Chapter 770 - 764: The Ruse of Self-Sacrifice

Void.

Wa Huang’s Palace.

All the disciples of Wa Huang’s Palace gathered in front of the main gate, where the Peacock Great Ming King was firmly bound by several Thunder Chains, hanging before the gate.

"Palace Master, why is Senior Brother Kong hanging in front of the palace gate?" Seeing the miserable state of the Peacock Great Ming King, Nato hesitated not at all and was the first to step forward to ask.

At this time, other disciples of Wa Huang’s Palace also widened their eyes and looked toward Wa Huang, curious as to why the Palace Master suddenly hung Senior Brother Kong up like this.

Wa Huang and the Peacock Great Ming King were performing a bitter trick.

Of course, only Wa Huang, the Demon Lord, the Buddha, Xi Huang, and the Peacock Great Ming King knew about this trick.

The other disciples of Wa Huang’s Palace were unaware of these intricate details.

Especially Nato, while others were acting, he was the only one taking it seriously.

"Hmph!" Wa Huang snorted coldly, saying to Nato, "According to the Palace Master’s investigation, Kong Xuan was a spy sent by the Yin Celestial Son. After interrogation, he has admitted it."

Hearing this, disbelief spread across Nato’s face, and he looked at the Peacock Great Ming King with tears in his eyes, "Senior Brother Kong, you aren’t a spy, right?"

"Tell the Palace Master, you aren’t a spy."

Looking at Nato’s expression, the Peacock Great Ming King could not bear it.

The Peacock Great Ming King thought, in this grand play, Nato might become the only victim.

Even though it was unbearable, the play had to continue.

Only by continuing this play, could Yin Celestial Son and Lin Yuan turn the tables.

For the great plan of Heaven and Earth, Nato had to be sacrificed somewhat.

"Nato, this matter doesn’t concern you, don’t meddle thoughtlessly." the Peacock Great Ming King roared.

The Peacock Great Ming King truly did not want Nato to get involved; Nato was the only one in Wa Huang’s Palace who was genuinely kind to him.

For this dear friend, the Peacock Great Ming King genuinely did not want him involved.

To Nato, this answer from the Peacock Great Ming King undoubtedly solidified his identity as a traitor.

At this moment, Nato’s heart was deeply saddened.

He thought, if Senior Brother Kong’s identity was fake, was his kindness also an act?

It was then Wa Huang spoke again, "In countless years, Wa Huang’s Palace has never had a traitor."

"Traitors must be severely punished."

"From today on, I will keep Kong Xuan hanging here, whipped fifty times daily, until his soul perishes."

Upon hearing this, all the disciples of Wa Huang’s Palace froze.

Then, there was an uproar.

"Fifty lashes?"

"What, fifty lashes?"

"These fifty lashes could beat him to death on the first day."

"Thirty years ago, I accidentally ruined a Treasure Pill and got lashed three times, leaving my skin torn and flesh exposed."

"It’s said that a hundred years ago, a senior brother accidentally spilled medicinal residue into a field, ruining it, and received twenty lashes, taking three years to recover."

...

...

Disciples discussed the ordeal of being whipped one after another.

From their words, it was evident that this whipping was no mild matter.

The whips used for punishment in Wa Huang’s Palace were no ordinary whips.

They were Thunder Whips.

Whips tempered from Void’s thunder, whipping people would leave even Tier Two powerhouses’ skin torn and flesh exposed.

Additionally, residual thunder would spread over the body, preventing short-term recovery.

Normally if a Wa Huang’s Palace disciple made a mistake, they’d receive a few lashes as a token punishment.

To receive ten or twenty lashes meant they had committed a grievous error.

Being whipped fifty times each day, it aimed to take his life!

To Wa Huang’s Palace disciples, not to mention fifty daily lashes, even on the first day, the Peacock Great Ming King could be beaten to death.

Especially those who had been whipped before; each one shivered as if the whip was striking them instead.

Wa Huang also followed through, waving a hand to summon two wooden puppets out of thin air.

These wooden puppets held whips glistening with thunder.

These wooden puppets were crafted by Wa Huang specifically to enforce the palace’s laws.

Why wooden puppets?

Because they used Thunder Whips, and wood is an insulator, ensuring the thunder’s power isn’t diluted and lands fully on the punished.

This was very reasonable.

"Crack!"

"Crack! Crack!"

The two wooden puppets stood one on each side behind the Peacock Great Ming King, landing several whips.

Instantly, the flesh on the Peacock Great Ming King’s back was split open, flowing with blood.

Lightning gleamed at the wounds, hindering their healing.

Since it was a bitter trick, real whipping was necessary!

Of course, Wa Huang also had to ensure one thing, that the Peacock Great Ming King was not beaten to death.

While the wooden puppets struck him, they held back some force!

The whip’s power was about half its usual, allowing the Peacock Great Ming King to survive fifty lashes.

But naturally, it would still severely injure him!

As part of the bitter trick, the beating process was indispensable.

Otherwise, how could others be deceived?

The Peacock Great Ming King was mentally prepared and took twenty or thirty lashes, leaving him completely bloodied and without a safe spot on his body.

But even so, he didn’t utter a word.

The Peacock Great Ming King could endure, but Nato could not stand it anymore.

Nato was one to love and hate distinctly, thinking that regardless of whether Senior Brother Kong was a traitor, his kindness was genuine.

Moreover, Senior Brother Kong truly saved him several times; without him, Nato would have died long ago.

As long as Senior Brother Kong was good to him, even if thousands spoke ill, he would remember the kindness.

With this, Nato, who had been wavering, suddenly resolved.

With a "thud," Nato knelt in front of Wa Huang, pleading, "Palace Master, looking at Senior Brother Kong’s efforts against the Void Race, forgive him once."

"It’s already been thirty lashes; any more would kill him."

Seeing Nato dare to plead for the Peacock Great Ming King, the disciples were all shocked.

It was obvious Wa Huang was furious; pleading now could lead to being considered an accomplice!

Not to mention, if Wa Huang was displeased and retaliated with lashes, who could endure?

Furthermore, the conflict between Heaven and Void was irreconcilable.

One side had to die.

Under such conditions, the Peacock Great Ming King as the traitor deserved death.

Pleading?

Why plead?

There’s simply no need to plead.