"And my lineage!"
Tears streamed down Lin Xiao's face. "Because I became a cripple and lost my value, the Lin Family was cast aside at once! The factions that used to fawn over us pulled away, some even suppressed us in secret. Our businesses collapsed. My kin were met with contempt whenever they went out. My father, the head of our lineage, ran himself ragged begging for help. He endured so much humiliation that his hair turned white overnight! All of it happened because of me! Because I believed their lies, ruined myself, and dragged my lineage down with me!"
As though all his strength had left him, he collapsed to the floor. Nothing remained in his voice but grief and hatred.
"I was once a genius, a source of pride, my lineage's hope. But now, what am I?"
"A cripple who needs someone to help him walk! A pawn my masters used and threw away! A sinner who brought shame on his lineage! That fall, from the clouds into the mire... watching everything I once had slip away bit by bit, watching my loved ones suffer because of me... can you understand what that feels like?"
Lin Xiao raised his head. His bloodshot eyes fixed on the rulers of the Five Clans, and every word sounded as though it were wrung from his heart.
"So I hate them! I hate Gu Daozi for using me behind a mask of virtue! I hate Immortal Emperor Yun Yi for going back on his word! And most of all, I hate Fang Chen for his cold indifference! The greater good? The bigger picture? All lies!"
"They only care about their own power and their own plans! A pawn like me, one who's outlived his usefulness, deserves to be discarded. Deserves to die!"