Path of the Lilies

25. Punishment and Promise

The soldiers were dumbfounded when they heard their leader agreed to the terms that Ye Jiao proposed. Does their leader want to kill a young child?

Seeing the serious expression on Mu Hong's face, no one dared to speak up. They focused on their opponent and continued their spar with one another. Their leader has the highest authority after Wei Shang, so no one wanted to offend him.

Ye Jiao beamed when she heard that Mu Hong had agreed to her ridiculous request. She herself knew that it wouldn't be easy, but him agreeing with her request would mean that he gave her the chance.

"Ye Jiao is grateful to General Mu."

Mu Hong didn't reply. His piercing gaze was looking straight at Ye Jiao as he wanted to know how she felt. However, other than genuine relief and wariness, there was no trace of fear or anything like that. For a seven years old girl, she has outstanding mental perseverance.

"Bring me the military rod."

"Yes, Sir!"

One of the soldiers immediately ran to the storage house and returned with a large rod in his hand. Ye Jiao's eyes widened when she saw the large rod with several bumps all around. The size alone was already more than half of her body.

Mu Hong pointed to the girl. "You go and hit her 30 times according to the military law."

"Sir!" the soldier looked at the rod in his hand as hesitation flashed in his eyes. Truthfully, he was not sure that the girl would be able to stay alive if he had to beat her up using this rod. But military order has to be done.

Ye Jiao stood firmly on her place as she closed her eyes. Her body started to initiate Eon Energy to protect her body. Even if the soldier tried to not hit her too hard, it would still feel hurt.

"Start!" Mu Hong yelled.

The soldier gritted his teeth and clenched his hand that grabbed the rod. Whatever happens, it is not his fault!

Pak!

The first hit reached her butt. Ye Jiao's body shook when the rod hit her body as sweat started to pour out of her forehead. It was painful. Her small body was not used with the pain as she has never gotten hit with a large rod before.

Pak!

As the second hit reached her legs, the pain intensified and her legs trembled slightly, threatening to bring her down. Ye Jiao gritted her teeth as she focused on Eon Energy regulation in her body. No matter what, she had to endure the punishment.

Pak! Pak! Pak!

Just like that, the soldier continued to hit her. Even though he purposely didn't use a lot of power and maintained it in moderate amount, the pain was still much more than what ordinary children normally experienced.

Ye Jiao gritted her teeth as she forced her legs to stay firm. It would do her no good if she fell down even if it might lessen the impact slightly.

"Is she a monster?"

"Her physical strength must be great."

"Maybe a trash without Eon Energy has better physical body."

The soldiers secretly chatted to one another while continuing their practice. Mu Hong could hear them, but he was not in the mood to reprimand them. His eyes were completely focused on the young girl who was enduring the numerous hits.

'She's not a strong person, but she endures everything.'

From the expression that Ye Jiao showed, Mu Hong knew that this girl was enduring the hit with everything she got. No matter how painful it was, she forced her feet to stood straight in place and received the numerous punishments.

Endurance, perseverance, and determination.

With these three fueled her will, Ye Jiao stood straight under the beating of the military rod. By the time the last strike landed on her body, her legs couldn't hold it any longer as she fell to the ground in sitting position.

Ye Jiao gritted her teeth. She could feel her legs and butt were throbbing really hard after the numerous hits. It was so painful that she didn't want to stand up anymore.

Right now, the one who felt immense astonishment was the soldier who hit her. He knew that even after lowering his strength, his hit would make the girl felt painful. However, seeing how the girl still stood straight after the numerous beatings, he didn't have any word left.

She is trash?

So what? Most of the talented people couldn't even bear to have their hand scratched. They would be noisy making ruckus here and there, telling the world how weak they were, yet they were proud of it.

Compared to this young girl, the soldier felt that this girl was worthy of admiration more than those geniuses.

Ye Jiao raised her head to look at Mu Hong. "General Mu, I have finished the punishment. Now, can you let me stay here?"

Mu Hong could see the determination in the girl's eyes. Most children her age would be pampered to no end by their parents coupled with a lot of training according to their potential. Yet this girl decided to go on her way and made decision like this.

If he had to say, this girl would surely become someone great in the future if she continued to preserve in her way and action. The Wei Family might have created a terrifying enemy. But of course, that was only if she could grow up.

Mu Hong nodded his head. "You can stay near that tree and watch our practice. Jun, you help her reach the tree."

"Yes, Sir!"

Ye Jiao struggled to stand up as the soldier beside her, whom Mu Hong called as Jun, helped her. She gave a smile to the man.

"Thank you, Um-Soldier?"

The man smiled wryly. "I'm Wang Jun, Miss."

"Thank you, Soldier Wang Jun."

"It's nothing, Miss," as Wang Jun helped Ye Jiao reached the tree, he realized how weak this girl was after the beating. This made him understood that she didn't withstand the 30 blows without taking any damage.

Only after making sure Ye Jiao was fine did Wang Jun returned back to his teammates.