"A prodigal son who returns may still be saved. But if you only wish to resolve your current predicament, I fear I cannot help you." As Li Quan's voice faded, Li Xuan shook his head and spoke slowly.
"Master, we will definitely repent as you command and confess! Please, Master, help us, otherwise, we won't be able to do the things you mentioned earlier." Li Quan became anxious when Li Xuan refused to intervene.
He had already debased himself by crawling out. If Li Xuan didn't help, would he have to crawl back? Moreover, after this back and forth, Li Quan was terrified to the extreme.
Not only that, but Li Quan found that the closer he got to Li Xuan, the lighter the oppressive feeling became, and he no longer dared to doubt Li Xuan in his heart.
"Because you are so sincere, I will help you this once. However, if your heart is not pure, Heaven will perceive everything. Alright, everyone, get up." Hearing this, Li Xuan smiled and then withdrew his imposing aura.
As Li Xuan's words fell, Li Quan and the other four felt the oppressive pressure vanish. Their reverence for Li Xuan rose to an extreme.
As Li Quan and the other four stood up, the onlookers, though curious, did not dare to linger. Within a minute, the crowd dispersed.
"Master, where should we begin?" Li Quan walked to Li Xuan's table, a fawning smile on his face.
Li Xuan smiled and replied, "Where to begin? Perhaps from the first time you committed evil. Since there's no one around, tell me yourselves, how much evil have you done over the years? Only when you tell me can I find the best solution based on your actions."
"That..." Li Quan hesitated.
To confess their past misdeeds, Li Quan truly didn't know where to start. Moreover, even as the perpetrator, Li Quan felt a bit embarrassed by these matters.
"What, you dare to do it but not admit it? If so, I'm afraid I still cannot help you." Seeing this, Li Xuan sneered and shook his head, then stood up and gathered the Xuan paper and inkstone from the table.
"Master misunderstood... Alright, I will tell you. I hope, Master, that you will help me seeing my sincere repentance." Li Quan panicked as he saw Li Xuan preparing to leave.
"I told you, as long as you follow my instructions, your life will be safe. But if there is any concealment, you have only yourself to blame." Li Xuan stopped his movements and looked directly at Li Quan.
"Good! Based on your word, Master, I will confess honestly!" Li Quan was resolute, after all, his life was at stake, and he dared not delay any longer. The other four beside him also breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
Although they had also committed many wrongdoings, most of them were at Li Quan's instigation. Since Li Quan had decided to confess, they felt at ease.
"Speak." Li Xuan sat down again and slowly said to Li Quan.
"Okay." Li Quan nodded, then recalled his memories and recounted everything he had done over the years in great detail.
"Master, I've told you everything, you must keep your promise." Seeing Li Xuan's expression turn serious, Li Quan quickly said.
"The four of them, their actions are similar to yours, right?" Li Xuan nodded slightly and then glanced at the four behind Li Quan.
"Master, we were all under his command. We didn't really want to do it." Seeing Li Xuan's gaze shift, the four quickly said.
"Oh, now you're shifting the blame? For years, it was I who provided for you, and you were able to live such good lives?" Li Quan's face changed, and he turned to yell fiercely at the four.
"If it weren't for you, how would we face heavenly retribution? Li Quan, don't think you're so great. The four of us combined are not afraid of you!" Since the mask had been ripped off, the man who spoke earlier retorted.
"Good, damn it, I'll cripple you first!" Li Quan, enraged, walked towards the man who spoke.
The four, all originally from Dongyi Town, naturally banded together after their falling out. They stepped forward without showing fear and faced Li Quan.
"Why don't you two fight it out first, and I'll deal with it after you're done?" Just as Li Quan and the four were about to fight, Li Xuan frowned slightly and spoke slowly.
"Master, please don't be angry. I was provoked. Look, at least I admit what I've done, unlike those four who are still shirking responsibility. Master, from now on, I, Li Quan, pledge to no longer associate with them."
"From this day forward, I will truly reform and start anew!" Li Quan calmed down upon hearing this. If they really fought, he wouldn't be a match for those four. Moreover, if he displeased the person before him and they refused to help, he would have nowhere to cry.
"Having such resolve is good. Very well, since I promised to help you, I will not go back on my word. However, afterwards..." Li Xuan nodded slightly and then paused, looking at Li Quan.
"Master, rest assured, once this matter is resolved, the fee will not be small!" Li Quan understood his implication.
"I am not acting for money. I just want to tell you that my intervention can only temporarily quell this. To resolve it completely, besides apologizing to those you have harmed, you must also accept the legal responsibility for these actions."
"Whatever the law dictates, only by accepting these punishments can you truly eradicate this. Of course, what you have done is not unforgivable, and you do not deserve death." Li Xuan shook his head.
"Master, are you saying we have to turn ourselves in to the authorities?" Li Quan hesitated.
While his actions might not warrant death, they would likely result in over a decade in prison. The thought of spending his future in jail made Li Quan waver.
"Compared to only being able to crawl on the ground and not stand up, at least in prison, you can still be like a normal person. This is the sin you have committed, and you must atone for it yourself. The choice is yours."
Li Xuan naturally saw Li Quan's hesitation.
However, Li Xuan was not worried that Li Quan would refuse. The aura pressure of the 'Tai Xi Jing' was not strong, but it was sufficient to deal with ordinary people like Li Quan. Furthermore, the life of constantly crawling on the ground was something no one would willingly endure.
"Master, do we also have to turn ourselves in?" The four asked.
"Although you are not the principal offenders, you are accomplices. This matter naturally requires you to face legal retribution just like him. Of course, you can choose not to. But the outcome, I cannot guarantee." Li Xuan smiled slightly.
"Thank you, Master, we will go and surrender ourselves immediately!" The four seemed even more frightened than Li Quan, and as soon as Li Xuan finished speaking, they all said.
"Wait a moment."
Li Xuan stopped the four who were about to turn and surrender, then continued, "While you are near me, you can stand. But once you leave my three-meter radius, you will still be subject to the divine retribution."
"Seeing your sincere repentance, I will temporarily suppress it for you." After speaking, Li Xuan waved his hand, and four golden lights appeared out of thin air. Then, to the stunned eyes of the four, the four golden lights shot into their foreheads and disappeared.
"Thank you, Master, thank you, Master!" Feeling a sense of relief within their bodies, the four no longer doubted Li Xuan's words. After bowing deeply to Li Xuan, they quickly hurried towards the police station.
"Master, I... I'll listen to you!" As the four departed, Li Quan also spoke. Just as Li Xuan had conjured the four golden lights, Li Quan had witnessed it all. His belief in Li Xuan's words was now absolute.
"In that case, first go and apologize to those people. If you took money, return it. If you took things that were not yours, they must eventually be returned. After doing all this, then surrender." Li Xuan nodded slightly.
"Yes, Master." Li Quan nodded in response. Then, looking at Li Xuan, he became somewhat uneasy.
Li Xuan smiled slightly and waved his hand again. A golden light appeared and shot into Li Quan's forehead.
"Alright, go."