Chapter 71 Awakening

However, the actual outcome of this agreement deviated significantly from expectations.
First, the game concluded before its most intense moment had even arrived.
Second, even for someone as prudent as Asa, the losses sustained this time were far too severe. At the very least, those researchers should not have perished; even without conducting such demon-related research, they were still precious talents of the Winged Clan and could easily have been reassigned to other fields of study.
"Xia Yan is a major contributor, after all. Without his help, Lord Asa, you could never have won this game," Tao Lu said with a smile. "In my opinion, starting today, your fortune will be completely smooth sailing, and who knows, you might even elevate your brain domain to absolute development."
"Lord Asa!" Lelin yelled frantically. "This Xia Yan is the ultimate mastermind behind the destruction of everything. He is by no means a contributor; he is the sworn enemy of the Winged Clan, with whom we must fight to the bitter end."
"Enough, I can make my own judgments," Asa replied, shaking his head and ignoring Tao Lu's flattery. "Let us set the matter of Xia Yan aside for the moment and discuss other issues—such as the stance of the Wilbur family."
Lelin's expression froze. He knew very well that Asa was demanding a pledge of loyalty from him.
Internal strife within the Winged Clan was severe, and his Wilbur family had originally served under Lord William. But now that Lord William had lost, the Wilbur family was free to choose a new master.
Lelin could not possibly question Asa's words. As a pureblood, Asa would never stoop to deceiving him.
"Well then, Patriarch Lelin, what will be the final decision of the Wilbur family?" Asa asked with a smile.
"I... I cannot make such a decision alone," Lelin said, cold sweat beading on his forehead. "At the very least, I must convene a family council."
"Then, at least tell me what the ultimate outcome of that meeting will be." Asa smiled as he took a step closer, a piercing chill flashing in his eyes.
"I..." Lelin gritted his teeth. He was no fool. "If everything is as Lord Asa says, my Wilbur family will undoubtedly pledge allegiance to you."
"Actually, I care little for the Wilbur family itself; what I care about is your research achievements," Asa smiled. "Patriarch Lelin, I would like to ask: even though everything here has been utterly destroyed, you still have backup research data, do you not?"
"Yes... that is correct." Lelin did not dare to conceal the truth. Such contingencies were hardly surprising, as making backups of research data was a simple matter.
Yet Lelin could not comprehend it. Lord Asa was known as a cautious pragmatist who would never use such experimental results as active combat power. What on earth did he want with these research materials?
Seeming to read Lelin's confusion, Asa smiled gently. "A fatal weapon—we may choose not to use it, but we must possess it. Because doing so will instill profound fear in our enemies, preventing them from daring to use it either!"
"I see." Cold sweat poured down Lelin's back. This Lord Asa was unfathomably deep, and Lelin did not dare meet his gaze.
"Lastly, I offer you a small gift," Asa smiled. "If the Wilbur family decides to submit to me, this human named Xia Yan shall be handed over to you to dispose of as you see fit."
Asa was by no means a simple character; he possessed the strength and intellect of a true leader. Xia Yan had been entirely factored into his calculations. Using Xia Yan as a bargaining chip could secure the Wilbur family's loyalty while also pacifying the situation.
It was killing two birds with one stone!
As for Tao Lu trying to pull the wool over her superior's eyes, that was simply out of the question.
Hatred flared in Lelin's eyes—a bitter animosity that made him want to tear Xia Yan's flesh from his bones.
"What a pity, Patriarch Lelin. Had you agreed to my terms immediately, this human could have been handed over to you right now. But as it stands, he must be allowed to live temporarily—until your Wilbur family officially consents to pledge allegiance to my command."
"I understand," Lelin said, filled with bitter hatred. "I will ensure the Wilbur family enters Lord Asa's service as quickly as possible. Please spare this human's life for us; I will make certain he does not die an easy death."
Asa nodded, then turned his gaze toward Tao Lu, his tone turning cold. "Little Tao Lu, care to explain why you are protecting a human? He is our sworn enemy!"
"Lord Asa, I have already said this: Xia Yan came here to help me," Tao Lu retorted without a trace of fear, gritting her teeth.
"Heh..." Asa chuckled contemptuously, malice and murderous intent gleaming in his eyes.
"Lord Asa, you cannot do this," Tao Lu protested angrily. "If not for Xia Yan, on what grounds could you have won this game?"
Asa smiled coldly. "So, you still insist on claiming he is a helper you invited?"
"Yes." Tao Lu clenched her jaw. "You were the one who issued the order, so it is entirely normal for me to have had Xia Yan assist. Or are you planning to rescind your own command?"
"This human named Xia Yan has varying degrees of connection with both Gong Kui and Emilia. He could not possibly be a helper invited by you; he harbors his own agenda," Asa said, narrowing his eyes. "Without a doubt, he came here to steal our research data. Indeed, he went even further in his madness, slaughtering every single test subject and researcher."
"But..." Tao Lu fumed with frustration.
"There are no buts," Asa interrupted, shaking his head. "Little girl, if a pureblood possessed such simplistic intellect, how could he possibly lead an entire race? If Xia Yan's identity weren't so complicated, sparing his life wouldn't be out of the question. However, he is connected to those two terrifying women, Gong Kui and Emilia. Such a person will almost certainly become a future enemy. Failing to kill him now would be the height of folly."
Tao Lu was boiling with anger, yet she could find no words to refute him.
Her excuse was far too flimsy; anyone could see right through it at a glance.
Tao Lu had previously thought that if Xia Yan had spared those researchers, she at least would have had grounds to argue with Asa. But unfortunately, Xia Yan had killed them all.
"At least... at least you cannot kill him right now," Tao Lu grumbled.
"Naturally. As a pureblood, I cannot break a promise I have given," Asa nodded.
"Until the Wilbur family reaches a decision, you must also help heal Xia Yan's injuries," Tao Lu insisted. "His condition is critical. If the Winged Clan refuses to treat him, he will never last until then, which would mean you broke your word."
"Hmph..." Asa smiled faintly. "Very well. The reasoning is forced, but I will not refuse. We can save him, but his ultimate fate remains unchanged."
Tao Lu clenched her teeth tightly, stepping in front of Xia Yan to shield him. No one would be allowed to harm him right before her eyes.
"Tao Lu, I expect you realize that Xia Yan cannot possibly survive. His actions against the Winged Clan guarantee his execution—unless he manages to escape from my grasp!" Asa shook his head. "Regrettably, that is impossible. Nor is there any other race that would wage war on his behalf."
Both hopes of escape were equally impossible. The gulf in power between a pureblood and Xia Yan's current state was unimaginably despair-inducing. Furthermore, no race would ever launch a war for Xia Yan's sake.
Long ago, the various races had established laws and treaties akin to legal codes, such as the Tribunal Assembly. When an individual of any race violated the rules and faced judgment, a guilty verdict meant execution.
A sentence handed down by such means could never be redeemed—unless someone was willing to start a war.
And right now, Xia Yan's actions against the Winged Clan warranted a mandatory death sentence under those laws. A trial would inevitably find him guilty, leaving zero chance of salvation.
Launch a war?
What qualification did Xia Yan possess that would induce any leader to take such a step for him?
Such a conflict would no longer be a one-on-one skirmish; it would mean standing in defiance of the entire world.
Therefore, Xia Yan had no path to survival—only death awaited him.
Indeed, rather than saving him now only to let him suffer through prolonged agony, it would be far more merciful to put him out of his misery immediately.
It was precisely because Tao Lu understood this reality that she had made her resolve: if Xia Yan was fated to die, he would at least die in her arms.
"I know," Tao Lu said, her tone resolute. "But at the very least, I want to speak with Xia Yan. We have been separated for a long time, and before he dies, I refuse to be left unable to even convey my parting words to him."
"Let us return. Xia Yan will be housed within my estate. However, do not harbor any thoughts of escape; I will not afford you the opportunity," Asa said, looking at Tao Lu. "Until his death, you may also reside there and accompany me. Consider it a small courtesy on my part."
"I understand," Tao Lu nodded.
With the battle concluded, Tao Lu brought Xia Yan along as they followed Asa toward the Winged Clan's largest metropolis, the Capital of Vasa.
Asa's estate was situated within Vasa, yet it remained detached from the city's hustle and bustle, maintaining a serene tranquility. No noble pureblood would ever choose to live amidst the clamor of noisy streets.
Compared to Emilia's villa, this residence was far more opulent, staffed by a greater number of servants and designed with a modern architectural flair, complete with a private driveway leading directly to the grounds.
The estate's courtyard was at least ten times larger than Emilia's villa.
Asa had always been a man who enjoyed luxury; he was certainly not one to deprive himself of comfort.
As darkness receded and the first light of dawn emerged, the days passed one by one until, two days later, Xia Yan finally opened his eyes.
He had indeed survived, though his body remained exceedingly weak. The trauma inflicted by negative emotions could not be dispelled overnight.
It was worth noting that were it not for the sustained effects of the Chain of Purity, Xia Yan likely would have perished shortly after losing consciousness.
Such accessories, as long as they were worn, maintained their continuous protective effect.
"Where is this?" Xia Yan looked out the window. The scenery was breathtakingly picturesque—rolling green hills, clear waters, and lush meadows devoid of urban noise, imparting a profound sense of peace and tranquility.
Turning his gaze back inside, he saw that the room was lavishly decorated with top-tier furniture, while the faint fragrance lingering in the air was undoubtedly worth a fortune.
At that moment, a petite maid with an extraordinarily voluptuous figure approached the door. Looking to be around fourteen or fifteen years old, she possessed delicate, adorable facial features—the quintessential combination of a youthful face and a mature body.
It had to be admitted that Asa possessed quite an impressive eye for selecting personnel.