Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio 

  When the betrayal, subjugation, and broken borders were demonstrated in the Overwatch Council, Jingdou was enveloped in a strange and oppressive atmosphere. Naturally, the small court conference would not be held. Although each ministry and yamen carried on as usual, the shocking information that came out of the Royal Palace had long made the officials of the Qing Kingdom tremble. No one had any thoughts to spare for state affairs, and no one dared to whisper secretly in the yamen. Occasionally, there would be officials who got along well in private that would meet in an isolated location and mutually exchange the news they possessed. 

  The Emperor was almost assassinated! The evil and unforgivable treasonous renegade was Director Chen! Everyone found this information to be shocking and unbelievable. However, the reality was in front of their eyes. Other than feeling unsettled and shocked, the civil officials turned their gazes toward the Overwatch Council. They worried faintly whether the court would be able to control that Council under these circumstances. 

  Fortunately, steady information flowed in without end. For now, it seemed these officials did not need to worry too much. In the morning, after the incident exploded, various ministers and dukes, as well as a few elders of the Hall of Governmental Affairs, all rushed to the Royal Palace. After a few hours, they left the Palace and began to deal with state affairs anew, leaving behind only Hu the Scholar to wait in the Royal Palace. 

  The foremost matter in the Qing court was to investigate Chen Pingping’s case of treason. All the yamen were mobilized. This was the first time the civil officials system independently investigated such an important case away from the gaze of the Overwatch Council. No one knew how the various yamens felt, whether, among the sorrow and shock, they also felt much more relaxed. However, the Emperor’s edict was clearly urgent, and cold. The so-called investigation was nothing more than a show. 

  In less than four hours, the various yamens of the Qing court, with the Supreme Court as the leader, drafted up a number of major crimes relating to Chen Pingping and sent it to the Royal Palace. However, it was immediately sent back. It was clear that the angry and heavily injured Emperor was not satisfied with the crimes these civil officials had drafted. 

  The Emperor would not allow Chen Pingping to die easily. Since Chen Pingping thought that he stood in a glorious and righteous platform from which he questioned and sought revenge, the Emperor would make sure Chen Pingping suffered a complete defeat and fall from grace and would die with endless humiliation and criminal offenses. 

  It was a difficult matter to fabricate crimes. Tying them to Chen Pingping made these court officials sink into a panicked state. However, the Emperor’ strict orders remained. No one dared to offer any objection. They could only pile, with trembling bodies, the crimes of evil officials who had appeared throughout the annals of history onto Chen Pingping. 

  Once the 13 great crimes were finally laid out, Chen Pingping had finally become the greatest evil in history. After becoming the evilest and most unforgivable official, the Palace finally sent a word of approval. It was clear that Chen Pingping would not escape the punishment of death by a thousand cuts. 

  Everything happened quickly. Other than shock, all of the court officials could not help but feel slightly suspicious. If there really was a case of treason, once it was investigated, it would probably take a number of years. If Director Chen was the main culprit, he would not be killed so easily. Furthermore, the number of officials who would be implicated in this matter of treason would probably be in the thousands. 

  However, the injured Emperor seemed to have focused his anger solely on Chen Pingping’s person and did not seem to want this matter to implicate widely. 

  Finally, there were officials who guessed the Emperor’s intentions. They could not help but feel an immediate chill. The Emperor hated Chen Pingping to the extreme, so he had to punish him according to the law and kill him in front of the eyes of tens of millions of common people. The reason the Emperor forced the entire Qing court to speed up the process of this affair was because Chen Pingping was no longer just Chen Pingping. He represented the Overwatch Council. The new Director of the Overwatch Council, the powerful Sir Fan junior, was, at this moment, rushing back to Jingdou from Dongyi. 

  If it were an ordinary official, presumably the Emperor would not care at all. In fact, he might coldly and cruelly wait for him to return and then have Chen Pingping die in front of him, once again touching on his bleeding heart. However, Chen Pingping was not an ordinary official. The power he held in his hands was too great. It was to the point that the Qing Kingdom had to consider its future. Most importantly, he was the Emperor’s illegitimate son. 

  Without openly killing Chen Pingping, it was impossible to release the hatred in the Emperor’s heart. However, the Emperor had to finish all of this before Fan Xian returned to Jingdou and turn this matter into a reality with no chance of things being turned around. ……

  The entire court kept busy because of the shocking assassination case in the early hours of the morning in the royal study. In the south of the city, the Fan manor with stone lions outside that watched the world with cold and disdainful eyes was sunk in a strange silence. 

  It was just past noon. The news of the attempted assassination of the Emperor had just traveled outside of the Palace. Chen Pingping had not yet been sent to the prison of the Overwatch Council, yet an edict announcing eunuch, accompanied by palace guards and imperial soldiers, had come straight to the Fan manor’s front doors. 

  Without any incense or ceremony, the members of the Fan manor, who were having lunch in the Flower Hall, listened to the eunuch’s words. Their faces immediately turned white. As the mistress, Lin Wan’er slowly rose and said, as she stared at the eunuch, “Repeat that again?” 

  The eunuch knew very well that the Emperor was waiting to be treated in the palace. However, faced with Princess Chen’s cold-voiced inquiry, he did not become angry. In a hurried voice, he repeated what he said. 

  A shocked expression flashed through Lin Wan’er’s eyes. She unconsciously turned her head to glance at her sister-in-law by her side. Fan Ruoruo’s face was very pale. Presumably, whoever heard this message would have the same expression, particularly the women of the Fan manor. Regardless of whether it was the Emperor or Chen Pingping, whose life and death was unknown, they were both too deeply and closely connected to the Fan manor. It was impossible to separate from. 

  Lin Wan’er knew what sort of affection her husband had toward Chen Pingping. But, after all, the Emperor was Fan Xian’s father and her own uncle. 

  Fan Ruoruo put down the bowl and chopsticks in her hand and looked at her sister-in-law. Gently biting her lower lip, she did not speak. Her fingers trembled slightly. 

  Lin Wan’er’s large eyes gradually calmed. She lowered her head slightly. “Is the Emperor in danger?” 

  Hearing Princess Chen’s question, he could only shake his head with fear. The eunuch knew no details. He could not even enter the palace the Emperor was staying in. It was impossible for him to explain anything. His trip was only by Commander Ye’s order. He had come to invite, or escort, the young lady of the Fan manor into the Palace to save the Emperor. 

  Lin Wan’er glanced at Fan Ruoruo, who lowered her head slightly. She did not think about anything before standing up and saying lightly, “I’ll go into the Palace.” 

  After saying this, Fan Ruoruo left the dinner table and followed the eunuch and soldiers out of the Fan manor. Her medical chest was still in the Danbo medical shop on Dongchuan Road, so they had to detour there first. 

  Watching her sister-in-law’s figure disappear through the gates of the manor, thick worry and unease rose in Lin Wan’er’s eyes. To the wife of the Teng family standing to the side, she said, “Send a few clever servants to wait outside the palace. If there’s any news, have them report back quickly.” 

  “Yes.” The wife of the Teng family also knew that something major had happened. She maintained a solemn expression as she replied and then prepared to leave and arrange things. She then heard the mistress speak again. “Have Teng Zijing come here. I have instructions to give him.” 

  The expression on Lin Wan’er’s face was cautious. Other than nervousness, there was more worry than anything else. She was deep in the Fan manor and had no idea what chaos had exploded outside. She had even less idea of what exactly had happened in the Royal Palace. Why had Director Chen suddenly returned to Jingdou and was inside the royal study? What exactly had happened between the Emperor and Director Chen? 

  From the Jingdou rebellion three years ago, she knew that the cold-hearted Emperor would not give Director Chen any chance to live. But, she knew that if Fan Xian was in Jingdou now, he would not just watch and do nothing as this happened. 

  Since she knew what Fan Xian’s stance would be, she knew that the Fan manor’s position in this matter was dangerous. With one misstep, it would be an end without any hope of reprieve. 

  She glanced at Sisi next to her and quietly ordered, “When Teng Zijing arrives in a moment, I will have him make arrangements for you all to leave the capital first. Take Shuning and Liangzi and hide for a while in the country estate outside of the capital.” 

  Sisi was not surprised by this arrangement. After all, she was one of the four servants Fan Xian had taught personally. Although she had been by the mistress’s side these years dealing with family and clan affairs, she had not lost that sensitivity. Particularly when it came to hiding outside the capital, Sisi was no stranger to that. When she had been pregnant with Fan Xian’s first child, it had been during the tense moments of the Jingdou rebellion. The old master, Fan Jian, had arranged for her to hide in Chen Garden. 

  Chen Garden? Sisi looked at the mistress and suddenly said, “The young master owes the old Director.” 

  Lin Wan’er sighed and gently nodded her head. “For such a major matter, who can turn it around? Don’t talk now. Go pack and leave the manor as soon as possible.” 

  “At this time, the city gates should already be closed,” Sisi reminded her. “Jingdou is about to be tightly closed off. I’m afraid there’s no getting out with Teng Zijing leading.” 

  During these years, Fan Xian’s one wife and one concubine had sorted clan affairs, family matters, and all the details of the Jiangnan Hangzhou Conference on Fan Xian’s behalf. These two women, one mistress and one deputy, worked together well. Their implicit understanding grew deeper and deeper. Lin Wan’er was the one who came up with the ideas while Sisi was the one who caught what she missed and corrected any errors. 

  Lin Wan’er also handed her own son to Sisi take with her. She trusted her greatly. Her brows knitted together slightly as she said, “That is why we have to hurry.” 

  As she said this, an Overwatch Council official wearing black official robes appeared outside the Flower Hall. Earlier, Lin Wan’er had already secretly notified the Qinian Unit member who protected her, so she was not surprised at his appearance. Approaching the railing of the Flower Hall, she looked at him and worriedly said, “You already know what happened. Immediately send someone to the outskirts of the Overwatch Council to see what is happening. Then make some arrangements for Guard Teng to take them away.” 

  The member of the Qinian Unit nodded heavily. As a subordinate of the Overwatch Council, his current emotions were unusually heavy and shocked. However, he knew that the young mistress’ orders were unusually clear. The Overwatch Council would certainly be heavily surrounded. It would be difficult to make contact with those inside. 

  He made a gesture behind him. A member of the Qinian Unit went to make the necessary arrangements. Lin Wan’er looked at him and said, “Send someone to ride quickly to Yanjing. If they run into Fan Xian on the road……” Her brows furrowed. 

  The member of the Qinian Unit looked at her tensely, waiting for her final decision. 

  “Tell him what happened.” A decisiveness flashed across Lin Wan’er’s face. “Just say, Director Chen…… is about to die.” 

  The person sighed and glanced at her gratefully, He then left to prepare everything. The Fan manor burst into ordered activity. There was only Lin Wan’er left alone in the Flower Hall. She thought about what had happened today and suddenly felt a gust of cold wind from all around that made her shiver. 

  She had managed the affairs of the Fan family for three whole years. Additionally, she managed the Hangzhou Conference and clan affairs. At the height of her youth, Lin Wan’er already felt like the mistress of a family. As each clearly and powerful order was given out, the people of the Fan manor reacted methodically. 

  By the side door of the garden in the rear residence, Lin Wan’er took the eldest daughter and little son from the nanny and pressed two hard kisses to their faces before reminding Sisi of a few more things. She then let the carriage begin moving. At her side, Teng Zijing lowered his voice and said, “I’m afraid leaving the capital at this time will be somewhat conspicuous.” 

  Lin Wan’er glanced at him. She knew that although this guard, who was absolutely loyal to the Fan family, had been shocked by the assassination in the Royal Palace, he still thought that her reaction was too strong. She shook her head and said, “Although it is conspicuous, it is best to leave as early as possible.” 

  There was one thing that she did not explain to Teng Zijing. Although the Qinian Unit had already sent someone to notify Fan Xian, the road was long and the journey was far. She was afraid that by the time Fan Xian got back, Chen Pingping would have already died on the execution ground. She was well aware of the emotions hidden beneath Fan Xian’s gentle exterior. Who knew what extreme reaction Fan Xian would have at that time? 

  Since she predicted that Fan Xian would react fiercely, her reaction now appeared tense and urgent. 

  “Don’t mind this side, I’ll personally go into the Palace in a while to have a look.” Lin Wan’er inclined her head slightly at him. 

  Teng Zijing sighed, bowed, and chased after the carriage that had not gone far. 

  Lin Wan’er returned to the manor and gathered all of the servants and guards in the Fan manor in the shortest possible time. In a cautious tone, she instructed them on the things they should be careful about, particularly strictly forbidding any discussions in private. 

  Although she had always been known to be simple-minded and happy, her rule of the family these years had long solidified her reputation in the manor. With the commotion in Jingdou, no one knew that the Fan manor was one of the centers of chaos. The servants all promised in unison, not daring to lie. 

  Lin Wan’er slowly swept her gaze across and roughly calculated the forces she could mobilize. There were not many members of the Qinian Unit left in the manor. Most were swordsmen of the Sixth Bureau. However, these people needed to ensure the safety of the Fan manor and could not be sent out. Da Bao had gone to the old Lin Manor to bury crickets. With such a major incident, someone had to be sent to quickly bring him back. 

  She immediately thought of another matter and gently waved her hand to summon the member of the Qinian Unit. Quietly, she said, “Also, send someone to the First Bureau. There is no need to do anything. It’s just to maintain contact.” 

  Although no news had come back from the Overwatch Council, Lin Wan’er knew that given her Uncle Emperor’s imperial wisdom, the square and sinister building would certainly be suppressed by powerful military forces. But, the First Bureau was close to the Supreme Court. There could be an opening there. 

  Everything Lin Wan’er had done was actually in preparation for Fan Xian. She knew that once he returned to the capital, the thing he needed to know the most was the truth. Although she didn’t want Fan Xian to take such a risk or go crazy, if her husband really were to go crazy, as his wife, she could only make some necessary preparation for his craziness. 

  \r \r \r 

  After making all of these arrangements, she ordered the doors of the Fan manor to be tightly closed and strictly forbid any comings and goings unless an edict arrived. Only then did Lin Wan’er relax a little and sat down in the long prepared carriage. She drove out of the streets in the south of the city and headed north, toward the expansive Royal Palace that seemed particularly severe today. ……

  The Royal Palace was strictly guarded. The density and strength of the patrolling soldiers could not be compared to the usual. Everyone wore a tense and severe expression on their faces. Although the old Director was already heavily injured and captured, no one felt relaxed. 

  Lin Wan’er got down from the carriage and came straight to the palace gates. She had grown up in the Royal Palace and was deeply loved by the empress dowager and Emperor, which was an oddity in the Palace. In the past, she had moved in and out of the Palace without obstructions. Now, she had been forced to stop outside the palace gates. 

  The Commander of the Imperial Army, Gong Dian, glanced at her with a complicated gaze. After he bowed toward her, he said, “The Emperor has ordered the Palace to be sealed today.” 

  Lin Wan’er tilted up her face. Her large eyes were calm. Without shrinking back at all, she said, “The Emperor was almost assassinated. I wish to enter the Palace to visit him, is that not allowed?” 

  Gong Dian furrowed his brows. In reality, the supposed sealing of the Palace was a selective locking out. Logically speaking, Princess Chen was the Emperor’s favorite niece. It was right and proper for her to enter the Palace. The problem was that the source of the current mess was the Overwatch Council. As everyone knew, Princess Chen was the proper wife of the present Director of the Overwatch Council, Fan Xian. Wanting to enter the Palace right now…… 

  “I’m just not sure if the Emperor wishes to see you,” Gong Dian said heavily. 

  Lin Wan’er’s heart tightened. She knew what Commander Gong Dian was secretly reminding her of. He was worried that she would enter the Palace to ask for mercy for Chen Pingping. If anyone dared to ask the Emperor for mercy, it would probably greatly anger the Emperor. Particularly as her identity was complicated, once she opened her mouth and asked for mercy, she might actually incite problems and make the Emperor develop peculiar emotions toward the Overwatch Council and Fan Xian. 

  She was silent for a moment. She then forced a smiled and said, “I hear that a few scholars are in the Palace and King Jing is also inside. I want to go see.” After a pause, she said quietly to Gong Dian, “Don’t worry, I know what to do.” 

  Gong Dian sighed and ordered the soldiers behind him to make way. 

  After entering the Royal Palace, she moved smoothly into the back of the palace. Lin Wan’er moved quickly. By the time she had arrived in front of the Emperor’s sleeping palace, there were fine beads of sweat on the tip of her nose, and her cheeks were slightly red. 

  However, she could only get to the sleeping palace. No one could get in. Lin Wan’er looked around at the people. She saw Yi Guipin holding the Third Prince’s hand, looking with worry at the tightly closed palace doors. The Great Prince’s birth mother’s face was unusually cold. She stood alone to the side with serving girls for company. 

  King Jing stood by the palace doors and was quietly saying something to Ye Zhong. To the right of the stone steps, the head of the civil officials of the court, Hu the Scholar, stood with a heavy expression. Behind him were two other scholars of the Hall of Governmental Affairs. He Zongwei had already escorted Chen Pingping to the Overwatch Council and was not present. 

  What surprised Lin Wan’er the most was that the previous scholar, Sir Shu Wu, who had retired three years ago and only stayed at home to play with his grandsons, was also outside the palace, looking at the tightly closed doors with sunken eyes. He maintained a silence that was completely at odds with his explosive nature. 

  Everyone saw that Princess Chen had arrived. Each separated to greet her. Only the gaze Hu the Scholar turned on her had the same worry of Gong Dian’s. It seemed that these major figures of the Qing court were all worried about the same thing. They were worried about the Overwatch Council’s reaction after the Emperor killed Chen Pingping, particularly Fan Xian’s reaction. 

  Among the people present, Lin Wan’er was closest to Lady Ning. Ever since her childhood, she had often eaten and slept in Lady Ning’s courtyard. Now, she saw Lady Ning’s expression was slightly strange. Her heart thumped. After she greeted the scholars, she came to King Jing’s side. 

  “Ruoruo has already been inside for an hour.” King Jing seemed to know what his niece, who appeared confused but actually just as clever as her mother, wanted to ask and dimly said, “Other than her, the Emperor has not seen anyone. Don’t think about charging inside to ask for mercy for that old dog based on the Emperor’s usual fondness of you.” 

  Everyone present was caught up in their own thoughts. No one noticed the conversation between King Jing and Princess Chen. After listening to King Jing’s words, Lin Wan’er’s expression darkened. She lowered her head and quietly said, “Is the Emperor in danger?” 

  “A bad person lives for a thousand years. How could he die so easily?” King Jing said in a low voice and smiled superficially. 

  Lin Wan’er’s head jumped. She had not expected King Jing to say such treasonous words inside the Royal Palace. When she was entering the Palace earlier, she had also thought about seeing the Emperor and asking for mercy for the old Director. Like Fan Xian, she understood the Emperor’s character well. She knew that at this juncture, it was impossible for the old Director to escape death. 

  “I received the news while on the way to the Palace earlier. I hear it’s to be death by a thousand cuts.” Lin Wan’er wanted King Jing for confirmation. 

  King Jing glanced at her and said, “It looks like even though the Overwatch Council has temporarily been taken out today, Fan Xian has still left some people to you. You’re correct, my brother’s meaning is very clear.” 

  Lin Wan’er voice shook as she said, “Can there be no clemency? After all, the old Director is not a normal person.” 

  “I know what you’re worried about, what those people are worried about.” King Jing’s gaze was distant. “That old dog offended too many people. Do you think those civil officials want to ask the Emperor for mercy for his matter? They’re just worried about whether Fan Xian will go crazy.” 

  He looked at Lin Wan’er and shook his head sorrowfully. “The Emperor won’t see anyone. It’s clear he’s already made up his mind.” 

  There were many kinds of death. The people who went in and out of the Royal Palace did not actually care much about life and death because the coldness of the throne had long made them aware of this. However, the manner of death was an important thing. If Chen Pinging actually did fall from grace and died by death from a thousand cuts, who knew what chaos would descend on the Qing Kingdom once the resentment in the Overwatch Council was triggered by this show of blood? 

  Chen Pingping attempted to assassinate the Emperor. Without a doubt, it was a death sentence. If he was granted suicide, or even beheading or hanging, perhaps it would demonstrate the Emperor’s benevolence and defuse the explosive currents this incident would bring. However, no one knew what kind of conversation happened between the Emperor and subject inside the royal study for the Emperor to reveal a rarely seen hatred and anger and command that Chen Pingping die in the most wretched manner. 

  Lin Wan’er listened to King Jing’s words and fell silent. If the Emperor could be slightly benevolent, perhaps Fan Xian could accept it a bit better. Of course, all of this was based in their imaginations. No one knew what Fan Xian’s actual reaction would be after learning about this matter. 

  “Aunt Ning is a bit strange today,” Lin Wan’er said, furrowing her brows as she looked at the blank-faced Lady Nin in the corridor in the distance. 

  King Jing’s expression changed slightly. He didn’t say anything. There were many things that only they, the previous generation of the Li royal family, knew about. There was no need to tell these juniors and outsiders. He believed that during these years, Lady Ning had true affection. He also believed that until today, Lady Ning still had not forgotten that old cripple. 

  The sun gradually moved west and dusk arrived. It had rained in the morning. There was still water on the paving stones. The light gradually dimmed as the water began to shine like lit lanterns. 

  The lanterns in the Royal Palace began to shine. Although it could not compare to the dazzling beauty of the red clouds in the western sky, they sparkled with particular prettiness. 

  The lanterns in the Emperor’s sleeping palace were lit the earliest. They were incomparably bright and shone through the windows, lighting up the outside clearly so that every detail could be seen. 

  Lin Wan’er heart trembled slightly. She thought of the time when Fan Xian had been heavily injured a few years ago and almost lost his life. It seemed that he had also been treated in this palace. At the time, the lanterns were just as bright as they were now. The main surgeon was also that girl inside. ……

  A bead of sweat almost dropped from the strand of wet hair on her forehead. Fortunately, a serving girl at her side extended a handkerchief and caught it. This serving girl retreated with fear. Fan Ruoruo’s expression did not change. She continued to gently move the sharp scalpel in her hand under the bright lights in the room. 

  The entire chest of surgery medical instruments had been created by the palace treasury by gathering together the most advanced craftsmanship skills. It brought together Ye Qingmei, Fei Jie, and, later, Fan Xian’s knowledge. Fan Ruoruo had learned from these people how to use these things. 

  The years of training on Qing Mountain and her study of external wounds had finally turned Fan Ruoruo into a good doctor rather than the inexperienced girl whose trembling hands had drawn bloody wounds across her brother’s body. 

  The half-naked Emperor lay on the hard bed with his eyes slightly closed. Fan Ruoruo was by his right-hand side and carefully slid the little knife over his body. The blade of the knife moved with her finger. Smooth skin split open, sticky holes opened, and blood seeped out. Fan Ruoruo used her steady hands to explore inside with tweezers. Picking up a hard nub, she pulled it out with strength. With a clank, she dropped a poisonous metal bead into the flat basin by her side. There were already seven metal beads in the basin. Half the surgery was over. 

  Fan Ruoruo took a deep breath and slowly circulated the basic Tianyi Dao zhenqi in her body to help calm herself. She looked at the Emperor lying on the bed and said, “There are still a few pieces that are very deep. It might be very painful. Does Your Majesty need some chloroform?” 

  Chloroform was the most successful anesthetic Fan Xian and the Third Bureau had created. It was indeed effective during surgery. However, Fan Ruoruo’s question exposed a shocking truth. Had the Emperor not used anesthetic in the surgery until now and simply allowed the sharp knife to slice across his body? 

  Particularly when Fan Ruoruo had used the tweezer to remove that metal bead earlier, she had used a lot of strength. Yet, the Emperor did not even furrow his forehead. It was like he couldn’t even feel the pain on his body. 

  The Emperor slowly opened his eyes and glanced at Fan Ruoruo, “Continue.” 

  His tone was very light. It was as if the body being sliced open was not his own, as if the life-devouring metal beads were not deeply embedded in his bones. 

  Fan Ruoruo nodded slightly. She adjusted her grip on the sharp knife and lowered head, intently continuing with her work. 

  Her movements were natural and did not seem to have a trace of fear. Since the Emperor had spoken, she no longer worried that the Emperor could not endure the pain. It was as if the person beneath her knife was a wooden man and not a powerful Emperor who could cause hundreds of millions of people to die with the flip of his palm. 

  Looking at Fan Ruoruo’s calm expression, the heavily injured Emperor narrowed his eyes slightly as if also feeling a sliver of confusion. Calmly, he asked, “Did An Zhi teach you all of this?” 

  Fan Ruoruo was focused on her knife and completely ignored the Emperor’s questioning. The confusion in the Emperor’s eyes grew more and more intense, and he asked, “You don’t seem very afraid of me?” 

  Fan Ruoruo removed another metal bead and also dealt with the remaining pellets at the entrance of the wound, then quietly replied, “Your Majesty is a patient. I’m just worried that you won’t be able to endure such pain and affect the treatment.” 

  “Don’t worry. There were many ferocious generals on the battlefield who scraped their bones to remove the poison.” The Emperor’s gaze dimmed slightly. “I’ve experienced much worse pain than this in my life.” 

  Naturally, these words referred to the first Northern Expedition when all of the meridians in the Emperor’s body had shattered and the unbearable pain he had endured during then. Fan Ruoruo did not know about this. She had her own thoughts and did not respond. 

  The Emperor slowly closed his eyes and said indifferently, “Tomorrow, I will repay each slice on my body 10 times, a hundred times, over on that eunuch’s body.” 

  With these words, the tip of the knife in Fan Ruoruo’s hands did not tremble, but her body froze for a moment. The Emperor looked at her calmly and said, “Don’t even think about asking for mercy for that eunuch. Such thought is a great crime.” 

  “King Jing, that useless creature, Yi Guipin, Lady Ning, Hu and Shu, Ye Zhong’s daughter acknowledges Fan Xian as teacher. Gong Dian has always liked that kind, and Princess Chen has also come……” The Emperor’s expression was calm as he spoke to her with slightly narrowed eyes. “You are his sister. I am very curious as to when all the people by my side became connected to him.” 

  “That is what you have granted him,” she said quietly as she looked at the Emperor calmly. Now that matters involved Fan Xian, Fan Ruoruo finally stopped the scalpel in her hands. 

  “I know what you people are thinking and worried about.” Blood seeped out of the Emperor’s naked upper body, but this Great Grandmaster Emperor did not seem to worry about the flowing away of his life. 

  “I find such worries despicable. He is my son. Is he going to turn against me for a servant?” 

  The red candles swayed slightly, but the palace lights shone on. Fan Ruoruo gently shook her head and continued to cut and pull at something on the Emperor’s body.

  Chapter 684: Looking And Laughing At Heroes Was Not Common (1)

  Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio 

  All of the governmental yamens could be used to hold prisoners. In Jingdou, there were many such places. Counting from the Jingdou government, there were seven yamens that had the authority in Qing law to detain prisoners. The prisoners who were related to court politics, as well as those who had committed the most heinous crimes, were often held in the prison of the Ministry of Justice, annex of the Supreme Court, and Overwatch Council jail. These were places the common people thought of as a bottomless abyss and often appeared in novels as Celestial Prisons. 

  After the Overwatch Council was built, those who played a powerful and sinister role in court politics and high-ranking officials who were captured were all kept there. Extraordinary people with special skills were kept there underground long-term. The level of the prison gradually rose above that of the Ministry of Justice and Supreme Court. It became a Celestial Prison in both name and reality. 

  The Celestial Prison was very close to the Overwatch Council. Walking out from the square and sinister building, one only had to turn a corner to see the two heavy metal doors. Naturally, there was a secret passageway directly from the inside of the Overwatch Council to the Celestial Prison. One only had to head further back from the large courtyard in the back and pass through a small door to reach it. 

  No matter which direction one entered the Overwatch Council’s prison, the first thing one saw was a deep tunnel. The prison responsible for holding important prisoners was deep underground and tightly guarded. There was no need to worry about such things as prison escapes or rescues. 

  Following the passage down, the air grew more stagnate as the light grew dimmer. Although there was good ventilation equipment set up down, decades of stale air mixed together. It always gave one a terrifying and suffocating feeling. 

  Following the tunnel to the deepest area, one passes by a few common prison cells before arriving at the cells in the lowest area. It was guarded the strictest. Currently, it was not the same as usual. The expressions of the Seven Bureau officials responsible for guarding the Celestial Prison were unusually complicated. The entire prison was filled with aces not from the Council. 

  For example, the imperial soldiers, aces from the Dingzhou army, aces from the internal court. On either side of the single passage leading to the lowest level, there were four strangers wearing straw hats and hemp clothing standing silently. No one knew the identity of these four people. One could clearly sense the powerful aura flowing around their bodies. These four people had been sent by the Emperor. 

  The Emperor-assassinating imperial criminal Chen Pingping was locked up in the lowest level of the Overwatch Council’s prison. Perhaps even this incredible and terrifying person had not thought that one day he would be shut in there while he designed this prison. 

  The Emperor’s intentions in keeping Chen Pingping in the Overwatch Council, rather than in the Palace or in the annex in the Supreme Court, were unusually clear. If the Overwatch Council pitied their old Director and was willing to risk everything to rescue him, then leaving him in this prison would allow him to see the thoughts of the officials of the Overwatch Council more clearly. 

  If there were enemies in the world, it would make them jump out earlier and higher. From the day he sat down on the throne, the Qing Emperor had acted in this way. Including the Dong Mountain incident three years ago and Jingdou rebellion, each was like this. Probably only the Emperor, a strange creature who embodied two peak positions, would use such a method, which was crazy with confidence and suspicious to the point of enticing crime. 

  However, the Emperor did not know that the fire burning in the hearts of the Overwatch Council officials had been quenched by Chen Pingping with a single finger before his death. Thus, the 10,000 elite Qing troops stationed outside the Overwatch Council were not used. The aces forcibly stationed in the prison of the Seventh Bureau kept a cautious eye on their surroundings and did not discover any trace of the Overwatch Council’s rebellion. 

  It was cold and damp below the ground, but there was no trace of moss on the stones steps and walls. It looked like the Seventh Bureau was careful cleaning. Light yellow torches, with specially formulated oil, burned outside the cell in the deepest level of the prison. It brightly illuminated the netherworld-like place. 

  In the lowest level, there were only two cells. They had been forcibly carved into the granite. No one knew how thick or deep the back wall was. The front of the cells were barred by thick and heavy metal doors. Compared to the metal doors at the entrance to the Celestial Prince, they weren’t much lighter. 

  This was the most sinister place in the Qing Kingdom. Very few people had the right to be shut in there. From when the Overwatch Council had been built decades ago, the cells in the netherworld level of the prison had only kept one person. That person’s name was Xiao En, and he had been shut up for decades. 

  Now, Chen Pingping was also locked up here. ……

  The metal door of the cell was not closed, so the light poured in, clearly illuminating all of the furnishings inside the cell. There was bed, basin of water, and some items. It was not as people imagined, with only straw, mice, and dirt. On the contrary, this cell was very clean, perhaps even overly clean and simple. There wasn’t even a cockroach to be seen. 

  Chen Pingping lay on the bed, breathing slowly with his eyes tightly closed. His white hair was splayed messily by his face. Although the wound on his chest had long been bandaged by the imperial doctor, he had lost too much blood. His face was a deathly white color. His breathing seemed difficult. Each time he took a breath, it made his wizened chest seem like aged machinery. It would struggle, and the sound of broken bellows would come from his throat. 

  On the long bench outside the cell, four people sat in order. Yan Bingyun, He Zongwei, the eunuch, and the imperial doctor. 

  These four people would watch this old man the entire time to ensure that he did not die or escape. They ensured that he remained in this half-dazed, almost dead state until the court conference, when his crime was set, and he received the Emperor’s anger in front of the Royal Palace under the gazes of tens of thousands of people. 

  Yan Bingyun’s face was slightly pale. He calmly watched the old man on the bed, thinking about something to himself. To his side, He Zongwei glanced at him with an indifferent expression. He was not very worried. The Overwatch Council prison was completely under the control of the army. Even if there were restless insurgents within the Overwatch Council, it was completely impossible for them to kill their way to the lowest level and rescue Chen Pingping without a leader. 

  Looking at Chen Pingping’s dying body, He Zongwei’s brows furrowed. He felt a chill. This matter started with his fear toward Fan Xian. The conclusion of this matter had nothing to do with him at all. His thoughts were slightly confused and apprehensive. He didn’t know how much further he had to continue down this dark path to reach the end. If he did reach the end, would he be like the old cripple in front of him and still not be able to have a good end? 

  But He Zongwei had to continue on. From the moment the Emperor took a liking to him and had him stand against Fan Xian, he could no longer turn back. That was why he had let out that shout in the Palace to ensure that Chen Pingping and the Overwatch Council’s crimes were made real. Only with this could he make Fan Xian, who was about to return to the capital any day, go crazy because of Chen Pingping’s cruel death. 

  \r \r \r 

  All of the civil and martial officials in the Qing court and other major figures were all worried right now that Fan Xian would go crazy. He Zongwei hoped that Fan Xian would go crazy. If Fan Xian really was so cold-blooded and did not care at all about Chen Pingping’s death and the humiliation the Overwatch Council had endured, then he would remain the lofty Duke of Danbo, with only the Emperor above him. 

  Such a ruthless, cold, and indifferent Duke of Danbo was not an enemy He Zongwei wanted to face. He Zongwei hoped that Fan Xian was a young, hot-blooded, and powerful official that would turn against the Emperor because of this matter. Only with this, could he obtain a lifetime of glory and wealth standing behind the Emperor. 

  Just as he was deep in thought, Yan Bingyun suddenly said, “Scholar He, do you know who those four people outside are?” 

  He Zongwei glanced at Yan Bingyun and shook his head without replying. He knew that he was talking about the four mysterious figure wearing hemp clothing and straw hats. These four people held imperial edicts in their hands. Their authority was even higher than that of the Imperial Army. They were specifically responsible for guarding Chen Pingping. No one knew where the Royal Palace had suddenly found these four aces. He Zongwei also didn’t know. He looked at Yan Bingyun as other thoughts began to rise in his mind. 

  When the Emperor had wanted to introduce new blood into the court, the Seven Gentlemen had entered the palace. Each was solemnly entrusted a task. Other than Qin Heng, who was tragically killed by the silver-masked Black Knight, Jing Ge, because of his family’s rebellion, the other six had gradually risen in court. Without a doubt, these young officials were being prepared by the Emperor for the future. 

  Among the six of them, He Zongwei had the highest reputation and position, implicitly in the lead. Looking at Yan Bingyun’s cold as ice face, Scholar He felt a chill and faint fear in his heart. 

  Throughout his life, what he was most afraid of was someone like him. Someone who was adept at choosing a powerful camp and disguising themselves. Once it was time to act, they acted with unusual ruthlessness. Chen Pingping had attempted to assassinate the Emperor. Yan Bingyun had long taken precautions and counter-measures within the Overwatch Council. This reality made He Zongwei feel a glimmer of shock. He realized that Sir Yan junior was naturally cold and particularly unfeeling. Furthermore, it was clear that Yan Bingyun knew more about this matter than he did. In other words, the Emperor’s trust in this man was more than in him. 

  Yan Bingyun did not notice what the popular scholar was thinking. He was just quietly looking at the old man in the cell with a complicated and calm expression in his eyes. 

  The old man had given his entire life to the Qing Kingdom and taxed himself too far. He had fought on the battlefields earlier in his life and taken countless heavy injuries. These years, he had become half paralyzed. His qi and blood did not flow smoothly. All of these factors combined to cause the foremost strategist to age particularly quickly. The wrinkled face and silvery hair appeared particularly old. The life force in his body had almost run dry. 

  Inside the royal study today, the Emperor had contained his anger before attacking. Although he was heavily injured and controlled his strength, that porcelain cup had still severed Chen Pingping’s life. Without needing the imperial doctor to say anything, Yan Bingyun could tell that the old Director’s life was up. If it were not for the precious medicines in the Palace sustaining his life, he would probably not make it to the execution field before saying farewell to this world. 

  With this thought, a difficult to perceive darkness flashed through his eyes. 

  Chen Pingping’s long unconscious body suddenly moved. The imperial doctor quickly went forward to take his pulse. After a long time, Chen Pingping opened his eyes with great difficulty and took in his surroundings. It was as if the first thing he needed to do was to confirm where he was. Then, the dry lips quirked slightly. For some reason, he smiled. 

  Chen Pingping’s gaze was unclear. It no longer had much light. He glanced at Yan Bingyun coldly. Yan Bingyun also glanced at him, just as coldly. ……

  Time passed without measure in the mountains, and time passed without measure underground. After an indeterminable amount of time, the bright torches continued to burn without a care for their lives. After passing a very tense night, the people in the Overwatch Council’s Celestial Prison, who did not sleep all night, all felt a sense of exhaustion. 

  He Zongwei rubbed his eyes and unconsciously glanced toward a window but saw a rock face instead. It was only now that he remembered he was below the ground. The sound of footsteps rang out from the stone steps behind the cell. Following these footsteps, an edict announcing eunuch came to outside of the cell. 

  He Zongwei’s expression grew stern. The imperial doctor’s expression relaxed. The expression of the eunuch standing guard tightened. Yan Bingyun remained expressionless. The people responsible for watching the imperial criminal Chen Pingping all knew. The time had finally come. ……

  A red sun had already risen above the clouds in the east, warmly shining on all of the buildings in Jingdou. The group who walked out of the Celestial Prison stood amidst the morning light. Each unconsciously narrowed their eyes. After a night of tension, nothing had happened. Regardless of whether it was He Zongwei, Yan Bingyun, or the imperial soldiers responsible for the defense, all of their energies had reached a point of exhaustion. 

  He Zongwei gently waved his hand. In front of hundreds of fully armored imperial soldiers, a black carriage stopped in front of the Celestial Prison. Chen Pingping, lying on the stretcher, was carried in again. 

  Yan Bingyun narrowed his eyes and looked at the shining Royal Palace. He knew that the court conference had already begun. Presumably, the officials of various ministries were in Taiji Palace criticizing Chen Pingping’s great treason with righteous indignation. The crimes the civil officials had prepared for many years finally had the chance to be thrown over the old dog’s neck. 

  Imperial criminal Chen Pingping was carried out of the Celestial Prison toward the path of death. All around, the soldiers sternly and nervously undertook the task of defense. Yan Bingyun and his most trusted Overwatch Council subordinates fell to the very back. They then heard a message. 

  The old servant who had been by Chen Pingping’s side for decades, the old servant who had driven the carriage that brought Chen Pingping back to the capital, had also been escorted to the Overwatch Council’s Celestial Prison last night. He had learned that the master he had served for decades was about to enter the execution field and had run head-first into the wall and committed suicide within the cell. His blood covered the walls. 

  Hearing this news, wetness appeared in Yan Bingyun’s eyes, but he forced them back. Raising his face, he stopped looking at the Royal Palace in case tears mixed with complicated emotions fell in front of so many people. 

  He raised his head and saw countless rain clouds form out of nowhere pile quickly in the sky above Jingdou. They fully blocked out the newly risen sun, allowing a patch of darkness to envelop the buildings and trees inside the city. 

  Another bout of autumn rain was about to fall.

  Chapter 685: Looking And Laughing At Heroes Was Not Common (2)

  Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio 

  Drearily and fuzzily, the autumn rain came down. The green trees on either side of the streets and alleys had not yet had time to dye their leaves green. They had no choice but to let a few pieces drop to prove the coldness and strength of the autumn rains. The rainwater slowly moisturized the land, but it irritated the common people in the marketplaces who were doing their best to make a living. The waves of autumn rain and coldness made them feel a chill in their bodies that they did not like. 

  The red wall of the Palace felt nothing and knew neither cold nor warmth. It only silently and indifferently welcomed the wash of the rainwater. Rain wet the majestic Royal Palace and made the bright cinnabar walls grow darker and dimmer. It was as if it was about to squeeze out traces of blood. 

  The deep palace gates opened and were accompanied by squeaks. The newly repaired bronze nails on the large wooden gates gleamed brightly. Hundreds of officials with complicated expressions filed out. Led by an honor guard, they went along the path until the depths of the square. They then lined up in two rows on either side. These were the officials of the Qing court, responsible for all of the affairs and people of this kingdom. In the current atmosphere, they could only be a silent observer. 

  The eunuch’s whip cracked three times. Drums hidden in a corner building of the Royal Palace rang out with a buzzing sound, sticking against the hearts of all the people in the Royal Palace. 

  The court conference was over. Only one matter was dealt with in the court conference, which was to decide the crimes of the previous Director of the Overwatch Council, Chen Pingping. 

  Many commoners of the Qing Kingdom gradually came from the streets and alleys all around the Royal Palace. These commoners wore different colored clothing and carried different auras. They were summoned by the drums ringing out in the Royal Palace and slowly came to the square in front of the Palace. More and more people gathered, gradually filling the entire expansive square. Everyone was packed in densely like ants. 

  From before dawn had risen, the Jingdou government and yamens at each level began to bang drums and gongs in various places and plastered announcements to inform all of the people of Jingdou as to what would happen. 

  As long as the blade of the knife did not land on them, these commoners were always interested in watching a show, particularly as everyone knew that the official being punished by the Emperor was the very mysterious and unfathomable director of the Overwatch Council, Director Chen Pingping. All of the common people felt a strong interest. 

  The reputation of the Overwatch Council among the Qing people was too bright. Its image was overly sinister and terrifying. Not many people had personally seen the wheelchair-bound old Director. Everyone gathered around the square. They wanted to see whether this figure really had three heads and six arms and was covered all over in a black fog like a demon, as it was rumored. 

  They knew this demon of the Overwatch Council had not been satisfied with the Emperor’s punishment and had tried to assassinate their heroic and loving Emperor in a frenzy. A deep anger rose in the hearts of all of the people. They wanted to see how this evil renegade burned into black smoke under the brilliance of imperial authority. 

  During these few decades, the Overwatch Council had always been famous for being mysterious and sinister. Although it always targeted the Qing Kingdom’s officialdom, it acted ruthlessly with terrifying methods. Through this, it offended civil officials, the scholars of the world, and expressions of ideas under heaven. Thus, the Overwatch Council’s name among the people had always been bad. 

  In the legends among the people, the Overwatch Council was a ruthless and sinister yamen specializing in exhorting confessions through torture and were numbed to killing. If the Overwatch Council really did have shady methods, how much could the people of Jingdou, the Qing Kingdom, or the world know? It was nothing more than a spreading of falsehoods. 

  During these years, a dazzling Sir Fan junior had appeared in the Overwatch Council and slightly lightened the Overwatch Council’s dark aura. He had not been in charge of Council affairs for very long. It was not enough to change the people’s deep-rooted impressions of the Overwatch Council. 

  There were not many things Fan Xian, the Duke of Danbo, could change. The Qing people’s worship and reverence toward Fan Xian were more centered on his lofty image. It did not much change their perception of the Overwatch Council. For the commoners of Jingdou, the Overwatch Council perhaps had a touch more humanity, but they still did not have any positive feelings toward the square and sinister building. On the contrary, they unconsciously felt a fear. The continuation of this fear became unknown anger. 

  The legendary terrifying leader of the darkness, Chen Pingping, was about to die in front of them. All of the Jingdou people felt a glimmer of faint excitement. Perhaps this was a natural emotion as commoners. To be able to have the chance in their lives to see a figure who only existed in legends die wretchedly in front of them and give them some bragging rights in their boring futures, had perhaps always been a form of leisure activity. 

  Just like the spring examination incident a few years ago, at the entrance to the salt market, the heads of the officials of the Board of Rites had been chopped down and rolled around on the execution field. They had also almost been picked up by wild dogs. This one scene had filled countless boring moments among the Jingdou workers and helped them down countless cups of liquor. 

  Another example was the Jingdou rebellion three years ago. It was also at the entrance of the salt market where countless generals who had participated in the rebellion had their heads chopped off. Blood dyed half the street red. Even after a number of days, the stench of blood still seeped out. And, there was the Commander of the 13 gate guards, Zhang Deqing. When he had died by a thousand cuts, his cries had been incredibly wretched. 

  During these three years, Zhang Deqing’s death had enriched the lives of the Jingdou people accompanied by immeasurable amounts of spittle. However, nothing that had happened in Jingdou in recent years could compare to what was going to happen now. The person was Director Chen, who everyone knew was the Emperor’s most loyal dog. However, this dog had gone rabid and was about to be put down. 

  The place of the execution was not in front of the salt market and or execution field in front of the Ministry of Justice. Instead, it was in front of the Royal Palace on the square. Excitedly, the people thought to themselves that ever since the inception of the Qing Kingdom, the only official to have been openly executed in front of the Royal Palace was probably the person now. Anger rose involuntarily in their hearts. They wondered what great and treasonous crime the official named Chen Pingping must have committed for him to die in such a place. 

  It was not that no one thought of Sir Fan junior. Everyone watching the execution unconsciously forgot about him. They never thought Sir Fan junior had any connection to this old dog. They were only common people of the marketplace. They had no idea of the connections between the people who governed this land. Even if there were some clever people, they probably thought in the other direction. The Emperor had just given the Overwatch Council to Sir Fan junior and was about to kill the previous Director. It was probably to help Sir Fan junior clean out the opposition and evil in the Overwatch Council? 

  Countless commoners surged into the square in front of the palace. The tiny execution field was enveloped by countless complicated emotions like nervousness, indifference, excitement, and unrooted sorrow. The imperial soldiers and bailiffs from the Jingdou Government responsible for maintaining order forcefully kept these millions of people outside the boundaries in all directions to ensure quiet on the execution field. 

  The people of the Qing Kingdom could not be blamed because they were used to it. They were used to knowing what they could know, giving up what they could not know, enjoying what they could enjoy, and angry about what they were allowed to be angry over. The Emperor wanted to kill an official. Regardless of whether this official deserved such punishment, they had been taught the logic that if the Emperor wanted an official to die, the official had to die. 

  The densely packed crowds were like an ocean, undulating on the square in front of the Royal Palace. Near the palace gates, space had been cleared out. A very simple wooden stage had been built. It was the so-called execution field. Enveloped by the majestic ocean of people and the grand Royal Palace, the execution field looked like a pitiful lone shop. It was as if it could be submerged at any moment under the human tide or crash into the immobile shores of the Royal Palace and be smashed into smithereens. 

  Along the empty space beneath the Royal Palace, a group of people walked out silently and sternly. They passed the hundred or so silent Qing officials with their heads bowed on their side of the path. They came to stand below the small wooden stage in front of the curious and anxious gazes of the Jingdou people. 

  A stretcher was carried out of the prison carriage. On the stretcher was an old man who was unconscious. It was uncertain if he was still alive. He Zongwei raised his head and glanced at the top of the palace walls. The corners of his eyes twitched slightly. He then gently waved his hand. The stretcher was lifted onto the stage. 

  Finally seeing the official who was to be punished, the front row of commoners let out a satisfied sigh. After seeing the legendary renegade of the darkness, they immediately fell silent. They looked at the unmoving old man and wondered if he was already dead. 

  Three eunuchs walked out of the black tunnel of the palace gates. On the tray held by the eunuch to the left were the crimes as decided during the court conference. On the right, the eunuch held up high an incense table. On it was the Emperor’s edict sentencing Chen Pingping to death. 

  The eunuch with an indifferent expression in the center was Eunuch Yao. He was also not empty-handed. He carried a small vase. 

  Everything was prepared on the wooden stage. Chen Pingping’s seemingly lifeless and weak body was placed on the rain-wet wooden boards. Eunuch Yao crouched down by his side. With the help of the imperial doctor, he fed him a pill and carefully poured the soup in the vase between the old man’s dry lips. 

  After an indeterminable amount of time, Chen Pingping slowly came to. He had lost a lot of blood. His life force was at an end. His face was very pale, and his eyes were distant and without spirit. He gazed at Eunuch Yao by his side and closed his dry lips. In a raspy voice, he slowly said, “A thousand-year-old ginseng wasted.” 

  Eunuch Yao’s body trembled, but he did not say anything and or do anything. He only glanced at the old man with a weak smile and retreated to the side with a bow. 

  At the moment Chen Pingping opened his murky eyes, Yan Bingyun, standing on the execution field to the left of He Zongwei, also trembled. He immediately calmed again and lowered his head helplessly. Earlier, he had swept his eyes across to know that the execution field was tightly guarded. Putting aside the densely packed imperial soldiers on all sides or the internal aces scattered about, those aces wearing hemp clothing and straw hats already told Yan Bingyun that no one could change anything. 

  Last night in the prison of the Overwatch Council, there were four aces wearing straw hats. Both Yan Bingyun and He Zongwei found it a little strange, but they knew where these mysterious aces had come from. Earlier, when the autumn rain had fallen and everything was bathed in a clear light, Yan Bingyun’s sharp eyes had noticed that under the straw hats, these aces did not have any hair. 

  It looked like they were Ascetic Monks of the Qing Temple, who were scattered throughout the world. Not long after the Great Priest of the Qing Temple returned from preaching on the Southern border, he had died mysteriously within the Qing Temple. The Second Priest, Great Master San Shi, had turned to the Junshang Conference. In the end, he had died wretchedly in a rain of arrows outside Jingdou after being silenced by the Eldest Princess. 

  The Emperor had always held Tianyi Dao and the Ascetic Monks of the Qing Temple in disdain. Furthermore, the royal family never had much connection with the Qing Temple. So, why did these Ascetic Monks of the Qing Temple suddenly appear en masse in Jingdou in front of all these people by the execution field where Chen Pingping was about to die? 

  Yan Bingyun lowered his head in thought. It was not until now that he knew the Emperor had not only reached the pinnacle in imperial authority and strength, but he also the Qing Temple had become a weapon in his hands. Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but sigh faintly in his heart. Suddenly, a mountain-like cry made him immediately raise his head. 

  A wooden scaffold stood on the execution field. Chen Pingping’s thin body was firmly tied to it. The old man’s clothing had already been completely removed, revealing his pale body. Because of long years of paralysis, his body below his abdomen appeared particularly skinny. In the cold autumn rain, he appeared particularly bleak and pitiful. 

  Ran struck the thin and lifeless body before slowly rolling down and returning to the earth. 

  The cry on the square earlier had come when the Jingdou people watching the execution finally saw the scaffolding rising up and criminal official tied to the scaffolding. The mountain-like roar they let out rang out in all directions like a wave. 

  However, this roar quickly changed into silence. The first to fall silent were those closest to the execution field. The whispers moved from the front to the back. Before long, it became a thunderous shocked discussion. 

  Perhaps some god let out an order in heaven as all of the people beneath the palace walls fell silent at the same time. Countless thousands of people were all gathered, yet there was a death-like silence. It seemed so quiet that the people at the very back could even hear the rustling sound of the rope around Chen Pingping’s body rubbing against the wooden stake. 

  \r \r \r 

  Not only were the people shocked, everyone, including the imperial soldiers, officials supervising the execution, eunuchs of the palace, and a few officials of the Overwatch Council all looked at the old man’s body on the scaffold with shock. Thousands upon thousands of eyes looked at the space between the old man’s thighs where there was nothing. 

  The Director of the Overwatch Council, Director Chen Pingping, whose dark name was spread throughout the world was a eunuch 

  Silence. Tens of thousands of gazes filled with countless emotions, pity, shame, shock, or rejection. 

  Yan Bingyun’s body finally began to tremble unstoppably. He lowered his head firmly. His eyes were bloodshot. He did not know of the old Director’s unmentionable illness. He only felt that those gazes were not only on the space between the legs of the old man on the execution field but were also on him and all of the Overwatch Council officials. It was humiliation. 

  He tightly clenched his hands. The nails pressed deeply into his palms. He finally understood why the Emperor on the palace walls was so set on having the punishment carried out before a crowd. It turned out that the torment of the flesh had to be paired with humiliation of the mind. 

  The Emperor wanted to announce to the world that this person, who dared to betray him, was just a servant in his eyes, just a dog. The Emperor could humiliate him as he wished. He was going to crush Chen Pingping’s dignity and the Overwatch Council’s dignity beneath his feet and the gazes of the people. 

  Thinking through all this, Yan Bingyun’s mind buzzed. He raised his head with unusual strength. He met the murky and weak gaze of the old man on the execution field. He didn’t say anything and didn’t do anything. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw the court officials below the execution field were stunned. They would probably never have guessed that the Director of the Overwatch Council that they so respected was actually a eunuch that people like them held in contempt. 

  This was Chen Pingping’s heartache and secret. There were not many who knew of his eunuch identity. Most of them had died. later, with the Emperor’s boundless favor and under the Overwatch Council’s powerful suppression, no one knew about this truth. 

  That was why there was such shock on the officials’ faces. In addition to shock, a glimmer of contempt appeared on their faces. Human emotions were strange. When they set his crimes earlier in the court conference and came out of the Palace to witness the execution, these officials’ faces were still severe and maintained a glimmer of respect and fear toward the about to die Chen Pingping. Now, these emotions were nowhere to be seen. ……

  Eunuch Yao accepted the scroll from the eunuch beside him and forced himself to not look at the old man beside him on the scaffold. In a trembling voice, he began to read the 13 great crimes the court conference had pinned on Chen Pingping. The autumn rain struck the execution field. Eunuch Yao’s heart was incomparably cold. A sorrow began to rise in his heart, but he had to continue his job. 

  “One, on April 12th in the seventh year of the Qing calendar, the traitor secretly brought in depraved medicines into the Palace and caused chaos in the palace……” 

  “Two, the traitor repeatedly instigated, encouraged, and tempted various princes turn to against me. This is a great crime……” 

  “Three, the traitor ordered the head of the Sixth Bureau to assassinate me at the Hanging Temple and later assassinate Commissioner Fan in Jingdou……” 

  “Four, the traitor colluded with the rebel Qin Ye and privately removed military crossbows from the palace treasury and attempted to kill an imperial envoy in a valley outside Jingdou……” 

  “Five, the traitor let assassins into the Palace to assassinate the Third Prince……” 

  The 13 crimes had been decided by a few major ministries, but these first seven had been personally written by the Emperor. It was because their reading during the court conference that the officials knew that Director Chen had done such treasonous and evil things. Even the scholars Shu and Hu, who were going to use their lives to beg for mercy, paled and did not speak. 

  The later six crimes had been decided by the six ministries. They were just crimes like taking property and acting tyrannically. Compared to the seven crimes previously, they appeared very common. However, any one of the 13 crimes was a death sentence with 13 crimes combined. 

  Following Eunuch Yao’s reading of the crimes that he had forced himself to complete, the buzz of discussion and angry scolding rang out in the square in front of the Royal Palace. It broke the strange silence that had fallen. 

  Perhaps there had been many people who came to watch the execution nervously and with complicated emotions. Following the ringing out of these crimes in front of the palace, the gazes directed toward Chen Pingping became indifferent. Such an insane criminal. Of course, the Emperor should give him death by a thousand cuts. 

  “Kill him!” Someone in the crowd took the lead and yelled out loud. Immediately, the crowd grew excited and the cries for death reached the heavens. 

  On the execution field, Chen Pingping’s expression remained indifferent. The thousand-year ginseng could wake him up but could not rescue his life. He seemed to have seen through everything. There was only calm in his indifferent and lifeless eyes. The autumn wind and rain froze. His face was deathly pale. His lips were black. But, it was as if he could not hear the deafening cries for his death. He only turned his head with difficulty. It was as if he wanted one look at the person on top of the palace walls who was always victorious. 

  Seemingly to sense his intentions, the wooden scaffold turned slightly, allowing his murky gaze the chance to see the palace walls. 

  On top of the lofty palace walls, the Qing Emperor in a black dragon robe with a golden belt was standing alone under the eaves in the most central position. There wasn’t a single person by his side. The eunuchs and serving girls had been sent far away. The Third Prince, who had been forced to watch by an edict, was standing to the side with a pale face as he looked at this father’s expression from a distance. 

  The Emperor stood very tall and very far away. His figure was very small. In Chen Pingping’s murky eyes, he was still very clear. 

  The lonely Emperor looked indifferently at his old friend on the execution field surrounded by a sea of people. There was not a sliver of emotion in his eyes. This indifference was far more terrifying and hair-raising than any hatred. 

  Most of the pieces of metal had been removed from his body, but the cuts still bled blood and pain. The blood stained the black dragon robe and golden belt, but it was not noticeable. The Emperor’s face was only slightly pale. There was no sign of pain. As he looked at the wretched old friend beneath his feet, he had the desire for him to feel more pain. 

  The Emperor gently nodded his head. The pale-faced Third Prince unconsciously tightened his hold on the palace wall. After a long time, the Third Prince called down in a trembling voice, “Carry out the execution.” 

  With this shout, it almost forced the once sinister and ruthless Li Chengze to tears. He knew why his father had made him call it out. With the shout from the palace walls, Eunuch Yao began to read the last edict. This was one the Emperor had personally written. 

  “I have known you for decades and entrusted great things to you, but you betrayed me deeply. It hurts. With all your crimes, the three departments reviewed it jointly and have sentenced you to death by a thousand cuts. I do not pity you. According to the law, those above 16 in your home are to be beheaded. Those below 15 are to be sold as slaves. Today, the punishment falls only on you. The others are pardoned without question.” 

  The edict traveled clearly over each inch of ground in the Royal Palace, through each raindrop, each breath of wind. Indifferent and absolute, the Emperor did not speak of a crime, only that he had been betrayed and was hurt but felt no pity. However, he showed mercy outside of the law and did not implicate the eunuch’s family and servants. The pain in this made one’s heart palpitate and dim. 

  These false words landed in Chen Pingping’s ears. He only smiled slightly and allowed the rainwater to seep into his dry lips. He lowered his head, no longer looking at the Emperor on the palace wall. ……

  The execution began. 

  The fishnet wrapped tightly around Chen Pingping’s thin figure. With great difficulty, the gaps in the net pushed up the skin and flesh on the body. A specially made and sharp knife came trembling down and cut slowly, separating this piece of flesh from the old man’s body. 

  This was the first cut. A mountainous roar came from below the execution field. 

  The blade of the knife left the opening of the net. A piece of flesh fell to the ground. It was immediately thrown by an official of the Ministry of Justice into a basin. Strangely, the wound at the opening of the net was white and dry. Not much blood flowed out. It was as if the blood in this thin traitor’s body had already emptied. 

  The executioner who held the knife was an old veteran of the Ministry of Justice. Although he had already had two jugs of liquor, he could still not stop his hands shaking. He felt that this old and skinny man beneath his knife today was not like any other official he had experienced. His body had no blood or flesh. It seemed that his body did not have a glimmer of spirit. It was so cold that he couldn’t stop himself from shaking. 

  The second stroke came down. Blood and flesh parted. A few thin trickles of blood flowed across the net. There was another cheer. How many hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of cuts were there? 

  Chen Pingping closed his eyes tightly. His face was deathly pale. His lips were tightly closed, and his entire body trembled as if he were experiencing a pain that humankind could not endure. He suddenly opened his eyes slowly and looked at the executioner in front of him. Panting, he said, “Your skills…… are…… lacking.” 

  The executioner had never before met such a person. This superseded stubbornness. There was only indifference to his own life and pain. Perhaps there was something in this old man’s body that already surpassed pain? His hand began to tremble again. He almost dropped the knife onto the rain-splattered wooden stage. 

  Another cut, and another cut, and another cut. Wave after wave of cheers rose and fell. The cheers gradually lessened until they returned to silence at the end. All of the officials and commoners watching the execution closed their eyes and looked at the old man receiving the execution with a complicated emotion. 

  There were no wretched cries, no sorrowful keening, no begging for mercy, no begging for death, no wild cursing. The old man suffering a thousand cuts in the autumn rain on the execution field was only silent, a death-like silence. 

  Thus, everyone above and below the palace walls was also silent, an involuntary death-like silence.

  Chapter 686: Looking And Laughing At Heroes Was Not Common (3)

  Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio 

  A few days ago, there were still remnants of the last vestiges of summer heat left in the land. The first rains of autumn had not yet fallen. Only at dusk and dawn, when the light was dim, would the wind carry a crisp autumn chill as it blew through the mountains, woods, and fields. 

  Autumn wind raised people’s worries. At this time, Fan Xian did not have many worries. He sat among the long line of black carriages and slept with the rising and falling of the carriage. It was a false sleep. He had only closed his eyes, opened up his mind, and allowed the two different zhenqi to gently circulate. 

  The natural Tianyi Dao zhenqi was placed in the upper circulations. It was soft, gentle, and needed to be chanted. His true power, the powerful Tyrannical zhenqi moved around his body, strengthening his body and hammering his intent. 

  Fan Xian had thoroughly memorized the contents of the small notebook Sigu Jian gave him right before he died. On this trip west, back to the capital, while he practiced his own cultivation, he also continued to follow the marvelous writing on the notebook. He opened up his mind to sense the possible or non-existent ripples of yuanqi in his surroundings. Perhaps he was too tired from the traveling, or perhaps there was a great deal of spiritual aura on the banks of the East Sea, but along the way, Fan Xian did not make much progress. However, he became faster at focusing his thoughts and sensing things in the outside world. 

  There was not a day he did not meditate. There was not a moment he was not practicing hard. This was probably the true reason for Fan Xian’s present strength. 

  A gust of wind blew in through the curtain of the carriage. It made him narrow his eyes slightly. For some reason, his heart trembled slightly and felt a chill. It was as if something was happening in the world. Something that was certain to impact him was about to happen. 

  What could it be? He narrowed his eyes and looked at the murky mountains outside. Slowly, he dissipated the zhenqi in his body he had gathered and pulled his mind back from his surroundings. The Dongyi matter was pretty much settled. His father had left Ten Family Village and returned to Danzhou. It was all calm in Jingdou. Chen Pingping, that old cripple, should already be on his way back to his hometown. Everything was going as Fan Xian hoped, so why did he have such an ominous feeling? 

  His delicate and pretty brows furrowed slightly. After leaving Dongyi, the only thing that Fan Xian had found strange was the attacks by the volunteer armies of the countries subordinate to Dongyi. Although these hot-blooded men intended to die by coming forth to assassinate a powerful official of the Qing Kingdom, the guards around Fan Xian were much too strong. Besides, the Great Prince had also sent a 1,000-troop squadron to protect him. The attacks over a series of days only saw the volunteer armies take casualties, throwing down hot blood before scattering. 

  What put Fan Xian on guard was that his route from Dongyi back to the capital was very secretive. Even if someone found out in Dongyi, it would still require the support of a powerful system of intelligence reports to lay out all these attacks along the way. 

  His heart jumped as he arrived at a chilling answer. There was someone within the Overwatch Council sending these reports to the volunteer armies. Furthermore, these things began after he decided to leave Dongyi. 

  It seemed like there was a power in Jingdou that wanted to delay the speed of Fan Xian’s return. What could happen in Jingdou? What matter concerned him that the other party was so resolute on ending before he returned return to Jingdou? Fan Xian’s eyes grew cold. His body also grew cold. Unconsciously, he tightened the thin cloak around his body. 

  Only two people could make something go wrong within the Overwatch Council. One was the Emperor, and the other was Chen Pingping. It was also only these two who could stall his return to the capital if they wanted to. It was certain that what was happening in Jingdou was definitely related to the Emperor and Chen Pingping. 

  Fan Xian pulled his gaze back from the scenery outside the carriage window. He was silent for a moment. He then made up his mind, prompted by the powerful worry he felt. To Mu Feng’er riding beside the carriage, he ordered, “Change the formation. Open up the road in an arrow formation. Don’t delay along the way with those people. Return to Yanjing as soon as possible.” 

  Mu Feng’er’s heart jumped. He thought that if they forcefully charged back, many people would die. The consequence brought by speed was damage. He glanced at Sir Fan Junior. He knew that he must have sensed something strange, which was why he wanted to rush back to Jingdou. Not daring to ask further, he quickly gave the order to move forward at full speed to the long line of carriages heading back to Jingdou. 

  The sound of the horses’ hooves was thunderous. The carriages rang out metallically as they raced from Dongyi toward the Qing Kingdom. 

  In less than an hour, the entire group slowed down. A signal arrow rang out in front. Over these few days, the group escorting Sir Fan junior had gotten used to the ever-present ambushes, so they were not surprised. The signal arrow now was strange. It only rang out once before stopping. Immediately after, cries of “Safe!” rang out repeatedly from the front to the back of the group. 

  The Overwatch Council’s cries were very short and quick. They were afraid that their colleagues in the back would accidentally hurt the messenger. The messenger was too quick, to the point that the defensive force of the carriages could only glance at the token on his waist and had no time to make any other reactions. 

  “Safe!” When the sound of the last cry rang out from beside Fan Xian’s carriage, a light gray shadow moved like a flash of lightning and came to a stop by his carriage. The line of carriages was very long, yet this person moved just as fast as the Overwatch Council’s message. It was truly astounding. 

  As the present Qinian Unit leader by Fan Xian’s side, Mu Feng’er gripped the hilt of his knife cautiously as he looked at the dust-covered and sallow-faced Overwatch Council official who had just stopped by the carriage. This official’s face was unfamiliar, so Mu Feng’er did not dare to be careless. However, seeing the token the official held up with his right hand, his heart jumped. He did not stop him climbing onto the carriage. 

  The Overwatch Council official, whose clothing was in unrecognizable tatters, wormed into Fan Xian’s carriage and knelt down straight away. In a raspy voice, he said, “Director Chen returned to the capital, life and death unknown.” ……

  When this official’s lightning-like and wind-like figure appeared beside the carriage, Fan Xian’s eyes had lit up and grown increasingly bright. He recognized the official who could move so quickly. He was someone he had missed for many years, who had been his closest subordinate in the past. 

  “Lao Wang……” Seeing this official enter the carriage, the light in Fan Xian’s eyes grew and melted into joy. He laughed but stopped abruptly as he heard what Wang Qinian said. 

  The light and joy in Fan Xian’s eyes coalesced into a bundle of burning ice, terrifyingly cold and terrifyingly hot. Straightforwardly, he asked, “From where did he turn back, when?” 

  Wang Qinian’s chest rose and fell rapidly. As one of the wings of the Overwatch Council, he had headed northeast not far from Dazhou and had not rested in a long time. He had completely relied on his last breath to support his exhausted body. At the moment he finally saw Fan Xian, he was almost at the end of his line. He knew that Fan Xian’s question concerned when the old Director would be able to reach Jingdou and how much time Fan Xian had, so he said the answer directly. 

  Fan Xian sat silently on his chair. He closed his eyes then opened them. He had already calculated the rough time Chen Pingping would be brought back to Jingdou, as well as how long it would take him to get from where he was to Yanjing and then to Jingdou. 

  Could he make it? The bundle of cold fire in Fan Xian’s eyes grew. He looked at Wang Qinian kneeling in front of him and did not say anything. His earlier joy in their reunion had been overshadowed by an immense anger. Chen Pingping’s escort home had been personally arranged by Fan Xian. Under the escort of the Overwatch Council, how could he be captured back by the Emperor? 

  Fan Xian had no idea about everything that happened in Dazhou was because Chen Pingping wanted to return to the capital to ask the Emperor some questions. 

  Time was of the essence. It was a desperate situation. Fan Xian’s expression was cold as he said to Mu Feng’er by the window, “Turn the entire group back to Dongyi. Tell the Great Prince that unless he receives a personally written letter from me, he is to never return.” 

  From learning that Chen Pingping had returned to Jingdou to Fan Xian giving the first order, only a few moments had passed. Fan Xian’s first problem was dealing with this large group. Afterward, he had to ensure that nothing went wrong with the Great Prince, who was in Dongyi with more than 10,000 soldiers. 

  He had given the orders. Those below him would be responsible for carrying them out. Fan Xian would not say one extra word. He took out a flash of clear water from a compartment in the luxurious black carriage and tied it to his waist. He then rose and took a deep breath. ……

  The black carriage suddenly collapsed. The wooden wall directly in front that was not covered by iron boards shattered in an instant. A black shadow, like a streak of black lightning, swept out of the carriage. Tapping his toes against the horse’s head, he shot forward. A giant crack rang out. 

  Fan Xian treasured every minute and second of time. The Tyrannical zhenqi in his body was raised to a peak condition. The magic he had just comprehended also helped make him more bird-like in the air. Taking advantage of the air currents, he moved quickly forward, dissolving his figure into a black shadow. 

  Like a streak of lightning, he stepped lightly on the heads of the Overwatch Council officials and floated away. In an instant, he was at the front of the line. This was probably the fastest speed Fan Xian could move at. 

  In midair, he kicked the general sent by the Great Prince off his horse and stole the best warhorse in the group. Immediately afterward, he ran his hand through his own hair and pushed a clean needle into the warhorse’s neck. He used his finger to remove the warhorse’s muzzle before feeding it an ephedra pill. In a very short time, he marvelously demonstrated the Black Knight’s method of stimulating a horse. 

  On the horse, Fan Xian grunted. The horse flew out like an arrow. Leaving behind the main group, in an instant, he had become a little black dot on the road. In just a few hours, he had disappeared from these people’s views. 

  Everyone stared in shock at the scene. While they marveled at Sir Fan junior’s incredible and powerful cultivation, they were also very confused. What exactly had happened to make Sir Fan junior be anxious to such an extent? 

  Mu Feng’er had obtained Fan Xian’s order, but he did not understand it at all. Why did they have to return to Dongyi? He unconsciously glanced toward the carriage. At this time, he had already guessed who the unfamiliar official wearing the highest ranking token of the Qinian Unit was. Sir Wang Qinian was a legendary figure in the Overwatch Council. Mu Feng’er wanted to learn from him what exactly had happened in Jingdou. When he pulled back the wooden board, he found that Wang Qinian had already burned through all his energy and was unconscious. 

  Using only two days to get from Dazhou to here, it was not a speed that humans could reach. Yet, Wang Qinian had done it. 

  Mu Feng’er looked at this scene with shock and fear. Unconsciously, he raised his head and looked in the direction Sir Fan junior had disappeared in. He faintly guessed that this was probably a relay race or, perhaps, this was a race against the god of death. ……

  The icy cold and strong autumn wind sliced like a knife across Fan Xian’s face with a whistle. The cold fire in his eyes had retreated, but it shone with a terrifying calm. He knew what he needed, what the old cripple in Jingdou needed. It was time. Although he could not understand and did not have to understand why everything that appeared to be going so well would suddenly take such an abrupt turn at Dazhou, he only knew that if the old cripple had returned to Jingdou, it was certainly for that matter in the past. The old cripple had gone to die. 

  Urgency burned like wildfire in Fan Xian’s heart. It scrubbed against his heart like fine sand through a sieve. The warhorse beneath him seemed to be stepping on clouds and breathed like thunder. Under the stimulation of the drug, the warhorse maintained its top speed. It raced along the road between the mountain woods. Along the way, it rode through mountains and broke through fog. He headed straight for Yanjing. 

  For the entire night, Fan Xian never got off his horse or reduced his speed. Other than using the water in the flask at his waist to replenish his and the horse’s fluids, he had no other movements. The road was long. They still needed time to get to Jingdou. They still needed energy. 

  The day had just broken. Yanjing was already in front of him. In just one night, he had returned to the Qing Kingdom. Fan Xian had done his best. His speed was almost unbelievable. Even the volunteer armies ambushed along the road could not react in time. They could only watch as the plume of smoke and a lone rider bravely charge forward. 

  Fan Xian treasured every second, so he would not enter Yanjing. Regardless of whether Yanjing had received any secret orders from the Emperor, he would not take this risk. He would not waste any time there. Just as the majestic city appeared in his eyes, he hooked his leg over the saddle and retrieved a signal arrow from his chest. Circulating the zhenqi in his palm, he sent it straight into the sky. 

  With a bang, a beautiful firework sliced through the quiet morning outside Yanjing. The faint moonlight of the crescent moon in the distance was overshadowed by this light. The rising sun in the east did not have the time to pursue this brilliant light that appeared and disappeared in an instant. 

  Most of the people inside Yanjing were still sleeping sweetly. However, this was, after all, an important intersection between Northern Qi and Dongyi. The guards standing watch responded quickly. At the first instant, they banged on the signal drum in the corner tower of the city walls. In an instant, the Qing soldiers on the city walls gathered together. Holding their weapons nervously, they looked at the horse and rider charging in from a distance. 

  When Fan Xian came close to Yanjing and could clearly see the reflected morning light on the weapons in the hands of the soldiers on the city wall, there was not a sliver of expression on his face. His heart did not jump at all. He pulled hard on the reins and forcefully changed directions during his gallop. He followed the direction of the old city walls and headed east. 

  The guards on the city wall watched this scene in shock. 

  Immediately after, a thunderous wave of hooves rang out densely. There was movement in the camp temporarily stationed outside of Yanjing. When Fan Xian turned east, the black-armored riders in that campground were already prepared to attack. They charged out of the camp and met with Fan Xian outside the east gate of Yanjing. 

  Five hundred Black Knights were waiting to receive Fan Xian as he returned to the capital. In the morning, they saw the signal that represented the Overwatch Council’s most urgent command. They reacted in the shortest amount of time and met up with Fan Xian. 

  \r \r \r 

  Fan Xian did not reduce his speed and merged in with the black stream. It was no longer possible to see his figure. There was only a storm cloud sweeping through. 

  Without any command or words, Fan Xian’s figure rose. He abandoned the warhorse that had already run for an entire night. He floated to the horse of the deputy commander of the Black Knights beside him while the deputy commander had already moved to another emptied warhorse. 

  The horse switching was completed while still moving at a high speed without any obstruction. The Black Knights riding skills were the best in the world. It was indeed a well-deserved reputation. The Black Knights saw the Director’s worried and cold expression. No one dared to ask anything. They knew something major must have happened, so they silently and valiantly followed Fan Xian’s lead and sped toward the plains in the east. 

  The warhorse that had accompanied Fan Xian through the night frothed at the mouth and collapsed to the ground, sending up a plume of dust. Its four legs twitched as it died. It took just a moment and all 500 Black Knights disappeared into the plains beneath Yanjing, leaving behind only this warhorse and a layer of dust. 

  The guards on the city walls looked dumbfounded at the magical scene in front of their eyes. They could not speak for a long time. They knew of the power of the Black Knights. After seeing it for themselves, they were stilled stunned speechless. They particularly wondered who the first lone rider had been. 

  When the Commander of Yanjing, Wang Zhikun, learned about everything that happened in the morning, his face appeared worried. By the time he had ordered for the entire army to get ready and seal off the borders between the Qing Kingdom and Northern Qi and Dongyi, the Black Knights that had brought him boundless confusion and shock and the man who led the Black Knights in a wild gallop had already left the boundaries of Yanjing and were on the true path back to Jingdou. 

  All along the way, they passed through provinces and broke through all obstructions. They exchanged no words with any local officials in any province or region and disregarded every Qing law related to the movement of armies. The valiant Black Knights returned to Jingdou as fast as possible with Fan Xian in the lead. 

  It was now already a few days later. No one knew how many officials and commoners these 500 Black Knights had startled in their wild ride or the kinds of legends they left in Qing history. The Black Knights were first in the world for thousand-li attacks. However, in the past, this powerful netherworld group only launched ferocious attacks outside the Qing Kingdom for the interests of the Qing Kingdom and the Emperor. In the 10th year of the Qing calendar, they were charging across the Qing Kingdom’s fertile land. 

  Amidst the autumn rain, the farewell pavilion outside Jingdou suddenly trembled. A thundercloud-like group of black-armored riders whistled by. They sent up plumes of dust. Leaves fell in their wake. 

  Jingdou was right in front of their eyes. Fan Xian, in the midst of the Black Knights, was exhausted to the extreme. He had not rested, slept, or ate for a number of days. He had only relied on clear water to support himself. The cold fire in his eyes and heart had kept his body going, stopping him from falling down. 

  He had to get back. He had to stop everything from happening. 

  “You have to wait for me.” Fan Xian’s black robes were covered in a layer of dust. His face was streaked with yellow dirt. There was even a layer of it on his eyelashes. His lips were dry, and his eyes were terrifyingly bright. Rain had fallen. It made this group of black riders appear particularly wretched. Even with the strength of the Black Knights, there were still some who were unable to keep up with Fan Xian’s speed as they cut across the abdomen of the Qing Kingdom and had fallen from the group. 

  If Fan Xian had not fully used his powerful cultivation, he would also not be able to maintain such a terrifying speed. During the rain, there were warhorses that could not continue any further no matter the drugs they were given. Fan Xian had gone through 10 horses in a row and could not find any more horses to switch to. He had forcibly mugged a merchant group on the road and stolen 20 horses. 

  At this time, there were still 20 odd Black Knights by Fan Xian’s side. Even such a small group made the ground tremble outside Jingdou. It was as if a difficult-to-oppose army was coming closer to the heart of the Qing Kingdom. 

  The Black Knights reached Jingdou and charged straight for Zhengyang Gate. The Jingdou city gates were all tightly closed. All defensive alerts had been raised to the highest level. The soldiers of the 13 city gate guards and cavalry of the Jingdou Garrison were sternly watching everything outside of Jingdou. However, these Black Knights came too quickly and decisively. They were so fast that the Jingdou Garrison were unable to make any reaction before they had arrived at Zhengyang Gate. 

  When they were about 490 feet away from Zhengyang Gate, Fan Xian wiped the mud and rainwater from his face. Without slowing, he roared toward the generals above Zhengyang Gate, “Open the gate! I am Fan Xian!” ……

  Sir Fan junior was back! The faces of the generals and officials above the city gate paled. They knew what was happening in Jingdou in front of the Royal Palace. These generals had been ordered to guard the city since the Palace was worried that the Overwatch Council may pull on other factions of power in the court. No one had thought that Sir Fan junior would suddenly appear beneath Zhengyang Gate. 

  Regardless of whether it was the Qing Emperor who used coldness to suppress his explosive anger or Chen Pingping who had done everything to try and stop Fan Xian’s return to the capital, neither of them had thought that Fan Xian would arrive back at Jingdou now. 

  The last the Qing court had heard was that Fan Xian was still far away outside of the Qing Kingdom. He was still on the road back from Dongyi. Even if he flew, he probably wouldn’t be able to get back in time. Unbelievably, Fan Xian had made it back. 

  “Guard the gate with your life! Archers at the ready!” One of the Commanders of Zhengyang Gate had finally come to. The order he had received was to close the Jingdou city gates. Any coming and going was strictly forbidden. With a trembling voice, he watched the approaching 20 or so Black Knights like he was watching an army about to attack the city. He gave his order with a pale face. 

  Even if Sir Fan junior got back, particularly now, he could not be allowed to enter the capital! 

  “Sir Fan junior, today……” The Commander of Zhengyang Gate wanted to give a few words of explanation to Fan Xian on his horse, but Fan Xian had no time for his explanations. The speed of the warhorse beneath him had not decreased. His gaze swept up over the Zhengyang Gate the waiting soldiers. His heart tightened. He knew that he although he had rushed desperately back to Jingdou, he had probably still come too late. 

  On the horse, two cold lights exploded in Fan Xian’s eyes. He stared fixedly at the officials on the city wall. The soldiers all cowered back and drew back their gaze. 

  The Black Knights came closer and closer to the city gate. Fan Xian raised his right hand and brought it down hard in a chopping motion. The 20 or so Black Knights behind him moved into a triangular formation and reduced their speed, remaining outside of the range of the bows above the gate. 

  The people on the city wall relaxed a little. Although the aura of the 20 or so Black Knights was imposing, these people could not break through the wall. However, if they did come face to face with the Black Knights, who knew what would happen? As long as these Black Knights stopped and did not attack, that would be good. 

  However, Fan Xian did not slow down. He continued to charge toward Zhengyang Gate. The 20 or so Black Knights behind him all coldly took out a crossbow from behind them. 

  With a series of thuds, the crossbows suddenly fired and shot grappling hooks toward the top of the city wall. With a clink, they caught firmly against the brick of the city wall. Dozens of black grappling hooks, like a net, turned the wall into a bridge. It was a bridge spanning life and death. 

  This was a grappling hook the Third Bureau had created many years ago. At that time, Fan Xian was out on a diplomatic mission to Northern Qi. The Council had given it to him to use. Fan Xian had his own life-saving tricks and had never used it. Now, they had to save on all time. If they had to forcefully conquer the city wall, Fan Xian was prepared. 

  He rode alone to Zhengyang Gate. As the rain lessened above his head, the black grappling hooks flashed like countless shadows through the air. Fan Xian gave a muffled grunt. Forcefully suppressing the zhenqi restlessness caused by physical and mental exhaustion, he released his Tyrannical zhenqi. Stepping on the back of the horse, he flew straight into the air using the flow of air around him that he acutely sensed. With a boom, his power was like thunder. 

  Like a big black bird, he danced in front of Jingdou’s sinister city gate and rose higher and higher. 

  “Break the chains! Break the chains!” The Commander of Zhengyang Gate roared loudly. He didn’t dare have the soldiers shoot at the black figure because he didn’t know if the Emperor would behead his whole family if he killed Sir Fan junior. 

  The Commander of Zhengyang Gate had such fears, but Fan Xian had not a single concern. He gave a roar and forcibly raised the zhenqi in his body again. The tip of his toes tapped against the black chains. His entire body floated up like a wisp of black smoke as he moved along the chain toward the top of the loft city wall. 

  One chain broke, and then there was another. When a dozen chains had been broken by the soldiers of the 13 city gate guards, Fan Xian, exhausted and covered in dust, had already swept onto the city wall. With the flash of a harsh light, the sword of the Wei Emperor that Fan Xian always carried behind him came out from its sheath. 

  The tip of the sword pierced through the Commander’s throat. Fresh blood sprayed out and was suddenly swept away. The Commander fell to the ground. 

  Fan Xian swept like the window over his corpse. Using the price of three shallow wounds of his body, he broke through the defenses of the valiant Qing troops on the city wall. Following the long steps down, his sword flashed again. Three more people died. Taking a horse, he squeezed his legs together and followed the straight road toward the Royal Palace. 

  All of this could only be described by one word: quick. Quicker than when he dodged Wu Zhu’s wooden stick on the precipice in Danzhou, and quicker than when he sneaked into the Royal Palace and fiercely subdued the empress dowager. From the moment he learned of this news to when he entered Jingdou, Fan Xian had demonstrated a power beyond his realm in the seconds, minutes, days, and nights that had passed. The terror in his heart made him brave and cold-blooded as he had never been before. 

  There was fresh blood on him and his sword. His expression did not change at all, but he felt a terror and panic he had never felt before in his heart. Looking at the situation in Jingdou, he was afraid that the person who should have waited for him, would not be able to wait until his arrival. 

  You have to wait for me. Fan Xian repeated again in his heart. He allowed the autumn rain to strike as it wished on his dusty face as he rode like a madman toward the Royal Palace. 

  The Royal Palace came closer, and the autumn rain fell heavier. There were not many people on the streets. Where had everyone gathered? Fan Xian wondered with confusion and fear. Then, he heard waves of cheering and a death-like silence. 

  The people in Jingdou could not hear the silence. Only Fan Xian could hear it. He listened to it with terror. The people of Jingdou only heard the sound of hooves in the silence. 

  Ta-ta-ta-ta. 

  They then saw the black rider charging toward them like a bolt of lightning. They saw the tattered and dirty black robes and murderous face of the person on the horse. 

  Suddenly, there was movement in the people on the square in front of the Palace watching the execution. Shouts of surprise and pain rang out at almost the same time. The back of the crowd became very chaotic. A number of people were hurt from falling and being stepped on. 

  The lone rider did not reduce his speed at all. Instead, he cold-bloodedly charged toward the dense crowd of people. 

  Those who could dodge, dodged while those who could not were sent flying by the horse. In the autumn rain, the horse stepped on those in its path with unusual cold-bloodedness. 

  Amidst the terror of death, the sea of people parted to create a large opening. They squeezed desperately to the sides to open up a direct path to the small execution field in front of the Royal Palace for this rider. 

  The imperial soldiers closed in. Their long spears all pointed at the rider. 

  Fan Xian silently flew up over the forest of spears. In midair, with his sword in his hand, he sliced out like a bolt of lightning. With a number of thuds, he sliced through a few swords and sent a few internal court guards to the ground. He was already sweeping into the air above the execution field. 

  No matter what he did, Fan Xian’s eyes remained locked on the small wooden stage and bloody and dying old man tied to the wooden scaffolding. Fan Xian’s gaze grew increasingly cold and filled with hatred Then, he heard wind coming in from all directions. 

  Countless hemp-clothed shadows rose up, circling like flowers in the autumn rain and blocking off all of Fan Xian’s paths. 

  Fan Xian did not retreat or dodge. He took three punches to his chest. His sword pierced ruthlessly into the face of a hemp-clothed man and through his eye. Blood and eye fluid seeped out at the same time and mixed in with the rainwater. 

  He roared and slammed out with his left palm full of Tyrannical zhenqi. He heard the crunch of bone and the organs of the hemp-clothed man to his left overflow with blood as he fell to the ground. 

  With a slap, Fan Xian’s feel finally landed on the wet little stage. However, he had paid a great price. The injuries in his body exploded forth ferociously. He spat out a mouthful of blood. He paid it no attention. He just stared dazedly at the old man on the scaffolding who had suffered countless cuts and was exposed before the eyes of the people and endlessly humiliated. 

  With just a glance, Fan Xian knew that he had come too late. He could not make him live on. His dry lips rose slightly. He wanted to say something but could not say anything. 

  The autumn rain fell and swept across the bodies of the two people on the wooden stage. All around, there was a death-like silence. All of the imperial soldiers, Internal Court aces, and the powerful Ascetic Monks from the Qing Temple surrounded the wooden stage tightly. Suppressed by the valiant killing intent and desperation that Fan Xian demonstrated earlier, all of their bodies were rather rigid. No one could take a step. 

  Fan Xian moved forward with great difficulty. He pulled off the ropes and held Chen Pingping’s thin body in his arms. Taking off his filthy and tattered black Overwatch Council robe, he placed it over his body. 

  With great difficulty, Chen Pingping opened his eyes. His old, murky, and disorientated eyes flashed with a very pure light. The old man was like a child huddled in Fan Xian’s embrace. It was as if he was slightly afraid of the cold. 

  “I came back too late,” Fan Xian said hoarsely. He held the thin body and felt the old man’s warmth slowly seep away. His heart was filled, as never before, with a sense of failure, hopelessness, and pain.