Chapter 209: Not Even as Good as a Dog

"Tyrannical Song is unjust~ Tyrannical Song is unjust~"

Li Bang Yan, bound hand and foot, was pushed out of Kaifeng Prefecture, screaming with all his might.

"Abolish the Ruler, the Great Way Flourishes~"

"I support it, I support it ah~~"

Outside Kaifeng Prefecture, a sea of people.

Tens of thousands of commoners gathered here.

They roared and shouted in anger.

Deafening sound, shaking the clouds and sky.

The day Lin Dao washed Daqing Hall with blood, Li Bang Yan, who had escaped by feigning illness, wept and screamed, tears streaming down his face.

"Abolish the Ruler, the Great Way Flourishes~"

"One's own people, all are one's own people~"

"I think so too~"

Miserable shouts, drowned in the endless roars of the commoners.

The bedraggled Li Bang Yan was dragged all the way to a guillotine forged of metal.

The Three Guillotines of Blue Sky exist only in folk tales; official history has none.

This one before us, with its weird dog-head shape, was made overnight by Lin Dao hiring craftsmen.

Dragon-head guillotine, tiger-head guillotine — all nonsense; those people aren't qualified to use them.

Dog Head Executioner's Blade is the highest treatment for them.

The two men escorting Li Bang Yan caught a strange smell.

They looked down and only then realized this famous grand lyricist had already lost control of his bladder.

Such courage, and he was a high minister of the Court?

Gao Deng, from Fujian, shouted in a muffled voice with his native accent.

"O~pen~ the guillotine~~"

Amid the sound of metal grinding, the Dog Head Executioner's Blade was slowly raised.

That snow-bright blade edge startled Li Bang Yan into trembling like a sieve.

"What is this for?"

He looked toward Chen Dong not far away, voice and tears together: "I support you all~"

Chen Dong stepped forward and whispered in his ear: "You see the commoners so fired up; if we don't behead you, how to quell the anger in their hearts?"

"Why me?"

"No choice; those with this qualification have mostly already been dealt with by the Immortal Elder."

"A few fish that slipped the net all knew to hide in the Imperial Palace; only you thought to flee the city and got caught."

"If not you, then who?"

Li Bang Yan still wanted to beg further, but Chen Dong had already retreated several steps and spoke no more.

Despairing, Li Bang Yan was pinned dead onto the Dog Head Executioner's Blade.

He struggled ceaselessly, tears falling like rain, wailing and shouting, repeatedly crying injustice.

But all around the sound was like rolling thunder; who could hear clearly?

Even if they heard clearly, who would be willing to stand up for him?

The guillotine blade fell suddenly; Li Bang Yan's miserable scream cut off abruptly.

Cheers erupted all around, shaking heaven and earth.

Before long, a few unlucky souls accompanying the execution were also dragged up one by one and guillotined.

The Dog Head Executioner's Blade, originally full of metal luster, before long had been dyed blood-red.

The commoners' emotions were maxed out, each red-eyed and roaring.

Chen Dong straightened his clothes, just about to seize the chance to give a speech.

Unexpectedly, someone in the crowd shouted: "The Emperor is unjust~ We go to seek the Emperor!"

Instantly a hundred responded to one call!

A large crowd of commoners, shouting to seek the Emperor, headed toward Xuan De Lou.

Chen Dong and the others instantly stared dumbfounded.

This wasn't the same as their plan.

The Taixue Students tried their utmost to dissuade them, but no one paid heed.

Some even cursed them: Speaking for the Emperor who brings calamity to the nation and harm to the people — what ulterior motive!

'It must be because the Emperor still has use; now is not yet the time to kill!'

In their panic, the Taixue Students hurriedly took up walkie-talkies to report to Lin Dao.

"In a chaotic era, this sort of thing is perfectly normal."

"People with ulterior motives borrowing the people's hearts to act — completely understandable."

"This world, it's not like only you lot are smart people."

Chen Dong spoke urgently: "Immortal Elder, the students worry that afterward no one can control it ah~"

"Not to that extent."

Lin Dao's laughter transmitted: "You overthink."

"In the city, there isn't that much grain."

"If you want others to follow you and work, benefits must be given properly."

"At the very least, we need to fill their bellies."

"Who actually likes working for pay?"

Lin Dao, half-reclining on the bed, held a walkie-talkie in one hand and lightly patted Zhao Duofu's shoulder with the other. "Don't rush, just follow along properly; I'll handle this matter."

Putting down the walkie-talkie, Lin Dao stood up and greeted Li Shishi and Zhao Duofu.

"Bring me my armor."

Dressed and ready, he mounted his electric bicycle and headed straight for the Imperial Palace.

He went all the way up Gaotou Street to Donghua Gate.

It was precisely that Donghua Gate outside which names were proclaimed—the Donghua Gate where a true man made his name.

Nowadays, those fine men who once proclaimed their names outside Donghua Gate can no longer strut about.

The Palace Guards guarding the city gate, seeing Lin Dao dressed in dark armor and white robes, turned and ran.

The Archery Squad on the city wall even threw away the bows in their hands.

The Palace Guards aren't even paid their grain and silver anymore; nowadays they're just given two meals a day.

Who would go sell their life for that?

The Imperial Court and the ruling house have fallen to this state because the foundation of their rule has collapsed.

The armies within the city have scattered, losing their military support.

A ruling house without armies and military force is worse off than a dog.

Lin Dao stepped forward and pushed open the heavy Donghua Gate.

After pushing the cart in, he thoughtfully closed the gate behind him.

That father and son truly deserve the Dog Head Executioner's Blade.

But before the blade falls, their remaining value must first be squeezed dry.

Palace maids and eunuchs who saw him all screamed and turned to run.

They all thought this God of Killing had entered the palace to massacre the Daqing Hall once more.

By the time Qin Gui received the news and hurried over in a fluster, Lin Dao, who had been leisurely enjoying the scenery, finally stopped.

"You look radiant; you can't keep the smile off your face."

Lin Dao surveyed Qin Gui before him. "What happy occasion is this?"

Were it anyone else, Qin Gui would have his ready excuses.

But in Lin Dao's presence, he held nothing back: "Misfortune at home; chaotic people broke through."

Lin Dao could hardly look on. "That's a good thing?"

"Only a shrewish wife at home~~~ hahaha~~~"

Qin Gui couldn't help but laugh out loud, his delight seeming quite genuine.

"Immortal Master doesn't know; I am actually a concubine-in-law."

"Only with the Yue family's help can I navigate the court smoothly."

"The Yue family traces back to Wang Kui, a chief councilor of the Godzong era, with disciples and former officials spread across the land, their roots deep and their power immense."

Words like these could probably only be spoken to an Immortal Master.

Qin Gui also poured out his bitterness: "Immortal Master doesn't know; being this concubine-in-law of mine is worse than being a dog!"

"That shrewish wife ruined her body and can't bear children, yet she won't let my Qin family continue its incense and fire."

"Once a servant girl conceived, but that shrewish wife beat her to death, and all the women in the household were driven away."

"I, your student, have truly suffered for ages~~~"

Lin Dao listened with great relish.

No wonder the Qin Gui of the history books left no descendants.

The so-called son was actually an adopted child.

In his youth, he was suppressed by a shrewish wife backed by great power, and his trip to the Jin Nation further ruined his body.

After great difficulty he returned to Jiangnan, but the shrewish wife followed him back and continued to suppress him.

Presumably, that shrewish wife Lady Wang held Qin Gui's weakness, causing him to achieve nothing in his entire life.

Lin Dao nodded with a smile. "Deserved."

"Exactly!"

Qin Gui was overjoyed. "Exactly! Deserved!"

He thought Lin Dao was saying the shrewish wife's misfortune was deserved.

He never imagined it was actually himself being referred to.

"Both Your Majesties await the Immortal Master."

Qin Gui remembered his mission and hurriedly ran ahead to lead the way, guiding Lin Dao on his electric bicycle to the inner palace.

His physical quality was quite okay; he wasn't slow when running.

But his official robe's side panel got in the way; he stepped on it and fell flat with a loud thud.

Lin Dao, who had stopped to watch the fun, laughed out loud and even took a photo with his phone.

"When I return to the Modern World, I'll post it online."

"The title is already thought up: 'Authentic photo of Qin Gui eating mud'~~~"

Passing Chonghua Gate, entering Chonghua Hall.

Zhao Ji and his son, one standing and one reclining, welcomed him outside.

"Greetings, Immortal Master~~~"

To one side were the Empress Dowager and Empress, various Great Kings and Imperial Princesses, all saluting in unison.

Parking, Lin Dao walked forward, looking down at Zhao Ji lying on the couch.

"Such a small injury, still not healed?"

"Just cut off two taels of flesh, is it worth lying here so long?"

"With such poor character, how can you seek immortals and ask the Way?"

Zhao Ji hurriedly wanted to rise, to prove his heart in seeking immortals.

But it pulled at the wound, his crotch gradually turning red, pain making him bare his teeth and grin.

Lin Dao nodded in satisfaction, that was exactly the effect he wanted.

Though I can let you father and son linger a few more days, I cannot let you continue to live in peace and comfort!

He turned his head to look at Zhao Huan beside him.

Perhaps because he was young, Zhao Huan did not take seeking immortals and asking the Way very seriously.

But Lin Dao knew what he was afraid of.

"The commoners in the city are rising up, accusing you of bringing disaster to the nation and harming the people, and they are already heading for Xuan De Lou."

One sentence, striking Zhao Huan's soft spot directly.

This most cowardly and timid ruler, feared death above all.

Who knew if he was a born coward reborn, or had his gall cut out as a child.

Utterly cowardly!

Indeed, upon hearing these words, Zhao Huan suddenly shivered.

In the past he feared the Jin people, but not the Song people.

But now he had no support, his trusted ministers and Palace Guards were all useless.

If the chaotic people were really allowed to rush in, wouldn't it be~~~

Thinking of this, Zhao Huan, trembling and weeping with fear, immediately knelt and kowtowed.

"I beg the immortal to extend a hand to save me~~~"

Lin Dao crossed his arms, "Why should I save you?"

"Do you know how miserable the commoners outside have been harmed by you?"

"I know my mistake." Zhao Huan wailed, "I swear, as long as I can get through this crisis, I will surely work diligently to govern and treat the commoners well~"

Lin Dao did not believe a single punctuation mark of what he said.

This kind of dog thing cannot change its preferences.

Seeing Lin Dao unmoved, Zhao Huan wiped his tears and immediately steeled himself.

"Let the immortal know."

"Fifth Sister's given name is Fujin; though she has been married, she is the First Beauty of the Great Song."

"I am willing to send Fifth Sister to serve the immortal at his side~~~"

These words spoken, the surroundings immediately erupted in an uproar.

Though Zhao Ji had previously sent Zhao Duofu, that had not been widely publicized.

Now Zhao Huan was giving away his sister in public, truly, utterly shameless.

Everyone's gaze unconsciously turned to a woman in palace attire.

Lin Dao also looked over.

She wore a scallion-white long skirt, with a purple cross-laced jacket over it.

Her figure was alluring, graceful and swaying.

Fragrant mist dampens her cloud-like hair, clear radiance makes the jade bi cold.

Two curved eyebrows like distant mountains, a pair of bright eyes like autumn waters.

Just standing there, she was radiant and outstanding like a spirit nurtured by heaven and earth.

Feeling everyone's gaze, Zhao Fujin was ashamed beyond bearing, lowering her head and covering her face with both hands.

"Dog thing!"

Zhao Ji flew into a great rage, "When is it your turn to make decisions!?"

Zhao Huan showed no weakness, "You also sent Twenty-first Sister away, what does it count for that I send Fifth Sister!"

"Unfilial son, unfilial son!"

The enraged Zhao Ji wanted to rise to discipline the unfilial son.

But at the wound, because the movement was too great, it split further, blood gushing like urine.

Zhao Ji wailed in pain, and the imperial physicians hurried forward to apply medicine.

This family comedy made Lin Dao laugh without ceasing.

After laughing enough, he then spoke.

"To persuade the commoners outside the Imperial Palace, only abdication will do!"

End of Chapter