Chapter 1430: Chapter 1430: I Actually Forgave Him Long Ago

In the blink of an eye, the remaining two thousand plus Exotic Beasts rushed into the valley and disappeared amidst the undulating mountains.

Han Yan’s gaze turned towards the direction from which the beastly roar was echoing.

Although she didn’t see the figure of her opponent this time, Han Yan was certain it was the same Netherworld Beast she had confronted last night.

Indeed, this Netherworld Beast is formidable, once again dispelling the Beast God’s Heavenly Might inherited from the Aolai Divine Beast, and thwarting her plan to tame the Sword Pet for everyone.

However, fortunately, it must have suffered considerable injury last night as well and wasn’t able to overcome the Beast God’s Heavenly Might, merely rescuing those Exotic Beasts.

Behind her, Luo Pengcheng and the accompanying soldiers all drew their War Swords, cheering loudly.

Ahead, at Beining Pass, those battle-worn soldiers also shouted in unison, tears of emotion streaming down their faces.

Qu Fengting watched Han Yan’s heroic figure with hot tears as well. He had truly not misjudged Han Yan; with her around, any miracle could happen.

The Fifth Prince also stared at Han Yan for a long time before he came to his senses, dragging his leaden legs as he personally opened the city gate for Han Yan.

Meanwhile, below Qingyang Pass, those Exotic Beasts, though not yet in disarray, had their morale utterly crushed by the fright, seizing the opportunity, the Qingyang Pass defenders flowed out, breaking into the encirclement, joining forces with Dan Tai Xuan and others.

Seeing the situation turn, those Exotic Beasts had no desire to continue fighting, retreating swiftly from the battlefield into the Longyan Mountain range.

The two teams were welcomed into Beining Pass and Qingyang Pass almost simultaneously, but the atmosphere was entirely different.

This battle, Han Yan’s team, aside from Huayue and Tang Bufan who took slight injuries while initially confronting the Angry Dragon Beast that was comparable to a Tenth Rank Great Swordsman, remained unscathed, slaying over a thousand Exotic Beasts, stepping into Beining Pass completely in the posture of victors.

While Dan Tai Xuan’s team saw over two hundred noble family’s sons perish, with the injured numbers multiplying, many lost to Exotic Beasts weaker than themselves. If not for Han Yan’s team winning decisively, causing those Exotic Beasts’ morale to plummet, they might have struggled to break out of the encirclement.

In the end, they relied on the support of Qingyang Pass soldiers to persevere, and in saving them, dozens of soldiers guarding the pass perished needlessly.

Originally, they came to aid Qingyang Pass, but ultimately, it was Qingyang Pass’s intervention that preserved their lives, and saving them cost the lives of dozens of soldiers unfairly.

Embarrassing, losing face entirely.

Even upon entering the pass, Dan Tai Xuan and those so-called elites of the Five Great Families couldn’t bear to lift their heads, nor did they have the face to glance at Han Yan and the others.

The soldiers guarding the pass felt unhappy seeing their comrades die so unjustly, welcoming Dan Tai Xuan and his cohort inside with merely perfunctory niceties, speaking words of gratitude devoid of sincerity, and then fell silent, the oppressive atmosphere almost made those noble sons unable to remain.

In contrast to Qingyang Pass, as Han Yan and her team entered Beining Pass, a thunderous cheer erupted, all the soldiers defending the city and the civilians responsible for construction logistics gathered along the narrow pathways, many even shedding tears of gratitude, kneeling directly on the ground.

"Please rise, how can a younger generation accept such a grand gesture, please rise." Han Yan was uncomfortable with such a worshipful atmosphere, hurriedly helping the elder kneeling in the forefront.

"Had it not been for the lord leading the rescue, the tens of thousands of military and civilians at Beining Pass would have surely been doomed. This honor, the lord wholly deserves." The elder still bowed deeply to Han Yan before finally standing up.

The other citizens followed suit in bowing, then approached with reverential gazes, offering fresh water.

It was evident that having held out at Beining Pass until now, the civilians were not faring well either, each clad in torn clothes, pale and fragile, apart from this bowl of fresh water, they had nothing suitable to express their gratitude.

"Thank you." Han Yan accepted the chipped earthenware bowl and drank the water in one gulp. Though merely a bowl of fresh water, it contained the heartfelt sincerity of Beining Pass’s soldiers and civilians, sweeter than wine.

"Brother Qu, have some water too." At this moment, a timid voice sounded beside her.

A young girl offered fresh water to Qu Fengting, though dressed plainly like the other civilians inside the pass, her demure demeanor carried a certain charm.

Qu Fengting cast her a glance, accepted the bowl from her hand, and took a gentle sip, then stood before Han Yan, swiftly drawing the chipped Longsword at his waist.

"Brother Qu, what are you doing?" The young girl exclaimed in fright.

Others were equally startled, staring in confusion. They weren’t worried about Qu Fengting harboring harm for Han Yan, having witnessed Han Yan’s prowess firsthand, let alone one Qu Fengting, even ten Qu Fengtings wouldn’t pose a threat.

"Young Master Mu, I said, if you saved Beining Pass, saved my lord, I would thank the world with my life." Qu Fengting half-knelt on the ground, his determined gaze showed he wasn’t just speaking empty words.

"No, don’t!" The young girl trembled, and the earthenware bowl shattered.

A subtle smile graced Han Yan’s lips as she watched Qu Fengting without speaking.

"Esteemed one... esteemed one, I don’t know how Brother Qu offended you, please spare his life, won’t you?" The young girl pleaded, revealing her naturally gentle disposition; this act of begging Han Yan was already the extent of her courage.

"Lan Xiu, I didn’t offend my Young Master Mu, I made mistakes in the past, causing the deaths of too many. If not for Young Master Mu’s mercy, I should have died long ago. Now, with Young Master Mu’s assistance, Beining Pass is secure, I should pay the price for my past wrongs." Qu Fengting shook his head, eyes filled with deep remorse.

"No, Brother Qu, I don’t care what wrongs you’ve done before, I only know that since you came to Beining Pass, you’ve been a good person, you should tell Young Master Mu how you lost your hand, tell her what you’ve done since you arrived at Beining Pass." The young girl spoke with resolute determination.

"Young Master Mu, Lan Xiu is right. Since Lord Qu came to Beiguanning, he has been devoted, leading bravely in defending the city, caring deeply for the civilians. This arm was lost saving this old man, they say making amends for a wrong is the greatest virtue, he has repented now, I plead for Young Master Mu to spare him." The elder also stepped forward.

"My life was saved by Brother Qu too, I ask Young Master Mu to forgive him, spare his life."

"And me, my life was saved by Brother Qu as well."

"Me too."

"Me too." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

...

Dozens of figures knelt before Han Yan, petitioning for Qu Feng Ting’s forgiveness. Among them were civilians within the pass and defending soldiers.

"Don’t say anymore. I’ve made mistakes, caused so many deaths, even if Young Master Mu forgives me, I can’t forgive myself." Qu Fengting resolved, reversing the sword edge aimed at his Heart Meridian.

"Stop!" Just then, a tall, slim young man stepped forward.

"Who are you..." Qu Feng Ting found the young man somewhat familiar but couldn’t immediately recall meeting him.

"I am Meng Zhixing, part of the He family’s extended relations, a member of the He’s Branch Family; you don’t recognize me, but you certainly recognize my brother, Meng Zhiyuan." The young man said.

"So you’re Meng Zhiyuan’s brother." Qu Fengting gave a bitter smile.

Meng Zhiyuan was one of the noble family’s sons who had followed him devotedly, but was deceived by him and died tragically in Exotic Beast Valley.

"Your brother was utterly loyal to me, yet deceived and tragically died at Exotic Beast Valley. If you want revenge, go ahead, even a thousand cuts, I won’t utter a word." Qu Fengting raised his head, speaking calmly.

"No, I don’t want to kill you, I want to tell you, because of my brother’s death, I once hated you deeply, but now I have forgiven you, and if he were in heaven, surely he would forgive you too." Meng Zhixing said, then turned to Han Yan, "Young Master Mu, since he has repented and sacrificed for defending Beining Pass and Anyun, why not spare him?"

"Indeed, my lord, regardless of Lord Qu’s past mistakes, since he has changed and paid such a price, we plead for you to spare him." Other soldiers and civilians knelt again to the ground.

"Please stand up, I actually forgave him long ago." Han Yan said with a smile.

In truth, witnessing Qu Fengting’s transformation had shifted her mindset, yet she didn’t hastily conclude, uncertain of his true demeanor at Beining Pass, nor whether he’d truly repented. Now seeing everyone’s behavior, even Meng Zhixing, a fellow victim, forgiving Qu Fengting, she was certainly willing to offer him another chance at life.