Chapter 363: Collecting the Corpses

Xiong originally wanted to satisfy his own curiosity and also show concern for his colleague, but he never expected to be looked at like that for no reason. How could his explosive temper endure it? So, he let out a soft cry of "Hey," then shoved the office door open and walked directly toward Mu.

Before Mu had even reached the door of Baifeng's office, his arm was suddenly grabbed by someone. He turned around to see an annoyed-looking Xiong, who then sprayed spit from his big mouth directly onto Mu's face while questioning: "What was the meaning of that look you just gave? I didn't provoke or offend you, did I? What the hell are you trying to do?"

Mu now had the confidence, and with his temper flared up, he wasn't afraid of Xiong, the strongest Soldier of Huaxia and Minister of War, in the slightest. He pointed his finger at Xiong's nose and started lashing out: "You dare to come and ask me? I'm the one who wants to find that brat to settle the score! Do you have any idea what your precious sons have done? It's perfect, I'm going to see the King about this matter right now. You come along and listen too; let's see how you save your sons' lives!"

Xiong was taken aback by Mu's insolence. If it were in the past, he might have already resorted to violence, but upon hearing that his sons had committed a wrong, his heart panicked and his grip involuntarily loosened. His voice slowed down slightly: "I see my sons committed a wrong? Which son, what wrong?"

Mu shook off Xiong's hand and snorted coldly: "Which one? All four! The crime is equivalent to murder!"

Xiong was instantly stunned on the spot. Xiong could believe that Shaoyin dared to kill, but he certainly wouldn't kill his own tribesmen. But what about Second Tiger and Fourth Tiger? How could those two little ones possibly go and kill someone? However, before he could ask for clarification, Mu walked straight away toward Baifeng's office, and Xiong hurriedly trotted two steps to keep up.

Baifeng was currently worried about searching for the address of the Golden Gathering, but seeing Mu followed by Xiong entering, he still revealed a smile.

However, before Baifeng could speak, Mu slid forward and knelt on the ground. After kowtowing three times loudly, he raised his head and said to Baifeng: "King! Xiong's four sons angered the horse herd at the Horse Farm, resulting in the tragic death of one person and four dogs. I hope the King can send men to subdue the horse herd and also convict Xiong's four sons!"

Once these words were spoken, not only Xiong, but Baifeng was also stunned. In the short distance they had walked, Xiong had thought of every possibility of his sons committing manslaughter, but he never expected it to be such a situation.

Baifeng's expression instantly turned gloomy. He looked at Mu, whose forehead was already bruised, and then at the stunned Xiong. He first stepped forward to pull Mu up, then asked him to explain in detail.

Mu then recounted the news he had received, word for word, in detail. He also said that several of their herdsmen were right here; they were eyewitnesses and could be brought over for a confrontation.

Baifeng gave a look to a Soldier of the Phylum, who hurriedly ran off to bring the people. During this time, none of the men said another word. Mu stood straight, Baifeng paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, and Xiong stood uneasily, not knowing where to put his hands.

Soon, several herdsmen were brought back. Upon seeing Baifeng, they performed the same set of actions, but before they could cry out their grievances, Baifeng pulled them up. He then recounted what Mu had told him and asked if it was the truth.

The men nodded repeatedly, indicating that it was not false at all. The incident had just happened, the horse herd was still in the Pasture, and all the corpses had not yet been collected.

Baifeng did not deliberate further and directly ordered the men of the Phylum to first detain Xiong, revoke his Official Seal, and temporarily relieve him of his duties. Then, he sent an order to Chi, telling him to take five hundred Fully Armored Warriors and all the Heavy Armor ox cavalry to drive the horse herd back to the Horse Pen. Except for the foals, do not be afraid of injuring the adult horses.

At the same time, he ordered them to quickly capture Shaoyin and the other three and bring them to him. Those who harbor them are guilty of the same crime and shall be detained together.

Upon hearing this verdict, Xiong was first angry, then let out a sigh of resignation. Helplessly, he voluntarily handed over his Private Seal and informed them of the storage location of the Official Seal in his office.

He then extended his arms and brought them together, letting the men of the Phylum bind him.

They usually bound prisoners with their hands behind their backs, but Xiong's gesture meant he wanted to be bound with his hands in front. Baifeng nodded slightly to the men of the Phylum, indicating it was fine. The Soldier then took out a silk rope and bound Xiong's hands, but he did not use force; it was tied very loosely, more like a formality.

After receiving the order, Chi did not hesitate and quickly split into two groups to set off. One team searched the whole city for Shaoyin and the other three, while the other armored Soldiers headed straight for the Pasture.

The few guards at the Pasture saw reinforcements arrive, so they hurriedly opened the gate. Two men rode on oxen to lead the way, and one pulled the gate. Only after all the Soldiers had entered did he go in and close the gate.

By this time, the horse herd was already playing wildly in the Pasture. After killing several enemies, they ran unscrupulously across the Pasture. When they were tired from running, they ate Grass, feeling as if they had returned to their former state of freedom.

The herdsmen did not have command authority, but they offered advice to Chi, telling him how to drive the horse herd.

Chi did not act arrogant; after listening to their opinions, he adopted them entirely. He then ordered the Soldiers to begin surrounding the horse herd. After blocking the herd together, they began to push forward, making the herd move toward the direction of the Horse Pen. Some horses originally wanted to resist and attack, but they were met with the sheathed Knives and spear shafts of the Soldiers hitting their legs and heads, forcing them to obediently walk toward the Horse Pen.

After driving the reluctant horse herd back to the Horse Pen and closing the gate, Chi said their mission here was complete and it was time to return. The few herdsmen politely saw the entire team off.

Subsequently, a herdsman mounted his ox again and drove hard toward the corpses. Seeing the mangled flesh and broken bones on the ground, he couldn't help but cry out. He jumped off the ox, knelt on the ground, and began to collect the corpses. Fortunately, the skulls were basically intact. He didn't know what to use to carry them, so he took off his own clothes and scooped the flesh, along with the bloody mud, onto the spread-out clothes.

The other few herdsmen who arrived later were also filled with grief and knelt on the ground to help pick them up.

After the herdsman's corpse was collected, they looked at the corpses of the several herd dogs. They also took off their own clothes and began to collect the dogs' corpses.

The corpses were too heavy and too large for them to carry. Fortunately, at this time, two more herdsmen arrived—the two who had gone to seek help. They had come pulling a Handcart. Seeing the actions of their companions, they also silently took off their own clothes, spread them in the Handcart, and only then placed the several bundles of corpses into the cart and slowly pulled them away.