"It was Xuanjing who forced me, Su Wan's father, Su Chongwen, was under Xuanjing's command, he... he set a trap for me, forcing me to swear a blood oath of loyalty to Xuanjing." Lin Gang's pretense became more pitiful, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at Yan Hua in the crowd, "Mom, save me!! I admit my fault towards big sister, I schemed against her and Su Chongwen's daughter, but I do not deserve to die!! Dad, because he favored big sister... insists on my death..."
Many of the Lin Family Disciples showed sympathy on their faces, and whispered discussions began to arise among them.
They felt that although Lin Gang was at fault, it certainly wasn't to the extent that he deserved death.
"My dear Gang, it's all the fault of those two burdens, what karma have I created to give birth to... someone as shameless and vile as Lin Xiangnan? Since she already left the Lin Family over two decades ago, why did she have to come back..."
Yan Hua defended her son while her words assailing my mother and me pierced the heart.
My mom's lips were pale, and her figure shook, nearly unable to stand steadily in the wind.
"Mom, Old Madam Lin favors sons over daughters and has been confused by Lin Gang's nonsense, her words are inevitably biased, you shouldn't take it too much to heart." I held my mom's hand tightly, extremely worried that she would not be able to withstand the stress.
My mom's tears couldn't be controlled, falling in heavy droplets, "I'm fine... really fine... I'm used to her doting on my brother..." ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ NoveI(F)ire.net
Sometimes, the breakdown of an adult happens in an instant, and the pain from childhood takes a lifetime to heal.
My mom was middle-aged now, yet at witnessing Yan Hua's partiality, she still felt the injustice and pain similar to a child deprived of a mother's love.
As a daughter, all I could do was hold her tight to make her feel a little better.
"Lin Gang, you've thrown dirt on Wanwan and your sister; you've really outdone yourself. Today, I will make you die a convincing death."
Lin Huan spoke with powerful conviction, "When you were in Spring Wind Town, you attempted to kill your father; I nearly died by your hand. Now, you've even colluded with Xuanjing, providing the Formation layout of our Lin Family, which caused countless deaths and injuries within the sect."
At this, the voices of sympathy for Lin Gang were immediately quashed.
During the days I spent in the Lin Family, I've come to understand some of the sect's ancestral rules.
The very first one, Lin Gang's attempt on Sect Master Lin Huan's life, was a sin deserving of death by a thousand arrows.
This time, he nearly caused the annihilation of the Lin Family; there is no room for forgiveness.
"Proceed with the execution." Lin Huan commanded.
My heart skipped a beat, I stared intently at the executioner.
Was Lin Gang really going to die?
If he died, the clue to the Ancestral Fox Remnant Soul would be completely severed.
Yet for such a calamity like Lin Gang not to die, it would be against the natural order.
Old Madam Lin's cries were hoarse, "You old thing, Lin Huan!! Do you really want to kill your own son, if you dare touch a single... hair... on him... I will..."
Before Old Madam Lin could finish her hysterical shouting, she fainted due to the overwhelming emotion.
The executioner was a law enforcer trained by the Punishment Hall since childhood; he executed Lin Huan's command without any emotion.
"Before I die, I have a gift for Su Wan," Lin Gang said, no longer in the earlier panic, his smile inscrutable, completely ignoring the axe hanging above his neck.
Lin Huan dismissed him, "What could you possibly have to give to Su Wan? Continue!"
"This is also a gift for you, Lin Huan."
Lin Gang curved his lips, "My dear father, if you don't look, you'll regret it."
"For me?" Lin Huan's face showed a hint of doubt.
Fearing that Lin Gang's actions were deceitful, I gave my mom a few reassuring taps on the back and turned to Zhang Shuying, "Zhang Shuying, let's go up and take a look."
"Let's go." Zhang Shuying said.