Bai Zhenming froze on the spot, not daring to move an inch.
His legs were trembling slightly.
He was afraid, a fear that came from the bottom of his heart. He had never felt this way before, this kind of humiliation where his life was in the hands of others and his every move had to depend on others.
He was the head of the Bai family, the most influential person in Xichuan. He was the son of the Gold Radiance Sword Saint, the leader of the aristocratic families in Qinzhou. He had always been the one who brought fear to others. One word from him could change a person's fate. His every decision was not to be questioned. He was the irrefutable focus and core. Everyone had to respect his opinion and listen to his voice.
— — It had always been like this. Up until now, his life had always been like this.
He was a proud son of God, destined to be high and mighty since he was born.
But now, it was different. Now, he had to be like those who tried to curry favor with him. He had to stand in front of another person nervously, entrusting his life to the other person's kindness. He did not even have the slightest thought of resisting … because the difference in power between the two of them made him feel incomparable despair.
Moreover, this person might be … might be …
The young man opposite him smiled and said, "Why didn't you run just now?"
Bai Zhenming opened his mouth. A few ways to deal with this instantly appeared in his mind, but in the end, he lowered his head and said, "I … don't dare."
Sun Lang nodded and said, "You're sensible."
He glanced at Bai Yuwei who was lying in the ruins and said indifferently, "You are his son and have inherited his family business. There are some things that you should know. So, you have probably guessed my identity.
So, I won't say any more nonsense. My dear grandson, answer me a question. Where did your father hide the Holy Sword? "
He asked casually, but Bai Zhenming was so scared that his whole body trembled. He said with a trembling voice, "I … I really don't know. The Holy Sword belongs to my father's Imperial Army. He must have carried it with him. How would I know where it is?"
"That makes sense. You look like you really don't know.
But, if you don't know … "Sun Lang narrowed his eyes and said indifferently," Then, what are you going to do to save your little life?
Those Jianghu heroes who gathered outside?
Woah, you even have a City-Breaking Crossbow and a Big Yellow Bow … You sure have guts. "
Sweat poured down Bai Zhenming's face as he stammered, "I … I … You … No, you … Why do you want to kill me?"
Sun Lang's smile was very bright. "Wow, I was stabbed in the back by your father in the Great Desolate Mountain. I survived and came back to settle the score with him. With such a big grudge, is it strange to destroy his whole family?"
This sentence shattered all of Bai Zhenming's wishful thinking. With a plop, he fell to his knees and begged, "Jia … Jia Shuai, please spare my life!"
Sun Lang looked at Bai Yuwei, who was kneeling on the ground. Then, he looked at Bai Yuwei, who was lying on the ground not far away. He sneered, "Your father's bones are much harder than yours. Don't you think it's embarrassing to kneel so easily?"
Bai Zhenming turned a deaf ear to this mockery. He kowtowed heavily and said with a trembling voice, "Marshal, the incident in the Great Desolate Mountain was caused by the emperor's suspicion and jealousy. My father couldn't be loyal to both sides. He could only choose to do his duty as an official.
But in daily life, he was very respectful of you. He told me more than once that as long as you were here, he might be able to retire a few years earlier … "
Sun Lang still smiled and said, "What's the use of saying this now?"
Master Bai spoke very quickly. He was afraid that before he could finish, Jia Shuai would impatiently kick him and kill him on the spot. "I … No, what I mean is, every injustice has its perpetrator and every debt has its debtor. Marshal, you are a hero of the world. Why do you have to make things difficult for the young and old of the Bai family? Now that my father has gone crazy, he lives in pain and confusion every day. This kind of torture is far better than killing him with a sword. Why do you have to humiliate your status …"
Sun Lang snorted, "You mean that mental patients don't have to bear criminal responsibility, right … Sorry, I'm very old-fashioned, and my thinking is very outdated. This kind of thinking that is full of humanitarianism will not work for me."
Bai Zhenming's thinking speed had never been as fast as today. As soon as Sun Lang finished speaking, he immediately said, "Marshal, please reconsider!
Destroying the Bai family is only a temporary pleasure, but the consequences are endless!
Although my father is guilty to the Marshal, he is still a senior official of three dynasties. He is highly respected and has countless disciples. In the court, he has great prestige. Now that he is old and confused, even if you kill him, you will not feel any satisfaction from revenge. Instead, it will cause endless changes. This lowly one dares to ask the Marshal to reconsider! "
He kept kowtowing. Because he didn't use his internal energy to protect his body, his forehead was bleeding.
"Marshal, you are a meritorious official of Tianyuan. You were harmed by the emperor. Fortunately, the heavens protected you, so that the righteous man didn't die, and the hero returned. This is the law of the heavens. Marshal, please do something big!
Since ancient times, anyone who wants to do something big must win the hearts of the people. Those who are righteous get more help, while those who are unrighteous get less help!
Marshal, as a meritorious official of Tianyuan, you were framed by the emperor. This is the royal family destroying the Great Wall and killing the loyal. It is the emperor who is unrighteous!
Since the Emperor has lost his Dao, it is the Marshal who has gained his Dao. Whether this matter is true or not, there will be a public opinion in the court. The Marshal is the people's will, so he should take advantage of the situation and lead the court to success. If he annihilates the Bai family for his own personal grudge, the court will definitely be shocked … "
He raised his head and said loudly, "I dare to speak!
If the marshal destroys the Bai family at this time, I'm afraid the happiest person would be the emperor! "
For the Bai Family Patriarch to be able to weave such a well-reasoned argument in such a short period of time had greatly exceeded Sun Lang's expectations. Looking at Bai Zhenming, Sun Lang smiled and said, "I thought you were an idiot, but now it seems that you are not."
Bai Zhenming kowtowed again, "I am mediocre and useless. At most, I am an average person. Compared to my father, my ability and aptitude are worlds apart, not to mention you who are far better than my father. I am stupid and don't dare to go against the marshal. But since I am a son, it is only right for me to repay my father's debts. What my father has done, I have to take responsibility …"
Sun Lang smiled and said, "Oh?
Do you want to use your life to exchange for your father's? "
Bai Zhenming's expression didn't change. He said softly, "If the marshal has an order, I will follow it. Using my life to exchange for my father's life is considered as fulfilling my filial piety.
However, the marshal is a hero of the Tianyuan Empire, a famous general of the world. Your military strategy is far better than mine. You know that a living person is much more useful than a dead person. Killing prisoners is far better than using prisoners … "
Sun Lang's expression changed slightly, "Interesting. Continue."
Bai Zhenming replied loudly, "I am Bai Zhenming, the son of the Gold Radiance Sword Saint, Bai Yuwei, the former Patriarch of the Bai Clan of West River. I am willing to lead the entire Bai Clan to follow the Marshal. The wealth of the Bai Clan, whether it be land, real estate, treasures, armor, or talents, will be offered to the Marshal to atone for my father's sins. The Bai Clan is willing to cheer for the Marshal and spread the news of what happened at the Great Barren Mountain to the world, to let the world know what happened that day!"
He was resolute and didn't leave any room for negotiation.
Sun Lang was slightly surprised. He looked at Bai Zhenming and said lightly, "If your father heard this, he would probably kill you with a punch."
Bai Zhenming said indifferently, "That's why he was indomitable, loyal, and righteous his whole life. He risked his life for a secret decree and ended up like this."
Sun Lang shook his head and said, "Your personality is really different from your father's. If your father was in your position, he would probably rather die than live in dishonor. He would rather let the entire family be consigned to eternal damnation than bow his head to a traitor like me. Unlike you, who directly sold out the entire Empire."
Bai Zhenming said softly, "Marshal, please allow me to report. My father was generous, loyal, and indomitable all his life, but I am just an ordinary person. Just managing this family is already exhausting and treading on thin ice. He lived for loyalty and righteousness, but I have to take good care of the family business he passed to me. As for loyalty … my father often taught me that who wouldn't want to be a loyal and filial son, but …"
He revealed a self-mocking smile and said softly, "But my family is going to be gone. What's the point of having a country?"
Sun Lang looked at the kneeling Bai Zhenming in the ruins and nodded slowly. "Interesting, interesting. Old Bai gave birth to an interesting son."
Everything had been said and all efforts had been made. Bai Zhenming's mood calmed down and he said softly, "Marshal, you praise me too much."
Sun Lang pondered for a moment and said, "Very well. The lives of your entire family are on your neck, so you better not play any tricks.
Bai Zhenming, right?
You might be thinking that you can first feign civility with me. On one hand, you can secretly send away your family's elites. On the other hand, you can write a letter to your father's old subordinates asking for help. It would be best if you could send a sincere memorial to the emperor … "
Bai Zhenming was shaken. He said hurriedly, "I don't dare."
Sun Lang laughed. "You don't dare?
I feel that you dare to do anything.
However, Bai Zhenming, the imperial court has fed you so well these two years. Just what are they planning? I'm sure you have some idea in your heart. In any case, I've never seen someone raise a pig so fat and not kill it … You need to protect your family business, so before you do anything, it's best to think about it. "
Bai Zhenming said respectfully, "I will solemnly obey the Marshal's teachings …"
Sun Lang waved his hand. "Then why haven't you written a proof of your allegiance?
What are you spacing out for?
Also, hurry up and send me some information that can be used against me. Didn't you want to donate your family property?
What, do you think I'll be polite and refuse to take you? "
Bai Zhenming was startled. He slowly got up and bowed. "Yes, I'll do it right away."
"Go, go."
Sun Lang glanced at him. "While you're at it, don't let anyone outside come in and disturb us. The matter with your father isn't over yet."
Bai Zhenming was startled for a moment before he saw Sun Lang walking in the direction where his old father had fallen.
He saw Sun Lang grab one of Bai Yuwei's legs and drag his old father away as if he was pulling a dead pig. He saw his father's head knocking on the stones of the ruins, making thumping sounds.
However, with his father's martial arts, this little bit of stumbling was nothing.
But when he heard the sound and saw his unconscious father being casually handled, Bai Zhenming felt his eyes sour. It was as if something was violently surging in his heart.
He took a deep breath, clenched his fists, turned around sadly, and slowly left step by step.
He couldn't stay here any longer.
Sun Lang was about to dig a hole to bury Old Bai when he suddenly heard footsteps. Xie Wei rushed over.
The little minx said angrily, "You're going too far!"