Amidst the ruins, a deathly silence prevailed.
Whether it was fortunate, or unfortunate,
Among the three elder clansmen who accompanied Wei Zong, not one perished.
They gazed upon the scattered carcasses and the bodies of their kin, with varied expressions.
"No... no objections..."
A tall, thin elder clansman stammered, squeezing out words from his throat, crawling desperately to kneel on the ground, fervently kowtowing to Chen Ye,
"Chen... Guardian Chen, spare us! This matter... this matter was all because Wei Zong lost his mind! We were... we were deceived by him, coerced by that demon!"
"Yes, Guardian Chen!"
Another white-haired elder also responded, pleading tearfully,
"The Wei Family’s collusion with the Demon Cultivators is a grave sin, we dare not argue! But... but we beg the Guardian to have mercy for the sake of the women, children, and the elderly in our family, and spare us, give us a chance to atone for our sins!"
The last burly elder remained silent, consumed by grief and anger.
These bodies, in life, were the finest sons of the Wei Family, among them, there was even one who had hopes of reaching Foundation Establishment...
Although some were meant to be sacrifices, to later portray the Wei Family as victims.
But those talented clansmen, who came only to watch, thought everything was safe, who would have anticipated things turning so abruptly?
Chen Ye pinched his chin, murmuring: "Colluding with Demon Cultivators, according to the sect’s laws, demands execution of the entire family..."
The three elder clansmen instantly turned ashen, their lips trembling, shaking like sieves.
This wasn’t just about their own lives!
The people of the Wei Family are their beloved kin, with wives, children, siblings...
Though the Lingyin Sect is a righteous path sect that won’t kill indiscriminately.
Yet, collusion with Demon Cultivators crosses the line, never tolerated!
The tall, thin elder pleaded: "We hope the Guardian understands! The clansmen of the Wei Family knew nothing about the Demon Cultivators! Everything was done secretly, the story leaked with its failure, Wei Zong couldn’t have let the clansmen know of the Demon Cultivators. Even we only found out today."
The burly elder clenched his teeth: "Guardian Chen, according to the sect’s laws, it’s impossible to execute the whole family just because of one person’s betrayal! If that were so, the Ji Family would have ceased to exist long ago!"
Chen Ye chuckled: "Oh? But was it one person’s betrayal in your Wei Family?"
The burly elder turned pale, seeing things clearly.
In fact, the outcome for the Wei Family depended entirely on how Chen Ye defined the situation.
It could be said that Wei Zong colluded with the Demon Cultivators, coercing the Wei Family, or it could be said the whole Wei Family sought alliance with the Demon Sect, harboring sinister intent.
Chen Ye smiled, waving his hand: "I’m no Demon Cultivator to kill the innocent indiscriminately, as for the Wei Family’s fate..."
Of course, Chen Ye wouldn’t directly kill off the entire Wei Family.
It would bring him no benefit.
If it were deemed betrayal, how could Chen Ye have a hand in the Wei Family’s industries and resources?
By the next day, sect envoys would likely come to take over the Wei Family’s enterprises and assess their resources.
He could only, at most, secretly stash some treasures from the Wei Family’s treasury for now.
Thinking of this, Chen Ye changed his tone: "Executing the entire family is somewhat excessive, merely dirtying my hands."
Hearing this, a glimmer of hope ignited in the eyes of the three elder clansmen.
"However," Chen Ye’s voice turned cold again, "death can be avoided, but living conditions cannot. How this affair concludes still depends on your sincerity."
The tall, thin elder reacted the fastest, immediately kowtowing: "We... we are willing to present all the treasures in the Wei Family’s treasury, just begging the Guardian to spare the Wei Family’s life!"
"Treasury?" Chen Ye shook his head, chuckling softly, "That is rightfully my spoils of war, why would you present it?"
The burly elder’s expression changed, just about to speak, yet was firmly restrained by the other two beside him.
The three of them understood.
Chen Ye wasn’t only after the Wei Family’s treasury, he desired the entire foundation of the Wei Family!
But compared to the life of the entire family, what did that count for?
Seeing no objection, Chen Ye nodded with satisfaction: "Very well, it seems you understand my meaning. If I find you harbor any ulterior motives, I will report to the sect about the Wei Family’s collusion with the Demon Cultivators! At that point, at worst, I would be seen by the sect as corrupt, but you would face inescapable death. Not to mention, I have the support of True Inheritor Bai!"
True Inheritor Bai!
The three kneeling elders exchanged glances.
Indeed, even if they disclosed this situation, Chen Ye had Bai Susu behind him, meaning the Bai Family was behind him!
The Lingyin Sect could be considered as the Lingyin Sect of both the Bai and Zhao Families.
They had nowhere to appeal, and if they did, the Wei Family would suffer the most tragic end.
"Guardian Chen, we... are willing!"
The three bowed their heads dejectedly, this... meant the entire Wei Family became Chen Ye’s private property and servants.
But without Wei Zong and Wei Shu, the Wei Family was merely a Qi Cultivation family, how could it contend with Chen Ye and the Bai Family behind him?
Though there still was a disciple in the sect from the Wei Family as a core disciple, yet wholeheartedly pursuing the Dao, he had long since disregarded family matters.
If he knew of the Wei Family’s link to the Demon Cultivators, he would likely distance himself from the Wei Family...
Chen Ye smiled: "That’s good. But as for the Wei Family clan members of Wei Zong’s line, I ask the three elder clansmen to take action in cleaning them up."
This was to make them swear an oath of loyalty!
And deliberately divide the Wei Family!
At this point, the three elder clansmen showed no hesitation, responding crisply: "Understood!"
The Wei Family had four branches, currently, Wei Zong was of the main branch, while the three elder clansmen were spokesmen for the other branches.
The reason the Wei Family held a grudge against Chen Ye was simply because he had killed people from Wei Cheng, Wei Shu, and even Wei Zong’s main branch.
But if these elder clansmen personally exterminated the main branch... then what did Chen Ye’s grudge count for?