Chapter 142: Punishment
Zhong Haoran’s expression changed slightly. It was not easy for Lin Bai’s spiritual power to be abolished, but at the critical moment, the Fool Li ran out again. He could not help but say, “What are you doing here? Hurry up and leave.”
As he said that, he tried to pull Fool Li away. However, he didn’t even touch the corner of Fool Li’s clothes let alone Fool Li. Fool Li was jumping up and down like a monkey.
“No matter what, as long as I’m here, I won’t allow you to hurt eldest senior brother unless you step over my corpse!”
Hearing this, the few execution elders had ugly expressions as they threatened, “If you continue to be like this, be careful that we’ll do the same to you as well!”
Who knew that Silly Li was not afraid at all. “Alright, then come quickly. It just so happens that eldest senior brother and I will share the joys and sorrows together.”
Seeing how he spoke in a clear and serious manner, those who did not know would think that he was a normal person. He would not be swayed by force or persuasion at all. Everyone could only turn their gazes to Lin Bai.
“Are you embarra.s.sed to hide behind a fool? Don’t think that with this fool protecting you, everything will be fine. What should come can not be avoided.”
Seeing how Fool Li was protecting him, Lin Bai felt rather touched in his heart. However, he was worried that Fool Li would get hurt because of this, he couldn’t help but say, “You’d better step aside. They insist on abolis.h.i.+ng my spiritual power. You can’t stop them.”
Fool Li opened his hands as if he was protecting a little chick. “Anyway, I won’t step aside. I won’t let them hurt eldest senior brother.”
Everyone looked at each other, and the atmosphere instantly fell into a stalemate.
“President, what do you think we should do now?”
Logically speaking, he was just a fool and should be easy to deal with. However, Zhou Zhengqing’s att.i.tude was unexpected. Everyone could see that he was protecting Fool Li in the open and in the dark. Even He Qingyuan showed some hesitation.
“Rules are rules. Moreover, Lin Bai has caused such a big mess this time. We must punish him as a warning to others. Otherwise, if everyone imitates him in the future, won’t the Alchemist a.s.sociation be in a mess?”
Zhou Zhengqing, who had been silent all this time, said at this time, “The rules are set by people. Moreover, Lin Bai has his reasons. Abolis.h.i.+ng spiritual power is too harsh. I think it’s better to expel him from the Alchemist a.s.sociation.”
The few elders next to him were a little displeased when they heard that. They felt that Zhou Zhengqing did not put them in his eyes because of his seniority. He even had to intervene in such a matter. One had to know that these were not within Zhou Zhengqing’s authority.
“I heard that elder Zhou of the law enforcement hall has always been impartial and just. Why is he lenient to a minor character now? This is really not in line with his usual way of doing things. Could there be some hidden reason behind this?”
Zhou Zhengqing looked at him coldly. His gaze was as sharp as a knife. That person had some complaints in his heart, but he did not dare to say anything. “I, Zhou Zhengqing, do not need to explain myself to you.”
The old man that Lin Bai had seen in the library had an unknown ident.i.ty. However, he could tell that He Qingyuan paid some respect to him.
“I think we should follow elder Zhou’s instructions on this matter. Just expel this kid from the Alchemist a.s.sociation. Abolis.h.i.+ng all the spiritual energy in his body is too severe a punishment.”
He Qingyuan nodded. “Lin Bai, seeing that so many people have pleaded for you, I won’t abolish all the spiritual energy in your body. From now on, you are not allowed to enter the Alchemist a.s.sociation again. I hope you will take good care of yourself.”
“In addition, we need to give you other punishments as a warning to everyone not to do it again. Do you have a problem with that?”
“No.”
From abolis.h.i.+ng spiritual energy to just suffering physically and being expelled from the Alchemist a.s.sociation, Lin Bai knew that this was He Qingyuan’s last concession.
Seeing that fool Li was still protecting him behind him and not letting those people get close, Lin Bai ordered, “You go to the side and wait.”
If he wanted to escape punishment in the name of Fool Li again, it would be a bit too much. He Qingyuan might not let him off after this.
Fool Li was a bit worried. Seeing his worry, Lin Bai comforted him, “Don’t worry, they won’t do anything to me.”
Hearing this, Fool Li turned around and walked to the side.
Just as Fool Li left, the elders who had executed the punishment turned their spiritual power into whips. Like snakes hissing, they came at Lin Bai at lightning speed.
Even though Lin Bai was prepared, he couldn’t help but let out a m.u.f.fled groan. He had already suffered a lot of injuries, and these elders wouldn’t go easy on him. He really had to endure this.
On the other hand, fool Li burst out in a howl. Those who didn’t know better would have thought that the whip had landed on his body.
“You’re not allowed to hit eldest senior brother,” Fool Li shouted, as if he was about to rush over. He Qingyuan signaled with his eyes, and a few disciples beside him hurriedly stopped him.
They didn’t know why he was so strong, but the few disciples almost couldn’t stop him. Seeing that fool Li was howling so fiercely at the side, the few disciples almost couldn’t hold on any longer.
The elder on the other side had also hit him with more than ten whips. It was unknown whether they had done it intentionally or not. The whips that were formed from spiritual energy were hitting the major acupoints around him. Even if Lin Bai recovered, it would take a lot of time.
At this moment, although Lin Bai did not say a word, his face was as pale as paper. Bean-sized beads of sweat rolled down from his forehead. It looked like Fool Li was about to break free.
He Qingyuan finally said, “Okay, let’s stop here.”
Lin Bai gasped heavily. Fool Li also broke free from those disciples and ran to Lin Bai’s side. With tears in his eyes, he said, “Eldest senior brother, are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Lin Bai forced a smile. However, in the next second, his eyes turned black. He completely lost consciousness and pa.s.sed out.