C18 Xie Him?

"Big brother, this calls for celebration! Lan's cultivation has reached the Body Refining Level Seven Peak. It's truly astonishing for all of us!"

Jiaang Zhengshan first gave Jiaang Lin a cold glance, then turned to Jiaang Zhengzu, who was wearing a look of dismay, with a smirk on his face.

Jiaang Zhengzu paid no mind to his younger brother's felicitations. He was well aware that these congratulations were nothing but sheer hypocrisy!

"Body Refining Level Seven Peak?!"

The surrounding Jiaang family disciples, upon hearing Jiaang Zhengshan's words, were visibly shocked.

They gazed at Jiaang Lin with wide eyes. The one they once called trash had now achieved the Body Refining Level Seven Peak, surpassing them by a significant margin!

They couldn't hold a candle to him, and even most of the Jiaang family's elite disciples paled in comparison!

For a brief moment, a bitter smile spread among the disciples gathered in the banquet hall, as a whirlwind of emotions stirred within them.

The one previously deemed worthless had soared to great heights, attaining the Body Refining Level Seven Peak Stage and knocking down Jiaang Gao, one of the top ten in strength, with a single punch. It was beyond anyone's wildest dreams.

From this day forward, who would dare to consider Jiaang Lin a nobody?

"No wonder Jiaang Lin could severely wound Jiaang Gao with a single move and knock out Tang Bei in the Dao Artifact Hall with a punch."

With the revelation of Jiaang Lin's current Cultivation Level, the Jiaang family disciples had an epiphany.

Hearing this, the disciples fell silent, their gazes upon Jiaang Lin filled not with scorn but with profound reverence.

"Big brother, the evidence is clear: Lan truly has the capacity to harm Jiaang Feng.

Don't you think it's time to decide and enforce the family rules?"

Suddenly, Jiaang Zhengshan shifted the conversation.

Jiaang Lin's unexpected rise had taken him by surprise.

Of all the members in the Jiaang family, Jiaang Zhengshan was the least eager to witness Jiaang Lin's ascent.

Once Jiaang Lin comes of age, the elders of the Jiaang family will surely reconsider and likely endorse him as the Young Patriarch, which could jeopardize my son's standing within the family. Consequently, Jiaang Zhengshan is intent on causing Jiaang Lin embarrassment.

His motives extend beyond his son's prospects; Jiaang Lin had grievously wounded Jiaang Gao, severing his lifeline, and exhibited extreme arrogance, blatantly disregarding the family's upper echelon.

Such insolence cannot go unpunished; otherwise, he might just turn the Jiaang family on its head!

Upon hearing this, Jiaang Zhengzu's expression grew even more troubled. He was well aware of his brother's intentions, yet he couldn't dispute the truth in Jiaang Zhengshan's words.

"Foster father, Mr. Jiaang Lin only retaliated against Jiaang Feng after being provoked. I implore you to look into the matter," Jiaang Xue interjected, stepping forward with a respectful bow to Jiaang Zhengzu, hoping to exonerate Jiaang Lin from any familial discipline.

"Very well, then Jiaang Feng will be punished alongside him. Both Jiaang Lin and Jiaang Feng will receive a severe punishment for their private brawl within the Jiaang family: fifty lashes each, and a three-month deduction of their allowances and medicinal supplies," Jiaang Zhengshan declared, cutting off any further discussion.

Regardless of Jiaang Xue's defense of Jiaang Lin, her efforts were to no avail. Today, Jiaang Zhengshan was determined to discipline Jiaang Lin.

"Second brother, who is the Patriarch here—you or me?" Jiaang Zhengzu's tone turned icy as he fixed a stern gaze on Jiaang Zhengshan, his voice tinged with authority.

I am the head of this family, and I haven't spoken yet. What gives you the right to make such rash decisions? Are you so eager to punish my son? Keep dreaming!

"Big Brother, of course, you are the Patriarch!"

Upon hearing Jiaang Zhengzu's stern command, Jiaang Zhengshan felt a jolt in his heart and quickly responded with due respect.

Though he maintained a veneer of respect, internally he was seething with discontent and irritation.

Regrettably, he was powerless to act; his strength did not measure up to Jiaang Zhengzu's, and he was not the leader of the Jiaang family.

Despite his intense displeasure and annoyance, Jiaang Zhengshan had no choice but to suppress these feelings deep within himself.

"Since I am the Patriarch, isn't it my turn to speak?"

Jiaang Zhengzu's voice rang out coldly once more.

"Yes."

Jiaang Zhengshan's reply was deferential, his bow even deeper, his inner turmoil and rage intensifying.

Being publicly chastised by Jiaang Zhengzu was a blow to Jiaang Zhengshan's pride.

"If that's the case, then step aside obediently."

Jiaang Zhengzu commanded icily.

"Big Brother, I acknowledge that I may have overshadowed you earlier, but there's no need for such harsh words and that tone, is there?"

Even the most patient person has their limits.

With Jiaang Zhengzu's successive rebukes, Jiaang Zhengshan could no longer contain his frustration and anger, his expression darkening like stormy waters.

"Hmm?"

Noticing Jiaang Zhengshan's bold defiance, Jiaang Zhengzu's face grew stern, his eyes flashing with a chilling light.

"Big Brother, I hope you will handle matters justly and not let personal bias cloud your judgment. It would be a shame to dishearten the many disciples of the Jiaang family."

Disregarding Jiaang Zhengzu's stern look, Jiaang Zhengshan spoke with a smile, unbothered.

What was the reason for Jiaang Zhengzu's anger?

Was it not because he had publicly vowed to discipline his son, Jiaang Lin?

But what of it?

Today, even if Jiaang Zhengzu was the head of the family, he would not be able to shield his son completely. The family rules are clear, and punishment must be meted out accordingly!

"Since when did I, as the head of the family, require your guidance on how to conduct affairs?"

Jiaang Zhengzu responded.

Without paying further attention to Jiaang Zhengshan, he turned his gaze to Jiaang Lin and Jiaang Feng, who stood outside the banquet hall's main entrance, ready to publicly declare their punishment.

It was a necessary evil, compelled by the harsh reality.

As Jiaang Zhengshan had pointed out, as the head of the Jiaang family, he could not condone any favoritism. To do so would dishearten the Jiaang family disciples and provide Jiaang Zhengshan with a pretext to usurp the position of Patriarch!

Thus, with a heavy heart, Jiaang Zhengzu resigned himself to the fact that his son must face the consequences.

"Patriarch, please wait!"

At the moment Jiaang Zhengzu was about to pronounce the punishment for Jiaang Lin and Jiaang Feng, an elderly voice interrupted.

The speaker was none other than the Jiaang family's most esteemed Medicine Master, Elder Xue.

Seeing Elder Xue approaching with a group of the Jiaang family's Medicine Masters, everyone was taken aback.

Jiaang Zhengzu, Jiaang Zhengshan, and the rest of the Jiaang family's high-level members and disciples all fixed their eyes on Elder Xue, their faces a mix of confusion and curiosity.

"Elder Xue, what brings you here?"

Jiaang Zhengzu addressed Elder Xue with the utmost respect.

Elder Xue, the premier Medicine Master of the Jiaang family, commanded a respect and status within the family that rivaled even that of the Patriarch himself.

His contributions were particularly significant at present, as it was thanks to his leadership in developing the Essence Returning Pill that the Jiaang family could hold its own against the Qiao family in the marketplace.

Consequently, Jiaang Zhengzu held Elder Xue in high regard, careful not to show any disrespect.

Even Jiaang Zhengshan and the other high-level members of the Jiaang family held Elder Xue in high esteem.

"Let's put aside the squabbles of the younger members for now. Today, would you consider granting me this favor?" Elder Xue asked Jiaang Zhengzu, his face wearing a gentle smile.

Upon hearing this, Jiaang Zhengzu was momentarily taken aback, but then a wave of relief washed over him, filling him with immense joy.

He was fretting over how he'd clean up his son's mess!

But to his surprise, Elder Xue swiftly came to the rescue with proverbial toilet paper in hand!

How could he not show respect to Elder Xue?

After all, he was the Jiaang family's foremost Medicine Master, having crafted the Essence Returning Pill that allowed the Jiaang family to rival the Qiao family's Essence Cultivating Pill in the marketplace.

To not show Elder Xue respect would be utterly preposterous!

"Since Elder Xue has spoken, let's put this matter to rest. Also, have someone take Jiaang Feng and Jiaang Gao to receive medical attention and allow them some time to recuperate in peace," Jiaang Zhengzu promptly declared.

"What are your thoughts, gentlemen?"

At that moment, Elder Xue turned to Jiaang Zhengshan and the other Jiaang family high-level men with a smile, seeking their opinion.

"With Elder Xue having made his stance clear, who are we to disregard your wishes?" Jiaang Zhengshan quickly aligned himself, not daring to object.

Despite his inner reluctance, he had to face the facts.

He might disregard his elder brother, but Elder Xue's respect was obligatory.

Indeed, Elder Xue was the Jiaang family's premier Medicine Master, responsible for all the cultivation medicines and the newly developed Essence Returning Pill upon which the entire family relied.

To offend Elder Xue would be akin to severing one of the Jiaang family's limbs, a blow that would surely weaken them significantly!

Simultaneously, the other Jiaang family high-level men also nodded in concurrence, offering no challenge to Elder Xue's statement.

"Lan, come forward and express your gratitude to Elder Xue," Jiaang Zhengzu instructed Jiaang Lin with a grave tone.

"There's no need. In fact, I owe him a debt of gratitude," Elder Xue responded with a chuckle.

His statement struck like a thunderclap, leaving the whole Jiaang family utterly dumbfounded!

Elder Xue wanted to thank Jiaang Lin?

For what?

What had Jiaang Lin done to warrant such public thanks from Elder Xue?