Free Web NovelChapter 873: Chapter 635: The Hour Has Come_2
The elderly man was blindfolded, his face streaked with blood, and his legs were strangely twisted, evidently having been broken. He was being dragged along by two fierce-looking bailiffs holding his arms.
Jiang Qingluan observed for a moment and said in a low, firm voice, "This man is the leader of the Feng Shui Lineage; it’s hard to believe he has fallen to such a state."
As five criminals were brought onto the wooden platform, a few figures appeared on the South Gate Tower. The one in the center was stout, wearing a wide robe with a rusted black dragon on it. Nearby the dragon floated multicolored auspicious clouds. With a gust of wind, the robe fluttered, and the dark gold cloud patterns on it seemed to bring the dragon to life, shuttling through the clouds.
However, Yang Xiao and the others were focusing on the Vassal King’s side, where an old man with a hunched body stood. The weird mask on his face was out of place.
They recognized this mask; it belonged to the current helmsman of the Earl Mansion, the Lord Manor of Fushou Manor, who was also an ambitious schemer behind the scenes aiming to overthrow the government and crown himself as emperor.
Seeing these two standing together, a great weight seemed to press on everyone’s hearts. One Earl Mansion was troublesome enough, but now there was also a Vassal King in a black robe; the situation had become even more unfavorable. They were unclear whether these two had struck some kind of deal privately.
"The five criminals have defied the natural order and human relations, disrespected the law, disregarded royal authority, concocted demoniac poems and misleading words, and plotted to assassinate the Holy Emperor..."
A man stood upright on the tower and announced loudly. Yang Xiao didn’t catch the rest of the speech as he was drawn to the voice, which sounded eerily familiar. After a moment, Yang Xiao identified him as the effeminate man he had once met in the Earl Mansion.
The man had come to deliver a message before, holding a longevity Paper Lantern, looking thin and haggard, his face pale, his cheekbones high, his eyes devoid of any vitality, filled with a chilling deathly aura, as if a ghost drained his life force.
Later, they concluded that this effeminate man was the Feng Shui mastermind behind the Earl Mansion, and Xiang Fengchen had died by this man’s scheme.
Once, Xiang Fengchen had remarked that despite his young age, this man’s skill must have been guided by a master.
As the effeminate man appeared, the defendants on the scaffolding became agitated, straining their necks and shrieking towards the tower as they struggled.
It was then Yang Xiao noticed that these criminals had their tongues cut off; their moans couldn’t hide the malice in them. freēwēbηovel.c૦m
Yang Xiao was startled; he realized these men seemed to recognize the effeminate man on the tower—could it be... they came from the same group?
Before Yang Xiao could ponder further, upon receiving a signal from Prince Qi, the effeminate man decisively ordered, "The hour has come, execute them!"
Following the final command, five ghost head sabers swung down fiercely, and in the next second, blood spurted out as heads fell to the ground, rolling forward with eyes wide open, staring dead.
The crowd below erupted in shocked cries, pushing forward. Those at the very front broke through the official army, rushed onto the platform, pulling out daggers or scissors from within their clothes, approached the headless corpses, and began to stab and slash at the flesh.
This scene stunned Fang Zhou. He had read books and knew about consuming human blood buns, but this was far beyond his understanding.
Seeing bodies being torn apart and fought over, intestines and bones exposed and scattered, the bloody spectacle made his stomach churn, and the plain cake in his hand suddenly lost its appeal, nearly causing him to vomit what he had just eaten.
Bending slightly, suppressing the urge to vomit until a hand gently patted his back, Fang Zhou looked around warily, meeting Nalan Shuo’s calm eyes.
For some reason, seeing Nalan Shuo’s eyes calmed Fang Zhou’s agitated heart, and the oppression weighing on his chest gradually dissipated.
"They believe that the flesh and blood of these people possess divine powers, which can cure diseases and ward off disasters, and that burying it in their ancestral graves can also vitalize wind and water," Nalan Shuo whispered.
Worried about being recognized by people from Earl Mansion, the group left before the crowd dispersed and arrived at Cangchun Pavilion within a quarter of an hour.
This is an independent wooden building with three floors, looking very stylish and superbly located. Not only is it on the street, but it is only two blocks away from the South Gate Tower.
"You two stay outside and keep watch." Nalan Shuo commanded Lou Huixiang and Chang Chuchu. After Xiang Fengchen’s death, Nalan Shuo had become the most influential senior figure. Although Lou Huixiang felt dissatisfied, he did not dare to show it.
As for Chang Chuchu, Nalan Shuo was her last lifeline at this point; she could already sense her health deteriorating.
Jiang Qingluan stood not far from the entrance to Cangchun Pavilion, hesitant. Yang Xiao couldn’t help but smile. "Don’t worry, even women can enter. This is a brothel, a place for performances and studying music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. It’s all about refinement."
"Let’s split up. We’ll go in first; you two follow behind." Nalan Shuo turned back and instructed Yang Xiao and Jiang Qingluan briefly before entering with Fang Zhou.
Fang Zhou was brought along because the Great Mage had once entrusted the Divine Turtle Shell to him, indicating that he was a trusted individual, although Nalan Shuo did not understand why.
"Do you have an invitation?" Upon entering, they were greeted by a delicately handsome man, dressed even prettier than a woman.
Although called a man, he was actually a boy, probably only around 13 or 14, with rosy lips and white teeth, his cheeks dimpling when he smiled.
"A Room." Nalan Shuo’s voice was calm.
Those greeting guests in such a place were all sharp-witted. The young man saw that although Nalan Shuo’s attire was not particularly outstanding, the aura he carried could not be feigned—cultured, distinguished, naturally commanding, and with the looks of Zhang Sheng. He was not a mere wealthy landowner; he might well be a high-ranking official.
Having sized up Nalan Shuo, the young man then turned his attention to Fang Zhou following him. This person’s skin was pale, his hands free of callouses, clearly not someone who did physical labor. His looks, though not exceptionally striking, were above average, probably the official’s attendant.
"Alright then, please follow me upstairs. Today, there is only one room left in the premier section, please honor us by accepting..."
He was cut off ruthlessly by Nalan Shuo before finishing, "Who is occupying the other premier rooms? Have them leave."
The young man was stunned to hear this, uncertain of the exact status of the person before him. Though it was customary to do business by welcoming guests, there was no precedent for driving them out. Unable to grasp Nalan Shuo’s background, he could only bravely explain: "Sir, I’m afraid I don’t have the authority over this matter. The premier ’A’ rooms are booked by Mr. Wu from Wu’s Silk Shop, the ’Ya’ rooms are occupied by government officials, and the ’Ming’ rooms I can try to negotiate for you, but I’m unsure whether it will be successful."
"Who is in the ’Ming’ room?" Nalan Shuo asked casually, as if discussing a trivial matter.
"Limited by my humble status, I’ve yet to know the gentleman’s name. Miss Ru Yue mentioned that he’s good at fishing, especially skilled in catching turtles," the young man recalled. frёeωebɳovel.com
"Lucky then, I know him. Lead the way ahead." Nalan Shuo knew this was the person he was looking for.
Soon, under the young man’s guidance, they arrived outside the premier ’Ming’ room. Nalan Shuo took out a piece of silver and tossed it to the young man, "Wait downstairs, I have a few more guests coming; bring them up once they arrive."
"Please may I have your name, sir?" The young man, receiving the silver, bowed slightly, displaying utmost respect.
"Ye." This was the name agreed upon by Nalan Shuo and Yang Xiao for use outside, to conceal one’s true identity.
After the young man turned and departed, Nalan Shuo knocked gently on the door, waited a moment, and heard no sound from inside.
With a forceful push, the door opened to reveal a tastefully decorated room with numerous elegant ornaments. In the corner stood a screen painted with a scene of wind bending bamboo.
The screen obscured the view, and the silhouette of a person appeared behind the screen, missing an arm.
