Son-in-law Heaven Emperor Xiao Yi

Sword Dynasty, the Imperial Capital.

The solemn and somber Wumen.

Three days had passed in the blink of an eye...

The sun was near its zenith, the scorching rays casting down upon the earth, searing all things.

Usually, there were not many who lingered at Wumen, after all, this was a place of execution, heavy with Yin energy.

The common people subconsciously regarded it as an ill-omened place.

But today...

Inside and outside Wumen, it was a sea of people, packed with heads.

Even the tall buildings near Wumen were occupied by individuals, each moving swiftly along the edges of roofs, perching at the very top, gazing towards Wumen.

The number of powerful figures gathered today at Wumen was terrifyingly large.

It exceeded any usual time.

"Isn't that Ye Tiannan and Chen Beidou from the Heaven Southern Big Dipper Sect? They've actually come too?"

"It's not just them; did you see that proud figure being carried by the yellow paper effigies? That's Zhang Yun, the contemporary young Taoist master from the Wu Dou Mi Sect. It's said that he has perfected the secret techniques of the Wu Dou Mi Sect, and his skill of turning beans into soldiers is astonishing to all!"

"The one standing with Zhang Yun and his group seems to be Liu Zongyuan from the Guiyuan Sect, another supremely skilled young martial artist who has made a name for himself!"

"It's not only the young prodigies from our Sword Dynasty who are gathering; I also saw strong figures from the Dongfang Dynasty..."

"I heard that the freak from the Cheng family of the Great Sui Dynasty has come…"

Hiss!

Everyone couldn't help but gasp. Any one of these powerful figures was enough to dominate the martial artists of an entire nation.

And to think all these renowned talents had gathered for the same person?

For a moment,

People couldn't help but sweat for Xiao Yi, "If I were Xiao Yi, knowing that so many strong figures were waiting here, I would probably be too afraid to show my face!"

"I bet he definitely won't show up!"

"It shouldn't come to that..."

As discussions ebbed and flowed,

The noisy crowd suddenly fell silent as a luxurious convoy approached, escorted by the Black Water Platform troops clad in black battle armor, riding Dragon Blood steeds covered in black armor as they advanced towards Wumen.

The banner, a mix of black and red, bore the large characters "Black Water Platform" written with a flourish, reeking of a dreadful and fierce aura.

The banners whipped against the clear sky, rustling loudly.

In that instant...

Wumen seemed to echo with the wails of ghosts and howls of wolves, a chilling air spreading over everyone.

Black Water Platform.

The most elite troops of the Sword Dynasty and also the strongest force wielded by the Sword Emperor himself.

Once you join the Black Water Platform, you are Black Water Platform for life!

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The ear-splitting sound of metal clashing sent chills down one's spine, as if facing a group of Grim Reapers.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

Atop the massive dragon-themed carriage, a eunuch with a fair and clean appearance, exuding a gentle aura, announced loudly.

At once,

The court officials and the public prostrated themselves, "We welcome Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty, may you reign for ten thousand ages, timeless as heaven and earth..."

The Sword Emperor's voice came from within the carriage, calm yet carrying throughout Wumen, "You may all rise!"

"Thank Your Majesty!"

The officials and the public thanked the emperor and rose to their feet.

"Your Majesty, please proceed to the execution platform!" said the fair and clean eunuch.

The Sword Emperor hummed in acknowledgement, walked with his hands behind his back, and floated out from the carriage.

He stepped across the void and landed on the execution platform.

To his left and right stood two princes, specifically the third, fifth, sixth, and eighth princes of the Sword Dynasty.

Everyone stood at the left and right of the Sword Emperor.

The Sword Emperor tapped his fingers lightly on the tabletop as hundreds of executioners with broad shoulders and bear-like waists stood side by side on the execution ground, each holding a beheading knife. All bore solemn expressions, their eyes sharp and spirited. Just one glance from their ferocious eyes was enough to terrify ordinary families.

"Your Majesty, it's almost time!" The gentle eunuch checked the sky and reminded.

The Sword Emperor nodded.

The eunuch stepped forward with a shrill voice, "Bring up the criminals!"

There was silence for a moment.

Then...

The entire imperial city suddenly shook with resounding booms, the violent and rapid sound of horse hooves thundering through the skies above the city.

A dense group from the Flying Tiger Army was seen galloping swiftly towards the site.

Trailing behind each member of the Flying Tiger Army were three soldiers of the Great Qian Dynasty, led by chains fastened to the pipa locks on their shoulders.

Each tug caused them excruciating pain.

Moreover...

If they failed to keep up with the pace of the Flying Tiger Army, they would fall and be dragged along the way.

For individuals like Liu Yi who had already endured brutal punishment, this was adding insult to injury. Many simply could not keep up with the speed of the Flying Tiger Army and were dragged along. All were like bloodied people, bruised and battered, their wounds layering one on top of another.

Even Liu Yi at this moment was as pale as paper, his body covered with wounds, the blood staining his prison uniform bright red.

But...

The most miserable among them was not them, it was Little Lin!

Half of his scales had been ripped out alive by the Huihai Sword Master, and without the protection of the scales, Little Lin's defense had greatly diminished.

This dragging along the way had cost him half his life!

Thump, thump, thump!

The Flying Tiger Army, known for their strict obedience, stopped abruptly on the execution platform.

Hong Ye and Wang Yanzhao dismounted from their horses.

The ones dragging Little Lin and Liu Yi were none other than themselves.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the prisoners have been brought!" Hong Ye and Wang Yanzhao both bowed and said in unison.

"The two generals have worked hard!"

The Sword Emperor nodded slightly, looking at each Great Qian Dynasty soldier who was in a pitiable state. The corners of his mouth slightly raised, he nodded with satisfaction and said, "Bestow seats to the two generals, so they may watch the execution with Us!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The two men showed joy on their faces and sat to the left of the Sword Emperor.

"Bring the prisoners up to the execution platform!"

The eunuch beside the Sword Emperor shouted loudly.

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

One after another, the executioners escorted Little Lin and Liu Yi among others onto the execution platform.

Puff puff puff!

Executioners sprayed strong liquor onto the execution blade, and the smell of the alcohol reflected sunlight in the air, creating a dazzling rainbow.

Like the Naihe Bridge connecting Yin and Yang.

At the very front...

Liu Yi and Little Lin were tightly bound to the stakes. The executioners standing before them inserted the execution blade into the ground and simultaneously produced a sharp dagger in their hands.

Bound to the stakes, Little Lin and Liu Yi's blood dripped steadily down.

Pale-faced, completely devoid of color.

Barely clinging to life.

Seeing this, the Sword Emperor instructed, "Administer the elixirs to preserve their lives; it's not yet their turn!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The executioners respectfully took the order, retrieved some life-saving elixirs and administered them, preserving their lives.

Liu Yi and the others gradually caught their breath.

They glared furiously but lacked the strength to hurl insults.

As time ticked closer to noon.

Xiao Yi still hadn't appeared.

The murmurings among the crowd grew louder: "See, Xiao Yi really doesn't dare to show up!"

"It's clear this is a trap. How could he possibly come back to die?"

"Hasn't shown up yet, huh?"

The Sword Emperor glanced at the white eunuch. As the latter shook his head, the Sword Emperor squinted and said, "It seems he won't show up without a real threat. Proceed with the plan!"

"Yes!"

The eunuch took the command and said loudly, "Xiao Yi of the Great Qian Dynasty led a thousand villains to cause trouble within our Sword Dynasty's territory, slaughtering countless innocents, looting incalculable wealth, and killing numerous mighty warriors of our Sword Dynasty. Such a heartless and deranged man should be executed by everyone." He paused, then continued, "Executioners heed the order. You two will oversee the death by a thousand cuts. You may begin by making a cut on Liu Yi and that beast every time a breath is taken, and every ten cuts, execute another warrior. Do you understand?"

"Understood!"

The executioners responded loudly one by one.

The two leading executioners, each holding a dagger, silently counted in their hearts, making a cut on Little Lin and Liu Yi's bodies with every breath.

With wide eyes, they watched as slivers of their flesh were carved away, layer by layer. The pain was excruciating and unbearable!

Yet Little Lin and Liu Yi still clenched their teeth and stood firm, not uttering a word.

In a blink of an eye, ten cuts had passed.

The eunuch said coldly, "Choose someone to kill!"

For a moment...

Where once there was silence, everyone spoke up simultaneously: "Principal, please don't come out... We don't mind dying, as long as you live, you can take revenge for us one day!"

"Principal, I won't be able to fight by your side in this lifetime. In the next life, I will surely follow you to gallop across the world..."

"Hahaha, I've followed the Principal in breaching cities and slaying enemies. Even city lords were like ants to us. It's been enough!"

"No regrets in death!"

One mighty warrior after another closed their eyes, held their heads high, and stuck out their necks, looking at the executioners beside them and laughing ferociously, "Buddy, chop at my neck!"

"Kill me, kill me first!"

"What? Aren't you an executioner? Don't you even have the guts to kill? Use your blade, chop at my neck, fast..."

Warrior after warrior eagerly vied for the executioners to kill them first.

This left the executioners dumbfounded.

It also made the observing ministers, commoners, and various warriors curse, stay silent, or secretly admire them: "They are using their lives to buy time for their comrades!"

"No wonder a mere thousand men could turn the Sword Dynasty upside down. A force this elite is truly a national weapon!"

"It's strange... weren't these people said to have run back to the Great Qian Dynasty? How did they get captured by the Sword Dynasty?"

"I heard it was Yang Kun, the Great Prince of the Great Qian Dynasty, who captured them and gave them to the Sword Emperor, seeking peace on the border!"

"Hiss..."

Everyone gasped in shock, faces full of astonishment and confusion.

Such elite forces.

Any one of them capable of being a leader in their own right. Once nurtured, they would create countless invincible armies in the future.

Yang Kun actually sold such elites?

As the discussion among the commoners began to veer in an undesired direction, the Sword Emperor's eyes flashed with a hint of coldness, and he huffed, bringing silence inside and outside of the Noon Gate before saying coldly, "Gag their mouths for me, and kill them in order from front to back, left to right!"

"Yes!"

The executioners immediately tore off strips of cloth and gagged the mouths of the warriors.

Meanwhile...

The executioner in the second row on the left raised his blade high. Sunlight glinted on the edge of the blade, casting a silver flash. A chilling and deadly aura instantly enveloped the execution platform as the executioner roared, "Kill!"

Whoosh!

A silver-flash war blade chopped towards the soldier's head.

Just at this critical moment of life and death.

An icy voice came from outside the imperial capital's sky, "I'll see who dares!"