execution ground

The Phoenix Empire capital still stood there, exuding an ancient aura. For thousands of years, despite being baptized by several wars, it remained standing firm.

However, today's capital was different from the usual hustle and bustle; it was filled with a murderous aura. Almost no shops in the entire capital were open.

In less than a month, the entire Empire seemed to have changed overnight. First came the news that Xia Changfeng had been killed, which shocked the entire Phoenix Empire.

What was even more shocking was that the person who killed the Great Xia Empire prince was none other than the rising star of the younger generation in the capital, the person who had risen like a comet—Long Chen.

When the projection from the Remnant Jade appeared in the capital square, everyone was stunned. The images of Long Chen killing Xia Changfeng and his group were presented exactly as they happened before everyone.

The once spirited and promising Long Chen had suddenly become the number one wanted criminal of two countries.

Everyone in the Long family had been thrown into the celestial prison overnight. A few days later, a large number of soldiers and generals were recalled to the capital.

Before people could understand what was happening, four hundred thousand elite troops from Great Xia arrived at the city gates, and the elite troops of the two countries stood in a standoff.

For a moment, everyone was extremely nervous. A great war was on the verge of breaking out. It would be a terrifying war that filled the hearts of people living in peaceful times with fear.

Fortunately, this war did not erupt. The Fourth Prince stepped in to mediate, stating that they had already captured the culprit and investigated the truth, and would give the Great Xia Empire a satisfactory explanation.

The elite troops of the Great Xia Empire then retreated from the capital but did not go far, choosing to camp eighty miles outside the city. It was clear that if the Phoenix Empire did not offer satisfactory terms, they would not hesitate to start a war.

A murderous aura shrouded the entire capital. Although the capital had the Marquis of Ying and the Marquis of Wu leading most of the Phoenix Empire's elite troops,

the situation had arisen too hastily, and there was no time to mobilize more troops. If a war were to break out, regardless of victory or defeat, the capital would inevitably face heavy casualties.

At the same time, many people secretly sighed in their hearts: Wasn't it said that the Phoenix Empire and Great Xia were on good terms? How did they suddenly end up at war?

How ironic. Often, the unexpected enemy is the most fatal; otherwise, the enemy would not have easily attacked the gates of the capital.

With the arrest of the Long family, a huge uproar was caused in the capital. The first thing the people of the Phoenix Empire thought of was the Marquis of Zhenyuan, who was guarding the border and fighting against the barbarians.

The Marquis of Zhenyuan had guarded the border for more than ten years, holding over two hundred thousand elite troops, and had fought against the barbarians for many years. It could be said that they were the true elites.

Compared to those "elite troops" who ate peaceful meals all year round and only practiced formations when they were full and had nothing to do, this group of "elites" was just a pile of trash, with no comparison at all.

With the same soldiers, the elites under the Marquis of Zhenyuan could definitely fight ten. After the Empress Dowager issued the decree to arrest the Long family, everyone was wondering what Long Tianxiao would do.

Just ten days ago, news suddenly spread that Long Chen had killed Xia Changfeng under the instigation of the First Prince, and the First Prince had also been arrested.

Many "accomplices" were also implicated and suppressed. Today was the day all the "culprits" would be executed.

Outside the capital, the arena originally used for battles had been demolished, and a larger execution ground had been built.

On both sides of the execution ground stood the elite troops of the Great Xia Empire and the Phoenix Empire, staring at each other across the execution ground, the atmosphere exceptionally tense.

The common people of the Phoenix Empire also gathered in the distance, watching the execution ground from afar. This was the most sensational event in the Phoenix Empire in the last few decades.

Not only were the families of nobles executed, but a prince who had once been named the Crown Prince was also executed, and dozens of court officials were implicated. The scene was too shocking.

The execution ground was divided into front and back rows. There were dozens of people in the front row, all wearing official uniforms, tied up with ropes, and kneeling on the ground.

Although they were mentally prepared, the people were still shocked. Inside, there were high-ranking officials of the Empire such as the current Prime Minister and Ministers, whom it was difficult to even meet on ordinary days, but today they had become prisoners.

The most shocking thing was that at the very front of the crowd was the First Prince, Chu Yang. Now, Chu Yang had long lost his former elegance and luxury; his hair was disheveled, his eyes were unfocused, and he kept muttering something, constantly fidgeting.

Behind this group of people were over twenty people, including maids, servants, and nannies; they were clearly members of the Long family.

Madam Long wore iron shackles on her hands, her face haggard, her gaze fixed on the distance, wondering what she was thinking about.

Except for Madam Long, the other members of the Long family could not help but burst into tears. Obviously, they knew that today was the last day of their lives. Looking at the executioners beside them, they were filled with despair.

"Sigh, it is my Long family that has failed you. If there is an afterlife, our Long family will definitely compensate you well."

Looking at the people crying all around, Madam Long could not help but sigh. After all, they were all innocent and had been implicated by their Long family.

"Madam, please don't say that. We are people of the Long family in life, and ghosts of the Long family in death. We have no regrets," said Bao'er, who was beside Madam Long, with a firm expression.

"Hmph, you still want an afterlife? Keep dreaming. You Long family members are all a bunch of idiots," a man holding a long saber said coldly.

Madam Long stared fixedly at the man, the resentment in her eyes making her wish she could bite him to death alive.

"Li Feng, you bastard, I won't let you go even if I become a ghost!" Madam Long said through gritted teeth.

This executioner was none other than her nephew, her own sister's son. Seeing this person, Madam Long's heart ached as if pricked by needles.

The heartlessness of her maiden family had once left her disheartened. Recently, their enthusiasm had made her mistakenly believe that they had changed their minds. Although there was some sycophancy involved, they were family after all, so she had forgiven them.

However, she did not expect that their approach was actually to push the Long family into the abyss of death, which filled her with endless resentment.

When A-Man returned to the Long family and saw Madam Long, he only said one sentence: "Hurry and seek help from Great Master Yun Qi," before passing out.

It turned out that on that day, A-Man saw the Marquis of Ying chasing Long Chen. Exhausted, he rested for a moment before suddenly remembering Long Chen's instructions and rushing back to the capital.

I don't know if A-Man was lucky or if the Marquis of Ying's subordinates were all useless, but A-Man returned to the capital without any obstruction.

However, A-Man did not dare to stop along the way, relying entirely on his will to support himself until he reached the Long family. After passing on the message, he collapsed from exhaustion.

A-Man did not notice that when he returned, Madam Long was chatting with her sister. Presumably, even if he had noticed, he would not have thought much of it.

When A-Man fell, Madam Long was shocked and hurriedly called for help. Madam Long's sister immediately comforted her and called two people from not far away.

She said that A-Man must have passed out from hunger and anxiety, and that they should wake him up first. However, after several bowls of water, A-Man still showed no signs of waking up.

Just when Madam Long felt that something was wrong, she suddenly smelled a fragrance and then passed out. However, before she lost consciousness, she saw her sister's mocking smile.

When she woke up again, the entire Long family was already deep in prison. This made Madam Long feel regret, hatred, and deep self-blame.

Looking at the gritting-toothed Madam Long, Li Feng sneered, "Become a ghost? Hmph! Even if you become ghosts, you will just be a bunch of confused ghosts, idiots who don't know the times."

"More than ten years ago, you were already that confused. We drew a line with you back then to avoid being implicated."

"Now you are even more confused. We just said a few nice words, and you took them seriously. If an idiot like you doesn't die, there really is no justice."

Madam Long was trembling with anger, tears streaming down her face, but she could not say a word. This was her maiden family.

"You don't need to cry. Considering we are relatives, I will be quick later. You won't feel pain, it will be over soon," Li Feng lightly shook the long saber in his hand and continued:

"But Aunt, I really have to thank you. As long as I cut off your head, I can immediately rise to power. So many people have died in the Empire, leaving behind many fat positions, and there will definitely be one for me, Li Feng."

"When I am rich and noble, I will not forget your kindness, Aunt. During festivals, I will buy plenty of joss paper and burn a little more for you. Hahaha."

"Li Feng, you will die a horrible death!"

Looking at Li Feng's triumphant smile, Bao'er cursed angrily from the side. She couldn't stand the beast in human clothing before her. Thinking of how he had pretended to be obedient and well-behaved at the Long family, his current face was nauseating.

"Die a horrible death? Hehe, that's for you. Soon your heads will roll. I'd like to see who will die a horrible death," Li Feng looked at Bao'er and sneered sinisterly.

"Bang."

Just as Bao'er was about to retort, there was a sudden muffled sound, and a figure was thrown beside them.

"A-Man!"

After seeing the figure clearly, Madam Long let out a cry of sorrow, and tears gushed from her eyes.

That person was none other than A-Man, but now he looked like a hedgehog, with long iron spikes stuck all over his body.

That was a torture device called the Bone-Eroding Nail. It was covered in deadly poison that could corrode human bones, causing pain that penetrated into the bone marrow.

That kind of pain was unbearable for anyone. A normal person couldn't even endure one, and even a cultivator couldn't endure five. That kind of pain would torture a person to death alive.

A-Man's body was almost covered in these nails, showing how terrifying the pain he had to endure was. A-Man had originally been unconscious, but being thrown like that caused the iron nails to strike his bones again, and he was jolted awake by the pain.

"Mother, you don't need to worry, A-Man is not in pain," A-Man said honestly, seeing Madam Long crying, and tried his best to squeeze out a smile.

However, A-Man was skin and bones at this moment, and trying to squeeze out a smile was a very difficult thing.

When Long Chen first brought A-Man back, Long Chen had explained A-Man's circumstances, hoping his mother would accept him as a foster son.

A-Man had also always called Madam Long "Mother," but Madam Long had always felt it was a bit strange and had never agreed to it.

At this moment, hearing A-Man address her like this, her heart could not help but ache:

"A-Man, it is Mother who has failed you."