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"Not only that, I did another divination at that place. There were all sorts of interferences: the Heavenly Way, the Human Way, the Underworld, the Imperial Dynasty's fortune, and the gods of faith. Moreover, I could clearly sense that there were people fighting in the shadows, but unfortunately it was too chaotic to confirm who they were," Lin Zhengying added.

"Hmm, do you think Master Taixu might have gone too?" Zhao Li suddenly asked.

"Master Taixu? Wu Peilin told you he was going to the execution ground?"

"No, but he said goodbye to me a few hours ago, and both he and Xie Bi'an had signs of human intervention on their bodies."

"Hmm." Lin Zhengying didn't pay much attention. Wu Peilin's words throughout the journey revealed his trust and appreciation for Fu Tianchou. Even if it was to storm the execution ground, Lin Zhengying wouldn't be surprised.

"Did he leave with the golden Buddha?" Lin Zhengying suddenly remembered and asked.

The golden Buddha in Wu Peilin's basket was a treasured possession of a great temple. With the blessing of his master, Zen Master Baiyun, and the life-and-death battle spirit link with Xie Bi'an, the power of the Victorious Fighting Buddha, which was still dormant, was finally activated. Now, the holder is also the counterpart of the Grandmaster Taixu in this world. This buff has been fully stacked, and the power it can unleash is absolutely not to be underestimated.

“What else can we do? Force them to leave the golden Buddha behind? They’d think I was after the treasure, and that would be strange.” Zhao Li retorted, then paused for a second or two. “Besides, neither of us can touch that thing. It’s too closely connected to all sides. It could be a huge clue. Getting involved could easily destroy the clue.”

“That’s true… never mind, I’ll go inform Xie Bi’an and have him go to the vicinity of the execution ground with those onlookers tomorrow. We’ve already added so many materials, adding one more won’t hurt, and it might even have a positive effect on him,” Lin Zhengying said.

"You don't need to go. He already tested my intentions. Look at the table."

Lin Zhengying looked at the table. Under the teapot was a stack of yellow papers with many things written on them in calligraphy.

“Those are the official regulations regarding tomorrow’s execution ground, including the location, permitted entry time, and so on. Xie Bi’an found out all of that; he’s spent almost the entire day doing that,” Zhao Li added.

"The reason we didn't say it outright was simply because his parents told him to follow our arrangements, plus the fact that we were his benefactors."

Lam Ching-ying: "So what did you say?"

"Of course we'll give him a day off. We can't really use his status as our benefactor as an excuse. Besides, we won't be around tomorrow, and if he finds out, it'll be hard to explain later. Since he wants to go, let him go."

Lam Ching-ying: "I understand. Then let's wait until tomorrow. Things will be much clearer by tomorrow."

Chapter 398 Silence Zen

The next day, Zhao Li and Lin Zhengying set off just in time for Xie Bi'an's inquiry, but when they arrived, the place was already packed with people. They couldn't even get a seat in the middle, let alone a front row seat.

This was not unexpected for them. Besides, even at the very front, there was still at least 600 to 800 meters away from the execution site. People with poor eyesight would not be able to see the situation there clearly.

In addition, on both sides of the viewing area, some small vendors with a bit of business sense were carrying loads of goods and hawking their wares. Among these people, it was clear that some were not primarily interested in selling goods.

Those people's ability to hide their true intentions is still lacking. One wonton vendor carried his carrying pole backwards, and the towel on his shoulder, which was only for wiping sweat, was never placed on his shoulder when he changed positions on the pole.

These people don't observe carefully enough. This kind of clue is already quite obvious among those who are observant.

"Did you see them?" Zhao Li nudged Lin Zhengying and asked.

Lin Zhengying shook his head. There was no sign of those cultivators here; they had probably chosen a better place.

This is, after all, their home turf, and they are certainly much more familiar with it than Lin Zhengying, who has only been here for two days.

When the sun reached a 70-degree angle, a commotion arose from the crowd.

On the other side of the execution ground, where entry was prohibited, a group of soldiers escorted Fu Tianchou slowly forward.

Fu Tianchou was wearing prison clothes, with his hands and feet shackled, his hair disheveled, and mud and dirt smeared on his hair and body.

The soldiers beside him urged Fu Tianchou forward as if it were a routine matter, but in reality, nearly a hundred soldiers, including the leader, were coordinating with Fu Tianchou's pace.

Lin Zhengying's gaze was fixed on Fu Tianchou; this was the first time he had truly seen this General Tianlang.

Clearly, Zhao Li was right; Fu Tianchou's injuries and unsteady gait could not conceal the vigorous spirit within him.

In Lin Zhengying's eyes, the ferocious wolf stayed close to Fu Tianchou, accompanying him step by step towards the execution platform.

“Someone’s about to make a move,” Zhao Li suddenly said, his right hand already on the trigger. He wouldn’t interfere with the execution if he wasn’t sure if it was real or not, but if someone was going to attack an ordinary person, he would definitely stop them.

Lin Zhengying tilted his head and observed his surroundings. Many people, near and far, were already eager to make their move.

Just then, Fu Tianchou raised his head and glanced in this direction. A terrifying and intimidating aura swept over the crowd, and those who were itching to make a move fell silent at that glance.

"Watch your step."

After the escorting soldier brought Fu Tianchou to his seat, he whispered something.

Fu Tianchou nodded, raised his head, and stepped up the stairs one by one, leaving muddy footprints on the steps.

The scene fell into an inexplicable silence as everyone watched the general, who at this moment represented more than just himself.

"Please stand here," the executioner gently guided.

After Fu Tianchou reached the designated spot, he nodded to the executioner. In front of him was a beheading platform, with a huge sword placed to the side.

The blade was sharpened to an unparalleled edge, reflecting a sharp gleam when sunlight shone on it.

“My family has been executioners for three generations. I assure you, once the blade falls, there won’t be a second blow,” the executioner said, patting his chest.

Fu Tianchou smiled indifferently at the executioner, then looked at the official sitting on the execution platform. The two stared at each other, but neither of them spoke first.

The atmosphere was unusually oppressive, and this oppression lasted until noon.

The executioner looked up at the sky, then down at the sundial beside the execution ground. Time was almost up!

He glanced at the crowd again, as if searching for someone; he was perhaps the most active of the executioners.

“The time has come…” The executioner stood up.

"Spare his life!!!" An official dressed in a python robe came running, his headdress being blown to the ground by the wind.

This man is Fu Tianchou's longtime friend, a sworn brother. Even though Fu Tianchou has been in prison for so long, he has never given up on working for him. Now there is finally some hope!

However, as Fu Tianchou looked at that person on the execution ground, his mind became even more determined.

A friend handed a document to a soldier, which was passed on all the way to the executioner.

"The sinner Fu Tianchou..."

The executioner read a long, flowery speech, but the main point was that the Emperor was giving Fu Tianchou a chance to redeem himself through meritorious service. Although he would lose his title and official position, at least he would live.

As soon as the order was read, the crowd erupted in cheers. Everyone was overjoyed; Fu Tianchou had a chance to survive.

However, some people remained silent.

"To atone for one's crimes through meritorious service, do you think he will accept that?" Lin Zhengying asked Zhao Li, looking at Fu Tianchou who was standing there.

"I don't know, but judging from the looks of it, he most likely really didn't do it," Zhao Li replied with his hands behind his back. "Zhengying, if it were you, what would you choose?"

"My head may be severed, my blood may flow," Lin Zhengying replied without the slightest hesitation.

"With perseverance and determination, three thousand Yue soldiers can conquer Wu." Zhao Li also gave his choice.

Neither of these two choices can be considered wrong, but it is clear that Fu Tianchou chose the first one.

Fu Tianchou bent his knees and placed his head on the execution platform, remaining silent from beginning to end.

When his friend saw Fu Tianchou like this, tears welled up in his eyes, and he collapsed to the ground. He had guessed this might be the outcome, but he still had to give it a try.

The crowd fell silent again. Many people couldn't understand Fu Tianchou's choice, but the question that had been troubling everyone seemed to have an answer.

Don't try to pin anything on me that I didn't do.

"Do it now! It'll be too late if you don't act now!"

"My dad hasn't given us a signal yet, let's wait a little longer, let's wait a little longer!"

"Perhaps he didn't receive our instructions at all, and the inside man's work might not have been done properly!"

"No, no... Be prepared, until the very last second, if necessary, take action!"

"no problem!"

At the execution ground, the supervising official urged him on, and the executioner regretfully picked up the bowl, took a sip of wine, and spat it directly onto his broadsword.

"Do you think this is a form of silence?" Lin Zhengying suddenly felt something was wrong. Fu Tianchou hadn't spoken for so long, and it was clearly intentional.

“Possibly, but how much of an effect can a few months of silent meditation have…” Zhao Li paused as he spoke, an unbelievable idea forming in his mind.

If silent meditation is treated merely as a ritual, regardless of its implications for self-cultivation or mental well-being, when will its effects reach their peak?

Chapter 399 The Rebellious Buddha, Bajie

Who keeps their mouth shut forever? Answer: Dead people!

The executioner raised his broadsword, sunlight flashing a golden light on its tip, then the blade slashed downwards with a fierce strike.

hum~

The moment the blade touched Fu Tianchou, a deep, resonant voice exploded in the hearts of everyone around, leaving them momentarily stunned.

Even Lin Zhengying and Zhao Li were not spared; the only one unaffected was the executioner standing next to Fu Tianchou.

As the blade sliced ​​through Fu Tianchou's body, the executioner was somewhat surprised. He hadn't felt any resistance at all; the broadsword in his hand, though sharp, shouldn't have been this sharp.

The head fell to the ground, but blood did not gush out; in fact, the head rolled a few times before standing upright on the ground.

Death absolves one of debts.

As the blade sliced ​​through, the suppression imposed on Fu Tianchou by the emperor's imperial fortune completely vanished. As a high-ranking official and a protector of the dynasty, Fu Tianchou was once again embraced by the imperial fortune at the last second.

"father!!!"

A piercing scream rang out from the crowd.

Just as things were about to descend into chaos, a voice resounded once again in everyone's hearts.

"I am Fu Tianchou, and I need all of your help..."

The mere mention of Fu Tianchou's name was enough to lower the guard of many people, and a series of connections were formed between the people and the soul of the already deceased Fu Tianchou.

"Together?" Lin Zhengying asked Zhao Li.

Zhao Li nodded. "I'm also very curious to know what he's trying to do."

After the two of them responded to Fu Tianchou in their hearts, their perspectives suddenly changed from the ground to a view overlooking the earth.

From this perspective, the two saw streaks of golden light converging from all corners of the capital towards this location, then pouring into the body of the deceased Fu Tianchou.

Fu Tianchou, whose head had fallen to the ground, suddenly stood up and picked it up.

The convergence of light did not wash away the grime and bloodstains on Fu Tianchou's body, but the power formed by the convergence of light made everyone ignore the flaws in his body.

I like the feeling of collective strength.

Lin Zhengying smiled and further relaxed the restrictions, allowing the abundant power within his body to flow into Fu Tianchou's body.

Fu Tianchou slightly adjusted the position of his head with his right hand, so that his eyes were focused on the palace.