Daily life of a cultivation judge

Chapter 850 Sentence given (27)

Chen Zian's words seemed to have greatly affected the Chen Clan Elders. Some lowered their heads in shame, others had an air of resolve about them, while others seemed to be in deep contemplation.

Whatever they were thinking about, they had time, as Chen Zian didn't seem to be done.

"For my uncle.." Chen Zian paused as he sighed when he saw the state the old elder was in. A look of a completely lost and broken man.

"While I am not shameless enough to ask for a complete pardon for what he did, I would like to plead with the court to consider the circumstances that led him to the choice he made and show him some mercy.

Chen... My uncle... For as long as I've known, I've known to be one of the most loyal and selfless people I have ever met.

Before Chen Xue was born, he always put the well-being of the clan above his own needs, sacrificing everything for it, and when Chen Xue was born, I could tell, he always harbored some guilt as he felt he valued Chen Xue's life above that of the clan, but to me, he didn't.

The love, care, and attention he showed Chen Xue was no different than showing it to the Clan, both are not mutually exclusive.

Even though this comes from a utilitarian basis, the talent Chen Xue showed, he was the pride and joy of the entire clan, and part of the reason he was able to fully demonstrate his talent was because of the care and support my uncle gave him.

When it comes to cultivation, one's environment is a crucial factor, and when it comes to the environment, most think it is the quality of the spiritual veins and other cultivation resources, but to me, the environment is everything that surrounds a cultivator which includes their everyday life and relationships, and my uncle helped provide one of the best aspects of that environment to Chen Xue.

So, all his life, to me, his loyalty has never wavered, be it to the clan or to his son, and it was because of that loyalty that someone like Ch.. someone like Zholan was able to exploit..

Because of the close friendship Zholan and Chen Xue had, Chen Gutian treated him as he would Chen Xue. In his eyes, he was no different than his son, and to those he had close relationships with, there was nothing Chen Gutian wouldn't do for them.

Zholan no doubt exploited that nature and convinced him to do something he would have never thought of doing in a million years.

While I don't know the grief he went through when he lost his son and can only estimate the pain, I can say without any falsehood in my heart, if it was anyone else but Zholan that brought forth the plan to harbor pill slaves and human cauldrons in exchange for his son's killer, he would never have done it, no matter how much pain he was in, and how desperate he was to find his son's killer.

I have no doubt in my heart that he agreed to it so that Zholan would not have to carry that sin alone. Zholan no doubt goaded him by saying he would do it with or without his consent, which more or less forced my uncle's hand into joining up with Song Ba.

My uncle has been nothing but loyal but whether it's Zholan or us, we all took advantage of it, and could never repay it back. Zholan betrayed it, and for us, the one time he needed us to stand up for him when his son died, we couldn't because we were trying to observe the bigger picture and not cause any waves that would rupture the fragile balance we lived in.

We all failed him, all I can do now is avenge his son's killer and beg the court to show mercy.." Chen Zian said as he performed a deep bow before stepping back.

"Thank you for your statement and the court will take your statement under consideration when making a ruling.." said Yang Qing before he turned to face the elders.

"The floor is now yours, should you wish to say anything on your defense.." Yang Qing said as he opened the floor to the elders.

After a momentary silence and lack of movement from them, someone stepped out, it was Chen Lai, Chen Bo's son.

He first bowed to Yang Qing and the rest before his gaze fell on Chen Gutian, where his eyes flashed with sympathy before they turned calm once again as he looked at Chen Zian.

"As someone who was always at logger heads with you, I never did like you or those around you, especially Elder Chen Gutian. He was obstinate, tempermental, short sighted and a meathead, but there was one thing I could never begrudge him for, and that was his loyalty to you but more so to the clan.

Considering what I did, I am unqualified to speak on it, but then and now, his relentless loyalty was and is something I grew to admire greatly.

As much as I am disgusted with Zholan for what he did, we have just as much blame to what happened to Elder Chen Gutian and junior nephew Chen Xue by allowing the fox into the hen house.

If it wasn't for our dealings with Song Ba, that snake would not have found the perfect dagger to useand for that,...

I AM TRULY SORRY.." Chen Lai said as he bowed to both Chen Gutian who still had a listless and confused look and to Chen Zian, who looked surprised by the bow.

Chen Bo may have been his direct rival, but with him in seclusion, the person he had been contending with had been his son, Chen Lai. With the amount of hidden battles and enmity they had for one another, he would have never expected Chen Lai to bow to him.

After the bow, Chen Lai rose as he turned to face Yang Qing, but not before casting another look at Chen Zian.

"I have no doubt that you will use all this to consolidate your power in the clan, and with everything that has happened.." Chen Lai paused as he sighed.

"I can't say it's a bad thing.Che.. Clan Leader, I know you need to do what you have to do, but the clan needs to stand firm together, so what happened here doesn't repeat itself.

Those involved are all here, I hope you can let the matter end here and try and make peace with my father and the rest. For him, I know , if he learns what happened to Chen Xue, he's sure to change.

The only reason he opposed you so much was because he always believed your strength was insufficient to help the clan sail the muddy waters that is the Red Maple Empire, but unlike me who resorted to tricks and villainous ways to oppose, he chose a more direct way, a way that honors our ancestor, and that is to surpass you in ability.

Don't shame him, he already has enough to carry because of me. I've never asked you of anything but as our clan leader I'll ask you of that.." said Chen Lai.

"I will consider it.."

"That's all I ask.."