Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

"To use as a form of punishment?" Bian Hongzhen moved his throat with difficulty.

Jiang Jibai had no choice but to be more explicit, saying, "A ruler, a rattan cane, a bamboo stick, and the like..."

With each word Jiang Jibai uttered about Bian Hongzhen, his legs went weaker, and finally, his other foot tripped on the threshold, causing him to fall straight down the steps.

Jiang Jibai quickly helped Bian Hongzhen up, "Brother Bian, watch your step."

Although Jiang Jibai knew that Bian Hongzhen was likely unhappy because of his doting on his youngest disciple, such a reaction was a bit too exaggerated.

Bian Hongzhen's hands were trembling.

Jiang Jibai frowned slightly. He hadn't expected Bian Hongzhen to react so strongly just because he heard that Jiang was going to discipline Bian Feibai.

To be honest, he has done quite a bit of physical punishment for his young disciple in the few months since he became his disciple.

Since it's already done, there's no reason to hide it or keep it from my father.

Jiang Jibai replied with a hint of apology, "To be honest, Fei Bai has a frivolous personality and sometimes does audacious things. As his teacher, I have a duty to punish him, and I have already punished him several times."

As soon as he finished speaking, Bian Hongzhen trembled even more violently, like a leaf falling in the wind, almost unable to stand.

Who has been punished several times?

Who's so audacious?

You're the one who's incredibly audacious!

Wait a minute, did His Majesty learn that trick he used on Yu Shu from you?

Bian Hongzhen pushed him away, stood up shakily, pointed at Jiang Jibai and said, "My precious son, whom I raised with the palm of my hand, I have never been willing to touch a single hair on his head. Mr. Jiang, I never thought that you, you, you, you, you... would be such an old-fashioned person."

Bian Hongzhen flicked his sleeves, stamped his foot, and sighed deeply to the heavens, "Alas!"

You did something as serious as beating His Majesty, and that's fine, but why did you have to tell me?

I took an instant liking to you, Mr. Jiang, and yet you've wronged me like this!

Bian Hongzhen feigned distress, dabbing his eyes with his sleeve and putting on a heart-wrenching act. "My lady, I'm so sorry!"

Jiang Jibai was perplexed when he saw him like this.

Brother Bian is so opposed to the "punishment" incident, how will he be able to discipline his young disciples in the future?

He has always treated his three disciples equally. If he were to treat them differently simply because the youngest disciple's father was unhappy, it would be unfair.

If this precedent is set, and this continues in the long run, it will be difficult to treat everyone equally. Not only will the disciples feel resentful, but the relationships between fellow disciples will also be very difficult to maintain.

He had already taken the young disciple under his wing, so he couldn't just expel him from the sect just because his father didn't want his son to be beaten.

Not to mention betrayal, he couldn't bear to do it.

Jiang Jibai bowed to Bian Hongzhen and said, "Brother Bian, I understand your feelings, but as a teacher, I must fulfill my duty to teach."

Fei Bai is exceptionally talented, a gem in the rough. I was truly delighted by his talent and couldn't bear to see him go to waste, which is why I decided to hone his skills. Although he inevitably suffers some hardships, I've always been careful not to actually damage him.

I am truly ashamed that I have hurt Brother Bian's love for his son.

However, my intention in instructing your son is to urge him to correct his mistakes and help him become a responsible adult. Therefore, I am assigning blame based solely on reason, and not to vent my anger.

He treated his two senior brothers the same way, equally and without any favoritism.

Please forgive me, Brother Bian.

Bian Hongzhen, though initially unfamiliar with the subject, gradually became more familiar with it. He returned the bow with deep remorse and earnestly advised, "If the teaching is not strict, it is the teacher's fault. Since Fei Bai has repeatedly made mistakes, requiring you to go to great lengths, even resorting to 'punishment,' don't you, as the teacher, bear any responsibility at all?"

If no matter how many rulers or canes he suffers, they are all used against you to hold you accountable for your poor discipline, can you still say these things with righteous indignation?

It's just that they haven't been punished themselves, so they don't know the pain and can't empathize with the students.

Brother Jiang, I acknowledge your talent and character. We hit it off immediately, and I won't hold this against you.

But listen to my advice: as a teacher... it's best to be gentle and kind, and use words rather than fists.

Jiang Jibai remained silent for a long time.

Just when Bian Hongzhen thought he had convinced him, feeling a mix of relief and lingering fear, and even a hint of unspeakable regret.

Jiang Jibai bowed deeply to him again, his face calm and composed, "What Brother Bian said just now is not without reason. As his teacher, I am also responsible for my disciple's mistake."

People are different, and I may not be able to empathize with my disciples, but I can still feel what they have experienced.

If Brother Bian still finds it hard to accept, I am willing to share the responsibility with my disciples if they make mistakes in the future.

Every blow that landed on Fei Bai, Brother Bian, as his father, could unconditionally retaliate against me.

"You, you, you..."

Bian Hongzhen pointed at him and kept saying "you" for a long time, but couldn't come up with anything coherent.

Jiang Daru, I respect you as a true man.

If you look back, do your nine generations of relatives seem to be faintly visible?

This is a matter of life and death!

It's a pity you don't know who my "son" is. If you did know, would you still do this?

Fortunately, His Majesty is a wise ruler and did not hold your overstepping of authority against you.

Then I hope you will treat him with the same affection you have today.

And his feelings for you... will never change.

Bian Hongzhen sighed deeply, seemingly moved by Jiang Jibai's sincerity, and flicked his sleeve, "Mr. Jiang, why are you doing this?"

Fei Bai is someone I've raised with my own hands, so I inevitably spoil him and sometimes act unreasonable.

"You're making it impossible for me to have a peaceful mind even if I cause a scene."

Seeing that Bian Hongzhen's tone seemed to soften, Jiang Jibai pressed his advantage, "I am sincerely hoping that Brother Bian will understand."

"Enough, enough." Bian Hongzhen put on an expression of helplessness, as if he had exhausted all means. "What you said makes sense. Jade that is not carved cannot become a useful object."

Since Fei Bai has chosen you as his teacher and accepted your discipline, I, as his father, can't spoil my son out of pity and then advise you to neglect him as well, right?

We only hope that Mr. Jiang will treat Fei Bai well and not betray his trust in you.

As for punishment, Mr. Jiang, please listen to Fei Bai's wishes. Do not impose on him any discipline he does not accept.

As for me, the father…”

"Sigh!" Bian Hongzhen sighed heavily again, "Just bear the heartache, turn a blind eye, and pretend you didn't see it."

The young disciple is quite formidable; those who are unwilling cannot be forced in the slightest, and they will even snatch the rattan cane and the rattan slap. Jiang Jibai smiled and said, "Brother Bian is understanding; I thank you in advance."

Bian Hongzhen felt that even with his secret guards by his side, they couldn't find anything wrong with what he said.

He bowed to Jiang Jibai, then turned and boarded the carriage.

The curtain was drawn, and the carriage drove out of the alley.

Bian Hongzhen straightened his sleeves, a smile appearing in his eyes.

Everything has its counter, and the cycle of nature is endless.

Look up and see, who can escape the wrath of Heaven?

Jade Book!

Your father has done his best for you.

Wait, what did Mr. Jiang say to me inside the house earlier?

Divide the peach and cut off the sleeves...

Thinking of his son's refined and handsome appearance, Bian Hongzhen's expression changed again.