FBC – Chapter 177 The Military Whip Shows No Favor

Luodian border garrison.

Since last night, the temperature had suddenly dropped, accompanied by fierce winds. The land around the garrison was already barren, and now the camp was filled with flying sand and choking dust, visibility reduced to almost nothing.

On the training ground’s high platform, Mu Junyan, clad in black armor, stood with his hands clasped behind his back. His gaze was steady and sharp, never wavering as he looked down at the soldiers below.

On the field, heavily armed soldiers were in the midst of drills. The thunderous shouts of “kill” shook the skies, blades flashing in the dusty air, murderous intent surging.

Yuan Zhongyong, dressed in a purple python-embroidered robe, stood nearby. One hand pressed his official hat, the other covered his mouth and nose against the sandstorm. Dust battered his face so badly his eyes couldn’t even open.

His whole face was dark with gloom.

He had only just entered the camp, not even sat down, before Mu Junyan’s men brought him straight to the training field. They said they were preparing to muster troops for departure, and he was required to encourage the soldiers on behalf of His Majesty.

The words left him no room to refuse.

But still—shouldn’t Mu Junyan have arranged a seat for him, the imperial inspector personally appointed by the emperor?

Instead, he was forced to stand here in the wind, eating sand for half an hour.

His legs were trembling already—never in his noble life had he stood for so long.

He didn’t know how much longer the training would drag on. Weren’t they supposed to set off today? Why not finish mustering and get on with it?

Finally, unable to bear it, he opened his mouth—only for a gust of wind to blow sand straight into it.

“Puh! Puh! Duke Yong… y-you, puh, puh—”

Mu Junyan tilted his head slightly. “Lord Yuan, spitting nonstop like this—are you expressing your disdain for this duke?”

Yuan Zhongyong: “……”

“N-no, it’s just—sand, puh puh—”

He was about to explode with rage.

With a sweep of his arm, Mu Junyan commanded the soldiers to halt. The armed men straightened in unison, their posture proud and upright, crimson tassels fluttering in the dusty air—a sight both grand and intimidating.

“Lord Yuan, you come here on His Majesty’s orders to supervise the army. Naturally, you are the one who most upholds discipline, yes?”

“Of course.” Yuan Zhongyong rolled his eyes, still covering his nose and mouth.

Wasn’t that obvious? Did they really need to ask?

He didn’t want to speak at all!

Mu Junyan’s tone was unhurried. “Then surely Lord Yuan will abide by the army’s regulations? Otherwise, I fear you cannot supervise my Mu Family Army.”

Yuan Zhongyong froze slightly, sharply aware of the trap hidden in his words.

“Since His Majesty commanded me, naturally I can.”

Mu Junyan’s voice was calm: “The year before last, His Highness the Second Prince, and last year, His Highness the Sixth Prince, both came to supervise the army. The very first thing they did upon entering camp was to loudly read aloud the military regulations, swearing to live and die with the army, to uphold discipline together. The hundred thousand soldiers here can all bear witness.”

He slowly raised his arm, pointing toward the soldiers below.

“YES!” The deafening reply made Yuan Zhongyong flinch.

“So then, is Lord Yuan claiming to be more noble than the princes?”

Yuan Zhongyong found himself tongue-tied.

Indeed…

Mu Junyan’s next words cut like steel: “Lord Yuan, you dared summon prostitutes to the official residence. When my wife blocked you, you then had the audacity, while drunk, to harass her. According to military law, anyone who enters this camp and dares harass the family members of soldiers is to be flogged fifty times.”

Yuan Zhongyong’s backside clenched tight. Forgetting all about the dust, he sputtered, “Y-you—you wouldn’t dare! I am an imperial inspector! To strike me is to show contempt for His Majesty!”

Mu Junyan turned, facing him fully, hawk-like eyes gleaming with murderous cold: “You dare to do it, but not to accept punishment? With such conduct, how are you fit to be His Majesty’s envoy? The inspector represents the emperor. Are you saying His Majesty instructed you to insult my wife?”

Yuan Zhongyong’s face went pale.

Below, a hundred thousand soldiers stared at him with chilling eyes.

Even his attendants dared not move, afraid of being implicated.

Trembling with fury, Yuan Zhongyong stammered, “Y-you—letting your woman into the camp, that too violates discipline! As commander, should you not obey first?”

Mu Junyan only curved his lips in a cold smile. He unbuckled his heavy armor, his deputy immediately taking it.

Turning his back, he removed his robe—revealing his back covered in fresh, crisscrossing scars.

Yuan Zhongyong gaped in shock.

Once Mu Junyan had donned his armor again, his gaze pressed down like a mountain. “So, Lord Yuan—will you return to the capital, or continue your supervision?”

The question made Yuan Zhongyong grind his teeth in hatred.

If he returned, it was defying the edict. If he stayed, he would be flogged.

Mu Junyan looked at him briefly, then declared, “It seems Lord Yuan chooses punishment willingly.”

Willingly? He was forced!

Mu Junyan didn’t waste another word. With a wave, two fierce executioners stepped forward—one carrying a whip as thick as an arm, the other dragging a punishment bench to the center of the stage.

Yuan Zhongyong shivered violently.

“Lord Yuan, unless you leave the camp immediately, you must obey our regulations. As for harassing my wife—if not now, I will settle that account with you in the capital.”

Yuan Zhongyong shook and, gritting his teeth, climbed onto the bench.

Mu Junyan’s voice came slowly: “Remove your outer robe.”

“You! This is too much!” Yuan Zhongyong wailed.

“I am a duke of the realm, and even I have to strip my robe to take punishment.”

Rank crushed rank—what could he say?

“Assist Lord Yuan.”

The two soldiers bellowed, “Yes, sir!”

In a few swift motions, they stripped off his heavy robe, leaving only thin inner clothes.

Shivering from the cold, Yuan Zhongyong looked up—just in time to see the whip descending fiercely upon him. He screamed, instinctively twisting away, but the other soldier stomped his butt down hard, pinning him in place.

The lash cracked against his back. Agonizing pain tore a shrill scream from his throat.

His entourage exchanged horrified glances, their faces pale. If their master was beaten, their own days would be miserable.

The leader trembled forward, kneeling with a thud before Mu Junyan. “Duke, for the Empress Dowager’s sake, please spare Lord Yuan!”

The rest quickly followed, kneeling. “Duke, punish us instead!”

“Yes, yes, we’ll take his place. Beat us however many times you wish!”

Mu Junyan’s gaze swept over them coldly. “Without punishment, the lesson won’t stick.”

The report from Chiyu said Yuan Zhongyong harmed commoners, brought prostitutes into the residence, and even dared harass Gu Hua. His crimes were enormous.

If not for Gu Hua’s safety, Mu Junyan would have killed this beast outright.

Death was too easy; suffering was the proper fate.

At first Yuan Zhongyong screamed pitifully, but within a few lashes he fainted. The executioner revived him with water, only to continue until his back was raw and bloody. His attendants’ faces were bloodless with fear.

When it was over, Mu Junyan ordered the army physician to tend him.

Once he was carried away, Mu Junyan listened to the beat of the war drums. He exchanged glances with his deputies—each moving to prepare according to the strategy set the previous night.

Judging from the sky, the scouts should soon return.

“Commander.” A black-clad guard hurried over, presenting a bamboo tube brought by carrier pigeon from Chiyu.

Mu Junyan swiftly unrolled it.

He muttered, “Return to the capital? …Very well.”

Inside the carriage, Gu Hua and Dong Hua were preparing to leave through the eastern gate, escorted by Chiyu and six guards.

As they reached the gate, a commotion arose.

Lifting the curtain, Gu Hua saw a crowd gathered at the porridge shed, lining up for food.

Suddenly, three men walked past the carriage toward the crowd.

Gu Hua’s pupils shrank.

Brother Ji!

“Tell Chiyu to stop the carriage!” she urged Dong Hua.

Dong Hua, bewildered, leaned out. “Brother Chiyu, madam says stop.”

The carriage halted. Chiyu glanced inside through the lifted curtain.

After a long moment, Gu Hua revealed her face, voice low: “Chiyu, I saw Ji Xuanyu, the young master of the Yifeng Hall.”

“You mean Yifeng Hall’s young master?” Chiyu was shocked.

Gu Hua nodded firmly, lowering her voice. “He’s with that old kidnapper, Lu Laosan—the same one who abducted me before. They’re heading toward the porridge shed.”

Chiyu’s expression darkened.

This was a man their lord had ordered captured. But if they moved now, Gu Hua’s safety would be at risk.

If Ji Xuanyu discovered she was in Juzhou—who knew what he would do?

No one could say.