Chapter 867: Chapter 121: What to Die For
Is the End of the World Platform directly connected to the Sea Prison?
Or is it that these prisoners, referred to as "sacrifices," are only transferred to the End of the World Platform the day before the sea sacrifice?
Jiang Wang didn’t know the answer, but the scene before him undoubtedly told him that it was utterly impossible to rescue anyone on the way to escorting the prisoners, thankfully he had not planned for this.
"Here stands a criminal named Zhen Yu, a true disciple of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. Collaborated with the Sea Clan, secretly providing supplies, betrayed his clan for glory, his crimes are unforgivable, he must be executed!"
A prisoner, no longer looking human, was supported by two Black Armor Warriors onto the End of the World Platform, his body sliding down like sludge.
"Here stands a criminal named..."
One by one, prisoners were escorted onto the End of the World Platform, with Hai Jingping, the protector elder of the Fishing Tower Sect, personally announcing the "charges," demonstrating the level of importance.
"Here stands..."
"Here stands a criminal named Zhu Bijiong, a true disciple from Elder Biqiong of the Fishing Tower...."
The disheveled Zhu Biqong was barely alive as she was dragged up.
Her legs collided with the stone steps, yet she hardly moved at all.
"...defying her master’s grace, disregarding the feelings of fellow disciples, colluding with outsiders, plotting against the elders of her sect..."
Hai Jingping declared, "Her crimes are unforgivable, she must be executed!"
The drumming continued, the criminal remained silent.
"Hold on!"
At that moment, Jiang Wang squeezed through the crowd, standing out from the rest.
The small sect elders who had previously tried to ingratiate themselves with him almost dropped their jaws. Daring to speak out during the grand sea sacrifice ceremony, this young man had guts!
Below the End of the World Platform, the ocean tide was gentle, while above, a solemn silence prevailed.
Only the serious drumming and the solemn proclamations of Hai Jingping, the protector elder of the Fishing Tower Sect, could be heard.
The high moon hung in the sky, illuminating the spectators on the End of the World Platform.
In this sacred and solemn atmosphere, amidst the whistling sea breeze, stood a young man, stepping forward from the crowd.
His eyes were clear and resolute, his eyebrows fine and sharp, his thin lips slightly pursed, his nose straight as a blade.
Amidst all eyes, he slowly stepped forward, steadfast, upright, undeterred.
Among the audience were descendants of famous families, leaders of sects, some who controlled several islands, others commanded large armies, and still more who had ascended to Dongzhen!
But as he stepped into the arena, there wasn’t a trace of timidity or cowardice.
It was as if he wasn’t interrupting the sea sacrifice ceremony, not challenging the authority of the Fishing Tower, but merely strolling in his own courtyard, uttering a sigh.
So the drumming stopped.
The Black Armor Warriors also halted their steps. The process of escorting criminals to the End of the World Platform paused on those stone steps.
Hai Jingping stopped proclaiming, silently watching him.
Unspoken, yet the authority was already there.
Jiang Wang calmly surveyed the surroundings and amidst countless complex gazes, he said, "I have a question."
Zhu Bijing, who had been hanging her head low, half-supported, seemed to realize just then that something was happening.
Suddenly, she raised her head!
And thus, she saw Jiang Wang.
The first meeting, breaking the illusion, anxious and flustered.
The first confrontation, restrained by the Binding Tiger spell, performing the Golden Rooster stand.
With just a promise, he returned with Hu Shaomeng’s head.
To bring peace to the region, how many sleepless nights he endured.
Witnessing him slay Pigface, destroy an army, battle the Dragonface.
Also, seeing him moved by the stories of ordinary people, chased around by a dog protecting her pups.
In all the people she had seen or heard of, no one was quite like this.
She couldn’t describe it, but it gave her an indescribable sense of trust. It felt as if her sister was still there... always trustworthy, always reliable.
During that moment in the prison, she struggled to ask him if they would meet again.
She hoped he would come, but she also lowered her head, not wanting him to see. This feeling, contradictory and painful.
"You really... came." Her lips quivered as she spoke with difficulty.
The sound was so weak it seemed as if it was drowned out by the sea breeze.
But Jiang Wang indeed heard it.
"A true man, when born into this world, must keep his word!"
Jiang Wang did not recklessly approach to lift her up or make any other misunderstanding gesture, but simply looked at Zhu Bijing, giving her confidence and strength, "I promised you I’d kill Hu Shaomeng. So, I killed Hu Shaomeng. I promised I’d come see you again. So here I am!"
"That’s enough... enough..." Zhu Bijing muttered.
I’d be willing even in death. She thought.
"What a commitment to keeping one’s word!" Hai Jingping interrupted from behind, "But you must know, the premise of keeping one’s word is having self-awareness. Know what can be done and what cannot, and not boast carelessly! Do you know, disturbing the sea sacrifice ceremony, what crime should be committed?"
He stepped forward, pointing his halberd at Jiang Wang, the imposing presence of a God Arrives powerhouse pressing down so hard that Jiang Wang had to muster his strength to stand firm, "Do you know, I can execute you right here!"
Hai Jingping was the principal affair-in-charge of this sea sacrifice ceremony, and just as he was delivering the sentencing during the ceremony, he had full authority to handle matters on the End of the World Platform—until Chongguang Zhenren spoke.
He could directly order people to drive Jiang Wang away, or he could personally act to knock Jiang Wang off the End of the World Platform. But at the same time, he could also pause to ask Jiang Wang why he had come.
Undoubtedly, the previous visits had some effect.
Despite his harsh questioning and tough attitude, he actually allowed Jiang Wang a chance to explain himself.
Jiang Wang turned to face Hai Jingping, addressing the three somber True Men of the Age, without subservience or arrogance, "I did not come to disrupt the sea sacrifice ceremony. On the contrary, I am here to uphold the dignity of the sea sacrifice ceremony and ensure its glory continues!"
"I dare to ask the elder."
He actually faced Hai Jingping and walked forward, "Are all the offerings on this End of the World Platform truly guilty of unpardonable sins?"
"Every single one, proven with evidence." Hai Jingping stood with his hands behind his back, his expression authoritative, "If you want to waste the time of the sea sacrifice, you had better think carefully."
"During this solemn moment, facing the heroic spirits of the sea, how could I dare!" Jiang Wang defended loudly, then bowed deeply, "It’s just that my friend Zhu Bijing, truly wronged, must be defended!"
"If there were grievances, they should have been presented in front of the prison. Bringing them up now at the ceremony, don’t you think it’s too late?" Hai Jingping struck Jiang Wang mid-air with a slap, sending him flying: "Come down with me!"
He scolded, "Dare to chatter again, and you’ll not escape death!"
On the stands on both sides, Xu Xiangqian and Li Longchuan almost stood up simultaneously. But the former was held back by Yan Fu, and the latter was pressed down by Li Fengyao.
The somewhat calmer Yan Fu and Li Fengyao both seemed to see something.
Hai Jingping’s slap was not a killing blow, but it was not pulled either; dealing with someone disturbing the sea sacrifice, this was a necessary, even the bare minimum lesson.
Jiang Wang was inevitably sent flying to the ground.
He couldn’t resist a God Arrives powerhouse, nor did he try to resist.
So he was indeed injured.
He was not lightly injured.
But after falling to the ground, he briefly paused before standing up, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, and walked back into the field with resolve.
As if he hadn’t heard that sentence—at all costs.
"Esteemed sir!"
He still faced Hai Jingping squarely, and still spoke loudly, "Since coming to the sea, I have often heard. I heard that the sea sacrifice is not really for the sea, but for those heroic spirits who died at sea!"
"I want to ask, why did those heroic spirits fight?"
"They died at sea precisely so that one day, their fellowmen wouldn’t have to die senselessly, right?
"If I have a grievance, why can’t I argue? If justice is shrouded, how can it not be pursued!"
He surveyed everyone on the End of the World Platform, facing all present, "Can we really use the blood of the innocent to mark the path back for heroic spirits?"
"Really, is that what the heroic spirits wished for?!"
