With a loud shout from David Spencer, the path instantly cleared, leaving only that frail, struggling figure behind.

　　"Not good!" Henry Spencer felt a sense of foreboding, forced himself to take a step, but immediately felt utterly exhausted, his body swaying unsteadily.

　　David Spencer's face darkened, his gaze suddenly turning icy as he walked toward him.

　　Pa!

　　A fierce wind howled, followed by the sharp crack of a whip.

　　Henry Spencer let out a muffled groan, feeling a burning red welt appear on his face, the pain making him shiver uncontrollably, yet he stubbornly refused to make a sound.

　　Thud!

　　But under the intense pain, his legs gave out and he collapsed to the ground again, his strength completely drained, unable to muster any energy no matter how hard he tried.

　　"Slacking off and neglecting work—according to the rules of the Xu family mine, the maximum penalty is fifty lashes."

　　David Spencer's eyes were fierce, as sharp as cold blades, raising the whip high in his hand.

　　Fifty lashes!

　　The nearby miners all stiffened, most of them filled with worry and sympathy.

　　"Fifty lashes... with David Spencer's strength, even an adult at the third level of body refinement would be beaten half to death, let alone this crippled Xu kid."

　　Many miners gasped, their eyes full of reluctance and pity.

　　"I heard that David Spencer and this boy's father were both outstanding figures in the village when they were young, and there are grudges between them. With David Spencer's vengeful nature..."

　　"This David Spencer is too vicious. Xu the cripple became disabled three years ago due to an accident, and now he still wants to destroy the man's son."

　　All the miners in the mine wore expressions of grief and sympathy.

　　Yet, not a single person dared to step forward and stop it.

　　If they offended David Spencer, they would find it hard to survive in Yangmu Village. Besides, with David Spencer's strength, even if they all joined forces, they might not be a match for him.

　　Body refinement level nine—every three levels is a watershed. Having reached the fourth level, David Spencer could easily look down on these miners at the second or third level.

　　"Is it possible that on my very first day working at the mine, I'm going to be beaten half to death?"

　　At this moment, Henry Spencer lay on the ground, filled with sorrow and helplessness, his hands tightly gripping the earth.

　　He had long heard of David Spencer's fierce reputation, and was all too familiar with this man.

　　As the overseer of the mine, David Spencer could "at his discretion" punish miners within the rules. As long as no one died, it was all too easy for him to torment someone.

　　"David Spencer, stop!"

　　A limping middle-aged figure approached.

　　It was none other than Henry Spencer's father!

　　"John Spencer, you've become a cripple, your cultivation has regressed to the third level of body refinement—how can you possibly fight me?"

　　David Spencer let out a cold laugh, withdrew his whip, and looked mockingly at Henry Spencer's father.

　　"As a father, failing to teach your son properly, you should be able to take the rest of the punishment in his place."

　　Mr. Spencer bent over, forcing a smile.

　　"Very well, very well!"

　　A brilliant smile curled at the corner of David Spencer's mouth, the fierceness in his eyes growing even stronger.

　　In their youth, he and Mr. Spencer were both outstanding figures in the village, but bore grudges against each other.

　　If this punishment could fall on Mr. Spencer, it would be even more satisfying and cathartic for him.

　　A cold, sharp light flashed in David Spencer's eyes, the whistle of the whip in his hand growing even more menacing as the cold wind swept in.

　　Whoosh—crack!

　　Henry Spencer felt an aged yet familiar figure block out the scorching sunlight, shielding him from David Spencer's fierce, icy gaze, and taking the full force of that powerful lash.

　　"Father..."

　　Henry Spencer's heart was filled with bitterness, his eyes reddening as he looked at the usually stern father who rarely smiled or spoke kindly.

　　But at this moment, he could only see his father's back, and felt a strange stirring deep in his heart.

　　In this instant, he understood even more deeply how hard it was for his father, crippled as he was, to work in the mine every day.

　　"Crack! Crack! Crack..."

　　Immediately after, a series of sharp whip cracks echoed through the Xu family mine.

　　Mr. Spencer curled up on the ground with practiced experience, hugging his head with both hands, silently enduring the stinging lashes. Even so, bloody welts quickly appeared all over his body.

　　Henry Spencer's heart trembled—his own punishment was being borne by his father!

　　A real man stands tall and proud.

　　How could he let his loved ones bear the consequences of his own mistakes!

　　Rage burned in his chest, a surge of hot blood rushing through him. Though his body had been exhausted, he suddenly sprang up, roaring, "David Spencer, don't you dare hurt my father—"

　　At this critical moment, he burst forth with strength beyond his physical limits, leaping through the air toward David Spencer.

　　"Xuan'er, don't—"

　　Mr. Spencer, still enduring the pain of the whip, suddenly changed expression.

　　"Courting death!"

　　David Spencer sneered coldly, not even turning his head, and extended a single finger.

　　Just one finger, yet it was as hard as steel, carrying a sharp, fierce wind as he flicked it backward.

　　Upon reaching the fourth level of body refinement, one could cultivate a kind of "internal force," greatly increasing one's strength—this was the difference between the fourth level and those below it.

　　"Bang—"

　　Henry Spencer's body flew several meters like a rubber ball from a single finger, landing in a daze.

　　Crack! Crack! Crack!...

　　The whip continued to fall, and David Spencer curled his lips in mockery: "John Spencer, you really are a pitiful cripple."

　　"Yes, I am a cripple." Mr. Spencer's voice was hoarse as he lowered his head. "I beg Overseer Spencer for mercy—please, let bygones be bygones."