Chapter 503
After all the discussion was over, everyone went back home including Pang Shanmin.
“Young Master.” The housekeeper greeted.
“Has my father returned?” Pang Shanmin did not smile and return the greeting like he would in the past. Instead, he went straight to the point.
“Your father is already back.”
Pang Shanmin nodded at the housekeeper and went straight to the study.
The housekeeper and the other servants were confused when they saw the current Pang Shanmin. How did Pang Shanmin ended up like this? The housekeeper then shook his head and continued with his work. These were not things that he should be thinking of.
Meanwhile, Pang Degong was reading a book in the study. Although he was reading, his heart wasn’t there. He was unable to calmly concentrate on his book.
After a while, he heard footsteps approach before the door was suddenly opened.
“You are back.” Pang Degong said without looking away from his book.
“Father!” Pang Shanmin replied. He then closed the door and approached his father.
“You found out?” Pang Degong asked as he put down the book. He looked at Pang Shanmin hoping that his son still did not know the truth.
“Why did you not tell me?”
Pang Degong smiled bitterly. How was he supposed to tell his son the truth? One was his son and the other was his nephew. He could not bear to harm either one.1 Even if he knew the truth, both sides would only end up being harmed.
“Sigh. Take out your hand.” Pang Degong sighed and then said to his son.
“Hm?” Pang Shanmin was confused but did as he was told.
Pang Degong then took out a knife. When Pang Shanmin saw the knife, he wanted to pull back his hand but decided to believe that his father would not harm him.
In the end, his father cut his hand. Pang Shanmin stared with his eyes wide. A small hole can be seen and it was extremely painful.
“Turn your hand around.” Pang Shanmin did as asked and the same thing happened. Blood flowed out and his veins turned blue.
“Does it hurt?” Pang Degong looked at his son and asked.
“It hurts!” Pang Shanmin replied. While he was still alive, his hand was definitely in pain.
“Do you understand now?” Pang Degong put down the knife and quickly took out the best medicine for cuts. His heart ached from having to injure his own son.
“Both sides of your hand have flesh that hurt when cut. You and Shiyuan are like my flesh. I watched the both of you grow up. I never expected any of this to happen. I could only procrastinate and hide the truth as much as possible. I did not expect you to find out the truth!”2 Pang Degong said with a complicated expression. Pang Tong did not cover his tracks well enough. If Pang Shanmin had died in Xinye, the boatman who took him there would still be alive. As there were no bandits, the trail was easily followed. Pang Degong helped Pang Tong reimburse the boatman’s family and even made the nearby authorities not pursue this case. That was how Pang Tong’s plan seemed excellent.3 He did not expect Pang Shanmin to somehow find out despite all this.
“Father! Brother Tang Yun…!” Pang Shanmin gritted his teeth not knowing what to say. Tang Yun was his closest friend. Pang Shanmin was willing to sacrifice his life to avenge his friend even if the enemy was the King of Shu. However, he found out that the real killer was his little brother. Pang Shanmin could only clench his fist despite his injury. His wounds opened up again.
As he was filled with regret, Pang Degong knelt down. Pang Shanmin’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Father. Why are you doing this?” As a parent, they should not kneel towards their children. As a person of noble character, Pang Shanmin could not accept it. So he also knelt down towards his father.
“Shanmin! Your father has never begged anyone before! The mistake was mine. Shiyuan’s greed for merits is my fault!” Pang Degong was heartbroken. He taught his nephew military strategies but forgot to teach the man morals and virtues. That was the cause of all this tragedy. He did not want his son and Pang Tong to fight as he still remembered his little brother’s request to take care of Pang Tong.
“Shanmin! Your father begs you! Please let Shiyuan go!” Pang Degong begged, knowing who Tang Yun was to his son. If he did not stop his son, blood would definitely be spilled. Pang Degong did not want either of them to die. As a result, he could only beg his son to let go of revenge4.
“Father!” Pang Shanmin gritted his teeth. The fact that Pang Tong was the killer already made Pang Shanmin’s mind feel exhausted. Now, his father was kneeling down begging towards him.
“Father. I will promise you…” Pang Shanmin yielded thinking that his father was worried about the Pang Family.
“Shanmin!” Pang Degong was happy for a moment.
“Father. From today onwards, this Pang Shi Pang Shanmin will cut off all ties with the Pang Tong Pang Shiyuan!” Pang Shanmin could not go against his father’s request but he was also unable to let go of his hatred. He remembered that he had divulged Tang Yun’s location to Pang Tong and thus, he was also partially responsible for his friend’s death.
That was why he decided from that day onwards, both he and Pang Tong were no longer connected to each other.
“Shanmin!” Pang Degong wanted to try and stop his son again.
“Father. I am tired. Im going to take a rest.” Pang Shanmin said. His temperament was completely different.
Watching his son leave, Pang Degong sighed with regret. The Pang Family has now fallen apart.5
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