Song Yuqing placed Song Tianyuan's body inside a hastily crafted coffin. Then, carrying his Identity Waist Token, he stepped over the kneeling crowd and walked heavily to Song Changsheng. In a solemn tone, he asked, "True Lord, the Grand Elder has three questions. He asked this junior to convey them on his behalf."
"If there is anything you doubt, speak freely." Song Changsheng gave a slight nod.
"If Brocade Banner chooses to submit, can you refrain from indiscriminate killing and collective punishment?"
"Although this seat promised to execute only the chief culprits, Song Daoling's direct relatives and die-hard loyalists absolutely cannot be spared. They may not have participated directly, but they were beneficiaries. Since they benefited, there is no reason to let them go.
"As for exactly who will be purged, this seat already has a detailed list. Those who are truly innocent certainly will not be implicated."
Hearing this, Song Yuqing glanced at Song Shouhe beside him, then asked with a sliver of hope, "Must they truly all be put to the sword? Many of them are innocent. They can be exiled or imprisoned, but their crimes do not warrant death."
Song Changsheng said coldly, "This seat has a benevolent heart, but I will never leave behind hidden dangers because of it. Careful discernment, prudent killing—this is already the greatest mercy this seat can show for the sake of our kinship. Say no more."
Seeing his unyielding attitude, Song Yuqing could only change the subject unwillingly. "Then may I ask, True Lord, if our clan submits to you, can you treat us equally?"
"If you can be like my clansmen—respect me, trust me, support me; remain united and harmonious, with elder brothers loving their younger brothers and younger brothers respecting their elders; treat another's father as your own father