"Father, I led a hundred thousand soldiers of the War Hall through hundreds upon thousands of battles against the Beast Race. Only three in ten survived, and I myself escaped death several times, my body covered in scars. Yet Fifth Younger Brother, who remained in the Sect in charge of the Treasury Hall, committed such theft of the very assets entrusted to him. It truly chills the hearts of my War Hall soldiers! Unless he is sentenced to death, we cannot offer solace to the departed souls of our seventy thousand fallen soldiers!"
As the Eldest Sect Heir, Zhou Detai naturally had to offer his opinion first. His words were a tearful lament, impassioned and tragic, deeply moving all who heard them.
"Father, ever since the war with the Beast Race began, Thirteenth Younger Brother and I have divided our forces between two routes, escorting military supplies back and forth day and night to meet the needs of the battles at the front. On the front lines, a single Soul Crystal can kill a Fierce Beast, and a single pill can save one of our soldiers' lives. Yet Fifth Younger Brother disregarded the lives of a hundred thousand soldiers at the front to line his own pockets. He truly cannot escape the death penalty!"
Zhou Deqi's words, too, rang with conviction, filled entirely with tragic heroism and righteousness, leaving no room for rebuttal.
With both Sect Heirs offering such counsel, the elders voiced their agreement one after another, concurring that Zhou Dechen and Nangong Yan should be sentenced to death.
Nangong Yan gave a desolate, bitter smile. Tears streaming down her face, she gazed tenderly at Zhou Dechen. "To die together with you would be wonderful, too..."
Terrified and furious, Zhou Dechen paid no heed to Nangong Yan's words. He