"Ah! Young Master, I… I… I…" Qing Lin's hands nervously clasped together as she stammered, her face pale.
"Kill them," Xiao Tian said firmly, his voice carrying a mix of heartache and exasperation as he looked at her.
The Little Fairy Doctor, standing beside him, wanted to speak up but ultimately remained silent, understanding Xiao Tian's intention.
"I… I… okay…" Qing Lin's eyes welled up with tears. She glanced at the pleading people on the ground, then back at her Young Master. Fearing his disappointment, she trembled as she spoke to the Fire Spirit Snake hidden in her sleeve: "Fire Spirit Snake… kill them."
Receiving the command, the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake shot out from Qing Lin's sleeve and rapidly expanded to its original size. Its two massive heads opened wide and bit down directly on the people begging for mercy.
"Ah! Don't kill me, spare me!"
"Help!"
Cries of agony immediately erupted.
Hearing the screams and witnessing the bloody scene, Qing Lin's face turned deathly pale. This was her first time killing someone, even if these people were far from innocent.
The Little Fairy Doctor sighed softly and gave Xiao Tian an exasperated look. Xiao Tian shrugged helplessly; this had to be done. Only through such experiences could Qing Lin truly grow stronger.
The screams continued for a short while before the area fell silent once more. The Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake, looking satisfied, swam back and returned to Qing Lin's sleeve.
"Young Master… did I disappoint you?" Qing Lin asked, lowering her head as she approached Xiao Tian, her voice trembling.
"Do you know why they were looking for you?" Xiao Tian asked directly, ignoring her question.
Qing Lin shook her head, indicating she didn't know.
"Look at that old man from before — his arm was transplanted. And you possess the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils. If we weren't here with you right now, do you know what would happen to you?"
Qing Lin wasn't foolish. After imagining the scenario, her face grew even paler.
"I'll tell you. You would be captured, and then your eyes would be transplanted. During that time, you would wish for death but be unable to die."
"This world is a man-eat-man world. If you let a few people go today, they will bring reinforcements tomorrow and spread information about your eyes. Then more interested parties will come. What do you think would happen? Your pity and kindness would end up harming both you and those around you."
"This world is generally cruel, not as beautiful as you imagine. There's no such thing as repaying evil with good. Kindness is your strength, but it cannot be your weakness. You must know when to show mercy and when to be ruthless, or others will think you are soft and easy to bully."
After finishing, Xiao Tian gently stroked Qing Lin's little head and wiped away her tears with his thumb.
After listening to Xiao Tian's words, a trace of regret and understanding appeared in Qing Lin's eyes. She sniffled hard, then looked up at him with newfound determination. "I understand, Young Master. I won't be like this again."
Xiao Tian nodded with satisfaction, seeing the change in her.
"However, this matter is not entirely resolved. We don't know if others might still know about your eyes, so we must eliminate future troubles."
Moreover, there was a snake hiding near the Mo Family that would make a good bodyguard.
A large black snake, lying on the ground in a deep forest somewhere in Yan City, inexplicably shivered. It rose, releasing its aura and sweeping the surroundings. "Why do I feel a chill down my spine?" The feeling came and went quickly, and the large snake shook its head in confusion.
After cleaning up the battlefield, Xiao Tian and the others hurried back toward the city.
Upon their return, Xiao Tian went straight to find Xiao Ding and Xiao Li.
"Big Brother, Second Brother, I've come to talk to you about something important this time."
"Little Tianzi, what is it?" Xiao Ding asked curiously, noticing the serious look on his usually smiling younger brother's face.
"Big Brother, have you ever considered developing in other places, such as the Black-Corner Region?"
"The Black-Corner Region? The most chaotic place on the entire continent?"
"Yes. I plan to establish a force there. Later, I will also move the Xiao Family. Our Xiao Family will face other enemies in the future, so we must develop externally to protect ourselves. Besides, I'm also studying there, which makes it convenient to look after things."
Xiao Tian spoke each sentence clearly, thinking of the Hall of Souls members lurking in the shadows. He knew he had to move the Xiao Family eventually; if problems arose in the Jia Ma Empire, he wouldn't be able to rush back in time.
"So what's your plan?" Xiao Ding asked after a moment of thought.
"I plan to have Old Wen take you there to develop, building upon your mercenary group."
"Old Wen? Doesn't Old Wen need to protect you? What if you encounter trouble without him?" Xiao Ding frowned.
"It's fine. I have other means to protect myself. I wouldn't feel at ease without Old Wen taking you there. With your current strength, without his protection, it's too dangerous. There's no morality there — only dog-eat-dog."
Xiao Tian spoke truthfully.
"And the force you're establishing is…?" Xiao Ding asked.
"Heaven Suppressing Hall. Big Brother, you'll be the Vice Hall Master, overseeing the entire force's development. With your wisdom and strategy, combined with Old Wen's strength, establishing a force won't be a problem. As for other resources, I will provide them."
Xiao Tian looked at Xiao Ding expectantly. His eldest brother was the most suitable person for the role.
"You think so highly of your Big Brother?" Xiao Ding said with surprise.
"The fact that Big Brother and Second Brother could work together to build one of the top mercenary groups in this place back then proves that you two are not simple."
Xiao Tian gave both brothers a thumbs up.
"Haha, since you think so highly of us, and it happens to suit us well, then we can't refuse."
Xiao Ding and Xiao Li readily agreed; this was also for themselves and the future of their family.
"Good. Then I'll trouble Big Brother and Second Brother," Xiao Tian said with a happy smile.
"However, I need to ask if others want to come with us."
"Of course."
Afterward, Xiao Ding gathered all the members of the Mo Tie Mercenary Group and briefly explained the dangers of developing in the Black-Corner Region, as well as the protection they would receive from strong experts.
"Wherever the Leader goes, I go."
"Leader, Old Niu has been following you for a long time. You saved my life, so wherever you go, I'll follow."
"Me too."
"Leader, I won't go. My family is all here, and it's inconvenient to take them."
After hearing the explanation, Xue Lan was the first to express her willingness to follow.
With Xiao Tian's financial support, Xiao Ding gave 100 gold coins to the mercenaries unwilling to follow and 1,000 gold coins to the core members as severance pay.
The mercenaries who were willing to follow also received 1,000 gold coins with a wave of his hand.
After dismissing everyone, Xiao Tian winked at Xiao Ding and said, "Big Brother, I think Xue Lan has feelings for you. She looks like a wife following her husband, hehe."
"Little Tianzi, I think so too. Xue Lan often secretly looks at Big Brother," Xiao Li chimed in.
"You're asking for a beating!" Xiao Ding raised his foot, ready to kick them, having been provoked by their words.
"See, Big Brother is getting flustered! Big Brother, you're not getting any younger. It's time to consider your own matters. Father wants to hold grandchildren!"
"Right, right, right!"
Xiao Tian and Xiao Li laughed heartily as they dodged Xiao Ding's foot.