A Family's Honor

By now, the commotion had drawn a crowd. Many people had stopped, curious gazes fixed on the unfolding argument, gathering into a small throng around the fight on the open street.

Zhao Renshu, a glint of mischievous satisfaction in his eyes, patted Guozhao Zhiqiang's back. "Tsk... Tsk... Tsk... hey." He then turned to Tian Xiang, his voice deceptively casual. "If a Guozhao Hunter uses his fist in a mutual disagreement, how should he be punished?"

Tian Xiang immediately replied, his voice clear and precise, "Ten strokes on the back, kneel for an entire day."

Zhao Renshu nodded slowly, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. He looked at Guozhao Zhiqiang, his eyes twinkling. "You heard, ten strokes. It's quite painful, especially if the one hitting you is your First Master."

"But they..." Yu Lei interjected, his voice still trembling with indignation, pointing at the other group.

"They what?" Zhao Renshu prompted, his gaze sharp, inviting the full story.

Lee Nianzu, ever polite yet firm, spoke up. "This senior, they spoke ill of our masters, our Shimu, and our teacher."

"Continue talking," Zhao Renshu instructed, his voice low, encouraging the disclosure.

Lee Nianzu explained, his voice grim, "They molested this young lady, the server."

Sien Ye, his face contorted in defiance and lingering pain, shouted belligerently, "Has anyone heard us speak ill of their masters? Co-leader, they think they are Guozhao Hunters! They insulted us and said that our department is a coward hiding behind our door, and refused to join the heroes against evil!" He pointed a trembling finger at the Guozhao Hunters. "They called our Shimu a whor..."

Zhao Renshu moved like a lightning bolt, a blur of motion. He swiftly rushed over and, with a sickening crack, punched Sien Ye squarely in the mouth, knocking him down instantly with two broken teeth. Zhou Zhong, the Golden Gate co-leader, couldn't believe how fast this man moved; his speed was so incredible that Zhou Zhong only felt a mere gust of wind passing by him.

"How dare you insult my wife?" Zhao Renshu seethed, his voice a low, dangerous growl, cracking his knuckles menacingly. "My hands have been itchy for a while now."

Guo Baiyu, his face grim, stepped out from behind the Guozhao disciples, a quiet, powerful presence. "Enough," he commanded, his voice firm, cutting through the rising tension. He walked forward, stepping between the groups. "We have been sitting here, and we have witnessed everything. These young people may have thrown the first punch, but if your disciples did not anger them, it would not lead to this situation. The disciples involved will be punished according to the sector rules. I hope your sector will also punish your disciples according to the rules of your sector." He turned around, his gaze piercing, and looked at Guozhao Zhiqiang, then stared coldly at Lu He and Sien Ye. "If you still want to keep your teeth, watch your mouth the next time you speak." His words were a chilling warning.

"Do you want to be an enemy with Golden Gate Sector?" Zhou Zhong challenged, his voice strained, his eyes narrowed, testing their resolve.

Zhao Renshu smiled, a chilling, predatory grin spreading across his face. "Oh no, no, no. We don't want to be an enemy with Golden Gate Sector, but perhaps Golden Gate Sector wants to be an enemy with... um..." He scratched his chin thoughtfully with his left thumb, feigning consideration. "For example, let me see: the Guzheng Sector, the great general of Waterfall City, and the people in the city." He sneered, looking directly at Zhou Zhong, his gaze filled with menace. "The Wastelanders, the twelve fairy clans... or maybe the centaur soldiers of Horsemen Land." He burst out laughing, a loud, derisive sound. "To tell you the truth, if you still want to leave here alive, don't touch him." He pointed to Guo Baiyu.

Lu He, holding his broken nose, his voice muffled by the blood and pain, tried to sound defiant. "We are not afraid of you!"

Zhao Renshu's smile widened. "Hey everyone!" he shouted, his voice booming, addressing the entire street. He pointed dramatically to the Golden Gate disciples, and many people walking on the street stopped, their attention fully captured. "This group of people wants to harm Doctor Guozhao!"

The people on the street stopped, their faces shocked, and stared with growing hostility at the Golden Gate disciples. A murmur went through the crowd, growing louder. "Who? Who dares want to harm Doctor Guozhao?" they questioned, their voices filled with indignant fury.

Guo Baiyu shook his head, a weary exasperation in his sigh. "Renshu, enough!" he warned, knowing Zhao Renshu's flair for the dramatic.

Zhao Renshu merely smiled, unrepentant. "I'm sorry everyone, I just want to make sure everyone still remembers who Doctor Guozhao is," he said, his voice innocent but his eyes twinkling mischievously.

The people, still confused but sensing the underlying tension, gave Zhao Renshu a weird, awkward stare, unsure how to react.

"Who are you?" Zhou Zhong demanded, his voice strained, desperate to regain control and understand the identity of these formidable men.

Guo Baiyu stepped forward, his posture composed, and greeted politely, his voice clear and resonant, carrying authority. "Guozhao Baiyu, the First Master of Guozhao Hunters."

Lu He, his face pale with dawning horror, panicked, his voice broken and trembling. "That... that... that... he is..."

"Guozhao Renshu," Zhao Renshu finished, stepping forward with a triumphant smirk on his face, enjoying the revelation. He pointed to where Ping'an was sitting at their table, watching the scene with a mix of amusement and gentle concern, and said angrily, his voice now laced with genuine fury, "Look over there, that is our wife. How dare your sector insult our wife and our friends in front of us?!"

Zhou Zhong turned to his disciples, his face a mask of furious disappointment. "You..." he began, his voice barely a whisper of warning.

The disciples' legs shook badly, and they crumpled to the ground, kneeling instantly. "Co-leader, we're sorry!" they pleaded in unison, their voices filled with fear.

"I will settle with you guys when we are home," Zhou Zhong stated, his voice stern, filled with a promise of harsh retribution.

Ping'an, serene amidst the chaos, stood up and nodded gently to Zhou Zhong, a gesture of quiet authority. Guozhao Zhiqiang, his previous fury gone, rushed over, knelt in front of Ping'an, and hugged her legs, seeking comfort and showing his profound respect.

Zhou Zhong, humbled, walked to Ping'an, bowing deeply. "Madam Guozhao, I do apologize for our lack of disciplining our disciples. I hope Madam Guozhao can forgive the children. I will punish them accordingly," he vowed, his gaze shifting meaningfully to his own terrified disciples.

The disciples collectively pleaded, their voices choked with fear and remorse. "Madam Guozhao, please forgive us!"

"You have to be careful when you speak," Ping'an advised gently, her voice calm and wise, a subtle lesson imparted. "Others may not be as polite as the Guozhao Hunters. Your words can get you killed. Get up, let bygones be bygones." Her voice held a soft finality.

The Golden Gate Disciples, relieved beyond measure, bowed deeply. "Thank you, Madam Guozhao, for your teaching!" they exclaimed, their voices filled with gratitude.

"Thank you, madam, for your kindness," Zhou Zhong said, his voice sincere. "We are leaving now." He gathered his chastened disciples and quickly walked away, eager to escape the humiliating encounter.

As they walked away, Zhao Renshu, a mischievous glint still in his eye, shouted, "Hey, we might join this year's competition!" He shook his head and chuckled, his eyes twinkling.

The seven Guozhao disciples, who had never met their First or Second Master before, were buzzing with excitement. They followed their two masters and their Shimu back to Sunrise Inn, their steps light with pride.

Guo Baiyu, his face now stern, said firmly, "Zhiqiang, kneel."

"Hey, what are you doing, Baiyu?" Zhao Renshu asked, surprised by the sudden strictness.

Guo Baiyu looked at Zhao Renshu coldly, his gaze unwavering. "You are also kneeling."

"Me? I will do no such thing!" Zhao Renshu protested indignantly, his jaw set.

"You two broke the rules," Guo Baiyu stated, his voice leaving no room for argument. He stretched out his right hand towards Ping'an. "Ping'an, whip."

Ping'an hesitated, her eyes wide with surprise. "Bai... Baiyu... My whip is not used to punish people," she murmured, a gentle protest. She then, with a mischievous twinkle, knelt down in front of Guo Baiyu, a silent challenge. "Baiyu, you can't blame them. I know you are very harsh, but it is not Zhiqiang's fault that those disciples got hurt. You should be proud that Zhiqiang is skillful. His skill is better than his opponent, that's why his opponent got a broken nose. Am I right?"

Zhao Renshu smiled at Ping'an, a genuine warmth in his eyes, pleased by her defense. "You are right."

Guo Baiyu looked at Zhao Renshu coldly, a warning in his gaze. "You keep your voice down."

Ping'an continued, pressing her advantage, her voice gaining confidence. "That disciple said bad things about me, so Renshu punched him. Do you remember what you did back then? You also punched..." She looked pointedly at Baiyu, a knowing look. "Just say the past is over, and there is nothing we can do to change it. Do you want me to kneel and continue begging you?"

Guo Baiyu closed his eyes and sighed deeply; a long, weary sound of defeat mixed with affection. "You all go out and do horse stance until morning." He looked at Zhao Renshu, a final, unyielding command. "You too."

Zhao Renshu pointed his finger at Guo Baiyu, a playful defiance in his eyes. "You remember this. You wait until it's your turn." He took his disciples out of the room, grumbling good-naturedly.

Guo Baiyu's stern expression softened completely. "You get up," he murmured, pulling Ping'an to her feet.

Ping'an, with a contented sigh, knelt again, this time in front of Guo Baiyu, and hugged him tightly, pressing her face into his chest. "You know that your angry look is very scary," she whispered playfully. "I like the kind and calm Baiyu."

He held her close, his arms wrapping around her, and kissed her gently on the head, his heart full.

The next morning, outside the bustling city gate, the three Guozhao Masters, Ping'an, Lee Dachin and their disciples gathered to bid farewell to Lim Peizhi, Huang Yueliang, Huang Hongse, and Guo Longtong.

"You didn't want me to tell father, so I didn't," Lim Peizhi said to Zhao Renshu, a knowing look in his eye, acknowledging the previous night's drama.

"Thank you so much for that," Zhao Renshu replied genuinely, a rare moment of humility.

Huang Yueliang smiled, her eyes twinkling. "In four months, the wedding of Longtong and Hongse will take place. We will see you in Peace Town," she announced, a happy note in her voice.

"Until then," Guo Baiyu acknowledged, a gentle smile on his face.

"Be careful on the way back," Lim Peizhi advised, his voice filled with genuine concern.

Huang Hongse and Guo Longtong smiled warmly at their friends and disciples, their happiness palpable. The friends waved at the horse carriage and the six disciples as they rode out of Waterfall City, heading towards Cloud City, their journey home filled with new stories and enduring bonds.