Shangguan Hao did not dare to be careless, focusing his mind and confronting the challenge. Mu Rong Liu Zun's internal energy seemed even more potent than before. If he were to falter for even a moment, he feared he would soon be injured by his opponent.
With this thought, a smile curved the corners of Shangguan Hao's lips. "Does my junior brother truly intend to kill me?"
Such shamelessness was indeed rare in the world. The people gathered before the warm room all looked at him with disdain. Little Yu'er, in particular, spat in disgust, truly unable to bear it any longer.
"Silence."
Mu Rong Liu Zun let out a sharp roar, his palm striking with unyielding force, each move more potent than the last. He did not lose his composure due to Shangguan Hao's words.
Shangguan Hao's eyes darkened. Was tonight his destined end? No, if he fell into Mu Rong Liu Zun's hands, he would surely suffer a terrible fate. If he could not live, then at least he would not allow his captor to have an easy time.
With a flash of intent, his body moved, imbued with a deadly, bloodthirsty aura, lunging forward. This was a move of mutual destruction, a suicidal strike. He refused to believe that Mu Rong Liu Zun did not want to live!
As Shangguan Hao's attack began, Mu Rong Liu Zun suddenly retreated a step, evading the blow. Shangguan Hao couldn't help but smile. This was his opportunity, wasn't it?
His figure darted towards the entrance. Those blocking his path could not stop him. The malevolent energy surrounding him formed a powerful barrier, untouchable by others.
However, at this moment, a chilling, bone-piercing coldness came from behind him. Mu Rong Liu Zun did not attack head-on but instead veered behind him. This move was something he had never encountered before. His heart trembled, and panic engulfed him. In that precise instant.
Mu Rong Liu Zun's five fingers transformed into iron hooks, directly grasping Shangguan Hao's back. With a sudden clench, followed by a lift and a forceful swing, the distinct cracking sound of bones separating echoed, crisp and clear.
Shangguan Hao's body faltered, his heart chilling. The vertebrae along his spine, each one separated, shattered and detached. Mu Rong Liu Zun had, with brute force, dismantled his spine. The pain instantly surged through his entire body. Losing his balance, he collapsed to the ground.
He dared not hesitate. With a stretch of his hand, he brought it towards the crown of his head.
Mu Rong Liu Zun, however, would not allow him such an easy death. It would be impossible to account for to the world, impossible to account for to the departed souls.
Moving as swift as a startled swan, he drew the long sword from Prince Nan'an's hand. It transformed into a silver dragon, swiftly severing Shangguan Hao's hamstrings and tendons.
His eyes widened in utter horror, but he could no longer move an inch. Large beads of sweat rolled down his face, his complexion ashen. Only a sliver of life remained.
"Kill me."
He cried out. Mu Rong Liu Zun abruptly withdrew his hand and walked over. With a wave of his hand, the mask on Shangguan Hao's face fell away, revealing his true face. Indeed, it was Shangguan Hao, that wicked man.
"Killing you is inevitable. But I must deliver justice to the world. The departed souls will watch as I punish you."
"Liu Zun," Shangguan Hao began to weep at this point, but not a single person sympathized with him. All glared at him with disdain. Wolves were indeed detestable, but at least they lacked a heart. Yet this man was more vicious than even a wolf.
Mu Rong Liu Zun no longer looked at him. He turned towards Prince Nan'an, Mu Rong Liu Zhao, and An Ding Feng, who stood before the warm room. "Take him back and hand him over to the Ministry of Punishment. He will be paraded through the streets for three days, and on the third day, he will suffer the punishment of a thousand cuts at noon."
Upon hearing this, Shangguan Hao could no longer bear it and fainted with a thud.
Mu Rong Liu Zhao and An Ding Feng waved their hands. Their men rushed forward, lifting him one on each side. At this moment, his body was limp, like a boneless shrimp. His hamstrings and tendons had been severed, and the vertebrae along his spine were also broken. Now, he was merely waiting to die.
As everyone walked out, the room was filled with the scent of blood. Prince Nan'an and An Ding Feng looked at the Emperor. Both their backs were damp. In their intense focus, they had broken out in a cold sweat, and now, the breeze made them feel shivery.
"Let's go. Everything has come to an end."
Mu Rong Liu Zun spoke heavily. Yes, everything had indeed concluded, but the price they had paid was immense...
Within the Phoenix Palace, Qing Yao could not sleep peacefully. She paced back and forth in the grand hall. Mo Chou followed behind her, trying to comfort her. "Your Majesty, nothing will happen. Please do not worry."
Unfortunately, Qing Yao's heart felt like a burning ember. She wished she had insisted on accompanying them, to avoid this constant worry. Those were the two people she cared about most. The more Qing Yao thought about it, the more restless she became. At this moment, a eunuch's voice sounded from outside the palace doors: "The Emperor has arrived."
Mo Chou immediately smiled. "Your Majesty, I told you nothing would happen. You refused to believe me. Look, the Emperor has returned."
Qing Yao ignored her, turning and walking directly to meet him. At the grand hall's entrance, the small figure of Little Yu'er ran in, followed by Liu Zun's tall frame. Seeing them both unharmed, her heart finally settled. The cold sweat that had covered her body subsided, and she almost collapsed to the ground. Liu Zun stepped forward to support her, speaking softly, "It's alright now."
It turned out that waiting could be more agonizing than marching into battle.
"That's good."
"Mother, that person has been captured. Father Emperor apprehended him. His spine is broken, and his hamstrings and tendons have been severed. Now, for him to escape would be harder than ascending to heaven."
"Good, he has finally been caught," Qing Yao breathed a sigh of relief. She bent down and hugged Little Yu'er, stroking her head. She was grateful to heaven for allowing her to be reborn as her daughter. "Little Yu'er, thank you."
"Mother."
Little Yu'er smiled, genuinely happy. She could hear the deep emotion in her mother's voice. Finally, she had acknowledged her.
She had accepted her from the bottom of her heart. "Mother, I'm tired. I'm going to rest." After speaking, she winked at her father and, with Mo Chou, turned and left. The grand hall fell silent.
Mu Rong Liu Zun extended his hand and lifted her, walking towards a corner. His luminous starry eyes were filled with intense affection, enveloping her completely. "Yao'er, everything will be well from now on."
"Mm, everything will be well."
She rested her head on his shoulder, listening to the steady beat of his strong heart. She hoped that the path ahead would be filled with rainbows and no storms. However, no matter what came, they would hold hands and walk through it together.
In this life, they would never part.
Lin'an City was once again bustling with unprecedented excitement, but this time, the excitement was different from before.
This time, everyone was filled with unparalleled hatred. The streets were crowded with people, and the restaurants and teahouses were packed. Every face displayed bitter resentment, their eyes held murderous intent, and they gnashed their teeth in curses.
In the center of the street, a squad of soldiers clad in black robes escorted a prisoner cart, passing through the streets. Wherever they went, many people hurled eggs, stones, and other objects at it, filling the air with the sound of impacts.
Although the person in the prisoner cart was currently in a wretched state, the hatred in the hearts of the crowd had not diminished in the slightest. On the contrary, they felt a sense of relief.
Angry shouts erupted from the crowd from time to time: "Kill this villain, kill this villain! He's too wicked!"
"Hang him by the five horses!"
"Tear him to pieces!"
This was the most detested prisoner in history. The person within the cart had a hazy consciousness. He heard the shouts around him and felt objects being thrown at him, but he felt no pain, as his entire body had stiffened.
At this moment, a rotten egg flew with perfect accuracy, hitting him in the face. The putrid egg white streamed down his face. His eyes held confusion and bewilderment. Nothing mattered anymore.
The parade would last for three days, and on the third day, he would face the punishment of a thousand cuts at Meridian Gate.
Under the scorching sun, on a temporarily erected high platform, the crowd was packed so tightly that not a drop of water could pass through.
As the appointed time arrived, An Ding Feng, the Protector General in charge of overseeing the execution, led a squad of elite soldiers onto the platform. Following them was the prisoner cart, which was slowly pushed out by soldiers. Finally, someone lifted Shangguan Hao from the execution cart.
After three days of torment, he was already on the verge of death. However, the crimes he had committed ensured that even in death, he would not depart peacefully. He was destined to suffer the lingering punishment of a thousand cuts.