"Whose junior is this?"

In the oppressive atmosphere, countless people turned their heads to look at the black-robed woman who had spoken.

They were somewhat annoyed but didn't recognize her. However, they assumed that someone who could enter the Yan family's gate for a banquet wouldn't be an ordinary person.

Moreover, the Yan family was known for its strict security. Her identity must have been thoroughly investigated before she arrived. They might not recognize her, but that didn't mean others wouldn't. So, no one asked. It wasn't worth offending someone for a social gathering.

Of course, they couldn't let her diminish their prestige. Someone sneered, "He can be arrogant in Mingzhou, but not in Guazhou. An imperial decree can't suppress the Townsguard, especially one from an emperor who's been dead for twenty years. What's the use?"

"Even when the emperor was alive, imperial decrees couldn't suppress evil and unorthodox practices. Has Guazhou ever lacked those? And here in Guazhou, we have the Iron Threshold King, where royal aura gathers. Even if the Townsguard comes, they still need to show some respect."

"..."

"Well said!"

Before anyone could react, someone shouted in approval. It was the man in silver robes and brocade boots, with a red crown on his head. He cupped his fist and said, "Everyone carries the sedan chair. Who doesn't need to show respect in the martial world?"

"Without respect, you won't have friends. How can you walk the martial path without friends?"

"..."

His words resonated with people. Then, the woman whose head was buried in her black robe said listlessly, "But the Hu family is ruthless because they endured for twenty years, almost being exterminated, without asking for help. If they don't need respect, then they probably won't give it to others either."

"?"

This sudden remark made many people at the table tense up, their hearts sinking.

At this moment, the apothecary's manager in apricot-yellow robes smiled and said, "We respect the Hu family, and we respect the Townsguard. But in this chaotic world, we must have reason. That Ghost Walker Great Headsman has a great reputation, but let's see if he has the ability to enter this gate!"

"..."

"That's right. If the Townsguard truly had capable people, they wouldn't need to hire a year-ender like him to be the headsman..."

Nearby, Master Gongyang, with his goatee, also smiled slightly and said to the pale-faced, uneasy white-robed scholar, "Why worry so much, Master Chunsheng?"

"Although Master Yan and you are different, man and demon, you are close friends. Now, Guazhou has issued hero invitations, and heroes from all walks of life have come to reason. Within Guazhou City, martial world principles have been established, with the Four Gates and Eight Banners guarding all directions."

"If he truly has the ability, then he won't enter through this main gate."

"As long as he enters through this main gate, he must abide by Guazhou's rules. Everyone respects the Townsguard's reputation, and we won't bully him, but we won't be bullied either."

"..."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded secretly, looking towards the Yan family's gate. The gate was wide open, with a path leading straight to the city gate. Although the path was lined with martial world figures, it was open, reserved for the headsman.

A seat was also set up in the courtyard, filled with delicacies, reserved for him.

The Iron Gate Yan family had shown enough courtesy, but sometimes, courtesy was a form of pressure. If he came, he would have to sit there, and the two sides would reason together. If reasoning failed, they would have to show their skills.

This was actually a duel, a way for martial world people to determine right and wrong. Unless the other side refused to duel and wanted to flatten the Yan family.

But presumably, he was only here to spend the year, and he didn't have that kind of ability.

So, on the surface, everything was indeed perfect.

Even the white-robed scholar seemed slightly relieved, and he asked the person next to him, "What time is it?"

"Almost midnight."

A dark-skinned, plump woman at the table laughed and said, "He hasn't shown up even now. Could it be that he doesn't even have the ability to reach the Yan family's gate? After midnight, Master Chunsheng's tribulation will be over."

Everyone nodded secretly. They were gathered here because they had followed the martial world rules and paid for their lives. The headsman had to come and take their lives within seven days, otherwise, the Ghost Walker Great Headsman's reputation would be ruined.

But just as everyone was smiling, the black-robed girl who had been shrinking suddenly said, "So, Master Chunsheng might not live past midnight?"

"You!"

At this moment, everyone finally couldn't bear it anymore and glared at the black-robed woman. No matter whose child she was, her words were unbearable. Even the silver-robed man with the red crown was stunned and glared at her.

The Yan family master, sitting in the main seat, narrowed his eyes and slowly opened them, about to ask.

But just then, outside the Yan family's iron gate, a fierce wind suddenly rose, instantly blowing into the gate.

The wind was indescribably strange, like steel knives scraping bones, instantly blowing away the warmth from people's bodies. The coldness went straight into their bones, freezing their souls.

The surrounding lights grew dimmer and dimmer, as if the flames were trembling.

Just as the courtyard was dim and everyone's vision seemed blurred, they suddenly saw that inside the Yan family's gate, someone wearing a black robe, carrying a broadsword under his arm, and wearing a smiling face mask had appeared.

There were many experts present, but they had all been hit in the face by the yin wind and baleful aura and hadn't noticed when he had arrived.

"You..."

Before anyone could react and speak, the person wearing the smiling face mask slowly opened his mouth and said, "Sorry to disturb your drinking!"

"I am the Ghost Walker Great Headsman, by order of the Townsguard: The Earth Serpent Ghost by Greenwater Lake disrespected the Townsguard's order, refused to be summoned, and privately accepted offerings. The crime deserves decapitation."

As he spoke, he slowly moved forward. "Master Chunsheng, it's time to go."

"You..."

Only now did everyone suddenly realize and was shocked. Countless people's eyes turned cold as they stared at this fellow wrapped in rolling baleful aura, sinister and not like a living person from the mortal world.

Some people were puzzled. This person had entered through the main gate, and if he had, there would have been countless people watching outside. How could he have arrived so suddenly, without anyone even reporting it inside?

But the most terrified was naturally the white-robed scholar sitting next to the Yan family master.

Facing the masked swordsman, his own cultivation was not low, but inexplicably, his courage failed, and he couldn't even look directly at the mask.

"Hold on!"

Just then, the Yan family master remained seated, calm and unmoved. The martial world figures at the table suddenly reacted.

The apothecary's manager in apricot-yellow robes slowly stood up and said, "Headsman, please calm down. Everything in the world is about reason. I know there's a misunderstanding here. Please sit down and let's talk, shall we?"

The person wearing the smiling face mask didn't look at him, but said lightly, "You want to interfere?"

The manager was stunned, unsure how to answer.

The headsman continued to walk forward, slowly saying, "The Townsguard's blade doesn't kill the living, but those who obstruct the headsman from carrying out his duties are guilty of the same crime as demons!"

"You..."

The apricot-yellow robed manager didn't expect the headsman to be so cold and was speechless for a moment.

But someone suddenly sneered next to him. When everyone looked, it was the Dharma Protector General under the Iron Threshold King, who had learned a good set of skills and followed the Iron Threshold King in many battles, covered in blood, and had pushed open three mansion gates.

He slowly stood up and said, "You haven't pushed open the third mansion gate yet, have you?"

"Don't speak so imposingly. We're all here to discuss this reason with you. Since you've also entered through the main gate, then sit down and let's talk it over properly!"

"..."

His沉凝aura made the surrounding people unable to breathe smoothly, but the headsman holding the sword in his arms seemed unaware and said lightly, "There are others to reason. I am the headsman, and I only come to kill."

Everyone felt he was cold and also a little absurd: Was this something a year-ender entering the mansion should say in front of so many capable people?

In the silence, everyone at the table stood up, blocking his way, their killing intent heavy.

Unexpectedly, seeing the two sides about to clash, a spark away from igniting, something suddenly fell from above with a clang, and a laughing voice rang out, "I am the Ghost Walker Little Headsman. Who dares to stop me from carrying out the Townsguard's duties?"

Everyone was shocked and hurriedly turned their heads. They saw that what had been thrown on the ground was a Seven Stars Flag, already stained with blood. On the wall, another figure wearing a cloth robe and a mask appeared.

The mask was a cat face, squatting on the wall, giggling as he looked down.

"The Great Headsman actually has Little Headsmen under him?"

Everyone was shocked. Before they could react, they heard flags being thrown into the mansion one after another, scattered everywhere. Countless laughter rang out around them, "I am also a Ghost Walker Little Headsman under the Townsguard. I heard there are people to kill here?"

"Hey, isn't that a coincidence? I'm here too."

"Is this the place? I heard there's blood food here... no, a bloody feast? (licking his blade)"

"Hehe, I only want to ask you, Sweet Rice Wine... no, who dares to stop me Ghost Walker Headsman from carrying out his duties? Kill the whole family!"

"..."

One figure after another gradually appeared, some on the wall, some on the roof, covered in a bloody aura. Some were hiding in the shadows of the trees, poking their heads out. Their masks were all different, some pigs, some monkeys, some painted faces, some evil ghosts.

In an instant, they surrounded everyone at the table.

And in front of the mansion gate, the Ghost Walker Headsman smiled behind his mask, "I walked through the main gate because the Ghost Walker Headsman comes to kill in a fair and upright manner. What does that have to do with your so-called rules?"