#434 - Can't chat anymore?
“Esteemed ministers, does anyone have anything to say?”
Emperor Wu's words fell, and everyone looked at each other.
Most people thought, what could I possibly say? It's not me who's going to be killed anyway, and would I dare to say 'no' and plead for mercy for Prince Qi?
I'm afraid that if I utter a single word of supplication, I'll be escorted to this Dragon Execution Platform in a little while.
Just as the officials were silent, one official shouted:
“Prince Qi is guilty of treason! He deserves to be beheaded!”
Once one official took the lead, the other officials naturally started to denounce him:
“Prince Qi deserves to die!”
“Prince Qi is going to ruin the future of my Wu Kingdom's literary world!”
“Prince Qi is going to destroy the foundation of my Wu Kingdom!”
“The Number One Scholar is a great hero of Wu Kingdom and enjoys a worldwide reputation. If Prince Qi really succeeds, how will the dynasty view us!”
“Behead Prince Qi! Give the Number One Scholar justice!”
“Behead Prince Qi!”
The calls for Prince Qi's death grew louder and louder, with some officials who usually had a good relationship with Prince Qi shouting even more vigorously.
They seemed to be afraid of being investigated later, afraid that His Majesty would think they had some connection with Prince Qi.
Listening to these scolding voices, Xu Ming's mood didn't fluctuate in the slightest, let alone feel any gratitude.
To be honest, Xu Ming didn't think that many of these people were truly indignant, nor did he think that many were really speaking up for him.
These old foxes in the court were just kicking someone when they were down.
Xu Ming believed that when he himself came to this Dragon Execution Platform for some reason, these civil and military officials would also be scolding him like this.
This was too normal.
In fact, if it weren't like this, it would seem a bit strange; this wouldn't be the imperial court.
Emperor Wu nodded, then looked at Xu Ming: “Xu Ming, I said I would give you justice. Today, I have fulfilled my promise. You shouldn't blame me anymore, right?”
Xu Ming was "frightened" and quickly bowed: “Your Majesty is too kind. I have never blamed Your Majesty, and I have always believed that Your Majesty will be able to give me justice!”
“Good!” Emperor Wu nodded, then handed the Shangfang Sword to Xu Ming, “Take this sword and avenge yourself!”
Xu Ming raised his head and looked at the long sword that Emperor Wu handed over.
Xu Ming took the Shangfang Sword, drew it out, and the sharp sword energy instantly filled the entire West Hall!
The civil and military officials felt the sharp sword energy and couldn't help shrinking their necks. Even their breathing became much lighter, as if they would be pierced through their lungs by the sword energy if they breathed a little harder.
“What a good sword.”
Xu Ming thought to himself.
This was the first time Xu Ming had seen the Wu Kingdom's Shangfang Sword.
This sword was actually a celestial weapon!
If he remembered correctly, the Wu Kingdom only had three celestial weapons in total, and one of them was actually this Shangfang Sword.
Xu Ming walked up to Prince Qi and the others, holding the Shangfang Sword.
Some of these officials looked directly at Xu Ming, appearing as if they regarded death as home, with a kind of feeling of “even if you kill me, you can't kill my spirit” and “what I did was not wrong”.
Some were filled with fear, their bodies trembling不停地颤抖. They seemed to want to beg for mercy, but when it came to the moment, they also knew that begging for mercy was useless, so all that remained was fear.
Some had their eyes closed, like Prince Qi.
“Was it you who wanted to kill me?” Xu Ming asked, his tone calm, without any joy of revenge.
Xu Ming's voice slowly spread, he didn't deliberately lower his voice.
Prince Qi, Chen Lu, slowly opened his eyes and looked at Xu Ming: “It was I who wanted to kill you.”
Xu Ming continued to ask: “Why? I don't remember offending you in any way.”
Prince Qi smiled: “The Number One Scholar shouldn't be so naive, right? Did the Number One Scholar think that doing nothing wouldn't offend anyone? Sometimes, blocking someone's path is also offending them.”
Xu Ming nodded, noncommittally: “Then did I block your path, or did I block someone else's path?”
Prince Qi was stunned for a moment: “I don't understand what the Number One Scholar means. Naturally, the Number One Scholar blocked this prince's path. Could it be that the Number One Scholar thinks that someone can make me work for him?”
“Let me guess.” Xu Ming continued, “I once heard that your son, Prince Qi, has not married yet. If I die, your son will have the opportunity to marry the princess?”
Prince Qi said with a smile: “That's exactly the case.”
Xu Ming continued to shake his head: “But even if I die, there will still be many people competing. There are many young talents in Wu Kingdom. How do you know it will definitely be your son?
Aren't you making wedding clothes for other competitors by killing me like this?
I believe Prince Qi shouldn't not know this, or do you have absolute confidence in your son?”
Prince Qi turned his head, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath: “The Number One Scholar doesn't need to worry about that.”
Xu Ming looked at him and continued: “Where is your son?”
Prince Qi calmly replied: “Dead.”
Xu Ming was stunned for a moment, looking at the other party in confusion: “When did he die?”
Prince Qi seemed to answer every question: “When the Number One Scholar was on a mission to the North Sea.”
Xu Ming frowned: “How did he die?”
Prince Qi glanced at Xu Ming indifferently: “He made friends carelessly and was killed by a heretical cultivator.”
Xu Ming: “Where is that heretical cultivator?”
Prince Qi: “He ran away, didn't catch him.”
Xu Ming: “Which sect does that heretical cultivator come from?”
Prince Qi: “I don't know, I didn't bother to find out.”
Xu Ming sneered twice: “A dignified son of a prince was killed by a heretical cultivator? And he was able to run away, didn't catch him?
Even the sect he came from is not clear.
If this is said, who would believe it?”
Prince Qi opened his eyes again and looked at Xu Ming: “Number One Scholar, don't talk so much nonsense. Kill if you want to kill.
Or does the Number One Scholar think that my son faked his death? Then you can rest assured, His Majesty and the others have seen the corpse.”
Xu Ming stared at Prince Qi: “Can't we talk a little longer?”
Prince Qi smiled: “The princess has already talked to me a lot.”
Xu Ming: “And then?”
Prince Qi chuckled: “It's the same as what I said to you, Number One Scholar.”
Xu Ming stared into Prince Qi's eyes.
After a long time, Xu Ming nodded: “I understand.”
As Xu Ming's words fell, a cold light flashed, Prince Qi's eyes seemed to be frozen in time. The next moment, Prince Qi's head rolled down, and blood splattered.
The others looked at Xu Ming, Xu Ming still only made one strike.
In less than a breath's time, Xu Ming finished the execution. One good head after another fell on the high platform, and blood kept dripping down the steps, filling the gaps in the floor tiles.
