The village square bustled with life.
Xie Yue glanced around, caution on his face.
Xie Jinghan understood and said, "Come with me."
He led Xie Yue to his small courtyard.
There was no one else inside.
Only then did Xie Yue speak in a low voice, his expression grave:
"Young master, Miao Cunyi is now being held on death row in Dutian Prefecture, Shu Province."
"The city lord of Dutian Prefecture is furious!"
"He has already ordered him to be beheaded after autumn, in a public execution!"
Xie Jinghan's heart sank.
Under Great Yan's laws, spring and summer were seasons of life, and killing could not be carried out wantonly. Executions had to wait until after Frost's Descent, when a killing chill settled over heaven and earth.
There was less than a month left until the appointed time!
Time was running out.
Looking at Xie Jinghan, Xie Yue suddenly bowed deeply before him, his voice pleading:
"Young master, we've all spent time with Cunyi. We know he is kind by nature, by no means a bloodthirsty man. That boy has suffered too much. He shouldn't meet such an end."
"I beg you to intervene and save his life."
Xie Jinghan stood where he was, silently weighing the matter, a hundred emotions mingling within him.
By now, he had fully become part of this world and took every life seriously.
He genuinely admired Miao Cunyi and had placed high hopes in him.
Moreover, both sword techniques he possessed, the Single-Character Lightning Sword and the Seven-Star Big Dipper Swordsmanship, had come from Miao Cunyi's gifts.
When he had taught Miao Cunyi his newly comprehended sword move, Single-Character Lightning Sword: Thunder Induction, he had hoped the boy could use the sword in his hand to cleave through the thorns and dangers ahead and