https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-21-Mental-Cultivation-Martial-Arts-Seeking-Collection-/12984506/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-23-Turmoil-Outside-the-City-Bandits-Descend-from-the-Mountains-Seeking-Collection-/12984514/
Chapter 22: The Fist is Power! (Seeking Collection)
Chapter 22: The Fist is Power! (Seeking Collection)
The rooster's crow echoed through the vast Black Goose City, signaling the dawn of a new day.
The dark night sky was illuminated by the first rays of the rising sun from the east.
Qin Zheng had already risen, prepared herbal soup, and consumed it before practicing martial arts in the courtyard, channeling his qi and blood.
The Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill had thirteen variations, seemingly corresponding to the thirteen levels of cultivation.
Practicing this martial art stimulated the body's qi and blood far more effectively than other martial arts.
Therefore, after experimenting with several martial arts he had mastered, Qin Zheng primarily practiced this skill to channel his qi and blood.
As he finished a set of movements, white smoke rose from his body, his blood surged rapidly, stimulating and strengthening his inner body.
Bang, bang, bang! The courtyard door was knocked on again.
Qin Zheng stopped his practice and approached the courtyard entrance, opening the gate.
Standing before him was the honest-faced Wang Er, his skin tanned and weathered.
"Brother Wang, why are you here?" Qin Zheng asked, his eyebrows slightly raised in curiosity. Then, as if realizing something, he continued, "Is there an execution today?"
Although Black Goose City was one of the main execution grounds in Qingzhou, not every day saw prisoners being beheaded.
Therefore, when an execution was scheduled, the execution ground would typically notify the executioner in advance.
Previously, the yamen's law enforcement officers would deliver the message since the execution ground was outside the city, and the yamen was more conveniently located within.
However, on both occasions, it was the soldiers from the execution ground who came to inform him.
"Yes, there are a few prisoners to be executed today," Wang Er confirmed, nodding his head. His face was filled with excitement.
"Do you know that Shi Dian is dead?" Wang Er continued, his face beaming with joy.
"That's right! The leader of the Golden Cicada Gang who dared to intrude on the execution ground and was driven back by Ji Xiaowei—Shi Dian!"
"I heard that he was killed by Xu Capture Chief outside the city. A sword pierced his heart, leaving a bowl-sized wound. He died with his eyes wide open!" Wang Er spoke with enthusiasm, gesturing as he recounted the story.
Qin Zheng's eyes flashed with a glint of excitement upon hearing this news.
So, Xu Capture Chief had taken credit for this achievement!
This would save him a lot of trouble!
"I know you've been living in fear, worried that this old man would come seeking revenge. As soon as I heard the news, I rushed to tell you," Wang Er explained.
"Now you can rest easy."
A wave of warmth washed over Qin Zheng's heart.
He raised his hands in a respectful salute, saying, "Thank you, Brother Wang, for bringing this news. Now I can finally get a good night's sleep!"
Wang Er laughed heartily and said, "Get ready quickly, and let's head to the execution ground outside the city together."
Qin Zheng nodded, returned to his room, and picked up the Ghost Head Blade, wrapping it in coarse cloth, he slung it over his shoulder and set off for the execution ground.
Upon arriving at the military camp, the two men parted ways. Qin Zheng carried the Ghost Head Blade and walked straight into the execution ground.
During the wait for the prisoners to arrive, Qin Zheng's gaze shifted towards the execution platform.
Ji Changyin sat there, his expression unchanged, not showing any surprise at Qin Zheng's presence. He maintained a calm gaze, observing the center of the execution ground.
Qin Zheng thought to himself that the news of his survival must have reached Ji Changyin immediately.
Soon after, the prisoners were brought out from the prison.
There were three of them, led by a young man with a calm demeanor, as if the impending execution did not concern him.
The two behind him were also young, but they were dispirited and haggard, like lifeless corpses devoid of souls.
Once the three prisoners were secured, the soldiers who had escorted them stepped away.
Qin Zheng, having inherited the memories of his predecessor, had also served as an executioner and beheaded several prisoners.
As a result, he had witnessed various attitudes among those about to meet their end.
Some wailed and cried, others were lost and despondent, and some hurled insults.
However, those who faced death with composure were indeed rare, especially at such a young age.
As Qin Zheng's thoughts turned to this, he couldn't help but glance at the leading young man.
The Virtue Scroll did not reveal any new writing this time.
In other words, this person's crime did not warrant death!
Qin Zheng immediately turned his gaze to the other two young men.
Similarly, the scroll showed no reaction.
This indicated that the other two young men also did not deserve death!
This was the first time Qin Zheng had encountered such a situation on the execution ground. Although the rewarded merit varied, the prisoners he had executed before were all deserving of death.
However, these three prisoners before him were clearly different.
He hesitated for a moment, then sighed softly.
In any era, there will always be injustices.
It can be said that in the eyes of the powerful and influential aristocratic families, the so-called truth, good and evil, and right and wrong are all one-sided claims! These three young men may not be inherently good, but they do not deserve to be beheaded.
Only they themselves know what they have experienced.
This incident served as a warning to Qin Zheng.
If a prisoner similar to the Chongming Elder Monk appeared on this execution ground one day, killing them would deduct a hundred taels of merit from himself.
How should he respond then?
Should he use the Ghost Head Saber in his hand?
Qin Zheng considered himself not a saint who could resolve all injustices and save all wronged people.
His primary concern was to protect himself and survive.
It seemed that he couldn't execute just any prisoner in the future.
At least before executions, he needed to know whether the prisoner deserved to die and if killing them would deduct his merit.
Similarly, he still needed to continuously strengthen himself!
Remember, the fist is power!
Only by becoming stronger could he prevent such situations from happening to himself!
As thoughts flooded Qin Zheng's mind—
"The auspicious hour has arrived, execute!"
With that, the beheading token was thrown out.
On the execution ground, a loud voice rang out.
Qin Zheng's mind refocused, and he swung the Ghost Head Saber.
"Rest in peace, all three of you!"
At the same time, Qin Zheng spoke, addressing the three young men before him.
Then—
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Three swift blades of light flashed, and three heads fell to the ground.
After that, it was no longer Qin Zheng's concern.
He wiped the blade and wrapped it in coarse cloth, slung it over his shoulder.
Lifting his head, he saw that Ji Changyin had already left the execution platform.
Apparently, he didn't intend to summon Qin Zheng.
Qin Zheng walked out of the execution ground, and the spectators had mostly dispersed.
Only a simply dressed woman remained, sitting alone and crying hysterically.
She was still crying and shouting, "Brother!" and "It's all my fault!"
On the other side, a slightly pale young master sat in a lounge chair, flanked by two tall bodyguards.
He stared at the three beheaded bodies on the execution ground with a venomous and satisfied gaze.
Noticing Qin Zheng's stare, the young master turned his head and said with disgust, "What are you looking at? Get lost! You bring bad luck!"
Then he turned his attention to the crying woman, smirking, "Now that your three brothers are dead, let's see how you can escape my grasp!"
"Go, bring this woman to me. Tonight, we'll have some fun!"
One of the bodyguards immediately approached the woman with a lewd smile and tried to pull her up.
But just then, a hand clamped down on the bodyguard's shoulder, immobilizing him instantly.
The bodyguard's face changed, and before he could speak, a powerful force hit him, sending him flying into the air.
After a dizzying spin, he crashed to the ground in front of the young master, wailing in agony.
(End of Chapter)
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