Chapter 43: Not Lenient Enough

Leaf Liang's pleas echoed throughout the room, each word dripping with desperation and fear. The once arrogant young master of the Leaf family now groveled on the ground, begging for mercy from Su Lang, the man he once deemed insignificant. Su Lang stood tall, his eyes cold and unyielding as he observed the pathetic display before him.

"Leaf Liang, where is your arrogance now?" Su Lang's voice was calm, almost mocking. "Where is that haughty demeanor you once had?"

"I... I was wrong!" Leaf Liang's voice trembled as he kowtowed repeatedly. "Please, spare me! I don't want to die!"

Su Lang's expression remained unchanged, his gaze piercing through Leaf Liang's facade. "Your family destroyed mine. You tried to kill me. Do you really think you deserve to live?"

Leaf Liang's desperation grew, his mind scrambling for anything that could save him. "I will compensate you! Gold! Spirit stones! Anything you want!" He offered, practically throwing his wealth at Su Lang's feet.

But Su Lang's cold smile only deepened. "Do you think money can buy back your life? Do you think it can wash away the blood on your hands?"

Leaf Liang continued to plead, his voice breaking. "I'll be your dog! Your slave! Just let me live!"

Seeing Leaf Liang's degradation, Su Lang's disdain only grew. He glanced at Old Lu, who was equally terrified, his body trembling as he knelt beside his master.

"Su Lang... Please, forgive us," Old Lu begged. "We didn't know you would become this powerful. Spare us, and we will serve you faithfully."

Su Lang remained silent for a moment, contemplating their fate. "You two may still have some value," he finally said, causing a flicker of hope to ignite in their eyes. "Write down all the martial techniques you know. Maybe then, I'll consider being lenient."

He tossed them some paper and pens. Leaf Liang and Old Lu scrambled to comply, writing furiously, their hands shaking. Su Lang watched them from the sofa, his expression indifferent as he waited.

After what seemed like an eternity, they finally finished. Leaf Liang and Old Lu shakily handed over the completed notebooks, hoping their compliance would grant them mercy.

Su Lang flipped through the notebooks, nodding slightly at the comprehensive details. "Good. These will be useful."

Leaf Liang's heart leapt with hope. "Does this mean you'll let us go?"

Su Lang's smile was chilling. "I said I'd be lenient. Compared to what you deserve, a quick death is lenient."

Leaf Liang's face drained of color. "No... You can't!"

"You lied! You promised!" He screamed, desperation turning to anger. "Old Lu, fight him! If we escape, you'll be rewarded beyond your dreams!"

But Old Lu had lost all will to fight. "Please, Su Lang, show mercy. I was only following orders. I will cut all ties with the Leaf family. Spare me!"

Leaf Liang's hope shattered completely, replaced by utter despair. "Old Lu... You coward!"

"Enough!" Su Lang's voice was final as he raised his gleaming blade. "Time to end this. Consider it my revenge."

Leaf Liang's final scream echoed as the blade descended, bringing swift justice and a sense of closure to Su Lang's long-standing vendetta. The room fell silent, the air thick with the finality of his actions.

For Su Lang, this was just the beginning. His path of vengeance had claimed its first major casualties, but many more challenges awaited. He would continue to grow stronger, ensuring that no one could ever threaten him or his loved ones again.