"What's your opinion?" Yu Shaoguang looked at Ji Yunxi and the others. They glanced at each other, not knowing how to respond.
Yu Mingyi was indeed detestable, but after all, he was the prince of the Merman Clan. Moreover, Yu Shaoguang had shown great sincerity today, so they didn't feel it appropriate to voice any objections.
"I'm really sorry that this ignorant boy has put you in such a situation. He deserves to be punished. Please feel free to speak your minds."
Yu Shaoguang was waiting for them to speak up. Ji Yunxi thought for a moment and replied, "Just follow the clan rules of the Merman Clan."
"Then the scaling punishment shall be carried out." As soon as Yu Shaoguang said this, it immediately triggered whispers among the crowd.
"Isn't this... a bit too harsh?" The clan leaders wanted to speak up to stop it.
"Without rules, there can be no order. If we don't teach him a good lesson today, how can we rest assured to hand over the Merman Clan to him in the future? How can he lead the Merman Clan to grow stronger?"
The clan leaders seemed to find his words reasonable. Looking at Yu Mingyi, disappointment showed on their faces. However, they still wanted to plead for him: "We believe that after this experience, he has reflected on himself. He will surely correct his mistakes in the future, distinguish right from wrong, and will not go astray."
Yu Mingyi had the same expression from beginning to end, as if he wasn't the one being discussed.
"Let's hope so. There's no need for you to plead for him. He must be taught a lesson today." Yu Shaoguang heaved a deep sigh and then called for the guards to bring the torture tools.
Yu Mingyi was carried and tied to the torture device by the guards. The thick chains intertwined, making his slender body look even more frail.
Knowing what was coming next, he didn't struggle against the restraints. Looking at the crowd with different expressions, his face showed disdain.
Yu Xiaobei thought the punishment was too harsh and couldn't bear it in her heart.
"Yunxi, isn't this punishment a bit too severe?"
"He almost caused everyone's death by colluding with Jiang Yaoji. Sparing his life is already a great mercy."
When Ji Yunxi said this, she stared fixedly at Yu Mingyi. As if he had heard her words, his expression finally changed, and he let out a self - mocking smile.
"Stop talking nonsense and just do it." As if being provoked by Ji Yunxi's words, he said coldly.
"Everyone has to be responsible for their actions. Why are you still pleading for him?" Yun Luotian said. After that, Yu Xiaobei silently lowered her head and said nothing.
The two executioners took their positions. At the same time, a transparent dagger appeared in the air. They could control the dagger with just two fingers and start scaling Yu Mingyi's body.
Blood flowed down his arms, from his fingers to the ground. Soon, a small pool of blood had accumulated on the ground.
Yu Mingyi closed his eyes tightly. His face was as pale as paper, and his fists were tightly clenched. He didn't make a single sound, but his trembling eyelashes indicated that he was still conscious.
Yu Xiaobei's eyes were full of shock. She let out a soft gasp and covered her lips.
At this moment, everyone fell silent unexpectedly. They didn't expect the scaling punishment to look so painful.
"Although it's painful, the scales will grow back."
The stench of blood in the air was nauseating. Yu Xiaobei couldn't hold back her tears. Unable to bear to watch any longer, she ran away crying.
"It's really satisfying to watch. Let's see if he still dares to be so arrogant." Yun Luotian said happily. Feng Xingzhi and the others didn't say a word.
"Take him back to heal his wounds."
After the punishment was over, the maids who usually followed Yu Mingyi stepped forward to untie the chains and gently took him back.
Yu Shaoguang looked at Ji Yunxi and the others and said respectfully, "Are you satisfied?"
"What Yu Mingyi did was extremely absurd. But now that you've shown great sincerity, we'll naturally let bygones be bygones." Ji Yunxi said calmly.
"Remember not to make things difficult for that little girl and her father as you promised." Before leaving, Yun Han remembered Yu Xiaobei and was afraid that she might get into trouble because of Ji Yunxi's matter.
"Of course not. Moreover, we won't make things difficult for a little girl." With Yu Shaoguang's assurance, Yun Han felt a bit more at ease, but he didn't know if Yu Mingyi would make things difficult for her after he recovered.
"You're so hypocritical. You also made things difficult for Yunxi." Yun Luotian said.
"Don't be rude." Yun Han was her senior after all. With a glare of his eyes and a frown of his eyebrows, Yun Luotian obediently shut up.
"Apologize."
"I..."
"Apologize." Yun Han interrupted her and said in a deep voice.
"Sorry, I was rude." Yun Luotian reluctantly clasped her fists and bowed to Yu Shaoguang, but there was no trace of apology on her face.
"Hahaha, it's okay. Miss Yun is straightforward. Immortal Venerable Yun Han doesn't need to be so strict."
Yu Shaoguang was extremely nervous. How dare he scold Yun Luotian?
Ji Yunxi stepped forward and said, "Since the matter is over, we're leaving."
She wasn't interested in Yu Mingyi's injury. Anyway, the matter was now over, and she didn't want to have more conflicts with the Merman Clan.
"Okay." Yu Shaoguang didn't intend to keep them either. Their relationship with the Merman Clan was a fateful feud. Let time heal everything.
"Alright, let's go." After Ji Yunxi said that, everyone left. Ji Yunxi walked at the end of the team.
Yu Shaoguang saw them off to the palace gate and didn't plan to go ashore. "I'll stop here. Farewell."
"Wait a moment." Ji Yunxi called him to stay.
Yu Shaoguang looked at her in confusion. He saw a stone in her palm, with a little starlight shining. Yu Shaoguang felt it was familiar but couldn't remember where he had seen it for a moment.
"What is this..." he asked carefully.
"This was given to me by Yu Mingyi. Now it's time to return it to its original owner."
After Ji Yunxi said this, Yu Shaoguang understood. He stretched out his palm, and the stone automatically floated into his hand.
"I'll pass it on to him for you."
"Okay." Ji Yunxi nodded slightly, then turned around, waved her sleeve, and turned into a beam of light and rushed to the shore.
Yu Shaoguang felt the stone in his hand getting slightly hot. He stood there until the light disappeared from sight, then he turned back.
On the shore, everyone was standing scattered on the ground. When Yun Luotian saw Ji Yunxi coming ashore, she immediately walked towards her.
"What happened? Why did you come up so late?"
"Nothing." Ji Yunxi told her what had just happened.
"Return it to him. We don't want his things." Yun Luotian said in agreement.
"Okay. Now let's hurry back to the Ji Mansion in Nanyan. They must be waiting anxiously." When Ji Yunxi thought of Ji Yuchen and Li Jiuge, a rare smile appeared on her face.
"Okay." Everyone said in unison.
The sky was gradually getting dark, and the moon was hanging high in the night sky. When they arrived at the mansion, they saw it was brightly lit.
When the servant at the door saw them coming back, he immediately went to report. He was very happy.
Li Jiuge ran out first and hugged Ji Yunxi crying, "Yunxi, you're back. They didn't let me go to save you with them!"
"Alright, stop crying. Your makeup is all messed up."
Ji Yunxi reached out to hug her, wiped away her tears, and comforted her for a while. Then the two reluctantly separated.