Ethan Shu fought his way through the temple's main hall and into the forbidden area of Pudu Cihang Monastery, deep in the back mountain.
There, he found piles of corpses, countless severed limbs, and remains. Small centipedes and other insects were still gnawing at the bodies, along with the monstrous carcass of a massive centipede, emitting a dark demonic aura.
It seemed to be the shed skin of Pudu Cihang!
"Outrageous!"
Ethan Shu's anger burned within him. Even a true Buddha would be fuming with rage upon witnessing such a hellish scene.
Immediately, Ethan Shu formed a hand seal before him, his fingers shifting deftly as he channeled pure and potent Buddhist power from within and blew it out from his mouth.
It was none other than the Ancient Buddha's Blue Flame Seal, taught to him by the elderly monk!
"Boom..."
A roaring stream of blue flame, like the raging fury within Ethan Shu, poured forth, incinerating the pit of corpses and demonic larvae in the forbidden area to ashes.
These demonic larvae were worth only a few cultivation points each, yet due to their sheer numbers, they added up to several hundred points.
The blue Buddhist fire continued to burn.
Once it had consumed all the evil spirits, demonic beings, filth, and impurities, it would naturally extinguish itself, requiring no further action from Ethan Shu.
"Three-Tiered Lotus Platform!"
Ethan Shu formed a Buddhist seal with his hand, pointing skyward, and a beautiful, intricate lotus platform appeared beneath him, lifting him into the air as he flew toward the execution ground near the marketplace.
Meanwhile, at the marketplace…
On the execution platform stood a middle-aged man with disheveled hair, wearing prison clothes, kneeling with a wooden plaque labeled "Ming Ke" on his back.
The plaque bore his name and primary crime.
Beside him was a burly, fierce-looking executioner.
A short distance away, on the viewing platform, sat an official overseeing the execution, along with a monk in white robes, seated on a lotus platform, a ceremonial canopy above his head, his face white and beardless, with an aura of sacred dignity and a faint golden glow radiating from behind him.
"Pudu Cihang!"
"Pudu Cihang!"
"Pudu Cihang!"
"Pudu Cihang!"
The marketplace was packed with devout followers, shouting fervently.
The monk with the white, beardless face was none other than the current National Preceptor of the Yan Kingdom—Pudu Cihang!
The official overseeing the execution glanced at the sky and, with a fawning and respectful tone, said to Pudu Cihang, "Your Excellency, the time has come. What are your orders?"
Pudu Cihang responded calmly, devoid of joy or sorrow, "Eliminate traitors for the nation and the people."
The official replied, "The National Preceptor cares deeply for the people; your virtue knows no bounds."
With that, the official drew a token from a ceremonial tube, tossed it down, and declared, "The time has come. Execute!"
On the platform, the executioner removed the Ming Ke plaque from the prisoner's back and spoke softly, "Lord Fu, I know you are a good official."
"But I'm just an ordinary executioner, following orders from above. Seek out your grievances and debts in the afterlife, but do not come for me."
The burly executioner raised his large blade high, aiming at Fu Tianchou's neck, ready to strike.
"Spare him!"
A sharp voice called out.
"Release my father!"
From the crowd, Fu Qingfeng and Fu Yuechi called out as they arrived, their voices filled with urgency.
"Swish, swish, swish!"
They and other loyalists fired arrows toward the execution ground, trying to rescue Fu Tianchou from the execution platform.
"Fools! Qingfeng, Yuechi, how could you come here?"
"Attempting to rescue me here only confirms my guilt and fear of death to the world!"
Fu Tianchou shook his head in frustration.
In truth, Fu Tianchou was more concerned about his daughters' safety, knowing that their ragtag force could hardly contend with the might of the imperial court.
In the ensuing chaos, the gathered crowd at the marketplace scattered in panic.
On the viewing platform, the overseer barked, "Left Commander, take your soldiers and suppress these traitors!"
"Yes, sir!"
A commander of a thousand troops stepped forward with his soldiers, preparing to subdue Fu Qingfeng, Fu Yuechi, and their group.
This commander carried four long swords on his back and was a martial expert of the highest caliber, cutting down the loyalists with no resistance.
Most of Fu Qingfeng and Fu Yuechi's loyalists were third- or second-rate fighters, with hardly any first-rate experts among them. How could they possibly contend with a top-level martial artist like Left Commander?
Meanwhile, Zhiqiu Yiye used his earth-concealing technique to appear on the execution platform, grabbing the ropes binding Fu Tianchou and rescuing him.
"Lord Fu, have no fear. I am Zhiqiu Yiye of the Kunlun Sect, here with your daughters to save you."
Fu Tianchou glanced at the familiar-looking, unkempt Taoist and hurriedly thanked him.
"Father!"
Fu Qingfeng and Fu Yuechi rushed to assist Fu Tianchou, slashing through the ropes that bound him.
"Traitors, you shall not escape with the prisoner!"
Left Commander emerged from the crowd, reaching behind him to grab the long swords on his back and hurling them one by one.
"Swish!" A glint of cold steel flashed in the air.
Four long swords flew in succession toward Fu Tianchou and the others.
Fu Qingfeng and Fu Yuechi cried out, brandishing their swords to deflect two of Left Commander's long blades.
Despite their efforts, the force from the blades shook their hands painfully, nearly splitting the skin on their palms.
Zhiqiu Yiye intercepted the remaining two swords.
"I am a cultivator and do not harm ordinary men, so don't push me to take action!"
Zhiqiu Yiye warned.
"Hmph, don't underestimate me!"
Left Commander pulled out a rope, snapping it around all four long swords, and, with a tug, brought them back to his back with precision.
Just as Left Commander was about to engage Zhiqiu Yiye, Pudu Cihang, seated on the viewing platform, spoke, "Lay down your arms and attain Buddhahood."
"Fu Tianchou! You and your traitorous followers are guilty of harming the people. Surrender and seek refuge in the Buddha."
"Namo Amitabha. Lay down your arms and attain Buddhahood. The sea of suffering is boundless; turn back to the shore. Om mani padme hum..."
Pudu Cihang's lips moved, chanting what seemed like sacred verses in a calm and serene tone, but in reality, he was casting demonic words to confuse the minds of those around him!
Fu Tianchou, Fu Qingfeng, Fu Yuechi, and their allies, entranced by Pudu Cihang's influence, lost the light in their eyes, moving like puppets toward the execution ground.
The surrounding citizens, who had been fleeing in panic, now knelt and worshipped, chanting, "Pudu Cihang, savior of all."
The entire execution ground was rapidly becoming Pudu Cihang's domain.
"Audacious fiend! Daring to deceive the masses in brdaylight, misleading them all!"
"If you can deliver them, then deliver me as well!"
Suddenly, a thunderous voice called out. Ethan Shu, standing atop the Three-Tiered Lotus Platform, descended from the sky.
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