CHAPTER 550: CHAPTER 281: LUNAR REFINEMENT, THE TREE DEMON FACES TRIBULATION

August, with the weather turning cooler, Linjiang County was engulfed in continuous rain, casting an even more ominous air on the execution ground at the Vegetable Market.

Only the familiar red banners and the multicolored small flags strung together on ropes added a hint of vibrancy to the gray execution ground.

However, the vibrant banners advertised various funeral promotions.

The small, colorful prayer flags hanging in front of the execution ground all bore the ’anti-counterfeit watermark’ of the Funeral Shop.

As the most faithful spectator of the annual autumn executions, Xu Qing was present again this year.

He stood in the best spot at the execution ground, silently counting the number of death row prisoners for this year’s autumn executions.

Over the years, Xu Qing observed that the number of autumn executions was increasing annually. Especially in the past two years, with the Cangyi Group and the Red Coat Sect causing turmoil openly and secretly, those who thrived in chaos took the opportunity to loot. In such circumstances, it would be strange if the crime rate in the Dayong Dynasty was not high!

At this moment, on the autumn execution ground.

Even after having their tongues cut out, members of the rebellious Cangyi Group continued to shout hoarsely, "The dog emperor is lewd and unprincipled, failing to distinguish between loyalty and treachery. Though we die today, tomorrow and the days after, thousands will rise!"

"Corrupt officials! I would rather die than not sweep away the filth and awaken the people!"

Xu Qing watched the death row prisoner shouting the loudest and noticed that while speaking, his mouth didn’t move, but his belly fluctuated.

Could this be ventriloquism learned specifically for the day on the execution ground to shout harsh words?

Xu Qing clicked his tongue, not expecting talent within the Cangyi Group.

Just as the supervising officer ordered the officials to silence these rogues, dissidents hidden among the crowd suddenly echoed and shouted—

"The Imperial Court is unjust, exhausting the people’s wealth without caring for their plight! Only the Cangyi Group stands up, and it is righteousness!"

Hardly had the former words ended when another yelled: "Those who bring firewood for the many should not freeze to death in the wind and snow. How can we sit idle and do nothing! Everyone, listen to me, we should revolt with the Cangyi Group against this Dayong Dynasty and change the heavens!"

Xu Qing followed the sound and saw the few who shouted out slogans quickly blend back into the crowd, showing themselves no more.

Zhao Zhonghe ordered five or six Government Officials, along with soldiers under Chief Zhao, to search the crowd and arrest the troublemakers.

On the execution ground, the supervising officer angrily shouted: "Seditious words! To collude with foreign invaders, to bring in the Southern Barbarians, and claim to act on behalf of the heavens? Executioners, the three-quarter hour of noon has arrived, execute!"

Xu Qing looked up at the rainy and misty weather. Although this weather made it difficult to tell the precise time, it was certainly not yet the three-quarter hour of noon.

It was only because the Funeral Shop had a backstop; otherwise, if it were any other time, today’s corpse collectors would have been in trouble.

Looking at the accumulating evil spirit on the execution ground, Xu Qing felt some dissatisfaction with the supervising officer.

According to the Dayong legal code, the execution of serious criminals after the autumn must wait until the three-quarter hour of noon when the yang energy is at its peak.

This adheres to the principles of nature’s yin and yang, when the sun is directly overhead, and the ground’s shadows are shortest, with yang flourishing and yin diminishing.

Executing heinous criminals at this time ensures the dispersion of their yin spirits, preventing them from causing mischief.

Moreover, if due to weather changes, if the three-quarter hour of noon is dim or with continuous rain, execution must be halted immediately, and a sunny day must be chosen to follow the practice anew.

This system follows the ancient traditions of the previous dynasties, aligning with the execution methods post-Autumn Equinox and before the Spring Ritual, as other times violate the harmony of the heavens.

Xu Qing couldn’t understand why the supervising officer before him chose to defy the regulations and execute today.

On the supervising platform, accompanying Prefect Lu to supervise, Chen Guangrui couldn’t help but advise again:

"Sir, according to our dynasty’s legal code, the autumn execution regulations, any supervising officer who orders execution before the three-quarter hour of noon shall be punished with eighty strokes. Executing during continuous rain, resulting in supernatural occurrences, leads to the supervising officer’s demotion and punishment..."

"County Magistrate Chen, are you the supervising officer?"

Seeing Chen Guangrui remain silent, Prefect Lu snorted coldly, immediately flinging out the execution token, shouting: "Continue the execution!"

Another row of rebellious heads fell, and the gloomy aura on the execution ground grew even thicker.

Xu Qing sensed something was amiss. He quickly moved to a row of corpses just carried off the execution ground, and without a word, ripped open a prisoner’s crimson prison uniform, revealing eerie runes drawn on his chest, abdomen, and back, which emitted a sinister aura different from the usual evil energy.

Zhao Zhonghe noticed the abnormality and stepped forward to ask: "Is there something unusual?"

Xu Qing tore open three more prisoners’ crimson uniforms, then turned to look at Zhao Zhonghe, whose fierce appearance made him resemble a god of death.

"Chief Zhao should be aware of the Cangyi Group colluding with the Southern Barbarians. The witchcraft of the Southern Barbarians is most proficient in evil techniques."

Xu Qing pointed at the corpses covered in eerie runes and said: "Chief Zhao, you may touch these corpses."

Instinctively, Zhao Zhonghe reached out and immediately discovered something was amiss.

"Why are the bodies just executed so icy?"

Though the weather is cool now, an ordinary body left for two days should not feel this cold, let alone one just carried from the execution ground.

Even in the coldest winter, a fresh corpse not exceeding the burning of an incense stick would still feel warm to the touch.

Yet the bodies before him appeared frost-stricken in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

Something strange indeed, Zhao Zhonghe furrowed his brows and said: "This matter is indeed strange..."

After pondering for a moment and unable to comprehend, Zhao Zhonghe, shaking his head, said: "Shopkeeper Xu, don’t overthink it. They were not formidable foes when alive; could they overturn the heavens once dead?"

Xu Qing looked at the straightforward Zhao Zhonghe and candidly said: "Our dynasty’s legal code clearly states that if execution is carried out during continuous rain, causing the corpses to exhibit supernatural phenomena, the primary and accompanying officials in charge of the execution shall both be demoted and held accountable."