Hmm!
Peng Shizhong furrowed his brows upon hearing this, as it turned out that over these past days, the man had been hiding in Second Brother’s home.
At this moment, Feng Xuan spoke, "Second Brother, I’ve heard from others that your household management is always orderly. Such a big, living person sneaked into your mansion, and for many days, you only came to know of it after your righteous father asked about it yesterday. Isn’t that a bit hard to justify? Or is it that if your righteous father had not inquired, you would have kept on hiding this matter?"
"Big Brother, what exactly are you implying?"
Zheng Chuan raised his head to look at Feng Xuan upon hearing this.
Feng Xuan chuckled, "As the eldest, what could I imply? I only want to say that we shouldn’t deceive our righteous father. One is one, two is two. Our righteous father will forgive you!"
"When have I ever deceived our righteous father? Big Brother, to speak so is to falsely accuse me!"
Zheng Chuan glared at Feng Xuan, who laughed heartily in response, "In that case, as your big brother, I’m just spouting nonsense."
Zheng Chuan’s anger rose, but as soon as he saw Peng Shizhong casting a probing glance at him, he immediately said, "Righteous Father, regarding this matter, I’ve hidden nothing. Please scrutinize it clearly."
Peng Shizhong sipped his tea and said, "How it actually happened isn’t important anymore. However, Zhao Xun cannot be let off."
"This is natural. That beast dared to collude with enemies from outside, betray us from within. The Fishing Guild has no place for him!"
Upon hearing this, Zheng Chuan said, "But I too am at fault for not rigorously inspecting my household. I ask for my righteous father’s punishment!"
Peng Shizhong pondered for a moment before saying, "Then, you shall forfeit a year’s salary as a minor punishment for a major admonition."
"Thank you, Righteous Father!"
Zheng Chuan immediately expressed his gratitude, and then Peng Shizhong turned to Wu Zhong who stood by and said, "Chuan’er’s one year’s salary will be given to you. I heard that due to your injuries, the old master has drained all his savings. It’s time to replenish."
"Thank you, Manager."
Wu Zhong immediately gave thanks, and then Peng Shizhong said, "Alright, it’s almost time. Send word down to set up the incense hall and invoke the family punishment!"
Upon hearing this, Wu Zhong immediately replied, "Yes, I will make the arrangements now."
Wu Zhong rushed out to prepare the setting of the incense hall and the invocation of the family punishment.
Meanwhile, Chen Jie was already waiting in the incense hall when Zhou Chu entered, looking very pleased, and even humming a tune.
Seeing Zhou Chu in such a mood, Chen Jie chuckled, "Hehe, why are you so happy today?"
Hearing this, Zhou Chu laughed, "Haha, of course it’s because of great news. I’ve just received a message that my father-in-law has pulled some strings for me. Today, I’ll be entering the city with you."
"Oh, your father-in-law has that much clout?"
Chen Jie was somewhat surprised, and Zhou Chu chuckled, "Heh heh, indeed, I’ll tell you more about it later. There might even be things in the future that you’d find more unexpected."
As Zhou Chu said this, he looked around and whispered, "I just saw Zhao Xun. That lad is as good as dead today."
Chen Jie upon hearing this asked, "Are you talking about family punishment?"
Zhou Chu replied, "With the Fishing Guild’s family punishment, it’s three blades, six holes. But with this lad’s inside betrayal and attempts to harm a superior, it’s the big three blades. He won’t survive."
Hearing this, Chen Jie curiously asked, "There’s a distinction between big and small?"
"Of course, let me tell you, these three blades, six holes are quite particular. The small three knives, blades this long, just right to pierce through the thigh and abdomen."
"When it’s carried out, the offending brothers must hold the knife and stab it through their thighs. With three stabs, the knife penetrates properly, and when pulled out, there are six gaping holes, an atonement for their own sins, hence the small three knives."
"And the big three blades?"
Chen Jie asked out of curiosity.
Just as Zhou Chu was about to answer, a voice called out, "Hall Master arrives!"
"Let’s talk about it later."
After saying this, Zhou Chu immediately followed the others in greeting with clasped fists, "We have seen the Hall Master."
At this moment, Peng Shizhong strode forward, followed by a gleefully smirking Feng Xuan and a grim-faced Zheng Chuan.
Now the trio entered the incense hall, and all the underlings lined up in order.
Wu Zhong glanced at Peng Shizhong, then announced, "Today we have hastily gathered everyone to witness the fate of the traitor to our Guild!"
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"Zhao Xun colluded with outsiders, plotted against superiors; such acts are treasonous and unforgivable. Therefore, under the wise leadership of Sect Master Peng, it is decided to administer the family punishment—three blades, six holes."
"Bring the traitor, Zhao Xun forward!"
At this command, four elite members of the White Tiger Hall guarding Zhao Xun outside pushed him into the hall.
Immediately, the underlings kicked Zhao Xun down to the floor.
"Now, invoke the Ancestral Master!"
Upon hearing this, the underlings quickly brought forth a figure resembling an immortal, clad in a red Daoist robe, with the looks of a child despite his white hair, wearing a golden coronet.
In his right hand, he wielded a whip, and in his left, he held a scroll containing a small flag.
Who might this be?
As Chen Jie was wondering, Zhou Chu informed, "This is our Ancestral Master, Taigong Wang!"
"Which Taigong?"
"That’s Jiang Taigong, Jiang Ziya, who fished with a straight hook by the banks of Wei River."
"Jiang Ziya!"
Chen Jie’s eyes widened in surprise. Well, that was a revelation! It was his first time learning that their Fishing Guild’s Ancestral Master was Jiang Ziya!
However, on further thought, it seemed fitting. If those who tell cross-talk stories could have Dongfang Shuo as their Ancestral Master, then fishermen having Jiang Ziya as theirs might also make sense!
Having understood this, he saw Peng Shizhong stepped forward grandly, taking three lit sticks of incense from Feng Xuan, paying his respects to the Ancestral Deity, and then placing them into the incense burner.
A throne-like chair was naturally brought over by an underling, and Peng Shizhong lifted his robe to sit down, with one leg arrogantly crossed over the other, the whole process carried out with an elegant and commanding air.
"Begin!"
Upon hearing this, Wu Zhong declared, "Invoke the family punishment!"
With that, an underling dragged forth a huge tray, on which were placed three slim long blades, each over a meter in length, and with narrow, thin blades. Despite being called blades, they resembled swords more, though only single-edged.