Chapter 3597: Duan Lang’s Death
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Duan Lang’s father, Duan Yi Dao, was the strongest person after Duan Qing in the southern village of the Duan Clan Village. He was also the most suitable candidate to be the next head of the southern village. For that reason, Duan Qing had also acknowledged Duan Yi Dao as his successor.
During his time in the Duan Clan Village, Duan Ling Tian had also met Duan Yi Dao once due to his good relations.h.i.+p with Duan Lang. Duan Ling Tian found Duan Yi Dao to be a frank and direct man, which contributed to his popularity in the village.
Since today was Duan Lang’s wedding day, according to traditions, Duan Yi Dao did not need to come out to receive the bridal party. All he needed to do was wait at home for the couple to pay respect to him.
This day was supposed to be a joyful day for Duan Yi Dao whose only son was getting married. Perhaps, fathers would only stop seeing their sons or daughters as children when their children get married.
“Yi Dao is here!”
“His expression doesn’t look too good!”
Duan Ling Tian looked up when he heard the conversation in his surroundings. He saw a dour-faced Duan Yi Dao walking over with Duan Qing. The current Duan Yi Dao was a very different man from the Duan Yi Dao whom Duan Ling Tian met previously. When he first met Duan Yi Dao, Duan Yi Dao was very friendly and always had an amiable smile on his face. Duan Yi Dao seemed like an optimistic person, and it felt as though nothing would be able to wipe the smile off his face. Duan Yi Dao was not only like that when Duan Ling Tian met him. In fact, he was like that all the time.
Hence, it made people feel rather uneasy now that the always-smiling Duan Yi Dao was frowning. Based on this, something serious must have happened. It was clear that Duan Qing had told him something.
“Father,” Duan Lang called out. His eyes lit up as soon as he saw Duan Yi Dao; it was as though he had just seen his savior. He hurriedly stepped forward and said, “The Tie Clan Village has crossed a line this time!! It has been agreed upon that I’ll be marrying Tie Yu, the daughter of Tie Xiong, the Second Leader of the Tie Clan Village. However, Tie Heng came with his daughter today without asking for our opinion and insisted that I marry his daughter! This is a blatant disrespect toward the Duan Clan Village!”
Duan Lang’s expression turned even more unsightly as he spoke.
On the other hand, Duan Yi Dao’s expression eased slightly when he saw his son. However, he could not conceal the hints of helplessness and despair that shone in his eyes as he said, “Lang’er, don’t be silly. The person you’re marrying today is Tie Lan Yu, the daughter of Tie Heng, not Tie Yu. Since I was the one who agreed to the marriage, how can there be any mistake? Now, don’t talk nonsense. Apologize to the fourth Leader of the Tie Clan Village before we continue with the wedding ceremony.”
When Duan Yi Dao finished speaking, not only was Duan Lang stunned, but everyone from the Duan Clan Village was stunned as well. Their eyes widened in shock and disbelief.
“What’s going on? Hasn’t it been said that Duan Lang’s supposed to marry Tie Yu? How did it become Tie Lan Yu?”
“Impossible!”
“However, Brother Yi Dao has already spoken so there should be no mistake. Perhaps, we’d heard wrongly before this?”
“What the h.e.l.l is going on? It’s clear that Brother Yi Dao is only saying these words after Leader Duan spoke to him….”
“Didn’t you see Brother Yi Dao’s expression earlier? He’s clearly upset!”
“I’m afraid things are going to get complicated…”
Everyone began to discuss among themselves in hushed voices after they heard Duan Yi Dao’s words. Almost everyone agreed that there was more to this incident.
At this time, Duan Ling Tian turned to look at Tie Heng and his daughter, Tie Lan Yu. The father and daughter were both sneering as they looked at Duan Lang with barely concealed contempt s.h.i.+ning in their eyes.
“Father, you… What are you talking about? How can I forget who I’m supposed to marry?” Duan Lang shook his head vehemently when he regained his senses. His face flushed red as he said, “I only agreed to the marriage because of Tie Yu. I won’t marry Tie Lan Yu. The person I want to marry isn’t Tie Lan Yu!”
Duan Lang’s voice grew increasingly loud.
Before Duan Yi Dao could respond to Duan Lang, a burst of laughter rang in the air.
Tie Lan Yu placed her hands on her hips and said arrogantly, “Duan Lang, even if you’re unwilling, you have to marry me today. You have no choice!”
“Indeed, the person who was previously betrothed to you was Tie Yu. However, you’re going to marry now.” The grin on Tie Lan Yu’s face grew wider and wider as she spoke. “Naturally, you can refuse. However, if you refuse, not only will you die, but you’ll cause the deaths of the people in the Duan Clan Village as well.”
“I won’t marry you no matter what!” Duan Lang said through gritted teeth.
Duan Yi Dao spoke up at this moment. He said in a tone that brooked no argument, “Lang’er, you must marry her. Have you forgotten things I taught you as a child? Have you forgotten that the wellbeing of the village takes precedence over personal interests?”
Duan Lang asked grimly, “Why, father?”
This was the first time Duan Lang had spoken to his father with such a tone. If he had to sacrifice his happiness, he was determined to find out why. He could tell his father was hiding something from him based on his father’s expression. After listening to his father’s words, he grew even more certain of his suspicion. He wanted to know the truth. After all, he knew what kind of person his father was. His father was not the kind to give up without the fight even if the four Leaders of the Tie Clan Village were present.
Duan Yi Dao knew he had no choice but to explain the matter to his son. Otherwise, his son would not give up. Hence, he moved to stand next to his son before he whispered into his son’s ears.
Upon hearing Duan Yi Dao’s face, the grim expression on Duan Lang’s face vanished. Instead, his body began to tremble as he laughed. His laughter contained a hint of sorrow. “So this is the reason… I finally know the truth…”
‘Hmm?’ Duan Ling Tian frowned. Clearly, Duan Yi Dao had repeated Tie Heng’s words to Duan Qing.
After Duan Lang stopped laughing, he turned around before he walked toward Tie Heng and Tie Lan Yu under everyone’s watchful eyes.
“What’s wrong with Duan Lang?”
“He’s acting strange…”
“What did Brother Yi Dao tell Duan Lang?”
When Duan Lang came to a stop before Tie Heng and Tie Lan Yu, he calmly asked, “Do you really think that I’ll compromise and do as you wish?”
Before Tie Heng could reply, Tie Lan Yu snorted and said in a voice that grew increasingly disdainful, “Your father has already told you about it, right? What? You refuse to compromise? Do you really dare to do so? That person isn’t someone you or the Duan Clan Village can afford to offend. Even if the entire Duan Clan Village joins forces, they still won’t be a match for that person.”
The others were confused.
Duan Ling Tian frowned again upon hearing Tie Lan Yu’s words. Based on her words, it was clear to him that someone was pulling the strings from behind the scenes. Moreover, that person was so strong that the southern village and the entire Duan Clan Village could not afford to offend that person.
“I’d rather die with honor than live in disgrace! I won’t let anyone control me or dictate my actions!” Duan Lang said determinedly.
As everyone watched, Duan Lang suddenly raised his hand. As soon as his voice fell, a formidable purple energy that was flas.h.i.+ng with lightning bolts swiftly began to swiftly cover him.
‘D*mn it!’ Duan Ling Tian’s expression changed drastically as he hurriedly cast the law of s.p.a.ce’s Teleportation Foundation.
At the same time, Duan Yi Dao cried out, “No, Lang’er!”
At the same time, Duan Yi Dao seemed to have turned into a ball of flames as he shot toward his son.
Alas, when Duan Ling Tian and Duan Yi Dao appeared next to Duan Lang, the purple energy had completely shrouded Duan Lang.
Duan Lang’s body trembled as the lightning energy continued to shroud him. He spat out a mouthful of blood that stained his father’s robe red.
The blood even splashed on Tie Heng and Tie Lan Yu who were standing nearby.
Duan Ling Tian stared at the pool of blood on the ground with a grim expression on his face. For a long time, he could not look away. He could believe Duan Lang had taken his own life so decisively.
Needless to say, the villagers from the Duan Clan Village were shocked and dumbfounded as well.
Duan Qing, the Leader of the Duan Clan Village, looked remorseful as though he was regretting his decisions.
When Duan Ling Tian regained his senses, he looked at Duan Yi Dao and asked in a deep voice, “Why? Even a tigress wouldn’t harm its cubs. What did you say to Duan Lang?”
Although Duan Ling Tian knew deep in his heart that it was not Duan Yi Dao’s intention to harm his son, he could not help blaming Duan Yi Dao for Duan Lang’s death. After all, Duan Lang had made such a drastic choice after listening to Duan Yi Dao’s words.
Duan Yi Dao, who had fallen into despair, did not seem to hear Duan Ling Tian’s words at this moment. He looked at the blood on the ground as he screamed, “Lang’er! Lang’er! It’s all my fault! I shouldn’t have said that to you! It’s all my fault! I’ve failed you! I’m useless!”
Everyone, including Tie Heng and Tie Lan Yu, was still in shock.
When Tie Heng returned to his senses, he said grimly to Tie Lan Yu who was standing next to him, “Let’s return. He’s dead now so there’s no way for this wedding to proceed.”
Everyone from the Duan Clan Village moved to surround the father and daughter immediately. All of them glared at the father and daughter duo.. After all, the duo was the cause of Duan Lang’s death.