"He didn't seize the chance to escape earlier, which means he never intended to use that escape plan. If the Crimson Church's scheme succeeded, he would leave with the main force; if it failed, he would stay and face judgment." Chen Xiaojun calmly analyzed Kong Youde's state of mind.
Feng Qisheng fell silent for a moment, seemingly only now realizing this.
"Chef Kong was trapped in a predicament of his own making, weary of the world that had driven him into a corner. He struggled and resisted, but nothing seemed capable of changing anymore. His road had reached its end, with only darkness and despair ahead. So he decided to leave everything to fate." Chen Xiaojun's voice revealed a deep understanding of Kong Youde.
"So I believe that even if you hadn't gone looking for him, he would have come to you. On the one hand, he wanted to bring your friendship to a close; on the other, he hoped to die at your hands, giving you credit for his death so that the mother and daughter would be spared. He had a firm grasp of your temperament and character," Chen Xiaojun continued.
"Indeed, he used every means at his disposal to fight a fierce battle against you. To him, that was a release, a way to ensure his years of cultivation hadn't been wasted. But he also knew he couldn't defeat you." There was respect for Kong Youde in Chen Xiaojun's voice.
"However, I believe he held something back during the battle." Chen Xiaojun abruptly changed tack, making Feng Qisheng frown.
"Young Master Chen, what do you mean?" Feng Qisheng asked in confusion. He truly could not think of any way Kong Youde had held back.
"Consider his Right Arm Bone Soul Skill. If I'm not mistaken, Knife Artistry