Chapter 427: Execution Ground (5k)
No words were spoken that night.
The next morning, before daybreak, officials from the county government brought notices and paste and posted the news of the destruction of Zixiao Palace in places where pedestrians had to pass throughout the county.
Not only that, the prefect also ordered the notice to be sent to all counties under the jurisdiction of the prefecture to ensure that the matter would be known to everyone within seven days.
As expected.
When the people saw the notice, there was an uproar and they were shocked. Teahouses and restaurants were filled with discussions.
"Immortal Lu from Zixiao Palace colluded with the rebels? He was thrown into prison? Is this true?"
"How is it possible? What kind of people are the gods in Zixiao Palace? Not to mention calling them traitors, even if the officials wanted to catch them, could they be caught?" someone questioned.
"Haha, you don't know that, right? The prefect has already arrived in Fengcheng. Not only that, there must be powerful masters among the officers and soldiers who entered the city yesterday. The immortals in the Zixiao Palace are powerful, but are there no masters among the imperial army?"
"The notice also says that the Taoist priests on the mountain abducted and defiled women... If that's true, they deserve to be killed! Public beheading in seven days? I want to go and see it!"
The people in the city had different attitudes. Even if they were indignant because the gods they revered were captured, they wisely kept their curses to themselves when they thought of the officers and soldiers in the city.
In the corner of the teahouse, Wu Ling finished his big bowl of tea, put down a few copper coins, and stood up and walked out.
After many twists and turns, we arrived at a house in the city.
After knocking on the gate, more than a dozen local branch leaders or small chiefs, including Lin Yuebai, who was dressed as a man, and Kou Qichi, a young man with the temper of a little tiger, gathered at the stone table. They stood up at the same time, and looked over.
"How's the situation over there?"
A middle-aged man with a beard asked. He was the branch leader in Fengcheng.
Wu Ling took off his straw hat and mask and said seriously:
"It seems that the Grand Tutor's prediction was correct. The Zhao thief has indeed arrived, and not only that, he has also captured Alliance Leader Lu."
Lu Zhengchun's code name within the Kuangfu Society is "Leader".
"Bang!" Another small-eyed leader of the Linfeng Dao slammed the table and said:
"This is too much! The Zhao thief is vicious and clearly wants to lure us with the life of Alliance Leader Lu."
Lin Yuebai, with big, bright eyes and a cloth bag hanging from his waist, frowned and said:
"It seems that the Zhao thief is deliberately spreading the news everywhere. Now we can't act rashly. We must consult the Grand Tutor."
In the crowd, a middle-aged woman, also a key figure in the community, said:
"Everyone, don't panic. Since the beginning of the new year, the Grand Tutor has secretly ordered us to gather members from around Binhaidao and outsiders to secretly gather in Fengcheng and hide and wait. Isn't the purpose to deal with the court's lackeys?
With the wisdom of the Grand Tutor, there will definitely be arrangements. We will just obey your orders."
The young Kou Qichi looked excited:
"Then what are you waiting for? Report to the Grand Tutor immediately.
Last time at Huting, we failed to kill the Zhao thief. This time, the Grand Tutor has been planning for a long time, mobilizing troops and generals. Now, a large number of our men are hiding in various places in Fengcheng, waiting for the Grand Tutor's order to kill the thief!"
Everyone was excited and ready to fight, feeling both angry and excited.
Wu Ling glanced at everyone and sneered in his heart:
Do you really think Lord Zhao is easy to deal with? Just wait, seven days from now, I'm afraid it will be your demise.
…
…
In a grape estate somewhere in Fengcheng.
Many members who were exchanged for prisoners are still being kept in the garden and are currently unaware of the events that have taken place in the city.
At noon, Yunxi quietly took lunch from the cafeteria and returned to her room.
After recuperation, the scars on the girl's body have gradually faded, but her pretty face now shows a coldness and maturity different from before.
No one was surprised.
It would be abnormal if he did not become more mature after seeing the light of day again after being released from the government prison.
Yunxi drank a mouthful of soup, then grabbed a steamed bun and ate it with pickles. After just a few bites, she suddenly frowned.
I lowered my eyes and found a paper roll stuck in the half-eaten bun.
"..." Yun Xi was silent for a moment, then she stood up and walked to the door and window, carefully looking around to make sure that no one was around. Then she quickly took out the grease-soaked paper roll and unfolded it.
On the paper roll, there was a string of strange numbers and symbols.
Yunxi silently recalled the "code book" that Zhao Duan asked her to memorize in her mind before she was released from prison, comparing the symbols and analyzing them using special rules.
After a moment, she understood the information in the secret letter.
Yunxi confirmed three times and decisively put the paper roll into her mouth. She rolled her throat and swallowed it, then picked up the bowl of soup and drank it.
Then she sat down again, calmly finished her lunch, and took the dishes back to the kitchen.
During the process, she called a member of the Kuangfu community who was in charge of taking care of the prisoners:
"Fifth Uncle, I have something important to inform the Grand Tutor."
The bald middle-aged man named Uncle Wu was stunned for a moment: "What's the matter?"
…
Forbidden City Villa.
In the pavilion beside the cliff, Zhuang Xiaocheng sat cross-legged with a chessboard in front of him.
There were no pieces on the chessboard, only a letter of the latest information sent by a member of the Fengcheng Society. Qi Yuchun and Ren Kun were standing in the pavilion.
"He will be beheaded in seven days. Just as you expected, Zhao Duan does have a backup plan." Qi Yuchun, who kept his spear in his hand, looked solemn.
Ren Kun, with his arms folded and a slightly frivolous demeanor, wearing a khaki robe, glanced at the Grand Tutor, whose demeanor and bearing could be described as "unparalleled in the country":
"What should we do? They've already made a big move, using Lu Zhengchun and the others as bait, and are openly asking us to rescue them. How are you going to respond?"
Zhuang Xiaocheng looked calm, not surprised at all.
"Lu Zhengchun must be rescued. But although we have many people, most of them are from the underworld and are not good at direct combat with the government troops. If we rush in rashly, we will only be defeated."
"So?" Qi Yuchun asked, he was a little anxious, because of the last failure in Hu Ting, he really needed to kill Zhao Duan to wash away the shame of his failure.
The Grand Tutor, who was in a state of great refinement, was about to speak when he suddenly stopped and looked into the distance.
I saw a member running along the winding corridor and stopping in the pavilion:
"Reporting to Grand Tutor, Commander Qi, and Immortal Master Ren... Lao Wu from the prisoner camp has sent a message from... your disciple Yunxi."
Zhuang Xiaocheng's eyes lit up: "What did she say?"
The latter said, "Yunxi said that she suspected there were some problems with a few people. She said that last time you told her to keep an eye on the prisoners around, she has been keeping an eye on them..."
As they were talking, the members presented the information provided by Yunxi.
Zhuang Xiaocheng took it, unfolded it, and found that it was a list of suspected persons. Several names on the list were people that Zhuang Xiaocheng already knew about and suspected to be court spies.
And the first name at the top of the list is:
"Wu Ling."
Zhuang Xiaocheng's eyes were deep, and he clenched the letter into a ball and murmured:
"There's definitely something wrong with him! I've always suspected this. Guhuo Zhenren died at the hands of Zhao Duan, so how could Wu Ling have managed to escape? Guhuo Yaodao is someone who would rather die than take someone else with him...
Afterwards, the assassination attempt on Hu Ting was suspected to have leaked out… Fortunately, I was never truly reassured, so I never let him know the location of the headquarters.”
Qi Yuchun's face darkened. "Is there something wrong with Wu Ling? I'll go and take him down."
“No need!”
Zhuang Xiaocheng shook his head and said calmly:
"We shouldn't alert the enemy now. Didn't you ask me how to respond? Pass the order down. Disband the prisoners in the vineyard prisoner camp and integrate them into the various units awaiting orders within Fengcheng. Also, divide the people at the foot of the mountain into multiple teams.
Seven days later, launch the operation according to my orders. As for Wu Ling... hmph, let him lead the team to rob the execution ground."
"Are you really going to rob the execution ground?" Ren Kun looked at the old fox suspiciously.
Zhuang Xiaocheng smiled:
"False and true, true and false, Zhao Duan wants to play a game of chess with me, and I can't let him down."
Qi Yuchun and Ren Kun looked at each other, neither of them could understand what this old fox was thinking.
"By the way, don't send all the prisoners out. After seven days, bring those on this list back to the mountain."
Zhuang Xiaocheng picked up his pen, wrote a list, and calmly pressed it on the chessboard, pushing it with his finger. He sighed:
"There must always be some available people left."
The two of them lowered their eyes and saw the name "Yunxi" in the handwriting that had not yet dried on the paper.
…
…
Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.
The news that Fengcheng was going to behead Lu Zhengchun had caused a sensation.
Within a few days, many prominent figures from the surrounding counties, especially those from the underworld, rushed to Fengcheng.
It’s not that they want to watch the fun, but Lu Zhengchun has been rooted in Binhaidao for too long and has some interests in almost all local forces.
now.
The imperial court publicly stated that Zixiao Palace was colluding with the rebel party, which was like a sword hanging over the heads of the leaders of the surrounding forces who had good relations with Lu Zhengchun.
Who knows whether the "King Zhao" who suddenly arrives will implicate others?
Saying that they are Lu Zhengchun's accomplices?
Therefore, in order to protect their own families, the surrounding families, the martial arts world, the scholarly families, the officials of all ranks... after hearing the news, all rushed to Fengcheng to ask to see Zhao Yanwang. Those who could not see him turned around and asked to see Magistrate Luan.
In order to draw a clear line with Lu Zhengchun, Zhao Duan waved his hand and simply invited this group of people to watch the beheading together.
"Killing the chicken to scare the monkey. Many of these local forces that came to find me must be involved with the rebels.
But it doesn't matter. When Your Majesty first learned that there were traitors in the court who were secretly helping the Eight Princes, you chose not to investigate thoroughly but to pardon them. I may not be as broad-minded as Your Majesty, but I also know that the righteous will have many supporters, while the unrighteous will have few.
Zhao Duan said this while sitting in a rocking chair in the patio of the inn listening to the report.
"Tell Luan Cheng to tell these people that I will only execute the ringleader and will not implicate anyone else."
"yes."
When Zhao Yanwang's promise was announced, those who were anxiously waiting at the Jinfu Inn and the heads of local forces outside the county government office all breathed a sigh of relief.
They rushed to grab the spot to watch the beheading, fearing that their sides would not be clear.
…
…
In a blink of an eye, it was the day of beheading.
Early morning, Jinfu Inn.
When the first ray of morning light shone into the lobby through the crack in the door, Zhao Duan walked down the stairs and saw Haitang and others were already waiting.
Today, Zhao Duan changed into his official robes, and the brocade-clad officials in the imperial court also changed into fish-dragon robes and wore swords at their waists.
Lang Shiba and Ji Yue were still dressed the same way, looking completely out of place.
After much hesitation, Gongshu Tianyuan still did not wear the priest's robe. According to him, it was not appropriate to represent the Tianshi Mansion to participate in such matters.
"There might be a fierce battle today. Are you all full?" Zhao Duan joked as he looked around at everyone.
Hou Ren patted his belly vigorously and laughed with Chen Juan, Qian Kerou and other direct troops:
"Don't worry, sir. We have been holding it in for a long time."
"Okay," Zhao Duan said with a cheerful smile, "Follow me."
Haitang suddenly looked at Gongshu Tianyuan and asked, "Isn't Priest Jin Jian going with us?"
The fifth disciple of the Heavenly Master said "Oh" and said calmly:
"Junior sister is extremely sleepy right now, let her sleep. It's okay, after she advances to the worldly realm, she can use the magic of 'Moon in the Water' to travel faster, which is comparable to the art of escape. If needed, she will be able to come quickly."
Haitang recalled Jin Jian's habit of "hiding during the day and coming out at night" and accepted this explanation.
She frowned again and asked, "Those two shadow guards aren't here either?"
This time it was the secretary Qian Kerou who answered: "They were sent out by the adults last night for another mission."
Mysterious... Haitang muttered to herself, but she also knew that Zhao Duan was good at scheming people, and he must be planning something bad today.
It made me curious.
…
The group left Jinfu Inn and headed straight for the county government office.
When they arrived at the county government office, they found that Deputy General Yuanji had led a large group of officers and soldiers to block the street outside the government office.
Lu Zhengchun and more than 30 disciples of Zixiao Palace who, after investigation and mutual denunciation, were determined to be executed according to the law, were all covered in dust, wearing prison uniforms, and their hands and feet were tied with iron chains.
The lower abdomen area of their prison uniforms was stained with blood—in prison, nails were driven into their Qi Sea to destroy their cultivation.
Lu Zhengchun has woken up. Now the once glorious sorcerer has disheveled hair and a heavy shackle around his neck.
His face was haggard and his eyes were fierce.
Under the guard of a group of soldiers, he looked up at Zhao Duan who was riding on horseback and suddenly cursed:
"Zhao family lackey! You're going to have a bad time...ah!"
beside.
Deputy General Yuanji, whose body was almost like a mountain of flesh, punched the old Taoist priest whose magic power was sealed so hard that he bent over like a shrimp and knelt on the ground, vomiting violently. However, he could not vomit anything because he had not eaten for seven days.
"Da da da..." Zhao Duan reined in his horse and looked down at Lu Zhengchun from above, saying sarcastically:
"What did Palace Master Lu just say? I didn't hear it clearly."
Lu Zhengchun was retching on the ground, trying hard to raise his head, staring at him fiercely without saying a word.
Zhao Duan smiled and ignored the dying man, looking at the prefect Luan Cheng who was coming towards him.
Today, Magistrate Luan was also wearing a crimson official robe and a black gauze hat, and behind him followed the bodyguard Zhang Jian, who had two swords, one long and one short, hanging from his waist.
"Zhao Shaobao, all the prisoners are here. You can go to the execution ground immediately."
Luan Chengdao paused, then said with a worried look:
"I've received news that there's been a sense of unrest in the city these past few days..."
"No problem," Zhao Duan smiled faintly, pointing to the clear sky: "Today is the day for the execution. If soldiers come, we will stop them; if water comes, we will block it with earth."
"...Okay." Luan Cheng could only nod, but he still felt uneasy.
As a civil official and prefect, he had rarely encountered such murderous scenes in his official career.
The group marched forward to the execution ground.
The most famous execution ground in the capital was "Caishikou", which was set up because of the heavy flow of people.
Fengcheng does not have a vegetable market, but it also has a special "autumn execution ground".
The purpose of public beheading is to be seen by others, to demonstrate the justice of the punishment and to deter the people.
It is not autumn now, but Zhao Duan holds the gold medal and keeps everything simple.
The execution ground was located near a crossroads, and at this moment, there were already quite a few people waiting around.
The main group consists of local families who have come to take sides and express their stance. Outside, there are people from the martial arts world who have come to join in the fun, as well as ordinary people who have come to watch the fun.
In an age of entertainment scarcity, how exciting would it be to see a dignified "god" being killed?
When Yuanji, wearing armor and holding a war hammer, arrived with a large number of government troops and blocked the entire execution ground, swords and spears were like a forest, and the power was self-evident.
"Go in!"
The officers and soldiers brandished whips and drove Lu Zhengchun and more than 30 Taoist priests who had committed many evil deeds into the execution ground, and pressed them to their knees on the ground one by one.
The executioner waiting here inserted the execution board behind his head.
He immediately carried the beheading knife and stood behind the prisoner.
Zhao Duan, along with officials including Prefect Luan, sat at the table and chairs where the executioner was sitting.
It was a cold wind in late winter, but today was a rare sunny day. The entire execution ground was solemn and majestic. The onlookers whispered and pointed at the dying Taoists.
"Zhao Shaobao," Prefect Luan sat next to him, glanced at the sky, and said softly:
"Do we have to wait until three quarters past noon? It's still early, I'm afraid we'll have to wait for a while."
Zhao Duan said calmly, "Since it is a beheading according to the law, it should be done according to the time."
Prefect Luan hesitated and said, "Please tell me the truth. If the rebels make any moves today..."
Zhao Duan smiled and said:
"Does the prefect think that the men under my command can easily overthrow the Purple Sky Palace, but cannot defend this mere execution ground?"
"No, no... I just feel that Zhuang Xiaocheng is a man of deep thoughts and so blatant. What if he doesn't come?" Luan Cheng worried.
Zhao Duan smiled and said, "They will come."
Seeing him so confident, Luan Cheng had no choice but to shut his mouth and thought helplessly that although he was the executioner in public today, in fact, he didn't even know what arrangements Zhao Shaobao had made.
Don’t you trust yourself?
Luan Cheng glanced at the officers and soldiers nearby, as well as the several "masters" behind Zhao Duan, and thought that in the eyes of this young guard, he, the prefect, might also be suspected of colluding with the rebel party.
He is sitting here supervising the execution today. Isn't he just taking sides like the heads of local forces watching below?
Time passes by every second.
The sun slowly slid into the zenith.
More and more people gathered around the execution ground, and the flags around it hung loosely.
There didn't even seem to be any wind in the air.
Zhao Duan sat in the execution seat with his eyes closed, as if he was asleep.
finally.
At three quarters past noon, a petty official struck a gong and shouted:
"It's three quarters past noon!"
Zhao Duan suddenly opened his eyes and said calmly:
"Sir, give the order."
Luan Cheng took a deep breath, expressionless, and threw out the token in his hand with the word "behead" written on it and a circle around it, saying calmly:
"The time has come, kill!"
On the execution ground.
The kneeling Taoists cried out in fear and tried to break free, but they were fixed and unable to move.
“Master!”
"We don't want to die..."
"Zhao thief, you will not die well..."
Some begged, some cursed, and some shed tears in despair.
Lu Zhengchun squinted his eyes, slowly raised his head, and looked at the dazzling sun in the blue sky.
He felt the wooden sign behind his neck being pulled out and thrown away. The burly executioners picked up the liquor and sprayed it on the blade with their mouths. Then they moved their arms and slowly raised the machete.
"Zhuang Xiaocheng, why don't you take action?" Lu Zhengchun murmured, and a trace of panic finally appeared in his eyes.
Right at this moment.
Suddenly, a loud shout spread among the crowd: "Attack!!"
Buzz!!!
In the distance, many archers hiding in the dark released their bowstrings at the same time, and dense arrows fell like rain towards the execution ground.
"Robbing the execution ground!"
Thanks to the good person 111 for the 172 points reward... Why are there both zeros and whole numbers...
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
