Shang Dingye felt delighted, as the head of the Shangguan family valued evidence the most, and right now there are so many witnesses present.

Everyone saw the master of the Righteous Alliance intentionally let Zhang Ying go.

And just as Zhang Ying was about to make a move, he decisively shouted ‘Arrive’ in time.

Ning Hongli arrived at this time as well, and the people present quickly stepped forward and clarified the situation one sentence at a time.

Her expression was grim, as she stared at Zhang Rongfang.

“This should be a misunderstanding. If we were so easily framed by the Righteous Alliance, then we would truly let those gutter rats succeed! I guarantee with my reputation as a Grandmaster that Zhang Ying has absolutely no affiliation with the Righteous Alliance!”

“Caught red-handed, and you still want to argue!?” Shang Dingye stared at Ning Hongli fiercely.

“What do you mean by caught red-handed? Shang Dingye, watch your mouth!” Ning Hongli exclaimed sharply. “Old Yue just left, dare you try to lay a finger on my junior disciple nephew!!”

“Why, are we Twelve Mansions’ Grandmasters going to have an internal conflict over an outsider!?” Shang Dingye’s eyes were also ablaze.

Indeed, in the eyes of most people in Jade Void Palace, Zhang Ying was indeed seen as an outsider.

Quite a few of the Jade Void Palace masters did not think much of Celestial Treasure Palace.

They felt that without their support, it was merely a third-rate organization, with barely a few capable fighters.

Spirit Court appreciated Yue Dewen, and many thought it was because of Jade Void Palace.

The Palace Master of Jade Void Palace, Jin Yuyan, was the only Spirit General of the Great Dao Teaching, with formidable power.

It must be known that they once directly crushed the terrifyingly powerful Sensing Sect, which was spread across the country.

Even though that was when the Moon King and Moon Queen of the Sensing Sect were missing, it was still far superior to Black Ten Sect or Celestial Lock Teaching.

Even compared to the Eastern and Western Sects of Zhenyi Sect, there was a notable disparity.

Such a Sensing Sect, with Grandmasters and Spirit Generals gathered, was ultimately defeated by their Great Dao Teaching and Jade Void Palace.

With such deep foundations, Spirit Court naturally would show some favor to Celestial Treasure Palace, a mere figurehead.

Because of this, Jade Void Palace’s attitude toward Zhang Ying was more due to their regard for Yue Dewen, who had personal connections in the past.

As for Celestial Treasure Palace, no one cared.

Now without Old Yue, Zhang Ying’s status as a Daoist of Celestial Treasure Palace was merely titular.

At best, he was just a talented Daoist, nothing more.

And what if he was a top genius?

In this world, especially in the Great Spirit, there was no shortage of geniuses.

During the final deification, waiting for a position above were more than just a couple of top talents.

“Enough!”

Just as two Grandmasters were about to clash.

A formidable figure leaped down from the roof of a building to stand between them.

It was Shangguan Feihua!

His expression was displeased as he glanced at Ning Hongli and Shang Dingye. His hands were still stained with blood, indicating he had just killed someone.

“No internal strife, that’s the rule!” His thunderous voice made everyone’s skin tingle.

“Master Shangguan, this incident wasn’t me acting out of line; it’s Ning Hongli breaking the rules, disregarding all rules to protect her kin!” Shang Dingye said coldly.

A few people nearby, clearly subordinates of Shangguan Feihua, quickly stepped forward to recount the recent events.

“Did Zhang Ying make a move?” he asked deeply.

“He did, but he hesitated! He hesitated!” Shang Dingye chuckled.

“I wasn’t hesitating; I was looking for an opportunity!” Zhang Rongfang retorted.

He was indeed in danger moments ago, and if he had hesitated a bit or been a second slower, he would have been completely branded as colluding with the enemy!

“As long as he made a move, the evidence is insufficient!” Shangguan Feihua said discontentedly. “Shang Dingye, stop looking for trouble…. don’t test the rules’ limits….”

He was clearly very displeased with Shang Dingye.

With only that little incident, it could easily be dismissed as a frame-up because no matter who was put in that position, suspicion would arise.

Once these words were spoken, the tone was essentially set.

Ning Hongli let out a gentle sigh of relief.

And Zhang Rongfang also developed a slight favorable impression towards Shangguan Feihua.

Disregarding grievances, just by rules, for someone to be so fair and just truly exceeded ordinary people’s expectations.

“Master Shangguan.” At this moment, Shang Dingye, however, was not dissatisfied with being held accountable; instead, his expression remained unchanged, his eyes showing confidence once more.

“Actually, at this point, no matter how much I suspect or point out, indeed evidence is insufficient. But….”

He began to laugh.

“I have a method that can verify whether Zhang Ying has any connections with the Righteous Alliance!”

“What method?” Shangguan Feihua frowned.

Ning Hongli and Zhang Rongfang simultaneously felt a tinge of unease.

They simultaneously turned their gaze to Shang Dingye.

But they couldn’t stop, as there were at least a hundred Spirit Soldiers gathered around. Any hint of suspicion, and later….

“It’s very simple.”

Shang Dingye smiled.

“We can gather the leaders of the chaotic Righteous Alliance and have our Daoist Zhang Ying personally…. execute them!”

“Zhang Ying, are you willing?” Shangguan Feihua directed his gaze at Zhang Rongfang.

“I also approve of this method!” Ning Hongli spoke up solemnly.

In her view, this was indeed a good method; regardless of Zhang Ying’s past, even if he did have ties with the Righteous Alliance, he could sever them in this opportunity.

She believed Zhang Ying would make the right choice!

Zhang Rongfang’s expression was calm, as if he was completely indifferent to this matter.

“Alright! I’ll carry out the execution!”

He knew that if he hesitated even a little, Shangguan Feihua would immediately strike him down with one blow.

Currently, if not for Shangguan Feihua, a terrifying Grandmaster of deification, present, everyone would have to act according to his rules.

Otherwise, Shang Dingye might have already personally dealt with him.

He wasn’t afraid of Shang Dingye, but behind Shang Dingye were the Shang family of the Twelve Sect Mansions, where there wasn’t just one Grandmaster.

Inside the Twelve Sect Mansions, each mansion on average has at least two Grandmasters. Among them, the strongest is the Shangguan family, which actually has five Grandmasters and one deity-worshipping Great Grandmaster.

The terrifying strength is equivalent to a medium-sized national sect’s foundation outside.

Therefore, the Great Dao Teaching dares to have the ambition of sweeping the world because they truly have formidable support.

At this moment, Shangguan Feihua and Ning Hongli confirmed that Zhang Rongfang had no hesitation and agreed to carry out the execution, immediately nodding and relaxing.

“Now, continue to disperse and solve the Righteous Alliance dens! If you can capture them alive, do so.”

Finally, Shangguan Feihua left a sentence.

Everyone dispersed to continue the search.

Three hours later.

The sky gradually brightened, and dawn broke.

At the top of Hongyan Tower, the highest point in Ning’an Prefecture.

The Hongyan Tower has a total of eight levels and stands nearly thirty meters tall. Its body is brown, resembling a wild goose feather, with each level having eaves shaped like geese. It’s a scenic spot in Ning’an Prefecture.

Zhang Rongfang received a message instructing him to go to the top of Hongyan Tower to take over the task of the executioner.

“This time, the Prefecture Master needs the Daoist to decapitate the chaotic forces of the Righteous Alliance in front of all the Spirit Army and city residents to demonstrate authority!”

This was the original message from the Daoist who transmitted the order.

Zhang Rongfang had a blank expression.

Step by step he approached the towering edifice, moving along the lower streets.

He had already made up his mind; as long as it wasn’t his master Zhang Xuan and others, the rest of the Righteous Alliance high command were irrelevant, and killing them was of little consequence.

Let’s navigate through this crisis first.

Later on…

There would be time to settle accounts with Shang Dingye!

Counting the time, Uncle Zuo and the others should be arriving soon. When that time comes…

From the street to the entrance of Hongyan Tower, squads of Spirit Army were already stationed.

Crossbow arrows and gun muzzles densely aimed outward from the gaps in giant shields, guarding against potential raid rescues.

Within the passage guarded by Spirit Army.

Zhang Rongfang quickly arrived at the gate of the tower and saw Ning Hongli looking anxiously at him, standing inside the entrance.

“Are you alright?” Ning Hongli asked softly. “Xiaoying, tell me the truth, is it really okay?”

“Don’t worry.” Zhang Rongfang nodded seriously.

No matter what, he had to endure today’s situation.

He took the execution sword handed over by the Daoist nearby.

The sword was two meters long, entirely silver white, with an exceptionally sharp edge and a thick back.

He lifted it single-handedly and climbed upward layer by layer.

Ning Hongli followed behind him.

Upon reaching the eighth level, Shang Dingye stood at the hallway, squinting as he observed him.

“Whether it’s true or false, this time it depends on how you perform, don’t disappoint this old man.” Shang Dingye said in a peculiar tone.

“No need for Grandmaster Shang to worry about that.” Zhang Rongfang replied indifferently.

“That’s good. Truly worthy of being Yue Dewen’s disciple.” Shang Dingye smiled. He gestured with his hand.

Zhang Rongfang didn’t bother to look at him, brushing past him as he headed up the stairs.

He knew well that even if he successfully executed the decapitation, having killed so many Righteous Alliance members, he would undoubtedly become their primary target.

Shang Dingye was using open tactics.

These veteran Grandmasters were indeed well-deserved, each more cunning than the last.

Taking advantage of the situation, forcing him to move forward relentlessly.

With a creak, he pushed open the wooden door of the ninth level.

In the small hall above, there were already two rows of weakened, blood-stained prisoners kneeling.

Shangguan Feihua sat by the window, seemingly meditating and cultivating the Cultivation of Literature.

“Take them out to the terrace and decapitate them. Ensure everyone can see clearly.”

He instructed briefly.

“Yes!” Zhang Rongfang’s gaze swept across the room, from the first person to the last.

Instantly, he felt a great sense of relief.

No sign of his master and the others!

“A total of three batches of sixty people, introduced before killing, no problem, right?” Shang Dingye suddenly spoke from behind.

Three batches!?

“No!” Zhang Rongfang’s heart tightened.

But with Shangguan Feihua present, he couldn’t express anything else.

“Begin. Bring out the first one.” Shangguan Feihua said calmly.

Soon, the first prisoner—a plump woman with a large belly—was dragged out.

Her mouth was stuffed with rags, her hands were tied, her legs broken, and she was forcibly dragged onto the terrace outside.

The terrace was a display platform temporarily constructed.

Five meters long, three meters wide, extending outward in a rectangular shape, with no railing.

Zhang Rongfang kept his expression blank, following the person dragging her forward, and stood on the terrace.

Below the tower, people began to introduce information about the plump woman, why she was executed, and so forth.

Soon, the introduction was over.

Zhang Rongfang lifted the sword, his face cold, and sliced abruptly.

With a swish.

A splash of blood scattered forth, and the plump woman was decapitated on the spot, collapsing to the ground.

Due to the sword’s speed and sharpness, her head did not fly off; it still remained in its original place, appearing as if a red line had been added to her neck, nothing more.

“The second one!” he said in a deep voice.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep