62 I Failed You All

"You're really an idiot. No, you're just a childish traitor. Just because you're from a mysterious ancient clan, do you think that the world is yours? What are you even here for?" Princess Yinghua seems to snap as she hears Hei's berating.

Hei laughs a bit, "Oh no specific reason. Maybe it was to witness you being a traitor or just to observe the view of this sect. It could be for the food too. As a member of your clan, don't you think I have the right to voice my opinion? As far as I heard, when I joined your clan, I would have the same status as you. Is that correct?"

Before she can reply, Shenlong Weilan's soft voice interrupts, "Whether you joined her clan or not gives you no right to get involved in her personal affairs. Furthermore, her parents are the ones qualified for this and they are currently sitting here."

"Besides, what makes you think you're old enough to meddle in other's affairs? You're about 13 I assume. You should be thinking about your own future and not the future of others." Hei doesn't reply and instead smiles calmly, seemingly eating a loss.

He thinks to himself, "I could banter with you for eternity but that will just slow down this stupid event. I will let you think you have won for now. Just hurry and bring my friends out so I can secure their lives and reap yours."

Shenlong Weilan smiles in victory as he uses this momentum at his advantage as he directs his attention to Yinghua's parents.

"Sir and Madam Xing, have you both come to a decision? I really am interested in marrying Yinghua. I dare to say that I love her. While I cannot say the feelings are the same, I believe it is possible for such feelings to be gradually grown."

Hei's smile doesn't disappear but in his mind he scoffs at how stupid this Shenlong Weilan is. He goes as far as thinks, "Based on the books I have read, this should be what the authors call 'Toad lusting after swan's flesh'."

"What an idiot. You really think any clan would let one of their peak talents not only marry out of the clan but to an enemy? Either you're really stupid or you're just that arrogant. Even I can realize this and I am said to be arrogant. If that's the case, you must be really retarded then."

Yinghua's mother calmly replies with gentle a smile, "Shenlong Weilan, as I have said before, it would be best if she is brought to the clan so we can discuss it as a family. The Clan Leader and elders are also needed to make a decision. After all, you do not wish to marry into the clan. If that was your original intention, then things would have been much easier."

Shenlong Weilan shakes his head with a firm look in his eyes. "I cannot abandon my roots as a man. That would be quite shameless of me. As a man, one shouldn't leave their clan or sect no matter what the reason."

"As a man, going out to temper yourself is not an issue but joining a clan or sect, basically abandoning your roots, only the truly despicable or childish persons would do that." He glances at Hei with a calm smile as he says these words then looks back on the Xing couple. His friends on the side snicker with obvious mockery.

"While I am marrying Yinghua and she would move in with me, I can guarantee you both that she will definitely not be far from the clan. Furthermore, I spoke with my father on the matter and he said he would actually become your clan's ally."

Yinghua's father laughs a bit, "While your words are very tempting, our clan has rules which should be followed. As I said before, allow us to take Yinghua back to the clan and discuss this with the Elders and Clan Leader." He smiles calmly as he declares his firm opinion on the matter.

Without being flustered in the slightest, Weilan replies in a serious manner, "If it is Yinghua's safety you are worrying about then please relax. I am more than capable of protecting her and I am while I am kind, I am not soft hearted. She will be in good hands. My weak cultivation of Immortal King at 20 isn't too bad in my opinion. While it might not be like those peak talents from your clan, I think I am close by."

Hei thinks to himself in excitement, "Ah, finally, seems he is about to show them the 'execution' to show how 'responsible' he is. Answer properly now bastard and not give him the chance."

The eyes of the Xing couple open wide as the look at this young dragon carefully. "I Xing Zhu firmly believe your cultivation level is quite impressive for your age. However, clan rules are clan rules. You said it yourself, as a man, we cannot abandon our roots."

Hei angrily thinks, "Damn you bastard, now he will have to find another opportunity."

Weilan doesn't seem too bothered by this and drinks a bit of wine. "Then if that is your decision, then I cannot stop you from thinking that way. How about we have something to eat and drink? It would be such a shame if the food was wasted."

Hei stares at Yinghua's parents and then on her and notices her face is slowly losing its usual calm and cold expression. She actually seems sad and angry! "Just stop it already…Mom, Dad, I know that you want to 'save' me but I am fine. I really am. The war between the sects is not finished and the Hidden Dragon Sect has a higher probability to win."

"This is just being used as tempering experience for us. We do not owe the Nameless Sect anything. Similarly, we could have chosen to side with the Hidden Dragon Sect if they had asked for it unlike the Nameless Sect. Why is it that the clan is trying to keep me chained? Is this the destiny of Andromeda?"

Yinghua's mother shakes her head. "In all these years that I Xing Gan have raised you, this is the first time I am seeing you rebel against the clan. I know as a young lady, you will like males. Fine, this is acceptable."

"But going as far as questioning the clan in such a manner….even cursing your own inheritance…Really? Do you expect anyone will hold your words in high regards with that kind of behavior? I am trying to be patient with you but do not let things get out of hand." Her mother's previously sweet and kind face immediately falls in a few degrees. Even the air around her seems to fall in temperature. She's certainly furious!

Xing Yinghua doesn't retreat as she firmly declares, "I really am wondering if I will be chained by the clan forever. Is it that I am not allowed to like anyone outside of the clan's allies or members? Did you know that when I wanted to escape, Weilan went against his sect and released me! He even arranged for safe travel!"

"Unfortunately, I was found out midway and captured. When I was about to receive physical punishment, who took it for me? He might not have said it but all the maids who he made take care of my daily needs clearly stated that since the day he was born till now; his parents never laid a single hand on him! But he stood there and received the punishment without uttering a word!"

"Not only was he bedridden for a few days, his cultivation had almost fall to Immortal Lord! And you're saying my words seem childish? Fine, I am childish but the clan is evil and is oppressing me. The clan is quick to criticize Weilan but actually had thoughts of possibly marrying me off to that traitor over there?"

She glances at Hei with disdain clear in her eyes. She ruthlessly continues, "Not only is he arrogant but his origins is more than shady. He seems more similar to a demon than a beast. While our clan has multiple demons and even our grand elder is one, they actually joined the clan based on relations. He just joined on a whim!"

"He didn't give a damn about his 'clan member's capture'. He only came here when he heard that you 2 were coming here so he can flaunt his arrogance and bit a power in front of everyone as a 'member of the clan'. He isn't able to refute a single word!"

"Now he even came here with a random demon from who knows where. He just used the clan to have somewhere to perform his Astral Awakening. Then he had multiple of his clan members peer down at our entire clan in disdain to see how he is doing."

"Over 100 black figures were observing our clan without permission! They showed not even common courtesy to greet the elders. And what did the clan leader say? Oh, it's just someone undergoing Astral Awakening. Everyone, go back to the way things were."

She breathes for a bit as she seems to gather her emotions for another bout of ranting. However, Shenlong Weilan calmly intercepts her. "Yinghua, I know you're mad but please calm down. I can't possibly comprehend your pain but please, they are your parents."

"This meeting was a failure, it is definitely my fault. Please forgive me Sir and Madam Xing. Please forgive me Yinghua. Let's just put to matter off for another day when things are much calmer. If father was here today we would have made our way over to the Beast Constellation Clan to personally discuss this. Let's just enjoy the food and relax."

"That reminds me…some persons from my personal troops decided to betray the sect. I originally prepared their execution as a side show after the negotiations but since things are like this, let's just eat as we watch them getting tortured."

He looks to the side as he casually says, "Have those 5 hoisted in the air and tortured for a bit." Hei maintains his breathing as he hears someone reply with a 'Yes Young Master'.

Very quickly, a dragon can be seen flying towards everyone. Behind it, the silhouettes of 5 persons can be seen tied on its tail. The dragon stops a little over 100 meters away and flaps its wings as it floats in the air with 5 battered looking things that seem like males.

All over their bodies, dried blood and wounds can be seen. Numerous burn and claw marks cover their naked bodies leaving a ghastly scene. Their disheveled hair and barely emitting life force shows they must have gone through a lot. Pieces of bones actually protrude from their bodies. Their faces are barely discernible.

Their eyes barely possess life in them as they shamefully look on the guests, humiliation and despair apparent in their eyes. Hei looks at the carefully. Very slowly, the 5 familiar faces he knew are overlapped with the gruesome and mangled ones in front of him.

Shenlong Weilan laughs a bit as he sips some wine. "Ah yes, the 5 traitors…you're all barely holding on to life I see. That is right, keep holding on to your hope for that Young Master Tianxiong. Even your good brother and leader abandoned you, not like he could do anything to change your fates."

Hei observes the 5 in shock as his eyes almost become moist. Barely holding back, he manages to maintain his calm. Weilan gives the command, "Begin the torture. Make it slow and hold back enough so they remain alive. When I am finished eating, then they can be granted the sweet relief of death."

Hei's soft and sad voice echoes out, "I Failed You All…" surprising everyone.