Chapter 130: Execute Immediately! Execute! Execute! Execute!

With a casual strike, he severely injured Du Jiansheng and Du Jianxi, especially the former, whose dantian was ruined.

The entire Zhenwu Bureau fell utterly silent.

Pulling out the radish brought up the mud.

Pei Renguang's subordinates were naturally more than just Du Jiansheng, Du Jianxi, Jin Yao, and Qi Mengjun.

Capturing Du Jiansheng and Du Jianxi was meant to facilitate interrogation.

Once the interrogation yielded results, Tong Yuanshan led men to make the arrests.

Chen Mu did not strike again.

He stayed at the Zhenwu Bureau, compiled a general summary of Pei Renguang's case, then submitted it via the Tongxin Bamboo Sliver to the provincial Zhenwu Bureau.

After finishing, with free time, he took out his Training Cards and used them one by one, raising the Wu Gong "Six Harmonies Slash" to the peak of perfection.

He then upgraded "Hateheart Fist," this primordial martial art, which required Heavy Intent and was difficult to cultivate.

Chen Mu used fifteen Training Cards to raise it to the peak of perfection, and touched upon a trace of fist intent.

After contemplating the fist intent, he took out his Power Cards and used them one by one.

By nightfall, all dozens of accumulated Power Cards were spent; his physical strength underwent another transformation, entering the Second Cauldron Cross-Refined Body!

During this time.

The Wang family, Zhou family, and Jinyang Gate each sent people, bringing gifts to thank Chen Mu for bringing back their injured from Jùliǔ Shanzhuang.

With Jùliǔ Shanzhuang annihilated, the Wang, Zhou, and Jinyang families suffered heavy casualties among those sent, causing a sensation throughout Tai'an Prefecture.

Throughout the day, both inside and outside the city, noise never ceased.

Pei Renguang's name echoed throughout the entire prefecture, with countless people cursing him.

Those subordinates uncovered were either killed on the spot or captured and taken back to the Zhenwu Bureau.

The clamorous uproar did not cease until deep into the night.

……

The next day, morning.

The rising sun had just breached the horizon, casting golden light over Tai'an Prefecture.

Yet this tranquility was abruptly shattered by a piercing, sky-splitting eagle cry!

"Li—!"

The eagle's cry was shrill and clear, as if it could tear through eardrums, instantly spreading to every corner of the city.

Countless civilians and martial artists looked up in shock.

Above the Zhenwu Bureau's gate, a magnificent giant eagle circled, wings spread wide.

The giant eagle was astonishingly large; its wingspan reached thirty meters, its feathers a dark gold, gleaming with metallic coldness under the morning sun, its shadow nearly covering half the bureau's courtyard.

A powerful demonic bird aura spread outward, instilling awe and reverence.

More astonishing still, three figures stood calmly upon the broad, steady back of the giant eagle!

Strong winds whipped their robes, yet could not shake their mountain-steady stances.

The giant eagle slowly descended, finally landing steadily before the Zhenwu Bureau's gate, stirring a ring of airwaves that kicked up clouds of dust.

The three figures stepped down from the eagle's back with ease.

The leader was a middle-aged man clad in black Zhenwu Bureau high-rank robes, his face stern, eyes sharp as lightning.

He did not deliberately radiate aura, yet merely standing there, he seemed fused with the surrounding heavens and earth, exuding an unfathomable, immovable pressure.

His cultivation realm was none other than the Earth Altar realm—beyond the primordial range!

Behind the middle-aged man stood two men with sharp, potent qi and piercing gazes, clearly late-stage primordial experts.

Prepared in advance, Chen Mu led all personnel of the Tai'an Prefecture Zhenwu Bureau forward to meet them.

All felt the middle-aged man's profound, mountain-still aura and could not help but feel reverence, bowing respectfully.

"Tai'an Prefecture Zhenwu Bureau Inspector Chen Mu, welcomes the envoy!"

"Welcome the envoy!!" Tong Yuanshan and others chorused.

"Stand down."

The middle-aged man replied calmly, his gaze settling on Chen Mu; his stern face revealed a faint scrutiny and barely perceptible approval, "I am Sikong Lei, Judge of the Shannan Circuit Zhenwu Bureau Headquarters."

"Inspector Chen, your submitted Anjianjuan Sect case file, transferred from the provincial office to headquarters, concerns matters of grave importance—I have come personally to verify and take over."

"Judge Sikong Lei, you've traveled far—please, this way," Chen Mu replied without arrogance or subservience, stepping aside to lead.

Sikong Lei nodded indifferently and followed Chen Mu toward the main hall.

……

Inside the hall, Chen Mu clearly and precisely recounted the case details, evidence chain, and arrest-interrogation process to Sikong Lei once more.

Logical, with undeniable evidence.

Sikong Lei listened silently, occasionally asking questions that struck straight to the core.

After listening, he slowly nodded, "The case is clear, the evidence chain complete, the handling decisive. Inspector Chen, you've done well—cleansing a great poison from the Zhenwu Bureau and restoring peace to Tai'an Prefecture."

The two men behind him immediately stepped forward, presenting official headquarters documents, formally taking custody of the tightly imprisoned Pei Renguang, Du Jiansheng, Du Jianxi, Qi Mengjun, and the rest of the prisoners.

Official business concluded.

Sikong Lei's expression softened slightly; he looked at Chen Mu, his admiration deepening, "Inspector Chen, so young, yet you've unraveled such a major case—your martial skill, intellect, and methods are all top-tier. When I arrived, I reviewed your file and was surprised to find you ranked 107th on the 'Potential Dragon List.' Excellent, excellent—achieving such a rank at your age, your future holds great promise."

"Judge, you flatter me—this is merely my duty," Chen Mu bowed slightly; he said nothing in response to Sikong Lei's latter words.

"Hah."

Sikong Lei laughed, "Don't be modest. The Potential Dragon List has always been fair and impartial; all who rank on it are dragon among men, martial geniuses. Your foundation is solid—if you don't stray, the Earth Altar realm is certain."

"I also hope you remain humble, diligent, and ceaseless in cultivation—soon master your martial true intent, and knock on the gates of the Heavenly Palace. When that day comes, the entire world will be yours to roam."

These words were rare encouragement and guidance.

Clearly, Master Sikong Lei held Chen Mu in high regard.

Chen Mu heard this, his expression turned solemn. He cupped his fist in a salute and said sincerely, "Thank you for your guidance, Arbiter. Your subordinate will keep it firmly in mind."

Master Sikong Lei nodded in satisfaction.

Afterwards, they exchanged a few more words on insights into martial cultivation. The two of them chatted very pleasantly, and their relationship drew considerably closer.

By the afternoon, after a brief rest and the necessary review, the verdict was already out.

Master Sikong Lei acted with thunderous decisiveness, directly issuing the order: "Pei Renguang cultivated demonic arts, slaughtered over a hundred fellow officials and innocent martial artists — his crimes are monstrous. He is sentenced to immediate execution by beheading!"

"Qi Mengjun, Du Jiansheng, Du Jianxi… and others are principal accomplices. Same crime, same punishment — immediate execution by beheading! The rest of those involved shall be severely punished according to the law!"

The moment the order went out, the entire Tai'an Prefecture was shaken.

Very quickly.

At the execution ground, a sea of people.

When Pei Renguang — disheveled, a broken man — along with the principal offenders Du Jiansheng, Du Jianxi, Qi Mengjun, and others were led onto the execution ground, the watching crowd erupted in a complex uproar of shock, fury, and a hint of grim satisfaction.

Especially upon seeing Qi Mengjun — once Tai'an Prefecture's foremost beauty, now risen from the dead — brought to such an end, people could not help but sigh.

"Execute!"

As the command arrow was hurled down, a gleaming executioner's blade swung.

Swish, swish, swish~

Over a dozen heads hit the ground, and fresh blood dyed the execution ground red.

【Corpse discovered. Pick up?】