Kill! . . .
Han Bingxue found himself in a rather peculiar situation. He wasn't entirely sure about Xuan Bing's intentions, but he had a crystal-clear understanding of Cha Eun Xiao's desires. It was apparent that any further conversation with the Song Clan was futile. The course of action had been set, and Han Bingxue had grown weary of idle chatter. Everything was to proceed precisely as Cha Eun Xiao wished it.
Unquestionably, nothing and no one could obstruct this plan.
It was a grim situation within Song Clan, teetering on the precipice of calamity.
Upon their arrival, they had witnessed a disconcerting and blood-soaked scene. They had surmised that Song Fei was the root of the problem. Realizing that the outsiders showed no intention of departing after taking three lives, they had inferred that these three individuals possessed a certain level of self-assuredness. However, none of them had ever considered the possibility of the involvement of Han Bingxue, a renowned and influential figure within the Qing-Yun Realm. Antagonizing such a personage was simply unthinkable.
Who was Han Bingxue?
He was a name known to the entire Qing-Yun Realm. Song Clan was in no position to challenge an individual of his stature. Their futile resistance against him was nothing short of suicidal. Unfortunately, that was the bleak reality they found themselves confronted with.
Both factions within Song Clan, the supporters of Song Wuyang and those who had sympathized with the outsiders, had now united in shared trepidation and despair. Their collective thought could be summarized as: "We are doomed!"
They weren't exaggerating; the situation was far graver than they feared. While Song Clan was indeed a significant power within the district, there were other, even mightier factions. Han Bingxue had the power to annihilate the entire Song Clan with ease, should he so choose.
It was as simple as plucking a flower.
Desperation drove Song Wuyang to beseech for mercy, tears streaming down his face as he fervently implored Han Bingxue: "Master Han, please, have mercy! My son didn't mean any harm. He made an error, and you have already reprimanded him. He understands now and is willing to change. Allowing a young man the chance to reform is a noble act. He doesn't deserve to die. Please, the wise say we should pardon the ignorant…"
Song Wuyang's words tumbled out frantically, but it only seemed to exacerbate Han Bingxue's inclination to end his son's life. His pleas grated on Han Bingxue's nerves and did little more than irritate him.
However, it wasn't Han Bingxue who would make the final decision. There was a pause, and Han Bingxue sternly instructed Song Wuyang to cease his appeals, declaring, "Shut up!"
He then turned to Cha Eun Xiao, inquiring loudly, "Boss, what do you say?"
The inquest was rather perfunctory since Han Bingxue was well aware of the answer. The impending doom of the Song Clan members was an irreversible course of action, and there was no room for negotiation. Han Bingxue asked Cha Eun Xiao in this manner to display a semblance of respect and, incidentally, to intensify the fear and panic within Song Clan.
The repercussions of such a question were profound.
The onlookers contemplated the status of Han Bingxue: a figure renowned for their unparalleled power. However, the revelation that there was someone even more formidable, someone who commanded Han Bingxue, had a shattering effect on them.
For Song Clan, the foremost concern had been how to pacify Han Bingxue's wrath. They had regarded him as an insurmountable force. But now, they were forced to come to terms with the shocking revelation that there was another figure far more terrifying than Han Bingxue himself. It was none other than Cha Eun Xiao, the master of the Frost Sword.
Had Han Bingxue not explicitly stated it, none would have believed such a preposterous assertion. Yet, they were now confronted with this bewildering truth. All eyes turned to Cha Eun Xiao with an awe akin to gazing upon a towering mountain peak.
Cha Eun Xiao recognized the significance of this moment and decided to maintain the pretense. Turning to Xuan Bing, he inquired, "Boss, what do you say?"
The assembled members of Song Clan were once again dumbfounded.
A collective shockwave surged through the ranks of the Song Clan. In unison, their faculties were on the verge of shutting down.
"Did we hear that correctly?"
"Han Bingxue's boss?"
"So, it's the boss of Han Bingxue's boss?"
"And Song Fei... insulted her?"
Song Fei, who was still kneeling on the ground, became the target of ferocious glares. An overwhelming sense of disdain and anger emanated from the onlookers. They cast menacing looks in his direction, conveying a shared sentiment: "You wretched fool! Your arrogance has sealed the fate of our entire clan!"
If not for the presence of the three super-powerful figures, the furious mob would have likely descended upon Song Fei like vultures, tearing him limb from limb for his transgressions.
Amidst the turmoil, Xuan Bing found herself distinctly unimpressed and exasperated. She had a firm grasp of Cha Eun Xiao's intentions. The power to decide was undoubtedly his. There was no question that all matters would proceed precisely as he wished. There would be no potential mishaps, no unresolved issues in the future. If he chose to have those men executed, so be it.
Yet Cha Eun Xiao had deferred this decision to her.
She comprehended the motivations behind this gesture. Firstly, Cha Eun Xiao understood that she had a profound aversion to allowing these men to escape unscathed, and this was his way of affording her that satisfaction. It wasn't precisely a favor, but it was an acknowledgment of her sentiments.
Secondly, and most importantly, Song Jue was Cha Eun Xiao's uncle. This fact was incontestable. With their imminent reunion, he wished to show his respect for Song Jue. And in the process, he aimed to use this circumstance to propel Song Jue to the role of the clan's chief.
This, in essence, was why Cha Eun Xiao had deferred the decision to her.
He wanted to convey the message: "The one who seeks to end the lives of these men is Xuan Bing, not me. While I may desire it, I am unable to act, so I will leave it to you."
Inwardly, Cha Eun Xiao was rather pleased with this arrangement. He had distanced himself from the situation while Xuan Bing was left to bear the responsibility. But she didn't harbor the same elation; her thoughts toward him contained a slew of profanities.
"You insufferable brat," she mentally chided him, "You've absolved yourself of any responsibility, painting yourself as the virtuous one while leaving me to bear the blame."
"You're trying to avoid antagonizing Song Jue? I share the same sentiment. Song Jue is not only your best friend but also one of my good friends. I place him second only to you in my estimation. For his sake, I must weigh my decision carefully."
Xuan Bing's frustration towards Cha Eun Xiao seethed beneath the surface as she continued, "Wait and see, I'll find an opportunity to teach you a lesson for this, you little rascal."
"Very well, I'll stand by my conviction that these men must be dealt with. For now, you'll get what you want. But you'll rue the day you left this matter in my hands."
Glaring at Han Bingxue with thinly-veiled anger, she snapped, "Are you a complete imbecile? Is the comprehension of human language now beyond your capabilities? Proceed promptly! What, do you wish to serve them as if they were your revered ancestors?"