With the truth revealed by Yin Tang, a flicker of expression finally appeared on Kang Jinlong's numb face.
He was first astonished, then terrified, and finally, a glint of anger flashed in his eyes as he turned to stare intensely at Yan Shouyi.
"Le Yao was not a bad person; your grandfather and father killed her unjustly!" Kang Jinlong said through gritted teeth.
Yan Shouyi had not anticipated this answer, leaving him momentarily unsure of how to respond.
Suddenly, Kang Jinlong reached out and choked Yan Shouyi's neck!
Kang Jinlong roared, "Your Yan family killed her unjustly!!"
Kang Jinlong's cultivation was profound, and his strength was extraordinary. Even though Yan Shouyi was a Heavenly Fiend Corpse Puppet, he was still struggling to breathe under his grasp.
Liu Ying grew anxious and rushed to intervene, but Kang Jinlong casually tossed a Taoist talisman, erecting a transparent barrier between them. No matter how hard Liu Ying tried, she couldn't get any closer!
"Wei Changqing, calm down!" Liu Ying shouted.
But Kang Jinlong was in no state to listen. His eyes were filled with hatred.
Ever since Yan Shouyi rescued him from Longhu Mountain, Kang Jinlong had often pondered whether his beloved woman's intentions were truly impure. If so, even if he had made mistakes for over a decade, there would still be a chance to reconcile with the Yan family.
He wished more than anything that he was the one who was wrong.
However, just as he was about to believe Yu Leyao was a deceiver, Yin Tang delivered the cruel truth, pushing Kang Jinlong into a corner with no escape!
He had suffered for over ten years; if this was the truth, how could he not seek revenge?!
"Master!" Liu Ying, unable to break through, could only reproachfully question Yin Tang, "Master, Yan Shouyi is, after all, an benefactor to our Qiantang. Why aren't you helping him, instead kicking him when he's down!"
Yin Tang replied calmly, "I merely spoke the truth."
"But this truth will harm an innocent person, it will harm Yan Shouyi!" Liu Ying stomped her feet anxiously. "Look, Wei Changqing is about to choke him to death!"
However, Yin Tang remained unmoved.
Kang Jinlong was still choking Yan Shouyi, but he made no further aggressive moves.
In reality, he knew very well that debts should be paid by the debtor. If he truly wanted revenge, he should be looking for Yan Chou.
"Aren't you going to say anything?!" Kang Jinlong demanded.
Yan Shouyi remained unfazed, stating calmly, "I'd prefer to speak when you've calmed down."
Hearing this, Kang Jinlong paused for a moment before slightly easing his grip.
"Speak!"
Yan Shouyi averted his gaze to look at Yin Tang, saying, "Senior Yin, it's not good to reveal half-truths. I believe you've only told us half the story, haven't you?"
Yin Tang finally smiled, "Indeed."
"Master, what are you..." Liu Ying was a bit bewildered.
Yin Tang continued, "I said earlier that Shang Ruman showed you her wild rose tattoo, which only proves she truly loved you, but it doesn't prove she had no intentions regarding the latter volume of the Lu Ban Scripture."
Kang Jinlong's eyes widened as if he had just remembered something.
Yin Tang went on, "Shang Ruman's love for you was genuine, but her intent to steal the latter volume of the Lu Ban Scripture was also true. At that time, she was instructed by her sect to approach you, with the mission to steal the latter volume and eliminate all Lu Ban descendants. As for what happened later, I believe Yan Shouyi and you both know."
Yin Tang's latter statement caused a complete 180-degree reversal of the truth from that year.
Kang Jinlong looked at Yan Shouyi in disbelief.
Yan Shouyi gestured to the hand that Kang Jinlong had on his neck. Kang Jinlong snapped back to reality and slowly released his grip.
"Cough, cough."
Yan Shouyi coughed a few times to regain his composure before speaking:
"After you were released from Longhu Mountain, I asked my father about the events of that year. My father told me that he discovered Yu Leyao intended to poison my grandfather and learned of her plan to steal the latter volume of the Lu Ban Scripture. He had initially intended to spare her life, but Yu Leyao attacked them first, forcing them to kill her."
"After Yu Leyao's death, you turned against our Yan family. My father and grandfather also tried to pursue the truth, but unfortunately, Yu Leyao had concealed her origins too deeply, leaving no leads. Before Senior Yin revealed the truth, I could only speculate about the events of that year, unable to confirm them."
"Kang Jinlong, Yu Leyao loved you, it's true, but she also desired the latter volume of the Lu Ban Scripture and the lives of my father and grandfather! If it were you, what would you have chosen?!"
Faced with Yan Shouyi's question, Kang Jinlong was momentarily speechless.
On one side was the woman he deeply loved, and on the other were his master and his brothers.
How could he choose?
Moreover, Yan Baixiang and Yan Chou had only killed Yu Leyao that year in self-defense.
Kang Jinlong couldn't make up his mind, his gaze began to dart away, unable to meet Yan Shouyi's eyes.
Yan Shouyi, however, sighed, "Last year, my grandfather was critically ill, and my father was imprisoned. Only I was by my grandfather's side. In his final moments, he uttered a few delirious words that I couldn't understand then but finally comprehend now."
"'If I knew I couldn't escape death, I would have rather died at Yu Leyao's hands back then; that way, Changqing wouldn't have left.'"
"'Wei Changqing, you are not the only one haunted by Yu Leyao's death; even my grandfather, before he died, could not let it go!'"
This was the first time Yan Shouyi had addressed Wei Changqing by his true name.
"'My grandfather carried guilt towards you throughout his life. He felt guilty because he always believed in your character and thought he had pushed you down the wrong path! He lamented, he regretted, he was even willing to give his life to guide you back to the right way!'"
"'Alas, his lifespan had ended, and he could do nothing more...'"
Yan Shouyi took a deep breath and slowly exhaled:
"'At Longhu Mountain, I also wanted to kill you and end it all. But thinking of my grandfather's words and his tears, I realized that no matter how dangerous you were, I had to help you find the truth of that year. If there was a chance, I even wanted to lead you back to the right path. Only then could I fulfill my grandfather's last wish!'"
This was the true reason Yan Shouyi risked everything to bring Wei Changqing along!
It was precisely for this reason that Yan Chou had agreed to let Yan Shouyi take Wei Changqing away.
For even in Yan Chou's heart, there was an unyielding yearning for the truth, a desire no less fervent than Wei Changqing's!
As the saying goes, the onlooker sees more clearly than the one in the game.
Yin Tang and Liu Ying watched in silence, unable to suppress their emotions.
The one at fault was not Wei Changqing, nor Yan Shouyi's father and grandfather.
The fault lay only with the damned fate, the machinations of destiny, and the truth that arrived too late.
Alas, there was no chance for a do-over.
"Master..."
A tear slowly traced a path down Wei Changqing's face.
He lowered his head, gripping the edge of his clothes, his shoulders trembling uncontrollably. Words he wanted to speak remained unsaid, only choked sobs escaped through his gritted teeth.