Chapter 195: Rescue at the Execution Ground

"Lingxu Zi, I've been waiting for you a long time!"

A voice, both aged and youthful, seemed distant as the horizon yet close as the ear, exploding in every person's ears.

The crowd gathered around the execution ground instantly twisted in pain.

Chen Guanlou imitated the others, quickly covering his ears and crouching down. But while everyone else struggled against the piercing, brain-piercing demonic sound, Chen Guanlou secretly scanned his surroundings—today was a rare opportunity, a peak-level ninth-rank martial artist's duel; he couldn't miss it.

He wanted to know just how far he was from ninth rank.

"Mo, you dare humiliate my disciples? You seek death!"

Lingxu Zi's voice hovered between far and near; they heard the sound but saw no one.

Chen Guanlou looked at Wang Shuner on the execution ground and silently gasped—how could anyone refuse to cling to such a powerful ally and instead insist on dying? Wang Shuner, Wang Shuner, are you stupid or just stupid? Has the Great Ming Prince tricked you into madness?

Even if the Great Ming Prince intends to stand up for the common folk, everyone has selfish desires. Chen Guanlou didn't believe the Great Ming Prince didn't crave wealth and glory, didn't yearn for the yellow robe.

Yet Wang Shuner's trust in the Great Ming Prince was unshakable, pure as crystal. He had chosen the Great Ming Prince, and ignored all his flaws and selfishness. Even after being betrayed and sold out, his trust didn't waver—he blamed himself, convinced it was his own failure in conduct that led to abandonment.

To call Wang Shuner stupid? He truly was stupid!

But if you had a friend like him, who trusted you unconditionally, then Wang Shuner would be the finest, purest person on earth—everyone would want a brother or friend like him.

"Grandmaster!" Wang Shuner cried out, gazing skyward, searching for Lingxu Zi's figure, "Grandmaster, I am willing to die. I beg you to grant me this."

Chen Guanlou: …

Hearing Wang Shuner's cry, he nearly spat blood. Must he really dig this hole so deep? The giant leg is right here, and he still talks of dying? How stubborn!

"Stubborn!"

Lingxu Zi roared in anger—clearly sharing Chen Guanlou's thoughts.

"As long as the green mountains remain, firewood will never be lacking. For the sake of a single Great Ming Prince, you disregard your own life, your family's life, and insist on dying—do you honor the Great Ming Prince, or do you honor your sect, your family?"

Lingxu Zi's voice rang from above. Chen Guanlou secretly looked up—no one to be seen. Around him, the crowd had all crouched or pressed flat to the ground; some bled from nose and ears, unconscious. The air was empty; no trace of Lingxu Zi's location could be determined by sound.

"Hahahaha… Lingxu Zi, you've trained a fine grand-disciple!"

"Mo, you gloating bastard—come out and die!"

"It's been twenty years since our last duel. Good. I too wish to test just how strong you've grown in these two decades."

A figure shot out like lightning from the tower.

So fast.

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

Immediately, another blur flew out from a tea house.

The two ninth-rank martial artists clashed midair.

A sword qi slashed down!

BOOM!

The ground erupted with a deafening explosion—stones and dust flew, houses collapsed, and a massive crater opened directly on the earth.

Chen Guanlou: …

Is this the power of a ninth-rank martial artist?

So strong!

"Quickly protect Wang Shuner, go, go, go!" Chen Guanlou shouted, yet didn't move a step.

The jailers, led by Xiao Jin, stared at him blankly.

"Chen Tou?"

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

"You mean…?"

Chen Guanlou pointed to the two ninth-rank martial artists fighting above, "They clearly came to rescue Wang Shuner. Even if Lingxu Zi can't defeat that old Mo, killing us is child's play. Watch Wang Shuner from afar—don't get close. Just make some fake moves."

"Chen Tou's got insight!" Xiao Jin, the sharpest among them, shouted loudly. The other jailers followed suit, yelling to protect Wang Shuner—but all stayed rooted in place, not moving an inch.

"Old Zhang, get down quickly."

Chen Guanlou called to Old Zhang—don't become cannon fodder.

Old Zhang scrambled down from the execution ground.

On the execution ground, only Wang Shuner remained, bound to the wooden pole. The officials beneath the sunshade had already vanished at the first sign of trouble.

Chen Guanlou hid beneath the execution ground, his sharp eyes spotting several fully armed martial artists slowly approaching the site.

He quickly withdrew his gaze and told the jailers, "Clearly, the authorities knew someone would attempt to rescue Wang Shuner today—they've been prepared."

"If not Lingxu Zi, why haven't the other rescuers shown themselves?" Xiao Jin was surprised.

Chen Guanlou turned to Old Zhang, "Old Zhang, do you know Wang Shuner's background?"

Old Zhang sighed, "If you don't know, how would I? Officially, he's just a wealthy young master with notable martial talent."

"Have you ever heard of Lingxu Zi?" Chen Guanlou pressed.

Among those present, Old Zhang was the oldest, most experienced, and most knowledgeable.

Old Zhang pursed his lips before speaking, "I've heard of Lingxu Zi. Twenty years ago, he had dealings with the Embroidered Uniform Guard. As for his sect origin—you'll need to ask someone else."

"What about that Mo guy? Who is he?" Chen Guanlou asked next.

Old Zhang shook his head, his eyes clearly filled with fear. "I advise you not to inquire about the Mo man's origins. Some things, some people—it's better to never know. That's true fortune."

Chen Guanlou: …

Old Zhang's words carried hidden meaning.

"You really won't say?"

"Have you ever heard of the City Gate Army?"

Chen Guanlou shook his head. "What's that? I've never heard of such a military unit."

Old Zhang chuckled. "You haven't heard of it? Normal. The City Gate Army was founded during the Taizu era—a minor, insignificant organization. But every major case during Taizu's reign involved the City Gate Army. Officially, it existed for only thirty years before being disbanded."

Chen Guanlou suddenly understood. "Old Zhang, you mean the City Gate Army was officially disbanded but still exists—gone from public view, operating in secret? Would the court officials allow that?"

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

Officially, the organization no longer existed; its personnel had been scattered across various yamens.

BOOM!

The two martial artists above clashed directly over the execution ground—a sword qi sliced off half the platform.

From the dust, several figures shot out, racing toward Wang Shuner.

Immediately, another dozen figures flew forth, targeting the first group.

Aside from Lingxu Zi, the other rescuers had finally appeared.