The members of the enforcement team surrounding them were shocked by Zhang Hao's decisive killing.
"Zhang Hao, you killed a member of my enforcement team. You owe me an explanation."
A figure swiftly approached from a distance and quickly landed in front of everyone, exuding a powerful pressure. Intense killing intent locked onto Zhang Hao.
"Second Elder."
The enforcement team members were overjoyed upon seeing the middle-aged man.
Zhang Hao's expression darkened. The enforcement team was under the Second Elder's jurisdiction. The Second Elder was one of the First Elder's people, so he naturally wouldn't side with him.
"Second Elder, Zhang Hao killed the captain! Please uphold justice for your subordinates!" Zhang Chao, the deputy captain of the enforcement team, said excitedly.
The enforcement team members' spirits lifted, as if they had found their backbone.
Zhang Hao felt the Second Elder's sharp gaze on him but showed no fear. He met the deputy captain's gaze and sternly questioned, "Zhang Chao, as the deputy captain of the enforcement team, do you know the third rule of the Zhang Family law?"
Zhang Chao was intimidated by Zhang Hao's Aura and subconsciously replied, "Those who disrespect or defy the Patriarch and Young Master are considered traitors to the clan. Minor offenses result in expulsion from the Family, while severe offenses... severe offenses result in execution!"
Towards the end, Zhang Chao's voice trembled slightly.
"Second Uncle, I am still the Young Master of the Zhang Family. Those who disrespect me shall be executed without mercy!" Zhang Hao said coldly.
"You..."
The Second Elder was speechless. Zhang Hao held the moral high ground, and for a moment, he really couldn't do anything to him.
The Second Elder's gaze fell on Zhang Jianfeng, and he asked Zhang Chao, "What crime did he commit?"
Zhang Chao immediately recounted Zhang Jianfeng's crimes to the Second Elder.
"Second Elder, I, Zhang Jianfeng, do not accept this." Zhang Jianfeng looked directly at the Second Elder, showing no fear.
Provoked by a mere Family disciple, the Second Elder said chillingly, "Oh, then what will make you accept it?"
"Zhang Dou was the main person in charge of this escort mission. I was just the deputy, with no autonomy. Why should I take the blame? Is it just because he is your nephew, Second Elder?" Zhang Dou laughed loudly.
The Second Elder sneered, "So, you mean if Zhang Dou confesses and serves his sentence, you will be willing to confess?"
Zhang Hao sensed a deeper meaning in the Second Elder's words and felt a sense of unease. He was about to stop him. Unexpectedly, Zhang Jianfeng said, "Exactly. I just hope for equal treatment."
"Good, bring Zhang Dou up here," the Second Elder ordered.
Zhang Hao didn't know what the Second Elder intended to do, and his unease grew.
A moment later, several enforcement team members escorted Zhang Dou forward. Zhang Dou was grumbling, but upon seeing the Second Elder, his expression lit up. With a 'thump', he knelt before the Second Elder, crying out, "Cousin Uncle, please uphold justice for me!"
The Second Elder's face darkened with anger, "Zhang Dou, do you know your crime?"
"Cousin Uncle... I..."
Zhang Dou stammered, about to speak. The Second Elder's sharp gaze was like an arrow, sending a chill through him. He prostrated himself on the ground and said, "Con... confess!"
"Then you can die," the Second Elder said, striking down with his palm.
Zhang Dou was not only unprepared, but even if he had been, he couldn't have resisted at all.
Zhang Dou shrieked, his skull cracking, and he died.
The Second Elder killed Zhang Dou with an expressionless face, calm and composed, as if he hadn't killed a person, but an ant.
"Young Master, are you satisfied?" The Second Elder glanced at Zhang Hao with a mocking look.
Zhang Hao's heart trembled, but on the surface, he smiled faintly, "Second Uncle indeed enforces the law impartially. I am very satisfied."
"That's good. As the Elder in charge of the Enforcement Hall, I naturally cannot engage in favoritism or pervert justice."
After saying this with a meaningful look, the Second Elder suddenly turned to Zhang Jianfeng and abruptly shouted, "Zhang Jianfeng, do you confess?"
"Zhang Jianfeng confesses!" Zhang Jianfeng lowered his head.
"Brother!" Zhang Xiaomin rushed to Zhang Jianfeng's side. She naturally knew that if Zhang Jianfeng confessed, he would be doomed.
Zhang Hao felt a sense of frustration, along with extreme anger. The Second Elder killing his cousin was not only to appear impartial before his subordinates but also to strike at him and serve as a deterrent. After all, sacrificing a cousin was nothing to the Second Elder. But Zhang Jianfeng was his childhood friend. If he couldn't even protect his childhood friend, who else in the entire Zhang Family would dare to stand by his side?
"Second Uncle, you've gone to great lengths!" Zhang Hao stared at the Second Elder, his eyes filled with sharp killing intent.