Chapter 242: Fate Has Ended

Although the Grand Astrologer Yan Chang was accused by some censorate officials of bewitching the emperor, his actual responsibilities were primarily observing celestial phenomena, calculating solstices and equinoxes, and formulating the calendar.

These tasks certainly required intelligent people and often seemed somewhat mystical, yet Yan Chang rarely did anything superfluous in his daily life. Among court officials, he was one of the most detached, neither fawning nor having occasion to offer direct remonstrance.

However, for an event like the Water and Land Dharma Assembly, as the Supervisor of the Bureau of Astronomy, Yan Chang was inevitably pushed to the forefront by the emperor.

The Bureau of Astronomy has indeed had peculiar supervisors throughout history. Generations of observing celestial phenomena and deriving the four seasons, day after day, year after year, might allow one to grasp subtle intricacies. Yan Chang's ability to sense the old beggar's unique quality among the various monks, much like stargazing, was not without reason.

But Yan Chang never imagined that the old beggar would bring him misfortune. At this moment, he was prostrate on the ground, daring not to move.

After a cold sneer, the emperor pointed downwards.

"Seize Yan Chang, the Supervisor of the Bureau of Astronomy, and this old beggar!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

At the emperor's command, the surrounding guards instantly sprang into action, their superior martial arts endowing them with remarkable explosive power.

In an instant, figures flashed, and three blades were pressed against the old beggar's neck from the left, right, and rear, ensnaring his neck within their edges.

Two other blades were placed at Yan Chang's neck. The guards confiscated his jade tablet and, with his hands bound behind his back, pulled him up directly, his body like a child's, easily manipulated in their grasp.

Yan Chang's face was ashen, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it would leap from his chest, filled with the thought of "It's over, it's over..."

"Yan Chang, I ask you, who instructed you to recommend this old beggar? Was it Prince Wu or Prince Jin?"

The two princes appeared terrified and almost simultaneously stepped forward to kneel, and almost simultaneously cried out their innocence.

"Your son would never dare be so rebellious!" "Your son is unaware!"

This was truly an unprovoked disaster for the two princes, who now equally detested Yan Chang.

"Alas..."

Yan Chang closed his eyes and sighed softly, then managed to compose himself before opening his eyes again.

"Your Majesty, I recommended him myself. It has nothing to do with the two princes. Elder Lu is indeed a truly accomplished individual, but your humble servant was unaware that he would dare utter such rebellious words in court. I confess my guilt..."

Emperor Yuande snorted coldly and looked at the old beggar. Seeing that the beggar's expression remained calm, especially the pair of eyes fixed on him with such placid gaze, the emperor felt a strange sensation.

"And you, were you instructed by someone..."

Emperor Yuande paused, hesitated, then continued.

"...or did you truly wish to say those words yourself?"

Among the various monks who had cleared the way on either side of the hall, some remained calm outwardly but were inwardly restless, while others felt a touch of schadenfreude.

The monk with the jade-like complexion was also among them, looking first at the old beggar, then at the old emperor, murmuring a soft sigh.

"Praise be to the Great Ming King Buddha..."

The old beggar merely looked at Emperor Yuande, not immediately answering his question, but instead glanced again at the ashen-faced Yan Chang.

"Alas, Master Yan, this old beggar has indeed wronged you a bit..."

At this, the old beggar finally looked up at the emperor, a smile returning to his face, though it lacked the solemnity and respect of his first question and instead carried the cynical air of a usual beggar.

"Your Majesty, this matter is entirely due to my own reckless words. It is not Master Yan's fault, nor is it related to the princes. How about this: execute me, this old beggar, and that should appease Your Majesty's anger."

Execute him?

Yan Chang was extremely sensitive to that word now, then realized it wasn't about himself, but that the old beggar was seeking his own death.

Although the court officials had many conjectures in their hearts, such as it possibly being to protect those who instructed him from behind the scenes, they dared not discuss it at this moment. Thus, the hall remained exceptionally quiet.

The old emperor's expression was volatile, his gaze fixed intently on the old beggar.

After a long silence, he finally uttered a sentence.

"If you truly possess divine powers and mystical arts, demonstrate them for me! If proven true, I will not only pardon your crimes but also bestow titles and rewards upon you!"

At these words, a faint rustle of discussion immediately arose among the court officials. Even Yan Chang looked at the old beggar with hope. He had seen Ji Yuan's flowing sword dance beneath the moonlight. As for the old beggar, Yan Chang had only seen him catch a cat, but he had heard from other masters that the cat was also extraordinary.

However, the old beggar's smile did not reach his eyes as he shook his head and said.

"No need. Executing this old beggar will suffice."

"You..."

The old emperor gripped the armrests of his dragon throne tightly, leaning forward with a stern and sharp voice.

"Do you truly believe I dare not kill you?!"

Even with three sharp long blades held against his shoulders, the old beggar seemed to disregard them completely. With his hands held by the guards, he simply tilted his head and rubbed his shoulder against a blade, scratching an itch.

Even the nearby guards were secretly amazed by the old beggar's boldness. As they held his hands, a spiritual energy probe revealed his body to be "empty," indicating he was no martial arts master.

After scratching his itch, the old beggar maintained the same expression as he looked at the old emperor, his gaze even carrying a hint of pity.

"It takes no effort for the Ninth Five-Year Sovereign to kill an old beggar. Your Majesty, proceed."

The old emperor's aged hands were veined and twitching from exertion and agitation, his chest heaving with rising fury. The way the old beggar looked at him ignited a fire within his heart.

"Hahaha... Good! Guards of the Imperial Court, heed my command! Immediately take this old beggar to Yongning Street and behead him in public!"

"As for Yan Chang, the Supervisor of the Bureau of Astronomy and Grand Astrologer..."

Yan Chang could not help but tremble, fine beads of sweat constantly seeping onto his cheeks.

"...strip him of his position and throw him into the imperial prison!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" "Yes, Your Majesty!"...

Yan Chang's entire body seemed to lose all strength and collapse. Two guards held him and dragged him out of the hall. He used his last remaining strength to look at the old beggar, who walked steadily despite being escorted by several guards out of the great hall.

Once the two "criminals" were led away, the hall became so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. The two princes remained kneeling on the ground, daring neither to rise nor to look up. They could even feel their imperial father's gaze fixed upon them.

"Hmph, both of you, rise!"

"Thank you, Imperial Father!"

The two thanked him in unison, and as they rose, they instinctively exchanged a glance, both seeing a look of lingering fear in their brother's eyes.

After this incident, many of the remaining fifteen monks in the hall were trembling with apprehension. The recent example was right before their eyes, and other officials from the Bureau of Astronomy and the Ministry of Rites, who were also involved in the assembly, were equally anxious.

As the saying goes, one must not be slow in obeying an imperial decree. Since the emperor himself had ordered an immediate execution in the hall, the guards naturally roused their spirits and immediately escorted the old beggar to the street outside the palace.

There was no need to even wait for noon. Imperial guards personally oversaw the escort, accompanied by a contingent of forbidden army soldiers, leading the old beggar directly to Yongning Street as if he were a corrupt court official.

The forbidden army soldiers, holding spears and halberds, cleared the way for pedestrians ahead.

"Move aside, move aside, don't block the way!" "Uninvolved persons, clear out!"

Many commoners, seeing this display, understood that someone was about to be executed. Immediately, many people followed along the periphery, and even more curious onlookers rushed to the scene after hearing the news.

"Someone's getting beheaded over there!" "Really?"

"Go and see for yourselves!"

"Let's go, let's go..." "Wait for me."

Watching an execution was also a unique spectacle.

"Hey, hey, is that an old beggar in the prisoner's cart?" "Is that how a minister looks coming out of prison?"

"No, it's really a beggar. Look at his clothes, not even a prisoner's uniform!"

"You're right..." "This beggar doesn't seem scared at all?"

"He must be terrified out of his mind, right?"

This scene also attracted some special individuals, including Ji Yuan and several True Persons from Yuhai Mountain.

Ji Yuan, mingling with the crowd of commoners moving alongside the prisoner's cart, called out towards the cart with a perplexed voice.

"Elder Lu, what crime have you committed?"

The old beggar's head was the only part visible outside the prisoner's cart, still wearing shackles and leg irons. He managed to turn slightly and call back to Ji Yuan.

"Master Ji, I offended the emperor in court, and now I'm to be executed!"

Ji Yuan found it a bit amusing, but also curious: would this old beggar really allow himself to be executed without escaping?

But before he could think further, two forbidden army soldiers immediately approached Ji Yuan, looking at him sternly.

"Who are you, and what is your relation to the condemned criminal?"

"Uh... esteemed soldiers, I merely shared tea with this old beggar. There are no other connections!"

Ji Yuan cupped his hands, his expression composed, and his demeanor at ease despite a smile.

The few forbidden army soldiers exchanged glances and did not press the matter further, merely telling him not to block the way.

But while the forbidden army soldiers let Ji Yuan go, the old beggar did not let him off.

"Master Ji, this old beggar has heard that one can have a last meal before execution. Would you mind bothering yourself to get this old beggar a full bowl of rice to eat?"

Seeing his demeanor, Ji Yuan chuckled, nodded, and then turned to leave.

When Ji Yuan returned, the old beggar had just been positioned in the middle of Yongning Street, surrounded by a large crowd of onlookers.

"Excuse me, please make way, I've brought the last meal!"

Ji Yuan squeezed forward apologetically. When others heard he was bringing the last meal, they immediately made way, and soon Ji Yuan pushed through the human wall.

Several Yuhai Mountain cultivators stood together, their expressions strange as they watched Ji Yuan and the old beggar.

"Uncle-master, what on earth is going on?"

The elder who was asked pondered deeply, his gaze unfixed.

"Just watch."

Ji Yuan, carrying a large bowl of rice topped with gravy and minced meat, greeted the surrounding imperial guards and palace guards before walking up to the old beggar. By now, the old beggar's shackles had been removed, allowing him to eat by himself.

"Elder Lu, please partake."

The old beggar's face broke into a wide smile as he took the large bowl, said "Thank you," and immediately began eating in large mouthfuls.

The full bowl of rice was quickly devoured, and he ate it with great relish.

"Burp!"

After a satisfied burp, the old beggar returned the bowl and chopsticks to Ji Yuan.

"Heh heh... Master Ji, you should stand a bit further back. Don't let this old beggar's blood stain your clothes later. Oh, but you are a pure body, you're not afraid of such impurities."

Ji Yuan took the bowl and chopsticks, shook his head, and slowly walked back into the crowd of onlookers.

It seemed this old beggar truly intended to "be executed." This reminded Ji Yuan of the Ghost Mother he had captured earlier, who could also revive after being beheaded.

"Since you've finished eating, then prepare yourself. Don't blame us for being heartless; blame yourself for committing a capital crime!"

The Imperial Court guard finished speaking, then personally acted as executioner, drawing his saber and raising it high, while the old beggar simply knelt on the ground with his head bowed.

Almost all the surrounding commoners instinctively flinched, and a collective gasp and shudder went through the crowd.

The next moment, the guard's swift blade descended.

"Pfft..."

The head rolled, and blood spurted from the neck, causing many onlookers to shiver.

"Ah..." "Oh my..."

"Hiss..."

Ji Yuan opened his divine eyes and carefully observed the old beggar, then suddenly understood.

Approximately four or five breaths later, something that sent shivers down the spines of all onlookers and executioners occurred.

The headless corpse, which had fallen face down, actually stood up on its own, swaying and reaching its hands forward, groping around.

"Ah..." "A ghost!"

"It's a zombie, run!"

"Ah..." "Run!" "Don't push me!"

The commoners fled in disarray, and the surrounding imperial guards and palace guards were also utterly horrified, neither daring to flee nor advance, their bodies somewhat rigid...

"Hey, hey, over here, it's here!"

The head that had rolled to the side also began to speak, as if guiding the body to come and find it.

After another moment, the headless body picked up its head and placed it back on its neck.

"Crack... crackle..."

The old beggar twisted his neck, making a crisp sound of bones, then looked at the Imperial Court guard with a smile.

"Alas, the fate of this dynasty is truly not to be easily entangled. My master-disciple relationship with that old emperor is over!"