In the courtyard behind the Five Directions Trading Company's headquarters, Hua Youmeng, Gao Hong, and the others wore expressions of stunned disbelief. Compared to Lu Tianfeng's fawning behavior, what they cared about far more was Yang Kai's true identity — why had the commander of Purple Star City's demeanor changed so drastically after just a brief meeting with him inside?
They hadn't absorbed a single word of the flattering remarks Lu Tianfeng kept spouting afterward. Their heads were simply buzzing.
"Earlier there was a bit of a misunderstanding," Lu Tianfeng declared solemnly, thumping his chest in assurance. "My foolish subordinates seem to have heard some baseless rumor from who-knows-where and mistakenly believed there were troublemakers here. Without investigating the facts, they came to make arrests, causing varying degrees of damage and destruction to your company's personnel and property. President Hua, rest assured — as the Guard Commander, I will absolutely not tolerate this kind of thing. I will deal with this matter severely and give you a satisfactory resolution."
"Um…" Hua Youmeng forced a smile. "This matter isn't entirely Deputy Commander Bai's fault. We bear some responsibility ourselves."
At her words, Bai Zhengchu's eyes instantly brimmed with tears of gratitude, staring at Hua Youmeng with a look that said he would gladly lay down his life for her.
"Is that so?" Lu Tianfeng raised an eyebrow, carefully glancing toward the private room before continuing at an unhurried pace. "Since President Hua is so understanding…"
"Hmph!" A cold snort immediately rang out from inside the private room.
Lu Tianfeng's expression turned stern. "Even if President Hua is understanding, the fact remains that they committed a fault and must be punished. As members of the Purple Star City Guard, if they cannot hold themselves to strict standards, then what right do they have to serve as guards? If they can barge in at the slightest provocation, smashing things and injuring people, then what about the tens of thousands of trading companies in Purple Star City — are they supposed to just close up shop? Deputy Commander Bai, what do you say?"
Bai Zhengchu needed no further telling that he had kicked an iron plate this time. He stepped forward with a mournful face, bowing low. "This subordinate handled this matter poorly. I ask the Commander to punish me, and I beg President Hua to be magnanimous and not hold it against me."
Hua Youmeng hastily stepped aside, saying she wouldn't dare.
Lu Tianfeng spoke with righteous indignation. "You were blind and insolent, offending President Hua and the Five Directions Trading Company. My punishment is that you will serve one month of solitary confinement in the Cold Prison. Do you accept?"
"The Cold Prison!" Bai Zhengchu's body shuddered, and his face went white.
Just moments ago, he had been talking about throwing Xia Jingwu and the others into the Cold Prison. He never imagined that in the blink of an eye, that very fate would befall him instead. As one of the eight Deputy Commanders, he understood all too well the horrors of that place.
The Cold Prison was a land of eternal ice and freezing temperatures. No matter how powerful one's cultivation, once imprisoned there, all of one's Holy Origin would be frozen solid. That meant inside the Cold Prison, one could only rely on physical strength alone to withstand the bone-piercing cold.
But without Holy Origin's protection, how many martial artists could endure that?
One month — that was practically a death sentence!
"Hmm?" Lu Tianfeng glared angrily when he saw the hesitation.
"Accept, accept! We accept!" Bai Zhengchu shrank his neck and nodded repeatedly.
"Good. But that is only the punishment for striking people. You also damaged the Five Directions Trading Company's buildings and merchandise… Let's see. Hand over all your Space Rings."
At Lu Tianfeng's words, who would dare resist even slightly? One by one, they looked as though their parents had died, each removing the Space Ring from their finger and handing it over to Lu Tianfeng.
Lu Tianfeng chuckled, then held out the fistful of rings toward Hua Youmeng. "President Hua, please be magnanimous and don't hold this against these fools any further. This is their compensation for your medical expenses."
"Commander Lu…" Hua Youmeng was thoroughly dazed. Facing that dazzling array of Space Rings, she didn't know whether to take them or not, completely at a loss.
"President Hua, please do not decline." Lu Tianfeng's expression was earnest, his face filled with pleading as he gazed at her.
The person inside that private room was still watching. If he handled this poorly, he'd probably lose his position as Guard Commander.
Xia Jingwu stepped forward at that point, chuckling as he bowed and cupped his fists toward Lu Tianfeng. "Since Commander Lu himself is presiding over justice, the Five Directions Trading Company naturally gives its full cooperation. Thank you, Commander Lu — your sense of honor is admirable, and this subordinate is deeply impressed!"
"Think nothing of it, think nothing of it…" Lu Tianfeng seized the chance to press the bundle of Space Rings into Hua Youmeng's hands, quietly wiping the cold sweat from his forehead. He figured the matter was finally settled — not perfect, perhaps, but at least it showed where he stood.
"What are you still standing around for? Get to the Cold Prison and accept your punishment!" Lu Tianfeng barked at Bai Zhengchu and the others.
"Yes, yes!" Bai Zhengchu and his men scattered like birds and beasts, fleeing this place that had become a living nightmare for them.
Only after every last subordinate had disappeared did Lu Tianfeng turn around, cup his fists toward the private room, and say with an apologetic grin, "Sir, how do you feel about the way this was handled?"
Yang Kai's voice came from inside the room shortly after. "Commander Lu jests. Maintaining peace throughout the city and rewarding good while punishing evil — that is a commander's duty. If you're satisfied with it, that's all that matters. What does it have to do with me?"
Hearing this, Lu Tianfeng let out an immediate sigh of relief, knowing the other party would not be pursuing the matter any further. He bowed respectfully. "Sir's words are well taken. Then this subordinate will take his leave. Please rest well, Sir."
After speaking, he gave Hua Youmeng and the others a friendly nod before leisurely walking out.
Hua Youmeng, Gao Hong, Xia Jingwu, and Yao Qing Haitang all remained standing where they were, every one of them wearing the strangest expressions. Recalling the scenes that had just unfolded before their eyes, they all felt it was utterly unreal, as though they had been standing in a dream.