Great Jin, the 27th year of Chongming.
Qingzhou, Black Goose City.
A continuous light rain descended from the sky, pitter-pattering against the muddy ground.
At this moment, the sky was on the brink of dawn yet not yet bright.
The dim execution ground was already surrounded by people, both inside and out.
Ji Changyin yawned and slowly took his seat under the canopy.
The chilly air of the morning made him instinctively tighten his clothes and then move closer to the fire that had been kindled beside the case table.
Once he felt somewhat warmer, he directed his gaze toward the execution ground in front of him.
He saw a somewhat lean but upright figure, holding a Ghost Head Greatsword, standing in the center of the execution ground.
Upon witnessing this scene, Ji Changyin's eyebrows imperceptibly furrowed ever so slightly.
He then turned his gaze outside the execution ground, where, among the commoners standing there, a few were burly men with vibrant spirits.
The already damp and cold weather seemed even colder to Ji Changyin with this discovery.
"Sigh."
He exhaled softly and then gestured for a soldier standing beside the canopy to come over.
"Sir, may I ask what your orders are?"
The soldier approached, speaking respectfully.
"Tell everyone to be vigilant today, today... It's different!"
Ji Changyin said, looking at the crowd outside the execution ground.
The soldier, who had followed him for many years, understood his meaning and immediately saluted in agreement.
Watching the soldier leave to quietly inform the other soldiers at the execution ground, Ji Changyin felt somewhat relieved.
Due to its unique geographical location, Black Goose City had been designated as one of Qingzhou's execution grounds, and a portion of Qingzhou's criminals would be escorted here for execution.
As the Garrison Commander stationed in Black Goose City, in charge of the city's prisons and execution grounds, he naturally acted as the supervising official for every execution.
Supervising executions, for him, although meant getting up earlier, could be finished quickly and wasn't considered a troublesome task.
But today was somewhat different.
Because the one who was to be decapitated today was the eldest son of the Cicada Gang, the leading gang in Black Goose City, that is, the son of the gang leader of the Cicada Gang.
The leader of the Cicada Gang had been blessed with a son in his later years and was exceedingly fond of him, willing to give everything for his sake.
If his son were indeed beheaded today, Ji Changyin could hardly imagine whether the gang leader would go mad.
Thinking of this, Ji Changyin once again looked toward the upright figure standing in the center of the execution ground.
His eyes carried a trace of curiosity.
How is this kid... still alive?
...
Qin Zheng felt somewhat uneasy at this moment.
Although in the memories of his previous life, he had witnessed many beheadings.
And to him, it was almost no different from having personally experienced it.
But to actually be the one to execute the beheading, he was still greatly uneasy.
Fortunately, after awakening the 'gold finger,' he gained some confidence.
With that thought, Qin Zheng focused a wisp of his mind, observing the Merit Scroll floating within his Heart Sea.
[Qin Zheng]
[Lifespan: 70 (17)]
[Martial Arts: Ghost Head Saber Technique (Minor Achievement)]
[Merit: None]
[Current Martial Arts· Ghost Head Saber Technique can be improved, requires one tael seven qian of Merit. Would you like to upgrade?]>
Looking at the contents on the scroll, Qin Zheng's heart gradually grew warmer.
Previously, upon gripping the Ghost Head Greatsword, for some reason, he awakened the Merit Scroll within him.
Overjoyed, he hastened to assimilate the Ghost Head Greatsword and learned the Ghost Head Saber Technique, entering its threshold.
Then he spent the remaining two qian of Merit to elevate the Ghost Head Saber Technique to Minor Achievement.
Depleting all the three qian of Merit he had.
Looking at the last tip, Qin Zheng also wanted to continue improving, but he had already run out of merit to use.
He had awakened this golden finger in total confusion and had no idea how to replenish this merit.
However, he figured that it must involve doing good deeds.
Qin Zheng had already made up his mind; after executing today's sentence, he would immediately resign from his job as the Executioner.
Then, after removing the palm imprint over his heart, he would venture into the world of martial heroes to uphold justice and perform righteous deeds!
This way, he could travel the world and accumulate merit to enhance his martial arts skills.
What a delightful life that would be, truly exhilarating!
Thinking this way, the nervousness in Qin Zheng's heart gradually subsided.
He closed his eyes and adjusted his breathing, slowly waiting for the moment to arrive.
"The Dragon hour has come! Bring the prisoner to the stage!"
At that moment, a loud voice echoed through the execution ground.
The surrounding crowd immediately erupted into noise.
There were curses, tears, and the pleas of those claiming injustice and begging for mercy.
Qin Zheng also instantly opened his eyes, ready to proceed.
Then, on one side of the execution ground, a young man dressed only in underwear, chained and shackled, was escorted by two soldiers toward the center of the execution stage.
"You bastard! Give me back my daughter!!"
"You beast! This is retribution! Heaven has eyes, and you've finally met your doom!"
"..."
The surrounding populace erupted in a chorus of unpleasant insults.
But the young man wore a smile on his face, as if the insults weren't directed at him, as if he wasn't the one about to be beheaded.
However, upon closer inspection, one could see the fierce and vengeful hatred swirling in his eyes.
Yet, upon seeing Qin Zheng, his expression first froze, then turned deathly pale, and the venom in his eyes turned to horror.
He hastily scanned the crowd outside the execution ground and only relaxed when he saw a familiar figure.
The soldiers escorted him to the front of the execution platform, then bound his hands and feet, made him kneel, and turned to leave.
"Do you know who I am?"
In Qin Zheng's mind, the various techniques of the Ghost Head Saber Technique were flashing by.
Suddenly, a voice reached his ears, coming from the young man beside him.
Without responding to him, Qin Zheng continued to prepare for what was to come.
Getting no answer, the man sneered and continued to speak, "Although I don't know why you're still alive today and haven't died yet."
"But you should be well aware that you are not far from death!"
This remark instantly furrowed Qin Zheng's brows.
It was as if lightning flashed through his mind, connecting the palm imprint on his chest to something significant.
The palm imprint on his body was the work of the forces behind this man!
But he hadn't even beheaded the man yet, so why would someone be sent to kill Qin Zheng?
Could it be that by killing him, the man would somehow escape decapitation?
Qin Zheng perked up his ears, listening carefully to what the man would say next.
"If you know what's good for you, you will take this opportunity to sever the ropes on my hands and feet. Once I escape, I will surely reward you handsomely."
"I will also send someone to heal the injuries you've sustained."
"But if you don't do that, the only thing waiting for you is death!"
The man's tone was condescending, as if what he had just offered Qin Zheng was a grace.
Confidently, he added, "Today, there is no way I will be beheaded!"
Hearing this, Qin Zheng gripped the Ghost Head Greatsword in his hands and turned his gaze toward the man.
Hum!
Above the Heart Sea, the Merit Scroll suddenly quivered.
Then, a line of text materialized.
[Shi Yan, a human traitor, evil and corrupt, bullying men and dominating women, slaying him will grant one tael seven qian of merit!]