31: Chapter 31 Killing Three Birds with One Stone

After Chu Yannian was escorted onto the execution platform, a figure appeared at the very front of the platform like a ghost, without any warning.

There was no sound of wind, no fluctuations; it was as if he had always been there, only just now being "seen" by the people.

The newcomer wore a jet-black flying fish uniform, covered by a cloak of the same color, with a face as cold and stern as ten-thousand-year-old ice.

At his waist hung a long blade that radiated an endless chill.

In truth, the moment everyone saw him, they all recognized his identity.

Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard — Ji Gang!

A true expert of the Celestial Realm; it was said that Xuantian Holy Land's Old Ancestor, Li Youran, was beheaded by him.

A part of the reason many people had come was just to catch a glimpse of him!

"It is that Embroidered Uniform Guard Commander!!"

"An expert of the Celestial Realm! My god, I actually saw one!"

"Is this the Aura of a Celestial Realm expert? How terrifying..."

"So fast! I didn't even see how he appeared!"

"Is this the existence capable of killing the Xuantian Old Ancestor? His Aura is truly powerful..."

"I wonder if the Embroidered Uniform Guard is still recruiting? If I could join the Embroidered Uniform Guard, perhaps I could receive his guidance!"

"Want to join the Embroidered Uniform Guard? With your strength, do you deserve it?"

Ji Gang's appearance was like throwing a giant boulder into a calm lake, instantly triggering a wave of gasps and commotion among the crowd watching the execution below.

One must know that for the vast majority of people, Celestial Realm experts were supreme existences that existed only in legends and awe. The shock brought by seeing one with their own eyes was far more direct and intense than any rumor.

Many people were flushed with excitement, yet they dared not show it too much because the invisible pressure was too powerful.

However, these murmurs soon died down, for Ji Gang's icy gaze had already swept across the entire scene.

He made no idle talk; he didn't even glance at Chu Yannian, who was kneeling beside him.

He simply began to announce the final verdict for the Marquis of Zhennan and the others in a calm voice that could be clearly heard by tens of thousands of people.

"By the decree of His Majesty of the Tianxuan Dynasty, the verdict is as follows:"

"Marquis of Zhennan, Chu Yannian, having received the grace of the nation for generations, did not think to repay it. Instead, you hoarded troops for self-protection, secretly colluded with the rebel party Xuantian Holy Land, and plotted for secession. The evidence is conclusive, and the crimes are heinous! According to the law, you shall be executed along with your nine generations to serve as a warning to others!"

As the three words "Execute nine generations" were spoken, many people below the platform involuntarily held their breath. Many eyes revealed an expression of 'as expected.'

However, at this moment, Ji Gang's tone suddenly shifted.

"However, His Majesty, mindful of his years of guarding the southern frontier and resisting the Yao Beast, acknowledges that he still has minor merits. Furthermore, among his nine generations, there is no lack of innocent women, children, and those who were unaware."

"His Majesty is benevolent and has issued a special decree of grace: the calamity of the nine generations shall be exempted for Chu Yannian!"

"Only his direct blood relatives shall be executed to uphold the national law!"

"The rest of the Chu Family's nine generations shall all have their cultivation abolished, be demoted to commoners, and never be employed again!"

"As for the generals and officials who followed him in rebellion, only the ringleaders shall be executed. Their families and relatives shall likewise have their cultivation abolished, be demoted to commoners, and their property confiscated!"

Ji Gang's voice was clear and cold. Each verdict struck people's hearts like a heavy hammer.

However, as Ji Gang's voice fell, the scene fell into a daze. But soon, everyone reacted, and the scene exploded with frantic discussion.

For the vast majority of common people and low-level Martial Artists, what they felt first was — shock and disbelief!

"Exempted... exempted from executing the nine generations?"

"Only kill the direct line? Your Majesty... Your Majesty is too benevolent!"

"Indeed, rebellion is the greatest crime! According to the law, it really should have been the nine generations!"

"His Majesty is truly a benevolent emperor! Not only is he powerful, but he is also so magnanimous!"

"In this way, although the Chu Family has fallen, many in the collateral branches have saved their lives, only having their cultivation abolished... Compared to the execution of the entire Family, this is simply a tremendous grace!"

"Having such a benevolent and powerful emperor in the Imperial Dynasty is a blessing for us commoners!"

"His Majesty is benevolent. From now on, whoever speaks ill of His Majesty, I will fight them..."

For a time, low murmurs of praise like "His Majesty is benevolent" and "Benevolent emperor" spread through the crowd.

Wang Chen's move, in the eyes of ordinary people who did not understand the deeper implications, undoubtedly displayed the emperor's tolerance and benevolence, greatly alleviating the bloody impression left by the previous destruction of the Xuantian Holy Land, and winning the new emperor a halo of being an "Enlightened Monarch."

However, for those Sect representatives, Family Elders, and high-level Loose Cultivators who truly had insight and intelligence, their feelings were much more complex, and even sent chills down their spines!

"Benevolent? Heh..."

A Sect Elder said in a low voice to the Disciple beside him, his tone carrying a trace of sarcasm and deep dread.

"Do you know that for a Martial Artist, abolishing their cultivation is sometimes more cruel than killing them directly!"

"Losing power, instantly falling from a high-and-mighty Martial Artist or noble to a cripple not even as good as an ordinary strong man — that psychological gap and the future suffering would likely make one wish they were dead."

Upon hearing this, a dignified-looking middle-aged man nearby said with a grave expression.

"Not only that! This move can be called a plan of killing three birds with one stone; it is extremely brilliant."

"Oh? Brother, your insight is profound; please enlighten me..."

"Heh... I wouldn't dare call it profound insight, but I will simply state my thoughts!"

"First, just as those ignorant people said, it won the name of a 'benevolent' and 'magnanimous' emperor, gathered the hearts of the bottom layer of society, and alleviated the impression of brutality."

"Second, it completely eradicated future troubles! Just imagine, how many of a group of people whose cultivation has been abolished can survive in this place where Yao Beasts appear at any time? Even if they survive, without martial power, how can they resist the Imperial Dynasty? How can they take revenge? This move seems to leave a glimmer of life, but in reality, it cuts off all possibility of revenge, which is cleaner than killing them directly!"

"Third, the deterrent effect has increased rather than decreased! Watching former powerful figures and experts have their cultivation abolished in public, like pigs and dogs — this intense contrast and despair of falling from the clouds into the mud is a warning more terrifying than death to those high-level figures who still harbor ulterior motives!"

Once these words were spoken, all the listeners around gasped. This was not benevolence; this was clearly killing the heart! It was too ruthless... It seems this new emperor is not only terrifying in strength but also ruthless and decisive in his methods. Moreover, he is meticulous, and his mastery of wielding both favor and power has reached perfection!

Regardless of what the people below the platform thought, once the verdict was passed, it could not be changed. Ji Gang said no more, only slightly raising his hand and saying, "Execute."

The first to be dragged up by two Embroidered Uniform Guard officers was the Marquis of Zhennan, Chu Yannian. He was dragged to the center of the execution platform, facing tens of thousands of eyes below, and his head was pressed onto the cold black iron chopping block.

He seemed to want to say something at the end. However, as his lips moved, he did not make a single sound. In the end, it only turned into a silent sigh, and he slowly closed his eyes.

A burly Embroidered Uniform Guard officer expressionlessly raised the Xiuchun Blade in his hand. Then, a flash of the blade!

"Pfft—!" Blood splattered! A head rolled to the ground, and blood gushed out from the headless neck, staining a large part of the execution platform red. A generation of power-hungry figures, the Marquis of Zhennan, Chu Yannian, was thus separated from his head...