Chapter 53: Chapter 44: Public Beheading_l
Translator: 549690339
The next morning, the punishment regarding Zhang Yuan Cheng was announced, posted on the notice board set up by the Sinong Palace. Lin Yi and Old Huang rushed over to take a look.
The notice stated that in Zhang Yuan Cheng’s ten-year tenure as the Spiritual Field Manager, he purposefully harmed more than twenty Outer Sect Spirit Farmers for his own profit in the trade of spiritual fields.
By applying coercion or increasing the size of spiritual fields, among other forms of threats, he forced hundreds of spirit farmers to leave the Outer Sect. The shortest tenure among these victims was just ten days.
A few days ago, Zhang Yuan Cheng repeated his old tricks and attempted to kill another spirit farmer. His wrongdoing was accidentally witnessed by Li Yuan Qing, a disciple of Gold Sword Zen Ren, along with several other cultivators.
This vicious criminal, who harmed his fellow sect members was arrested and brought to justice by the Liu Yun Sect’s Law Enforcement Hall. Depending on the circumstances, different rewards will be given to those responsible.
Zhang Yuan Cheng committed the terrible crime of harming his fellow sect members and took part in the trade of spiritual fields, severely violating the sect rules. He will be beheaded in public at the Liu Yun Sect mountain gate three days from now, as a warning to others.
In addition to him, several other stewards and spirit farmers who conspired with Zhang were also punished, with four or five being sentenced to beheading.
“Hahaha, Old Zhang finally is going to die, it’s about time…”
“He deserves it. Just one or two years ago, someone secretly placed insect eggs in my spiritual field to reduce my crop yield. I spent a whole month exterminating bugs… ”
“At that time, I almost broke my fingers using the Golden Finger and even consumed several spirit stones to replenish spiritual power just to wipe out the bugs. It certainly was his doing. To get us to leave and continue to profit from the trade in spiritual fields, he really exhausted all means. He’s finally gone now, I can breathe a sigh of relief.”
“A few years ago, there were frequent thefts of nearly-ripe spirit rice. The Law Enforcement Hall didn’t do anything about it, forcing us to stand guard by our fields. I bet it was him who sent people to do that…”
Upon seeing the notice, many spirit farmers in Zone C were as happy as if it were the New Year. Some even set off Golden Finger fireworks into the sky to vent their long-held anger.
Lin Yi revealed an unusual expression upon hearing these spirit farmers. Zhang Yuan’s tactics were even more despicable than he had imagined. It almost made the harassment against him seem insignificant in comparison.
“Heh heh, kid, don’t you think what happened to you is a little light?” Old Huang looked towards Lin Yi and chuckled.
“Old Huang, you must have helped me.” Lin Yi guessed something and immediately said.
Old Huang nonchalantly nodded, “I purely did it because I took a liking to you, kid. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have meddled in this.”
“Thank you very much, Brother Huang.” Lin Yi faced Huang De Sheng and showed his respect by cupping his hands and bowing.
He vaguely remembered that soon after he transmigrated, before his Golden
Finger awakened, he seemed to find traces of disruption in his spiritual field. He didn’t pay attention to it at the time, but perhaps it was because insect eggs had been laid there.
Old Huang waved his hand to dismiss his gratitude, “Just a small matter, no need to mention it. It’s thanks to you opening your eyes. If you had remained weak and meek, I probably wouldn’t have helped you.”
At this point, he massaged his shoulder, “Ah, my back and legs have been aching lately. I can’t do farm work.”
“Don’t worry, Old Huang, leave it to me. It’s just ten acres of land,” Lin Yi smiled, as he massaged Huang’s shoulders. ‘Having an elderly neighbor is like having a treasure indeed.’
At this time, the newly appointed spiritual field manager, Meng Wei Min, also came over and sighed, “Alas, I had the same experience as everyone else. I farmed for over two or three decades. Since the Sinong Palace changed hands ten years ago, things have been like this.”
“They were cunning, leaving a certain number of senior spirit farmers to ensure the productivity of Spirit Rice and avoid rent shortages which would raise suspicions from the higher-ups of the sect. They left no stone unturned in their scheming.”
“Fortunately, the Sinong Palace has a new lord now who’s correcting the problems. Everyone, seize this opportunity to obtain more cultivation resources through planting in the spiritual fields. I wish you all the best in getting promoted to Inner Sect.”
The crowd erupted into applause. The spirit farmers were filled with determination. Who knows what the next decade will be like? They must grab this golden opportunity and cultivate their spiritual fields well.”
“Little Lin, keep pushing harder for Inner Sect. I’m looking forward to staying in your courtyard.” On the way back, Old Huang couldn’t resist joking.
“I wouldn’t dare have you look after my courtyard, Old Huang. When the time comes, you can just relax in the Inner Sect, go fishing, and keep chickens.” Lin Yi laughed in response.
Old Huang’s eyes lit up, “Remember you said that… cough, cough.” As he was talking, he suddenly started coughing.
Lin Yi quickly patted his back and Old Huang waved his hand with a smile, “It’s nothing, just an old ailment. Let’s go back, you still need to water the fields.”
Returning to the Spiritual Field Area, Lin Yi built a shed for Old Huang to rest under. Then, he watered all thirty acres of the spiritual field. He feels that if it weren’t for Old Huang’s help, he would probably not last until his Golden Finger awakened.
For the next three days, Lin Yi was busy watering the fields, making talismans, practicing cultivation methods and spells, and only sleeping for an hour or two a night.
When he hit a bottleneck, he went to Qing Yun City. Instead of visiting Xiao He’s best girlfriend, he visited another woman at Flower Moon Place who was equally neglected. He activated the effect of “Color is Void”.
As for the Immortal Joy Pavilion, he would never go there again. The strength of Foundation Establishment cultivators was beyond imagination. Before he could respond, he might be seduced, resulting in his cultivation level being sucked dry.
His Mysterious Light Armor and Divine Movement Technique had both reached the proficiency level, and his Cloud Rain Technique reached Great Achievement Level through enlightenment. The range of coverage had increased. However, he could still only faintly sense the activity of thunder and lightning.
Three days later, many Outer Sect Disciples and Loose Cultivators gathered outside the Liu Yun sect mountain gate, waiting to see the punishment for Zhang Yuan Cheng and the others.
At noon, disciples from Law Enforcement Hall arrived on their swords, bringing over Zhang Yuan Cheng and the others with their cultivation sealed. Their hair was disheveled and their faces full of despair and fear of death.
Lin Yi and Old Huang stood in the crowd, coldly watching these people without an ounce of sympathy. If he hadn’t awakened his Golden Finger, his fate would be even worse.
“Zhang Yuan Cheng, you’re finally going to die. That’s great…” Some Spirit Farmers in the “Bing” area shouted with pleasure and threw rotten vegetables and stinky eggs they had prepared at him.
The Law Enforcement Hall disciples standing by didn’t interfere.
Stinky eggs dripped onto Zhang Yuan Cheng’s head as he ignored them, struggling to raise his head. He seemed to be searching for something among the crowd. Suddenlv. he caught sight of Lin Yi. Veins DODDed out on his face. full of rage, as he angrily stared, “Lin .
“Time’s up. Execute him,” a Tribunal Executor checked the time and calmly stated.
Thus, before Zhang Yuan Cheng finished his sentence, a flash of sword light passed by, beheading him. His eyes were wide open, showing no sign of regret, but only anger and resentment.
Some screams rose from among the spectators. Not every cultivator has killed people before, so witnessing a beheading might make them feel uncomfortable.
The disciples from Law Enforcement Hall then proficiently placed exorcism charms on the heads of the fallen cultivators. Releasing a spell, flames burst into the bodies, which began to burn fiercely.
They then took out Rebirth Charms and recited the Rebirth Mantra. As the charms glowed, they drifted into the bodies of the deceased.
After the spectacle, the crowd disbursed. However, Lin Yi was intrigued. “Little Lin, let’s go. The execution is over, what more is there to see?” Old Huang patted him and gestured towards the exit.
“I want to learn, ” Lin Yi, insisting on watching the process of the ritual, remarked. These actions weren’t pointless—whatever they were, they were necessary after executing a person.
This was the Cultivation World, where any kind of strange event could occur. Non-natural deaths could haunt cultivators—especially those with great resentment—turning them into evil spirits. He had also seen Rebirth Charms amongst the basic talisman papers.
These charms were not expensive in the market as most low-level cultivators would buy a few just in case, without considering their effectiveness. They were mainly for psychological comfort.
Therefore, even if he made a Rebirth Charm that reached the Great Achievement Level, it might not be sold at a high price.
“Better safe than sorry,” Lin Yi replied, laughing inside, while he concentrated on learning the rituals of the last rites.
At that moment, he suddenly activated his Spirit Sight Technique, which he had also practiced to the proficiency level.
Under its influence, he seemed to see a black smoke rise from the flames which dissipated when touching the aura of the Rebirth Charm.
He felt a chill. It seemed that the stories of evil spirits are true. He concluded that he needed to practice making Rebirth Charms till they also reached the Great Achievement Level. Every act of killing has to be done with evidence eliminated. There should be no chance of creating an evil spirit..
