Seven Cents and Two Candareens of Merit! (Seeking Collections!)

Great Jin Dynasty, 27th year of Chongming.

Qing Province, Black Goose City.

A continuous drizzle fell from the sky, pattering onto the muddy ground.

It was just before dawn, the sky not yet fully light.

Yet, the dim execution ground was already surrounded by people, inside and out.

Ji Changyin arrived, yawning, and slowly sat down in the covered area.

The crisp morning air made him instinctively pull his clothes tighter, then move closer to the bonfire lit beside the platform.

After his body had warmed up a bit, he turned his gaze to the execution ground before him.

There, a figure, somewhat slender but standing tall, held a ghost-head saber and stood in the center of the execution ground.

Seeing this, Ji Changyin's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

He then shifted his gaze back outside the execution ground, where among the assembled commoners, he saw several burly men with full vigor.

The already damp and cold weather, combined with this discovery, made Ji Changyin feel even colder.

"Sigh."

He let out a soft sigh, then beckoned to a soldier standing by the covered area.

"My lord, what are your orders?"

The soldier stepped forward and said respectfully.

"Tell everyone to be alert today. Today... is different!"

Ji Changyin's eyes were fixed on the crowd watching the execution, and he spoke.

The soldier, having followed him for years, understood his meaning and immediately cupped his fists in acknowledgment.

Watching the soldier leave and quietly relay the message to other soldiers on the execution ground, Ji Changyin felt a little more at ease.

Black Goose City, due to its special geographical location, was designated as one of Qing Province's execution grounds. A portion of criminals from across Qing Province were transported here for execution.

As the garrison captain of Black Goose City, he was in charge of the city's prison and execution grounds, naturally making him the overseer for every execution.

While overseeing executions meant getting up early, it was a quick task and not a hardship.

But today was different.

The reason was that the person to be beheaded today was the eldest son of the Black Goose City's top gang, the Golden Cicada Gang – the son of the gang leader.

The Golden Cicada Gang leader had his son late in life and doted on him, wishing to pour all his resources into him.

If his son were truly beheaded today, Ji Changyin found it hard to imagine if the gang leader would go mad.

With that thought, Ji Changyin looked again at the tall figure standing in the center of the execution ground.

His gaze held a hint of curiosity.

How is this kid still alive?

Qin Zheng felt a bit apprehensive at this moment.

Even though, in his predecessor's memories, he had witnessed many beheadings.

To him, it was no different than experiencing it firsthand.

But to actually be the one to perform the beheading, he was still quite nervous.

Fortunately, after awakening his golden finger, he had gained some confidence.

Thinking this, Qin Zheng's mind stirred, and he sent a wisp of his consciousness to focus on the scroll floating in his sea of consciousness.

[Qin Zheng]

[Lifespan: 70 (17)]

[Martial Arts: Ghost-head Saber Technique (Minor Accomplishment)]

[Merit: None]

[Current Martial Arts - Ghost-head Saber Technique can be upgraded, requiring five qian of Merit. Do you wish to upgrade?]

Looking at the contents of the scroll, Qin Zheng's heart gradually warmed.

Earlier, after grasping the ghost-head saber, for some unknown reason, he had awakened the Merit scroll within him.

In his joy, he quickly refined the ghost-head saber and learned the Ghost-head Saber Technique, thus getting started.

He then consumed the remaining two qian of Merit to upgrade the Ghost-head Saber Technique to Minor Accomplishment.

He had used up all his three qian of Merit.

Seeing the final prompt, Qin Zheng also wanted to continue upgrading, but he had no Merit left.

He had inexplicably awakened this golden finger and had no idea how to replenish this Merit.

However, he figured it would likely involve doing good deeds.

Qin Zheng had already made up his mind: after beheading this person today, he would immediately resign from his post as executioner.

After removing the palm print on his chest, he would venture into the jianghu and uphold justice!

This way, he could travel the world and accumulate merit to improve his martial arts.

What a wonderful thing, truly exhilarating!

Thinking this, Qin Zheng's anxious feelings gradually calmed down.

He closed his eyes, adjusted his breathing, and slowly waited for the opportune moment.

"The hour of Chen has arrived! Bring the prisoner to the stage!"

At this moment, a loud voice suddenly rang out from within the execution ground.

The common folk surrounding the execution ground immediately became boisterous.

There were shouts of curses, cries of weeping, and pleas for mercy, crying out about injustice.

Qin Zheng also instantly opened his eyes, readying himself.

Then, on one side of the execution ground, a young man, wearing only his inner garments and shackles, was escorted by two soldiers towards the center of the execution ground.

"You dog! Give me back my daughter!!"

"Beast! This is retribution! Heaven has eyes, you are finally facing your comeuppance!"

"..."

The surrounding common folk erupted, all of them uttering harsh insults.

However, the young man wore a smile on his face, as if the insults weren't directed at him, and the impending execution wasn't his fate.

Yet, upon closer inspection, one could see the sinister hatred surging within his eyes.

But upon seeing Qin Zheng, his expression first froze, then instantly turned deathly pale, his eyes' hatred transforming into terror.

He quickly glanced towards the outside of the execution ground, and only after spotting a familiar figure did his expression finally relax.

The two soldiers escorted him to the foot of the execution platform, then bound his hands and feet, ordered him to kneel, and turned to leave.

"Do you know who I am?"

Qin Zheng was recalling the various techniques of the Ghost-head Saber Technique in his mind.

A voice suddenly reached his ears, and the source of the voice was the young man beside him.

Ignoring the other party, Qin Zheng continued to prepare for what was to come.

Receiving no response, the other party let out a cold laugh and continued, "Although I don't know why you're still alive today and not dead."

"But you should know yourself that you are not far from death!"

This statement instantly made Qin Zheng frown.

It was as if a flash of lightning struck his mind, connecting the palm print on his chest.

The palm print on his body was the work of the forces behind this person!

But why would they send someone to kill him before he had even beheaded this person?

If they killed him, would that mean they wouldn't be executed?

Qin Zheng pricked up his ears, carefully listening to the rest of the other party's words.

"If you know what's good for you, take this chance to cut the ropes on my hands and feet. After I escape, I will reward you generously."

"At the same time, I will have someone heal the injuries you've sustained."

"But if you don't do this, then the only thing awaiting you is a dead end!"

His tone was condescending, as if what he had just said was a gift to Qin Zheng.

Then, he confidently declared, "Today, I will absolutely not be beheaded!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Zheng tightened his grip on the ghost-head saber and looked at the other party.

Buzz!

Above his sea of consciousness, the Merit Scroll suddenly vibrated.

Immediately, a line of text appeared.

[Shi Yan, a wicked and villainous person, who bullies the weak and oppresses the good. Killing him will yield one tael and seven qian of merit!]