Chapter 659: Can One Survive a Hundred Military Staff Strikes?

The Beili Emperor stared at Sang Zhi, his gaze then falling upon Xiang Minghou. After a moment of silence, he spoke in a low, heavy voice, "Hear my decree! Xiang Minghou has trespassed in the Imperial Palace, a heinous crime. He is sentenced to one hundred strikes with the military club, stripped of his rank as General, and banished from the Capital City."

"A hundred strikes with the military club will kill him, Your Majesty!" Zhan Yi cried out in shock, dropping to his knees. "I beg you to show mercy."

What was the difference between one hundred strikes and simply being killed?

Xiang Minghou gathered his Inner Strength, but Dean Chen held him down firmly.

"Xiang Minghou, think about it. Would the little girl want to see you die a horrible death?" Dean Chen stared at him, his expression grave and his voice barely a whisper.

A mist formed in Xiang Minghou’s eyes. "She’s already gone. If I can’t avenge her, how can I call myself a father?"

"She wouldn’t want to see this," Dean Chen said, his tone intensifying as his grip on Xiang Minghou’s arm tightened.

Xiang Minghou looked up, their eyes meeting. After a long moment, he took a deep breath. "I only want Consort Yuan’s life. Even if I am banished from the Capital City, I will take Consort Yuan’s head to offer to my daughter."

"Your Majesty, Xiang Minghou didn’t intend to force his way into the palace. This whole affair was started by Consort Yuan. Your Majesty, I beg you to lessen his sentence," Zhan Yi pleaded, seizing the opportunity.

The Beili Emperor was no fool. ’Xiang Minghou wants to kill Consort Yuan, but he also wants to kill me!’

"That I have not taken his life is already an act of extraordinary mercy. Anyone who pleads for him again will also receive one hundred strikes with the military club and be banished from the Capital City."

Zhan Yi’s face was etched with worry. The Emperor’s stance was resolute. ’After a hundred strikes from the military club, would he even be alive?’

An ordinary person couldn’t even withstand twenty strikes.

"Eighth Brother, come here," the Beili Emperor said.

Sang Zhi didn’t move, his crimson eyes fixed on him.

"Du Zhong," the Beili Emperor called.

Du Zhong flashed to Sang Zhi’s side. Sang Zhi lunged with a dagger, but with a blur of motion, his head lolled and he collapsed, unconscious.

"Take him back to Dragon and Qilin Hall. If anyone lets him escape again, they will answer with their head," the Beili Emperor commanded.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Du Zhong lifted him up.

"Li Quande, escort Xiang Minghou to the palace gates and carry out the punishment in public."

Mr. Li stepped forward and bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty."

The Beili Emperor looked coldly at Minghou. "If you dare resist, I will issue a decree to execute everyone in your General’s manor."

Xiang Minghou gripped his long saber tightly, a tremendous rage burning in his heart. ’To have such an emperor in Beili... it’s truly disheartening. No amount of meritorious service can outweigh ambition.’

’Ambition will erode the very foundation of a nation—!’

"General Xiang, if you please," Mr. Li said to Xiang Minghou, his tone deeply respectful.

Dean Chen patted his arm discreetly. "One hundred strikes will be difficult to endure. Use your Inner Strength to protect the meridians around your heart. When you return to your manor, I have something to discuss with you."

Xiang Minghou’s expression was resolute. He gave a slight nod, then turned and walked toward the palace gates.

Mr. Li followed closely, leading a contingent of imperial guards.

"Even if he survives a hundred strikes, he’ll be crippled. Dean, is there really nothing you can do?" Zhan Yi couldn’t bear it.

"This is the absolute limit of the Emperor’s tolerance," Dean Chen said, understanding the situation perfectly.

If not for the pressure from various factions, Xiang Minghou would have been sentenced to certain death for trespassing in the palace with intent to kill.

"Then..."

"If Xiang Minghou protects his body with his Inner Strength, he might just make it."

"Sigh," Zhan Yi lamented. "He’s led armies in battle for so many years. How could he be so reckless?"

Dean Chen sighed as well.

’It’s precisely because of his years on the frontier. The harshness of the borderlands has worn away any sense of rules and etiquette. Xiang Minghou is suited for war, not for the imperial court.’

’When he gets that temper, not even nine bulls could hold him back.’

A crowd had already gathered at the palace gates. The lead guard had just finished cleaning the blood from the ground when he turned and saw Xiang Minghou emerge, radiating a murderous aura.