Chapter 323: Iron Case

"Trash, trash!"

Luo Lin bellowed in fury, pointing at the two dark-gold giants on the execution platform, trembling as he drew his waist sword.

The two dark-gold giants, stunned and at a loss, suddenly knelt to the ground, foreheads pressed to the earth, not daring to look up at Luo Lin.

Wu Tie lay on the execution platform, then suddenly burst out laughing 'hahaha'.

Wu Tie laughed happily.

Although he said nothing, his laughter sounded like a series of crisp slaps, heavily striking Luo Lin's face.

All around, the many watching soldiers exchanged glances, each with a strange expression as they looked at Luo Lin.

Never before had an Army Marshal of the Fuxi Divine Kingdom been so despised by a vassal tribe.

These soldiers were all proper citizens of the Fuxi Divine Kingdom; many of the warriors came from families big and small within the kingdom, and those who could serve as officers were all from families of middle rank or higher.

The sons of families, compared to ordinary soldiers, had far more things on their minds.

Their eyes flickered as they fixed on Luo Lin……this time, the newly appointed Army Marshal by the Grand Commander was actually a good-for-nothing.

The Grand Commander fails to judge people……or perhaps there is some shady deal behind it?

Many had already taken out thumb-sized transparent crystals, employing secret techniques to imprint the scene before them onto the crystals. Regardless of the truth, this scene would later make for good gossip over tea and meals.

Wu Tie was laughing.

Old Tie, who had been dragged down from the execution platform, raised his head and let out a sharp, long desert wolf howl. Then this old fellow, disdainful, scratched his chin with his paw and vigorously flicked his tail.

On the execution platform, the few blood-armored warriors tasked with guarding Old Tie jumped in surprise.

Old Tie was bound head to toe with golden ropes like a zongzi; how could he still move? The two blood-armored warriors instinctively drew their swords and heavily hacked at Old Tie's neck.

With two clear 'ding-ding' sounds, Old Tie's neck suffered no damage; the two swords, forged through a thousand tempers and reinforced with numerous sealing formations, of quality already vaguely surpassing the elemental tier and nearing the spirit tier, shattered on the spot.

The two blood-armored warriors grunted, clenching their teeth as blood trickled from the corners of their mouths.

They dropped the sword hilts, staring at Old Tie who suddenly stood up with a complex expression—even a pig would realize at this moment that the golden ropes on Old Tie had no effect whatsoever.

Thud!

A golden seal flew from Mister Mu's hand, instantly transforming into a golden mound about three feet high that smashed onto Old Tie's head.

A tremendous boom rang out, sparks flying everywhere.

Old Tie's scalp was unharmed, but the terrifying weight pressing down from above caused his four slender legs to buckle involuntarily, forcing him to collapse to the ground.

This body, extremely strong, is formed from the Divine Artifact Rebirth Tower.

However, Old Tie merely dwells within it; with his methods he cannot fully control this body, and the power he can exert is less than one ten-thousandth of its capacity.

The golden seal that Mister Mu unleashed is of a quality far surpassing ordinary elemental-, spirit-, and immortal-tier armaments, nearly a divine artifact's supreme treasure; thus, though Old Tie was uninjured, he was also immobilized by the pressure.

The faint white light at Wu Tie's neck dissipated; he naturally rose to his feet, his body shaking as twelve golden ropes fell off him like twelve dead snakes, which he casually coiled and stuffed into his sleeve.

Wu Tie bowed to the soldiers watching from all directions and laughed loudly: 'Fellow officers, Army Marshal Luo Lin says I have committed a grave crime and should be executed publicly to uphold military law.'

'But the facts prove that military law cannot execute me, so… I am therefore innocent.'

Wu Tie laughed brightly, showing a standard set of eight white teeth.

The surrounding soldiers fell silent.

What kind of reasoning is this? You have great divine powers, the execution platform can't kill you, so you're innocent? Then does that mean, as long as one has enough strength, military law and such need not be heeded?

But soon, all the soldiers came to their senses.

Isn't that right?

In the Fuxi Divine Kingdom, as long as you have sufficient strength, as long as you are strong enough—for instance, stronger than the kingdom's Divine Emperor—then naturally neither military nor national law can reach you.

Moreover, if you surpass the Divine Emperor, then… the Divine Emperor himself will reverently offer you sacrifices and provide for you.

Among the soldiers, many families of mid-level officers are at odds with the Luo Family, and they frequently clash within the Fuxi Divine Kingdom.

As soon as Wu Tie finished his twisted words, dozens of sharp whistles sounded from all directions.

One voice, deliberately made coarse and gruff, shouted: 'This brother speaks correctly—Army Marshal Luo Lin says they are guilty, yet he hesitates to execute them… this guilt is hard to define.'

Another voice, deliberately made shrill and wavering, echoed back from the surrounding walls: 'I see this brother as dignified and noble, surely a gentleman; how could he violate military law? Goodness, isn't it Luo Lin this scoundrel causing trouble?'

Who knows who used divine powers; a bone-chilling voice came from deep underground: 'Perhaps it's a wrongful case… I know this scoundrel Luo Lin well—back in the day he was a notorious good-for-nothing, visiting brothels looking for girls and often not paying.'

Those two earlier were merely disparaging Luo Lin.

While the third speaker directly splashed filth on Luo Lin and pinned a black pot on him.

Regardless of whether the alleged 'not paying' deed is true or false, this matter will surely spread quickly in all directions.

Luo Lin's face turned black with rage, his body trembling, and a bloody taste suddenly surged in his throat.

He looked helplessly and desperately at Wu Tie standing on the execution platform, then glared ferociously at the surrounding soldiers.

He suddenly grasped the darkness and shamelessness of the world.

These fellows, how could they do such a thing?

As a legitimate heir of the noble Luo Family, even if he went to see a few girls, how could he possibly not pay?

But how could he say such a thing?

Would he have to find a crowd of girls to testify, telling the soldiers present that the young master Luo always paid?

Wu Tie stood on the execution platform, coldly watching Luo Lin's face fluctuate between green and red.

Poor fellow.

Wu Tie just laughed, laughing brightly: 'So, Marshal, you have such great achievements? Admirable, admirable! The Luo family's upbringing is truly extraordinary!'

Among the surrounding soldiers, someone laughed out loud.

Afterward, more soldiers began to laugh.

Gradually, the laughter rose like a tide.

The Taotie Turtle and others stepped aside a few paces, each with a calm expression, putting on an air of having nothing to do with Luo Lin.

Luo Lin's chest burned hot, and he finally spat out a mouthful of blood far away.

He trembled as he pointed at Wu Tie, shouting hoarsely: "Wu Tie, villain, petty man, scoundrel, I will surely kill you!"

Wu Tie looked innocently at Luo Lin, he spread his hands, wanting to say something, but Mu Xiansheng had already pointed a finger.

One finger, and it was the ends of the earth.

The void around Wu Tie trembled, the tiny space he occupied suddenly split from the surrounding void, four arm-thick azure wood branches encircled Wu Tie, the rich wood power condensed into visible chains that crisscrossed and locked his body.

This was Mu Xiansheng's divine ability; Wu Tie felt as if his whole body had sunk into mire, heavy and viscous, no matter how hard he struggled he could not move, and furthermore his throat felt numb and sore, unable to speak.

Wu Tie stared in horror at Mu Xiansheng.

This fellow's cultivation method is certainly extraordinary; he has nearly brought the Way of Wood to its utmost extreme.

Although they are both in the Fetal Storage Realm, the pressure this Mu Xiansheng exerts on Wu Tie is far greater and far more dangerous than that of the several Taotie Clan Fetal Storage Realm experts.

Those several Taotie Clan Fetal Storage Realm experts, although they have devoured much bloodline and obtained many divine abilities and secret transmissions.

But their power is overly mixed, mixed and not pure.

Mu Xiansheng has mastered the power of Wood to its peak; Wu Tie judged that if Mu Xiansheng made a move, those several Taotie Clan Fetal Storage Realm experts would likely not withstand three strikes.

Right now, the void around Wu Tie is, by Mu Xiansheng using Wood power that has reached its peak, rejecting space, rejecting all other forces, forcibly constructing a tiny Wood space beside Wu Tie.

A Wood space belonging solely to him.

Unless Wu Tie's absolute power exceeds Mu Xiansheng's, this Wood space cannot be broken.

Wu Tie stared in horror at Mu Xiansheng; this is truly the proper path of cultivation, this bastard… how could he be a lackey beside Luo Lin?

Mu Xiansheng hooked his finger, and the suppressed Wu Tie and Lao Tie flew up.

Mu Xiansheng grabbed Luo Lin, turned and walked into the rear hall, and Wu Tie and Lao Tie, unable to control themselves, flew into the hall.

Upon entering the hall, Mu Xiansheng supported Luo Lin, letting him sit behind the desk, then calmly said: "Marshal Qi ordered me to assist the lord; now is the right time."

Mu Xiansheng looked at Luo Lin and calmly said: "Lord, can you see clearly? Among the crowd just now, those who spoke mockery and ridicule, even framing and insulting your reputation?"

Luo Lin blankly looked at Mu Xiansheng.

He only cared about going off in anger; he had no mood to watch the people in the crowd who were taking the chance to clamor.

Mr. Wood said without changing his tone: "I have already kept it clear for you, sir; tomorrow you can order them to be sent to the most dangerous frontline battlefield to supervise military discipline and record their merits, so that they die on the battlefield."

"Sir, you must always remember: on the battlefield, only blood, only living lives, can establish prestige."

"Whether it's that blood or those lives, they can belong to the enemy or to our own side. In short, kill everyone who refuses to submit; the survivors will naturally bow their heads and obey you, submitting to your will."

Luo Lin's eyes flashed with light, and he nodded as if suddenly enlightened.

Taotie Yuan and the others also followed in, exchanging glances with each other. What kind of guy has Xi Qi brought to follow Luo Lin? This sounds a bit off; is Xi Qi trying to cultivate Luo Lin into a freak?

Although the Taotie clan's people are not exactly good birds, the things taught by Mr. Wood all seemed a bit off to them.

"Then, let's settle another matter." Mr. Wood glanced at Wu Tie and Lao Tie, who had been imprisoned and flown into the hall, and said calmly: "Sir, your dignity has just been harmed… this matter must be redressed."

Luo Lin blinked his eyes, staring foolishly at Mr. Wood: "Please, sir, teach me."

Mr. Wood said calmly: "Let all the soldiers understand that being unable to behead these two prisoners is not due to your incompetence, sir, but because the prisoners are too formidable."

"To highlight the prisoners' strength, they must commit greater crimes; we need a strong foil to accentuate your prowess, sir."

Taotie Yuan and the others' faces changed slightly; they looked at Mr. Wood with hostility.

In Mr. Wood's tone, they sensed a strong malice.

It was not only directed at Wu Tie and Lao Tie, but also at them.

Taotie Yuan said in a deep voice: "What do you mean, Mr. Wood?"

Mr. Wood chuckled "hehe" and said: "Sir, it was Marshal Qi who instructed me to assist you carefully. Just now, several of you have been disrespectful toward my lord."

Taotie Yuan and the others just laughed.

The Taotie clan is also a top-tier power in the Fuxi Divine Kingdom.

The Luo family that Luo Lin comes from is merely an ordinary, lower-middle clan; its strength and influence cannot compare with the Taotie clan. Previously, Luo Lin was just a little lackey who trailed behind a few of the Taotie clan's young masters, fooling around.

Even if Xi Qi values him, what does it matter?

The family's foundation lies there; Taotie Yuan and the others cannot give Luo Lin much face.

In the next instant, Mr. Wood moved.

A single move, and it was a killing technique.

Verdant, dripping branches appeared out of nowhere, the rich wooden power filling the entire hall. The Taotie clansmen's bodies suddenly stiffened, and Mr. Wood brandished a short sword radiating brilliant light, its blaze so intense it could not be gazed upon, flying forward.

With one sword, three Fetal Storage Realm experts of the Taotie clan were beheaded in unison.

Mr. Wood swept his sleeve, and the three Fetal Storage Realm Divine Fetuses exploded and were utterly annihilated.

He then struck with a palm, and over a dozen Taotie clan youths, including Taotie Yuan, were smashed to pieces body and spirit, their souls scattered by his slap.

Thereafter, Mr. Wood pointed a finger, and the wooden barrier around Wu Tie shattered explosively; a tremendous force slammed into his chest, with a loud bang his clothes and armor crumbled into countless fragments.

A large expanse of flesh on Wu Tie's chest was instantly obliterated, revealing dark, gloomy bones.

His breastbone was extremely tough and hard; under the immense pressure it sank downward, nearly pressing against his spine. Even so, his bones merely deformed, showing no sign of fracture.

Mr. Wood's eyes gleamed with strange light as he praised: "What a hard bone."

After the praise, Mr. Wood flicked his finger, and the mountain peak formed from the golden seal suppressing Lao Tie shot up, then spun and slammed heavily into Lao Tie's chin.

Lao Tie, like Wu Tie with his chest a bloody mess, was flung out of the hall at terrifying speed.

Mr. Wood's cold, stern voice rang out: "Wu Tie, together with his war beast, attacked and slaughtered the Taotie clansmen—a crime of utmost heinousness; seize and kill him at once!"

Following his shout, Mr. Wood kicked the heads of the three Taotie Fetal Storage Realm experts out of the hall.

He then thrust a sword backward through his own right chest, spitting blood as he staggered out of the hall; upon crossing the threshold, his right foot tripped, and with a 'gudong' he rolled onto the ground.

He pointed weakly at Wu Tie and Lao Tie, who were flying swiftly out of the city wall, his breath faint: "They harbor a tremendous conspiracy… their cultivation is certainly not just Life Pool Realm… they even dared to assault General Si Ma… pursue and kill them at once!"

Mr. Wood screamed hoarsely: "Kill them… otherwise you won't even need to come back; do you still have the face to meet your fellow soldiers?"

On the square outside the hall, countless soldiers stared dumbfounded at the blood-soaked Mr. Wood, whose aura fluctuated violently and chaotically.

After a while, several high-ranking commanders finally roared in anger, and over two hundred Fetal Storage Realm commanders shot into the air, swiftly pursuing Wu Tie and Lao Tie.