Lan XiChen, "What letter?"
Jin GuangYao, "A letter of threat. The letter said... those things would be publicized for the world to see in seven days. They wanted me to either turn myself in and apologize, or... wait for the day of my death."
Everyone understood. Of course, Jin GuangYao couldn't just wait for his death to come. Instead of having his name be ruined and his sect be overthrown by the mockery of all the sects, he'd be the one to strike first. At that time, even if the opponent really spread the rumors of all his past deeds everywhere, after the siege, the sects would be drained of the energy to bother him.
Unfortunately, it was all wrecked by Wei WuXian and Lan WangJi.
Lan XiChen, "Even so, you cannot go the entire way and settle on murder! Like this, you..."
He didn't even give Lan XiChen a reason to speak in favor of him! Jin GuangYao, "Or else what could I do? Wait until everything's been exposed, wait until the rumors soar above the cities, wait until I've become the laughing stock of all the world of cultivation before I kneel down and apologize, begging for their pardon by placing my face under their feet for them to step on? Brother! There is no third path. It is either their death or mine."
Anger began to appear over Lan XiChen's face. He stepped away, "Is this not all because you... because you did the things in the letter?! If you never did those things, how could anyone come across the evidence to hold against you?"
Jin GuangYao, "Brother, listen to me. I don't deny that I did those things..."
Lan XiChen, "How could you deny them? There are both witnesses and proof!"
Jin GuangYao, "And so I said I don't deny them! But to have killed my father, my wife, my son, my brother-if not because I had no other choice, why would I have done those things? Could it be that I'm really so out of my mind in your eyes?!"
Lan XiChen's expression calmed somewhat, "Fine. I will ask you a few questions. You can explain one by one."
Lan WangJi, "Brother!"
He unsheathed Bichen. Seeing how he seemed like he was about to end Jin GuangYao right there, Lan XiChen hurried, "Do not worry. He is injured, and his weapon is confiscated as well. He is at a great disadvantage. With so many people here, he cannot do anything." On the other side, Wei WuXian gave Su She a kick, stopping his intention to move in secrecy. Lan XiChen, "Go deal with things over there. I will stay here."
Hearing Su She's enraged roar, Lan WangJi walked over. Wei WuXian knew that Lan XiChen still had some feelings towards this sworn brother of his. He had some inexplicable expectations of him and just had to give him this chance to speak. Similarly, Wei WuXian wanted to hear a few words from Jin GuangYao's perspective as well, and so he listened. Lan XiChen, "First, your father, Former Sect Leader Jin, did you really use such a method to..."
Jin GuangYao spoke carefully, "I'd like to answer this question last."
Lan XiChen shook his head before continuing, "Second, your... wife..." As though he couldn't say it, he immediately changed his phrasing, "Your sister, Qin Su, did you really marry her while knowing what blood relationship you had with her?"
Jin GuangYao stared blankly at him. Suddenly, tears rolled down his eyes. He answered with pain, "... Yes." Lan XiChen took in a deep breath. His face was almost ashen. Jin GuangYao whispered, "But I really had no choice."
Lan XiChen scolded, "How could you have no choice?! It was your marriage! Would it not have been fine as long as you chose not to marry her? Even if you hurt Qin Su's heart because of it, it would have been better than destroying a woman who loved you and respected you with all her heart. A woman who had never treated you badly!"
