"To accept the clan's grace is to answer the clan's needs. I was raised within the family, so naturally I must also give something for the family."
Yuan Chengliang spoke earnestly. "So when the need arises, I am willing to give my life—for the family, to anger some people, befriend others... to win some people's amusement and quell others' fury."
"If it is for Heavenly Fate, my elder brother and I can both die."
"Die..." Prince Zhong looked at him, one brow rising. He lifted his wine cup and offered him a toast. "I never expected you to possess such resolve to die."
"Of course." Yuan Chengliang straightened his back, his tone brimming with pride. "The family has sheltered us from wind and rain, standing unchanged for thirty thousand years. So if we must face the storms stirred up by Heavenly Fate, losing a few high-ranking members or kneeling to admit defeat is no great difficulty."
Prince Zhong smiled, draining the wine in his cup in one gulp. "You are loyal as well."
"Of course we are loyal." Yuan Chengliang answered without hesitation. Then his tone shifted, a trace of concern flashing through his eyes as he looked once more toward the God-Slaying Platform. "If possible, I actually hope Old Gu dies too. There was simply no need to make such a grand spectacle of his execution..."
"But then again, they say Gu Yunzhi has a terrible relationship with his own granddaughter. If he is killed, perhaps Lord Heavenly Fate will even be pleased?"
As he spoke, he began consoling himself. "That Gu Yeqi follows Lord Heavenly Fate. Perhaps she has no intention of returning to Da Chen at all."
"Who can say otherwise?"
Prince Zhong smiled, neither affirming nor denying it.
He knew, and the four great families knew