Chapter 433

Chapter 433: Can’t we talk some more?

“Are there any words to be said by my dear ministers?”

As the Emperor of Wu finished speaking, everyone looked at each other.

Most people thought, what can I say? It’s not me who is going to be killed anyway. And can I even dare to utter a ‘no’ and plead for Qi Wang?

If I dare speak a word in his defense, I’ll probably be dragged onto this Dragon-Slaying Platform next!

And just as all officials remained silent, one official shouted loudly, “Qi Wang has committed high treason! He deserves decapitation!”

Once an official took the lead, the others naturally joined in the chorus of curses: “Qi Wang must die!”

“Qi Wang is ruining the future of our literary scene in the Wu Kingdom!”

“Qi Wang is destroying the very foundation of our Wu Kingdom!”

“Zhuangyuan Lang is a great contributor to the Wu Kingdom, renowned across the world. If Qi Wang succeeds, heaven knows how the dynasty will look at us!”

“Behead Qi Wang! Give Zhuangyuan Lang justice!”

“Behead Qi Wang!”

The cries to kill Qi Wang grew louder and louder, with some officials who usually had good relations with Qi Wang shouting even harder.

It was as if they feared being implicated in any subsequent investigation, or that His Majesty might think they were somehow related to Qi Wang.

Hearing these curses, Ming’s heart didn’t stir even slightly, let alone feel moved.

To be honest, Ming didn’t think many of these people were genuinely indignant, nor did he believe many were truly speaking up for him.

These old foxes of the imperial court were merely adding insult to injury.

Ming believed that if it were him standing on this Dragon-Slaying Platform for whatever reason, these civil and military officials would curse him just the same.

This was far too normal.

In fact, if it weren’t like this, it would seem strange, almost unnatural for a court.

The Emperor of Wu nodded and then looked at Ming: “Ming, I promised you justice, and today, I have fulfilled my promise. You shouldn’t blame me anymore, right?”

Ming acted surprised and quickly bowed, “Your Majesty, what are you saying? I have never blamed Your Majesty, and I have always believed that Your Majesty would surely give me justice!”

“Good!” The Emperor nodded and handed the Shangfang Baolian to Ming, “Take this sword and seek your revenge!”

Ming looked up, staring at the longsword offered by the Emperor.

Ming accepted the Shangfang Baolian and drew the blade. A fierce Sword Qi instantly filled the entire Western Hall!

The civil and military officials felt this sharp Sword Qi and instinctively shrank their necks, breathing much lighter, as if even a slight deep breath could pierce their lungs.

“What a fine sword.”

Ming inwardly marveled.

It was the first time Ming had seen the Shangfang Baolian of the Wu Kingdom.

This sword was actually a divine weapon! If memory served correctly, the Wu Kingdom only had three divine weapons, one of which was this Shangfang Baolian.

Holding the Shangfang Baolian, Ming approached Qi Wang and his associates.

Some officials stared directly at Ming, appearing ready to die, exuding an aura of “Even if you kill me, you cannot kill my spirit” or “What I did was not wrong.”

Others were filled with fear, trembling uncontrollably. They seemed to want to beg for mercy but realized it would be useless at this point, leaving them only with terror.

Still others closed their eyes, like Qi Wang.

“Was it you who wanted to kill me?” Ming asked, voice calm without any sense of vengeance.

Ming’s voice spread slowly; he hadn’t deliberately lowered his volume. Chen Lu, Qi Wang, slowly opened his eyes and looked at Ming: “Yes, it was me who wanted to kill you.”

Ming continued questioning, “Why? I don’t remember offending you in any way.”

Qi Wang chuckled, “Shouldn’t a Zhuangyuan Lang know better than to be so naive? Do you really think doing nothing means you won’t offend someone? Sometimes, simply blocking someone’s path is enough to offend them.”

Ming nodded noncommittally, “So, did I block your path, or someone else’s?”

Qi Wang hesitated, “I don’t understand what Zhuangyuan Lang means. Naturally, you blocked my path. Is there anyone else who could make me do their bidding?”

“Let me guess,” Ming continued, “I once heard that Qi Wang’s son is unmarried. If I were dead, your son would have the chance to marry the Princess, correct?”

Qi Wang laughed, “Exactly so.”

Ming shook his head again, “But even if I were dead, there would still be many competitors. There are plenty of young talents in the Wu Kingdom. How do you know it would definitely be your son?

By killing me, aren’t you also paving the way for other competitors?

I believe Qi Wang should know this, or are you so confident in your son?”

Qi Wang turned his head, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath: “That is none of Zhuangyuan Lang’s concern.”

Ming looked at him and continued, “Where is your son?”

Qi Wang answered calmly, “He’s dead.”

Ming blinked, looking confused, “When did he die?”

Qi Wang answered every question, “While Zhuangyuan Lang was on a mission to the Northern Sea.”

Ming frowned, “How did he die?”

Qi Wang glanced coldly at Ming, “Due to poor judgment in choosing friends, he was killed by an evil cultivator.”

Ming: “What about that evil cultivator?”

Qi Wang: “Escaped. We couldn’t catch him.”

Ming: “Which sect does that evil cultivator belong to?”

Qi Wang: “I don’t know. I haven’t investigated.”

Ming gave a cold laugh twice, “A noble prince, killed by an evil cultivator, just like that? And then the cultivator escapes, not caught? Not even knowing which sect he belongs to?

If this gets out, who would believe it?”

Qi Wang opened his eyes again and looked at Ming, “Zhuangyuan Lang, stop talking nonsense. If you’re going to kill, just kill.

Or do you think my son faked his death? You can rest assured, the body was seen by His Majesty and others.”

Ming stared at Qi Wang, “Can’t we talk some more?”

Qi Wang smiled, “The Princess has already spoken to me extensively.”

Ming: “Then what?”

Qi Wang chuckled, “Just as I’ve told Zhuangyuan Lang.”

Ming looked straight into Qi Wang’s eyes.

After a long while, Ming nodded, “I understand.”

As Ming’s words fell, a streak of cold light flashed, and Qi Wang’s expression froze as if time stopped. In the next moment, Qi Wang’s head rolled off, blood spraying everywhere.

The others looked at Ming, who had executed with just one stroke of the sword.

In less than a single breath, Ming completed the execution. One by one, heads of the righteous fell onto the high platform, blood dripping down the steps, filling the gaps between the bricks.