The flattery was good, but Patriarch Calcetti didn't let the flattery get to him.
He snorted and said, "Don't mind yourself with how I glow. Just focus on how you're going to make your son take first place in his sect examination. It is either that or prepare your buttocks for your punishment."
Augustus bowed and said, "The patriarch is wise."
Then he winked at the people beside him. They saw the signal, so they decided to echo what Augustus just said.
Some started with a shout, "The patriarch is wise."
Another person added sincerely, "It is foolish of Augustus to have made such a mistake. Fortunately, we have someone as wise and merciful as you to recover the situation and help him learn what he did wrong."
"That's true. This is why the patriarch is so important to us. We can make mistakes here and there, but we will have a wise man to correct us."
"Without the patriarch, where would we be?"
