Chapter 31: Great Knight, Part 1
[Today’s evaluation: A meaningful day, lifespan +1, obtained a temporary state ’Heaven Rewards Diligence’]
Today, having responsibly completed the task of transporting prisoners, worked hard, and diligently practiced martial arts, I unsurprisingly achieved a good state.
After drinking with Liang Chuan Mountain and alleviating his worries, Song Changming returned home to rest.
Reflecting on the day’s battle, Song Changming was satisfied with his own sword skill performance. It was precisely with the help of his tirelessly honed sword skill that he could stand firm on the prisoner cart and repel opponents from all sides.
The Soul-breaking Saber in the Great Success Realm is remarkably powerful.
However, my body refining cultivation is too shallow. Otherwise, when facing those people from Jianghu, it wouldn’t simply have been a retreat but a kill on the spot, leaving them no chance to escape.
In a few days, it will be time for another annual evaluation, perhaps then I can gain more experience in body refining cultivation.
The next day, the task assigned to Liang Chuan Mountain was very clear: at 11:45 AM, escort four major criminals to the execution platform at the bustling street entrance for public execution!
These four selected major criminals are all bureaucrats who committed serious crimes, causing their families to be confiscated, and they themselves could not escape death.
As for Liu Xiangnan, the Great Knight who caused the prisoner rescue yesterday, he was not on today’s execution list.
Perhaps the higher-ups have other arrangements.
This time, to execute the four bureaucratic felons, even the soon-to-retire Director was present to oversee the situation to prevent yesterday’s rescue from happening again.
Despite his advanced age, the old Director still possesses considerable personal combat power.
Although his body’s qi and blood may have declined, no longer at its peak, his mastery of martial arts has only grown more proficient with practice.
In the Patrolling Armor Bureau of Houli Street, no Patrol Captain dared to claim they could surpass the old Director in force.
In the past, they were all taught a lesson by the old Director at some point, leaving a lasting impression and not daring to show disrespect.
And this time, at the execution platform, although the General Department had preparations, no one came to rescue the prisoners until the execution concluded.
Instead, some tried to take advantage of the situation to break into the Patrolling Armor Bureau’s prison.
Fortunately, the prison was always under tight security, preventing them from succeeding.
A few individuals fell into the net, captured on the spot.
Upon questioning, they turned out to be people from Jianghu, coming to rescue Liu Xiangnan after receiving his favor.
It must be said, this Great Knight indeed has a charming personality, able to inspire so many unrelated people to risk their lives for him.
Of course, prison break attempts are extremely serious, and to prevent any incidents, the old Director immediately ordered extra Patrol Guards to be stationed at the prison every night, specifically to guard Liu Xiangnan until his day of execution.
Liu Xiangnan’s deeds, due to the prison break incident, have spread throughout the entire Patrolling Armor Bureau.
The County Magistrate he killed was, in fact, a major corrupt official oppressing the people, causing widespread suffering in his governed area.
Not tolerating the magistrate’s evil deeds, Liu drew his sword and killed him in a moment of righteous indignation.
Though impulsive, people say his actions were righteous.
...
The prison of the Patrolling Armor Bureau is cold and damp, with a persistent foul stench.
Guarding the prison at night is absolutely a distressing job.
And tonight, it was the turn of the Patrol Guard team, including Song Changming, to watch over it.
"Song."
Two Patrol Guards dozing off in a corner immediately rose upon seeing Song Changming enter.
"You guys go outside for some fresh air, I’ll take this shift." Song Changming waved them off, choosing not to pursue their slacking off.
"Okay! Call us anytime you need us, Song." The two guards immediately left.
Compared to staring at lifeless prisoners in this underground jail, outside felt like heaven.
Song Changming said nothing, his gaze sweeping over each cell holding the prisoners.
Having been locked up for so long, most prisoners lay in a daze, some like dried corpses, rarely any remained lively.
Song Changming’s eyes finally settled on a particular cell.
Inside was Liu Xiangnan.
At this moment, Liu Xiangnan had long lost the cultured gentlemanly demeanor spread outside, slumped against the wall with his head raised, hands hanging weakly, and eyes vacant, staring at a small iron window on the wall.
Several strands of moonlight shone through, spilling over him.
This was his only contact with the outside world.
Perhaps hearing approaching footsteps, Liu Xiangnan’s gaze shifted towards Song Changming.
He remembered this young patrol guard, who had demonstrated considerable skill before when blocking those who attempted to rescue him from the prisoner cart.
Song Changming placed a bowl of water into the cell.
Liu Xiangnan leaned down, biting the rim to drink the water.
Song Changming noticed his hands seemed crippled, incapable of performing even the simple task of holding a bowl.
"When will I be executed?" After drinking, Liu Xiangnan finally spoke.
"No notification yet," Song Changming replied.
Liu Xiangnan closed his eyes in silence for a moment, then suddenly said, "I have a request."
Song Changming did not respond.
"I don’t want to cause more harm. Kill me before I’m executed." Liu Xiangnan’s face showed more pain, murmuring.
"What if at the execution ground, there’s a better Jianghu expert who saves you, why not wait a bit?" Song Changming asked.
Better dead than alive; to prisoners, even a slim chance of survival would not lead them to choose death.
Liu Xiangnan shook his head slightly, looking at his hands, "I am not myself, dying now is a release."
Song Changming could somewhat understand Liu Xiangnan’s feelings.
He was now in living hell, feeling pain both physically and mentally, living was an ordeal.
He knew that when he went to the execution ground, someone might again risk their life to save him, die because of him, hence he asked Song Changming to end his life before the execution.
All of this started because of him; more people should not die because of it.
Otherwise, what was the point of killing the corrupt official...
"Sorry, there’s no order from above, I can’t help you." After hesitating, Song Changming shook his head.
In truth, regarding a knight like Liu Xiangnan, after learning about his deeds, Song Changming had a sense of admiration, since it was something he thought he couldn’t achieve.
How many can truly sacrifice themselves for others?
He could only make Liu Xiangnan’s days a little better while guarding the prison, that was his limit.
Anything more would be beyond his authority and could bring trouble upon himself.
Seeing his request for death was unmet, Liu Xiangnan closed his eyes again, silent.
Song Changming placed a bowl of meat porridge into Liu Xiangnan’s cell; seeing him not eating, he proceeded to focus on practicing his sword in the corner of the cell.
Such a precious time should not be wasted in the prison.