The family elders argued incessantly, debating whose responsibility it was for the ruin brought about by this disrespect. Meanwhile, the head of the family remained silent, unable to make a decision.
Forsaken by allies and kin, all they could do was watch with wide eyes as their doom approached.
"Commit seppuku, Father."
Jiu Jing, immersed in memories, murmured softly, "At that time, that's what she said."
In front of everyone, she uttered those unbelievably callous words.
Amber, merely eleven years old, knelt before her closest blood relative in the world, bowed her head, and pleaded from the depths of her heart.
"Please commit seppuku, Father," she said. "The Li Jian family has reached a moment of life and death. As its head, there is no other way to wash away this shame."
In the frozen silence, no one spoke. The family head's face gradually paled as he looked at his kneeling, pleading daughter, unable to utter a word.
"Please don't be afraid, Father."
With her head lowered, she said softly, "I will be the one to assist you."
That was the last thing Jiu Jing heard from the corridor. He was so stunned and terrified that he didn't even notice the teacup he was holding tip over and spill onto the floor.
Just as she had said, there was no other way.
Only this could offer even a sliver of a chance to redeem the mistake.
It is said that the girl, not yet of coming-of-age, personally acted as her father's kaishakunin. Gripping the blade without any hesitation, she swiftly and decisively ended her father's suffering, fulfilling the pact between father and daughter.
Then, she personally presented her father's head to the General.
The final outcome was that the Li Jian family was granted a chance to survive, however precariously.
The price was an unprecedented humiliation. They became traitors among the Court Officials, fawning and bowing to outsiders, despised and looked down upon by all.
But that was how the matter ended.
The head of the Li Jian family died of a sudden illness. Then, another head took over to pick up the pieces of their shattered legacy.
And Amber... she was forgotten by everyone.
"As the sole child of the family head, she should have been well cared for... but an event like that, no one could simply pretend it never happened, could they?"
"Every time anyone saw her, they would only be reminded of that face, stained with her own father's blood, making it impossible for them to be at ease. They could only treat her coldly, marginalize her, and let her fend for herself. Actually, when she requested to be exiled, everyone breathed a sigh of relief."
"Unfortunately, everyone underestimated her."
Jiu Jing sighed softly. "She went to Dongxia, and then she returned... acting as if nothing had ever happened, she reappeared before everyone.
"She seemed to have become more understanding, but in reality, who knows what she's truly thinking?
"Zhenxi, for her, there are no allies to speak of, nor any family. If you hope her assistance stems from goodwill, you might be too naive. You need to consider your own situation carefully."
Zhenxi was still standing there, stunned, her eyes wide with disbelief.
It seemed she was still in shock and hadn't processed it all.
"Doesn't that mean Cousin Amber... killed her own father?" she murmured blankly. "That's just too cruel."
"Who could say it isn't?" Jiu Jing shook his head. "It's normal to be afraid."
"No, I mean, having to personally kill one's own father like that."
Zhenxi looked up and said earnestly, "I think Cousin Amber must be sadder than anyone else, don't you think? After all, in this world, would anyone truly resent their own father?"
Jiu Jing fell silent.
Gazing into those eyes, utterly devoid of any shadow, he found himself unable to say more.
He chuckled self-deprecatingly and averted his gaze. "There are incompetent fathers in this world, Zhenxi, and people who don't deserve respect... But I suppose, no matter what more I say, you won't change your mind, will you?"
Zhenxi nodded.
"Because I've already made a promise," she replied. "My mother always taught me that a promise is more important than life... Besides, even if something were to happen, I believe Miss Huaizhi definitely wouldn't abandon me!"
As she looked towards the figure in the arena, the Teenage Girl's eyes filled with reassurance and trust.
It was as if, with Miss Huaizhi by her side, she had nothing to fear.
Jiu Jing remained silent, his expression complicated.
To cling to a passing boat by chance and drift along with the current, challenging the unknown Dark Ocean... should this be called naive, or reckless?
He didn't know, and there was no need to say anything more.
"Then, let us face each other as opponents and settle this, Zhenxi."
With this farewell, the young Samurai gave his adversary one last look, then rose and departed.