"It's a long story. After I escaped from the mine, I was not able to return to the human race in time. Instead, I accidentally drifted to the beastman's territory and stayed there for more than ten years. After many twists and turns, I finally returned to the human race."
After hearing the explanation, the guard's expression eased a little.
"So that's how it is. Since you were able to overcome all the difficulties and travel thousands of miles from the Beast Tribe back to the Human Tribe, you definitely didn't intend to be a deserter. It's just that the law is not merciful, so you may have to go with us to Hecheng.
Once we get to Hecheng and explain the situation, maybe we can avoid punishment."
As he spoke, he took out a purple talisman and said, "In order to avoid any accidents, I will seal your spiritual power and will not release it until you arrive in Hecheng. I hope you don't resist."
Xu Chunniang's eyes fell on the talisman in his hand. The powerful sealing power contained in it was not inferior to the strange iron ring in the mine that year. It was actually a sixth-level sealing talisman.
Seeing that Xu Chunniang seemed to have no intention of resisting, Wang Tianhu became anxious.
"Xu girl, this is not an ordinary talisman. Once you are sealed by this suit, you will not be able to use any magical powers or the power of laws, let alone a trace of spiritual energy or divine consciousness. Are you really not going to resist? Think carefully."
Xu Chunniang said nothing, only sent back a thought.
“I followed him to Crane City just to accept the punishment. If I really resisted, it would be tantamount to actively going to the opposite side of the human race, confirming the crime of desertion.
By then, there will be no place for me in the entire human race."
Wangtianhu was speechless and could only watch as the talisman fell on Xu Chunniang and sealed all her cultivation.
"I'm sorry. Once you arrive in Hecheng and clear your name, someone will help you remove this seal."
After the guard finished speaking, he signaled his attendants to take Xu Chunniang to the city lord's mansion for detention, and then escort her to Hecheng together.
In the prison cell of the City Lord's Mansion, Wang Tianhu glanced around and couldn't help shaking his head.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, are you really going to surrender? This place is so shabby and crude, there's no place to stay!"
Xu Chunniang remained unmoved. Military regulations were strict. Although she had not intentionally violated them, she had delayed her military service for more than ten years and should receive corresponding punishment.
Five days later, under the escort of the city guards, Xu Chunniang and several other deserters were sent to the city lord's mansion in Hecheng.
"According to the laws of the human race, those who delay their military service for less than three years shall be subject to double hard labor; those who delay their military service for more than three years but less than ten years shall be subject to five times hard labor;
Those who have served for more than ten years will be sent to the Black Tiger Army and serve double military service. Those who have delayed their military service for more than ten years and caused major losses in the war will be sent to the Black Tiger Army. If they fail to make achievements, they will not be allowed to leave! "
As a majestic voice sounded, a middle-aged monk with a stern look walked into the hall, glancing coldly at several deserters in the hall.
His gaze was as sharp as a sword. Anyone caught in his gaze would subconsciously shrink their body and lower their head.
"Zhang Wei, you were supposed to arrive in Hecheng five years ago, but you were late for no reason. According to the laws of our human race, you need to serve 25 years of hard labor. After completing the hard labor, you will have to serve in the military."
The male cultivator named Zhang Wei cried out in injustice, "General, it's unfair. I didn't delay my military service intentionally. I was just busy with cultivation, which delayed me for a few years..."
The middle-aged male cultivator raised his eyebrows and interrupted him coldly.
"No need to say more. If you must explain, go to the Black Tiger Army and tell those orcs!"
Zhang Wei was startled and could not help waving his hands repeatedly, not daring to say anything more.
He would rather serve thirty years of hard labor than be drafted into the Black Tiger Army.
The Black Tiger Army sounds nice, but in essence it is a suicide squad. They usually take on the most dangerous missions, and their lives can be in danger if they are not careful.
Hard labor was tiring, but at least his life was not in danger.
The middle-aged male cultivator snorted coldly and glanced at the remaining few people. "Overdue military service is a violation of military regulations. No matter what your excuse is, don't mention it again. Otherwise, it will be regarded as a provocation and the punishment will be doubled!"
After saying this, he no longer paid attention to Zhang Wei and continued to sentence other monks to punishment.
"Tang Yue, you have been overdue for fourteen years. According to the law, you should be enlisted in the Black Tiger Army. After serving twenty-eight years in the Black Tiger Army, you will be assigned to the regular army and serve thirty years of regular military service.
If you have made achievements, you can leave the Black Tiger Army early."
Tang Yue couldn't help feeling a little nervous at the thought of staying in the Black Tiger Army for so many years, so he gritted his teeth and started to explain.
"General, it's not that I'm overdue. I'm a cultivator who ascended from the Small Thousand Worlds. I'm short of money, so I can only travel day and night to avoid delaying the military schedule.
However, as if things weren't bad enough, I accidentally entered the cave of a senior in the Void Refinement Stage while on my way. I was trapped in the formation for twelve years and finally got out of it."
"It's understandable, but it's unacceptable by law."
The middle-aged male cultivator looked at Tang Yue with a cold gaze, "Military orders are as heavy as a mountain. No matter how great the injustice you have suffered, you must accept the due punishment.
Tang Yue, your time in the Black Tiger Army will be doubled, and you must serve for a full fifty-six years before you can leave."
Tang Yue's face turned pale and became much uglier in an instant, but he did not dare to utter any complaints.
The middle-aged male cultivator withdrew his gaze and continued to look at the next person.
"Xu Chunniang, you have been overdue for eighteen years. According to the law, you should be enlisted in the Black Tiger Army. After serving thirty-six years in the Black Tiger Army, you will be assigned to the regular army and serve thirty years of regular military service."
With the precedents of Zhang Wei and Tang Yue, Xu Chunniang wisely did not say much.
This middle-aged male cultivator seemed to have a high status in the army and was autocratic in character. He did not allow anyone else to comment on his pronouncements. Forcing an explanation would only bring more punishment.
After the punishment for everyone was announced, someone stepped into the hall and took away the deserters who were serving hard labor.
Apart from the middle-aged male cultivator, there were only Xu Chunniang, Tang Yue, and another female cultivator named Guo Xuelian left in the hall, who were about to be rushed into the Black Tiger Army.
Just at this moment, a beautiful female cultivator with a graceful figure walked slowly in from outside the hall, bringing with her a refreshing fragrance.
She walked into the hall, glanced at the three people casually, and looked up at the middle-aged male cultivator who was fiddling with his nails absentmindedly.
"Are these the three people you told me about during the interrogation?"
Seeing her so casual, the middle-aged male cultivator frowned without leaving a trace, "It's these three who are good."
"Two are in the late stage of the Spiritual Transformation, and one is in the middle stage of the Spiritual Transformation. You really take good care of me."
The beautiful female cultivator raised her eyebrows and smiled, her words hinting at something.
The middle-aged male cultivator said calmly, "You were forced to join the Black Tiger Army. The Dingmao Team you lead is also the weakest of the twelve teams. If you don't like these three people, you don't have to have them."
"You are so proactive in helping me. If I don't accept it, wouldn't it seem like I am ungrateful?"
The pretty female cultivator chuckled and joked, "Ordinary people say that General Zi Ye is unkind and only cares about military discipline and law. If they saw this scene, they would probably mistakenly think that the general has some intentions towards me!"