sikong Yi was caught off guard by Chen Linlin's inquiry. He didn't expect her to ask for his advice, but nonetheless, he cleared his throat before answering.
"Young Miss Chen Linlin, as someone who leads your people, you need to understand the weight that your words carry. You must show them that you're not asking them, but ordering them. Only then will your words carry enough authority. When that happens, your people will adhere to your every word," Sikong Yi answered sagely.
His words made the people of the Silver Winged Family nod, especially Sikong Hongyue, who took her father's words as doctrine.
"Oh! Is that how you run this place, Sikong Yi?" Chen Linlin asked curiously, her eyes wide with genuine interest.
Sikong Yi's chest swelled with pride as an air of authority surrounded him.
"That's right, Young Miss Chen Linlin. In the Silver Winged Family, each and every one of my words is law. Defy it, and you'll be heavily punished. That's how I make people respect me."
At his words, Chen Linlin's eyes glinted with curiosity. Hearing the word "punished" gave her the perfect opportunity to bring up a certain subject.
"You say you punish people if they don't follow your words. Is that why the youth over there are being punished as we speak? Did he do something to warrant such punishment?" she questioned, pointing toward the black-winged youth restrained against one of the pillars.
Sikong Yi's eyes narrowed, a glint of displeasure flashing through them.
"Yes! That bastard child is the son of one of my people. His mother committed the sin of bringing shame upon the Silver Winged Family by marrying a man outside the family. Thus, she was killed along with her man."
Everyone could practically hear the venom carried in each of Sikong Yi's words.
"That whore begged us to keep her bastard child alive, so we did. He was kept alive as a reminder to everyone who wishes to defy my words, just like that bastard child's mother."
Sikong Yi answered with arrogance. From his tone, it was clear that he was not pleased that Chen Linlin had brought up the subject.
Hearing his words, Chen Linlin fell into thought before standing up and leaving the table.
The people of the Silver Winged Family all unconsciously placed their hands atop the hilts of their weapons, making Xiao Ning'er, Ye Ziyun, and the rest immediately tense in alert.
Sikong Yi's gaze followed Chen Linlin closely as she approached the restrained Black-Winged youth. He gave a quick, meaningful look to the old Black Gold-rank expert, whose eyes flashed with understanding.
"Honored guest, please do not approach this sinner. Return to your table at once."
The two soldiers guarding the Black-Winged youth stepped forward with the intention of stopping Chen Linlin from approaching, but their bodies seized up as an invisible force prevented them from moving, allowing Chen Linlin to simply walk past them.
Standing at arm's length from the Black-Winged youth, a look of pity washed over Chen Linlin's eyes. What she hated most was seeing people trapped by their cruel fate, as she knew exactly what it felt like.
"What is your name?" Chen Linlin asked in a gentle voice.
The question prompted the Black-Winged youth to lift his head, revealing the hate-filled gaze beneath his disheveled hair.
The Black-Winged youth initially intended to ignore Chen Linlin's question, seeing her as one of Sikong Yi's friends. However, encouraged by her gentle aura, he found himself unable to ignore her.
"Duan Jian," he answered dismissively.
Chen Linlin didn't mind his attitude and continued inquiring about him.
"How long have you been a prisoner of the Silver Winged Family, Duan Jian?"
Taking a closer look, Chen Linlin was able to see the signs of years of torture the youth before her had endured, with scars, both old and new, littering his exposed skin.
Duan Jian scowled, sending Sikong Yi, Sikong Hongyue, and the other members of the Silver Winged Family a murderous look.
"Since I was a little kid. That bastard, Sikong Yi, killed my mother and father and brought me here to imprison me," he cursed through gritted teeth.
"You dare to curse my father?! Say it again, and let's see if I don't cut your tongue out, you son of a bitch!" Sikong Hongyue shouted as killing intent erupted from her body.
She rose to her feet, looking furious at both Duan Jian and Chen Linlin. Before she could approach the two, Chen Linlin turned her attention back to the table, more specifically to Sikong Yi.
She addressed him with a stern expression.
"My father once told me that leading with fear is not really leading, but tyranny. Sikong Yi, Duan Jian was punished because of some sins his parents committed, sins that should have been paid for with their lives. Yet you still feel the need to make their innocent child carry their sins. That is simply cruelty beyond all reason.
"I've seen enough of you and your Silver Winged Family. I'm afraid we can't invite you to become part of Glory City. We are a people who survived through sheer determination and compassion for one another, something you and your people clearly do not possess."
Her harsh words brought the atmosphere of the banquet to a complete standstill.
Sikong Yi, Sikong Hongyue, and all the members of the Silver Winged Family turned hostile as their spiritual energy erupted from their bodies.
Sikong Yi rose from his chair, his large frame commanding attention.
"Chen Linlin, here I thought you were a smart little girl. All I'm asking of you is a little cooperation, but you chose to make things difficult for yourself and your friends."
At his words, all the members of the Silver Winged Family withdrew their weapons, brandishing them toward Chen Linlin and the others.
Seeing this, Chen Linlin raised an eyebrow. She showed no fear, even with the swords of the two guards only inches away from her body.
"Sikong Yi, do you understand that by pointing your weapons at us, you are declaring war against Glory City?" Chen Linlin stated calmly.
Sikong Yi let out a scoff, clearly not one bit afraid of Chen Linlin's threat.
"Little girl, this is the Abyss Demon Realm. In this land, my Silver Winged Family is the one you need to fear. So what if Glory City has many experts? Your forces will be useless if they can't enter the Abyss Demon Realm. All I need to do is close the spatial array on our side, and Glory City will be helpless against us."
"And since you decided to be presumptuous before me, none of you will be leaving our territory. Once we squeeze the cure out of that brat, all of you are going to spend the rest of your lives serving my Silver Winged Family as slaves."
His words drew cruel grins from all the experts of the Silver Winged Family.
Sikong Yi's eyes traveled over Chen Linlin's body, and his gaze became heated.
"And as for you, Chen Linlin, I'm going to personally teach you what it means to fear and submit to me," he said in a suggestive tone.
But to Sikong Yi's surprise, Chen Linlin merely shook her head with a sigh, as though she were listening to nothing but nonsense. She didn't even bother answering him. Instead, she turned her attention back to Duan Jian.
"If I give you a chance to avenge your parents, what are you going to give me in return?"
Duan Jian's eyes grew wide as his entire body trembled violently. Memories of his parents flashed through his mind before being replaced by the cruel faces of Sikong Yi, Sikong Hongyue, and the rest of the members of the Silver Winged Family.
"My life. If you grant me a chance to avenge my parents, my life is yours to take," Duan Jian swore with all his heart and soul.
"Very well."
Hearing Chen Linlin's words, the spiritual energy in Sikong Yi's body burst forth as he lunged toward her. At the same time, all the members of the Silver Winged Family charged forward and attacked Xiao Ning'er, Ye Ziyun, Nie Li, and the rest.
"Chen Linlin, you arrogant brat!" Sikong Yi roared as his hands reached for Chen Linlin.
But before he could touch her, Chen Linlin's spiritual energy erupted, unleashing a massive concussive force that sent Sikong Yi and the Silver Winged experts near her flying.
Crash!
Sikong Yi's body slammed into the throne he had been sitting on, causing it to crack under his weight.
Before Sikong Yi could shake off the impact, the sound of chains breaking entered his ears.
Looking in the direction of the sound, he saw Duan Jian shrouded in a mysterious light. All the restraints on his body were gone, including the inscription marks that had been carved into his flesh.
Duan Jian first checked his hands in great shock before shifting his gaze toward Sikong Yi.
Killing intent erupted from his body.
"FOR KILLING MY PARENTS! DIE BY MY HAND, BASTARD SIKONG YI!"
End of Chapter 139
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