Although he still could not recognize the names or faces of these people,

He was certain... they were his former subordinates.

Fang Yu felt a surge of anger burning in his chest,

Nearly exploding.

A cool breeze blew by.

"People are coming!"

"Look, so many people..."

The noise of the crowd caught Fang Yu's attention.

He followed their gaze,

Only to see Empress Ziwei, clad in black with a black veil shrouding her head.

Beneath the black outer garment, she wore a white undershirt... so dignified.

Black gloves, black long boots.

Two bodyguards carried a chair each, placing them near the white cloth on the platform.

Just two chairs.

"Your Majesty the Empress!"

"Your Majesty the Empress!"

People on the platform bowed one after another.

Empress Ziwei ascended to the platform, her gaze sweeping across the crowd in the square as she slowly took a seat.

Then she glanced at the time.

Fang Yu frowned slightly, thinking to himself, what is this woman up to?

Could it be...

She knows I am the reincarnation of the Dragon Emperor?

But from her reaction, it seemed unlikely.

Fang Yu squeezed through the crowd and stepped onto the steps of the square.

A nearby bodyguard was about to stop him when Fang Yu spoke loudly, "Miss Ziwei..."

Empress Ziwei glanced sideways, her eyes flicking across Fang Yu's face, and with a faint smile, she said, "Mr. Fang, please come forward."

Fang Yu ascended.

The audience below stirred with excitement.

Empress Ziwei, choosing such an occasion but clearly showing her dislike for the bustle, slowly raised her hand, gesturing.

A burly man at the side came to the edge, picking up the megaphone and shouted:

"Silence! Everyone here must follow these rules: one, no loud noises; two, no approaching the platform; three, no pointing and commenting. Anyone who dares to break these rules will suffer severely! Those who are afraid, get out of Emperor Square now!"

His words were stern and serious.

However, in these peaceful times where everything is governed by law, how could the ordinary people believe the words of the burly man?

Immediately, laughter surrounded them.

Hahaha...

The burly man leapt down and swung a fist at the loudest laugher.

Bang!

The man fell to the ground, sliding backwards across the floor!

Blood gushed from his nose.

His face swollen and bruised.

Before he even had the chance to cry out, he collapsed unconscious.

Everyone was instantly stunned, filled with fear and terror...

Just as they were about to shout—

The burly man yelled, "Anyone who dares to shout will end up just like him!"

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh—

The bodyguards around formed a line, creating a human wall that sealed the entire square, tight as a drum.

Those who wanted to leave were also blocked by the bodyguards outside.

Finally, the audience realized this was no joke.

Just as someone was about to make a move, they were pushed back by the burly men.

...

The scene was eerily quiet.

Fang Yu glanced back, then strode toward Empress Ziwei with a beaming smile, and nonchalantly, with an air of ease, he sat down on the chair next to hers, propping up his legs and said:

"Miss Ziwei, a single moment of spring night is worth a thousand gold. Calling me to meet in this place, you couldn't possibly be planning to make me... you know... under the broad daylight, in front of everyone? Oh... I didn't see it coming, you're into this sort of thing. Alas... I'm not that kind of person. But if it really comes to that, I think I would be more than willing."

Empress Ziwei's brow furrowed slightly.

He simply filtered out Fang Yu's roguish talk.

The urban life of this period had greatly enhanced her understanding of modern people.

It must be said, her learning ability was truly too rapid. Even the arrangement to meet with Fang Yu was made by herself using a mobile phone.

However...

Her demeanor and aura seemed unlikely to change.

Empress Ziwei glanced into the distance, speaking indifferently, "Today, I invited you here to watch a play unfold."

"A play? What kind of play?"

Empress Ziwei extended her pale jade-like hand, gesturing toward the area covered by white cloth.

Fang Yu asked in confusion, "What is this?"

Empress Ziwei commanded plainly, "Unveil it!"

"Yes!"

Several bodyguards stepped forward, uncovering the white cloth in one swift motion.

With a rustling sound...

The white cloth was flipped over.

In the square—

More than fifty elderly men, dressed in white, knelt on the ground, their frail bodies like dying candles in the wind, covered in numerous scars.

The spectating crowd burst into an uproar.

"Silence!"

This command for silence forced the onlookers to close their mouths because they saw the bodyguards now holding gleaming knives.

Some people were genuinely frightened, startled by the scene before them, and began to cry softly.

People tend to follow the crowd. The overall tone dictates the direction of the crowd's emotions.

If one person is scared, then everyone else starts to feel scared too, and they dare not move an inch.

Fang Yu slowly stood up.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"These people are my subordinates... But they have betrayed me and committed unforgivable errors."

"So, how do you plan to deal with them?"

"Your presence today, Mr. Fang, is to witness my sincerity..." said Empress Ziwei.

"Sincerity?"

"These fifty or so individuals are all my capable officers. Any one of them could have earned a great name and established a lasting empire. However... they erred. The law shows no mercy. They will receive the harshest punishment—death." Empress Ziwei's voice was as clear as autumn water, "Therefore, after their death, I will be left without anyone to rely on. If you are willing to join me, you could become a founding champion of my kingdom."

"A founding champion?" Fang Yu caught onto the term, leading to suspicion in his heart.

"Indeed... This vast world, without Tiandu Mountain, is like missing a guiding light. People lose direction and cannot find the correct path. I will make Tiandu Mountain shine over this land, showing the way!" Empress Ziwei declared proudly.

A sense of heaviness settled in Fang Yu's heart.

Thinking of the information sent by Chen Daotian, he couldn't help but think: This woman must already know about the outbreak of the Secret Realm Spiritual Energy; is she planning to seize the city?

Following that—

Empress Ziwei spoke with a grave voice, "To save time... today, I'd like Mr. Fang to enjoy this play."

She lifted her hand gracefully and waved it lightly.

The bodyguard beside her bowed, replying, "Yes!"

The bodyguard approached the group of elderly men, his expression stern and voice loud, stating, "Prepare... for the execution!"

Execution?

Everyone heard these two words.

What did it mean?

What was about to happen?

Were they going to kill people in broad daylight?

With a clatter!

The chains started moving.

An elderly man was abruptly hoisted onto a pole with a swift motion, pulled up to the very top of the pole at breakneck speed.

He couldn't move at all.

Worn out by the blowing wind and baking sun.

It seemed they had already been in this state for more than a day.

Just as the bodyguard was about to signal to begin.

Fang Yu suddenly called out loudly:

"Wait—"

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