PBSE 17

Chapter Seventeen

 Military Law

Author: Wei Yi Yong Heng .
“A thousand pounds of force!”

After a brief silence, a cry burst out from among the crowd — it was a centurion.

When those three words rang out, gasps spread once again through the people. They stared at Qin Mo as though they were seeing a ghost. He had clearly only opened a single acupoint — how could he possibly possess the strength of a thousand pounds?

If Qin Li weren’t still lying on the ground groaning in pain, they would have thought it was a dream. Yet the truth was right before their eyes: the so-called useless young clan leader had defeated a warrior who had opened five acupoints.

“Could it be that he’s actually opened more acupoints but hidden his cultivation?” someone speculated. The gazes of the tribesmen toward Qin Mo now carried a trace of awe.

This world was brutally realistic — strength commanded respect. Once Qin Mo showed enough power, the way his clansmen saw him immediately changed.

And since Qin Mo had indeed behaved himself lately, much of their resentment toward him had faded. At least he was living up to his word.

After that suggestion, many began to believe that Qin Mo must have opened several more acupoints — at least five. Otherwise, there was simply no way he could possess such terrifying strength.

To the tribe, this was good news. The Hammerstone Tribe had gained another powerful warrior. More strength meant more prey, and more prey meant more food to sustain their people.

“Not right. He hasn’t opened any other acupoints.”

The centurion who had spoken earlier walked over, gave Qin Mo a glance, then crouched beside the injured Qin Li to tend to him.

As expected, Qin Li’s right arm bone was completely shattered — almost turned to powder — yet the centurion showed no surprise.

His words, however, caused another stir among the tribesmen. They looked at Qin Mo in confusion — if he hadn’t opened additional acupoints, how could he have such power?

“Could it be he’s not a waste at all, but a genius?” someone muttered, recalling the extraordinary talent Qin Mo had once displayed.

Before even reaching adulthood, Qin Mo had already possessed the strength of an ordinary human’s physical limit — five hundred pounds.

“Not that either.”

The centurion stopped caring about Qin Li on the ground and ordered a few warriors to carry him to the Elders’ Hall to be treated by the priest-elders.

The others looked bewildered. The centurion turned toward Qin Mo and asked calmly, “Would you like to explain?”

Qin Mo swept his gaze across the onlookers. Though their eyes were full of curiosity and anticipation, he merely shook his head. “No.”

“Oh.” The centurion didn’t press further. He wasn’t afraid of Qin Mo — just dispassionate. “You know what the punishment is for fighting outside the training platform?”

“I know.” Qin Mo nodded. Every tribe had its rules. Since he had struck, he would accept the consequences.

“Good. Clean up and go to the Military Law Office to receive your punishment.”

Having said that, the centurion neither ordered anyone to restrain Qin Mo nor to escort him — he simply began dispersing the crowd.

Qin Mo didn’t linger. Yet instead of heading straight to the Military Law Office, he returned to his stone dwelling. He washed off briefly, changed into clean clothes, and sat cross-legged on the stone bed to meditate.

Though he’d been confident in his fight with Qin Li, he hadn’t expected his single punch to completely crush Qin Li’s full-force strike.

But thinking it over, it made sense.

Though the attempt to refine the wild bear’s blood had failed the day before, the process had still strengthened his body several times beyond that of a normal acupoint warrior. Coupled with his inherent thousand-pound strength, it was only natural he’d won so easily.

The centurion had asked for an explanation precisely because he already understood this.

After a brief rest, Qin Mo began to breathe steadily and sense the ambient essence of heaven and earth. Meanwhile, elsewhere, Qin Li’s wails echoed through the Elders’ Hall.

A faint light glowed in Qin Tianli’s hands as he gently stroked Qin Li’s broken arm in silence. The radiance passed from his palms into the wound, and gradually, Qin Li’s pain-twisted face relaxed.

Half an hour later, Qin Tianli withdrew his hand. Qin Li, pale-faced, stood up and bowed. “Thank you, Grand Elder.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” Qin Tianli said calmly. “Though your arm is reattached, you won’t be able to use it for at least three months. I’ll prescribe medicine for you — take it as instructed.”

After giving detailed instructions, he finally asked, “It was really Qin Mo who injured you?”

“Yes.” Qin Li clenched his teeth and lowered his head in shame. He had never imagined such an outcome. Still, he bore no grudge — his loss had not been unjust.

What’s more, Qin Mo had refused to fight him on the training platform. If he had agreed, Qin Mo might not have stopped at a broken arm — and no one would have spoken in Qin Li’s defense.

Though he felt no gratitude, he also harbored no hatred.

“I see. Rest for a while, then go to the Military Law Office yourself to receive punishment. Go.” Qin Tianli nodded and waved him off.

When Qin Li had left, Qin Tianli closed his eyes and began to ponder.

Moments later, hurried footsteps approached. “Grandfather, did Qin Mo really injure Qin Li?” The speaker was Qin Yu.

“So rash,” Qin Tianli scolded coldly. “How can you hope to achieve anything with such impatience?”

Qin Yu quickly bowed. “Greetings, Grand Elder.” He dared not speak further.

“Enough,” Qin Tianli waved him to sit.

“Grandfather…” Qin Yu began.

But Qin Tianli interrupted, “You’re worried Qin Mo will surpass you, aren’t you?”

Qin Yu said nothing, but his expression gave him away.

Qin Tianli sighed. “When will you finally grow up?”

“But Qin Mo struck with a thousand pounds of force! The whole tribe is talking about it. I’m afraid—”

“Afraid of what?” Qin Tianli snapped. “Afraid that a white-blooded waste will really surpass you? Or afraid that he’ll actually manage to open more acupoints?”

“I…” Qin Yu faltered.

“He can’t even open new acupoints. Even if, by some miracle, he does, do you think that with his white waste bloodline he could ever surpass you, who possess a red-grade bloodline?” Qin Tianli said, his tone heavy with disappointment.

Hearing that, Qin Yu finally calmed down, though he still asked, “Then how could he have struck with such strength?”

“Fool! It’s because of that wild bear. The chieftain poured half of the bear’s essence blood into his cauldron. With that, and his original five hundred pounds of strength, if he still couldn’t display a thousand pounds, then he truly would be a useless waste!” Qin Tianli snapped.

Qin Yu finally understood and hastily flattered his grandfather to ease his temper.

The next morning, Qin Mo didn’t go hunting in the mountains. Instead, he went straight to the Military Law Office. In the Hammerstone Tribe, no one dared to commit an offense without accepting the punishment.

The centurion hadn’t forced him to go the previous day precisely to see whether he would come of his own accord. Had he tried to evade military law, the punishment would have been doubled.

The same rule applied to Qin Li — even though he was injured, he too had to appear.

The Military Law Office was also overseen by a centurion. When he saw Qin Mo arrive, he said nothing. He simply took out a bamboo slip and handed it over.

After Qin Mo read it, the centurion finally spoke: “Any objections?”

Qin Mo shook his head without a word. The military code was clear — he was to receive one hundred lashes, personally delivered by a warrior who had opened an acupoint.

“Good.” The centurion nodded. He hadn’t finished speaking when Qin Mo had already turned and walked out the door.