With Zhao Wu no longer an obstacle, Han Lang's revenge faced no impediment.
Every individual involved in the Le City incident targeting the Han family and the three great clans received their due punishment.
Of course, aside from those directly responsible for the deaths of Han Zhongyi and Old Master Cao, Han Lang did not pursue a path of total annihilation against others.
Perhaps it was due to Zhao Wu's influence, or perhaps Han Lang did not wish to become a demon solely driven by slaughter.
However, those individuals were, to varying degrees, indirectly connected to the deaths of the two men.
Therefore, when Han Kang listed their names, Han Lang merely had Ma Long and a few others cripple their cultivation bases, sparing their lives.
"The last one, the eldest young master of the Zhao family, Zhao Wei!"
As the judgment reached its final moments, Zhao Wei, the mastermind, naturally could not escape.
At that instant, all eyes turned towards Zhao Wei, who was hiding behind the others.
Upon hearing Han Kang utter his name, Zhao Wu, who had completely lost his ability to think, trembled as if struck by an electric shock.
Watching Ma Long gradually step forward, his heart grew increasingly anxious. Ultimately, he could not overcome the bond of brotherhood. He immediately stepped out to block Ma Long, who was about to act.
"Wait! Ma Long, hold on a moment!"
After placating Ma Long, Zhao Wu rushed to Han Lang's side and said anxiously.
"Boss, I know my brother was wrong. The evidence you provided is also conclusive. But can you spare his life for my sake? You can cripple his cultivation, even sever his tendons and ligaments, rendering him useless forever, but please, just let him live. Can you?"
Fearing Han Lang would refuse, Zhao Wu quickly pleaded again.
"Our Zhao family is willing to compensate you for any spiritual damages at any cost, as long as you spare his life. Is that acceptable?"
Seeing Zhao Wu's humble plea, Han Lang was somewhat moved.
However,
He could not agree!
If he were to abandon avenging his father and Old Brother Cao simply because of Zhao Wu, how could he face them in the afterlife?
"I'm sorry, Zhao Wu. A life for a life, that's an ancient rule! I understand your deep brotherhood, but emotions are not a shield for crime. Zhao Wei must die today!"
Hearing Han Lang's words, Zhao Wu seemed lost.
At this moment, his heart was in immense torment.
On one side was Han Lang, with whom he shared deep affection, had faced life and death together, and who had provided him great assistance.
On the other side was his own brother, who had cared for and loved him since childhood, like a blood relative.
Whichever choice he made, it would be a betrayal of the other.
But,
How could he stand by and watch his own brother die before his eyes?
He couldn't do it!
Moreover, if he did, how would he face his parents in the future?
Thinking of this, he was in utter agony.
He could only support Han Lang's body with both hands and slowly kneel down.
"I beg you, Boss! Give him a chance, okay? I promise, from now on, he will never make such a mistake again!"
Han Lang remained silent, his expression unreadable.
However, seeing Zhao Wu's abject state, the Zhao family members could no longer bear it.
They all became indignant, as if they were now the weaker party in Han Lang's eyes, capable of morally coercing Han Lang, who was rightfully the victim.
"Wu'er! Don't beg him! Today, if he wants to kill, let him kill his fill. As long as our Zhao family is not completely wiped out, we will have a chance to rise again!"
"Exactly! Zhao Wu. You are the pride of our Zhao family. One day, you will surpass him. Then, we will definitely return the humiliation we suffered today tenfold, a hundredfold!"
Even Zhao Wei himself gritted his teeth, indignantly stepping out from the crowd and shouting at Zhao Wu.
"Zhao Wu! Show some backbone! Han Lang is an enemy of our Zhao family. You cannot yield to our enemy like this!"
Hearing these words, Han Lang's expression drastically changed.
At this moment, a murderous intent arose within him.
If before, he had not intended to annihilate the Zhao family out of consideration for Zhao Wu, then at this moment, hearing the Zhao family's remarks, he finally realized the importance of "cutting the weeds and eliminating the roots," as the villains in television dramas often said!
Sensing the killing intent emanating from Han Lang, Zhao Wu was terrified.
He quickly stood up, turned his head, and with a flash, lunged in front of Zhao Wei, raising his hand to throw a punch.
"Nonsense! You made a mistake yourself and dare to speak to others like this. Is the family education of our Zhao family so disgraceful?"
After speaking, Zhao Wu glared at the other Zhao family members.
"Are you speaking human words? Zhao Wei committed such heinous acts, and he should be punished! How is it that in your eyes, he is in the right? What we need to do now is beg for forgiveness, not act as if we are still superior, like you!"
Zhao Wu's words stunned all the Zhao family members.
Zhao Wei also stood up at this moment, glaring at Zhao Wu.
"Enough! Zhao Wu! I truly didn't expect our Zhao family to have someone like you, who flatters others! In the world of cultivators, it's always the survival of the fittest. If they are not capable enough and can't compete, it's their own fault! Our Zhao family only knows how to live standing, not die kneeling, as men!"
Zhao Wei's words made Zhao Wu even more furious.
He punched Zhao Wei in the face again.
"You've said enough! Do you still not realize you've harmed our entire family enough? Who is the weak now? It's us! If you have backbone, you wouldn't have dragged our entire Zhao family down with you! You wouldn't have made me and the entire clan pay for your mistakes!"
As Zhao Wu finished speaking, his father, Zhao Xun, also stood up from the crowd, pointing at Zhao Wu and angrily scolding him in an elder's tone.
"You've said enough! You unfilial son! Our Zhao family has meticulously nurtured you, not for you to side with outsiders at a critical moment. If Han Lang has killed and vented his anger today, and if he insists on such ruthless pursuit, our Zhao family will not surrender so easily!"
Zhao Wu's worldview was completely overturned at this moment. He looked at Zhao Xun in disbelief.
"Dad, you... you would say that too?"
Meanwhile, upon hearing Zhao Xun's words, Han Lang's resolve to "cut the weeds and eliminate the roots" was solidified.
He walked directly to Tang Geng, snatched the sword from his hand, and without hesitation, slashed at his own sleeve.
"Alright, Zhao Wu! Today, our brotherhood is completely severed. I have decided that I will not leave any seeds of hatred for those around me. Your Zhao family, today, I am determined to annihilate completely! Even if I have to face judgment from the military for it, I will defy the world!"
After speaking, Han Lang handed the sword back to Tang Geng.
Everyone who heard these words showed expressions of shock.