"One hundred fifty-nine... One hundred sixty-eight..." Whispered counts turned into clear calculations.
The orderly counting seemed to cheer on Mu Ge.
Mu Xiong pressed his lips tightly, gazing at the small figure on the high platform with both pride and heartache. In his palm, he secretly clutched an Advanced Elixir for muscle regeneration and blood circulation. This life-saving elixir was acquired by chance, and he was waiting for the punishment with the Teng Whip to conclude so he could immediately feed it to Mu Qingge to save her life.
"One hundred ninety-nine, two hundred!"
With the last crack of the whip, the Teng Whip, as thick as a baby's arm, snapped in half.
"Little Lord!" The executioner's face changed drastically, kneeling on one knee with his head tilted up at the still-standing Mu Ge.
"Is it over?" Mu Ge raised her chin, looking towards the skies, her voice light and calm. As if the one enduring the punishment was not her at all.
"Little Lord, two hundred Teng Whips, not a single one missed!"
The synchronized voice answered her.
Mu Ge felt the darkened figures before her eyes diminish slightly, as the intense pain on her back had long radiated throughout her body, leaving her numb.
Not a single one missed.
This answer brought a faint, serene smile to Mu Ge's lips, as her vision darkened, and she fell backward.
"Little Lord!" The soldiers kneeling on one knee were horrified as Mu Ge's body fell, nearly rising to rush towards the high platform.
But someone was faster than them.
A flash of blue light, and Mu Xiong was already standing on the high platform, catching Mu Ge's body and without hesitation, placing the elixir into her mouth, using Inner Strength to help her absorb the medicine.
"Old General, please let me become the Little Lord's trusted aide!"
"Old General, and me too!"
"Count me in!"
The clamoring voices caused Qin Jinhao to rise slowly. He looked at the Mu Family, surrounded by the soldiers of Great Qin, with a trace of jealousy in his eyes. His stern face shifted between light and shadow. "Mu Family, Mu Family... Mu Xiong... Mu Qingge!"
"Alright! As for the trusted aide matter, we'll discuss after Ge'er heals. Everyone disperse." As his grandson gained the respect of these proud soldiers, Mu Xiong was happy, but at that moment, he was more concerned about Mu Qingge's injuries.
Roar—! Screech—!
The beastly roar from the sky suddenly interrupted the soldiers' enthusiasm.
Everyone looked towards the horizon, including Mu Xiong and Qin Jinhao. Cradled in Mu Xiong's arms, Mu Qingge opened her eyes weakly, unsure if it was due to the medicinal power or the roar in the sky, and looked towards the clear horizon with the others.
"What is that..."
From the horizon, several black dots appeared, approaching as if tearing through the sky.
"It's the Gale Dragon Leopards!" Mu Xiong's eyes deepened.
As he spoke, the black dots came closer, allowing everyone on the ground to see more clearly.
Gale Dragon Leopards?
Though Mu Ge's vision became blurry, she could see the nine bizarre beasts, pulling an extravagant chariot through the sky fantastically.
The beasts had Dragon heads, but Leopard bodies. Their entire bodies were blue with faint golden totems, mysterious and noble. On their backs, thin as cicada wings, membranous wings were spread, stirring countless whirlwinds. The clouds churned beneath their clawed feet, taking a step yet spanning several yards.
The ferocious Leopard tail bristled with reverse scales, creating space fissures wherever it lashed, taut muscles brimming with violent power.
Compared to the Dragon Leopards, the chariot seemed far more subdued. It was pitch-black with a golden sheen, likewise decorated with ferocious beast heads, black curtains concealing the chariot's interior entirely.
"It's the Six-winged Gale Dragon Leopard. In the entire Linchuan Continent, only one person can use such a beast to pull a chariot." Qin Jinhao, accompanied by his trusted aides, was already standing in the military camp's open space, looking at the unexpected guest in the sky with the crowd, his eyes filled with excitement and fervor, and a deeply hidden desire. 'If only one day he could sit on that royal chariot...'
"The Holy Yuan Empire, the Holy King standing alongside the Emperor!" Mu Xiong murmured in shock.
Holy Yuan Empire? Standing alongside the Emperor? Holy King?
Every word was foreign to Mu Ge. In her confusion, the people around her, including Mu Xiong and Qin Jinhao, fell to one knee, worshipping the approaching presence in the sky—
"Welcome, Holy King, Your Majesty!"
The weakened Mu Ge leaned on Mu Xiong, unwilling to bow her head, yet she was powerless to resist.
The Gale Dragon Leopards hovered above the military camp, overseeing those on the ground.
From within the sealed chariot, a voice that sent shivers down Mu Ge's spine suddenly emerged, "Little Ge'er, come."