Chapter 359: Fifty Slaps

The blood drained from Thomas's face. His subordinates retreated in fear, and Lily fled.

"Oh no, we're doomed!" Oliver's face paled, his voice trembling. "Jared, this bar is in Phoenix Regiment territory. They won't be merciful if you've caused this ruckus."

A middle-aged man with an eyepatch and several guards appeared. Oliver collapsed into a chair, wetting his pants in terror. Jared was speechless. Is he really Walter's grandson? he wondered.

"H-He hit me first!" Thomas stammered, approaching the newcomer, Orb, and offering him a cigarette.

Orb ignored him. "Slap him!" he commanded. A guard repeatedly slapped Thomas, swelling his face.

"Did you hit him?" Orb asked Jared.

"Yes," Jared replied.

"Slap him too," Orb ordered. A guard lunged, but Jared caught his wrist. "Aren't you going to clarify the situation first?"

Orb scowled. "In my territory, I deliver fifty slaps before asking questions. Are you defying me?"

"I heard the Phoenix Regiment is chivalrous and kind. Phoenix is called a living saint. Is this how her subordinates behave?" Jared's initial positive impression, formed by Lizbeth's praise and his admiration for Phoenix, soured. Their kindness seems to be a rumor, he thought.

Orb snorted. "Who are you to criticize the Phoenix Regiment? Slap yourself ten times!"

"What if I refuse?" Jared smirked.

"Then I will!" Orb slapped Jared. The onlookers gasped; Orb's speed was astonishing.

Jared, however, caught Orb's wrist mid-swing. "I was speaking. Is violence your only answer?"

Orb's eyes widened in panic, struggling against Jared's grip. "Brat, do you know the consequences?" he roared, humiliated in front of so many witnesses.

"You started this fight. Are all Phoenix Regiment members this unreasonable?" Jared asked.

"F*ck you!" Orb swung his other hand.

Jared's aura shifted; bloodlust filled him as he sensed the attack. I tried to be lenient, he thought. He's forcing my hand.

Before Orb could strike, Jared kicked him.

Changes Made:

• Improved sentence structure and flow.
• Corrected grammar and punctuation errors.
• Removed the unnecessary website advertisement.
• Replaced informal language ("Promptly," "backhanded him across the face") with more concise and natural phrasing.
• Clarified ambiguous wording.
• Added some narrative description to improve readability (e.g., adding "the onlookers gasped").
• Italicized internal thoughts for clarity.

The revised passage is more polished and engaging while retaining the original story's core elements.