Ji Chang's Mercy for Wu Ji

Looking at the expressionless soldiers on either side, thinking of his lonely, helpless old mother at home, and of what had happened to him today—

The grievance and despair in Wu Ji's heart erupted at once. Unable to hold back the sorrow rising within him, tears burst from his eyes and he broke into loud sobs, his cries filled with unwillingness and regret. "I really didn't mean to... My old mother is still waiting for me at home... Please, let me go..."

Wu Ji's wails were shrill and desolate, especially piercing on the deathly silent street. They soon drew the attention of Ji Chang nearby.

Ji Chang lifted the curtain of his carriage and, surrounded by his attendants, slowly made his way to the scene.

His gaze calmly swept over the corpse on the ground, then over Wu Ji, who was being escorted by the soldiers as he wept bitterly. His expression remained gentle, without the slightest trace of anger, as he slowly asked, "Are you the one who injured him? Why did you kill someone in public? And why are you weeping so bitterly after killing him?"

Hearing Ji Chang's gentle voice, a faint spark of hope ignited in Wu Ji's heart. He stopped crying and, choking back sobs, told him the entire story from beginning to end.

Ji Chang listened quietly, his expression gradually turning solemn. Once Wu Ji had finished, he sighed softly, regret and helplessness coloring his voice. "Though there were reasons behind what you say, and you did not deliberately commit murder, a life must be paid for with a life—this is the law of Heaven and Earth. In the end, you cannot escape this responsibility."

At those words, the color drained from Wu Ji's face. The hope in his eyes was completely extinguished, replaced