At this moment, Kong Ruozeng's father was also panicking. He truly hadn't expected that Kong Xuanlian would actually impose the medicinal punishment on his son — that was one of the most brutal forms of punishment within the Kong Heavenly Clan.
As for Kong Ruozeng, he had long since been scared witless. He didn't dare utter a single word of protest, simply collapsing in place and trembling uncontrollably.
"You wretch — are you going to apologize or not?!" Kong Ruozeng's father suddenly shouted at his son.
In truth, he was trying to help Kong Ruozeng. To spare his son from punishment, he had no choice but to force Kong Ruozeng to admit his mistake, thinking that as long as Kong Ruozeng apologized, Elder Kong Xuanlian probably wouldn't truly punish him.
After all, Elder Kong Xuanlian still held a fair amount of affection for Kong Ruozeng. How could he really impose such a brutal punishment just because of some Chu Feng?
As long as he gave Elder Kong Xuanlian a way to save face, this crisis could be resolved.
"Chu Feng, I'm sorry — I… I really didn't mean to provoke you. I honestly just wanted to spar with you. Maybe my way of expressing it was wrong, but I truly had no intention of being disrespectful. Please don't take it to heart. Could you… explain that to the Elder on my behalf?"
Kong Ruozeng scrambled to his feet and bowed to Chu Feng in apology. All of his earlier stubbornness and obstinacy had completely vanished.
Moreover, Kong Ruozeng was clever. He didn't just apologize — he tried to get Chu Feng to plead on his behalf. He knew that when others spoke up, Kong Xuanlian might not give them the time of day, but if Chu Feng were to intercede, that carried real weight.
He had already grasped how important Chu Feng was in Kong Xuanlian's eyes. He just deeply regretted it, because he understood that it was too late.
However, Chu Feng's expression didn't change in the slightest at Kong Ruozeng's words, and he said nothing.
Chu Feng could see right through it — Kong Ruozeng wasn't sincerely apologizing. This kind of person was nothing like Kong Zheng and Kong Sheng. When a grudge was formed, he would remember it for a lifetime. He would be Chu Feng's enemy forever.
Even if Chu Feng pleaded for him today, Kong Ruozeng would never let him go in the future. Since they were destined to be enemies regardless, why should Chu Feng bother speaking up for him?
"It's too late to apologize now. You will receive the medicinal punishment today," Kong Xuanlian said.
The moment those words left his mouth, Kong Ruozeng collapsed to the ground once more, his face ashen, feeling that there was absolutely no escape for him today.
"Grand Elder, please — look… Ruozeng is still young. If there's anything wrong, I will naturally punish him myself. But this medicinal punishment… isn't it a bit too severe?"
Seeing that Kong Xuanlian still had no intention of letting Kong Ruozeng off, Kong Ruozeng's father had no choice but to personally speak up and plead.
"Now that disaster looms, you finally think to apologize? Who spoiled you into being so insolent?" Kong Xuanlian pointed at Kong Ruozeng and demanded, then turned to Kong Ruozeng's father and said: "Kong Yao, as Kong Ruozeng's father, do you have an answer for me regarding this matter?"
"It's my fault — I failed as a father. Grand Elder, if anyone is to be punished, then punish me," Kong Yao suddenly dropped to his knees, actually offering to take the punishment in his son's place.
"You fool — have you lived so many years and still don't understand the principle that guilt cannot be borne by another?" Kong Xuanlian said furiously.
"Grand Elder, I understand the principle perfectly. It's just that Ruozeng is still young — I'm afraid he can't endure something as harsh as the medicinal punishment. So… please, show mercy and let me take it in his stead."
"Truly incorrigible. No wonder Kong Ruozeng is so ignorant — this is all the consequence of a father like you failing to educate him properly."
"Fine, fine, fine. Since you want to be punished, then today you two — father and son — will be punished together," Kong Xuanlian declared.
Whoosh— The instant Kong Xuanlian finished speaking, his arm swept outward, and a wave of oppressive might descended like ropes, binding Kong Ruozeng and his father so tightly that they couldn't move, their cultivation completely sealed.
"Guards — drag them both out and administer the medicinal punishment immediately. Anyone who dares to disobey will share their fate," Kong Xuanlian said.
After Kong Xuanlian's command, not a single person dared to disobey. Before long, two elders responsible for carrying out punishments stepped forward and dragged Kong Ruozeng and his father away.