Hearing the Peak head's words, Han Yu's thoughts aligned instantly.
"This fight," he said slowly, "will decide his fate."
The Peak Head nodded.
"If he defeats you, he lives."
"And if he does not?"
"He dies."
The words settled heavily in the air.
Han Yu stood still.
Processing.
This was not a duel.
Not in the traditional sense.
This was an execution.
Public.
Deliberate.
A message.
The sect was making an example of him.
Not just to punish Meng Ji.
But to warn everyone else.
This was the consequence of betrayal.
This was the cost of corruption.
Han Yu exhaled softly.
"I see."
The Peak Head observed him carefully.
"You will be the executioner," he said.
Han Yu nodded.
"There is no issue."
And there truly wasn't.
Han Yu felt no hesitation.
No conflict.
Meng Ji's fate had already been decided. The duel was merely the method through which it would be carried out.
The Peak Head studied him for a moment longer, then spoke again.
