As the news of the public execution spread, it wasn't only Shi Chun's people who were rushing around concerning his life and death.

The Bai Family also started to run around busily.

The Extreme Fire Sect, on the other hand, had already been trying to rescue him even before knowing about the execution, but unfortunately, Yin Tianlu seemed to be increasingly aligning with the Demon Path. Now, trying to rescue him felt like a powerless groan. Not only were those in the know unwilling to help, but there were even signs of deliberate avoidance.

Hundreds of relatives and friends of the Royal Court guards facing severe punishment were also frantically seeking connections and channels, yet progress was difficult to make.

Next to the small courtyard on the outskirts of town, by the stream, Wu Jinliang stepped out, disguised, for a stroll, actively seeking others to chat with and inquiring about the situation.

There was no other way; as the time for the public execution approached, he was becoming restless.

It was agreed that, once Shi Chun escaped, he would contact him, but now, so close to the execution, why had there still been no contact?

He had a vague feeling that something unexpected might have happened, causing him to be quite distressed.

In the depths of the rainbow, where the immortals reside, in the land of Qingqiu, the Golden-haired Rat Clan, who were secluded here, was originally unaware of Shi Chun's situation, but they learned of it before leaving Qingqiu.

Regarding Shi Chun's so-called friendship with the Qingqiu Ancestor, the conclusion had been reached: it did not exist, so the Golden-haired Rat Clan had no reason to harbor him and directly drove him out.

Before the Golden-haired Rat Clan turned away, the Fox Clan's Mr. Da, Yin Ning, suddenly said, "That Shi Chun has been captured by the East Victory Royal Court and is about to be publicly executed in the East Victory Royal City. If you hurry, you should still make it in time to collect his body."

"..." Both Jinfu and Bai Qiru were shocked.

Most of the Golden-haired Rats looked at each other blankly. They only knew 'Wang Ping' and had no idea who Shi Chun was.

Jinfu assumed that the Qingqiu Fox Clan wouldn't make such a joke. Considering the Demon Book, he grew anxious and immediately urged everyone to set out.

Watching the group depart, Yin Ning turned back to look at the pavilions on the mountain behind and then flew over quickly, landing beside the clan leader Yin Luo.

On the ground nearby sat a disheveled, chaotic individual, precisely the wounded and untreated owner of the Zhu Lang Pavilion, Yin Xu, whose previous miserable state remained unchanged.

Being untreated for such time was extremely painful, adding an indescribable haggardness to her disarray, with darkened bloodstains still on her, making her a sight unfit for viewing.

"You take care of the home. I'll go personally." Yin Luo said after turning his head.

"Understood." Yin Ning responded.

Yin Luo turned back to glance at the ground where Yin Xu lay, then suddenly swept his sleeve, casting a spell to propel the bedraggled Yin Xu through the air alongside him...

In the misty depths of an enchanting world of exotic flowers and beautiful landscapes, atop the jade palaces stands a small table laden with fine wine and attended by a beautiful woman. The woman, with a distant yet contemplative gaze, watched the guests, trapped after being gathered together, her eyes carrying a hint of looking down upon the world.

The woman's figure was graceful, her skin fair and beautiful, her eyes like twinkling stars, adorned in elegant and exquisite black royal attire. Her neck half revealed, her hair elegantly coiled with two purple eye shadows under her brows resembling sharp, arched swords, gave her an aura of coldness. The noble demeanor carried an immense sense of oppression.

This woman was none other than the Demon Queen of the West He Niu State, known by the single name "Yan".

Originally, she did not bear this name. For someone at her level, a title was merely a designation; to be called by full name would be inappropriate for both herself and others. A moniker was sufficient.

If Shi Chun were here, had there been a chance to carefully discern her face, he would have recognized that this Demon Queen was the Red-clothed Woman of Chao Yue Hall. Yet, the makeup and appearance of the two were sufficiently transformed that even the demeanor was entirely different—one being dignified and noble, the other lazy and relaxed. At first glance, one might not even be able to identify her.

An old man in black, with slick, shiny black hair, approached, habitually tilting his head slightly, walking with both hands clasped at his stomach. His face lined with deep wrinkles, his gaze imbued with a profound scrutinizing intent that easily conveyed pressure.

He was precisely the cousin referred to by the Red-clothed Woman, named Dao Zhen, a confidant of the Demon Queen.

"Yin Luo has left Qingqiu, bringing along the female fox from Yao Mountain City. The timing makes coincidence unlikely; they ought to be heading to East Victory Royal City." Dao Zhen approached the Demon Queen, speaking directly with no extraneous words or elaborate etiquette.

The Demon Queen responded with an "Oh," somewhat surprised, "Could this really be the old friend of that vile fox?"

Previously, Yin Ning had slain the West Emperor in Yao Mountain City, leading West He Niu State to investigate. The Extreme Fire Sect had already truthfully explained its ties with the Qingqiu Fox Clan. It was already known here about Yin Xu's claim as a maid of the Qingqiu Ancestor, and Shi Chun's close association with Yin Xu.

The claim of Qingqiu Ancestor's maid was false, yet it couldn't explain why the Golden-haired Rat Clan went to Qingqiu, and the Phoenix Clan releasing the Golden-haired Rat Clan was at Shi Chun's behest to the Demon Queen.

This made it difficult not to focus on the Qingqiu Fox Clan.

The Demon Queen's invitation, in this instance, essentially summoned those of high standing related to Shi Chun. What was lacking was those from Qingqiu.

It's not that she didn't want to invite them. The problem was that Qingqiu was not sociable, and they might not comply. If they were invited and detained like the current guests, it would be troublesome. People were just looking for an excuse, and it would be a wonder if the plan could continue. It would immediately become a fiasco.

Therefore, he didn't invite them; he only arranged for people to keep watch.

Dao Zhen: "It's hard to say."

"Looks like I should also go to East Victory to see the spectacle." The Demon Queen's gaze swept towards the guests' location again, "Let them play slowly, and I'll deal with it when I return."

With that, she turned around, and with a wave of her sleeve, a rift in space tore open...

On the couch, after Fen Chi's medication was changed, she fell into a drowsy sleep once more, the medicine had substances to ensure her deep slumber.

At home, only Duan Xiangmei stayed behind to care for her, or one might say, to guard the house. As for the others, they had all left for the execution ground at the Royal Capital.

The execution ground at the Royal Capital was located in the southern part of the city, outside a solemn building with red walls and black tiles, there was a wide platform. The open space below was for people to watch the execution.

At this moment, the area below the platform was already a sea of people, gathering many onlookers; moving around was a challenge, and the chatter was as tumultuous as waves.

Three giant pillars supported the framework on the platform, with a metal wall at the bottom. Underneath, there were dark, sauce-like stains.

"What does the metal wall across the platform mean?"

"Friend, you must be here for the first time."

"That's not a wall, it's a guillotine. When lifted, it can hold ninety-nine people, and once it falls, it's ninety-nine heads rolling in an instant."

"Actually, it can hold more, but it seems like they only put up to ninety-nine at a time. There must be some reason for it."

"Usually, they don't use that big guillotine. One, a few, or a dozen are usually dragged out and executed one by one by the executioner."

"I've only heard about it, never seen the big guillotine in action. I wonder how many will fall this time, if there will be a chance to witness it."

"I hear there are quite a few this time; we just might get to see it."

Within the chattering crowd, people occasionally glanced back after being jostled, then quickly closed their mouths and made way voluntarily.

Some were draped in white, some even wore mourning clothes, looking sorrowful and some weeping; these were to collect bodies. Naturally, onlookers stepped aside, not daring to be rude under so many watchful eyes.

Members of the Mingshan Sect had also arrived, Tong Mingshan, An Wuzhi, Zhu Xiangxin, Shen Moming, and Xiang Laner, all draped in white, along with Young Master Nan. They accompanied Young Master Nan, who had even prepared fine coffins in advance, ready to be used when needed.

Right Minister Hou Jiahuan had made it clear; Young Master Nan knew it was beyond saving, and he could only help with the aftermath. The feng shui sites were already chosen.

Though members of the Mingshan Sect weren't crying like others whose parents had died, their expressions were complex. Occasionally looking around, they didn't see Wu Jinliang, questioning whether he wouldn't even accompany his brother on his final journey.

"How tragic, that family even has little children, who don't dare to come and see their father's head fall," a woman in the crowd sighed, pointing at a group of mourners who had just passed by.

At the back, a group of Golden-haired Rat Clan members had just arrived. They had all realized that Shi Chun and Wang Ping were the same person, and now they were squeezing forward. Bai Qiru was among them. Upon arriving, she also heard the news that Granny Qi and others were to be executed, which left her flustered.

The Golden-haired Rat Clan genuinely intended to send them off on their final journey, draped in white. Those unable to transform, perched on people's shoulders, also wrapped themselves in white cloth.

As they squeezed halfway through, Bai Qiru was pulled by the arm. Turning back, she saw a familiar face signaling her, a member of the Bai Family.

Bai Qiru glanced in the direction where the Golden-haired Rat Clan was squeezing towards and eventually turned back to leave with her clan.

Outside the scene, having found a secluded corner, Bai Qiru anxiously asked, "What's going on? How did this extreme punishment involve Granny and the others?"

A clan member responded, "We don't know the details. According to the messenger, initially the whole clan was to be implicated. It was the clan leader who begged with a tear-stained old face, persuading the Phoenix Clan to spare those outside of the Divine Mountain. Before being taken, the clan leader sent a message, telling us not to stir up trouble or resist, especially emphasizing one message for you. She said even if something happens to her, it doesn't matter. What's important is that you don't let down her efforts. She has placed the hopes of the Bai Family on you!"

The so-called 'efforts,' Bai Qiru understood immediately to what they were alluding. She lowered her head heavily, speechless.

Not far away, an old hunched man passed by cautiously, looking around surreptitiously, none other than Wu Jinliang. In the end, he couldn't resist and came to see what had happened.

In the distance, atop the Royal Court's important site, on a White Jade Altar, a spatial fissure suddenly appeared, and the icy, black-gowned woman emerged—the Demon Queen.

This exquisite White Jade Altar was where distinguished guests of the palace would make their entrance. Immediately, a high-ranking Ceremonial Officer from the palace flew over to pay respects and then respectfully led the way.

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