Su Xin had been pressing the Su Family hard. His aim was to make them hand Su Zhongyuan over of their own accord.
If the Su Family backed down and handed over Su Zhongyuan today, their direct-line descendants would surely have misgivings.
And it wouldn't just be the direct line. The collateral branches would likely have even more doubts.
Even Su Zhongyuan, a direct-line descendant, could be handed over without hesitation. If something happened again and the Su Family had to give up some of their collateral descendants, would they do the same? There was hardly any need to wonder.
Seeing that the Su Family Ancestor remained silent, Su Xin pressed on. "What, does the Su Family intend to go back on its word?"
Su Xin was certain the Su Family Ancestor would choose to hand over Su Zhongyuan. As long as he wasn't a fool, he would make that choice.
The greater good could sometimes be a load of nonsense, but when a family head weighed the bigger picture, he would surely consider the interests of the whole family rather than those of one individual.
In this situation, the choice most aligned with the Su Family's interests was to sacrifice Su Zhongyuan, satisfy Su Xin, the Dugu Clan, and the many martial forces of Beiyuan Circuit, and put an end to their pressure.
Of course, the price of that choice would be alienating the Su Family's own people.
Just as Su Xin was about to turn up the heat and force them further, the Dugu Clan Ancestor suddenly said, "The Su Family was dragged into this because one of their disciples didn't know any better. Their predicament is understandable.
"So we'll accept double compensation. As for the man, the Su Family needn't hand him over. Just take him home