Chapter 116: Punishment

Chapter 116: The Punishment of the Four Black-Clad Youths

Upon hearing that Kui Hu knew the mastermind behind the four black-clad youths, everyone eagerly awaited his explanation. Kui Hu turned to Li Zhan and Qin Zhen and asked, “Du Jinlong—don’t you two know him?”

Li Zhan and Qin Zhen nodded faintly, indicating that they did not actually know him. Kui Hu found it odd that Qin Zhen and Li Zhan were unfamiliar with Du Jinlong, but he patiently clarified for everyone: “Du Jinlong is the young master from the second uncle’s household of Du Qingfeng. The two of them are regarded as the most outstanding young prodigies of the Du family’s younger generation.”

Upon hearing Kui Hu’s explanation, Li Zhan and Qin Zhen suddenly understood. It wasn’t that they didn’t know him; it was just that they hadn’t connected the full name. When at home, many called Du Jinlong simply Du Long, and his nickname was Poison Dragon.

Seeing the sudden realization on Li Zhan and Qin Zhen’s faces, Kui Hu asked, “Have you remembered now?”

Li Zhan nodded, while Qin Zhen spoke up, “Oh, so it’s that little Poison Dragon. His companions call him Du Long. We usually just called him Poison Dragon. Hardly anyone ever used his full name, so when you said Du Jinlong, I really couldn’t place him. I’ve never had any dealings with him, so Du Long is just a name I’ve heard a few times.”

Li Zhan also nodded beside Qin Zhen, signaling that he felt the same way.

Their conversation left those nearby—Li Hao, Zhen Ba, Ling Guanghan, Lin Xueyou, and Lu Yao—utterly perplexed, unable to grasp what they were discussing.

Noticing their friends’ bewilderment, Qin Zhen patiently explained, “Little Poison Dragon was the one who got taken down by Lord Du Qingfeng’s brother Tang on the very first day of registration. Tang’s cultivation level far exceeds Du Qingfeng’s.”

The four black-clad youths heard Qin Zhen’s words. The two youngest prodigies among them had already been beaten badly before, apparently by this group. Now, they were about to deal with the eldest one as well. None of them knew who these young prodigies truly were or why they dared to be so bold and possessed such overwhelming power. Regret only deepened in their hearts for provoking such a group of youthful killing gods.

At this moment, the four black-clad youths felt nothing but bitter despair.

Those unaware around Li Hao were deeply curious about what earth-shattering deeds Li Hao and his companions had previously accomplished. Those who understood the situation knew exactly what had happened.

Li Hao remarked, “So that’s it. Du Jinlong and Du Qingfeng really are no good!”

Everyone burst out laughing at Li Hao’s words. Lin Xueyou and Lu Yao covered their mouths, giggling quietly.

Qin Zhen chimed in, “Exactly! They’re even worse than the three of us brothers combined.”

Upon hearing this, Kui Hu mercilessly kicked Qin Zhen sharply on the backside and scolded, “How can you be so foolish, always digging up your own past? A dog’s mouth won’t spit out ivory.”

Qin Zhen, realizing he had spoken impulsively, felt embarrassed and argued with Kui Hu, “Brother Hu, isn’t it better to be honest about one’s past?”

Their childish banter brought a light-hearted joy to everyone present, eliciting faint smiles.

Li Hao interrupted their playful exchange and said, “Brother Hu, since their mastermind is an old acquaintance of yours, I’m entrusting this task to you. I’ve already promised the three of them that no physical harm will come to them. How you punish them from here on is up to you.”

Kui Hu, filled with excitement, replied to Li Hao, “I promise everyone will be satisfied. There will definitely be no violence.”

After this brief explanation, Li Hao turned to Ling Guanghan and asked, “Brother, shall we move somewhere quieter to talk?”

Ling Guanghan, impressed by the young man’s demeanor, agreed. In their brief encounter, he sensed a mysterious aura around Li Hao and many secrets that piqued his curiosity. He replied, “Very well, my lord, please lead the way.”

Li Hao smiled gently upon hearing this.

He then addressed those around him: “Sister Xueyou, little sister Yao, Brother Zhen Ba, let’s go!”

With that, Li Hao led the group soaring toward the towering cliff behind them, Ling Guanghan following closely. Left behind were Kui Hu, Li Zhan, and Qin Zhen, tasked with punishing the four black-clad youths for their misdeeds.

At the moment Li Hao and his group turned away, the sound of bones cracking echoed sharply, followed by pained, mournful cries.

It was obvious without a doubt that the four black-clad youths had their bones broken.

Having finished, Kui Hu said to the four youths, “This is just a small warning. If we meet again, it won’t be as simple as breaking an arm. Should you commit such despicable acts again, you must bear the consequences yourselves.”

The black-clad youths, their spirits shattered and pain stifled, responded weakly, “Y-yes!”

Kui Hu heard their promise and barked, “Scram!”

Hearing this, the four black-clad youths, as if struck by rain after a long drought, scrambled away in a frantic rush.

After they fled, Kui Hu, Li Zhan, and Qin Zhen quickly pursued Li Hao and the others. As Li Hao led them to the cliff’s summit, the three caught up.

Kui Hu asked, “My lord, you’re letting them go just like that? Shouldn’t we pay Du Jinlong a visit and teach him a lesson?”

Li Hao replied, “Such ungrateful and wicked behavior must be addressed. If we hadn’t seen it, we might have let it slide, but having witnessed it, we cannot stand idly by.”

After some thought, he continued, “Here’s the plan: we’ll chat as we quietly follow those four. They’re bound to report to Du Jinlong, and that’s when we’ll find him.”

“Excellent! That plan is clever indeed, and it won’t require much effort to uncover the mastermind,” Kui Hu agreed.

Concealed within the clouds, the eight of them accompanied the four black-clad youths. Clearly, the four had no inkling that someone was stealthily trailing them through the mist.

The leader of the black-clad youths urged the others, “Hurry up! We must report to Lord Long.”

After exchanging some polite words, Li Hao asked Ling Guanghan, “Brother, would you care to join us? It’s safer traveling together.”

Ling Guanghan gladly accepted, “I had planned to, but feared I might be a burden. Your warm invitation is truly my good fortune.”

Li Hao smiled, pleased to have gained another young companion. He then proceeded to introduce everyone to Ling Guanghan:

“This is Qin Zhen, young master of the Qin family from the Battle Palace. This is Li Zhan, young master of the Li family from the Battle Palace. This is Kui Hu, young master of the Kui family from the Battle Palace. This is Zhen Ba, young lord of the Liuguang Star Domain. This is Princess Lin Xueyou of the Saintly Book Palace. This is Little Princess Lu Yao from the Lujia Mountain Star Domain. I am Li Hao.”

Ling Guanghan listened, astonished at their identities—each more formidable than the last. His eyes widened, his mouth agape, overwhelmed and honored. His expression was a mixture of awe and disbelief.

Amid their introductions, Ling Guanghan had completely forgotten to introduce himself. To him, a small-town nobody, meeting such illustrious young prodigies was like reaching the heavens themselves. Yet today, he found himself among nobles, each with exalted titles.

Each of them was either the heir of a great family, a princess, or a regional young lord.

Compared to their status, his own was as faint as a firefly trying to rival the radiant moon—insignificant and pitiful. As an ordinary man, he felt a deep sense of shame in their presence.

However, Ling Guanghan possessed his own pride—the pride of a young prodigy. Despite their exalted backgrounds, which were granted by family heritage, he felt he lacked nothing compared to Li Hao and the others, save for a prestigious lineage.

After a brief moment of reflection, Ling Guanghan quickly composed himself and introduced, “I am Ling Guanghan. It is an honor to meet all the young lords and princesses.”

Everyone smiled faintly, acknowledging his greeting.

Ling Guanghan noticed that each young man was strikingly handsome, elegant and poised, while the women were ethereal beauties, seeming untouched by worldly dust.

Although Ling Guanghan himself was also handsome, his simple attire concealed his unique aura.

Li Hao had introduced everyone except himself, simply stating, “I am Li Hao.”

Ling Guanghan was puzzled as to why Li Hao declined to reveal his background.

Li Hao was always modest, disliking empty titles and backgrounds. Moreover, he was currently dependent on others and felt no right to boast of his origins. This only added to the mysterious aura surrounding him in Ling Guanghan’s eyes.

Ling Guanghan’s curiosity deepened: “Who exactly is this young man? Why has he gathered such powerful young prodigies around him? Their strength defies all reason, and their statuses are terrifying.”

About ten minutes after following the four black-clad youths, they descended onto a mountain cliff’s summit. After surveying the surroundings, they proceeded down into the valley below.