Chapter 339

"But this death sentence cannot be spared—please, spare him the punishment of tongue-ripping, do not erase his ancestral records, let him have a chance to be buried in the ancestral tomb."

"Otherwise, when I someday go to Huang Quan, how shall I explain this to his parents...?"

Jiang Hong knew the clan chief's order was nearly impossible to defy.

From the moment the punishment was decreed, Jiang Yong'an's death was sealed!

Thus, he could only choose the next best option.

To make his own grandson's passing easier, to spare him these torments before death!

He also hoped that after his death, the boy might enter the ancestral tomb and rest in peace.

Jiang Hongguang also felt some helplessness.

Back when they were in Wu Dan City, he had been the Grand Elder, while the other was the Third Elder.

In daily life, their friendship had been deep.

So he naturally understood Jiang Yong'an's situation well.

He had even secretly urged him multiple times to discipline him better, to prevent trouble—but all to no avail.

This outcome was, in every way, self-inflicted by both of them.

At this moment, Jiang Daoxuan's expression remained unchanged, unaffected by the words.

He merely gazed coldly at the old man before him:

"How could you, as the Tian Shu Elder, not know the gravity of Jiang Yong'an's case?"

"If we do not punish him severely, everyone will follow suit, lose their moral compass, lose their reverence, and forget what the family's boundaries are—what then?"

"Moreover, Jiang Yong'an is your grandson—aren't other clan members your family too? If his betrayal causes some clan members to die unjustly, have you ever considered the consequences?"

"This matter is closed!"

By now, Jiang Daoxuan's perspective on matters had expanded to encompass the entire clan.

He knew clearly that for the clan to develop long-term,

he could not let fleeting sentiment foster such corrupt and evil trends!

This was nothing short of digging one's own grave!

So although he possessed the combined strength of the entire clan, able to stack all clan members' cultivation bases,

he would not hesitate to execute clan members out of pity, allowing them to live on and further corrupt the family!

Not even ordinary clan members.

Even if a clan member was destined by Heaven, if he betrayed or destroyed the family,

as clan chief, he would show no mercy, no favoritism whatsoever!

Meanwhile,

hearing Jiang Daoxuan's unyielding tone,

Jiang Hongkang's body trembled.

His essence, energy, and spirit seemed drained, as if he had aged over a decade.

Yet even now, he could not accept defeat.

With all his strength, he spoke deeply:

"Clan Chief, when you were young, I personally guided you—I even introduced you to swordplay. Now, I ask for no return, but please, remember our old ties and revoke your decree!"

"I do not wish to make you suffer—I am willing to resign as Tian Shu Elder, just to give An'er a place to be buried!"

By now, he had staked everything.

At this moment, the two Elders and the seven lineage lords all raised their eyebrows.

Internally, they could not help but think him foolish.

The clan chief's nature was tyrannical—follow me and thrive, defy me and perish—how could he be swayed by your words?

The next instant,

Jiang Daoxuan's face turned cold: "Return? I brought you to Cangwu Mountain—how many resources I've given you monthly aside, just recently, when the Tian Shu Lineage Lord prepared to step down, I had already chosen you as the next lineage lord."

"But you? As a Seven Lineages Elder, you cannot tell right from wrong—just to protect this traitor, you threaten me with resignation. Do you even know what 'responsibility' means?"

"You are truly foolish!"

"As one of the creators and enforcers of family rules, you lead the rebellion against those very rules. With such impulsive behavior, how can I possibly let you continue in this position?"

His icy tone made everyone present feel dread.

At this moment, Jiang Daoxuan continued:

"Jiang Yong'an's betrayal of the family is a matter of principle—the punishment stands, and must be carried out today without delay!"

"Tian Shu Elder Jiang Hongkang, by indulging his grandson and failing to distinguish right from wrong, lacks the broader vision of the family—he is no longer fit to hold this position!"

"Hence, Jiang Hongkang is stripped of his position as Tian Shu Elder, forbidden from interfering in family affairs, and demoted to caretaker of the medicinal fields for ten years!"

"However, considering your past contributions to the family, your monthly resource allowance will remain at the standard of a Seven Lineages Elder..."

"I hope that in these ten years, you will reflect deeply: what is the family? What is the petty household?"

At these words, the seven lineage lords all changed expression.

They all sensed the clan chief's unshakable resolve!

Grand Elder Jiang Hongguang shook his head and sighed helplessly.

Though he did not wish to see his old friend meet such an end,

he understood that, given the man's nature, he was no longer suitable to serve as Seven Lineages Elder.

Now, stepping down from family leadership to tend the medicinal fields,

with his monthly resource allowance, he could at least live out his remaining years in peace.

At this moment, upon hearing Jiang Daoxuan's final judgment.

Jiang Hong's face turned ashen.

The last sliver of hope within him shattered as well.

He silently glanced at Jiang Yong'an.

"An'er, Grandpa did his best."

"When you reach the underworld, if you harbor resentment, blame Grandpa all you like."

"But I only hope that in your next life, you never suffer like this again..."

Jiang Hong's heart was filled with bitterness.

He understood that his request was truly unreasonable—it amounted to breaking the rules.

Yet if he did nothing, he could not convince himself.

One side was his family; the other, his grandson.

That was why he had been caught in an impossible dilemma.

But now, with the verdict delivered,

he had somehow come to accept it.