Chapter 682 - 211: Beheading, Arrivals from the Great Yue Country

The night fell like a curtain upon the city of Lingyun Dao, enveloping it completely.

At this moment, a hush had fallen. The common folk had long since gone to bed, and the streets were completely quiet.

On a night with no other forms of entertainment, aside from making babies, there was little else to do.

The Music Bureau and brothels of Lingyun Dao were the liveliest places in the entire city.

But at this very moment, no one knew that the Government Office was just as lively, if not more so than the Music Bureau.

Shen Bai planted his foot on Zhang Dao Ling’s face. Zhang Dao Ling was completely stunned, unable to believe what was happening.

It was as if he had been thrown into the deep mountains during a blizzard and frozen into an ice sculpture.

A tremor ran through Zhang Dao Ling’s entire body.

It was not from fear, but from rage.

He hadn’t expected that after all he had said, Shen Bai would be so reckless—not only slapping him but even stomping his foot on his face.

He was the Daoist Order of Lingyun Dao! Even if he had committed a grave crime, he should await judgment from his superiors, not be humiliated here by Shen Bai.

"Shen Bai, you’ve gone too far."

Terrifying characters swirled around Zhang Dao Ling’s body.

Zhang Dao Ling prepared to unleash the full might of his Celestial Spirit Realm Peak cultivation to take Shen Bai down completely.

He felt he had shown Shen Bai enough courtesy, yet Shen Bai showed him no respect at all.

But just as he began to muster his full aura, Ma Yuan, who was standing nearby, took two steps forward.

The power of a Celestial Spirit Realm Peak expert erupted from him as well.

"If you dare harm a single hair on Lord Shen’s head, your entire clan, from the nine familial branches down to every last relative, will be slaughtered."

SHIING!

The sound of weapons being drawn rang out.

The dozens of Observatory members Shen Bai had brought with him all drew their weapons in unison, their bodies radiating the terrifying power of the Celestial Spirit Realm.

Zhang Dao Ling faltered, his rising aura stagnating.

He stared at Shen Bai, the fury in his eyes building at a visible rate.

"A warrior can be killed but not humiliated! I am already a defeated general, so why do you torment me like this? You might as well just kill me with a single strike."

Shen Bai heard this, shook his head, and said, "I think you’re confused. You are nothing but a prisoner now, and a prisoner should act like one. Killing you with a single strike would be letting you off too easy."

Zhang Dao Ling said angrily, "Though I have made a mistake and will be beheaded and displayed publicly, I have also performed great deeds for Lingyun Dao in the past! You cannot humiliate me!"

He didn’t make a move. He could feel the auras of the many Observatory members, and Ma Yuan’s threat had paralyzed him.

His wife was now with child, which was precisely why he had wanted to kill Zhang Huan.

If his entire family were to be executed, the Zhang Family’s line would be extinguished forever.

It was for this very reason that, knowing he could not escape, he had chosen to wait here and surrender.

At the very least, he hoped his past merits could ensure the safety of his family.

Shen Bai sneered. "If anyone could use their merits to atone for their crimes, wouldn’t the world fall into chaos? Do you have any idea what the consequences would have been if your collusion with the Demonic Forces had succeeded?"

Zhang Dao Ling sneered back, "Isn’t it just that the Demonic Forces wanted you dead? I know you’re concerned for your own life, so it’s only natural for you to be angry."

Even with Shen Bai’s foot on him, his tone was still laced with sarcasm, as if he looked down on Shen Bai.

Shen Bai said slowly, "The Xinhua Academy is not as benevolent as you imagine. If I were to die today, with Lingyun Dao’s defenses weakened, they would have attacked with their full strength and bathed Lingyun Dao in blood. At that point, what use would your great past deeds be?"

"The people would be displaced, the casualties catastrophic, and all of Lingyun Dao turned to ruins. Is that what you, Zhang Dao Ling, consider a good outcome?"

Zhang Dao Ling froze on the spot.

Countless thoughts surfaced in his mind, until finally, a spark of insight connected everything.

A drop of cold sweat trickled down his forehead.

It is said that an outsider sees the game more clearly than a player. He was a prime example of such clouded judgment.

Trapped in his own predicament, Zhang Dao Ling had never considered that the consequences could be so dire.

He would die, his family would die, and all of Lingyun Dao would be destroyed.

Not only that, but his name would be etched into history, to be cursed and scourged by millions.

Zhang Dao Ling fell silent.

Shen Bai removed his foot and said, "Seal his cultivation and take him back to the Observatory. Have Wang Teng report to the Capital City and request they send someone to pass judgment and carry out his sentence."

He could see the fear and regret in Zhang Dao Ling’s heart.

But in this world, regret was not enough to lessen one’s punishment.

Those who deserve to die must die.

"Yes, sir."

Ma Yuan acknowledged the order and stepped forward. He circulated the Qi in his body and struck several points on Zhang Dao Ling, sealing his cultivation completely.

Throughout the entire process, Zhang Dao Ling did not resist, nor did he say another word.

His heart was like dead ashes, but he was relieved that he had saved his family.

An Observatory member stepped forward and asked, "Lord Shen, what are your orders concerning the family members in the inner courtyard?"

A flicker of life returned to Zhang Dao Ling’s dead eyes. "Shen Bai," he said, "they were not involved. They don’t even know what I’ve done. A man’s crimes should not extend to his family! I’m begging you, don’t slaughter them all."

Shen Bai sneered. "The Observatory acts strictly according to the laws of the Great Zhou Country. If the investigation finds they are not connected to this matter, and have committed no other past sins, they will not be punished. You can rest assured on that point."

"Ma Yuan, don’t waste any more words on him. Take him away. Also, dispatch a team to surround the Government Office and guard the family. We will await the arrival of officials from the Capital City to handle this before taking any further action."