Chapter 26: Yu Yuanzhen Brings His Son to Apologize in Person—The Five-Piece Summer Disciplinary Set Makes a Grand Entrance!

The next morning, at dawn.

In front of the castle.

A luxurious carriage slowly approached and came to a stop at the castle gates.

Then, three figures stepped out of the carriage.

These three were naturally Yu Yuanzhen, Yu Xiaogang, and Bibi Dong.

"Dong'er, let's go inside first."

"These few days, you'll stay here in the castle."

"I'll have Xiaogang stay with you the whole time. Once you've picked out your wedding dress here in Heaven Dou Imperial City, we'll set a date and hold your wedding."

After stepping off the carriage and looking at the grand castle in front of him, Yu Yuanzhen said with a hearty laugh.

From the time Yu Xiaogang brought Bibi Dong back to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan until now, Yu Yuanzhen and his son hadn't revealed anything in order to keep Bibi Dong calm.

Instead, they acted completely sincere, making everything unfold just as Bibi Dong had hoped.

To her, everything had gone dreamily smooth.

After just meeting them, her beloved Xiaogang's parents had already taken a liking to her.

Even Xiaogang's elder brother, who had rushed back to the clan from another province upon hearing the news, had expressed his approval upon meeting her.

And so, the topic of marriage between Yu Xiaogang and Bibi Dong came up easily and naturally within the family.

To the naïve and innocent Bibi Dong, it was nothing but excitement and joy.

She hadn't realized at all—something as major as this, if it were truly happening, there was no way it would stay completely quiet within the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

After stepping off the carriage, Yu Yuanzhen led Yu Xiaogang and Bibi Dong into the castle, heading straight for the main hall.

Before long, they arrived at the hall.

As the most luxurious castle in Heaven Dou Imperial City, the hall resembled a grand, magnificent palace.

At the very center, atop a lavish throne, sat a man dressed in a refined and elegant white robe.

He had a tall, upright figure, long golden hair draped over his shoulders, and a strikingly handsome face with sword-like brows and star-like eyes, a straight nose, and a faint, elusive smile. One leg was crossed over the other, his cheek propped on his hand as he gazed casually toward the entrance.

Standing behind him was a tall, alluring woman in a tight-fitting black leather dress adorned with feathered patterns on the shoulders. She was stunning, with elegant features and a graceful aura.

Her long black hair was styled half behind her ear, half trailing over her cheek, partially obscuring one eye. Paired with her golden earrings, it only enhanced her refined and captivating appearance.

On both sides of the hall were several ornate chairs.

Seated there were two towering men clad in majestic golden armor.

One had long black hair tied into a braid and a neatly trimmed beard. The other had a head of short blond hair and a thick mane of beard and mustache.

'This... how can this be?!'

The moment Bibi Dong entered and saw the scene before her, her entire body froze in shock.

Though it had been over a month since she last saw them, she immediately recognized Golden Crocodile Douluo, Lion Douluo, and Ling Yuan.

And that stunning man seated on the throne at the center—

Even though his attire and appearance had changed greatly, Bibi Dong instantly recognized him.

Wasn't that her despicable former teacher, Qian Xunji?!

But why were they here?

Her heart pounded with fear and confusion. She couldn't help but turn to look at Yu Yuanzhen and her beloved Yu Xiaogang, hoping to find an answer.

But faced with her gaze, Yu Xiaogang didn't dare meet her eyes. With a guilty expression, he quickly turned his head away.

As for Yu Yuanzhen, he didn't even bother sparing her a glance.

Now that they had tricked Bibi Dong into coming, there was no point continuing the act.

This brainless, clueless woman had almost brought disaster to their entire family and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, all because of her and Yu Xiaogang!

Yu Xiaogang was his own son—he had no choice in that matter.

But Bibi Dong? He never wanted to see her again.

"I am Yu Yuanzhen. Greetings, Your Holiness the Pope, and esteemed elders."

Upon entering the hall and seeing Qian Xunji and the two Grand Elders, Yu Yuanzhen immediately bowed deeply with utmost respect.

Then, he turned toward his son, face darkening.

He yanked Yu Xiaogang forward and slapped him hard across the face, leaving a bright red handprint.

"Kneel!"

The slap left Yu Xiaogang's head ringing. He was completely dazed.

'Wait, Father… this wasn't in the script!' He recalled the apology plan they discussed the night before.

He was supposed to just bring Bibi Dong over, look pitiful, apologize, and that would be it, right?

Why was he getting smacked already?!

Yu Yuanzhen was seething.

He too had hoped that playing the sympathy card would be enough to settle the matter.

But did this stupid son of his ever stop to think about the consequences of his actions?

Did he really think things would be so easily resolved?

Everything he said before was just to keep him from panicking and giving Bibi Dong a reason to suspect something was off.

Now that they were here—

If he didn't beat his son bloody, how could he hope to appease the Pope?

Even though Yu Yuanzhen's slap had left him dazed and on the verge of tears, Yu Xiaogang's timid personality made him extremely obedient.

So, without hesitation, he kowtowed in Qian Xunji's direction.

"Your Holiness, I am truly sorry!"

"My son Yu Xiaogang was young and foolish. After befriending your Holy Maiden Bibi Dong, he failed to maintain proper boundaries, causing her to misunderstand…"

With his son kneeling, Yu Yuanzhen put on a thoroughly ashamed and apologetic face, using the same old lines.

He pinned all the blame onto Bibi Dong.

"…After he returned to the clan, I punished him severely and brought your Holy Maiden back here in person."

"I humbly beg Your Holiness to show mercy and forgive my son's ignorance and offense."

"Yu Yuanzhen gives his heartfelt thanks!"

For the sake of his son, Yu Yuanzhen endured the humiliation, forcing a smile as he bowed deeply to Qian Xunji, begging for forgiveness.

But unfortunately, Qian Xunji still rested his cheek on his hand, one leg crossed, and let out a disdainful snort.

His gaze was cold and mocking as he said indifferently, "Not enough."

Not enough?

Yu Yuanzhen thought Qian Xunji meant that a single slap wasn't sufficient punishment.

So he gritted his teeth, took a deep breath, and his eyes turned sharp.

'Xiaogang, your father has no other choice. I just hope this time, you'll finally learn your lesson!'

"Your Holiness, my son truly acted wrongly!"

"I will discipline him properly right now!"

With that, Yu Yuanzhen's face contorted in fury. He pulled off his belt and cracked it in the air with a loud snap.

Then he lashed it across Yu Xiaogang's face.

"You ungrateful brat!"

"His Holiness granted you the honor of staying in Spirit City, and this is how you repay him?! Who gave you permission to get close to the Holy Maiden?!"

"You're not even allowed to be friends!"

Yu Yuanzhen shouted furiously while whipping Yu Xiaogang, chasing him around and beating him until he was wailing, covered in bruises, and fleeing in pain.

"You little bastard, stop running!"

"Get back here!"

He roared in anger, chasing Yu Xiaogang through the hall.

Even after his belt snapped, Yu Yuanzhen didn't stop.

Seeing that Qian Xunji and the two elders still showed no reaction, he gritted his teeth and pulled out a few more "tools":

An iron clothes hanger, a whip, and a pair of sturdy leather slippers made from Iron-armored Crocodile hide.

He resumed beating Yu Xiaogang without mercy.

Xiaogang howled in agony.

"Father, stop! You'll kill me if this keeps up!"

But seeing that Qian Xunji and the two elders still remained unmoved, Yu Yuanzhen had no choice but to continue, this time using his fists and feet.

He was truly beating Yu Xiaogang to the brink of death.

Off to the side, Bibi Dong—watching her beloved Xiaogang get brutalized like this—could no longer deny what had happened.

She had been sold out.

Her heart was filled with disappointment.

But she still couldn't help feeling a deep ache in her chest, her eyes turning red.

'Xiaogang…'