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Chapter 601: The Shadow Executioner
Chapter 601: The Shadow Executioner
"Whose young one is this?"
In the oppressive atmosphere, countless people turned their heads simultaneously towards the black-robed woman who had spoken, their eyes narrowing.
Everyone felt a twinge of annoyance, but no one could recognize her. Still, they knew that anyone who had been invited to this banquet at the Yan Manor must be extraordinary.
The Yan family was known for its strict security, so they had undoubtedly investigated her identity thoroughly before her arrival. Even if some couldn't identify her, others surely could, and thus, no one asked. After all, it was a gathering of influential people, and offending someone unnecessarily would be unwise.
However, they couldn't let her diminish their prestige. A man scoffed, "He may have been arrogant in Mingzhou, but not in Guazhou. An imperial decree can't suppress the Pacifying Evil Office, especially when the emperor has been dead for twenty years, leaving behind only a useless edict."
"Even when the emperor was alive, there were still sorcery sects that defied imperial edicts. And here in Guazhou, we have the Iron Threshold King, whose imperial aura gathers and commands respect. The Pacifying Evil Office must also maintain face."
"..."
"Well said!"
Before anyone else could react, a man in a silver robe and boots, with a crimson crown on his head, shouted in agreement. He added, "Everyone carries the sedan chair, and in the jianghu, who doesn't need face?"
"Without face, there are no friends, and without friends, how can one navigate the jianghu?"
"..."
His words resonated with the crowd, and then they heard the woman, whose head was hidden within her black robe, speak in a listless tone, "But the Hu family's ruthlessness lies in their twenty years of endurance, almost leading to their extermination. They didn't seek help, nor did they need face, and they likely won't give face to others."
"?"
These sudden words caused many at the table to tense up, their hearts skipping a beat.
At this moment, the manager of the medical hall, dressed in an apricot yellow robe, smiled and said, "We respect the Hu family and the Pacifying Evil Office, but in these chaotic times, reason must prevail. The Wandering Ghost Great Swordswoman has a formidable reputation, but let's see if she has the skill to enter this gate."
"..."
"Indeed, if the Pacifying Evil Office truly had capable individuals, they wouldn't need to invite a year guardian to be a shadow executioner..."
Beside him, Lord Ram, with his mountain goat beard, smiled slightly and turned to the pale-faced white-robed scholar, "Mr. Chunsheng, why are you so worried?"
"Lord Yan and you may be of different species, but you are close friends. Now, Guazhou has issued a hero's invitation, attracting heroes and valiant warriors to seek justice. The city has followed the jianghu code, establishing rules with four gates and eight banner flags, securing the four directions."
"If he truly has the skill, he wouldn't enter through this main gate."
"As long as he enters through the main gate, he must follow Guazhou's rules. Out of respect for the Pacifying Evil Office, we won't mistreat him, but we won't be mistreated either."
"..."
Hearing this, everyone secretly nodded in agreement and turned their attention to the Yan Manor's main gate, which was now wide open. A path led straight to the city gate, lined by jianghu people on both sides, specifically left open for the shadow executioner.
An extra table had been set up in the courtyard, filled with delicacies, reserved for the shadow executioner.
The Yan family had observed all the necessary etiquette, but sometimes, etiquette could also be oppressive. Once the guest arrived, they would take their seat, and both parties would present their arguments. If the discussion didn't lead to a resolution, it was time to display their skills.
This was essentially a spell battle, a jianghu method of determining right and wrong, unless one side refused to engage in a spell battle, choosing to flatten the Yan Manor instead.
However, it seemed unlikely that the shadow executioner, tasked with guarding the manor for the year, possessed such skill.
Thus, on the surface, everything seemed to be in order.
Even the white-robed scholar seemed slightly relieved upon considering this, and he asked the person beside him, "What time is it?"
"It's almost midnight."
A dark-skinned, plump woman at the table laughed and said, "If he doesn't show up by now, does he even have the skill to reach the Yan Manor's gate? After midnight, Mr. Chunsheng's trial will be over."
Everyone secretly nodded in agreement. They had gathered here following jianghu rules, having paid the life purchase fee. The shadow executioner had seven days to claim their life; otherwise, the Wandering Ghost Great Swordswoman's reputation would be tarnished.
Just as everyone was smiling, the black-robed girl, who had been huddled in her seat, spoke up, "In other words, Mr. Chunsheng might not live past midnight?"
"You!"
At this moment, everyone's patience snapped, and they glared at the black-robed woman, regardless of her background. Her words were unbearable, and even the silver-robed man with the crimson crown stared at her angrily.
Lord Yan, seated in the main seat, narrowed his eyes, slowly opening them as if to inquire.
Just then, outside the Yan Manor's iron gate, a wild and violent wind suddenly blew in, filling the air with a strange sensation. It felt like steel blades scraping against bones, instantly chilling the air and freezing everyone to the bone.
The lights dimmed, and the flames seemed to tremble.
Amidst the heavy atmosphere enveloping the entire courtyard, as if everyone's vision was blurred, a figure suddenly appeared within the Yan family's compound. No one noticed when this person, clad in a black robe, carrying a broad and menacing blade under their arm, and wearing a smiling mask, had arrived.
There were many skilled individuals present, but they were all caught off guard by the chilling aura that swept across their faces, leaving them unaware of the intruder's arrival.
"You..."
Before anyone could react or speak, the masked figure with the smiling face slowly spoke, "My apologies for interrupting your merrymaking, gentlemen."
"I am a Wandering Ghost Great Swordswoman, acting upon the Pacifying Evil Office's decree. The Earth Serpent Ghost by Green Water Lake has disobeyed the decree, failed to respond to the summons, and secretly accepted incense offerings. The punishment for this crime is beheading."
As he spoke, he slowly approached, "Mr. Chunsheng, it's time for your journey."
"You..."
It was only now that the crowd realized the gravity of the situation, and many of them turned cold, their gazes fixed on this figure enveloped in malevolent energy, appearing as if they weren't a living person.
Some found it peculiar that this person had entered through the main gate, as there were likely many people watching outside. How could they have arrived so suddenly without anyone notifying those inside? The one most terrified was naturally the white-robed scholar sitting beside Lord Yan.
Facing the masked figure with the blade, who already possessed considerable abilities, he inexplicably felt his courage falter and his heart sink. He lacked the courage to look directly into the eyes behind the mask, and even his body seemed to fade, as if he wanted to retreat immediately.
"Wait a moment!"
Just then, Lord Yan, who remained seated at the table with unwavering composure, and the others at the table, who were all members of the Ghost Gate Path, suddenly reacted.
Among them, the manager of the Life Pavilion, dressed in an apricot yellow shirt, slowly stood up and said, "Please calm your anger, Swordsmanship Enforcer. In this world, nothing surpasses reason. I believe there's a misunderstanding here. May I invite you to take a seat and discuss this matter?"
The masked figure didn't look at him, merely replying indifferently, "Is that your concern?"
The manager was momentarily stunned, unsure how to respond.
The Swordsmanship Enforcer continued to approach, saying slowly, "The Pacifying Evil Office's blade doesn't harm the living, but those who obstruct its duties are guilty of sorcery."
"You..."
The manager in the apricot yellow shirt hadn't expected the Swordsmanship Enforcer to be so cold and unyielding, leaving him momentarily speechless.
At that moment, someone beside him let out a cold laugh. The crowd turned to see the Guardian General under the command of the Iron Threshold King, who had acquired exceptional skills and had fought alongside the Iron Threshold King in numerous battles, staining himself with blood. He had pushed open the third door of the manor.
He slowly rose and said, "You haven't pushed open the third door yet, have you?"
"Don't be so arrogant in your speech. We are gathered here in large numbers to discuss this matter with you. Since you've entered through the main gate, please sit down and let's talk this through."
"..."
His heavy and solemn aura made it difficult for those around him to breathe, but the Swordsmanship Enforcer, with a blade in his embrace, seemed unaffected, replying indifferently, "There are others who discuss reason. I am a Swordsmanship Enforcer, here only to kill."
For a moment, the crowd found his words cold, and then they felt a hint of absurdity: Could these be the words of a Year Guardian entering a manor, spoken before so many capable individuals?
Amidst the silence, everyone at the table stood up, forming a circle in front of the Swordsmanship Enforcer, their killing intent palpable.
Just as the tension was about to escalate, a sudden sound of something landing on the roof above startled everyone. A laughing voice rang out, "I am a Ghost Puppet Enforcer, who dares to obstruct the Pacifying Evil Office's duties?"
The crowd was shocked and quickly turned to see a Seven-Star Banner lying on the ground, stained with blood. On the wall, another figure appeared, wearing a cloth robe and a cat mask, peering down with a mischievous smile.
"Under the Great Swordswoman's command, there's also a Ghost Puppet Enforcer?"
The crowd was taken aback, and before they could react, more figures appeared outside the mansion, throwing banners one after another, scattering them around. Laughter filled the air, "I'm also a Ghost Puppet Enforcer under the Pacifying Evil Office. I heard there's someone here who can be killed?"
"Oh, what a coincidence! I'm here too."
"Is this the place? I heard there's blood food... no, a bloody banquet?"
"Hehe, I'm here to ask you, who dares to stop me, a Ghost Puppet Enforcer, from carrying out my duties? I'll wipe out your entire family!!"
"..."
One by one, more figures appeared, some on the wall, some on the roof, their bodies shrouded in a bloody aura. Others hid in the shadows of nearby trees, their masks varied—pig, monkey, flower, and evil spirit.
In an instant, they surrounded the people at the table.
At the manor's gate, beneath the smiling mask of the Ghost Puppet Enforcer, a hint of a smile seemed to appear in his eyes as he slowly raised his head and looked at the crowd, "I entered through the main gate because I, as a Ghost Puppet Enforcer, came to kill with dignity. What does this have to do with your so-called rules?"
(End of Chapter)
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