The First Sage of Military Strategists

Chapter 30 Execution of Criminals
"Alright, it's getting late. You have to get up early to practice martial arts tomorrow. Take this pot of medicinal wine. The more of this you consume, the more energy and blood you'll have, and the faster you'll break through to the next realm."

As he spoke, Master Fang took out another pot of Sanhexiang medicinal wine from the cabinet and tossed it into Han Qing's hand.

Han Qing held the medicinal wine, tucked the Hundred-Crack Blade Technique into his robes, and turned to leave.

...

the other side.

The Luo family mansion.

In an attic.

Cao Yongliang sat on a chair with his big belly, a beautiful maid behind him massaging his shoulders and back, and holding a young girl with a tender face in his arms, his two hands covered with thick calluses moving back and forth over the girl's body.

Luo Sheng sat on a chair next to him, with white eyebrows and hawk-like eyes, looking fierce. He took a big gulp of wine from his glass.

He was not interested in beautiful women and didn't even glance at the woman next to him.

Cao Yongliang seemed to be thinking of something troubling him. Suddenly, his expression darkened, and he pushed the girl in his arms away, saying coldly, "That Qi fellow is going too far. So what if he comes from the Qi family? So what if he's the county magistrate? Even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake. Do you think he can change the world in Baiyun County by himself? One day I'll chop off his head!"

On the day of the assessment, Qi Chong gave him a cold look in front of so many people. If Qi Chong hadn't been a higher-ranking official, he would have immediately become enraged and attacked him.

Although the magistrate is entitled to reprimand the assistant magistrate according to the rules, he would not normally do so. Unfortunately, he encountered Qi Chong, who was stubborn and had little room for negotiation.

"Lord Cao, please calm down. Qi Chong's attempt to harm my Luo family and stand up for the people is nothing but the act of a scholar, all talk and no action. My patriarch is already devising a plan to make him suffer greatly," Luo Sheng said in a deep voice.

Cao Yongliang picked up a wine glass from the table next to him and took a big gulp, calming himself down.

"By the way, has the person who murdered Wan Fuchun been caught? I suspect that Qi Chong arranged for this to be done?"

"We haven't caught him yet. There isn't a single martial artist in Baiyun County who matches the characteristics of the murderer. I still haven't found the most suitable replacement for Wan Fuchun."

"You're right, this is aimed at my Luo family. If we don't catch them, how can my Luo family save face? This isn't over! My patriarch has already transferred a Legalist cultivator from the county town, which will greatly help me solve the case. I believe we'll make significant progress soon." Luo Sheng said, pouring himself another glass of wine.

"Legalists who cultivate their spirit? I've heard they have the ability to discern lies," Cao Yongliang said, a hint of envy in his eyes.

While ordinary people might not know, he did have some understanding of the Soul Refining Technique.

The difference in strength between martial artists and spirit refiners may not be significant in the early stages, but the advantage of spirit refiners becomes greater as time goes on.

A martial artist facing a high-level Refinement Realm cultivator is doomed unless they can get close and launch a sneak attack to kill the cultivator before he can cast a spell.

“There’s something else. I heard today that Han Qing has become Yang Wu’s apprentice. This is not good for us. Yang Wu must want to recommend Han Qing to participate in General Qi’s personal guard assessment. If it works out, he, as the recommender, will have the opportunity to meet General Qi and make a not-too-outrageous request,” Luo Sheng said.

“That kid Han Qing is indeed talented. He has mastered the Nine Yang True Skill in three months. In all the years I’ve been in Baiyun County, I’ve never heard of anyone else with such ability. If he studies and practices diligently for the next six months, he really has a sliver of a chance to succeed,” Cao Yongliang said, frowning.

"Then let's use the old method first, try to win them over, and if that doesn't work, we'll think of other ways. We'll stop them if we can," Luo Sheng said coldly.

...

Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and Han Qing lived a very disciplined life during these three days.

From morning till night, all he did was practice martial arts, from the Zhige Jing to the Nine Yin Manual, and then from the Nine Yin Manual to the Hundred-Crack Blade.

Han Qing was not very satisfied with the extremely small improvement in each subject.

However, a major event is taking place today: Lao Xiangzi, the second-in-command of Black Cloud Mountain, is to be executed, and he is the executioner responsible for carrying out this punishment.

noon.

The entire soap-making workshop was up and running. Han Qing dressed early, carrying a nine-ringed broadsword, and waited for a long time at the entrance of the workshop's courtyard.

"Hehehe! I've become an immortal! I've become an immortal!"

"let me go!"

"Let me go!" Han Qing first heard a shrill shout, and then a disheveled old man was brought out of the cell.

The old man had a very strange appearance, with high cheekbones and small eyes. At first glance, he looked like a rat's head on a human body.

And there was a black mark on his face, a mark known as the Qian mark, indicating that the old man had once been a criminal.

"This old ghost went crazy not long after he was captured, but even if he's crazy, we can't let him go. He should still be killed!"

With a wave of his hand, Yang Wu ordered several burly constables to escort him onto a prison cart. The group then escorted the cart out of the east gate of the yamen and along a long street straight to the market entrance.

Han Qing was also in the group. He stood beside the prison cart with a knife in his hand, and Yang Wu was next to him.

Upon seeing this, the people along the way cheered and followed the procession.

This world is inherently devoid of fun, and beheading is a very exciting and important event that has attracted large crowds of onlookers since ancient times.

When the prison cart was pushed to the market entrance, it was surrounded by people, three layers deep. The guards escorting the cart drew their knives and quickly dispersed, forming a circle to separate the crowd from the prison cart.

Old Xiangzi was brought out of the prison cart, wearing heavy shackles. The two guards on either side kicked him hard, causing his knees to bend and he to kneel on the ground.

Yang Wu held the document in his hands and began to read it aloud.

"The perpetrator, Lao Xiangzi, was the second-in-command of the Black Cloud Mountain bandits."

Charben is a scoundrel and a wicked man. Not only does he not repent and turn to good, but he also gathers his followers in the mountains and forests, causing havoc in the area... His sins are heinous and arouse the wrath of both gods and men... According to the "Great Yu Law", murderers shall be beheaded, robbers shall be executed, and arsonists shall be punished... Now that his identity has been verified and the evidence of his crimes is conclusive, he is hereby sentenced to be beheaded and his head displayed to the public. The execution shall be carried out immediately!

The way of heaven is clear, how can we allow monsters to run rampant?
The laws of the land are strict and will surely bring the wicked to their knees!

Executing prisoners at the market was a more formal occasion than in front of the yamen gate. The county clerk had to write the verdict in advance and read it aloud before the execution.

This is because Baiyun County is a relatively small place, so some procedures have been simplified. If it were a prefecture city or even the capital, the procedures would be much more complicated!

The moment the verdict was read, all eyes turned to Han Qing.

Many people have noticed that Han Qing is a teenager, and his face still looks very young.

Immediately, murmurs arose from the crowd.

"A teenager becoming an executioner? Could he even lift a knife?"

"Isn't this Old Han's son from Xinglin Hall? I never imagined he'd become a yamen executioner in the blink of an eye! Impressive!"

"Yes, he's more successful than my Shi Tou. He's still working as a servant in the yamen."

"Do you dare to make the cut? Most people don't have that kind of courage!"

Before the old man could finish speaking, Han Qing had already made his move. With a swift stroke, the knife fell, and the head hit the ground. Old Xiangzi's frantic mutterings came to an abrupt halt.

The crowd fell silent. Han Qing sheathed his sword, closed his eyes slightly, and showed no fear whatsoever.

After such a long period of training, he has been able to control his expressions. Even when he is filled with murderous intent or feels joy, he will not show any outward signs that would alert others to anything unusual.

Yang Wu nodded slightly, quite satisfied with Han Qing's debut.

"it is good!"

Suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted, and the whole crowd erupted in cheers, responding in unison.

"it is good!"

"Beautiful! A swift and skillful strike!"

"Old Han's kid used to seem unassuming, but I never expected him to have such a ruthless streak."

(End of this chapter)