Matheus could feel the cold sharpness in Ryu's tone. He could even feel that in Ryu's eyes, these words alone were an act of mercy and his way of being tolerant. In fact, it could be said that the only reason Ryu didn't kill Matheus back then was because he was fully aware that he couldn't.

Back then, when Matheus stopped him from killing City Lord Loom, Ryu had already wanted to lash out. The reason he didn't was because he knew that he wasn't a match for him.

Not only had Matheus been hiding his cultivation, as a Necromancer, he could control puppets that were far beyond Ryu's means. Not only that, but he could control multiple of them at a level potent enough to become a Throne of his Sect.

For Ryu, who had only just entered the Divine Vessel Realm after skipping over the Spiritual Severing Realm, he was too lofty of a goal.

The only reason Matheus hadn't swept through all of the competition back then was because he was still hiding his identity as a Throne and a Necromancer. He didn't feel he was powerful enough yet to bring his family out from their hardship, so his best option was to continue to lie low.

However, Ryu was well aware that if Matheus had to choose between continuing to hide his strength and saving his family, the choice would have been obvious. He was only hiding his power for their sake to begin with, so how could he not reveal it for their sake as well?

Had Ryu insisted on killing City Lord Loom back then, he wouldn't have only failed to do so, his life would have been in jeopardy. Back then, in order to ensure he at least made those who were most responsible paid, he had to swallow his pride and let City Lord Loom live.

Still Ryu wasn't one who forgot being wronged.

...