I Have A Sword

Chapter 1119: Spare Them

Ao Qianqian!

When the Heavenly Dragon Clan heard Ye Guan's words, none of their powerful members could believe it. The Academy Master actually wanted to execute them all immediately. This was beyond shocking.

After all, they were Ao Qianqian's blood relatives.

Even if they had made mistakes, they thought execution was excessive.

However, Ye Guan's expression left no doubt. He was serious.

The dragons of the Heavenly Dragon Clan felt lost and afraid.

When Ao Qianqian appeared, however, the Heavenly Dragon Clan was overjoyed, and they looked at Ao Qianqian as if they were looking at their benefactor.

Ao Qianqian was their lifeline.

They would live as long as she was on their side.

Ye Guan's hands slowly clenched into fists.

Ao Qianqian glanced at her clan members with disappointment in her eyes. She hadn't expected that her clan would stoop to such behavior.

Ao Sheng noticed the disappointment in her gaze, and a pang of unease rose unbidden within him. Trembling, he said, "Qianqian."

Ao Qianqian spoke softly, "Father, why did you do this?"

Ao Sheng sighed deeply but remained silent.

Ao Zhen exclaimed, "Sister, everything our Heavenly Dragon Clan has done so far... it's all for you!"

Ao Qianqian's brows furrowed.

Ao Zhen looked at Ye Guan and exclaimed, "Academy Master! You can execute us, but before you do, I have two questions for you. First of all, my sister has followed you through countless battles over the years. Does her devotion to you really fall short compared to Lady Nalan? Was that why Lady Nalan was given control of the Immortal Treasures Pavilion and has been acknowledged throughout the Guanxuan Universe as your lawful wife?

"Everyone expects her child to become the next Academy Master of the Guanxuan Academy! How about my sister? To this day, she doesn't even have an official title!" ꭆa₦Ỗ฿Е§

Ye Guan stared at Ao Zhen without saying anything.

"Shut up!" Ao Qianqian yelled.

"No!" Ao Zhen shouted back. "Sister, you may not care about these things, but our Heavenly Dragon Clan cannot ignore them. Why should you make the greatest sacrifices and receive the least in return?

"Back when he was not yet the Academy Master, you risked your life to help him, and our Heavenly Dragon Clan committed all our resources to support him. And what did we get in return?

"The Nalan Clan not only controls the Immortal Treasures Pavilion but also holds a powerful position in the Guanxuan Committee, while you have nothing. Do you think that's fair?"

Turning sharply to Ye Guan, Ao Zhen asked, "Academy Master, do you think that's fair?"

Li Banzhi stepped forward and glanced at Ao Zhen, saying, "You are discussing family affairs, and outsiders shouldn't interfere, but I do want to say one thing, Ao Zhen. You think that Ao Qianqian has gained nothing by following the Academy Master, but I beg to disagree.

"You lot are incredibly short-sighted. In fact, it's not just you. The entire Heavenly Dragon Clan is short-sighted. Are you even aware that among everyone in the Guanxuan Universe, her progress over the years is second only to the Academy Master?@@@@

"Her cultivation base and strength are almost unparalleled. Lady Qianqian, am I correct?"

Ao Qianqian nodded. Her cultivation base had reached a staggering height, and her accomplishments far surpassed all of her Heavenly Dragon Clan ancestors.

In the Guanxuan Universe, apart from the elite elders of the Yang and Ye families, few could rival her.

Ao Zhen and the other dragons shifted uncomfortably.

"Ao Zhen and Clan Leader Ao, do you truly believe that you're acting in Lady Qianqian's best interests?" asked Li Banzhi, "I don't think so. Your actions are driven by selfish desires. If you genuinely cared for her, you wouldn't have forced her into such a difficult position.

The Heavenly Dragon Clan was full of her relatives, after all.

Li Banzhi sighed to herself. She stepped forward and said, "Academy Master, while the Heavenly Dragon Clan has indeed committed serious offenses, they made significant contributions to the Academy as well. Their merits can offset their mistakes, so they can be spared from death."

Li Banzhi had no plans of intervening. The Heavenly Dragon Clan's actions over the recent years had been excessive, even brazen, especially this time.

They had openly interfered with the Wanzhou Martial Contest, locked Qingzhou down, and even plotted to slaughter the Qingzhou Sword Sect to eliminate any witnesses. To make matters worse, they even brazenly targeted a member of the Committee.

They mobilized their entire clan in flagrant disregard of the Guanxuan Laws, risking war on the Sword Sect.

Their actions were comparable to a rebellion, or perhaps worse, for it showed that they saw the Guanxuan Universe as their domain.

Their behavior was unforgivable.

Despite that, she still walked forward to speak on their behalf, and it was all for Ao Qianqian's sake. She didn't want to see a rift between Ye Guan and Ao Qianqian. She could see Ye Guan's hesitation—his internal struggle.

His reluctance, she knew, was also because of Ao Qianqian. She had followed him through countless life-or-death trials. Now, in her presence, he was being asked to annihilate her entire clan.

It was a painful dilemma.

The representatives from every family and sect awaited Ye Guan's decision. News of the upheaval in Qingzhou had spread, startling the Guanxuan Universe.

Zhen Xue from the Zhen Clan stepped forward. She looked at Ye Guan and said, "Academy Master, the Heavenly Dragon Clan has made a mistake, but given their past contributions to the Guanxuan Universe, perhaps they might be spared from death."

Others soon followed. Soon, more and more people stepped forward to plead for mercy on behalf of the Heavenly Dragon Clan.

After all, the Heavenly Dragon Clan had a huge influence throughout the Guanxuan Universe. Since Ye Guan was hesitating, everyone could tell that he was struggling with his decision.

This was a perfect opportunity for them to step forward and plead for mercy—not only to give Ye Guan a graceful way out but to earn the Heavenly Dragon Clan's gratitude as well.

As more and more people stepped to plead, Ye Guan's expression gradually softened.

Clan Leader Jing's gaze became even colder at the sight.

Just then, Aunt Jiao, standing beside Ye Guan, suddenly collapsed. She looked at him, who was visibly wavering, with a look of confusion and despair.

"So... that's it? The death of a commoner's son is just that? A death with no consequence and of no importance. Is that it?"

Ye Guan trembled violently, and her words seemed to drain the blood from him, leaving his face deathly pale. He felt as if he were submerged, unable to breathe. He also felt like he had just been slapped in the face.

Order? Were the Guanxuan Laws meant to discriminate against commoners? If one had wealth, power, or connections, could one rise above the laws?

Ye Guan suddenly felt a wave of bewilderment and self-doubt. Truth be told, he was the King of Relying on Others, and a leader was an example for everyone else to follow.

In other words, every wrongdoing... all of it was all because of him.

A single thought arose and brought endless torment.

His Order Sword Intent dissipated bit by bit...

No!

Ye Guan clenched his fists, and his gaze grew resolute. He had to change.

"According to the Guanxuan Laws, the dragons of the Heavenly Dragon Clan that are present today are to be executed immediately. The remaining members of the Heavenly Dragon Clan are to be exiled from the Guanxuan Universe, and they are forbidden from ever returning.

"Guanxuan Guards! Carry these orders out immediately!"

Those words left everyone stunned. They all turned to the right to see who had spoken, and they saw Ao Qianqian.