In the beginning, Zhu Rong could still endure the pain, not uttering a single plea even when his body was covered in blood.
But later on, even Zhu Rong couldn't bear it anymore.
Especially after the whipping, when chili water was applied.
The sensation was something everyone knew well!
Amidst Zhu Rong's screams, the hundred lashes felt incredibly long but were eventually completed.
Zhu Rong now lay on the wooden stool like a dead dog, only exhaling, no longer inhaling.
"Is he dead?" The Zhu family head frowned.
He wasn't concerned about Zhu Rong's physical condition, of course.
It was because Zhu Rong had committed several crimes.
He had to endure all the family laws.
Dying after the first punishment would be too easy for him!
It wouldn't be fair to Zhu Ling'er for her two days of worry.
"Not yet."
Zhou Yu checked Zhu Rong's pulse and then added, "But he's close."
He had thought Zhu Rong was a tough man.
To think he couldn't even withstand a hundred lashes.
Zhou Yu felt he had overestimated him.
The Zhu family head immediately clasped his hands at Zhou Yu. "Then I'll have to trouble Divine Doctor Zhou. Please ensure he completes all punishments before he breathes his last!"
Zhu Rong seemed to have heard the Zhu family head's words.
His body twitched uncontrollably.
The clan elders, on the other hand, exchanged glances, a cold sweat running down their spines.
The Zhu family head usually appeared so kind.
Who would have thought he could be so... brutal!
"No problem, I'll write a prescription to keep him alive." Zhou Yu smiled slightly.
He didn't find the Zhu family head's actions wrong.
Zhu Rong had made the mistake first.
Internal family conflicts could be dealt with in any way they wished.
But how could he use a relative's life as a threat?
The Zhu family head only had one daughter, Zhu Ling'er, whom he cherished like his own eye.
Now that Zhu Rong had almost killed her, how could the Zhu family head not be enraged!
Seeing Zhou Yu writing the prescription nearby, the clan elders quickly intervened.
"Patriarch Zhu, isn't this inappropriate?"
"Although this young man is Ling'er's fiancé, he can only observe here."
"No one knows if his prescription will cause death or life. What if Zhu Rong doesn't make it?"
The clan elders' faces showed a hint of dissatisfaction.
Based on Zhu Rong's current condition, he could at least endure another punishment.
They feared that after using Zhou Yu's prescription, Zhu Rong might die immediately, and they wouldn't even get to the second punishment.
The Zhu family head's face darkened, and he stared fixedly at the clan elder.
After a long moment, making the elder shiver all over.
He finally spoke.
"This is not something the clan elders need to worry about. Divine Doctor Zhou's medical skills are superb."
"Bringing the dead back to life and mending broken bones are not legends when it comes to Divine Doctor Zhou!"
"Even Elder Xie was cured by Divine Doctor Zhou."
Upon hearing the Zhu family head's words.
The clan elders' eyes widened in shock.
They had initially thought.
That Zhou Yu was some penniless boy who got lucky and became engaged to the Zhu family head and Zhu Ling'er.
Who knew he was actually capable?
Everyone would experience birth, aging, sickness, and death.
Such a profound physician was someone everyone would want to befriend.
The connections of a divine doctor were beyond imagination!
"Alright, let him try then." The clan elder's eyes rolled, and he finally agreed.
The Zhu family head couldn't be bothered with these stubborn old men.
Seeing that Zhou Yu had finished writing the prescription.
He directly took it and handed it to Zhu Ling'er. "Ling'er, go and fetch the medicine and personally prepare it."
"Also, have the treasury bring a slice of ginseng for that beast to hold."
"Make sure he stays alive and conscious to receive his punishment!"
Zhu Ling'er took the prescription and nodded firmly.
The prescription Zhou Yu gave could indeed keep someone clinging to life.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it was snatching someone from the jaws of death.
However, Zhou Yu would never use such a prescription on anyone else.
Because this prescription was extremely potent and had severe toxicity.
Even if the person was saved, they would be left with sequelae and become a cripple for life!
But such a prescription was perfectly suited for Zhu Rong at this moment.
If Zhu Rong managed to survive these rounds of punishment by sheer luck and lived.
His future life would be worse than death.
Zhu Ling'er acted swiftly.
Before long, she brought the slice of ginseng for Zhu Rong to hold.
After waiting for a moment.
The kitchen had also finished brewing the medicine.
It was given to Zhu Rong to consume.
In the time it took an incense stick to burn.
Under the effect of the medicine and the ginseng, Zhu Rong's complexion visibly improved and became rosy!
"Begin the second punishment now!"
After Zhou Yu nodded, the clan elder immediately announced.
The second punishment was quite simple.
It involved using red-hot iron blocks to press directly onto Zhu Rong's body.
It would only end when there was no intact skin left on Zhu Rong's body!
Although Zhu Rong had regained consciousness and some strength.
He wished he could just pass out!
Watching as the executioner, a奉 (gòng fù - a respectful term for someone in charge of offerings or ceremonies, sometimes referring to skilled artisans or guards), approached with the red-hot branding irons.
His body hadn't yet felt the torment, but his heart was already in agony!
"Ah—"
As the iron block pressed against his skin.
Zhu Rong's screams pierced the entire Zhu family ancestral mansion.
Several clan elders couldn't bear to watch and turned their faces away.
Zhu Rong's screams eventually subsided as he lost all strength.
His limbs hung limply at the sides of the wooden stool.
Once his entire body was burned and no intact skin remained.
Zhou Yu, as before, offered another slice of ginseng and a bowl of medicinal soup.
It had to be said.
The prescription Zhou Yu provided was truly miraculous.
Visibly, Zhu Rong, who had been unconscious, soon woke up with a rosy complexion under the effect of the medicine.
Ready to endure the next round of torture!
Zhou Yu watched for a while and found it boring.
Since the prescription had already been given.
And Zhu Rong wouldn't die anytime soon.
Zhou Yu approached the Zhu family head and whispered, "Patriarch Zhu, do you have guest rooms here?"
Wasting time watching a scumbag be punished was not as productive as going back and refining those two pieces of Hongmeng Stone.
The Zhu family head was taken aback, then nodded. "Are you finding it boring?"
Zhou Yu naturally nodded in agreement.
The Zhu family head smiled. "My apologies, for making you watch this."
"I'll have Ling'er guide you to the guest room."
After saying that, the Zhu family head called Zhu Ling'er over and gave her some instructions.
No one knew what father and daughter said to each other.
When Zhu Ling'er led the way, her face was flushed red.
She didn't even dare to look at Zhou Yu much, walking quickly ahead.
"Why are you walking so fast?" Zhou Yu said helplessly.
He wasn't some monster, so why was Zhu Ling'er walking faster and faster, almost jogging?
Zhu Ling'er paused, a faint blush appearing on both her cheeks.
She stammered, "O-okay."
The guest rooms were located quite far from the ancestral hall.
As Zhou Yu walked, he admired the landscaping of the Zhu family's estate.