Fist is Power! (Seeking Collection)

"Cluck, cluck, cluck!"

The rooster's crow echoed throughout the vast Black Goose City.

The pitch-black night sky was illuminated by the first rays of sun emerging from the east.

Qin Zheng had already risen, prepared soup and medicine, and was practicing martial arts in the small courtyard, circulating his blood and qi.

The Dragon-Elephant Prajna Skill had thirteen transformations, seemingly corresponding to thirteen levels of mastery.

Practicing this martial art stimulated the body's blood and qi far more powerfully and effectively than other martial arts.

Therefore, after experimenting with several martial arts he knew, Qin Zheng focused on practicing this skill to circulate his blood and qi.

As he slowly finished a set of movements, white steam rose from his body, his blood surged rapidly, stimulating his blood and qi to flow out and strengthen his internal body.

"Bang, bang, bang!"

The door to the small courtyard was knocked on again.

Qin Zheng finished his practice and went to the courtyard gate, opening the door.

He saw Wang Er, a dark-skinned and honest-looking man, standing there.

"Brother Wang, why are you here?"

Looking at him, Qin Zheng's brows furrowed slightly. Then, as if recalling something, he said with understanding, "Is it time for an execution again today?"

Although Black Goose City was one of Qingzhou's main execution grounds, there weren't daily executions.

When an execution was scheduled, the execution ground would typically notify the executioners in advance.

However, previously, the yamen's constables would deliver the notifications. Since the execution ground was outside Black Goose City and the yamen was inside, it was more convenient.

Now, for the second time, it was Wang Er, a soldier from the execution ground, who came to notify him.

"Yes, there are a few prisoners to be executed today."

Wang Er nodded, his face showing joy as he spoke, "Brother Qin, do you know that Shi Dian is dead!"

"It's the leader of the Golden Cicada Gang, Shi Dian, who broke into the execution ground that day and was repelled by Captain Ji!"

"I heard that Bailiff Xu from the yamen killed him outside Black Goose City. He died with his heart pierced by a single blow, leaving a wound as big as a bowl. He died with his eyes wide open!"

Wang Er gestured as he spoke, clearly very excited.

Qin Zheng's eyes flashed with a sharp light upon hearing this.

Bailiff Xu had indeed claimed this credit!

This meant much less trouble for him!

"I know you've been on edge lately, worried that old bastard would come seeking revenge. I rushed over to tell you as soon as I heard the news."

"Now it's better, you can live more peacefully."

A warm current flowed through Qin Zheng's heart.

He raised his hands, cupped his fists, and bowed, "Thank you for the news, Brother Wang. Now I can finally sleep soundly!"

Wang Er laughed heartily and then said, "Hurry up and get ready. Come with me to the execution ground outside the city."

Qin Zheng nodded, went back into the house, picked up his ghost-head saber, wrapped it in coarse cloth, slung it over his shoulder, and headed for the execution ground.

Upon arriving at the military camp, the two parted ways. Qin Zheng, carrying the ghost-head saber, walked directly into the execution ground.

While waiting for the prisoners to be brought out, he looked towards the execution supervision platform.

Ji Changyin sat calmly in his seat, his expression unchanged. He didn't seem surprised by Qin Zheng's presence, still calmly watching the center of the execution ground.

It seemed that the news of his survival had definitely reached the other party the moment it happened.

Qin Zheng thought to himself.

Immediately after, the prisoners were escorted out of the prison.

There were three of them. The one in front was a young man with a calm expression, as if he wasn't the one about to be beheaded.

The two behind him were also young men, but they were dispirited and extremely gaunt, like soulless corpses.

After the three were forced down, the soldiers escorting them left.

Qin Zheng had inherited the memories of his predecessor and had also served as an executioner, beheading several heads.

Therefore, he had seen all sorts of postures from prisoners about to face death.

There were those who wailed loudly, those who were dispirited, and those who cursed indiscriminately.

However, those who faced death calmly were quite rare.

Especially when they were so young.

Thinking of this, Qin Zheng couldn't help but look at the young man in front.

The Merit Scroll did not display any new text this time.

This meant that this person did not deserve to die!

Qin Zheng then shifted his gaze to the other two young men.

Likewise, the Merit Scroll showed no reaction.

This meant the other two young men were not guilty of a crime punishable by death!

This was the first time Qin Zheng had encountered such a situation on the execution grounds. While the rewards in Merit varied for the prisoners he had executed before, they were all deserving of death. This was clearly different from the three prisoners before him.

He hesitated for a moment, then let out a soft sigh.

No matter the era, unjust cases were unavoidable.

It could only be said that in the eyes of powerful aristocratic families, the so-called truth, good and evil, right and wrong, were all just their one-sided words!

These three young men, perhaps, were not inherently kind, but they didn't deserve to be beheaded.

What they had personally experienced was likely something only the three of them knew.

However, this served as a warning to Qin Zheng.

If, one day, a prisoner like the old monk Chongming appeared on this execution ground, and executing him would cost him a hundred taels of Merit, how would he deal with it?

Would he swing the ghost-head saber in his hand or not?

Qin Zheng didn't consider himself a saint who could quell all injustices or save all the wronged.

Being able to protect his own survival was his primary concern.

It seemed he couldn't execute just any prisoner anymore.

At the very least, before carrying out an execution, he needed to know if the prisoner deserved to die and if executing them would deduct his Merit.

Similarly, he still needed to continuously strengthen himself!

He had to remember that power was in one's fists!

Only by becoming stronger himself could he prevent such situations from happening to him!

Just as Qin Zheng's mind was filled with thoughts, "The auspicious hour has arrived, execute!!"

As the execution token was thrown, A loud voice rang out on the execution grounds.

Qin Zheng's mind snapped back, and he swung the ghost-head saber.

"May your journey be peaceful, all three!"

At the same time, Qin Zheng spoke, so the three prisoners before him could hear.

Then, Swish! Swish! Swish!

Three swift saber lights flashed, and three heads fell to the ground.

After this, it was no longer Qin Zheng's concern.

He wiped the blade, wrapped it in coarse cloth, and slung it over his shoulder.

Looking up, Ji Changyin on the supervision platform had already left.

It seemed he had no intention of summoning him.

Qin Zheng walked out of the execution grounds. The onlookers had already dispersed in small groups.

Only a woman, dressed simply and plainly, remained, sitting alone on the ground, weeping bitterly.

She was still crying out 'brother' and 'it was my fault' or similar words.

On the other side, a young master with a somewhat pale complexion sat in a lounge chair, flanked by burly household guards.

He looked with malice and satisfaction at the three decapitated corpses on the execution ground.

Sensing Qin Zheng's gaze, the young master turned his head and said with disgust and disdain, "What are you looking at! Get lost! You're bad luck!"

Then he looked at the woman sitting on the ground, weeping bitterly, and let out a sinister laugh, "Your three brothers are all dead. Now, let's see how you can escape my grasp!"

"Go, bring this woman to me. We'll have some fun tonight!"

The guard beside him immediately approached the woman with a lecherous grin, his large hand reaching out to pull her up.

However, just then, a hand clamped onto the guard's shoulder, instantly paralyzing him.

The guard's expression changed. Before he could even speak, a powerful force struck him, sending him flying through the air.

After a moment of dizzying disorientation, he was slammed heavily in front of the young master, wailing in pain.