Immortal of the Nine Realms-Chapter 176: New Punishments

The blazing sun shone high in the sky. The climate in the southern region was indeed not suitable for the common person to venture out at midday. That’s why the streets were usually deserted around that time. However, today was drastically different. There was a bustling crowd urgently headed toward the gate of the magistrate under the intense sunlight.

The area was packed with an almost endless number of people, each trying to catch a glimpse. Every attempt to push forward was thwarted by a defensive line formed by the sturdy guards.

In front of the magistrate gate stood a tall tree stump. Master Chen was tightly bound to it with chains as thick as a baby's fist. Due to the direct sunlight, he could only squint his eyes slightly. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead.

Next to him was a table and a chair, with Duke Fang calmly seated on the chair. The intense sunlight had no effect on him; he remained cool and collected, devoid of any sense of discomfort. Not a drop of sweat could be seen on his skin.

Officials from Southern Immortal Prefecture stood behind King Xiang, shielding their eyes from the glaring sunlight with their hands while wiping away the perspiration on their bodies.

Many students from Southern Mountain Academy were present, their expressions complex. It was still hard for them to believe that Master Chen was the true mastermind behind Zhao Yan's case, with Chief Scholar Yu being his accomplice.

Unfortunately, the evidence was irrefutable, leaving no room for argument.

"I never expected Master Chen to be such a person."

"He is truly heinous. I was considering sending my only son to the Southern Mountain Academy. Thankfully, Duke Fang discovered Master Chen's true nature. Otherwise, my son might have ended up like him."

"Duke Fang is expected to publicly execute Master Chen today. Such a person is not worth lamenting for. Over the years, he has harmed countless innocent and virtuous women!"

Whispers filled the air.

Governor Ouyang wiped away a bead of sweat and whispered to King Xiang, "Lord, how do you think Duke Fang will deal with Master Chen?"

King Xiang snorted. "How would I know?"

Governor Ouyang smiled awkwardly. He didn’t dare speak any further and could only silently wait.

Around the tree, Master Chen glanced at the seemingly dozing Duke Fang and suddenly chuckled. "Duke Fang, stop playing games. Isn't it just death? I believe in gods, and there's a cycle in the afterlife. Perhaps, in the not-too-distant future, we will meet again."

The onlookers were secretly shocked. Master Chen actually showed no fear even when facing death.

"Never thought that a scholar could be this insane. Even we martial artists would fear death, wouldn't we?" remarked a nearby warrior in awe.

"Throughout the history of Grand Xia, punishments have been relatively simple for capital crimes. It was either beheading or exterminating one’s entire family. Or some other variations that the stations took liberties to employ," said Fang Chen with a light smile.

Jue Pansh was a little embarrassed when he heard that. Indeed, some of the techniques they used back in the station were rather elaborate.

"What? Do you intend to humiliate me?" Master Chen sneered. "You think I’m scared?"

"There's no need for me to humiliate you. I just believe that Grand Xia should have another form of punishment, specifically for heinous criminals such as yourself. A punishment only for the vilest of the vile," stated Fang Chen.

His words sparked curiosity in the crowd. Was Duke Fang about to invent a new punishment today, specifically designed for the most wicked of criminals?

Intrigued, each person wore an expression of anticipation.

"I will use this knife in my hand to cut away your flesh, one cut at a time, for a total of three thousand six hundred cuts. Then, I will remove your organs, leaving you alive to witness how you transform into a skeleton," Fang Chen explained, showcasing a small knife in his hand. "Once the organs are removed, the bones will be picked clean, the marrow smashed. Oh, and I do hope that there’s truly an Underworld; for it's rumored that a sinner, after death, experiences a never-ending replay of their original demise."

Fang Chen's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears, making their hair stand on end. Even those like King Xiang, who were experienced, felt a chill at the mention of such punishment.

The smile on Master Chen's face gradually faded, replaced by a hint of panic. He stared fixedly at Fang Chen and said, "Fang Chen, you are too ruthless!"

"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth." A thin smile could be seen on Fang Chen’s face. "If I'm not ruthless enough when dealing with someone like you, how can I truly vent the pent-up frustration in my heart?"

"I won't give you that chance," Master Chen retorted, his expression turning cold. He was about to bite his tongue to end his life when he suddenly felt stiff.

He couldn’t move a single muscle! His body refused to listen to him!

Master Chen, who seemed to have no fear of the unknown, turned utterly terrified. His mental defenses crumbled, and his expression turned grotesque.

With a wave of Fang Chen's sleeves, all the clothes on Master Chen's body turned into powder.

The first cut.

A piece of flesh, the size of a thumbnail, was sliced away. Master Chen felt excruciating pain, but he couldn't utter a scream, amplifying the torment. Strangely, blood rolled within the wound but never flowed out. Fang Chen's methods left everyone stunned. Every cut was precise to the tee. It ensured that Master Chen wouldn't die from excessive bleeding, giving him the chance to experience the true total of three thousand six hundred cuts.

Flesh scraps were casually thrown to the ground by Fang Chen, and a few stray dogs that usually roamed the streets rushed over, frantically gobbling his fresh flesh. The guards intended to drive them away, but Fang Chen waved his hand, allowing the dogs to feast.

The onlookers wore complex expressions, acknowledging this as the most terrifying punishment in history. Not only did Master Chen have to endure three thousand six hundred cuts, but his flesh was also to be consumed by stray dogs.

When time passed, and the pain Master Chen felt started to subdue, Fang Chen made another cut. Master Chen's face contorted in agony, and his features wrinkled with his frowns and twists full of pain. Both his mind and body bore tremendous suffering. When he thought about the long road of punishment still ahead, he sank deep into despair.

He stared into Fang Chen’s eyes, his eyes pleading, wishing for a swift death.

"For 'Absolute Decimation,' the cuts must not be too swift. The next cut is made before the previous wound numbs. It ensures the punished individual fully experiences the agony of the entire set of punishments. The process will repeat all the way till the end," explained Fang Chen calmly with a smile as he looked at Jue Panshi, who nodded repeatedly, silently committing the information to memory.

The expressions of King Xiang and others were peculiar, as they felt a profound impact. It was estimated that soon, all the Valiant Saber Guards would know of this punishment.

If one day they committed a crime similar to Master Chen's, wouldn't they become the next Master Chen?

As this thought arose, they immediately suppressed it, reciting prayers in their hearts.

Fang Chen maintained a frequency of one hundred cuts per hour. It was neither fast nor slow.

Time passed second by second.

After several hours, some commoners couldn't bear it any longer and vomited on the spot. Some had pale faces, muttering to themselves, "With his ghastly appearance, the Underworld might not even dare to take him..."

The wounds on Master Chen's body resembled the tiny mouths of infants, densely packed, yet the blood rolled about but did not fall. This scene was truly out of this world, a scene of eldritch horror.

It left everyone baffled.

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