Chapter 328 - 37: A Silk Scarf to Hide the Shame?

When Zhang Deming found the person, he seemed to have made some kind of mistake and was being reprimanded.

Zhang Deming watched quietly from the side for a moment, then shook his head and turned to leave.

’He hid it well, but after so many years in the Outer Sect, how could I not spot the viciousness in his eyes, especially as a bystander?’

His disposition was too sinister. He wasn’t suitable, nor was he worth wasting resources and time on—not even as a test run.

The second target was a girl... Hmm... an older woman?

Fifty-nine years old, fifty-one years since her entry into the Sect, at the Apprentice Peak for many years, proficient in all the basic Three Skills. Her qualifications were... a little shabby.

In a world that valued looks, she was born at a disadvantage. Still, Zhang Deming went to take a look.

As a Female Cultivator in the Sect’s social circles, she would have had access to countless immortal-quality beautifying and skincare products.

A fifty-nine-year-old Female Cultivator at the Apprentice Stage could easily maintain the appearance of someone in their mid-twenties.

But for some reason, she already looked like a middle-aged woman. Hmm, or perhaps it was just her features; maybe she was just born to look old.

Combined with the fact that there was nothing particularly impressive about her, Zhang Deming ruled her out as well.

······

Just like that, Zhang Deming eliminated four candidates in a row. When he arrived at the area his fifth target frequented, he was taken aback.

The place was bustling with activity, drawing a sizable crowd of onlookers.

Zhang Deming moved closer for a look and saw his target arguing with someone else. A few members of the Law Enforcement Team stood nearby.

"Alright, since he was caught red-handed with the goods, let’s just handle this by the book." The leader of the four Law Enforcement Team members spoke as Zhang Deming arrived.

Zhang Deming watched, recognizing the familiar signs of a setup. It was a bit like the scheme Lu Ze had used to frame him back then.

This person, however, lacked Zhang Deming’s quick thinking and methods from that time.

"I didn’t steal anything from anyone!" Xu Weihai said, his expression turning grim.

"I don’t care if you stole it or not. You were caught red-handed; that can’t be faked. We’re busy every single day, so I can’t be bothered to waste my breath on your nonsense."

"Return the item, pick one of the two punishments, and let’s get this over with," the leader said impatiently.

Hearing this, Xu Weihai clenched his fists, holding them tight for a long moment before finally relaxing his hands.

Seeing this, the leader nodded. "Very well. Choose your punishment: caning or a contribution fine."

The person confronting Xu Weihai stood with his arms crossed, a faint, mocking smile on his face as he watched.

Zhang Deming was slightly taken aback. He knew what a "contribution fine" was—it was basically a monetary penalty, one of the most common punishments in the Outer Sect.

’But what’s this "caning"? A paddling? Although each Law Enforcement Team has its own methods for "private punishments"—penalties for minor offenses—isn’t this one a bit... eccentric?’

’Then again, it seems none of the Law Enforcement Teams’ private punishments are exactly normal. What was the one for the Spirit Nurturing Peak again...? A handstand parade?’

In any case, if you compiled all the private punishments from the various peaks and departments of the Celestial Spirit Sect, you’d discover that the Law Enforcement Teams put a ridiculous amount of thought and effort into them.

’How could they not? If the punishments weren’t humiliating enough, everyone would choose them, and where would the Law Enforcement Team’s side income come from? They’d become a completely broke and powerless department!’

"Ha, what terrible luck. He actually ran into Senior Brother Tong on duty!"

"It’s not that big of a deal. It’s just a spanking!"

"But they make you strip naked for it. That’s pretty humiliating, isn’t it?"

"What do you mean ’pretty’? People will be laughing about this for decades!"

"True enough!"

"That Senior Brother Tong really has a taste for secular methods. He must have been heavily influenced by his family."

"I’ve heard about that. I think Senior Brother Tong’s family was involved in the secular government."

"That Xu Weihai really never learns. Isn’t this the second time he’s been framed this year?"

"Heh, what can you do? It’s his own fault for wanting to learn Tai Chi."

"But isn’t his Talent only twenty-seven?"

"So what? Can’t a good-for-nothing have aspirations?"

······

A low murmur of discussion rose sporadically from the crowd.

Xu Weihai’s face was grim. After a long, difficult silence, he forced out the word, "Caning."

Hearing this, the team leader waved his hand. A bench formed of Spiritual Power materialized before him. "Then strip and lie down," he said.

Xu Weihai clenched and unclenched his fists, but in the end, he lay down on the bench, exposing his pale backside.

The two men beside the leader made a grasping motion with their hands, and two rods materialized in them.

’Judging by how practiced they looked, this was clearly not their first time.’

Just as the two were about to begin, Lu Ninghui, the one confronting Xu Weihai, spoke up. "Senior Brothers, please wait a moment."

The leader’s brow furrowed slightly. He glanced at Lu Ninghui and asked, "What is it? You have an objection?"

Lu Ninghui smiled and shook his head. "Not at all. I fully support your verdict, Captain Tong. I just feel that watching like this is a bit... improper."

As he spoke, he pulled a silk scarf from his pocket. The scarf was incredibly soft, almost transparent, and exuded a faint coolness. It was made from extremely high-grade Spirit Snow Silk, a material with excellent skincare properties that was very popular among low-level Female Cultivators.

Judging by the way he produced the scarf, it seemed to be something he had prepared long in advance. Holding it up, he said, "How about this, Captain Tong? We could cover him with it?"

The team leader looked at the soft silk scarf, his brow twitching slightly as he gave the other man a profound look.

Lu Ninghui smiled. "Didn’t you mention, Captain, that you’ve been getting complaints recently about not being mindful of public decency?"

"I think this is a perfect opportunity. Look, this scarf won’t affect the punishment, but no one will be able to say you’re beating a bare-assed man in public, right?"

"Besides, about the matter of the Crescent Array..."

At this, the leader said, "Fine. Cover him."

The two men beside the leader frowned almost imperceptibly upon hearing him agree.