Chapter 1163: Wengfalusi 3.2 (209)

"Walking with the dead, cherish them as you cherish life… you will never again hear those noises."

——

JOJO's Bizarre Adventure: Wild Horse Rider

The night wind lowly roared as it swept over the jagged ridge, blowing the withered thickets into a rustling sound. On this barren wasteland where nothing but gravel and lizards existed, Jieluo and Qiaoni stood guard before a pile of campfire, relying on the flames and a bit of alcohol to dispel the chill of the deep night.

Hey, Jieluo, I remember you mentioning that your Qibeilin family, while a lineage of doctors who heal illnesses, is also a king‑appointed executioner, right? Are the weapons you use for executions also equipped with three air holes? Qiaoni looked at him curiously.

Jieluo carefully wiped the iron ball in his hand with a piece of oilcloth, and upon hearing this he also replied lightly: "Hmm, our family has no such weapon, because blood damages blades the most; before each execution, my father polishes the swords used for executions to ensure they reach the sharpest state. I only came to understand these things after turning thirteen."

"After that, have you also been practicing the sword technique used for executions?" Qiaoni seemed very interested in this topic, saying, "Execution only takes one stroke, after which the criminal's body is separated; to achieve a one‑stroke kill, shouldn't one train one's strength?" Qiaoni looked at him curiously.

"Of course not." Saying this, Jieluo gestured at his own neck with his hand: "The human cervical spine is made up of a series of bones, and between the third and fourth vertebrae there is a very fragile gap. Cutting there is never wrong; only by precisely severing from that spot can the criminal die without pain."

"Hmm… are all these things you learned from your father?"

"Hmm. But reality is often complicated; when a condemned person is about to die, their muscles tense up and their neck instinctively shrinks, trying to protect themselves. This makes the executioner's experience even more crucial, for in the instant the criminal struggles, the position of the downward strike may shift; if the blow lands on the hard cervical bone… well, that would be troublesome."

Saying this, Jieluo casually tossed the iron ball toward the withered shrubs not far away; the ball did not bounce off upon touching the branches, but instead continuously rotated with a strange force, instantly shaking off the few scattered dry leaves on the shrubs.

"Our family's inherited iron‑ball technique originally used the power of 'revolution' to help criminals relax their muscles, making the cut easier. Combat is actually just one part of its application. For an executioner, you should know how convenient Xiadie's ability is," Jieluo sighed lightly, "It's just a pity that her personality is indeed not suited to be an executioner; this job is truly too cruel for a girl as gentle and meticulous as her."

——

"Don't kill me… please, I don't want to die…"

A death row inmate had his hands bound and was forced by several people to kneel before Xiadie.

Xiadie tremblingly reached out her hand toward him, her eyelids drooping to cover most of her pupils; she dared not look at the prisoner whose life she was about to take, nor at the hand she had extended.

"I can't do that."

"This is your duty. Remember, contemplate why the dead suffer, then offer them your respect." Amonnet said from behind.

"Th‑thank you… don't listen to her, please…"

"No… I can't…" Xiadie bit her lip, still unable to bring herself to act.

"If you cannot learn to accept death, you will not be accepted by Ai Diliya. This is your last chance: act." Amonnet's tone was icy.

"No… I don't want to die… please, please…"

Xiadie closed her eyes; in the end she still lightly touched the prisoner's forehead with her fingertip. His complexion turned pallid, his gaze flickered, his eyes filled with terror, and his body began to spasm uncontrollably.

Was it because of fear, anger, hatred, or because the so‑called *merciful touch of death* she believed in was fundamentally a lie?

Black‑purple spots spread like petals across the condemned man's face, then seemed to be flooded by spring water. His trembling ceased; the pleas that had been incessant gradually turned into sobbing sighs, and he kept muttering.

Soon everything fell into dead silence, turning into black dew that drifted away with the wind. Xiadie heard her own heartbeat overwhelm her ragged breathing.

Amonnet's expression relaxed, and he nodded satisfactorily: "I hope this person's sacrifice will give you some insight."

Xiadie lowered her gaze to her own hands, her pupils still trembling violently: "Is… this enough?"

"No, come with me." Amonnet slowly turned around, saying, "As a 'Battle Supervising Holy Maiden,' your life has only just begun."

——

Chainsaw Man

"Just touching someone means death…… this is literally the dream talent and ability that public security forces crave." Anbian slowly exhaled a smoke ring; before him there was no fear, only the admiration and longing a hunter feels upon seeing a perfect hunting rifle: "Instant death on contact. No conditions, no exemptions, not even she herself can control it…… let alone the people of Ai Diliya—if placed in today's Japan, the public security would surely enshrine this little girl."

He said, glancing sideways at Guangxu across the table. She was propping her cheek, her eyes glued to the screen…… it was rare to see her so focused, and Xiadie seemed to have sparked her strong interest as well.

"What are you thinking about?" Anbian poured himself a cup of wine.

Hmm… I'm pondering a question.

What?

Guangxu stared blankly at Xiadie: "I guess… I've never dated a girl like this before."

""

Anbian closed his eyes, silently lowered his head, and took a sip of wine.

Although those who become excellent demon hunters tend to be a bit off‑kilter, overly normal people often don't live long. As the original demon hunter, Guangxu's degree of abnormality ranks among the very best in Anbian's heart, who has seen countless people.

"Don't you find her charming?" Guangxi looked at Anbian's utterly incomprehensible expression, attempting to explain to him, "Touch anyone and they die, which means she has never had a romantic partner. For a girl with zero dating experience, don't you find her attractive?"

Anbian took a deep drag of his cigarette: "You really aren't afraid of death, huh."

Guangxu replied lightly: "Would someone who fears death become a demon hunter?"

……That makes sense.

"Moreover, if you're wary of her ability, wouldn't wearing gloves and touching her solve the problem?" Guangxu put his arms around the two demon‑girls beside him, saying, "Her ability should work only on direct contact—in other words, as long as you don't touch her skin, you shouldn't die, right?"