Fang Yun ignored the old woman's squeals, which sounded like a pig being slaughtered, and turned to face the seven soldiers.
"Get up!" Fang Yun barked angrily. The seven soldiers hurried to their feet. Two swayed and nearly fell, only managing to stand with support from the men beside them.
Their legs were numb, but once they stood, all seven held themselves straight.
"A man kneels before Heaven and earth, his sovereign, his parents, and his teachers. How can he kneel before a pack of ignorant fools? Where is the dignity of our Jing Kingdom soldiers? When you return to the army, every one of you will have your merit rating lowered by one grade!"
"Yes, sir!" the seven soldiers answered in unison.
"I can't hear you!" Fang Yun roared even louder.
"Yes, sir!" the seven soldiers shouted with all their strength.
At that moment, the old man in fine robes regained consciousness and struggled into a sitting position. "Fang Yun, even if you are a Void Sage, you shouldn't assault people in the street!" he said furiously.
"So you're allowed to whip soldiers, but I'm not allowed to hit you? Whose notion of justice is that?" Fang Yun sneered.
"I was beating deserters, not soldiers!"
"I was beating a vicious fool, not an old man, much less committing an assault!" Fang Yun said.
"You... you're using your power to bully people!" The old man was beside himself with rage.
"And what were you doing?" Fang Yun asked indifferently.
"You..."
Fang Yun swept a cold gaze over the elderly people. "Having lost your sons and grandsons in battle, you should have had everyone's sympathy. Instead, you use your loved ones' deaths as a license to do whatever you please. You see nothing but your own grief and wish those who