When Lee Nianzu and Xiao Mei arrived at Mayor Lim's grand residence, a liveried servant immediately brought them to the opulent guest hall. Leader Hu and Leader Yi were already seated, their expressions stern, as were the esteemed Mayor Lim and Lim Peizhi, their faces calm and authoritative.
Lee Nianzu greeted everyone politely, bowing slightly. "Greeting seniors," he said, his voice respectful.
Lim Peizhi smiled, a warm, welcoming gesture. "Sit down, young hunters," he invited.
"Thank you, General Lim," Lee Nianzu replied, taking a seat beside Xiao Mei.
Lim Peizhi looked at the people sitting in the main guest hall, his gaze sweeping over them. "There seems to be some misunderstandings between the three sectors, a regrettable incident. Since the misunderstanding happened here in Waterfall City, under my jurisdiction, I will judge it fairly and impartially." He looked directly at Lee Nianzu and then at Yi Guozhi. "Which one of you wants to tell us your story first, to present your side?"
Lee Nianzu, ever diplomatic, said, "Since Brother Yi is older, I will let him share his side of the story first, out of respect."
Mayor Lim affirmed, his voice resonating with authority, "Childe Yi, you can talk first. Please proceed."
Yi Guozhi, his face contorted with indignation, began, "We got news from a disciple that Dingxiang was gravely injured. We rushed to the Inn, concerned for his safety. Then, without provocation, Guozhao Zhiqiang suddenly started to attack us, completely unhinged, and injured many of our disciples, causing widespread chaos."
Lim Peizhi was visibly confused, a slight frown on his face. He had watched Guozhao Zhiqiang grow up, knew his character well, and understood his principles. If Guozhao Zhiqiang attacked someone, the other party must have provoked him, deeply. But at the same time, as everyone's host and the city's General who upholds the law, he had to be fair and unbiased. He said, his voice calm, "It's not that I am partial to one side, Leader Yi, but I know Zhiqiang well. Unless someone provokes him, he will not attack anyone carelessly or without reason."
Leader Yi retorted, his voice sharp with accusation, "Listening to what you said, General Lim, it seems that you have already taken a side, showing favoritism!"
Mayor Lim interjected smoothly, "Leader Yi, Peizhi doesn't mean that. I know that Zhiqiang may be a stubborn person, set in his ways, but he will not act recklessly for no reason. There must be a cause."
Zhou Caihong, her face pale with lingering fear and anger, added, "This time he did, General Lim! Dingxiang was taken hostage; he aimed his attacks directly at Dingxiang, showing no regard for his life!"
"We have witnesses, many of them, to confirm everything we've said," Yi Guozhi stated, his voice firm, confident in his account.
Mayor Lim looked at Lee Nianzu and Xiao Mei, his gaze expectant. He said, "Nianzu, what is your side of the story? Please tell us everything."
Lee Nianzu stood up from the chair, his posture calm and respectful, his voice clear and steady. "Seniors, our Senior Brother may have been a bit reckless this time, acting out of extreme distress, but his purpose has never been against Snow Sector disciples nor Golden Gate disciples. Childe Yi and Lady Zhou did not mention that a man in black, a stranger to us, tried to attack a person we had just saved, a vulnerable individual named Deming. This man in black, who appeared to be an enemy of Senior Brother, exchanged words with him. Senior Brother was visibly and profoundly angry with the man in black, a rage we have rarely seen. That's how the battle between our three sectors began, a tragic misunderstanding. Childe Hu was indeed taken hostage by the man in black, and Senior Brother did aim at the man in black, ignoring the immediate safety of Childe Hu, because his focus was solely on the man who threatened Deming."
Xiao Mei added, her voice calm and precise, "The original intention of Senior Brother's attack was never at the disciples of the two sectors. They were worried about the safety of Childe Hu, and understandably so, which is why they began to attack our Senior Brother, trying to protect their own."
"Childe Hu is also here, Seniors," Lee Nianzu offered, gesturing towards Hu Dingxiang, "you can ask him to confirm what we just said, to verify our account."
Mayor Lim laughed, a hearty, understanding sound. "No need to confirm, young hunters, I fully understand the situation now. It seems that both sides have indeed misunderstood the events, acting on incomplete information."
Leader Yi mocked, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "Then... Since it's a misunderstanding, General Lim, should we just let it go? No consequences for such an outburst?"
Lim Peizhi stated, his voice firm, "Leader Yi, since it is a misunderstanding, a tragic series of errors, we will not punish Zhiqiang for malicious intent. His actions were driven by a misguided defense."
Yi Guozhi scoffed angrily, a sound of bitter resentment. "Hmph… I figured as much. Favoritism!"
Lim Peizhi looked at everyone in the guest hall, his gaze unwavering. "But since he hurt the disciples of two sectors, regardless of intent, he will be punished. Zhiqiang has to stand for three days without eating or drinking, reflecting on his mistakes on the training ground, a penance for his loss of control."
Lim Junjie, unable to contain himself, barged into the hall, his face flushed with indignation. "Uncle…! That's not fair!"
"That's the order, Junjie," Lim Peizhi said, his voice sharp, cutting off his nephew.
Lim Junjie looked at Yi Guozhi, his eyes blazing. He gritted his teeth and muttered frantically, "Guozhi, you'll pay for this!"
Lim Peizhi said sharply, "Junjie, you have to be good. Control your temper." He turned to the two Guozhao hunters. "You agree to this punishment, Nianzu, Xiao Mei?"
"Yes, Senior Lim," Lee Nianzu replied, bowing slightly, accepting the judgment.
Lim Peizhi looked at the people in the guest hall and asked, his voice clear, "Is there anyone who disagrees with this punishment?"
Leader Hu, ever pragmatic, said, "I agree with the punishment, General Lim. It is fair. But what if the three masters of Cloud City disagree? Then what happens?"
Lim Peizhi looked at the two leaders, a confident smile on his face. "I will answer them directly, Leader Hu. If Chief Hu and Chief Yi don't mind, please send someone to guard Zhiqiang to ensure that he finishes the punishment, a testament to our impartiality."
Zhou Zhong said, his voice calm, "General Lim has always been fair. This is a fair punishment, a just resolution."
Yi Guozhi seemed dissatisfied with the punishment, his face still sullen. He looked at Zhou Zhong, "Uncle..."
"Enough, Yi Guozhi," Zhou Zhong interjected, his voice firm. He turned to Lim Peizhi. "Thank you, General Lim, for your wisdom."
A maid walked in, her steps light. "Mayor Lim, lunch is ready," she announced.
Mayor Lim said, his voice genial, "The misunderstanding is resolved, let's go to lunch, everyone." Mayor Lim led the two sectors and their people out of the guest hall, heading towards the dining area.
Lim Peizhi was about to leave but turned to look at Lim Junjie, who was still fuming, angry at his uncle's decision. He asked, his voice gentle, "Child, what's wrong with you? Why are you so upset?"
Lim Junjie frowned, his frustration evident. "Uncle, why do you only punish Zhiqiang? It's not fair!"
"Oh... who else do you think I should punish, Junjie?" Lim Peizhi asked, his voice calm, probing.
"Yi Guozhi!" Lim Junjie frantically said, his voice sharp with indignation.
"What did Childe Yi do wrong, Junjie?" Lim Peizhi asked, his expression unreadable.
Lim Junjie frantically said, his voice trembling with anger, "That Guozhi… he... he calls me a half-breed! He insulted me!"
Lim Peizhi laughed, a deep, knowing chuckle. "He was right when he said that you are a half-breed, Junjie."
Lim Junjie turned his back to Lim Peizhi, his shoulders slumping in hurt. "So, do you agree with him, Uncle?"
Lim Peizhi smiled, a warm, encouraging expression. "Junjie, you are a mixed race, a blend of two powerful lineages. You should be proud, because you have more tricks up your sleeves, more adaptability, than a normal person, more perspectives. In addition," he patted Lim Junjie gently on the left shoulder, "this is also part of your training. Generally speaking, temperament control is very important for a leader. One day, you will become the general of Waterfall City. You will lead thousands of soldiers; a bad temper will lead to failure, to unnecessary casualties. Do you understand, my boy?"
"I understand," Lim Junjie frowned, still a little sullen but accepting the wisdom.
Lee Nianzu smiled at Lim Junjie, a gentle, understanding expression, and tried his best to comfort the boy. "Junjie, Senior Lim is right. Control is power."
Lim Peizhi looked at Lim Junjie, a proud glint in his eye. "Take Nianzu as an example, Junjie. See how calm he is during the most intense quarrel, how he maintains his composure. If you have half the temperament control of Nianzu, I will die happily, knowing you will be a great leader." He smiled warmly at Nianzu.
Lee Nianzu said, his voice resonating with principle, "Fairness is impartiality, General Lim. If one day you become a general, you must love all your soldiers like your own son, regardless of their background or origin. Only then will they be willing to give their lives to protect and defend your orders, fighting for you, not just for a title."
Lim Peizhi laughed, a hearty, appreciative sound. "Tsk… tsk… tsk… Nianzu, you are a true disciple of Baiyu and Yueliang, embodying their wisdom. Let's go eat, I'm starving!"
"Senior Lim," Lee Nianzu said, stopping him, "we are going back to the inn now. We were about to go on a hunting trip, but this happened, delaying our plans."
Lim Peizhi offered, a thoughtful suggestion, "Maybe take Junjie with you. He has studied military strategy and tactics but has no practical hunting experience. It would be good for him."
Lee Nianzu replied, accepting the new companion, "Junjie, we will be waiting for you at the front door of the inn."
"I'll go pack my bags and meet you two at the entrance stair, then!" Lim Junjie said, his mood instantly brightened by the prospect of adventure. He quickly left the room, eager for the hunt.
"Senior Lim, we are leaving now," Lee Nianzu said, bowing respectfully.
Lee Nianzu and Xiao Mei left the guest hall, leaving Lim Peizhi alone. They met Lim Junjie at the front door of the mayor's residence, and the three returned to Sunrise Inn, ready for their hunting trip.
Standing in front of the stairs of the mayor's residence, their faces grim, were Yi Guozhi, Sien Ye, and Lu He.
Lu He asked, his voice low, "Senior Brother, shall we let them leave like this? Without further consequence?"
Yi Guozhi smirked, a cruel glint in his eyes. "No, Lu He. I want them to suffer the same humiliation as we did many years ago, when their First Master shamed us."
Sien Ye asked, a sinister curiosity in his voice, "What are you planning to do, Senior Brother?"
Yi Guozhi smiled, a cold, calculating expression. "I will volunteer to watch the tough black hunter, Guozhao, stand for three days without food or water. I will enjoy every moment of his suffering."
Sien Ye laughed, a harsh, unpleasant sound. "I want to see when the black hunter crawls out of the training ground on his hands and knees, begging for mercy!"
Yi Guozhi said, his voice filled with malicious glee, "Or perhaps, we can make him stand longer, and continue to reflect on his mistakes, prolonging his torment." He sneered, a promise of future cruelty in his eyes.