Gu Dahu's strength was immense, the whip lashed effortlessly.
Each stroke was unreservedly aimed at Gu Ruinian.
On a winter morning, all was silent, except for the sound of the whip echoing through the Gu Family courtyard, startling the snow-laden trees so that the snow rolled down, hitting the ground and splattering snowflakes on faces and bodies.
The cold was even more intense.
A full fifty lashes completed.
Gu Dahu threw away the whip, exhausted and panting heavily.
Gu Ruinian lay on the bench, barely breathing, as his two younger brothers loosened their grip, and he collapsed limply onto the snow, unconscious.
A trail of blood stretched across the snow.
Strikingly conspicuous against the white snow.
Everyone looked at Gu Ruinian with varied expressions, their hearts set off stormy waves.
It was the first time the young ones in the clan witnessed the use of clan punishment, and fear gripped everyone.
