Chapter 16

In the market, the onlookers all changed their expressions and stepped back.

A black shadow flickered before the crowd and instantly joined the battle.

This was a burly man with a full beard. He was taken aback when he saw the spirit body, which still refused to give up and continued to throw punches. However, he only hesitated for a moment before he swung his fist at a distance.

This punch seemed to have little power and made no sharp sound. However, after the punch, the entire space seemed to become scorching hot.

The spirit body controlled by Rong Kexiong underwent a significant change. Its body turned from white to red, and its feet seemed to weigh a thousand pounds, slowing down its speed. However, the master's command was supreme, and it still did not give up on Rong Yitie, slowly moving toward him.

The burly man grunted in anger and threw another punch.

This time, he did not hold back. The surging power of the punch roared through the air, and the spirit body's head burst like a ripe watermelon.

*Crack...*

As the head burst, the entire spirit body began to disintegrate, finally dissipating into the air.

Rong Kexiong's eyelids twitched involuntarily. He was shocked, realizing that summoning a spirit body was not such an extraordinary feat, as there were still people who could instantly defeat it.

"Brother Yitie, you came just in time." Rong Yitie, recognizing the newcomer, struggled to get up from the ground, surprised and delighted, and said, "Quickly catch those murderers and don't let them escape."

The burly man's brows furrowed slightly, and he said, "Brother Yitie, why do you look like this?"

Rong Yitie gritted his teeth and said, "It's all because of those murderers." He struggled to his feet and came to Rong Kexiong's side, carefully examining him before he felt relieved.

Although the boy's curse attack was powerful, it was not a true curse, but merely a concentrated explosion of spiritual energy, which could not take his son's life.

However, what puzzled him was that the boy was at most an early-stage Spirit Gatherer, yet his curse attack was so powerful that even the son of a mid-stage Warrior could not withstand it.

"Cough, cough." Rong Yiyang struggled to stand up, clasped his hands, and said, "I am Rong Yiyang, a direct descendant of the Rong family. I greet you, Chief Tiecheng."

Tiecheng, although not a member of the Rong family, had a high reputation within the family.

This was because he was a direct disciple of one of the Rong family's elders and had married a Rong family woman, making him almost half a Rong family member.

Moreover, he had served as an officer in the Discipline Hall for many years, with a reputation that far exceeded that of ordinary people.

Perhaps only the elite in the Spirit Hall could surpass him.

Tiecheng was slightly taken aback and asked, "You are also descendants of the Rong family?"

Rong Yiyang took out his identity token and said, "We are genuine Rong family descendants. Please, Chief Tiecheng, investigate clearly."

Tiecheng's expression softened, and he looked at both sides, frowning. "Since you are both Rong family descendants, why can't you resolve your issues without resorting to violence?"

He had served in the Discipline Hall for many years and had a keen eye. Seeing the stance of both sides, he knew they had already fought with real anger, determined to fight to the death.

Rong Yiyang's face turned slightly red, and he said, "Chief Tiecheng, this matter was entirely provoked by them..."

"Phew..." Rong Yitie roared in anger, "It was clearly you who forced a sale. As a disciple of the Discipline Hall, I had to intervene, and you dare to slander me. Hmph, you even severely injured my son. I will not let this go easily."

Rong Yiyang's face turned iron gray with anger, and he said, "You are making baseless accusations. We had already completed the transaction, and it was clearly you who coveted the goods, so..."

"Enough." Tiecheng growled, his sharp gaze sweeping over both sides.

Then, he looked around and his gaze fell on the stall owner.

The stall owner, being one of the parties involved, was guarding his stall, while the others had already moved far away, leaving him alone and very noticeable.

Seeing Tiecheng's gaze, his body trembled, and he tried to avoid it.

However, a large hand suddenly appeared before him, and Tiecheng had already come to his side.

"Are you the seller? What exactly happened? Tell me."

The stall owner's lips twitched, and his eyes darted around the scene, looking fearful.

Tiecheng's brows furrowed deeply, and he said, "I am Chief Tiecheng of the Discipline Hall. Whatever happened, you must tell the truth, and I will ensure your safety."

The stall owner's throat moved a few times, and he said, "You, you are from the Discipline Hall?"

"Indeed." Tiecheng said calmly.

The stall owner glanced at both sides, thinking to himself that Rong Yitie was also a disciple of the Discipline Hall and seemed to be familiar with Tiecheng. Moreover, he had given him a spirit coin. As for the other two, they had only given him five taels of silver.

With a firm resolve, the stall owner said, "Sir, it happened like this. I was selling items at my stall. These gentlemen all took an interest in one item and started bidding." He spoke faster and faster, pointing at Rong Yiyang, "This gentleman offered five taels of silver, but..." He turned his wrist and pointed at Rong Yitie, "This gentleman offered a spirit coin."

"Wow, a spirit coin."

"What item could be worth a spirit coin?"

The crowd in the market was immediately in an uproar. A spirit coin was no small amount.

Tiecheng's brows furrowed, and he said, "Silence."

His words were like a sudden thunderclap in the daytime, echoing in everyone's ears, causing their eardrums to throb.

Immediately, everyone fell silent, and no one dared to speak out of turn.

The stall owner, frightened, his legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground.

Rong Yiyang, although his body trembled, still stood firm and shouted, "You are lying."

Tiecheng's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he said, "Whether he is lying or not, I will judge. You, be quiet."

Rong Yiyang's face was full of resentment, but he did not dare to argue. Rong Kexiong suddenly raised his head, his heart filled with anger.

Tiecheng, however, did not even look at him, and with a light hum, said, "Continue."

The stall owner nodded rapidly and said, "Yes, yes, he forced five taels of silver into my hand and then took the item. After that, they started fighting."

Rong Yiyang laughed in anger and said slowly, "A pack of lies."

Tiecheng gave him a cold look, his gaze sweeping the crowd, and said, "Is this the truth? Does anyone have any objections?"

The crowd all lowered their eyes, not daring to meet Tiecheng's gaze.

Although some knew the truth, thinking of Rong Yitie's reputation and his capable eldest son, they suppressed their sense of justice.

To offend such two local tyrants for some unrelated people was not a wise move.

Tiecheng turned his head, his gaze cold, and said, "Do you have anything to say?"

Rong Yiyang took a deep breath and said, "Chief Tiecheng, I swear by the honor of a direct descendant of the Rong family that before Rong Yitie and his son arrived, we had already completed the transaction with this stall owner and bought the item for five taels of silver. However, when Rong Yitie and his son arrived, they tried to take the item by force." He glared at the stall owner and said, "This person received a spirit coin from Rong Yitie, so he is greedy and speaks for them. Hmph, how can you have a conscience, twisting the truth like this?"

The stall owner's face turned red, and he said stubbornly, "You are the one twisting the truth."

However, even as he said this, he felt a bit guilty.

Tiecheng's eyes flashed, and his brows furrowed again.

His keen eyes, combined with his years of experience and the poor reputation of Rong Yitie and his son, had already allowed him to piece together the events.

However, he now faced a problem.

Rong Yitie's family was powerful within the clan, while Rong Yiyang and his son had no influence. It was difficult for him to enforce the law impartially.

Although there had been a spirit body fighter, Tiecheng believed that Rong Yiyang and his son had used talismans to summon it.

If he knew that Rong Kexiong was a Spirit Gatherer, he would not have been so hesitant.

The market was silent, and everyone's eyes were on Tiecheng, waiting to see how he would handle the situation.

After a long pause, Tiecheng said clearly, "Rong Yitie, Rong Yiyang, you are both direct descendants of the Rong family. According to clan law, Rong family descendants must live in harmony and not insult, bully, or oppress each other."

Rong Yitie and Rong Yiyang both bowed their heads in agreement. This was indeed the law of the ancestors, although few followed it, no one dared to contradict it openly.

"Hmph, you fought over an item in the market, disgracing our Rong family." Tiecheng's face was dark, and he said, "I don't care what you were trying to take or why you had a conflict. Since you have disgraced the family, you must be punished." His eyes flashed, and he said coldly, "Are you convinced?"

Rong Yitie and Rong Yiyang, although they wished to kill each other, had to bow their heads before the famous Chief Tiecheng and said, "We are convinced."

The Discipline Hall had great power, and Tiecheng was one of the top officers. If they opposed him in public, it would be a challenge to the authority of the Rong family's Discipline Hall. In the end, they would lose, regardless of who was right or wrong.

However, just as everyone thought Tiecheng was about to resolve the matter, a clear, energetic voice suddenly rang out.

"I, am not convinced..."

Everyone was stunned, and Tiecheng's face darkened as he looked in the direction of the voice.

Rong Kexiong stepped forward, standing before his father. His not-so-tall figure seemed so tall at that moment.

"They, took by force and acted unreasonably. This is a disgrace to the Rong family, a disgrace to the Rong family. If you do not punish them strictly and instead indulge them, then... you, are also a sinner of the Rong family."

His voice echoed far and wide, resonating in the ears and hearts of the crowd.

Tiecheng was taken aback for a moment, then opened his mouth.

However, just as he was about to speak, another clear but somewhat delicate voice rang out.

"That's right, I, am not convinced..."