Chapter 35
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Chapter 35: The Threatening Stick
The next morning, before the bell rang at the hour of the snake, Wang Chen arrived at Wei Hall B Ten.
The outer sect headquarters of the Yunyang Sect had established dozens of Wei Halls, each named in the format of "A, B, C, D + number."
Wei Hall B Ten was about ten miles away from Wang Chen’s home.
From the outside, this Wei Hall resembled a small fortress, constructed from extremely hard green stone, with walls towering over fifty feet high.
The interior was designed entirely for defense, complete with watch posts, lookout towers, arrow towers, and all necessary fortifications.
The most striking feature was undoubtedly the radiant pillar standing atop the lookout tower.
Crafted from polished white gemstones, the pillar was as thick as a water bucket and about thirty feet tall, with a Sky-Watching Hound perched on top.
The stone hound stood in a fierce pose, its mouth open as if silently roaring at the sky.
This radiant pillar was also a large magical artifact.
It could absorb sunlight during the day and automatically illuminate the entire Wei Hall and its surroundings at night.
It served as the most prominent landmark after dark, guiding travelers on their way home.
Additionally, the light from the pillar had the power to deter and drive away Evil Spirits, though its range was limited and its destructive power not particularly strong.
However, this was not the pillar’s primary function.
In the event of an overwhelming threat, the cultivators stationed at the lookout tower could use the pillar to send out a warning.
Wang Chen vividly remembered seeing beams of light piercing the sky several years ago.
It was said that the gray-eyed thieves had suddenly attacked the Yunyang outer sect that night, prompting multiple Wei Halls to simultaneously request aid from the headquarters.
That memory still lingered clearly in his mind.
After presenting his summons to the guarding cultivators, Wang Chen was allowed to enter Wei Hall B Ten without issue.
Inside the Wei Hall’s training ground, dozens of cultivators had already gathered.
Some he recognized by name, while others looked somewhat familiar.
Most of them were young.
Wang Chen secretly used Spirit Eye and discovered that they were all at mid-level Qi Training, with levels ranging from four to six.
“Wang Xiaoge?”
As Wang Chen was observing, a rough voice suddenly called out from beside him.
He turned to see, “Tie Niu Ge!”
It was none other than Wang Tie Niu, who had once hired him to eliminate a land rhinoceros.
Wang Tie Niu looked surprised to see Wang Chen, “You were summoned too?”
Wang Chen nodded, “I was summoned to the Fourth Night Patrol Team.”
Wang Tie Niu scratched his head, “I’m in the Ninth Team.”
He was puzzled as to how someone as young as Wang Chen, with a relatively low cultivation level, could be chosen as a night watcher.
Wang Tie Niu sighed regretfully, "It’s a pity we’re not in the same team; otherwise, I could have taken care of you."
He was a man of loyalty, and his cultivation level was quite impressive, truly qualifying him to look after Wang Chen.
Wang Chen chuckled, "I’m sure I’ll have to trouble you, Brother Tie Niu, in the future."
"Just come to me when that time comes."
Wang Tie Niu thumped his chest, declaring, "Anything I can do, I’ll do it without hesitation!"
He felt deeply grateful to Wang Chen.
If it weren’t for Wang Chen’s assistance in clearing the land rhinoceros, he would have had to pay double the spirit stones for the flags.
Although Wang Chen had also received spirit stones, Wang Tie Niu found him quite agreeable and even regretted that his sister was too young.
Otherwise, he would have been a great match!
Dong—
As they were speaking, the sound of the Dingyang Bell from Yunshan City echoed in the distance.
The hour of the snake had arrived.
A burly man appeared on the training ground, his eyes scanning the surroundings as he bellowed, "Silence!"
His voice, though not loud, resonated like thunder in everyone’s ears.
It was soul-shaking!
The training ground immediately fell silent, and everyone was as quiet as a cicada in winter.
This man’s aura was formidable, and even with his entry-level Spirit Eye, Wang Chen couldn’t discern his true cultivation level.
But he was absolutely certain that the man was a high-level Qi Training cultivator.
"I am Li Wu Ji, the Captain of Wei Hall B Ten."
The man’s cold gaze swept over the crowd as he continued, "I will now call the roll. Those whose names are called, step forward!"
He waved his hand.
A cultivator from Wei Hall appeared, holding a roster.
“Lu Wu!”
“Here!”
“Zhang Xing An!”
“Here!”
“Lu Xiaohu!”
The cultivators whose names were called stepped forward one by one.
“Jiang Cong!”
“Jiang Cong?”
When the name "Jiang Cong" was called, there was no response.
The cultivators of Wei Hall called out the names three times.
Yet, there was no response.
Li Wu Ji’s expression turned as cold as still water, and with a wave of his hand, he signaled to move on.
After the roll call, it was clear that out of eighty summoned individuals, only seventy-seven had arrived.
Three were missing!
Li Wu Ji stood on the training ground, his hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the clear sky.
He remained silent, casting a heavy atmosphere over the summoned individuals present.
Anxiety filled the air as no one dared to move, fearing they might be the next to be singled out.
After about the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, three young men hurriedly arrived at Wei Hall.
Seeing the scene at the training ground, they immediately sensed trouble.
One of the young men, mustering his courage, bowed to Li Wu Ji and began, “Captain, we…”
“Silence!”
Li Wu Ji’s face darkened instantly: “Seize them! Each is to receive thirty strikes!”
He offered no chance for explanation, showing no leniency.
Three fierce cultivators from Wei Hall immediately pounced, ruthlessly sealing the powers of the three individuals.
Then, they were knocked down one by one!
One cultivator fetched a water-fire stick.
The other two turned the latecomers onto their stomachs.
They pulled down their pants, exposing their bare buttocks!
“Ha!”
The cultivator wielding the stick sneered and swung it, striking one of the round, exposed buttocks.
Smack!
“Ah!”
The victim screamed in agony, his eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets!
Wang Chen’s eyelids twitched, and he instinctively tightened his muscles.
Smack! Smack! Smack!
The stick was relentless.
In moments, the victim’s buttocks were a bloody mess, a sight too gruesome to bear.
His screams could be heard clearly from three miles away!
By the time the thirty strikes were completed, he had lost at least half his vitality.
Then it was the turn of the second and third individuals.
The sounds of punishment echoed one after another.
Only after the sentences were carried out did Li Wu Ji speak: “The first rule of being a night watcher is punctuality and obedience. Those who defy orders will face severe consequences!”
“Assemble in three days at the hour of the monkey.”
With that, he turned and left.
Everyone exchanged glances—was that all?
Until someone nearby shouted, “Line up here to select techniques and receive your gear!”
The crowd surged forward.
As for the three moaning on the ground, no one paid them any heed.
They could only painfully pull out healing powder and Healing Pills, struggling to crawl to a corner to treat themselves.
Their pitiful state was indescribable.
But no one cast a sympathetic glance their way, not even Wang Chen.
This punishment was entirely self-inflicted.
However, Wang Chen realized that being summoned to the Night Patrol Team meant he couldn’t afford to make mistakes lightly.
Otherwise, these individuals who were beaten would serve as the best example!
He lined up properly, selecting two mid-level Qi Training spells and receiving a set of night watcher equipment.
Then he went home.
