487 Clear Conscience!
In the punishment hall.
Chu Cimo was tied up by his eldest senior brother using a rope, with several other disciples standing behind him, guarding him to prevent him from resisting judgment and attacking others. So, seven or eight Valor Gate disciples in the punishment hall stood with their hands behind their backs, staring at him.
The second martial uncle had not arrived yet. Hence, the eldest senior brother stood beside Chu Cimo and sneered, “Little Junior Brother, there was a road to heaven, but you chose to break into hell. This is your own choice.”
Chu Cimo stood quietly. “Years ago, I ran away. Returning now is my formal acceptance of Valor Gate’s judgment.”
The eldest senior brother said, “I’m afraid today’s judgment will disappoint you.”
Chu Cimo only looked at him.
Chu Cimo, who was usually unrestrained and playful, was now looking at him seriously. “Senior brother, I have nothing to be guilty of!”
“Having nothing to be guilty of is not enough, Valor Gate didn’t teach you martial arts for you to become a thief!”
The eldest senior brother finished speaking and laughed. “I understand my father’s personality well. Today, let’s see what fate awaits you here!”
After speaking, footsteps could be heard outside the door, followed by a loud voice. “It’s so late already, who is the one that has made a mistake?”
Chu Cimo turned his head and saw a tall and stern middle-aged man walking in. The man’s gaze fell first on the eldest senior brother and then on Chu Cimo.
He frowned. “What’s going on?”
This person was none other than the second martial uncle of Valor Gate, the eldest senior brother’s father.
However, in the punishment hall, the senior brother knew his father’s character well, so he stepped forward and shouted officially, “Second Martial Uncle, I found out today that one of our disciples has committed theft, so I brought him here.”
Upon hearing this, the second martial uncle’s expression became sharp, and a forceful aura pressed down on Chu Cimo.
He looked at Chu Cimo before walking quickly to the front of the judging seat and sitting down. He said, “Speak!”
The eldest senior brother stepped forward and directly said, “I, as the senior brother, am guilty of carelessness. It turns out that our little junior brother Chu Cimo is the Rooftop Gentleman.”
Upon hearing the words “Rooftop Gentleman,” the second martial uncle’s face became dark. He stood up suddenly and looked at Chu Cimo incredulously before angrily asking, “It’s really you?”
Chu Cimo clenched his jaw and said nothing.
The eldest senior brother immediately glared at Chu Cimo. “Second martial uncle is asking you a question.”
Chu Cimo greeted his teeth. “Yes, but…”
His words were then interrupted by the eldest senior brother. “During the interrogation, you only need to answer yes or no!”
The eldest senior brother then took a step forward and asked, “Five years ago on October 3rd, the Liu family in the capital was robbed, and a contract was lost. Did you do it?”
Chu Cimo replied, “Yes, but that Liu family…”
“You only need to say yes or no! Don’t answer with nonsense!” scolded the second martial uncle angrily.
Chu Cimo felt a lump in his throat and took a deep breath before saying, “Yes.”
The eldest senior brother continued to ask, “November 6th, five years ago, someone reported that the medicine in the Huairou Private Hospital was stolen. Did you do it?”
Chu Cimo clenched his lips and said, “…Yes.”
Chu Cimo then looked at the eldest senior brother, knowing that he wouldn’t have a chance to argue. He was speechless.
The eldest senior brother continued, “Stealing is one thing, but on January 7th four years ago, when you went to the Liangshan Company to steal contracts, did you also injure someone? This caused harm to their descendants!”
Chu Cimo said, “That was because…”
“Yes or no?!”
Chu Cimo gritted his teeth, feeling extremely suffocated in his chest. “Yes!”
“On January 17th last year… yes or no?”
“Yes.”
The eldest senior brother revealed all of Rooftop Gentleman’s thefts. Although there was no evidence to prove that it was done by Chu Cimo, as a disciple of Valor Gate, he must not lie here. Hence, Chu Cimo could not deny it.
With each revelation, and with each “yes” that Chu Cimo uttered, the second martial uncle’s expression became increasingly grim.
After the eldest senior brother finished talking about the last case, he finally looked at the second martial uncle and said, “Second Martial Uncle, in summary, after joining Valor Gate, our junior brother learned movement skills and committed 58 counts of theft! Each case is shocking, involving either trade secrets or personal privacy. Although I have no concrete evidence, he has confessed. I request that according to the Valor Gate’s rules, you must deal with this seriously!”
The second marital uncle’s face turned as black as water.
He suddenly slammed the teacup in his hand to the ground and yelled at Chu Cimo, “Did I teach you Valor Gate’s skills so you could commit such crimes?!”
Chu Cimo lowered his head and said, “Second Martial Uncle, I want to explain.”
“Explain? Are you trying to say that you’re a noble thief? That you’re doing good deeds? We have laws in China. What gives you the right to punish and eliminate evil? If everyone acted like you, what use would the law have?”
The eldest senior brother spoke with righteous indignation, “Little Junior Brother, you’re really confused! Do you know that because of the things you’ve done, several martial arts schools in the capital have had to keep a low profile for years? No matter what we do, we must consider our reputation!”
As the son of the second martial arts uncle, the eldest senior brother knew exactly what words would strike a chord with his father.
Hearing these words, the second martial uncle immediately remembered that time in the past.
Martial arts sects were already misunderstood by many in modern law-based society, with most people regarding martial arts as a way to keep fit. However, their Valor Gate clan had always regarded martial arts as their life mission since ancient times.
Hence, in the eyes of others, Valor Gate always had a somewhat reckless reputation.
As if they were a hidden danger in society.
When a thief appeared and the relevant personnel couldn’t find anyone, they immediately suspected these martial arts sects. They then dispatched many people to investigate them every day, making their neighbors look at them with caution.
It was as if everyone in Valor Gate was a criminal.
The second martial uncle exploded, glaring at Chu Cimo and roaring, “The minimum punishment for theft is 20 lashes! You stole 58 items and even beat someone up. Chu Cimo, do you know your crime?”
Chu Cimo looked at him and said, “I know I’m wrong, but…”
“No buts! Even if those people deserved to die, it was not up to you! What’s the rule of Valor Gate? Obeying the law is the top priority!” The second martial arts uncle stared at him. “You have committed such a serious offense. According to the rules of the Valor Gate clan, your tendons should be cut, and you should be kicked out of the sect!”