55: Chapter 55: Seventeenth Uncle Asks for Help

After inspecting the Spirit Fields, all the spirit plants and herbs were growing exceptionally well with no issues. Chen Jiancang returned home satisfied.

"Jiancang, please wait!"

Chen Jiancang had not yet reached his doorstep when a hoarse, aged voice suddenly called out, stopping his steps.

Following the voice, Chen Jiancang saw Seventeenth Uncle-Grandfather squatting beside an old tree, his face ashen, his white hair disheveled, as if he had experienced a great upheaval.

"Seventeenth Uncle-Grandfather!" Chen Jiancang's face showed guilt; he didn't dare to face the Seventeenth Uncle-Grandfather who had previously taken great care of him.

If he hadn't been so stubborn back then, buying the Spirit Field that Seventeenth Uncle-Grandfather's Family rented, Chen Yousuo wouldn't have had a conflict with him, and wouldn't have been locked up in Ice Hell by the Law Enforcement Hall to repent.

A year ago, his parents were killed by rogue cultivators, and he had just transmigrated, knowing nothing about spirit farming. If it weren't for Seventeenth Uncle-Grandfather's frequent guidance and care, he wouldn't have mastered the path of spirit farming so quickly.

"Regardless of right or wrong, I still messed up this matter."

"Jiancang, I heard you've become an Alchemist. Congratulations." Chen Yinzhang stood up and congratulated Jiancang, his expression weary.

Looking at the gaunt face and stooped figure of the Seventeenth Uncle-Grandfather before him, Chen Jiancang was overwhelmed with guilt like a surging tide. He lowered his head, not daring to look directly into Seventeenth Uncle-Grandfather's eyes, and stammered, "Seventeenth Uncle-Grandfather, you're overstating it. This is nothing to celebrate. As for Chen Yousuo's matter... I'm sorry to you..."

During this time, Chen Yinzhang had been tirelessly running around for Chen Yousuo, wanting to get him out of Ice Hell, but all his efforts were in vain.

With nowhere else to turn, he could only come to find Chen Jiancang, hoping he could step forward and forgive Chen Yousuo's mistake, perhaps giving him a glimmer of hope.

Chen Yinzhang sighed and waved his hand, his cloudy old eyes filled with helplessness and exhaustion. He slowly said, "Chen Jiancang, this is not your fault. It's my fault for spoiling Chen Yousuo too much and not disciplining him well. He was just confused for a moment when he got into a dispute with you."

"He is still young and ignorant. Now he's locked in Ice Hell, suffering greatly. Uncle-Grandfather came today to ask you if you could be magnanimous and plead for him, to see if Chen Yousuo can be released earlier?"

Jiancang's brows furrowed, his heart in utter turmoil.

How could he not want to help? But Ice Hell was a crucial place in the Chen Family Law Enforcement Hall for punishing Disciples who broke the rules. The enforcement there was strict, and getting Chen Yousuo released early would be extremely difficult.

Moreover, the main reason for Chen Yousuo's punishment wasn't because of Chen Jiancang, but because he knowingly broke the law, bullied the weak, oppressed fellow clansmen, and violated the Family rules.

Furthermore, although he had become an Alchemist, his status in the Chen Family was still low, and he didn't have enough influence to sway the Family rules.

After a moment of hesitation, Chen Jiancang raised his head, his gaze firm as he looked at Chen Yinzhang, and said, "Seventeenth Uncle-Grandfather, I know you care for Chen Yousuo, and I really want to help with this, but the rules of the Law Enforcement Hall are strict. My persuasion may not be successful, but I also can't bear to see Chen Yousuo punished. How about this, no matter what, I will do my best to try?"

"Alas, whether it succeeds or not, I thank you." Seventeenth Uncle-Grandfather's attitude made it even harder for Chen Jiancang to refuse.

Early the next morning, Chen Jiancang controlled his spirit sword and flew towards the Law Enforcement Hall on Xiao Yun Mountain.

The Law Enforcement Hall is located in the southwest corner of the Market. Its architecture is grand and imposing, exuding an Aura of authority and solemnity.

The profound iron gate stands majestically, with a plaque above the lintel inscribed with "Law Without Bounds." On either side, bronzeBBQ (xiè zhì) glare with bared fangs, displaying a stern righteousness.

Chen Jiancang entered the gate of the Law Enforcement Hall and saw twelve coiling dragon golden pillars reaching towards the sky. In the center was an ebony screen displaying the "Twelve Chapters of Family Rules," like a long ink-colored Great Wall stretching across.

On either side of the screen, thirty-six cold iron rulers were neatly arranged on the whipping racks, their edges emitting a faint blue cold light, chillingly sharp.

Passing through the ceremonial gate, eight tattooed steles stood on either side of the bluestone path. The steles were engraved with the names and crimes of those who had violated the law throughout history, sending shivers down one's spine.

Entering the main hall, bronze BBQ (xiè zhì) paperweights were placed on the desk, pressing down three feet thick of scrolls.

Eighteen types of torture instruments and chains were displayed on either side of the main hall, each one stained with years of blood, the coldness bone-chilling.

The Law Enforcement Deacons were all dressed in ochre robes and black boots, with bronze fish talismans engraved with the character "Law" hanging from their waists. As they walked, their iron chains clanged like thunder rolling across the ground, and wherever their gaze fell, even the draft through the hall seemed to hold its breath.

At this moment, the Law Enforcement Hall was eerily silent, with only the dripping sound of the water torture instrument echoing in the dome.

On the seats on either side of the main hall, several Deacons had solemn expressions, seemingly discussing something. At this moment, due to Chen Jiancang's arrival, the discussion stopped abruptly, and they all turned their gazes towards him.

"Chen Jiancang, what brings you here?"

Chen Jiancang respectfully stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Esteemed Deacons, Junior Chen Jiancang has come presumptuously with something to ask. My cousin, Chen Yousuo, was imprisoned in Ice Hell due to a dispute with me. If I don't pursue this matter, can we reconsider and reduce his punishment?"

The chief Deacon of the Xiao Yun Mountain Law Enforcement Hall, Chen Yinlin, frowned slightly and looked at Chen Jiancang with piercing eyes, saying in a deep voice, "Chen Jiancang, the Law Enforcement Hall is a critical place; how can you casually come here to make requests? If there is no urgent matter, do not waste time here. Go back."

Jiancang took a deep breath, bowed again, and said neither obsequiously nor arrogantly, "Deacon, this matter concerns Family rules and also human kindness. Seventeenth Uncle-Grandfather has been kind to me, and cousin Chen Yousuo, being young and ignorant, violated the Family rules and had a deep conflict with me. I know the rules of the Law Enforcement Hall are strict, but Ice Hell is harsh. After being imprisoned for these past few days, Chen Yousuo must have repented. If I don't pursue this, can you spare him?"

Deacon Chen Youlin snorted coldly, stood up, and flicked his sleeve, saying, "Chen Yousuo bullied the weak and violated Family rules. If he is easily forgiven, where will the Family rules be in the future? Where will the authority of the Law Enforcement Hall be?"

Chen Jiancang's expression remained unchanged as he sincerely said, "What the Deacon says is absolutely correct. Chen Yousuo committed a mistake and deserves to be punished. However, he is now suffering greatly in Ice Hell and must have realized his mistake and repented. Furthermore, Seventeenth Uncle-Grandfather is exhausted with worry over Chen Yousuo's matter. I implore all the Deacons, for the sake of Seventeenth Uncle-Grandfather, to give Chen Yousuo another chance."

Deacon Chen Yousuo had been silent all this time, but now he slowly spoke, "Jiancang, as a newly promoted Alchemist of the Chen Family, you should be focusing on the path of alchemy and serving the Family, yet you are interfering in the affairs of the Law Enforcement Hall. This is unreasonable."

Chen Jiancang quickly explained, "Deacon, I am not intentionally interfering in the affairs of the Law Enforcement Hall. I just cannot bear to see Seventeenth Uncle-Grandfather saddened, and I also hope the Chen Family can give Disciples who make mistakes a chance to correct themselves. I assure all the Deacons that if Chen Yousuo can be released early this time, I will properly resolve the conflict between him and me, urge him to correct himself, abide by the Family rules, and serve the Chen Family."

A silence fell over the hall for a moment. The several Deacons looked at each other, their eyes showing thought.

After a long while, Chen Yinlin slowly spoke, "This matter needs to be discussed at length. Jiancang, you go back first, and we will give you a reply after we have deliberated."

Seeing this, Chen Jiancang knew that his persuasion was unsuccessful. He sighed, got up, and left.

The Chen Family's laws are strict and clear. Since a judgment has already been made, it is very difficult to change it.

"It seems all I can do is make things a little easier for Chen Yousuo in Ice Hell."

Chen Jiancang shook his head helplessly.