As Chen Zoe entered the meeting hall, he could not help but feel a sense of familiarity mixed with dread. The five elders, whose faces he had seen many times before, were present there as usual together with his father, Chen Zeng. Additionally, his uncle Zeon and Xi Shen were there.
The meeting had been convened to address the incident in which Chen Zoe had executed three noble men for their involvement in the beast men's abduction. Chen Zoe knew he had to explain the situation and his reasoning, but he also understood that the elders were known for their unwavering principles.
Clearing his throat, Chen Zoe began to recount the events of that day, emphasizing the dire circumstances and the necessity of his actions. However, it quickly became apparent that his words were falling on deaf ears, as the elders maintained their resolute stance.
Elder Wu, a stern figure with a disapproving expression, spoke up. "Zoe, while we acknowledge the difficult situation you faced, your actions were rash and violated the principles of our sect. We cannot condone such behavior."
Elder Jiang, a senior member of the sect, added, "Indeed, discipline and order must be maintained within our sect, and your actions have disrupted that."
Hearing the harsh judgements of elders, Chen Zeon couldn't stay silent any longer. "So how else, you all want him to act? Should he had to support their dirty work, instead of punishing those ba… men.
He actions may wrong in your eyes, but I don't agree with it. Those men deserved more cruel punishment; death was so small compared to that.
Anyway, because of his actions, countless lives were saved."
However, Chen Zeon's support had limited influence when pitted against the collective opinion of the elders. The leader, Chen Zeng, weighed in with a heavy heart. "I understand the complexities of the situation, but we cannot ignore the need for discipline. Therefore, Chen Zoe had to be punished." Chen Zeng reluctantly announced, "You will receive 30 strikes with a wooden rod as a form of discipline."
"Isn't it a bit too much? Can't we reduce the number into 5 or10?" Chen Zoe tried to minimize the strikes.
Xi Shen, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward with determination.
"Leader, it wasn't Chen Zoe's decision alone; I also supported his actions. If his actions are wrong in your eyes, then mine can't be right. If he is to receive 30 strikes, then I am willing to share in his punishment. It's only fair."
Chen Zoe turned to Xi Shen; he was surprised by Xi Shen's sudden statement. "Xi Shen, you don't have to do this for me. I can handle it." Chen Zoe tried to stop Xi Shen from asking trouble for himself, but he doesn't back off.
After hearing what Xi Shen had to say, Chen Zeng made the decision to split the punishment between Chen Zoe and Xi Shen, giving each of them half of the intended 30 strikes.
A half an hour later, their battered and bruised bodies were transferred to Rui's clinic after receiving punishment. Chen Zoe hadn't the courage to hear scolding from Xi Shen in that condition, so he kept silent and caringly watch the cub, lying on the nearby bed.
On the other hand, Xi Shen felt an uneasiness being together with the cub after hearing, what his father said to Zoe. He feared that the cub's perceived bad luck was transferring to Chen Zoe and doubt that the incident be a starting point of it.
"They had gone so far this time… How can they hurt my senior like this?" Being furious towards the elders, Rui speak.
"Am not visible to your eyes?" Hearing Rui's words, Xi Shen questioned Rui's discriminative behavior towards him and Zoe. "You can't blame them for what happen, your senior is the one who violate the rules first. Tell him to live the way the world works, then no one do such things to your senior."
"Is that so? Say it once more…" Rui's hands moved firmly while applying medicine to Xi Shen's back, and his tone held a hint of offense.
"Aaa… Whatever your senior does is right… Now take that hand… Please, please…" Xi Shen winced in pain as he spoke.
Meanwhile rumors about Chen Zoe began to spread throughout the sect. However, these rumors were based on half-truths and twisted versions of the incident, painting a terrifying image of Zoe as a heartless tyrant who didn't shed blood or tears.
As the rumors circulated, Long Yuzhen couldn't help but overhear some disciples speaking ill of his master based on the rumors. He felt a deep sense of injustice and frustration towards the people who believed such baseless rumors and spreading it as they witness it.
"Why are you spreading lies about Master Zoe?" Yuzhen's voice was laced with frustration as he confronted the other disciples who were gossiping.
The disciples were taken aback by Yuzhen's sudden outburst. One of them stammered, "We heard... we heard that he... killed innocent people..."
Yuzhen clenched his fists, trying to control his anger. "You only heard, not seen it, right. Then why are you spreading such rumor without knowing the whole story?
Those people who died there, weren't innocent at all and Master Zoe only acted that way because he had no choice. He was trying to protect everyone in there."
His friends, who had witnessed the confrontation, approached to calm him down. "Yuzhen, it's not worth getting so worked up over rumors. People will talk."
But Yuzhen was resolute. "I can't stand by and let them tarnish Master Zoe's reputation like this."
As he was about to continue arguing, Yuzhen received news that his master had been taken to the clinic. Without hesitation, he rushed towards the clinic.