Chapter 143: The Law of Execution

Lu Fang glanced at Zhao Qingzhu upon hearing this; though he disliked spirits, he had to admit the spirit's words held merit.

Before they arrived here, only the Ox-Horned Red-Eyed Demon and Zhao Qingzhu had been in this peculiar place, and he had heard Zhao Qingzhu's account.

Perhaps this peculiar place was formed precisely because Wan Juan's sacrifice failed.

So if there truly was some law, it might well reside within these two.

But what law was connected to these two? Lu Fang found this unclear; thinking of it, he turned to the spirit and asked, "What exactly is this law?"

Zhao Qingzhu also showed a look of curiosity; she had heard Lu Fang mention the law before, but only vaguely understood it.

She was more skeptical—could truly breaking this law really let them escape?

The spirit nodded and said, "The laws of such peculiar places vary widely, depending on how each place came to be. I assume you've also seen the stone gate that brought you in."

Lu Fang hesitated. "Execution?"

The spirit smiled. "Correct. The law of this peculiar place is execution. And the way to break it isn't unique. If I'm not mistaken, that Ox-Horned Red-Eyed Demon must have some connection to this woman."

Zhao Qingzhu frowned, lost in thought.

Lu Fang fell silent, but his mind stirred—if the spirit's words were true, perhaps breaking the law meant Zhao Qingzhu executing Wan Juan's transformed Ox-Horned Red-Eyed Demon.

Clearly, the spirit had thought of this too; he chuckled, "I said before, this method of breaking the law isn't unique—meaning, whoever executes whom can resolve this situation."

"But what puzzles me is, this girl doesn't seem strong at all—how did she survive?"

"That's none of your concern," Lu Fang said coldly, turning toward Gubao with Zhao Qingzhu.

Zhao Qingzhu hesitated. "That man seemed to understand the law well. Why don't we ally with him? I feel our chances of breaking the law would improve."

Lu Fang shook his head gravely. "I don't trust that man. He's been trying to kill me before—I'm certain that if he gets the chance, he'll strike without mercy."

"If neither of us can break this law, even allying with him won't help much."

"After hearing his description of the law, do you have any thoughts?"

Zhao Qingzhu paused, then said, "Did you truly see execution patterns on the stone gate? If so, perhaps killing the Ox-Horned Red-Eyed Demon, transformed from Wan Juan, really could let us leave."

Lu Fang nodded. "I think so too. Yesterday, when I saw the chains around the Ox-Horned Red-Eyed Demon's waist, I felt something odd. Now I think—perhaps it was a hint left by whatever created this place."

"I have plenty of crystals for array formation. When the time comes, you set up the arrays—we'll work together and maybe kill it."

Zhao Qingzhu shook her head. "It's not as easy as you think. I've used array traps before to kill the Ox-Horned Red-Eyed Demon, but its power is too great—it can shatter arrays outright."

If you were a fourth-rank, third-grade Confucian official, perhaps our combined efforts might have a chance...

But she quickly changed her mind; she had assumed Lu Fang, at his level, wouldn't possess many precious crystals or materials—yet when he pulled out a mountain of them, she was stunned.

This sixth-rank, second-grade Confucian seemed far "richer" than she'd imagined.

Zhao Qingzhu suddenly remembered something. "Just now, that man called you 'Wenguan Marquis.' Are you a marquis of the Great Zhou? No—that doesn't make sense. You look so young—how could you be a marquis?"

Lu Fang had only mentioned his relationship with Lu Ling, never his title as Wenguan Marquis of the Great Zhou. Hearing this, he briefly explained the basic facts.

After listening, Zhao Qingzhu was startled. "I underestimated you before. You risked your life to find me for Ling'er—I truly thank you."

Lu Fang shook his head and changed the subject.

"These materials and crystals should be enough for you to set up many arrays. Even if the Ox-Horned Red-Eyed Demon is strong, breaking through array after array won't be easy."

Zhao Qingzhu nodded with a smile. "With these crystals and materials, perhaps we can slay the Ox-Horned Red-Eyed Demon tonight."

Next, Zhao Qingzhu set up array after array around Gubao—some triggered on entry, others only activated by her.

As long as Lu Fang distracted it, Zhao Qingzhu believed they might truly kill the Ox-Horned Red-Eyed Demon.

Even if they failed today, since they were right beside Gubao, they could advance or retreat as needed—they held the advantage of timing, terrain, and unity.

From a distance, the spirit watched Zhao Qingzhu setting up arrays around Gubao and murmured, "So my guess was right. No wonder she survived—it must be tied to that Gubao."

"But is it truly that simple—that her executing the Ox-Horned Red-Eyed Demon breaks the law?"

"Isn't this too obvious? The chains restrict it, and it won't appear until dawn. Without deeper thought, it seems clear: kill the Ox-Horned Red-Eyed Demon, and the law breaks."

Anyone seeing this would naturally assume she is the executioner—because Gubao remains untouched, proving the Ox-Horned Red-Eyed Demon cannot destroy it.

Added to that, Gubao shows signs of habitation—clearly Zhao Qingzhu has lived inside. This further suggests the Ox-Horned Red-Eyed Demon cannot enter.

Thus, if she's outmatched, she can retreat into Gubao—she has absolute safety.

"I hope the law here is this simple."

The spirit chuckled softly.

He disliked Lu Fang intensely—even wanted to kill him and steal his fortune. But tonight, he wouldn't interfere. Not only that—if possible, he'd lend a hand.

He believed escaping this hellish place was the top priority.

As long as he wasn't trapped here, his bloodline's ancestral memories would ensure him future achievements.

As night fell, silence settled around Gubao.

Before the dim entrance of Gubao, Lu Fang and Zhao Qingzhu stood, gazing westward, waiting for the Ox-Horned Red-Eyed Demon's arrival.

They didn't wait long—the sharp clinking of chains sounded again.

The Ox-Horned Red-Eyed Demon arrived before Gubao, its blood-red eyes fixed on the two humans nearby, nostrils flaring with breath, its gaze cold and utterly devoid of emotion.