Chapter 195: Storming the Execution Ground

"Lingxuzi, I have waited for you for a long time!"

A voice, sounding like an old man's yet also like a young man's, as if from the edge of the world yet also right in front of one's ears, exploded in everyone's ears.

The crowd of onlookers at the execution ground instantly all showed expressions of pain.

Chen Guanlou mimicked the others, quickly covering his ears and crouching down. The difference was that while others were resisting this ear-piercing and brain-stabbing demonic sound, Chen Guanlou was secretly looking around—today was a great opportunity, a peak duel between Ninth Rank martial artists, and he couldn't miss it.

He wanted to know how large the gap was between himself and the Ninth Rank.

"Mo, you dare to humiliate my disciple—you are courting death!"

Lingxuzi's voice sounded near and far; one could only hear the sound, but couldn't see the person at all.

Chen Guanlou looked at Wang Shuner on the execution ground and exclaimed in his heart: with such a strong backer, he actually insisted on seeking death. Wang Shuner, oh Wang Shuner, are you stupid or just stupid! Were you fooled into a limp by the Great Ming Prince?

Even if the Great Ming Prince had the intention to stand up for the people, everyone had selfish motives. Chen Guanlou didn't believe that the Great Ming Prince didn't covet wealth and glory, didn't covet the yellow robe.

However, Wang Shuner's trust in the Great Ming Prince was so solid, so pure. He had set his heart on the Great Ming Prince, and he turned a blind eye to all of the Great Ming Prince's shortcomings and selfishness. Even after being betrayed by others, it didn't affect his trust; he even blamed himself, blaming himself for not knowing how to conduct himself, which was why he was abandoned.

To say Wang Shuner was stupid—he was truly stupid!

But if you had such a friend by your side, trusting you unconditionally, then Wang Shuner was the best person in the world, the purest person; everyone would want to have such a brother or friend.

"Grandmaster!" Wang Shuner shouted, looking at the sky, searching everywhere for Lingxuzi's figure. "Grandmaster, I am willing to die; I beg Grandmaster to fulfill my wish."

Chen Guanlou:...

Hearing Wang Shuner's shout, he almost vomited blood. Did he have to be so stubborn? The backer had come, yet he still talked about seeking death—how pedantic!

"Pedantic!"

Lingxuzi let out an angry rebuke, clearly agreeing with Chen Guanlou's thoughts.

"As long as the green hills remain, there's no need to worry about firewood. For the sake of a mere Great Ming Prince, you disregard your own life, disregard your family's life, and insist on seeking death—do you think you've done right by the Great Ming Prince, but have you done right by your sect, by your family?"

Lingxuzi's voice sounded from above. Chen Guanlou secretly looked up but couldn't see anyone. The surrounding crowd had all crouched down or were lying on the ground; some were bleeding from their ears and noses, directly fainting. The surroundings were empty, and it was impossible to determine Lingxuzi's position from the source of the sound.

"Hahaha... Lingxuzi, you have cultivated a good disciple!"

"Mo, gloating—come out and die!"

"Twenty years have passed since our last duel. It's just as well; I also want to see to what extent you have become strong in these twenty years."

A figure, fast as lightning, flew directly out from the tower.

Such fast speed.

With Chen Guanlou's eyesight, he only saw a residual image.

Immediately after, another residual image flew out from a certain teahouse.

Two Ninth Rank martial artists began fighting directly in mid-air.

A sword energy slashed down!

Boom!

The ground emitted an earth-shattering explosion; gravel and dust flew, houses collapsed, and a large pit was directly blasted into the ground.

Chen Guanlou:...

Is this the strength of a Ninth Rank martial artist?

So strong!

"Quickly protect Wang Shuner, go, go, go!" Chen Guanlou shouted, but his feet didn't move an inch.

The prison guards led by Xiao Jin all looked at him in a daze.

"Chen Tou?"

"If you don't want to die, don't rush toward Wang Shuner! Do you remember?" Chen Guanlou lowered his voice this time, so only those around him could hear.

"Chen Tou means..."

Chen Guanlou pointed to the two Ninth Rank martial artists fighting in the sky. "They clearly came to save Wang Shuner. Even if Lingxuzi can't do anything to the old man Mo, killing us would be as easy as turning over his hand. Just keep an eye on Wang Shuner, but don't get close. Just make some fake moves."

"Chen Tou has insight after all. Brothers, quickly protect Wang Shuner." Xiao Jin was the smartest; he raised his voice and roared. The other prison guards followed suit, shouting about protecting Wang Shuner, but everyone stood in place without moving at all.

"Old Zhang Tou, come down quickly."

Chen Guanlou called out to Old Zhang Tou, telling him not to become cannon fodder.

Old Zhang Tou nimbly descended from the execution ground.

On the execution ground, only Wang Shuner, tied to the wooden pole, remained. As for the officials under the sunshade, they had already hidden away at the first opportunity.

Chen Guanlou hid under the execution ground. With his keen eyes, he discovered several fully armed martial artists slowly approaching the execution ground.

He quickly withdrew his prying gaze and said to the prison guards, "It's clear that the higher-ups knew someone would storm the execution ground today and had long since made preparations."

"Except for Lingxuzi in the sky, why haven't the others who stormed the execution ground appeared yet?" Xiao Jin was very surprised.

Chen Guanlou asked Old Zhang Tou, "Old Zhang Tou, what is Wang Shuner's background? Do you know?"

Old Zhang Tou gave a bitter smile. "If you don't know, how would I know? On the surface, he's just a wealthy young master with a talent for martial arts."

"That Lingxuzi in the sky—have you heard of him, Old Zhang Tou?" Chen Guanlou continued to ask.

Among those present, Old Zhang Tou was the oldest, had the most seniority, and the most experience.

Old Zhang Tou smacked his lips before saying, "I have indeed heard of Lingxuzi. Twenty years ago, he had dealings with the Brocade Uniform Guard. As for which sect he originated from, you'll have to ask someone else."

"What about that Mo fellow—what's his background?" Chen Guanlou asked again.

Old Zhang Tou shook his head, his eyes clearly showing a hint of fear. "I advise you not to inquire about Mo's background. Some things, some people—it's a blessing not to know them in one's lifetime."

Chen Guanlou:...

Old Zhang Tou was speaking in riddles!

"You really can't say?"

"Have you heard of the City Gate Army?"

Chen Guanlou shook his head. "What kind of organization is that? I've never heard of such an army."

Old Zhang Tou chuckled. "It's normal that you haven't heard of it. The City Gate Army was established during the Taizu era; it was just an inconspicuous little organization. However, in several major cases during the Taizu era, the City Gate Army was involved. This organization only existed in the files for thirty years before being disbanded."

Chen Guanlou suddenly realized. "Old Zhang Tou, you mean the City Gate Army was disbanded on the surface but actually still exists? Just moved from the light to the dark? Would the court officials agree to this?"

"Who can prove the City Gate Army exists?" Old Zhang Tou sneered.

In any case, the organization had long since ceased to exist on the surface, and its personnel had been scattered into various government offices.

Boom!

The two martial arts powerhouses in the sky fought directly above the execution ground, and a sword energy slashed away half of the execution ground.

Amidst the smoke and dust, several figures suddenly flew out, rushing straight toward Wang Shuner.

Immediately after, a dozen more figures flew out, rushing straight toward the previous figures.

Except for Lingxuzi, the others who stormed the execution ground had finally appeared. ===== CHAPTER 196 =====