"Boom... boom... boom..."
"Wail... wail... wail..."
Within Xiao Family Village, the drums of death had sounded, the horns of slaughter had been blown, and the execution grounds had been prepared. On the wooden platform beside the execution grounds stood Zhou Fugui, the valiant general of the Great Yan Kingdom, a San Nan, a San Qi Du Wei, and a frontier general, along with his attendant guards. Also present were generals from various divisions of the Snow Bear Army, all clad in helmets and armor, hands resting on their waist knives, glaring fiercely at the hundred or so family soldiers and retainers of Xiao Family Village kneeling on the execution platform.
The hundred or so family soldiers and retainers of Xiao Family Village were all bound with ropes, their mouths gagged, kneeling on the execution platform. They looked in terror at Zhou Fugui and the others. Additionally, over two thousand villagers of Xiao Family Village who had been captured were being guarded by soldiers of the Snow Bear Army, blades in hand.
"You all deserve to die!" Zhou Fugui, clad in Ming Guang armor and a grand red cape, walked to the front of the platform, his hand on his sword, and said coldly to the assembled people of Xiao Family Village, "Xiao Family Village is a wicked place, a den of iniquity and depravity. I, Zhou Fugui, am a valiant general of the court, ordered to the capital. Passing through here, I should not have concerned myself with such trivial matters. However, as the saying goes, 'When one sees injustice on the road, one should draw one's sword.' Today, I shall act as an official who rights wrongs and punishes the wicked, to avenge the suffering of the people you have harmed. I am certainly aware that the main culprit, Xiao Ningshan, who was depraved and monstrous, has already been annihilated. I also know that many among you were coerced. Yet, there are also those who were vicious and aided the wicked. I should have carefully distinguished them to avoid wrongful executions, but I am under imperial orders to proceed to the capital and have no time for meticulous investigation. Therefore, I shall execute these hundred or so minions to avenge the wronged people and rid the populace of evil!"
"They were all young girls, less than ten years old, yet you harmed them. Countless other civilians were also slaughtered by you. Do you still dare to complain?" Zhou Fugui then pointed at a young girl beside Murong Huiying and shouted angrily, "I am also aware that you have close ties to Xiao Ningshan, some of you even being his relatives. Thus, I wish to kill you all and raze Xiao Family Village."
Zhou Fugui paused and then said coldly, "However, Heaven cherishes life. To raze Xiao Family Village and kill all of you would be a violation of Heaven's benevolence. Therefore, I shall only execute those who aided the wicked, with the aim of punishing evil and promoting good."
Among the hundred or so people bound and awaiting execution, there were indeed those whose crimes did not warrant death. However, the majority were heinous offenders, henchmen of Xiao Ningshan, who were even more depraved than him, eliciting utter hatred.
Zhou Fugui, lacking the time for careful discernment, and after a cursory interrogation, prepared to execute these hundred or so lackeys to avenge the pitiful young girls.
"Yingying, take them away," Zhou Fugui then said to Murong Huiying.
"Mhm..." Murong Huiying cast a worried glance at Zhou Fugui before leading the young girls away.
Zhou Fugui, though outwardly resolute, was inwardly somewhat gentle. He could not stand to see the weak bullied and hated those who preyed on the innocent and committed heinous acts. Against them, Zhou Fugui was always merciless. However, killing Xiao Ningshan and his underlings like this would bring him considerable trouble.
"Big brother, I'm not leaving. I want to see them die," said Xiao Hongyu, who, despite her young age, was surprisingly bold, stepping forward to Zhou Fugui.
Xiao Hongyu knew that Zhou Fugui did not want them to witness such a bloody scene. However, Xiao Hongyu detested them thoroughly and thus wanted to see them perish.
"Hongyu..." The man who had been a majestic general moments ago was now like a warm, approachable big brother from next door. Zhou Fugui heard her and crouched down, stroking Xiao Hongyu's head and smiling, "They are all wicked people, and death a hundred times over would not atone for their sins. However, you are still young and should not see such a scene; it would leave a shadow on your heart. Be good, go down with Sister Murong. Brother promises you that not a single person who harmed you will escape."
Zhou Fugui's concern was evident, making Xiao Hongyu extremely grateful.
"Hongyu thanks Big Brother!" As Xiao Hongyu prepared to descend the wooden platform with Murong Huiying, she suddenly turned and rushed back to Zhou Fugui, knelt, and kowtowed three times, saying, "Thank you, Big Brother!"
"Thank you, Big Brother!" The other young girls also knelt towards Zhou Fugui.
"Go now, hurry along," Zhou Fugui said, his voice slightly choked, seeing this.
After watching Murong Huiying and the young girls descend the wooden platform, Zhou Fugui waved his hand and coldly commanded, "Execute!"
Just then, a household retainer suddenly spat out the rag from his mouth, broke free, and cursed at Zhou Fugui, "Where did this mongrel come from? What grievance do we have with you? If you want to kill me, I, as a ghost, will still claim your life!"
The Snow Bear Army soldiers, who were like wolves and tigers, quickly pinned him back down.
"My name is Zhou Fugui, from Luoming Village, Luoning Township, Yan Yun. When you reach King Yama, do not forget my name," Zhou Fugui said coldly, then addressed the people of Xiao Family Village, "You too, whether you seek to claim my life or seek revenge, I await your arrival."
"Great General, you are an envoy of the Tengger Heavenly God, sent down to save the common people. How dare we seek revenge against you?" At this moment, an elder with white hair emerged from the crowd and said to Zhou Fugui from below the platform, "The ordinary people of Xiao Family Village also detest these wicked individuals. We have resisted before, but Xiao Ningshan's sorcery was too potent, and we were no match for him. After countless casualties, we could only submit to his tyranny. Now that the Great General has led his troops to avenge us, we are all deeply grateful."
"Oh? Who are you?" Zhou Fugui asked, hand on his sword.
"This old man's name is Sali, a Shaman. Xiao Ningshan is Sali's master," Sali replied.
"Xiao Ningshan is your master?" Zhou Fugui asked, looking at Sali in surprise.
Sali was old and frail, with withered skin and sparse hair. His face, weathered by time, was covered in deep wrinkles. His small, thin face was almost devoid of flesh, and his body was lean and short. Only his eyes remained bright and spirited. Zhou Fugui did not know Sali's exact age, but judging by his appearance, he was at least eighty or ninety years old. How could he be a disciple of Xiao Ningshan, who appeared to be middle-aged?
The young Daoist priest Ge Rufeng had told Zhou Fugui that Xiao Ningshan was an ancient demon, but Zhou Fugui had not seen it himself and thus had some doubts.
"He is this old man's master," Sali replied. "In the past, Master was a good person, using Shamanic arts to help those in distress, heal the sick, and save lives. But that year... he went beyond the frontier and his temperament changed drastically, becoming this way. This old man tried to persuade him, but he crippled me. Great General, I can explain the details of this matter to you."
"Mhm, no need. I am not interested in Xiao Ningshan's affairs," Zhou Fugui said, having no time to listen to him talk about Xiao Ningshan. He was a dead man. Even if he had earth-shattering or soul-stirring stories, what of it? He was already dead. Moreover, once the matter of Xiao Family Village was concluded, Zhou Fugui would lead his troops and be on his way. Thus, Zhou Fugui said to Sali, "I shall take your word for it, but my sparing the people of Xiao Family Village has conditions."
"Please speak, Great General," Sali nodded and said, "We will obey whatever the Great General commands."
Sali was a man of the world. In just a few words, he understood that Zhou Fugui was not one to act without seeking profit. As long as they could save the lives of the ordinary people of Xiao Family Village, they were willing to give their all.
"Mhm, that is good," Zhou Fugui nodded. "I am under imperial orders to proceed to the capital and cannot stay here long. The only thing I am worried about are those young girls, as they cannot be brought on campaign. Therefore, I entrust them to the people of Xiao Family Village to find their families or raise them to adulthood. Are you willing?"
"The Great General shows great mercy. How could we dare not obey the Great General's command? Alas, they are pitiable children. Let us treat them as atonement," Sali said gratefully.
Zhou Fugui grinned, revealing a row of white teeth. Coupled with his handsome appearance, he was like a spring breeze. To Sali, however, he appeared exceptionally terrifying.
Zhou Fugui looked at Sali and said menacingly, "However, I must state this beforehand, so do not say I did not warn you. These children must grow up safely, but if even one hair on their head is harmed, whether by the people of Xiao Family Village or by outsiders, if I hear of it, I will lead my army back, and then Xiao Family Village will be utterly annihilated. I am a man of my word, and I do not lie. Oh, right, you can also run, but you must run to the ends of the earth. Otherwise, as soon as I receive news, I will dispatch cavalry to pursue and hunt you down. Then, we shall see whose legs are faster, yours or my cavalry's."
Sali shivered and mumbled, "This... this is... Great General, can this old man dare to say no?"
This is simply unreasonable! The people of Xiao Family Village exchanged glances, their faces pale. In this world, with all sorts of natural disasters and man-made calamities, especially in these chaotic times, even adults cannot guarantee their own safety, let alone these children? At that time, this fierce Yan general would blame it all on Xiao Family Village, would that not be a grave injustice? It would be even more unfair than the case of Dou E.
Zhou Fugui smiled and shook his head.
"My Lord, the hour has come. We must not delay," Li Qing stepped forward and requested at this moment.
In this world, not only are marriages dependent on auspicious dates and times, but even executions are, lest they bring bad luck.
"Mhm, proceed with the execution," Zhou Fugui ordered, then said to Sali, "Elder, please ascend the platform."
"Ascend the platform? For what?" Sali asked in surprise.
"To observe the execution," Zhou Fugui replied, then sat on a Hu chair, propping his greatsword in front of him, and gazed coldly at the execution platform. Sali, trembling, sat to Zhou Fugui's side, his heart churning like boiling water.
"Boom... boom... boom..."
The drums of death were struck again. Hundreds of executioners in grand red uniforms, carrying large sabers, walked onto the execution platform, awaiting the order from the supervising official for a hundred heads to fall.