“After today, the descendants of the Tianxing Group’s bloodline will ostracize me, the high-level leaders will ignore me, and once the news reaches the Diancang Sect, the sect leader will be disappointed in me, and my mother will resent me.” “The world is vast, but there’s no place left for me—no relatives, no friends, no support, no shelter, no home.” What seemed like a simple act of cheating to help Kim Gyeong-ju was, at its core, a betrayal of the heavy investment the Diancang Sect leader had placed in her and a violation of her mother’s high expectations. It also offended Kim Nam-won’s face, although he didn’t particularly care and might even think Kim Yeon-ju was smart. However, the label of “rebellious” was undeniable when applied to her. Other bloodline heirs would also ostracize her. Lu Ding listened quietly: “So how does this relate to your desire to live and your pursuit of freedom?” Without hesitation, Kim Yeon-ju voiced the thoughts she had long kept silent. “Now, all that remains between us is a blood relationship!” Kim Yeon-ju drew her long sword, twirled it in a floral arc, and sliced across her thigh, leaving a deep wound that exposed the bone. The glaring red blood and her fair skin formed a uniquely aesthetic contrast. “Since only blood connects us, let that blood flow away with the water, never to return. Leave me behind to live for myself.” “Your strength and confidence have given me hope. Opportunities are meant to be seized. If you can support my sister, then I can also fight to earn your support.” Kim Yeon-ju looked toward the Great Han’s direction. This surprised Lu Ding: “How did you figure that out?” He thought he had hidden it well. “Although your accent is flawless, sometimes your subconscious grammar and adjective use slip slightly.” “While it doesn’t sound particularly strange and fits the White Eagle native language transitioning to Wei Gao speech, if calculated carefully, Mandarin would actually be smoother, more coherent, and more soulful.” If one didn’t have knowledge of Great Han culture, they definitely wouldn’t notice this key point. Looking at Kim Yeon-ju, Lu Ding silently thought, indeed, she was smart enough. “These clues allow me to make a high-probability guess and judgment about your identity.” “If what I suspect is true, then the actual support you receive from the White Eagle side is minimal.” “Currently, the Tianxing Group has not allocated any industry to Gyeong-ju, and you receive little real backing from White Eagle, so you only have two choices.” “First, to seize by force; second, for Great Han to intervene.” “But if Great Han intervenes, evidence might be left behind. After all, the target is too big. Under the current situation, the whole world is watching Great Han. The cost and sacrifice aren’t worth it.” “Judging from your character and methods in previous actions, you are more likely to choose to seize by force.” Saying this, Kim Yeon-ju looked at Kim Gyeong-ju, who was already stunned into silence. Within her heart, an emotion called inferiority was gradually growing. People are born with differences. During growth, family environment and external factors either widen or narrow those gaps. Now, Kim Gyeong-ju felt that in terms of intelligence and thinking, the gap between her and Kim Yeon-ju was immense… “Seizing by force at random could trigger a backlash that harms both sides.” “Therefore, you need a reason. The matter of Gyeong-ju’s mother is the most suitable reason. Using the excuse of avenging Gyeong-ju’s mother to take over the Diancang Sect is the best approach.” “I was nurtured by the Diancang Sect. Regarding the matter of Gyeong-ju’s mother, my mother was the main instigator.” “There is a Great Han saying: ‘Beneath a toppled nest, how can there be intact eggs?’ If you take over the Diancang Sect, I might have no way to survive.” “So, I have to gamble one last time, betting that you will see my sincerity, and that after seeing it, you won’t regard me as the root to be eradicated.” The domineering and arrogant image of Lu Ding in the auditorium sped up her thoughts. Every generation has its own deeds. Taking responsibility for what one does is only natural. What is the endless cycle of retaliation? Kim Yeon-ju’s mother harmed Kim Gyeong-ju’s mother; it is only reasonable for Kim Gyeong-ju to seek revenge on Kim Yeon-ju’s mother. If revenge is truly possible, Then couldn’t Kim Yeon-ju simply forgive Kim Gyeong-ju unilaterally? She looked at Kim Gyeong-ju: “There is no real hatred or dispute between us, right?” “There’s a Great Han saying: ‘Judge actions, not hearts.’ I don’t know if it fits here. I do act for myself, but I have helped you too.” This was an undeniable fact. Even Lu Ding felt some truth in it. Of course, that was also because subjectively, he didn’t want to argue with Kim Yeon-ju. Kim Gyeong-ju froze upon hearing these words. “This…” Original content can be found at N0v3l.Fiɾe.net For a moment, her mind started spinning rapidly. It seemed… there really was no hatred or dispute. The premise of “cutting the grass and pulling out the roots” is that the root contains instability. But now, Kim Yeon-ju was stable. After thinking for a long time, Kim Gyeong-ju nodded with difficulty: “Yes.” Kim Yeon-ju looked at Lu Ding one last time: “If you take the revenge for Gyeong-ju’s mother as the reason, I can be the witness. I believe nothing is more convincing than a biological daughter and one of the Diancang Sect’s designated heirs standing up to testify.” Lu Ding’s mouth curved into a slight smile. “For a moment, I don’t even know how to judge you.” “Are you trying to say that I am untrustworthy because I would betray and sell out my own mother and sect?” She asked this question, But didn’t expect Lu Ding to answer. Instead, she answered herself: “I just want to be a person, a free person, not a controlled machine. People have feelings and a sense of gratitude; machines are cold and only have programs.” “Treat me as a person. I have the spirit to die for those who know me and the ambition to repay kindness as on a golden terrace, ready to assist with jade dragons in death.” “If you treat me as a machine, then under my precise calculations, this is the only way I can survive and pursue my ideals.” “Besides, given your status, you shouldn’t be afraid of my rebellious heart.” Finally, Kim Yeon-ju slowly knelt down silently, mouthing the words: These two words carried immense weight. Only the greatest contemporary Great Han genius deserved the title Tai Sui. The Tianxing Group, such a huge piece on the board, ninety-nine percent of the time, they must consider everything. But Kim Yeon-ju was alone. Even if she had only fifty, thirty, or twenty percent chance, she would still dare to act because she had nowhere else to retreat. These words completely moved Lu Ding.