Chapter 12 (2/2)

Not only that, even the soldiers without ranks were also lined up in formation and stood like rifles without making a sound.

Mu Ge took a quick glance at her surroundings. Her eyes landed on a raised platform directly in front of Mu Xiong.

The mentioned platform was only three feet off the ground.

There were two pillars standing on the square raised platform and two iron rings were nailed to each pillar. A man stood on the platform. His upper body was naked and his muscles as taut as a hill as he stood with his feet apart. He held a long whip that was as thick as a baby’s wrist with a look of indifference.

Mu Ge’s eyebrows throbbed. A bad premonition began to overwhelm her.

“Kneel, Mu Qingge!” A sudden roar came from Mu Xiong. Mu Ge turned her attention towards him.

“Why?” There was no fear on Mu Ge’s pale but beautiful face. She merely stared calmly at Mu Xiong. The posture of her thin body was as straight as a sword; her demeanor was neither humble nor overbearing.

Mu Xiong’s tiger-like eyes glared at his grandson. The young man’s performance drew a hint of appreciation which flew across his face like lightning. “Humph! You left the capital without permission and got involved in a war. Because of your actions, five hundred of your personal guards lost their innocent lives. Do you still not know where your fault lies?”

Mu Xiong was a man who loved his men. He treated every soldier under his command like his son and nephew. He was not putting on a show when he reprimanded Mu Qingge. On the contrary, justice must be served. He wanted Mu Qingge to account for the dead soldiers. More importantly, he wanted Mu Qingge to understand that there was a price to pay for his willfulness.

He spoke with such force and emotions that it shook Mu Ge’s qi and blood.

However, she was not angry in the slightest and she didn’t object.

She remained silent.

Nevertheless, Qin Jinhao, who had been sitting on Mu Xiong’s right side, spoke up, “My Old Lord, five hundred martyrs have lost their lives in the Sunset Wilderness. Qingge must be devastated. Now that he has just suffered such a great tragedy, please be lenient with him, my Lord.”

He looked towards Mu Qingge after saying that, but he didn’t see the look of gratitude and admiration in the latter’s eyes as he had expected.

Qin Jinhao was stunned, but he forced himself to suppress his feeling of disgust. His fingers twisted gently as he leaned on the armrest. Something seemed to be getting out of his control.

Mu Xiong took a glance at Qin Jinhao, then he looked at Mu Ge and asked, “Mu Qingge, do you think I’ll let this matter slide just like that?” There was a hint of nervousness hidden in his words. He was afraid that his grandson’s reply would disappoint him and caused despair to his men.

It didn’t matter that he had a useless physique as the first grandson of the Mu family. A day would come when Mu Xiong died. As long as Mu Xiong could convince his men, his grandson would be able to defend himself.

“Grandfather, may I know what is my punishment?” Mu Ge asked in return, candidly. She completely disregarded Qin Jinhao’s plea on her behalf.

“One hundred lashings,” Mu Xiong replied.

His answer caused the numerous officers and soldiers to exchange side glances among themselves. They were speculating how Mu Qingge’s small body was going to withstand his sentence of one hundred lashings.

Mu Ge pursed her lips, turned around without saying a word, and strode towards the raised platform where her punishment would be executed.

The crowd was silent. Even the scheming Qin Jinhao was waiting for Mu Ge’s next move.

Mu Ge ascended the platform. Instead of standing between the two pillars, she faced all the soldiers below with her hands behind her back and feet apart, and simply told the executioner, “The old General has sentenced me for one hundred lashings. I will add another one hundred more as a condolence to the five hundred who have lost their lives! Do it!”