Chapter 872: Chapter 635: The Hour Has Arrived
Nalan Shuo had also pondered this question but couldn’t come up with an answer. The situation at Earl Mansion was very deep, and even now, too many mysteries remained unsolved.
However, if they could just find the Great Mage who was being hunted, all problems would be resolved effortlessly.
At this thought, Yang Xiao couldn’t help feeling relieved. Fortunately, Xiang Fengchen revealed the hiding place of that Great Mage before he died; otherwise, they would have had to go through much more trouble.
Of course, this wasn’t Xiang Fengchen’s true intention. If he knew he would end up like this, he would definitely have taken the secret to his grave.
"Something seems off today... The streets are so empty." Jiang Qingluan, at the forefront of the group, looked around. Many stalls were deserted, and businesses like taverns and restaurants that were open were not doing well, with only a sparse scattering of patrons.
This street was considered a bustling area in Fushou Manor, and it had always been lively during their previous visits.
Every now and then, people ran past Yang Xiao and his group, all heading in the same direction, in groups of three or pairs, as if they were going to join in on some excitement.
"What’s the hurry, brother?" Yang Xiao extended his hand to stop a middle-aged man rushing by. The man, roughly in his forties, wore patched-up old clothes, had a raggedy beard, and wore a pair of worn cloth shoes on his feet.
Taking into account that people in ancient times looked older due to lack of skincare, this man’s actual age might not be much greater than Yang Xiao’s, so "brother" was no mistake.
"Hey, you don’t know?" The stopped man seemed surprised, then began to talk animatedly, "Those immortal lords have been captured by Earl Mansion, and today they will be beheaded at the South Gate Tower. Everyone is rushing to see what the immortal lords look like; if we’re late, there will be no place to stand."
"Immortal lords?" Yang Xiao seemed to think of something and asked further, "Are you referring to those who spread demonic verses and perverse doctrine?"
The middle-aged man was startled, then touched his nose somewhat awkwardly, "Yes, yes, exactly... that perverse doctrine. My apologies for misspeaking."
Having said his piece, he didn’t wait for Yang Xiao to respond and turned to run away, looking back at Yang Xiao and his companions as if worried about being reported.
The news of the execution of such accomplished Feng Shui Masters caught Yang Xiao and the others off guard, disrupting their plans. Nalan Shuo made a snap decision to head to the execution ground to witness the event, as such a significant matter could not be missed.
What was more crucial was his suspicion that this might be a trap, intended to lure the hidden Great Mage into revealing himself and thereby ensnare the whole group.
If this person were caught, the consequences would be unimaginable.
By the time they reached the South Gate Tower, the area was packed with onlookers - probably half of Fushou Manor’s populace had come for the spectacle. The noise of the crowd, the debates, the crying of children, and the cries of the vendors weaving through with their pole carriers—all of it clamored together, giving anyone a headache.
Having skipped breakfast, everyone was hungry. Yang Xiao grabbed hold of a vendor and bought a few plain cakes. They tore up the cakes and shared them amongst themselves.
Observing their surroundings, the group indeed noticed that among the crowd were many tall and sharp-eyed individuals who were undoubtedly Earl Mansion’s undercover agents.
Moreover, at key intersections and vantage points, plain-clothed watchers were on guard, ready to apprehend the man should he dare to show up.
Yang Xiao and companions had arrived too late to secure front-row spots and could only catch a glimpse of a wooden platform erected in front of the South Gate Tower. On the platform stood five executioners, bare-chested and burly, with full beards and sullen faces. Each held a glittering ghost-headed broadsword, held point-downward with the blade resting on their shoulders - an ominous sight that sent chills down the spine.
There were only executioners on the platform, with no prisoners in sight.
"Look there!" Following Fang Zhou’s pointing direction, the group was shocked to see a Dragon Banner actually erected on the South Gate Tower.
Besides, several other flags were displayed on the city tower, with the largest and loftiest black flag standing upright in the middle of the gate tower, wildly flapping in the wind, boldly embroidered with a large "Qi" character.
"It’s the banner of the Vassal King, Prince Qi," Nalan Shuo declared, surprised that the small Fushou Manor had attracted a genuine Vassal King.
"Why would the Vassal King come here, could it be he’s aware that Earl Mansion is going to..."
Chang Chuchu didn’t finish her sentence when she was smacked on the back by Yang Xiao. Already frail, she began to cough violently.
Without letting on, Yang Xiao scanned their surroundings and, noticing that no one had paid them any attention, let Chang Chuchu off the hook. With her physical condition and questionable reasoning, to speak such words in this chaotic environment — if Earl Mansion caught wind of it, their lives wouldn’t suffice to pay for it.
Jiang Qingluan pulled Chang Chuchu to her side and gave her a meaningful look to behave, and Chuchu immediately simmered down. Having developed a psychological shadow from living with this ruthless woman, Chuchu couldn’t afford to provoke her.
Initially, Yang Xiao tried searching the nearby crowd, hoping to spot the Great Mage by sheer luck, but he quickly gave up. After all, the place was teeming and disorderly, and if he hadn’t been able to recognize the man face to face before, he stood even less chance in such an environment.
"Bring out—the—prisoners—!"
Following a shout from the city gate tower, the crowd became restless as many strained and pushed towards the front. Shortly after, Yang Xiao saw several prisoners in convict garb, wearing heavy shackles, brought onto the platform. There were five in total, and in the middle was an elderly man with messy white hair.
