The current patriarch of the Eastern Lineage was Dongfang Kongxuan. He had sent his eldest son, Dongfang Qiwu, to the entrance to welcome Tang Wen and his companion.
All things considered, this showed considerable respect for someone from the Punishment Hall. After all, Zhang Ze was merely a lowly "Punishment General."
The wealthy, high-handed members of the Eastern Lineage had people in every trade. In the Punishment Hall, for example, they had a clansman of their own whose position was somewhat higher than Zhang Ze's.
However, the strength of the Eastern Lineage's members had declined.
Thus, in the Punishment Hall, where strength was king, the highest position any of their clansmen held was only at the "Punishment Marquis" level.
That man was named Dongfang Liaoyuan, merely a Deputy Director of one of the Punishment Hall's subsidiary halls.
Moreover, securing that Deputy Director position for Dongfang Liaoyuan had cost the Eastern Lineage dearly. They had obtained it only after donating a considerable sum to the Punishment Hall.
Although fists decided everything in the Punishment Hall, when a huge sum of money lay before them, a little backdoor accommodation was still possible.
Besides, Dongfang Liaoyuan was only a minor Deputy Director. He posed no threat to the Punishment Hall, so it was of little consequence.
In Black City, every faction sharpened their heads to a point trying to squeeze their people into the Punishment Hall.
After all, the Punishment Hall was a towering tree, and everyone wanted to lean against it for shelter.
"Lord Punishment General, forgive me for not coming farther out to welcome you. How discourteous of me." As soon as Zhang Ze appeared at the main hall's entrance, Dongfang Kongxuan walked out with a smile.
Those were naturally mere pleasantries. Even if he would not come far out, could