The sound of chains clinking echoed across the execution ground, tugging at three massive pillars, causing a buzzing vibration through the metallic walls.

The vast crowd fell silent. All eyes turned to the stage, watching the massive guillotine slowly being pulled up, its once-rusty sharp blade gradually revealing its gleaming edge.

Suddenly, whispers filled the crowd again.

"The guillotine is starting."

"They're beginning the execution."

"Wow, they're really using the guillotine. This will be a spectacle."

Amidst the chatter, surprisingly, there were quite a few exuberant exclamations, excited by the spectacle that did not concern them personally.

There were also those with different expressions, such as the group from Wukang Mountain among the crowd.

Bian Weiyin, the Sect Master, was present, along with Elder Yin Huixin, as well as Shi Chun's formerly nominal master, Elder Ke Yizong, and a familiar face from the Punishment Court, the chubby Pang Tiansheng, who had been beaten up several times by Shi Chun and Wu Jin.

Among the sea of people, Bian Weiyin appeared the calmest, yet her heart was most conflicted. Shi Chun had helped Wukang Mountain, helped her rise to her position, and had even been her lover. The past vividly flashed before her eyes.

Earlier, they persuaded him to turn himself in, and now that Shi Chun faced death, how could they not feel guilty?

This was also why the group from Wukang Mountain came to watch. If truly no one claimed Shi Chun's body after his death, Wukang Mountain would naturally assist.

Mulan Qingqing also came, feeling guilty. Wearing white, she easily squeezed to the front. Watching the gradually raised guillotine, her heartstrings tightened.

Miao Yilan was not as lucky. Arriving late, she could only watch the guillotine rise from a farther spot.

Her heart was also full of guilt, unable to dissipate. Shi Chun's relationship with her family aside, it was due to her mother and her persuading Shi Chun to turn himself in, yet now even the case details were unclear, and he faced execution. Anyone with a shred of conscience would feel uneasy.

Having run around, she also now understood the immense feeling of helplessness.

However, she was not alone; Gong Shaoci personally accompanied her, with hidden guards protecting them.

A man with a drooping arm occasionally took a swig from a wine jug, surrounded tightly by skilled protectors. It was the disguised Li Hongjiu.

His protectors were experts from the Yanbao Sect.

Initially, his master opposed him leaving the mountain, as the danger from their last ambush had not yet dissipated, and wandering again was unwise.

But Li Hongjiu insisted, saying Shi Chun had saved his life after all, and it was only right to see him one last time.

Initially, he hoped his master might assist in repaying the life-saving debt. His master, Qu Wuming, did inquire, but learned that even high-ranking members of the East Victory Royal Court pleaded in vain and were to be executed together. Qu Wuming found it a difficult matter and gave up.

In the end, he allowed his disciple down the mountain in secret, with several experts carrying precious treasures for protection, given Li Hongjiu's injuries were not fully healed.

As for those old comrades from East Nine Plain, even if they heard the news, most did not come to bid Shi Chun farewell, not entirely unwilling, but truly too impoverished to afford a trip through the Xun Gate, not worth bankrupting themselves for.

Affection requires not only passion, but also a foundation to support it.

Thus, the old members from East Nine Plain could only hear others talk, reminisce about the hard times under their old Master, and await the moment heads would roll.

Just like at this moment in Chao Yue Hall, a group of scholars chattered about the matter. Speaking of Shi Chun, Dongliang Ying behind the counter only perked up her ears, curious about someone she had never met but only heard of.

The scholars marveled at how Shi Chun was like a meteor streaking brilliantly across the night sky, yet fleeting like a meteor too.

In the back courtyard, Dong Liangyi was busy in the kitchen, chopping and cooking within her domain.

Western Ox King City was like a painted realm, where people of status and position gathered in groups or stood in pairs, looking in the same direction, watching Situ Gu, who wielded soaring fire for artifact refining, hoping he would repair the treasures soon.

The massive guillotine was already hoisted to the top of the beam and secured.

A stir of whispers arose as one by one, prisoners with iron chains binding their arms were dragged out from the red-walled, black-roofed building. Most struggled unwillingly, only able to make muffled sounds through their gagged mouths.

They were silenced because executions could provoke prisoners into shouting words damaging to the Royal Court's reputation before their deaths.

Yet allowing them some movement served to maintain a vivid, deterrent visual of the execution, aiming to kill one as a warning to others, needing brutal intimidation.

Among those from the Mingshan Sect, many who had come for Shi Chun stood on tiptoes, scanning the line of dragged-out prisoners, hoping to see but also not to see Shi Chun's figure.

But such hopeful thoughts were unrealistic. Ultimately, after several hundred were dragged out, Shi Chun's figure finally appeared in their sight, as others continued to be dragged out behind him.

The muffled and angry figures were forced to kneel, but compared to them, Shi Chun stood out distinctly. He neither muffled nor caused trouble; he knelt quietly and calmly, glancing about, watching the crowd of soon-to-be-executed with a mix of humor and sighs.

Even the two Royal Court guards who brought him out found it much easier. Others needed to hold his shoulders, but Shi Chun, who they were guarding, didn't require that at all. As long as he quietly watched the excitement, it was fine, causing the three of them to look around as one conspicuous group.

Wu Jinliang, hunchbacked and holding a cane, disguised as an old man in the crowd, felt his heart jump to his throat when he saw Shi Chun being pulled onto the execution ground. But after seeing Shi Chun's demeanor, his heart settled back down.

He understood Shi Chun too well; this didn't look like someone headed to die. It was clear Shi Chun was entirely at ease, and there should be no problem.

He exhaled in relief, thinking that he could keep some of his trump cards.

Originally, he had prepared for the worst. If things did go wrong, he would immediately shout "Spare him!"

He had no choice. After all, just the magic skill for entering and exiting the Netherworld was crucial but not as crucial as a life, right? Besides Shi Chun, he couldn't master it. Saving his life would be a better use.

"The composure he has facing death, Master indeed remains Master, An Wuzhi is impressed!"

An Wuzhi, whose cultivation in the Mingshan Sect has reached the Earth Immortal Realm, suddenly sighed.

Who wouldn't agree? Even when facing death, he allows even a small sect like Mingshan Sect to feel pride on their faces. Compared to the nearby furious death row inmates, he's a real man.

The likes of Tong Mingshan were almost universally filled with solemn respect.

Only Xiang Laner had a complex expression; at this very moment, she seemed to somewhat understand Feng Chi's stubbornness. Others mock Feng Chi for being obstinate, but they don't realize Feng Chi truly has an eye for discerning people.

The contrast in the face of life and death is too clear. To some women, who is a real man is obvious.

Always as cold as an iceberg, Mulan Qingqing's eyes blossomed with extraordinary brilliance.

Miao Yilan felt as though today she truly recognized, truly saw Shi Chun clearly, unintentionally recalling that poorly dressed young man from back in the day — does he feel poor anymore?

Beside her, Gong Shaoci turned and saw her reaction, his heart and eyes full of displeasure, but thinking that bastard would soon be beheaded, he was suddenly at ease.

The Golden-haired Rat Clan saluted solemnly, Jinfu raised a hand to wipe away tears.

"Who is that, looking like he doesn't fear death?"

"Indeed, he's a real man with guts."

Below stage, many who noticed Shi Chun's peculiarity were murmuring and discussing.

Li Hongjiu took another swig of wine, staring at the calm and composed Shi Chun, muttering, "This guy… always surprising people…"

In front of the palace mirror image, several nobles' gazes also slowly focused on Shi Chun. His reactions were so striking, making it hard not to be noticed.

The Demon Queen's lips curled in amusement, as she alone saw some things more clearly, estimating that Shi Chun still had confidence in certain kin like his aunt.

"Who is he?" Queen Xin couldn't help but point to Shi Chun in the mirror image and ask.

The palace woman immediately responded, "He is Shi Chun."

Queen Xin acknowledged, "No wonder even with such cultivation, he has a good reputation. This composure in facing death is truly extraordinary; killing him easily would indeed be somewhat unfortunate?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the Demon Queen was instantly affected, squinting slightly, her suspicious gaze locked onto her.

Will they let him go? In the hall, several palace women looked at each other in dismay, then slowly turned to look at the Queen, waiting for her next words. If he were to be spared, they would immediately have the execution ground stay the blade.

Queen Xin merely spoke casually without any further words.

Seeing she had no intention of sparing him, Qingqiu Fox Clan leader Yin Luo coldly interrupted emphatically, "He must die today, no matter who pleads!"

This seemingly targeted remark caused Queen Xin to glance at her.

Dao Zhen, tilting his head beside her, couldn't help but secretly communicate with the Demon Queen, "Your Majesty, if no one saves him, will they really let him be executed like this?"

He means, should they arrange a block at the crucial moment?

After all, he knows what this Demon Queen did purposefully; did she spend this effort just to kill off a minor character?

The Demon Queen replied with an indifferent look, "If his head can be chopped off by that blade, he's a useless one that deserves to die. Then let him die, he's not worth the bother."

Whether it's the bewilderment about the 'Beidou Refusal Array' or the seemingly illusory doubts about the Netherworld, for her, Shi Chun is already on the road to ruin. If even facing death he refuses to confess, saving him isn't worth it.

Someone for whom no one would intervene to save their death implies little core value, and she could easily follow the sidelines to continue investigating. There are plenty of men in the world; he's not worth her energy or costs to keep the secret between her and Shi Chun.

A useless man, if others don't kill him, she was bound to erase him eventually.

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