Chapter 5996
Kai withdrew his hand, a fleeting, chaotic gray light flashing in his palm.
He stood silently, his divine sense scanning the entire courtyard like the most sophisticated radar, confirming that no trace had been left behind, nor any residual warning mechanisms had been triggered.
The entire process, from his appearance to the kill, and then to the destruction of the body, took only two breaths.
Fast, accurate, ruthless, and silent.
He walked to the window and listened intently to the sounds outside.
The courtyard remained quiet, with only the faint sounds of conversation coming from the distant guardhouse and the footsteps of patrolling guards further away.
The commotion had been completely contained within the small room, without any leaks.
Kai did not leave immediately.
His gaze fell on the futon where Tu Meng had been sitting cross-legged. There was a small hidden compartment covered by an inconspicuous stone slab with simple restrictions.
He waved his hand, breaking the restrictions and lifting the stone slab. Inside were several jade slips, some Yuan Crystals, and a jet-black token. The front of the token was engraved with a ferocious character “刑” (Xing), and the back with the words “屠猛” (Tu Meng).
Kai picked up the jade slips and probed them with his divine sense.
One of them was a jade slip recording execution missions. Kai quickly browsed through it, his gaze soon locking onto a record:
“Date: 9763rd year of the Xuan Yin calendar, 17th day of the Frost Moon.”
“Location: Fallen Soul Slope. Executed persons: Mu Sha (male), Liu Qingyin (female). Crime: Departure from the Heavenly Palace, spying on forbidden areas.”
“Supervisor: Fei Qing, Grand Steward of the Inner Palace. Executioners: Tu Gang, Tu Meng. Remarks: ‘Soul Refining Crystal’ (number: Jiaxu 73) activated, soul collection completed, handed over to Grand Steward Fei.”
The format of the record was cold and concise, yet it was like a series of poisoned knives, stabbing deeply into Kai’s heart.
Senior Mu Sha, Senior Liu Qingyin… their names were recorded on the executioner’s mission list.
Kai’s fingers, gripping the jade slip, turned slightly white, but he forcibly controlled his emotions.
He continued to examine the other jade slips, which mostly contained the rules and regulations of the execution hall and fragments of body-refining techniques, of little value.
Finally, his gaze fell upon the token bearing the character “刑” (punishment).
This token was made of a special material, subtly connected to certain formations within the Executioner’s Abode and even the entire Jade Immortal Mansion’s Execution Hall. Perhaps it served as identification, or perhaps it had other uses.
After a moment’s thought, Kai put away the token and the jade slip recording the executions, returning everything else to its original state and restoring the hidden compartment.
Having done all this, he silently passed through the paralyzed security formation, just as he had come, and floated out of the courtyard.
Then, he found the energy conversion gap in the outer barrier again, easily escaping the Executioner’s Abode’s area.
From beginning to end, the Jade Immortal Mansion’s layers of defense were utterly ineffective.
…
When Kai’s figure reappeared at the bamboo grove where Lianxing and the others were, only half an hour had passed since he left.
Inside the grove, Lianxing, Mingli, Leopard Brother, and the anxiously waiting Monkey were all present.
The atmosphere was somewhat heavy; everyone was speculating about the outcome of Kai’s departure.
Seeing Kai return unharmed, without even a trace of blood on him, and with his expression still calm, Lianxing and the others were first stunned, then filled with surprise and doubt.
“Senior, you…” Lianxing hesitated before speaking.
Kai didn’t say much, but simply placed the jet-black “Punishment” token and the recording jade slip on the bamboo table. Upon seeing the token, Leopard gasped, “This is… the exclusive identity token of an executioner in the Execution Hall! Only senior executioners like Tu Gang and Tu Meng possess it!”
Lianxing quickly picked up the jade slip and probed it with her divine sense.
A moment later, her expression changed, and she looked up at Kai, her eyes filled with shock, “This… this is Tu Meng’s execution record? Senior, you…”
“Tu Gang is dead, in the alley outside Zuixianlou.”
Kai’s voice was calm and even, as if he were talking about a trivial matter, “Tu Meng is also dead, in his residence at the Executioner’s Lodge.”
Boom!
Despite having a premonition, hearing Kai say these two pieces of information so casually sent chills down everyone’s spine in the abode, including Ming Li, and their hearts pounded wildly!
Killed!
Really killed!
And in such a short time!
Outside Zuixianlou was one thing, but the Executioner’s Lodge was inside the City Lord’s Mansion!
Heavily guarded, with numerous arrays!
How did he get in?
How did he find the person?
How did he kill him?
How did he get out?
Especially Lianxing, she knew the security level inside the Jade Immortal Mansion.
Even for her, using all her hidden agents and meticulously planning, to silently kill a senior executioner like Tu Meng in the Executioner’s Abode was almost an impossible task.
It would inevitably come at a huge cost, and it would be difficult to avoid alerting the guards.
But this Senior Chen before her, alone, made a round trip in less than an hour, not only killing two people but also bringing back crucial evidence, and… he looked as relaxed as if he had just taken a stroll!
The monkey’s legs went weak, and he looked at Kai with the eyes of someone looking up to a god, filled with boundless fear.
He finally realized just how terrifying a being he had brought with him.
Although Mingli had some estimate of Kai’s strength, he was also shaken at this moment.
He realized that he might have underestimated his master.
This method of infiltrating the enemy’s lair, accurately beheading, and coming and going freely had exceeded the scope of ordinary combat, and was more like an art, a composure displayed after mastering power to the extreme.
“Senior…Senior’s divine might!”
Leopard Brother’s voice was hoarse, filled with utmost reverence as he bowed.
Lianxing took a few deep breaths, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in her heart, and carefully placed the jade slip down.
Then she solemnly said, “Senior’s cultivation is profound and your methods are unfathomable. Lianxing admires you to the point of prostration. With this as evidence, the injustice done to Senior Mu Sha and his wife is even more irrefutable. However…”
Her face showed worry, “The sudden death of the Tu brothers will not be easily forgiven by the Jade Immortal Mansion, especially Fei Qing, who, as the supervising officer and Yu Wuji’s confidant, will definitely investigate thoroughly. We need to make plans as soon as possible.”