The saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes from enemies. It comes from friends and loved ones. Qilin Yanjing experienced this first hand when he brought his injured grandchild up to where Qilin San was.
The battle between the two opposing forces was at an impasse with Qilin San being pushed to the edge of the cliff the longer it took for him to defeat these youths barely out of their diapers.
Each time he was forced to up his game his eyes would grow darker and darker like the vortex of a wormhole. It was both terrifying and intense but the ones he was fighting with weren't his clansmen who would cower at a glance.
The two even had the audacity to look him in the eye challenging him despite not even having an ounce of his power. His terrifying gaze even traumatized Qilin Yanjing who unconsciously took a step back holding on to Tong Tong.
When Qilin San noticed him and the bundle in his arms he grinned maliciously his gaze shifting to the pair of lovebirds. Qilin Yanjing's eyes narrowed slightly looking at his brother but he didn't think much of it as he said, "I will take him back. He is injured and needs to recuperate."
But as he turned to leave Qilin San suddenly stopped him saying, "He is still of use here."
Before Qilin Yanjing could catch on to his meaning his grandson was swooped out of his arms and the next thing he knew Tong Tong was hanging midair with flames wrapped around his neck like a string.
Qilin San had a devilish expression on his face as he clenched his fist tightening the coil around the poor boy's neck. Meanwhile in his other hand was a vicious ball of flames rotating with a hissing sound aimed at Red Valkyrie.
His breathing heavy he glared at the two before saying, "One for each of you..... make a choice." Ji Yao unconsciously moved forward with the flames on his whip sword intensifying but Rui Fei stopped him before he could make his move.
Seeing this Qilin San chuckled making the atmosphere extremely eerie. "Mhm, it seems you aren't only a dog but a well trained one at that. Master says don't move and you do as he says... *pei, such a disgrace," he said spitting to show his revulsion.
"If you want your cousin to live then you have no choice but to surrender. As for your Huishe mongrel..... I know he has a sister and brother down there? If he doesn't want them to turn to ash he better behave as well," he continued with blood slowly dripping down on the cut across his cheek.
Tong Tong had been clawing and tugging at the flames suffocating and scorching his neck but it was futile. Tears streamed down his face as his penetrating gaze stared right at Qilin Yanjing. Just a second ago this Qilin had apologized countless times saying, "Shh grandpa is here. I am so sorry, so sorry. Does it hurt? Where does it hurt Tong Tong?"
Yet now he was standing there with a stupid look on his face doing absolutely nothing to end his suffering. Qilin Yanjing was dumbstruck for a moment when he saw this. He couldn't understand why Qilin San would use his grandson as a bargaining chip when Tong Tong was being held hostage by Qilin Hao's son?
Something was most definitely not adding up. In a low voice he tried to reason with Qilin San to let his grandson go but like every other time he opposed his brother his face was struck by the tail end of Qilin San's whip sword.
The strike was so powerful that he fell straight into the water with a huge splash that Red Valkyrie felt the effects strongly. As soon as the water settled Qilin San turned back to face Ji Yao and Rui Fei with the flames wrapped around Tong Tong's neck tightening and the sphere in his palm burning ten times stronger than before.
"So what will it be?! Have you made your decision yet or should I make one for you," he roared hanging to his sanity by a thread. If this two manage to make him use his full strength then he would have surely lost face.
In the meantime, Qilin Yanjing let himself sink to the bottom as the memories of the past flashed in his mind. Growing up because Qilin San was more powerful than him he found himself in a situation where he was bullied by his junior.
This had become the norm. Everyone in their family knew that Qilin San was not to be messed with and hence their future clan leadership was decided. The entire clan walked on eggshells when around Qilin San. The only time that they saw him smile genuinely with no malice was when he fell for Qilin Hao's mother.
The evil beast had finally been tamed and their villa was much more peaceful. A never seen before air of relaxation hovered above the house as the beast pursued the beauty. That is until his heart was ruthlessly ripped out by her rejection.
He became worse than before considering this was the first time he hadn't gotten what he wanted. Some people might think she should have lied down and just accept Qilin San. It would at least spare them the pain and agony.
Even their mother had tried to convince her that this was the best thing for everyone. The compatibility issue wasn't even a problem. They would find a way and she could become the clan leader's wife but she refused.
Now that things were like this their mother naturally had to get involved. She told Qilin San that all he needed to do was seal the deal with her physically and whether she wants to or not she would be his wife. And why would the old woman do such a thing?
It was because even she couldn't control her son hence focusing his attention on a certain someone would make things easier for her and everyone. But that relationship ended tragically and the daughter he had with her was treated like dirt by him.
After Qilin Hao was disowned that attention shifted to Qilin Kai but Qilin Yanjing couldn't do anything to save his son. Now it was his grandson as well. It was an endless cycle of Qilin San betraying the people around him and that cycle had reached the third generation. If Qilin San doesn't even care about his exceptional grandson with an aether housing duo seraphic energy how about Tong Tong who is ordinary according to their clan standards.
No, he had to do something. He had to make sure his grandson wouldn't be scarred as well.. As he resurfaced ready to free his grandson and run he found that the conflict before had simmered down entirely and Qilin San had the blade of his sword at Ji Yao's throat.