Seemingly sensing Yang Qiu's malice towards them, Zhang Jiao simply smiled calmly and offered no further explanation.

The Zhang brothers, Liang and Bao, cast aside their fear, looked at Yang Qiu with their heads held high, ready to face death at any moment.

"Hmph~"

Seeing the three people below in such a state, Yang Qiu couldn't help but snort coldly, which strengthened his resolve to kill them.

Now, after Liu Hong's warning to him last time, Yang Qiu has completely changed his mind. Although he doesn't go so far as to bend the law for personal gain, he doesn't mind using some things outside the framework to eliminate things that might violate the law.

For example, these three fanatical preachers in front of him—he didn't think there was anything they wouldn't dare to do if they weren't even afraid of death.

Especially Zhang Jiao, a natural preacher, had only been in Luoyang for a little over two months when many people, not only ordinary citizens but also many powerful families, accepted his teachings. Although he did not gather believers, as long as Zhang Jiao raised his arm and called, there would certainly be no shortage of people following him.

Although their actions and thoughts were very similar to those of the Five Pecks of Rice sect founded by Zhang Ling in Hanzhong, Yang Qiu disliked their kneeling and bowing ritual.

If you make a mistake, you should be punished by law. Do you think you can get away with it just by reflecting on your mistakes? What would be the point of having a Legalist like me then?

This is the source of chaos. This is Yang Qiu's judgment of Zhang Jiao. As an enforcer appointed by the emperor, he has the duty to nip any foreseeable danger in the bud.

"Our Sili government is a place that follows the rules. Since you cannot pay the fine reduction, then let's proceed according to the rules!"

Seeing that Zhang Jiao and the other two remained silent, Yang Qiu picked up a token from the table as he spoke.

"Guards! Give these three men one hundred strokes of the cane!"

Yang Qiu then let out a cold shout and threw out the token in his hand.

"promise!!"

As they were speaking, twelve constables stepped forward from both sides of the hall, and six of them pushed Zhang Jiao and the other two to the ground.

Then six burly men wielding five-colored sticks came to the sides of the three men.

"Our Lord's glory protects us; what is there to fear even if we are struck by clubs?"

The brothers Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang shouted repeatedly as they were pinned down, while Zhang Jiao remained calm and composed, closing his eyes.

"Hmph, so stubborn!!"

Seeing this, Yang Qiu couldn't help but snort coldly. Then, Yang Qiu moved his feet and stood in an inward "V" shape.

Upon seeing this, the bailiff in charge of the execution nodded, indicating that it meant to beat him to death.

Immediately, several constables raised their five-colored sticks and struck the three brothers lying on the ground heavily.

"Hmm~ Hmph~"

The moment the stick struck him, Zhang Jiao felt as if his spine was about to break, but he still gritted his teeth and only let out a soft groan.

Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao behind them did the same; they seemed to be putting all their strength into their mouths, trying their best not to cry out in pain.

After being mercilessly beaten with a stick about ten times, the three men's brains were also somewhat blurred by the pain coming from their backs, and their minds were already somewhat unclear.

"My lord, please protect us!!"

Feeling like he was about to faint, Zhang Jiao bit his tongue, trying to regain some clarity. A stubborn thought in his heart made him shout out.

But Zhang Jiao was still met with clubs falling on him; his so-called lord seemed not to hear his call.

"His Majesty's decree: Commandant Yang Qiu, receive the imperial edict!"

Just as Zhang Jiao was on the verge of despair, a sharp shout suddenly entered his ears. Zhang Jiao immediately opened his eyes wide and tried to turn his head to look behind him.

In Zhang Jiao's blurred vision, a young eunuch hurriedly approached him; the person was none other than Song Dian.

"stop!!"

Upon seeing the messenger carrying the Emperor's edict, Yang Qiu ordered the officers to cease the execution. After all, to carry out an execution while the edict was being read aloud would be a grave disrespect to the Emperor.

"Your subject, Yang Qiu, obeys the imperial decree!"

Yang Qiu waved his hand, dismissing the executioners, and then rose to stand up and bowed to Song Dian in the hall.

Song Dian cleared his throat and announced loudly, "His Majesty has decreed that Commandant Yang should take these three Taoist priests to the Deyang Palace. His Majesty wishes to see them!"

Yang Qiu respectfully replied, "Your Majesty's command is my due!"

"Haha~, elder brother, did you see that? Our lord sent people to rescue us! Does this mean we've passed the test??"

Upon hearing the Emperor's decree conveyed by Song Dian, a gleam instantly appeared in the eyes of the Zhang brothers, Bao and Liang.

"Yes, our Lord has come to protect us when he learned of our suffering!"

Zhang Jiao also looked towards the palace with a fanatical expression. Unlike his brothers Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang, he knew very well that this so-called "Lord" was merely a tool he had created to promote his own doctrines.

When Zhang Jiao was on the verge of fainting, he called out "My Lord" only because of a lingering obsession in his heart. But now Zhang Jiao was certain that the Emperor was the reincarnation of a god, his "My Lord," and must have heard his call. Otherwise, why would he have rescued them in their most perilous moment?

At this moment, Zhang Jiao's thoughts gradually changed. He truly believed that the Son of Heaven was the Son of Taiyi, the imitator of Heaven, and that he himself was a divine servant sent down by Taiyi to assist the Son of Heaven. He would dedicate his entire life to spreading the glory of the Son of Heaven to every place within his sight.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!