Beastmaster of the Ages

"Li Tianming!" An old figure suddenly rushed toward Tianming and prostrated before him, tears flowing nonstop. It was the old patriarch of House Suishen, Suishen Xiao. His eyes were red with tears as he begged, "Please spare my son’s life on account of Yaoyao and Jiguang! From now on, House Yumo’s no more. He no longer has a right to dream about leading the Three Exalted Houses. Please give him a chance to show remorse so that he can turn over a new leaf to serve you! He can help you administer Tianmingopolis! He's also experienced in matters of the Million Mundi!"

The old patriarch's desperate pleas came from the love of his son. He was so nervous that he immediately knelt toward Tianming despite being an elder. "Even though you never blended well with House Qitian and House Yumo, you have incredibly complex ties to House Suishen! Your conflict with him was merely one of ideals, not life and death! Please spare his life on account of the protection we offered you back then. He's Yaoyao's father!"

The old patriarch's tears flowed more and more as he audibly sobbed and prepared to kowtow toward Tianming. The other Suishens closely watched the sight. All of them actually felt rather conflicted about the situation. With everything being set in stone, they were hoping that Tianming would spare Suishen Ranxing for their familial ties, but they didn't dare to say it, especially with Suishen Xiyue still around. Only creditors could decide whether to forgive a debt.

Before the old patriarch's head met the ground, a light surrounded him and pulled him up. Tianming couldn't possibly let Jiguang’s father—his senior—kowtow to him like that. As everyone watched, he took a deep breath and said, "I don’t have the right to forgive him. After all, the ones he harmed aren't me."

Tianming turned and looked at Suishen Xiyue. She had known from the beginning that the day she would judge Suishen Ranxing would eventually come. He was someone who had abandoned her in the abyss of despair; it was made even worse after he tricked her into going to the Inner Yin, only to betray her trust and backstab her after she had birthed him two children. And if that wasn't already enough, he had even attempted to use his own children as hostages to threaten Tianming! Her hatred for him had reached a boiling point.

"I'm sure everyone wishes for me to let go of his sins and give all of you a happy ending. However, those who haven't experienced pain at the hands of others shouldn't preach kindness for the sake of those others!" Suishen Xiyue looked at her former husband with incredible hate and resentment.

"Suishen Xiyue!" The old patriarch's face turned pale. "It was my fault! I raised him wrong! Please, let my death atone for his sins!"

"That's enough!" Suishen Ranxing growled, causing the people around him to back off. He looked at his father with contempt and smirked. "Do you know who you’re kneeling toward? An invader who wiped out Myriadpath Valley! A fiend that wants to enslave our kind! But here you are, begging for his mercy?! Where’s your pride as a Suishen? Even if you're defeated, you can't let anyone trample on your soul and dignity!"