Chapter 20: Teaching the Younger Generation a Lesson
Editor: Atlas Studios
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Any Arcane Martial Clan had descendants of the clan who dedicated themselves to contributing to the family. Naturally, it was also possible for some scumbags to appear among the clansmen. Fortunately, the clan rules of the Wang Clan were rather strict. With the glory of their ancestors and the pressure of the clan's difficult survival, most of the clansmen were conscientious in their duty.
On the other hand, the eighth generation of the clan had produced a good-for-nothing bastard.
"Fourth Brother, you're the patriarch now. It's not appropriate for you to get involved," Wang Shouyi said with a cold expression. "Wait for a moment. I'll be back soon."
With that, he stormed out.
Not long after, Wang Shouyi dragged in a young man in his twenties. The young man's face was bruised and swollen from being beaten, and he cried, "Second uncle, I'm wrong. I really know I'm wrong. Please spare me this once. Don't tell my father!"
"You little bastard." Wang Shouyi was furious. He kicked the young man so hard that he rolled a few times on the ground. "You've already fallen to such a state, and you still refuse to reflect on yourself. You have the face to beg for mercy. You want me to cover up for you?"
"Ouch!"
The young man howled a few times. Just as he was about to cry and beg some more, he suddenly looked up and saw a young man with extraordinary bearing, sitting upright staring at him expressionlessly.
The young man's body shook immediately, as if he had been struck by lightning. His eyes revealed an apocalyptic fear. "Fourth-fourth Uncle! You-you-you-you…" His body swayed and he was about to faint. At a time like this, he'd rather run into his father than Fourth Uncle.
His father would at most give him a vicious beating. He would get out and be able to act brazenly again after being locked up for a few months.
But this…
"How much did you lose?" Wang Shouzhe asked apathetically.
"This little bastard. He's only been here for more than a month, but he already owes the gambling house 20 gold. In addition to the private savings his mother gave him and the Small Essence Enhancing Pill that he sold privately, he's lost a total of 40 gold!" Wang Shouyi's anger was boiling. In this fish stall of the clan, 20 to 30 staff had to work hard for a year to earn over 200 gold for their hard work.
This brat, however, somehow lost 40 gold gambling. That was enough money to purchase four "Small Essence Enhancing Pills".
"Fourth Uncle, I'm wrong. I'm really wrong." The young man collapsed to the ground and kowtowed to Wang Shouzhe non-stop. "I beg Fourth Uncle to give me another chance."
"Chance? You've already been given too many chances," Wang Shouyi said furiously. "The clan originally wanted you to work for your big brother at the Flourishing Silkworm Farm and learn some skills properly. But look at you. You hang out with a bad crowd of friends all day long and even dare to harass women from upstanding families! Then, your grandfather and your mother pleaded for leniency and allowed you to work in your Sixth Uncle's fleet. However, you found the toil too much for you and secretly ran to my place instead. I was wrong, I really shouldn't have taken you in! The mesmerizing world of Changning Wei has caused you to lose your way."
Wang Shouzhe pondered for a moment before saying slowly, "Zongwei, you are the eldest son of the Zong generation. You should be the role model for the younger siblings in the family, but unexpectedly, you turned out to be so unbecoming. Originally, you are the son of my older brother, and my older brother should be the one to discipline you. However, as a descendant of the main lineage, I, Wang Shouzhe, have humbly received the honor of becoming the patriarch, and have the authority and obligation to discipline incompetent clansmen."
"Fourth-fourth Uncle!" Wang Zongwei collapsed from fear. "For the sake of my father, my-my-my great-grandfather…"
"How about this? Since you like to gamble, Fourth Uncle will gamble with you," Wang Shouzhe said expressionlessly. He took out a piece of gold and pinched it in his palm. "Let's bet on which of my hands the gold is in. If you bet correctly, we'll take it as if nothing happened today. If you lose, I won't make things difficult for you. I'll just take a hand from you. For the sake of your great-grandfather, you can be a leech in the clan in peace in the future."
"What?" Wang Zongwei was so frightened that his tears stopped. "F-Fourth Uncle, I'm not betting. I'm not betting."
"Fourth…" Wang Shouyi's expression changed. Just as he was about to plead for leniency, Wang Shouzhe waved his hand and stopped him. He said coldly," Even if Second Old Master Wang Xiaohui, your grandfather Wang Dingchuan and your father Wang Shouxin were here today, it's useless. "
Wang Shouyi shuddered and subconsciously shut his mouth, not daring to plead for leniency anymore.
Although they were both members of the Wang Clan and brothers of the Shou generation, Wang Shouzhe was the main descendant of the Wang Clan. Furthermore, he was the current patriarch of the Wang Clan, who had been doted on by Ancestor Longyan since he was young. How could they be equals?
To the Wang Clan, even ten bastards like Wang Zongwei put together had less importance than a single finger from Wang Shouzhe.
After intimidating Wang Shouyi, Wang Shouzhe continued to stare at Wang Zongwei. In an incomparably cold voice, he said, "If you don't want to bet, Fourth Uncle will take it that you admit defeat. Extend your hand."
"No, no, no. I'll bet. I'll bet," Wang Zongwei said agitatedly. "I bet that the gold is in Fourth Uncle's right hand."
"Heh…" A cold glint flashed across Wang Shouzhe's eyes. He slowly opened his empty right palm. "Zongwei, you've lost."
"No, no! Fourth Uncle, give me one more chance. One more chance!" Wang Zongwei howled hysterically. "It's in your left hand. The gold is in Fourth Uncle's left hand."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure, I'm sure!"
Wang Shouzhe slowly opened the palm of his left hand. It was still empty. His stare landed on Wang Zongwei like a sharp blade. "Zongwei, be a man of honor. If you're willing to bet, you must be willing to admit defeat. Wang Zhong and Wang Yong!"
"Yes, Patriarch."
The two clan guards stepped out in response and lifted up the paralyzed Wang Zongwei. His face was ashen and he was trembling. He could only say, "Fourth Uncle, spare me, spare me."
Clang!
Wang Shouzhe unsheathed his sword, and a cold light flashed.
Wang Shouyi could no longer bear to watch and turned his head away.
Swoosh!
Wang Shouzhe slashed with his sword. The sword light flashed, and in the next moment, the sharp sword was returned to its sheath.
"Ah—" Wang Zongwei screamed hysterically. "My hand, my hand, it's gone, it's gone…" The smell of urine filled the air.
The two clan guards Wang Zhong and Wang Yong dropped him in disdain, their faces filled with contempt. This Young Master Zong Wei and Patriarch were both descendants of Patriarch Zhouxuan's bloodline. Why was the difference so huge? This Wang Zongwei was already 20 years old, even two years older than the patriarch.
Wang Shouyi rushed forward and broke his howl with a slap. He said angrily and disdainfully, "All right, stop howling. You disgraceful mutt. Hurry up and thank your Fourth Uncle."
"Hand, my… still here, still here…" Wang Zongwei cried out in surprise, tears and mucus streaming down his face. Then, he thanked Wang Shouzhe profusely." Thank you, Fourth Uncle. Thank you. I will definitely… definitely be good and turn over a new leaf. "
"Remember, you owe me one hand. I'll reserve the right to take it back at any time. In addition, all your cultivation resources and remuneration will be temporarily stripped away and transferred to… uh, transferred to Wang Luotong." Wang Shouzhe did not want to see him anymore. He turned around and left, and the two clan guards hurriedly followed.
"Thank you, Fourth Uncle. Thank you, Fourth Uncle." How could Wang Zongwei dare to refute? He kowtowed repeatedly.
Wang Shouyi glared fiercely at Wang Zongwei and hurriedly caught up to Wang Shouzhe. He sighed and said, "Fourth Brother, I know you want to teach that little bastard Zongwei a lesson, but…"
"But what?" Wang Shouzhe sneered. "Could it be that Second Grandpa or Big Brother will want to win a round for him?"
"I'm not worried about Grandfather and Big Brother." Wang Shouyi said helplessly, "As you know, Eldest Sister-in-law, Madam Xu, comes from the direct bloodline of the Xu Clan of Changning. She's pampered since she was young, and her personality is somewhat, um… Zongwei deserves to have his resources stripped away by you. She can't find fault with that. However, if you transfer the resources to Sister Luotong, I'm afraid Eldest Sister-in-law will take the opening to cause trouble."
"Regardless of whether Eldest Sister-in-law was from the Xu or the Liu Clan, she belongs to the Wang Clan now," Wang Shouzhe said calmly. "I believe that coming from a powerful noble clan, Eldest Sister-in-law must be a well-educated and reasonable person. Sooner or later, she will understand my good intentions."
Wang Shouyi opened his mouth but hesitated. He understood that although his sister-in-law, Madam Xu, was shrewish, she might not really dare to go against Shouzhe. Most of his worries were abated.
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-- Gift
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