great-warnovel Chapter 142 A guilty conscience, but a worthy citizenship
Chapter 142 A guilty conscience, but a worthy citizenship
"Perhaps my words seem abrupt to you, but my clan is in a precarious situation and is on the verge of annihilation at any moment."
This time, I used the last life-saving measure of the clan to avoid the eyes and ears of the dragons and escape from the East Sea.
I know that you have a close relationship with the new Dragon King. If my clan were to become your slaves, preserving our race's hope should not be a problem."
Kong Delin spoke earnestly.
But what Chen Chunan was really thinking was: Why don't you scatter and escape?
Does the Dragon Clan really have the ability to find out the location of every member of your clan?
Why don't they pair up, one male and one female, and then run off separately?
Find a secluded mountain forest to hide in, or simply become a wanderer.
Kong Delin seemed to see through Chen Chunan's thoughts and explained with a wry smile, "Fellow Daoist, are you wondering why I didn't run away? Scattering and escaping would at least preserve a few seeds of hope, wouldn't it?"
Seeing that he had noticed, Chen Chunan immediately nodded and said, "I do have that question. Isn't it human nature to run away if you can't win?"
Kong Delin shook his head: "Fellow Daoist, you are unaware of the reasons behind this. I also do not know the origins of the conflict between my clan and the Dragon Clan, but..."
As Kong Delin spoke, he channeled his magical power into his brow, revealing a strange and intricate pattern.
"This is a bloodline mark. We have carried this mark since birth. It is also the bloodline curse of the dragon race on our race."
With it around, no matter where we hide, the dragons can find our hiding place by using blood as a guide.
Previously, our clan had been suppressing the dragon clan, so there was no need to pay attention to them.
Now that the roles of offense and defense have reversed, this mark has caused the deaths of countless members of my people.
Our clan members now have to use a special Heavenly Secret Talisman to temporarily suppress this mark when they go out so that the dragons won't notice it; otherwise, they will be besieged.
Before the Primordial Cold Dragon repaired the Dragon Gate, our clan had over 100,000 True Hou, dozens of Tribulation Transcending Great Powers, and hundreds of Refining Void to Godhood Venerables. How powerful we were!
However, as the Dragon Clan entered the Seven Immortals Era, our clan declined steadily, and five hundred years ago, even my father was mortally wounded and died. Although the Dragon Gate brought great prosperity to the Dragon Clan, it also granted the ability to ascend to immortality prematurely. It is precisely because of this that our clan has survived to this day; otherwise, our clan would have been wiped out long ago…”
After hearing this, Chen Chunan exchanged a glance with Chi Mianxi, then transmitted his voice and said, "This is, after all, your maternal uncle. What do you think should be done?"
Chi Mianxi's expression was complicated. A clan that had flourished to its zenith ten thousand years ago was now facing the rise of the Dragon Clan. With the Dragon Gate restored and Dragon Clan experts emerging one after another, the Tianhou clan gradually declined under the successive blows.
She could understand that a clan leader would stop at nothing to ensure the continuation of the race, but she could not accept that she was the one being targeted by such unscrupulous means.
"I don't want you to interfere. I feel that your friendship with Long Qian is insufficient to quell the long-standing feud between our two clans. Besides, I will soon be able to enter the Nascent Soul stage."
Chi Mianxi's words implied that she did not want Chen Chunan to accept the Tianhou clan because of her relationship, thereby offending the Dragon Clan.
Chen Chunan thought so too; he considered three Nascent Soul cultivators to be nothing special.
Kong Delin could tell from Chen Chunan's expression that he probably didn't want to help.
He instantly recalled the scene when he was begging for a way to survive in Qipanshan.
The words of guidance from the old man Hua Yin echoed in my ears once again.
"Senior, I am not afraid to die! For my clan, I, Kong Delin, am willing to die! But I have one more thing to ask you! Why was my niece able to save my clan?"
"She alone cannot save you, but someone close to her can. His identity is extraordinary, and I dare not speak plainly. I know he is friends with the new Dragon King. This Dragon King has no deep-seated hatred for you. If that person is willing to speak on your behalf, this predicament can be resolved. But you must not live!"
"I understand who you are referring to, senior. Thank you for your guidance! I am willing to die for you!"
"If we harbor any侥幸心理 (a gambler's mentality), this matter will surely fail!"
"I will remember this!"
...
Kong Delin's expression was resolute. Before Chen Chunan could refuse, he preemptively said, "All past grievances arose because of me. I have a way for you to avoid offending the Dragon Clan!"
Chen Chunan looked at him with great interest, wanting to see what other tricks he could come up with.
"If we were to surrender now, it would indeed put you in a difficult position, fellow Daoist. Today, I will have all my clansmen swear an oath and hand over their true spirits, then I will have you kill me in public! This will make the Dragon Clan believe that my clan was defeated and enslaved by you, rather than surrendering!"
"What?"
For the first time, Chen Chunan felt a tremor in his heart.
Being able to do this much for the family, Chen Chunan suddenly thought of the deceased patriarchs and elders.
Chen Chunan was moved, then said seriously, "As the clan leader, you are very qualified. I admire you, and I agree to this!"
Chi Mianxi glanced at Kong Delin with a complicated expression and remained silent.
With the matter settled, Kong Delin revealed an ugly yet relieved smile: "Fellow Daoist, please let me out. I will go and make arrangements."
Chen Chunan remained silent and immediately opened the Ten Suns Burning Heaven Diagram to release him from the small world.
Kong Delin emerged from the small world and looked at his clansmen with feigned ease.
"I have good news to share with everyone. I have reached an agreement with Fellow Daoist Chen."
Kong Jia should know Chen Daoyou's identity best. He is a close friend of the new Dragon Lord of the Dragon Clan and has a good reputation in the Dragon Clan.
Xiao Zhenjun of Tianji Pavilion is now his disciple.
Lingxuzi of Chaotian Palace, a genius who was about to achieve the Nascent Soul stage, was also his friend. He had come to our clan to ask for people on his behalf, which most people know.
He once single-handedly trapped seven Nascent Soul cultivators from Seven Immortal Islands in the East China Sea, and almost killed Venerable Huang Qiu. His strength is evident to all!
Now that we're under Fellow Daoist Chen's command, we no longer need to worry about the Dragon Clan surrounding and killing us, but I've already said the unpleasant things beforehand.
You are all to be my slaves. Those who wish to live, hand over your true spirit mark!
After Kong Delin said this, the group of Tianhou looked at each other, none of them wanting to be the first.
Kong Delin gave Kong Deming a look, and Kong Deming immediately stepped forward, knelt down in front of Chen Chunan, and handed over his true spirit mark.
With Kong Deming taking the lead, the other Tianhou then handed over their true spirit imprints.
Kong Lin glanced coldly at her brother, but showed no reaction whatsoever.
Seeing his third sister like this, Kong Delin could only shake his head and give up.
After all, she was Chi Mianxi's mother, and the Dragon Clan might not dare to attack her because they were wary of Yu Jiaolong.
After handing over their True Spirit Imprints, the group of Heavenly Hou looked at their clan leader with complicated expressions. From this day forward, their lives and deaths were entirely in the hands of this True Lord Chen.
Kong Delin glanced longingly at his second brother and third sister, then looked at his clansmen.
Two streams of hot tears welled up in his eyes involuntarily.
"Fellow Daoist Chen, let's go! It's time for me to take this final step."
Kong Delin suppressed his tears and flew towards the East China Sea, with Chen Chunan and Chi Mianxi exchanging a glance and following closely behind.
Kong Lin watched her elder brother's desolate figure disappear into the distance, a sudden panic gripping her: "Brother! Where are you going?"
Kong Delin, who had been holding back his tears, finally couldn't hold them back any longer and they streamed down his face.
The person I feel most sorry for in my life is this third sister.
He didn't turn around, not wanting his third sister to see him in such a disheveled state.
"Third Sister, your eldest brother is going to settle this karmic debt. I have lived a life without shame before the clan, only before you. From now on, you must listen to your second brother. Consult him often when you encounter problems. I can no longer take care of you. Deming, your eldest brother is leaving. Please look after the clan from now on. Goodbye!"
After saying this, Kong Delin flew away towards the East China Sea without looking back.
Kong Lin felt a pang of pain in her heart; she knew what her older brother was about to do.
Even the slow-witted Kong Deming could hear the resolute meaning in Kong Delin's words.
He couldn't help but shout, "Big Brother!"
Tears streamed down Kong Lin's face. "Big brother, I... I was wrong..."
[I'll continue to update three chapters tomorrow to make up for what I promised. My mind was blank today, I really wasn't in the right frame of mind, I'm sorry I broke my promise.]