Longevity Martial Arts: Obtain Golden Affixes at the Start

Hong Lang listened from behind the pillars, cursing under his breath.

What a perfect example of "ineffective discipline".

What a convenient "I only found out last night" statement.

Nobody would believe that if I told them that.

But so what?

Zhou Liang shifted all the blame onto Gong Jie and Ning Cheng, exonerating himself completely, at most committing the crime of "negligence".

Moreover, he rushed over overnight and adopted such a humble attitude that even if Mo Wentian knew what was going on, he couldn't afford to react too violently.

Hong Lang couldn't help but look at Mo Wentian's reaction.

Mo Wentian's expression remained calm, revealing nothing.

"Why is your wife here too?"

Zhou Liang's wife raised her head, her eyes also red: "Your Excellency, I have come to plead for my husband. He... he is usually kind to his subordinates, which emboldened those two to act so recklessly. This incident is my husband's fault, and I have failed in my duty to advise him..."

As she spoke, tears began to fall.

Upon hearing this, Hong Lang sneered inwardly.

What a perfect example of a united couple, and what a clever ruse!

Zhou Liang has even brought up his wife; he's determined to fully embody the "weakling" persona.

Mo Wentian remained silent for a moment, then suddenly turned and walked into the county government office.

"Come in."

Zhou Liang let out a long breath, slowly stood up, reached out to help his wife up, and gently brushed the snowflakes off her shoulders.

In the main hall, the charcoal fire was burning brightly, and Mo Wentian sat in the main seat.

Zhou Liang stood in the hall, his wife standing behind him with her head down.

Zhou Liang stood there, the red mark on his forehead from the bump still lingering.

Hong Lang stood outside the hall, looking through the window at the situation inside, making plans in his mind.

How will Mo Wentian deal with Zhou Liang?

kill?

impossible.

The Black Wind Sect is eyeing us covetously, and Tianmu County needs everyone who can fight. Even if Zhou Liang is a nobody, he still has the combat power of the Meridian Opening Realm. Mo Wentian cannot cut off his own arm at this time.

beat?

It's quite possible, but how much to use and how to use it are very important considerations.

If the beating is too light, it won't have a deterrent effect, and Zhou Liang will only become more reckless in the future.

If you hit him too hard, Zhou Liang might hold a grudge.

Mo Wentian is not the kind of person who is swayed by emotions.

He will definitely weigh the pros and cons and make the choice that is most beneficial to himself.

As Hong Lang was pondering this, Mo Wentian finally spoke.

"Zhou Liang, do you know your crime?"

Zhou Liang knelt down again with a thud, and this time, his wife knelt down as well.

"This guilty subject knows his crime!" Zhou Liang's voice trembled with tears. "This guilty subject failed to discipline his men, allowing them to act recklessly and causing Magistrate Mo's injury. This guilty subject deserves to die a thousand deaths!"

"I spare your life because you have followed me for many years, but while you may be spared death, you cannot escape punishment!"

Zhou Liang quickly said, "Please punish me, Your Excellency!"

"One hundred strokes of the cane, do you accept that?"

One hundred slaps.

For a martial artist at the Meridian Opening Realm, a hundred lashes won't kill them, but it will definitely be unpleasant.

It's inevitable that the skin will be torn and bleeding; you'll have to stay in bed for at least ten days to two weeks.

This punishment is neither too severe nor too lenient; it's just right—enough to inflict considerable pain without causing serious injury.

Mo Wentian's sense of proportion was just right.

Zhou Liang answered without hesitation: "This guilty subject accepts punishment! Thank you for your mercy, Prefect!"

Mo Wentian nodded and called out towards the door, "Someone come here!"

Two bailiffs entered in response.

"Take him out and beat him."

The moment Zhou Liang stepped out, Hong Lang saw his eyes.

There was no pain, no regret, only peace.

Like a wolf cornered, it temporarily sheathed its fangs and lowered its head, waiting for the right opportunity.

The two looked at each other, and Zhou Liang suddenly smiled. It was neither a friendly smile nor a smile of admitting defeat.

It's a smile that says, "I know you're there, and our business isn't over yet."

For the next two days, Hong Lang stayed in the county government office and didn't go anywhere else.

Mo Qiushui's leg injury was treated by the best doctor in the city. The bone was set and it was immobilized with a splint. The doctor said she needed to rest for at least a period of time before she could get out of bed.

On the evening of the third day, Hong Lang was squatting in the house when someone knocked on the door.

"County Commandant Hong, the Prefect requests your presence." It was Lotus's voice.

Hong Lang got up, opened the door, and followed her to the courtyard where Mo Wentian's study was located.

But Lotus didn't take him into the study; instead, she led him to a side hall.

There were only two people in the side hall; Mo Wentian was not there.

Lotus sat down in the main seat and pointed to the chair opposite her: "Sit."

Hong Lang was stunned for a moment, then realized that Hehua was trying to relay a message from Mo Wentian.

He sat down opposite her, waiting for the lotus to bloom.

Lotus didn't rush to speak. She poured him a cup of tea first, and then she raised her head and looked into Hong Lang's eyes.

"County Commandant Hong, the Prefect has sent me to ask you a question."

"Please speak, Miss Lotus."

Do you harbor any resentment?

Hong Lang's heart skipped a beat.

"Do you think the punishment for Zhou Liang is too lenient?" Lotus asked calmly.

Hong Lang remained silent for a moment, neither rushing to deny nor rushing to admit it.

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and slowly said, "It would be a lie to say I have no complaints."

Lotus looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

"Zhou Liang sent men to ambush me at Eagle's Beak Cliff, intending to take my life. He also caused Magistrate Mo to fall off the cliff and get injured. A hundred strokes of the cane were nothing to him. Anyone would have resentment in his heart."

Lotus nodded, offering no rebuttal.

"But you also know in your heart that all the prefect can do is give him a hundred lashes."

Hong Lang gave a wry smile: "Yes, I understand."

"Then what do you think the prefect should do? Kill him? Because you, a county lieutenant at the minor completion of the Marrow Cleansing Realm, killed a master at the peak of the Meridian Opening Realm?"

Hong Lang didn't speak, but took a sip of tea.

Lotus continued, "Zhou Liang has already touched the threshold of the Qi Gathering Realm. In a few years, he will be the strongest fighter under the prefect. Do you really want the prefect to kill one of his own generals for your sake?"

Hong Lang shook his head: "I wouldn't dare."

"Even if Zhou Liang really kills you this time, the prefect won't do anything to him." Lotus picked up her teacup and gently blew away the foam. "Do you believe me?"

Hong Lang remained silent for a long time.

He certainly believed that in this world, strength is everything.

Mo Wentian knew better than anyone which was more important: a county lieutenant who had just completed the Marrow Cleansing Realm and a county magistrate who was about to enter the Qi Gathering Realm.

Mo Wentian was only able to give Zhou Liang a hundred lashes because of Mo Qiushui.

If Mo Qiushui hadn't been injured as a result, she probably wouldn't have received those hundred lashes.

"The prefect sent me to tell you not to hold any grudges," Lotus said, putting down her teacup. "He can't protect you forever. Some things you have to do on your own."

Hong Lang felt a chill run down his spine; the meaning of those words was quite clear.

Mo Wentian could protect him for a while, but not forever.

Zhou Liang suffered a loss this time, and although he outwardly accepted the punishment, he would settle this score with himself sooner or later.

Mo Wentian won't be his shield forever.

"With the prefect's influence, Zhou Liang wouldn't dare go too far," Lotus's voice softened. "But it's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark. Just consider this a test for you."