Why Should I Forgive Him Just Because He Apologized?

Outside the Xiao Family mansion.

At this moment, the nine Elders of the Xiao Family stood at the forefront.

Behind them were the clan members with real power, or their descendants.

However, except for the First Elder, the other eight Elders, and even the other clan members, all wore panicked expressions.

"First Elder, do you think Xiao Yao will have the Lotus Sword Emperor wipe us all out?" The Second Elder, Xiao Long, couldn't help but ask.

The First Elder, Xiao Wei, appeared very calm, even with the corners of his mouth slightly upturned, revealing a rather confident smile.

"Second Elder!"

"When have we ever mistreated the Young Clan Leader?"

"Or perhaps, you've been mistreating the Young Clan Leader behind my back?"

Xiao Long thought about it. He, or rather, they, hadn't treated the Young Clan Leader poorly. His tense mood immediately relaxed considerably.

But at this moment, Xiao Ting nervously whispered, "Father, I mocked him on the Path to Immortality."

Xiao Wei's eyes narrowed in surprise, but his expression quickly returned to calm. "Ting'er, didn't I tell you to treat the Young Clan Leader well? Why did you do something so foolish?"

"I thought I was safe after taking a Demon Saint as my master. I never expected the Young Clan Leader to hide his Chaos Body and successfully become a disciple of the Lotus Sword Emperor."

Xiao Ting's words were filled with grievance.

How could he have known Xiao Yao could endure so much?

If it were him, he would have wanted the whole world to know he possessed a Chaos Body.

In reality, it wasn't that Xiao Yao could endure, but rather a choice made after weighing the pros and cons.

"Ting'er, what did you say? The Young Clan Leader hid his Chaos Body?" Xiao Wei froze on the spot.

He had always thought Xiao Yao was just lucky to have caught the eye of the Lotus Sword Emperor.

The others were also stunned, especially the other eight Elders. They realized Xiao Yao wasn't the simpleton they had seen before; he could even be considered very cunning.

"First Elder, could it be that the Young Clan Leader knows we've been deliberately nice to him!"

Xiao Long's words made everyone's hearts pound with anxiety.

"Bring the whip vines!" Xiao Wei shouted decisively, then looked at Xiao Ting. "Ting'er, you'll have to endure some hardship next!"

Xiao Ting tilted his head slightly, looking confused.

Soon, the whip vines were brought out. Xiao Wei immediately coldly ordered, "Ting'er, take off your shirt!"

To save his own life, Xiao Ting complied.

As soon as he took off his shirt, Xiao Wei tied the whip vines behind his back. Instantly, the thorns on the vines pierced his tender skin, and blood flowed freely.

"It hurts... Father, it hurts so much!"

Seeing Xiao Ting's face contorted in pain, Xiao Wei, as his father, naturally felt heartache. But this was the best way to gain Xiao Yao's forgiveness.

"For your own sake, and for everyone's, endure it."

"When Xiao Yao returns later, you will kneel before him and beg for his forgiveness."

Xiao Wei's words struck Xiao Ting to the core. He never imagined that he would have to grovel like this to save his life.

He looked around and saw only approving glances; no one spoke up for him.

He felt angry but helpless.

This was all Xiao Yao's fault. If it weren't for him, how could he be suffering like this?

Xiao Yao! Just you wait!

Five minutes later, Xiao Yao saw the Xiao Family members, led by the First Elder Xiao Wei, from afar.

What a grand display!

As he walked closer, Xiao Yao noticed that the First Elder had invited all the influential figures of the Xiao Family.

Anyone who didn't know the full story would think Xiao Ting had struck it rich!

In fact, Xiao Ting had indeed struck it rich!

After all, his master was the Shātu Demon Sage, though not as powerful as his other master—the Lotus Sword Emperor!

Tap, tap!

Tap, tap!

Step by step, the sound of footsteps grew clearer.

Upon hearing it, Xiao Wei immediately looked in the direction of the sound. The first thing he saw was Xiao Yao, who had become more robust and looked even more handsome and dashing.

The Young Clan Leader has changed so much!

As he inwardly marveled, a cold, sharp, and powerful aura enveloped him, leaving him with nothing but fear and no other thoughts.

Upon closer inspection, the person releasing this aura was a woman.

Even though she was enveloped in white immortal light, it couldn't conceal her tall, slender, and curvaceous figure.

Xiao Wei had no desire to watch any further, because compared to these worldly desires, staying alive was the most pressing issue.

As soon as Xiao Yao reached within ten meters of Xiao Wei, Xiao Wei respectfully cupped his hands and said, "Welcome home, Young Clan Leader. Welcome, Young Clan Leader's master, to the Xiao Family."

The rest of the Xiao Family also respectfully cupped their hands in unison, shouting, "Welcome home, Young Clan Leader. Welcome, Young Clan Leader's master, to the Xiao Family."

Their voices were loud and clear, echoing through the surroundings.

The scene was grand and deeply moving.

Xiao Yao's eyes widened slightly in a daze!

Such a sight had only occurred before he was three years old, back when his father had not yet left the Xiao Family.

He had once thought he would never see such a day again, but unexpectedly, he had achieved it even before his father's return!

Although this was thanks to his master, Xiao Yao believed that even without his master, he would have eventually achieved this with the God-tier Sign-in System.

Snapping back to reality, Xiao Yao's eyes narrowed, sharp and brimming with intensity.

"First Elder, thank you for your hard work!"

Xiao Wei was taken aback for a moment, then understood that this was Xiao Yao's tactic of advancing by retreating. He quickly replied, "Young Clan Leader, I am not tired! Not tired at all!"

"Sigh! First Elder, why are you speaking so nervously? I'm not a man-eating tiger," Xiao Yao said with a smile.

Xiao Wei swallowed, thinking, You're more terrifying than a man-eating tiger right now.

The next moment, he waved his arm and shouted as if in anger, "Bring that unfilial son here!"

The crowd then parted, revealing Xiao Ting, who had been hidden. He was shirtless, carrying a whip vine covered in sharp thorns on his back, with bright red blood constantly flowing and dripping.

His appearance was pitiful, designed to evoke pity from those around him.

Xiao Yao's gaze sharpened, his expression solemn. He hadn't expected the First Elder to act so decisively and ruthlessly.

To inflict such severe punishment on his own flesh and blood in such a short time explained how he had managed the Xiao Family without any issues for the past nine years!

"Brother Ting, what did you do wrong?" Xiao Yao asked.

Xiao Ting remained silent, enduring the pain as he slowly walked to within a meter of Xiao Yao.

Plop!

With a not-so-quiet sound, Xiao Ting knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face. "Brother Xiao Yao, during the Immortal Ascension trial, I shouldn't have mocked you. Please forgive my youthful ignorance."

Seeing Xiao Yao's silence, Xiao Wei signaled to someone beside him.

"Young Clan Leader, Xiao Ting has already apologized. Please forgive him!"

"That's right! He's still just a child. It's understandable for him to make such a mistake."

Following that, Xiao Wei cupped his hands and said, "Young Clan Leader, I, this Elder, will definitely discipline Ting'er strictly from now on and ensure today's events never happen again."

With this entire performance, if Xiao Yao didn't forgive Xiao Ting now, he would appear petty and narrow-minded.

[Ding! Detected that the host's clansmen are emotionally blackmailing the host, thus a mission is issued: Do not forgive Xiao Ting, and propose a duel with Xiao Ting in seven days. A great reward can be obtained upon completion of the mission.]

"Just as I wished!" Xiao Yao silently thought.

Then, he glared at Xiao Wei, a cold, disdainful smile appearing on his lips. "Why should I forgive him just because he apologized?"