Mountain and sea lantern

Chapter 652 Facing Death with Composure
A clattering sound rang out on the execution ground as the chains connecting the three giant pillars began to tug, causing the horizontal metal wall to vibrate with a hum.

The clamor of voices from the sea of ​​people below the stage suddenly ceased, and all eyes turned to the stage, watching as the massive guillotine blade, which had been lying horizontally across the floor, was slowly pulled up, its rusted, gleaming surface gradually revealing its sharp edge.

The previously silent audience suddenly erupted into a flurry of discussion.

"The guillotine has begun."

"The execution is about to begin."

"Wow, they're really using a big guillotine. This is truly an eye-opener."

Amidst the chattering and discussion, there were even quite a few excited comments, the kind of excitement that comes from watching a spectacle when it doesn't concern them.

There were also those with unusual expressions, such as Wu Kangshan and his group in the crowd.

Sect Master Bian Weiying arrived, along with Elder Yin Huixin, Elder Ke Yizong, Shi Chun's former nominal master, and Pang Tiansheng, a fat man from the Punishment Hall who had been beaten up by Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang several times.

Among the vast sea of ​​people, Bian Weiying appears to be the quietest, but her inner world is the most complicated. Shi Chun helped Wu Kangshan, helped her rise to power, and was also her lover. The past events are still vivid in her mind.

They had previously persuaded him to turn himself in, but now that Shi Chun has died, how can they be blameless?
This is also why Wukangshan and his group came to check. If Shi Chun really has no one to collect his body, then Wukangshan will naturally lend a hand.

Mulan Qingqing, who also felt guilty, arrived. Because of her white dress, she easily squeezed to the front. As she watched the guillotine being raised, her heartstrings tightened.

Miao Yilan wasn't so lucky; she arrived a bit late and could only stand far away and watch the guillotine rise.

The guilt in her heart was also hard to dispel. Not to mention the relationship between Shi Chun and her family, it was because of the mother and daughter that she came out to turn herself in. Now she was sentenced to death without even understanding what happened. Anyone with a little conscience would feel a little uncomfortable.

After running around everywhere, she finally understood what it meant to feel a tremendous sense of powerlessness.

However, she was not alone; Gong Shaoci accompanied her, and the two were secretly protected by others.

A man with one arm hanging limply was occasionally taking a sip from a wine jug. He was also closely protected by a skilled bodyguard. This was none other than Li Hongjiu in disguise.

Those who protected him were all experts from the Yanbao Sect.

His master originally disagreed with him going down the mountain. The danger from the last ambush hadn't even dissipated yet, so how could he run around again?

But Li Hongjiu insisted that Shi Chun had saved his life after all, and he should at least see him off on his final journey.

The initial idea was to ask his master to help repay the life-saving grace. His master, Qu Wuming, did ask around and learned that even some high-ranking officials from the Dongsheng Royal Court had pleaded everywhere to no avail and were also to be beheaded. Seeing that it was difficult, Qu Wuming had no choice but to give up.

Although he eventually sent his disciple down the mountain, it was done in secret, and he sent several experts with valuable treasures to protect him closely, since Li Hongjiu's injuries had not yet fully recovered.

As for Dong Jiuyuan's old acquaintances, even if they heard the news, basically none of them came to see Shi Chun off on his final journey. It wasn't entirely because they didn't want to come; they were simply too poor to afford the trip to Xunmen. It wasn't worth going bankrupt for them.

The concept of loyalty and righteousness, even without passionate enthusiasm, needs a solid foundation to support it.

Therefore, the old people in Dongjiuyuan could only listen to people talking about it. At this time, they would also think back to those days, recalling how the big boss led everyone to survive with difficulty, and waiting for the moment when their heads would roll.

Just like at this moment in Chaoyue Pavilion, a group of scholars were also chattering about this matter. When Shi Chun was mentioned, Dong Liangying, who was sitting behind the counter, just listened with his ears perked up, with the kind of curiosity that comes from never having met him before but only hearing his name.

A group of scholars remarked that his life was as brilliant as a shooting star streaking across the night sky, yet as fleeting as a shooting star.

In the backyard, Dong Liangyi was busy washing, chopping, and cooking in the kitchen, still preoccupied with her own territory.

The capital of Xiniu was like a painting. A group of people of status and position gathered together or stood in twos and threes, all looking in the same direction, watching Situ Gu, who was refining the treasure with the Soaring Flame, hoping that he would finish refining and repairing the treasure as soon as possible.

The large guillotine on the execution ground had been pulled to the top of the beam and secured.

A commotion arose, and people bound by iron chains were dragged out of the red-walled, black-tiled building. Most of them struggled unwillingly, uttering only muffled sounds.

The reason for prohibiting speech was that many prisoners would feel this method of execution was unfair and might shout things that would damage the reputation of the royal court before they died.

The reason they were still allowed to move was for the vivid visual impact of the execution; to make an example of someone and deter others, a brutal deterrent was needed.

Many of the Mingshan Sect members who had come to confront Shi Chun stood on tiptoe, scanning the prisoners being pulled out onto the platform. Some were searching for Shi Chun, yet also hoping not to see him.

But this wishful thinking was unlikely to come true. Finally, after pulling out several hundred people, Shi Chun's figure came into their sight, with more people being dragged out one after another.

One by one, the unwilling and angry figures were forced to kneel down. In contrast to them, Shi Chun stood out. He neither cried nor made a fuss. He knelt there quietly and obediently, looking around. He found the group of people about to be executed pathetic, both amusing and poignant.

Even the two royal guards who dragged him out were spared a lot of trouble. While others needed to hold his shoulders, Shi Chun, who was under their guard, didn't need to be. They could just quietly watch the show. As a result, the two guards also looked around like Shi Chun, and the three conspicuous figures ended up together.

Among the crowd, Wu Jinliang, a hunched-over old man leaning on a cane, felt his heart leap into his throat when he saw Shi Chun being dragged to the execution ground. But then, seeing Shi Chun's demeanor, his heart calmed down. He knew Shi Chun too well; this didn't look like someone about to die. It was clear that Shi Chun was completely confident and would be alright.

He breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to himself that he could keep some of his trump cards safe.

He had come prepared for any eventuality, intending to immediately shout "Spare his life!" should the situation turn out badly.

There was no other way. Putting aside everything else, even the method to enter and exit the underworld was more important than life itself, right? He couldn't control Shi Chun, and he couldn't use that method anyway, so it was better to use it to save Chun's life.

"This composure in the face of death... the chief truly lives up to his name. I, An, am impressed!"

An Wuzhi, whose cultivation had reached the Earth Immortal realm, suddenly uttered a sigh.

Who can argue with that? Even facing death made the entire Mingshan Sect feel proud. Compared to those furious death row inmates around them, they were true heroes.

Tong Mingshan and the others were almost all filled with solemn respect.

Lan'er's expression was complicated. At this moment, she seemed to understand Feng Chi's stubbornness. Others laughed at Feng Chi's obstinacy, but they did not know that Feng Chi was the one with the discerning eye to recognize people.

When faced with life and death, the difference is too obvious. For some women, it's immediately clear who the real man is.

A strange light shone in Mulan Qingqing's eyes, which were usually as cold as ice.

Miao Yilan also felt a sense of shock that she had only truly come to know and understand Shi Chun today. She couldn't help but think back to that poorly dressed young man back then. Did he still feel poor?

Gong Shaoci, who was standing to the side, turned her head and saw her reaction. She was very unhappy, but when she thought that the bastard would soon be beheaded, she felt relieved.

The golden-haired rats were filled with awe, and Jin Fu raised his hand to wipe away his tears.

"Who's that? They look fearless."

"Yes, he's a man of guts."

Many people in the audience who noticed Shi Chun's unusual behavior were whispering among themselves.

Li Hongjiu took another gulp of wine, stared at the calm and composed Shi Chun, and muttered, "This guy... always surprises me..."

Before the mirror in the main hall, the eyes of several dignitaries also turned to Shi Chun one after another. Their reactions were so conspicuous that they stood out from the crowd, making it difficult for them to go unnoticed.

A playful smile crept across the Empress's lips. There were some things only she could see clearly, and she guessed that Shi Chun still had faith in her cousin and the like.

"Who's that?" Queen Xin couldn't help but point to Shi Chun in the mirror and ask.

The woman in palace attire standing nearby immediately replied, "He is Shi Chun."

Queen Xin said with an "oh," "No wonder someone with such meager cultivation has such a reputation. His composure in the face of death is truly remarkable. It would be a pity to kill him so easily."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager was instantly moved. She narrowed her eyes and glanced at her sideways, her suspicious and scrutinizing gaze fixed on her.

Should they let him go? Several women in palace attire exchanged glances, then looked at the Queen one after another, waiting for her to speak. If she wanted to let him go, they would naturally immediately ask the executioners to spare his life.

Queen Xin made the remark casually, and there was no follow-up.

Seeing that she had no intention of letting him go, Yin Luo, the patriarch of the Qingqiu Fox Clan, immediately interjected coldly, emphasizing, "He must die today, no amount of pleading will help!"

These seemingly pointed words caused Queen Xin to glance at her.

Seeing this, Daozhen, who was standing to the side with his head tilted, couldn't help but secretly send a telepathic message to the Empress, "Your Majesty, if no one comes to his rescue, should we really just let him be beheaded like this?"

What he meant was, should we arrange for an obstacle to be placed at a crucial moment?
After all, he knew exactly what tricks this empress had played. Did she really go to all this trouble just to kill a nobody?

The Demon Queen replied telepathically, her expression indifferent. "Anyone whose head could be chopped off by that guillotine is a useless person who deserves to die. Let him die, he's not worth wasting your energy on."

Whether it's the mystery of entering and exiting the 'Big Dipper Spirit Repelling Array' or the seemingly illusory underworld, it has already driven Shi Chun to the brink of death for her. If he refuses to confess even in death, then there's no point in saving him.

A person who dies without anyone helping them indicates that they have little core value. It's perfectly acceptable to continue investigating by following the side details. There are plenty of men in the world; it's not worth her time and effort to keep the secret between her and Shi Chun.

A man who has lost his appeal, she will eliminate sooner or later, even if others don't kill him.

(End of this chapter)