Li Gui called out, "Sir, if you kill me you will kill two persons.""How do you make that out?" asked Li Kui, staying the blow."At home I support my mother who is ninety years of age, and this is my only means of helping her in her old age," said Li Gui. "I never injure people, but only make them afraid. If you kill me, my old mother will die of starvation."Li Kui who never twinkled his eyes in chopping off people's heads, paused and thought when he heard this. "Here am I trying to succour my old mother, and yet killing a man who supports his old mother. Heaven will not allow me to live if I do this. No! No! I will forgive this man.(J.H. Jackson translation)
Shi Nai'an, Outlaws of the Marsh
deception, forgiveness, mercy