Chapter One Hundred and Twelve: Paying Respects

  The high and majestic vermilion gate of Heishi City stretched out to both sides, with two disciples of the Hunting Alliance standing solemnly in front of it, their eyes scanning back and forth at the people entering the city.

  In the city of Heishi, there was no special defense force because the local area was close to Wan Shou Gu, and every few years there would be a beast tide surging, regardless of whether it was large or small, ordinary soldiers were powerless to resist, and there were not so many young men in Shenmu country to fill this place.

  Later, more mid-to-low level warriors from the Hunting Alliance's branch arrived in the city and simply handed over this hot potato to them.

  Today, because the Hunter's Alliance is going to publicly execute Long Ao Tian in Beixuan Square, many warriors have put down their tasks and rushed into the city. The city gate is crowded with people, and it's very lively.

  Two disciples of the Hunting Alliance had eyes like eagles, constantly moving back and forth on each person, as if searching for something. Although their expressions were calm, the two hands hidden under their sleeves were clenched into fists.

  Suddenly, a fifteen or sixteen year old boy was squeezed by the crowd and stumbled forward, his body tilted to one side and his feet tangled together, and he crashed into a city gate.

  The hunting alliance disciple who was closer to him had a gloomy expression, stretched out his hand to steady his body, and then scolded the young man with an unpleasant face: "Be careful, don't bump around."

  The young man raised his head, and saw that his face was dark, with a patch of black on both cheeks, looking extremely ugly.

  Two of the Hunter's Guild disciples raised their eyebrows, with extremely disgusted expressions revealed on their faces without any concealment.

  The young man nodded and responded with a soft "yes", cupped his hands, and then turned back. He saw that with a slight movement, he slipped through the crowd like a fish and headed towards the main road in the city.

  "It's strange, I always feel that his aura is somewhat..." The disciple who had supported him earlier furrowed his brow and fell into thought.

  That feeling, how vaguely familiar is it? He looked again in the direction the youth had gone, only to find that the figure had already drifted away, distant and invisible.

  "Like who?"

  That disciple shook his head and laughed at himself: "Perhaps it was just my eyes playing tricks on me, I've been too tense these past few days."

  "Ah, it must be because I was too tense." He thought about it more and became even more certain.

  ……

  Bei Xuan Square is the largest square in Heishi City. It was originally used as a place for soldiers to practice, but later, all the soldiers in Heishi City were withdrawn and it fell into disuse.

  At this moment, a large crowd of people gathered in the square, including vendors, free warriors, city guards, and guild owners, spanning across all walks of life.

  In the very center of the square, a stone pedestal was erected, on top of which stood a wooden frame, and bound to it was a stout figure.

  His whole body was covered in dry bloodstains, the long gown on his body was filthy and some whip marks and footprints were clearly visible.

  "Is that the fat kid who opposed Hunter Alliance for two months?"

  A warrior lowered his voice and asked someone beside him.

  "That's right, it should be him. I've seen the wanted picture, although that person's face is a bit swollen now, but careful look can still tell."

  "What a pity, it's rare for someone to make this hunting alliance feel disgusted, and yet they got caught so quickly."

  "You say this Hunter's Alliance is making such a big fuss, directly executing them would be better, what is it for?"

  "Hey! What's the point? The whole department was made a mess by two little martial artists in the Spiritual Realm, losing face. Now that we've finally caught one, of course we'll make a big deal out of it to try and salvage some dignity. It's just killing a chicken to scare the monkeys."

  Someone next to him suddenly interrupted, saying sarcastically. The person who spoke first was curious and quickly turned his head to ask something else, but when his eyes met the dark yellow emblem on the warrior's chest and the floating symbol pattern on it, he swallowed back the words that had reached his throat.

  He glanced at the person's side again, and found that on each person's chest, a uniform badge was pinned. He immediately remained expressionless, lowered his head and retreated to the side, giving up this position with a better view in front.

  These people are actually from the Xuanxuan Gate! I didn't expect that even disciples of the Xuanxuan Gate would come to this place.

  Actually, if he was more careful, he would have discovered that it wasn't just the Hidden Mysteries Gate, but rather many places with a deep and powerful aura of martial artists, standing in small groups of three or four, although they didn't have any obvious symbols on them, they were obviously disciples from some medium to small sized sects.

  The crowd surged, gathering more and more warriors around them. It was almost noon, with scorching sunlight shining straight down, the heat was suffocating, yet no one showed any signs of weakening.

  "This fatty, it's a pity he died."

  Someone let out a sigh.

  Many people sighed with the same feeling, with a regretful expression on their faces. It can be seen that this hunting alliance has indeed been arrogant for several years.

  "Why don't we go and help him out? There's someone who is against the Hunter's Guild, and suppressing their arrogance would be good too."

  "Save your breath." A square-faced man spoke up, cursing and complaining: "Look over there, a group of Hunting Alliance disciples are all gathered! And that Ren Qiang, that old man is not easy to mess with!"

  Following the direction of the square-faced Han man's pointing finger, two large chairs were seen in front of a stone platform with a fat man tied up. On the chairs, an emaciated old man with a solemn face and gloomy eyes sat upright alongside a middle-aged Han man in his thirties or forties. Around the stone platform stood twenty hunting alliance disciples, wearing long swords at their waists, standing on animal skin boots, with their hands resting on the sword sheaths, motionless.

  It seems that as long as Mu Lao or Ren Qiang give an order, they will carry it out without hesitation.

  But looking at the cultivation of these twenty people, they are all martial artists who have reached the first level of Lingxuan.

  *****

  "Old Wood, isn't the commotion you've stirred up a bit too big?" Ren Qiang said hesitantly: "Even people from the Hidden Mysteries Gate have arrived."

  "It's good that you've come." Mu Zhang Lao sneered, his eyes flashing as he swept a cold gaze over the disciples of Yin Xuan Men. "Yin Xuan Men has also dared to challenge Lie Meng in recent years," he said coldly. "It's best to let them understand clearly now."

  Ren Qiang nodded silently. He hesitated for a moment, then asked again: "Mu Zhanglao, will Tian Lang really come?"

  The old man closed his eyes, leaned back in his chair and said slowly: "It's best if he comes, but it doesn't matter if he doesn't. Anyway, having this person is enough. If he really comes, you know what to do."

  "A puny little thing like you, and if you still can't solve it, let me take care of it. Otherwise, it would be a joke in front of those young whippersnappers."

  The tone of this sentence was particularly solemn, and Ren Qiang's hairs stood on end as he hastily replied with respect: "Understood, if he really appears, I guarantee that he will absolutely not be able to escape."

  "Hmm!" Mu Zhanglao replied indifferently.

  Ren Jiang looked at the crowded square and felt a little flustered in his heart for some reason.

  He made a gesture to one of the Hunter Alliance disciples, and immediately a warrior drew his sword and stepped forward.

  A flash of cold light, a hissing sound, and a hole suddenly appeared on the fat man's right shoulder, with fresh blood gushing out. The martial artist was clearly an old hand, extending two fingers that flowed with a blue-green glow, touching several spots on the fat man's body, and the bleeding stopped.

  It's obvious he's quite skilled at tormenting people without killing them.

  "Is that it?" The fat man's head lifted, his face was somewhat pale, cold sweat kept coming out of his forehead, but there was not a hint of fear on his face, and the corners of his mouth still hung with a mocking smile.

  That stab just now didn't make him retreat in the slightest.

  "Looking for death." The man's face turned cold, and he raised his sword again, intending to take action.

  "Get down." Ren Qiang shouted loudly.

  The samurai's face turned bright red, but he didn't dare go against Ren Qiang's intentions and withdrew his sword to return to his original position.

  Every now and then, Ren Qiang would order a warrior to come forward, stab the fat man with a sword, but then help him stop the bleeding.

  Those people were quite skilled, each sword was precisely stabbed out, avoiding the vital parts and important meridians, ensuring that the fat man would not die, but also making him feel an indelible pain.

  Under this kind of torture, the fatty soon couldn't speak. The dirty robe on his body was already stained with blood.

  His smile on his face remained undiminished, with a sarcastic tone.

  Half a time later, Pángzi's body was densely covered with more than a dozen holes, the terrifying scene made most of the vagrant warriors who lived by licking blood unbearable to look at.

  "So this is the true nature of the Hunter's Alliance?" A wandering warrior sneered, "Why don't you just give him a quick death? Is it the style of the Hunter's Alliance to bully and torture a single warrior just because they have the numbers?"

  Although others did not say anything, from their disdainful eyes, it can also be seen that they have the same meaning as the person who spoke.

  Ren Qiang's face turned red with embarrassment, and he turned to the old man beside him: "Mu Changlao."

  "Continue!" The old man's eyes opened wide, a fierce glint flashed by, and he saw him lightly wave his right sleeve, a cyan-colored palm force was released, like thunder and lightning, rushing towards the chest of the person who spoke.

  Bang!

  The samurai suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood and his body heavily crashed out.

  "This old man doesn't want to fight with you young people, but if you dare speak again, don't blame me for not showing mercy."

  The old wooden man still held back. Fearing a backlash from the martial artists present, he didn't dare kill the man, only using half his strength. But even so, the martial artist was beaten until his vital energy dissipated, spitting out fresh blood, with a deathly pale face.

  "Alright, alright." He got up, sneering: "Today's reception by the Hunting Alliance will be remembered."

  He finished speaking and turned around, his hand pressed against his chest as he squeezed out of the crowd. A fierce glint flashed in Old Man Mu's eyes before quickly returning to normal.

  "Continue." He closed his eyes again and ordered Ren Qiang.

  "It is." Ren Qiang gritted his teeth and nodded slightly, then ordered those people to take turns drawing their swords and going up to carry out the execution.

  It was like this, and more than half a short period of time passed...

  "Wooden elder, I'm afraid he won't be coming." Ren Qiang said nervously.

  "Hmm!"

  The old wooden man nodded slightly again, but his tone was somewhat hidden with a sense of loss. He hesitated for a moment and said lightly: "Let's do it!"

  "Yes!" Ren Qiang's face lit up with joy, and he clapped his hands, saying: "Let's get started."

  "With a swish, twenty long swords were simultaneously drawn from their scabbards, their blades forming a mountain and gathering into a cold, murderous glow. As Ren Qiang waved his hand, the twenty men took a step forward in unison, each sword pointing at a specific location, waiting only for the final gesture to plunge the blade into the vital spot and kill the fat man on the spot."

  Many people's hearts were in their throats, their eyes wide with fear, and their fists clenched tightly...

  Ren Jiang raised one palm and then pressed it down...

  Bang!

  It wasn't the sharp sound of a sword cutting into flesh, but rather the dull thud of a body hitting the stone floor.

  Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!...

  Again and again, twenty voices rang out in rapid succession, one after another. The figures emerged, spewing forth a mouthful of blood mist, which brought with it wave after wave of powerful gusts that sent them crashing to the ground, sending shattered stones flying everywhere. Amidst the swirling clouds of blood mist, there were even some dark red fragments of internal organs.

  A figure stood before the stone pedestal. Before the dust and sand covering their line of sight dispersed, a faint voice echoed throughout the scene.

  "Hunting Alliance, Tian Lang has arrived for an audience!"