"Now, he's right here."
Bibi Dong (Nan Feng) pointed a slender finger at Bai He on the ground, then at Tang Xiao.
"Clan Chief Tang, I'll give you two choices."
"First, lay down your Clear Sky Hammer and lead everyone from the Strength Clan to their knees in surrender. If I'm in a good mood, perhaps I'll spare your lives."
"Second..."
A flash of purple gleamed in Bibi Dong (Nan Feng)'s eyes. Chrysanthemum and Ghost understood at once. Their Soul Rings flashed, and a storm of razor-sharp petals, along with countless shadowy ghost hands, came to rest against the necks of the old, the weak, the women, and the children.
"Go ahead. Make your move."
"If you dare bring that hammer down..."
"I guarantee that before your hammer hits the ground, your own uncle's head will roll to your feet first!"
"And these children, these women..."
"They'll all be reduced to a heap of mangled flesh by your heroism!"
"Come on!!"
Bibi Dong (Nan Feng) took a sudden step forward, his aura erupting as he barked:
"Let me see just how tough the so-called Clear Sky Sect Master really is!!"
"Let me see whether you care more about your pride or your loved ones' lives!!"
The furious shout cracked across the battlefield like thunder.
Everyone's eyes turned to Tang Xiao.
The people of the Strength Clan in particular, as they watched the women and children of the Speed Clan with blades at their throats, felt an indescribable sorrow at the sight of a fellow creature's suffering.
If the Sect Master didn't care whether the Speed Clan lived or died today, then tomorrow... would he abandon them too?
Tang Xiao gripped the Clear Sky Hammer tightly. The veins on the back of his hand twisted like writhing earthworms, betraying his torment and inner struggle.
Fight? Or not?
If he fought, his uncle and those clansmen would be doomed. The Clear Sky Sect would be branded heartless and lose the people's trust.
If he didn't, was he supposed to let them butcher his people just like that?
"Patriarch..."
Tai Tan clutched his chest, his eyes filled with anguish and a hint of pleading.
It wasn't just him. The elders and disciples of the Clear Sky Sect behind him, along with the members of the Strength Clan—all of them looked to Tang Xiao.
They weren't afraid to die. But being threatened with their loved ones, forced to watch them die before their eyes—that was an unbearably humiliating way to go.
"What do you... want?"
Tang Xiao drew a deep breath, his voice hoarse.
"Heh."
Bibi Dong (Nan Feng) gave a soft laugh and slowly descended from the air.
He waved his hand, and the magnificent, gilded Papal throne appeared out of thin air, landing steadily between the two armies.
Bibi Dong (Nan Feng) made himself at home, plopping down on it and crossing his legs. He propped his chin on his right hand. He looked less like he was facing off against an army and more like he was admiring flowers in his own courtyard.
"Truth be told, I don't want to go to war either."
Bibi Dong (Nan Feng)'s voice drifted across the field, tinged with a sorrowful compassion:
"War always costs lives."
"No matter who wins, countless families will be torn apart. Parents will bury their children, wives will lose their husbands, and children will lose their fathers."
"People from the Clear Sky Sect will die. People from the Four Great Clans will die. The young warriors of Spirit Hall will die too."
"The dead are beyond caring, but what about the living? How are all those orphans and widows supposed to survive in a world torn apart by war?"
"There are no victors in war, only those who lose."
At those words, the mood on the battlefield turned strange in an instant.
The Clear Sky Sect elders looked at one another, utterly bewildered.
Was this... the same Bibi Dong who'd been so ruthless, the one who'd just threatened to wipe out an entire clan?
Why had she suddenly started lamenting the suffering of the world and preaching peace and love?
What was this woman up to?
"How ridiculous!"
Tang Xiao finally couldn't hold back. He stepped forward and glared at Bibi Dong. "Bibi Dong, spare us the crocodile tears!"
"Wasn't Spirit Hall the one causing trouble from start to finish?!"
"Qian Xunji was the one who first brought men to hunt down my younger brother! Your people were the ones who started the war and tried to wipe out my affiliated clans!"
"And now you're talking to me about peace? About not wanting people to die? Don't you hear how ridiculous that sounds?!"
"You're right. It is ridiculous."
Bibi Dong (Nan Feng) nodded, agreeing without a trace of embarrassment. "I think it's pretty ridiculous too."
"But, Clan Chief Tang, what can we do?"
Bibi Dong (Nan Feng) spread his hands, his tone edged with helplessness:
"No matter what started this, the result is that Qian Xunji is dead, killed by Tang Hao's hammer."
"As the holy land for Soul Masters across the continent, Spirit Hall cannot let the murder of its Pope go unavenged. If we simply let this go, how could Spirit Hall command the countless Soul Masters? How could we maintain our standing between the two great empires?"
"We have no choice."
"Spirit Hall must avenge this grievance. We must win back our honor."
"So..."
Bibi Dong (Nan Feng) paused, his gaze growing profound:
"Clan Chief Tang, since everyone has their difficulties, and no one wants both sides to suffer devastating losses..."
"Why can't we find another way to settle this?"
"What way?" Tang Xiao asked with a frown.
"Every grievance has its source, and every debt its debtor."
Bibi Dong (Nan Feng) leaned forward slightly, his mismatched eyes fixed on Tang Xiao.
"From beginning to end, this wasn't really a conflict between Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect. It was a personal feud between the former Pope, Qian Xunji, and that unfilial son, Tang Hao."
"Qian Xunji was greedy and tried to seize Tang Hao's wife, and Tang Hao fought back and killed him."
"If this was a matter between those two men, why drag the whole Clear Sky Sect into it? Why make so many innocent people die with them?"
Bibi Dong (Nan Feng) pointed to the Spirit Hall Soul Masters standing ready behind him, then to the Clear Sky Sect disciples across from him, indignant but afraid to act rashly.
"Look at them. Every one of them has a family, with parents, wives, and children waiting for them to come home."
"Should all these people have to die just because of the crime Tang Hao committed alone? Should countless families be plunged into grief?"
"Is that fair?"
Silence fell over the entire field.
The Soul Masters of Spirit Hall, the disciples of the Clear Sky Sect, even the musclebound brutes of the Strength Clan—all of them fell silent.
That was true.
Was it fair?
Tang Hao had caused this mess. Why should they have to risk their lives?
Seeing the hesitation that flickered across their faces, Bibi Dong (Nan Feng) smiled inwardly and pressed his advantage:
"So, I propose that we settle this another way."
"A way that resolves everything without forcing everyone to fight to the death."
Tang Xiao's brow furrowed. His hand still gripped the Clear Sky Hammer tightly, but the killing intent in his eyes had indeed faded.
"How do you propose we settle it?" Tang Xiao asked gravely.
"It's simple."
Bibi Dong (Nan Feng) smiled faintly. "The Clear Sky Sect helps Spirit Hall capture the killer, Tang Hao!"
"If you hand Tang Hao over, or help us kill him to honor the late Pope's memory..."
"Then..."
Bibi Dong (Nan Feng) looked around the field, his voice growing irresistibly persuasive:
"Spirit Hall will have its revenge and reclaim its honor."
"Your Clear Sky Sect will lose Tang Hao, but it'll preserve its foundations, save the Four Great Clans, and protect tens of thousands of lives."
"No one will have to fight to the death. Everyone can go home to their wives and children and a warm bed."
"Isn't that the best possible outcome?"
Those words stirred up a commotion among the Clear Sky Sect.
The eyes of several elders, already unhappy with the trouble Tang Hao had caused, lit up at once.
This... actually sounded like a pretty good proposal!
Hand over just one Tang Hao, and the entire sect could be spared. They could save the Speed Clan too, and even avoid a battle that might leave the sect badly weakened.
It was a good deal!
"Impossible!!"
But before the elders could speak, Tang Xiao roared and flatly refused.
"Bibi Dong! Don't even think about it!"
With another roar, Tang Xiao raised the Clear Sky Hammer. "You want me to betray my own brother? Dream on!!"
"Tang Hao may be in the wrong, but he's a member of the Clear Sky Sect! Even if I die, I'll never commit such a vile act as betraying a friend for personal gain, or selling out my own family!!"
"Oh? Is that so?"
Bibi Dong (Nan Feng) wasn't angry. Instead, he laughed mockingly. "Clan Chief Tang truly is a loyal and righteous hero."
"But..."
Bibi Dong (Nan Feng) pointed to the women and children of the Speed Clan, blades at their throats on the ground:
"Your younger brother is family, but isn't your own uncle family too?"
"Those elders who watched you grow up, those children who call you cousin, who call you Sect Master—aren't they family too?"
"To protect a criminal who brought disaster down on the entire sect and driven it to the brink, will you personally send all these innocent relatives to their deaths?"
"You care only about your good brother, who brought catastrophe down on everyone, and not at all about the clansmen who've faithfully followed you!"
"Do you really think one Tang Hao's life matters more than the future of the entire Clear Sky Sect, more than the lives of thousands of people?"
"Or is this what you call loyalty and righteousness?"
"Is this what you call noble selflessness?"
"You—!!"
Tang Xiao shook with rage, but the barrage of questions left him speechless.
"And besides..."
Bibi Dong (Nan Feng) turned his gaze to the Clear Sky Sect's elders, his voice growing somber:
"Elders, do you really think it's worth risking the entire Clear Sky Sect, your own lives, and your families' lives for one Tang Hao?"
"Tang Hao is a genius, a Titled Douluo. He can run away. He can hide."
"But what about you?"
"Can you run? Can your homes and livelihoods run?"
"Are you really willing to lose your families and homes to pay for his mistake?"
Those words were like poisoned needles, striking straight into the most selfish, darkest corners of the elders' hearts.
That was right.
Why?
Why should they pay with their lives because Tang Hao had caused trouble?
Why sacrifice the whole sect just to protect that unfilial son?