CHAPTER 158: PUNISHMENT (1)

Sitting atop his warhorse, Ji Hui looked up arrogantly and ordered, "Feng Xiyan, open the city gate!"

The moment his words fell, Zhan Qi exploded. "Bastard! How dare he address the Great General by name?! Great General, this subordinate will teach him a lesson!"

Just as he reached for his sword, Feng Xiyan raised his hand and said, "General Zhan, please calm down."

Seeing that he was still so calm, Zhan Qi anxiously replied, "Great General, we can’t let him insult you like this! No matter what, your military rank and nobility are higher than his. Just based on this offense, we can execute him on the spot!"

Feng Xiyan gave Zhan Qi a sharp glance that silenced him immediately.

Although Zhan Qi was unhappy, he had no choice but to sheath his sword and clasp his fists. "This subordinate is rude. Great General, please forgive me."

After Zhan Qi finished speaking, Feng Xiyan smiled and explained, "General Zhan, we don’t know the real purpose of Ji Hui’s trip yet, so we can’t act rashly."

Zhan Qi knew he was wrong, so he calmed down and replied, "Thank you for your reminder, Great General. This subordinate understands."

Nodding at him, Feng Xiyan turned to look at Ji Hui.

His smile disappeared as he said, "General Ji, I heard there was a rebellion in Xiquan City. Why are you here instead of suppressing the unrest? Are you not worried that the Quan County Princess will learn of your absence and punish you?"

Hearing this, Ji Hui laughed as if he had heard the biggest joke of the century.

He laughed for a while before glancing at his adjutants. One of them stepped forward and presented a long wooden box adorned with exquisite carvings.

Taking the box, Ji Hui raised it high and said in a loud voice, "Feng Xiyan, come out and receive the imperial decree!"

Upon seeing the familiar box, Feng Xiyan’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

Every time he saw the long wooden box, he would recall the scene when his father forced him to return to Xiqiang City and his mother’s crying face. That was the last time he saw his family.

After a brief silence, Feng Xiyan suddenly said, "General Ji, how dare you. Do you admit your crime?"

Unsure of what he meant, Ji Hui stared at Feng Xiyan for a moment before asking, "Feng Xiyan, what do you mean? What crime has this general committed?"

With one hand behind his back, Feng Xiyan gave Ji Hui a cold look and sneered.

"This general is a first-rank general and a first-rank duke of the Yu Empire. And yet, you—a mere fourth-rank general from a minor noble family—dare to call this general by name?"

Ji Hui’s expression changed slightly the moment he heard this.

Before he could respond, Feng Xiyan continued, "According to the law of our Great Yu Empire, such a crime is punishable by the extermination of nine clans. However, since you have come carrying an imperial decree, this general will spare you from capital punishment."

"Though the death sentence can be pardoned, the life sentence can’t."

Ji Hui had a bad feeling when he heard this. Just as he was about to retort, his military advisor grabbed his arm and shook his head, signaling him not to act rashly.

Seeing Ji Hui remain silent after he looked at the man riding beside him, Feng Xiyan turned to the man.

After observing the military advisor for a moment, Feng Xiyan announced, "Ji Hui has committed the crime of disobedience toward his superior. He will be punished with 100 lashes according to military law."

With that, he turned to Zhan Qi and said, "General Zhan, you will personally carry out the punishment."

Hearing this, Zhan Qi’s eyes lit up. Clasping his fists, he replied with excitement, "This subordinate accepts the order!"

Without delay, Zhan Qi went to carry out the punishment.

As he walked down the stairs, he cracked his knuckles and sneered, "You have finally fallen into this general’s hands, Ji Hui. Today, this general will let you taste my strength."

Turning to a soldier, he ordered, "Go to the underground prison and bring the Nine-Claw Whip to me. Make sure to soak it with salt water first."

The soldier clasped his fists and replied, "Yes, General Zhan."

While waiting, Zhan Qi grinned, his expression twisted with excitement.

Seeing this, the other soldiers shuddered and exchanged glances. Judging by their general’s expression, someone will be unlucky today.

Soon, the soldier returned with the Nine-Claw Whip.

Handing it over with both hands to Zhan Qi, he said, "General Zhan, Physician Yan heard the news just now and applied a special medicine before covering the whip with salt. He guarantees that the wounds will fester and rot within twelve hours."

Zhan Qi’s eyes lit up at his words. Chuckling, he said, "Physician Yan knows me well."

Gripping the Nine-Claw Whip, Zhan Qi commanded, "Open the gate!"

Following his order, the soldiers removed the heavy plank and opened the heavy city gate.

As Zhan Qi mounted his warhorse and rode out, the soldiers shuddered and cast pitying glances at Ji Hui.

Pulling the reins of his majestic steed 50 meters away from the city gate, Zhan Qi gestured to Ji Hui and said, "General Ji, please."

Gritting his teeth, Ji Hui could only dismount.

The military advisor also dismounted and grabbed Ji Hui’s arm. Leaning in, he whispered, "General Ji, be careful. The war horse looks well-fed."

Understanding what he meant, Ji Hui nodded and walked up to Zhan Qi.

Just as he took a step, one of his adjutants stopped him and asked, "General, why don’t we just fight them? You don’t have to let them humiliate you like this."

Ji Hui turned to look at him and explained, "This is not the right time to fall out with them. Until we receive the supplies, we must not give them any excuse to act against us. No matter what, we must get into the city today."