No One Can Lie In Front of Him

Two days later, at the Qingzhou Prefecture execution ground.

Even before the appointed time of noon, the area around the execution ground was already packed with commoners.

The one to be executed today was the Flower Picking Bandit, Plum Blossom.

Su Fei stood on a high platform at the edge of the execution ground, dressed in plain clothes, watching the scene unfold with a calm expression.

"They're here! They're here!"

A commotion suddenly erupted from the crowd.

A team of officers was escorting a prisoner cart, which slowly approached. Plum Blossom was standing inside the cart.

His skin was torn and bloody, and his prison clothes were stained with blood.

Thick shackles bound his arms, and iron chains tightly secured his feet. With these restraints, even his formidable Lightness Skill was rendered useless.

Perhaps due to the torture he endured, or perhaps due to the loss of his manhood, his face was ashen white as paper, his lips cracked and dry. Only his eyes still held a hint of venom.

"Plum Blossom, the Flower Picking Thief, you've finally met your end."

"You dared to come to our Qingzhou, and you won't die a good death."

Rotten eggs and spoiled vegetables were hurled at the prisoner cart. Some were even splattered with mud, instantly turning Plum Blossom's face into a mess.

He didn't dodge or flinch, merely letting out a series of dry, strange chuckles from his throat.

Seeing him like this, the anger of the commoners was thoroughly ignited. If not for the officers holding them back, they might have rushed forward and torn him to shreds.

The prisoner cart was pushed onto the execution platform. Two officers stepped forward, dragged Plum Blossom out, and forced him to kneel on the execution block.

The Execution Supervisor, the Vice Prefect of Qingzhou Prefecture, picked up the dossier and announced loudly.

"Criminal Plum Blossom, who roamed nine provinces, committed forty-seven crimes, raped and murdered forty-seven virtuous women, annihilated seventeen households, and cumulatively harmed hundreds of lives. His crimes are heinous and intolerable to heaven and earth. By imperial decree, he is to be executed immediately!"

The Execution Supervisor paused and looked at Plum Blossom on the execution block.

"Do you have any last words before you die?"

Plum Blossom suddenly raised his head, his eyes shooting out a venomous glare. His voice suddenly rose, filled with the madness of a dying man.

"My master is the Vagrant Cloud Hermit. He taught me my Martial Arts. If I die here today, and he receives the news, he will not stand idly by. That Imperial Guard who arrested me, you just wait. My master will surely avenge me. I'll be waiting for you in the underworld."

As soon as he said this, a wave of discussion rippled through the crowd.

Some of them had heard of the Vagrant Cloud Hermit.

He was a Grandmaster Realm hermit skilled in leg techniques, who enjoyed traveling throughout Great Xuan.

Upon hearing this, Su Fei didn't even frown.

Was a Grandmaster Realm martial artist that impressive?

He himself was already at the second level of the Grandmaster Realm. Was he really going to fear some rogue cultivator?

If he liked traveling, he should just travel outside. It's none of my business.

I hope you don't foolishly come looking for revenge. If you do, I'll gladly send you to reunite with your master.

The Execution Supervisor clearly didn't take these words to heart. The dying ravings of a Flower Picking Thief were of no concern to him.

"Still shouting when death is at your doorstep. The time has come, proceed with the execution."

Upon hearing the order, the executioner raised the ghost-head saber in his hand.

"Clang!"

A cold light flashed.

Plum Blossom's head rolled to the ground, his eyes still wide open, as if he had died with unfulfilled grievances.

A thunderous cheer erupted from the crowd, celebrating the death of the Flower Picking Bandit.

Su Fei turned and left, heading towards the Thousand Households Office.

As Su Fei walked through the main gate of the Thousand Households Office, he saw a Strongman rushing towards him.

"Officer Su, the Commander is waiting for you in his office. He said he has something important to discuss."

Su Fei nodded and went to see Commander Feng.

"I've already reported your meritorious service in apprehending Plum Blossom. I've called you here for something else."

"Come with me to the Heavenly Prison. Zhao Feiying has made a move."

The second level of the Heavenly Prison, where serious offenders were held.

As soon as they reached the deepest cell, they heard a series of piercing screams. Zhao Feiying was suspended from a torture post by chains, his entire body a bloody mess, old wounds layered with new ones, and in many places, his flesh was peeling back.

Captain Li was holding a whip soaked in saltwater, continuously lashing Zhao Feiying. He heard the sound of footsteps.

Seeing the two of them enter, Captain Li stopped whipping and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Commander."

Commander Feng nodded.

"Has he confessed? What did he say?"

Captain Li raised his whip and lashed Zhao Feiying across the chest.

"Commander is here, speak!"

Zhao Feiying's body trembled. He forced his eyes open and croaked, "I'll talk. Stop hitting me. The abandoned kiln west of the city is a White Lotus Sect stronghold."

"An abandoned stronghold? If it's abandoned, why should I care?"

"Is there anything else?"

"Yes, yes, the mountain temple in the northern suburbs is also a White Lotus Sect stronghold."

Zhao Feiying's voice grew weaker, his eyes darting about.

Su Fei suddenly spoke.

"Zhao Feiying, you've served in the army for many years. You should know the White Lotus Sect's methods. Why would they use a place like the mountain temple, a place with constant traffic and a mixed crowd, as a stronghold?"

Hearing this, Zhao Feiying stiffened. His face instantly turned ashen, and he stammered, unable to speak.

Captain Li saw this and grew anxious. He immediately knew Zhao Feiying was lying to him. With a crack, the whip struck a nearby stone pillar.

"Zhao Feiying, how dare you lie to me, you damned dog!"

"You should know Officer Su's case-solving ability. No one can lie to him."

"It seems you won't tell the truth unless I show you some real pain."

As he spoke, he raised the whip again, intending to strike Zhao Feiying.

Su Fei stopped Captain Li.

Su Fei had already crippled Zhao Feiying's martial arts, ending his path in martial arts. Zhao Feiying himself knew the White Lotus Sect wouldn't come to save him.

Furthermore, his entire family would be implicated and killed because of him.

Under these circumstances, attacking his mind was the best strategy; he needed to give him a sliver of hope.

"Zhao Feiying, colluding with the White Lotus Sect is a crime punishable by the execution of your entire family. Your death is one thing, but your parents, wife, and children will all suffer a tragic death because of your actions."

"If you perform meritorious service and reveal the White Lotus Sect's hidden strongholds in Qingzhou, I can guarantee that your parents and children will not be killed, and will only be exiled."

Hearing this, a strange light flashed across Zhao Feiying's face.

He didn't agree immediately. Instead, he looked towards Commander Feng first.

"Commander Feng, is what he said true? Can this promise be kept?"

Feng Changqing pondered for a moment. He felt this wasn't a major issue.

As long as they could find the White Lotus Sect's strongholds, Zhao Feiying's family could be dealt with leniently.

"What Su Fei said is my intention."

Hearing this, Zhao Feiying let out a long sigh. He looked as if he had aged several years in an instant.

"The White Lotus Sect's true hidden stronghold is in Lijia Village, a hundred li outside the east city. The entire Lijia Village should now be controlled by the White Lotus Sect. All the people there are now demonic disciples of the White Lotus Sect, merely disguised as villagers."

"The original villagers were either killed by them or transferred elsewhere."

"I discovered this secret by accident. Even the White Lotus envoy doesn't know that I know this place. I originally intended to keep it as leverage, but now I've told you everything. I beg you, sir, spare my family.