Chapter 16: The Setting Sun
"As you command, Your Highness." Guang Punishment Saint replied with a faint smile.
In the next moment, three powerful beams of Dou Qi burst from his fingertips, transforming into unbreakable chains of light that captured three figures, dragging them forward with no room for resistance.
Among the three, Xiao Jiande stood at the forefront. The other two were the Dou Huang experts who had attacked Seven Spirit Village that night. Despite their exceptional concealment techniques, it was futile against the senses of a Dou Sheng.
"Xiao... Xiao Yan! Spare me! Please, I beg you!" Xiao Jiande's face crumbled into despair.
No matter how he calculated, he had never imagined Xiao Yan was the third Emperor's Son of the Xiao Clan, someone even Dou Shengs from the Punishment Hall would defer to.
"Spare you?" Xiao Yan's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Who will spare those innocent commoners you hurt?
"When you abused your privilege and background to trample on the lives of others, did you ever consider the possibility of this day coming?"
His expression turned stern, and his voice rang with authority:
"Xiao Jiande, for exploiting your background to commit numerous atrocities, for harming the Xiao Clan's commoners, and for undermining the foundation of our clan... I hereby decree that your Dou Qi be abolished, you are to be reduced to a commoner, and your name erased from the clan registry. Forever!"
A sharp blast of Dou Qi erupted from Xiao Yan's hand, striking Xiao Jiande's dantian with precision.
Boom!
Xiao Jiande coughed up a mouthful of blood as his face turned deathly pale, his strength rapidly fading.
"Xiao Yan!!" Xiao Jiande's grandfather, the purple robed elder, roared in fury, his voice trembling with anger.
"Impudent! Who gave you the audacity to shout at the Emperor's Son?" Guang Punishment Saint's icy voice cut through the air. With a mere snort, the purple robed elder was sent staggering backward, spitting out blood once again.
"Old fool, did you think you'd escape punishment?" Xiao Yan sneered.
"You assaulted the Emperor's Son, showed blatant disrespect, and attempted to shield a criminal. I hereby sentence you to one hundred years of reform in the Suppression Tower!"
"You...!" The elder's face turned from anger to fear.
The Suppression Tower was infamous within the Xiao Clan, a prison filled with eternal darkness and bone chilling malice. Even a Dou Zun like him would emerge severely weakened after a century within its confines.
"Your Highness, Xiao Jiande committed the crime, and Your Highness's punishment is just. However, his grandfather is a Seven Star Dou Zun, a pillar of our branch. Isn't this punishment too severe?" Xiao Lu, the branch head, stepped forward cautiously.
"A branch head dares question my authority?" Xiao Yan's cold gaze snapped to Xiao Lu. His tone turned biting: "If you have so much to say, perhaps I should punish you as well!"
Xiao Lu froze, his face alternating between shades of green and white. His fists clenched, veins bulging on his forehead as he suppressed his anger.
"Xiao Lu, are you planning to rebel?" Guang Punishment Saint's icy stare silenced him completely, the threat in his voice chilling to the bone.
After a tense pause, Xiao Lu exhaled deeply, suppressing his frustration and bowing his head slightly.
Seeing this, Xiao Yan smirked inwardly. His outburst wasn't just a matter of temper it was calculated.
He needed Guang Punishment Saint, as well as his other protectors like Wen and Wu, to see that he wasn't someone to be trifled with. Only a person with a commanding presence could earn respect and maintain authority.
Throughout history, rulers who commanded loyalty and obedience were decisive and ruthless when necessary. Hesitation and leniency would only invite contempt.
As for offending Xiao Lu? Xiao Yan didn't care. Xiao Lu was merely an elder who had taken centuries to become a Dou Sheng. Once Xiao Yan reached the same level, such individuals would bow before him, harboring no resentment.
Turning back to Xiao Jiande, Xiao Yan's expression hardened further.
"You two," he said, addressing the two Dou Huang captives. "Although you weren't the masterminds, you carried out the orders. For that, you will share Xiao Jiande's punishment. Blame yourselves for following the wrong master."
Two streaks of Dou Qi shot from Xiao Yan's fingers, striking the Dou Huang experts. They spat out blood, their auras collapsing like deflated balloons.
They knelt on the ground, trembling, their faces pale with despair.
(Chapter End)
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