211: Chapter 211: Whipping

On the other side.

Xiao Ran walked out of the City Lord's Mansion, the sunlight feeling warm as it spilled over him.

He felt the city lord's token in his robes, a mischievous smirk curling the corner of his mouth.

Go all out?

Fine, then let's do it.

He strode toward the Patrol Guard station.

Just as he reached the entrance, a patrol member hurried to meet him, Face full of anxiety. "Captain Xiao, this is bad!"

Xiao Ran asked, "What's the matter?"

The patrol member said, "People from the Zhou Family have arrived; they say they want to see you."

"People from the Zheng Family have also come and are waiting at the entrance. Both families are clamoring for their release. Please go and take a look."

Xiao Ran narrowed his eyes and walked into the courtyard.

In the courtyard, two groups of people were in a standoff.

On the left were the Zhou Family's people, led by a middle-aged man with a sinister Face and sharp eyes.

Peak Soul Transformation Stage.

Standing behind him were several men in black, each with a profound aura—clearly experts.

On the right were the Zheng Family's people, led by a white-haired elder whose Face was kind but whose eyes were filled with exhaustion.

Behind him stood several young people, all wearing angry expressions.

Seeing Xiao Ran enter, the middle-aged man from the Zhou Family immediately stepped forward and cupped his hands.

"Captain Xiao, I am the Zhou Family's Head Butler, Zhou Fu. Regarding our Young Master's matter, I hope Captain Xiao can show some leniency."

Xiao Ran looked at him, finding it a bit laughable.

Did people in the Xuanhuan world not understand the ways of the world?

You didn't even bring a damn gift, and you're asking me to show leniency?

Are you kidding me?

"Show leniency? How exactly should I show leniency?"

Xiao Ran retorted immediately.

Zhou Fu's expression stiffened as he said, "Captain Xiao, our Young Master is young and impetuous; he didn't know better and offended you."

"But he has already been punished. Please release our Young Master for the sake of the Zhou Family's Face."

The white-haired elder from the Zheng Family also stepped forward.

"Captain Xiao, the Zheng Family was in the wrong regarding this matter."

The two aristocratic families wanted to pressure Xiao Ran.

Unfortunately for them, Xiao Ran didn't give a damn about pressure.

Xiao Ran glanced at the two of them and said indifferently.

"I have my own discretion in this matter. You all go back first and return tomorrow."

Zhou Fu's expression changed. "Captain Xiao, you..."

Xiao Ran raised his hand, cutting him off. "I said, come back tomorrow."

Zhou Fu stared at him for three breaths.

"Fine, Captain Xiao. We will return tomorrow."

He turned and led his people away.

Reaching the entrance, he suddenly stopped and looked back.

"Captain Xiao, the Zhou Family has operated in the Sword Qi Great Wall for a thousand years. I think it's better for us to get along peacefully."

Xiao Ran ignored him and turned to walk toward the dungeon.

Inside the dungeon, it was dark and damp, with a pungent smell of mold.

Zhou Xian sat in his cell with his legs crossed, playing with his folding fan, looking completely relaxed.

Seeing Xiao Ran enter, he suddenly laughed loudly.

"Oh, Captain Xiao is here? What, have you come to your senses? Are you going to let me out?"

Xiao Ran walked to the front of the cell, looking at him with arms crossed.

Zhou Xian stood up and walked to the cell door, looking at Xiao Ran through the iron bars.

"Captain Xiao, I told you that you would regret this."

"Let me out now and apologize to me, and I'll act as if this never happened. Otherwise..."

Xiao Ran asked, "Otherwise what?"

Zhou Xian smiled, twirling the folding fan in his hand.

"Otherwise, your days in the Sword Qi Great Wall will be very difficult from now on."

Xiao Ran looked at him, a mocking sneer appearing on his lips.

This little brat sure had high hopes.

But his thinking was going in the wrong direction.

"Who said I was letting you out?"

Zhou Xian was stunned.

Xiao Ran turned and said to the guards behind him, "Men, take him out and torture him."

Zhou Xian's Face changed. "You dare!"

Xiao Ran ignored him, looking instead at a guard nearby.

"Gathering a crowd to cause trouble, smashing a restaurant, and injuring people and property—according to the laws of the Sword Qi Great Wall, what is the punishment?"

An old guard quickly replied, "According to the law, those who gather a crowd to cause trouble receive fifty strikes with the Soul-Scattering Whip."

"For injuring others, it's one hundred strikes and thirty days of detention."

Xiao Ran nodded. "Then proceed according to the law."

"Zhou Xian, for gathering a crowd to cause trouble, smashing a restaurant, and injuring people—the punishments will be served concurrently."

"First, one hundred and fifty strikes with the whip, then thirty days of detention."

Hearing this, Zhou Xian's Face turned pale.

The Soul-Scattering Whip was no joke; if he took that many hits, his Divine Soul would certainly become unstable.

So he immediately shouted sternly.

"Xiao Ran, if you dare touch a single hair on my head, my Zhou Family will not let you off!"

Xiao Ran ignored him and waved his hand. "Drag him out."

The guards opened the cell door and dragged Zhou Xian out.

Zhou Xian struggled and roared, but he was pinned to the ground by two guards, unable to move.

"Carry out the sentence."

Xiao Ran said indifferently.

A guard immediately raised the Soul-Scattering Whip and struck Zhou Xian directly on the back.

"Crack!"

Zhou Xian let out a blood-curdling scream, the veins on his forehead bulging.

"Crack! Crack! Crack!"

Whip after whip, Zhou Xian's screams echoed through the dungeon.

Zheng Kui sat in the neighboring cell, his Face pale as he watched the scene.

He hadn't expected that Xiao Ran would actually dare to torture Zhou Xian.

After fifty strikes, Zhou Xian could no longer speak.

He lay on the ground, his whole body trembling.

Xiao Ran looked at him. "You're done already?"

"It seems your body isn't as tough as your mouth!"

"Men, take him back for now. The remaining strikes will be delivered tomorrow."

The guards dragged Zhou Xian back to his cell and threw him onto the straw.

Zhou Xian curled up in the corner, covered in blood, his eyes filled with hatred.

Xiao Ran turned and looked at Zheng Kui. "And you? Will you obediently accept your punishment, or do you also want to taste the Soul-Scattering Whip?"

Zheng Kui hurriedly said, "I'll accept it! I'll accept it!"

Xiao Ran nodded. "Good."

"Gathering a crowd to cause trouble and destroying property—fifty lashes."

Zheng Kui was dumbfounded.

Wait, brother, I'm still getting whipped even though I admitted fault?!

Xiao Ran didn't care about his feelings and had him dragged out immediately.

Following that was another series of screams.

Having finished all this, Xiao Ran walked out of the dungeon and into the courtyard.

Satisfying!

This was the consequence of acting tough.

The old guard followed him and asked cautiously, "Captain Xiao, about the Zhou Family..."

Xiao Ran waved his hand. "Don't worry about it. I'll take responsibility for whatever happens."

This was just the beginning.

With the City Lord's promise, beating Zhou Xian once a day was well within his rights.