Chapter 193: Heading to the Execution Ground

Half a month after the Master returned to the capital, the higher-ups finally made a move. Three days later, Wang Shuner would be escorted to the execution ground to be punished according to the law.

The old Emperor issued an order: one thousand cuts by slow slicing, and not a single cut less.

If the prisoner died before reaching one thousand cuts, the executioner would have to die as well.

This was an Imperial decree!

Every single executioner in the capital was dumbfounded.

Why?

They simply didn't have the skill!

They knew how to perform slow slicing, but they truly lacked the ability to ensure the prisoner wouldn't die before the thousandth cut. Their technique was too crude, and they lacked opportunities to practice.

After all, a crime warranting slow slicing might not be encountered even once in ten or twenty years.

This trade was passed down from father to son, generation to generation. Without opportunities to practice, one couldn't master it just by talking.

Eventually, someone remembered Old Zhang Tou from the Heavenly Prison's torture chamber.

In the entire capital, only Old Zhang Tou had the ability to perform a thousand cuts while ensuring the prisoner remained alive.

With the order from above, Old Zhang Tou came out of retirement once again.

Chen Guanlou arrived at the deepest cell. At that moment, he felt a pang of reluctance, but he still told Wang Shuner, "Three days from now, you will be escorted to the execution ground for one thousand cuts."

Wang Shuner was clearly stunned for a moment, but his expression turned calm in the blink of an eye. "I expected as much!"

"If you have any needs, Hero Wang, just say the word. I can ask the medical official to prepare medicine for you."

The Heavenly Prison was a place where one could come into contact with all sorts of people and things. As a medical official of the Heavenly Prison, he naturally possessed some skills not found outside. For instance, prescribing a formula for a prisoner undergoing slow slicing could reduce the pain—essentially, it was a drug similar to anesthesia.

As long as the money was right, anything could be satisfied.

These were the means by which the small people at the bottom made a living. The people above might not be aware of it, and even if they were, they wouldn't necessarily pursue it. In any case, the old Emperor certainly wasn't aware of the tricks involved here.

Deceiving those above while shielding those below was an old rule in officialdom.

Wang Shuner was dazed for a while before he grasped the meaning behind Chen Guanlou's words. He said gratefully, "Many thanks, Chen Tou. There is no need!"

A true man!

That was slow slicing, after all—one thousand cuts, to be endured over three days.

Chen Guanlou couldn't imagine what kind of willpower or fearless spirit was required to face such a brutal torture so calmly.

In any case, he was afraid of death!

"Hero Wang, you can change your mind at any time; just have a prison guard notify me."

Wang Shuner began to laugh, laughing very easily, without any burden. "I accept your kindness, Chen Tou. As a sworn brother of the Great Ming Prince, there are no cowards among us."

Chen Guanlou cupped his hands, expressing his deep admiration, and turned to leave.

Chen Guanxin didn't quite understand Chen Guanlou's actions. "He's just a rebel leader; why must Chen Tou be so polite to this person?"

Chen Guanlou glanced at him. "They have failed the imperial court and the Son of Heaven, but they have not failed the people of Jinzhou. For a person who is devoted to the people, who merely chose the wrong path and trusted the wrong person, what does it matter to offer him a little help within my power?"

Chen Guanxin opened his mouth, and it took a while before he found his voice. "But he is a rebel after all. The imperial court spent a great deal to suppress the rebels and even incurred a deficit of over a million taels. These deficits will eventually fall upon the heads of the people in other provinces. He may not have failed the people of Jinzhou, but he has failed the people of other provinces."

Chen Guanlou sneered. "Do you really believe that without the Jinzhou rebels, the imperial court wouldn't have incurred a deficit? The Son of Heaven practices Daoism and embarks on grand construction projects—do you think that money fell from the sky? The Jinzhou rebels merely forced the Son of Heaven to use the money meant for grand construction projects to suppress the rebels. The burden on the people of other provinces does not stem from the Jinzhou rebels. You are smart; you know better than I do where the root lies."

Chen Guanxin felt a wave of dizziness. He looked around nervously, and only after confirming no one was eavesdropping did he let out a sigh of relief. "Chen Tou, that kind of talk is not allowed! This is the capital, under the feet of the Son of Heaven."

"I know. I won't say it again."

"Lou Ge'er..." Chen Guanxin suddenly changed how he addressed him, hesitating to speak.

"If you have something to say, just say it."

"Lou Ge'er, do you have a rebellious bone in your head?"

"Nonsense! I am a law-abiding citizen." Chen Guanlou had to give a powerful counterattack. "I follow the laws and regulations, work diligently, and never do anything illegal or undisciplined. There aren't many law-abiding citizens like me left in the capital. On what grounds do you say I have a rebellious bone? I think you're the one with a rebellious bone; otherwise, why does your father always pick on you?"

Chen Guanlou touched the back of his own head. "The old man in my family is senile. Look, my head is flat; where would there be a rebellious bone? If you don't believe me, touch it. Lou Ge'er, do you dare let me touch yours?"

Chen Guanlou kicked him away. He wanted to touch the back of his head? He was asking for a beating.

When he was alone, Chen Guanlou reached out and secretly touched the back of his head—it was flat. Where would a rebellious bone come from? Talking nonsense all day long.

He had his bottom line and his conscience was still intact, yet he was being called a person with a rebellious bone. Superstition was truly not to be trusted.

Wang Shuner never changed his mind and never requested the medical official to prescribe medicine.

When the day of the execution arrived, his identity was verified, and he was escorted to the execution ground. Chen Guanlou led the team personally.

This was also the last case for Jiang Jiang Yucheng Fan before his promotion. He specifically instructed Chen Guanlou, "Take good care of Wang Shuner. You must ensure he stays alive until the slow slicing is finished. Do not make any mistakes. Is the ginseng for sustaining his life prepared?"

"Don't worry, my lord. I specifically bought fifty-year-old ginseng; it's very effective for sustaining life."

Jiang Jiang Yucheng Fan felt relieved. In his heart, he was actually complaining about the old Emperor making trouble out of nothing and wasting a piece of fifty-year-old ginseng—that was money! His money! Even though it was spent from the public account, it was clear that Jiang Jiang Yucheng Fan had already come to view the money in the public account as his private property.

On the way to the execution ground, Chen Guanlou asked Wang Shuner one last time, "It's not too late to change your mind now."

One thousand cuts by slow slicing—could one really endure it without anesthesia?

It was too tragic!

Wang Shuner held his head high, looking at the sky he hadn't seen for over a month. "The people do not fear death; why threaten them with it! I want to tell the world, tell Emperor Taixing, don't talk about one thousand cuts—even three thousand cuts, the will of the people cannot be defied! Today, I offer my life; one day, thousands upon thousands will vindicate me. Chen Tou, you don't need to persuade me anymore. My mind is made up, and I will never change it."

Sigh!

Chen Guanlou could only sigh.

He didn't understand!

He just admired him from the bottom of his heart.

As they were about to reach the execution ground, Chen Guanlou's feet paused.

Xiao Jin asked hurriedly, "Chen Tou, what's wrong?"

"Nothing." Chen Guanlou's expression was calm, but his heart was churning. A great mountain, a mountain difficult to cross—a Ninth Rank martial artist had arrived at the execution ground. What was this for?

Could it be that someone was going to risk their life to storm the execution ground today?

A Ninth Rank martial artist couldn't possibly be so bored with life that they came to watch an execution.

The pressure of a Ninth Rank—Chen Guanlou suppressed his emotions, but he was already covered in sweat.

He didn't dare to show even the slightest impropriety. He was by Wang Shuner's side, which meant he was bound to be the center of attention today. If there was even a hint of impropriety, it would likely arouse the suspicion of the Ninth Rank martial artist. ===== CHAPTER 194 =====