The news of what occurred at the Imperial Court spread faster than one could imagine.
After all, many people were already keeping their eyes on what would be the fate of the Bai Clan after this.
But the news that they got was completely different from what they expected.
Bai Zihan didn't attack the Azure Sun Holy Sect just because he could, but because they were carrying out dangerous and illegal experints on children.
And that was just the tip, with news about Azure Sun kidnapping children and trying to assassinate Bai Zihan also becoming known.
Within a single day-
The entire Desolate Heaven Empire knew.
At first, disbelief.
Then shock.
Then fury.
"Azure Sun Holy Sect dared to experint on children?"
"For decades? And they have the audacity to call themselves righteous!" "They should burn in hell."
The sa streets that had once buzzed with rumors condemning Bai Zihan now echoed with a completely different tone.
Was he not arrogant?
Was he not lawless?
Had he not defied the Imperial Court?
That was what people used to say.
Now-
The narrative had turned on its head.
"So that's why Young Master Bai attacked the Azure Sun Holy Sect!! As expected, he has a noble reason!"
"He wasn't acting recklessly-he was saving those children!"
"What is the Imperial Court doing? They should have been the ones to discover
such things. But now Young Master Bai had to do their job?"
"If not for Bai Zihan, we would still be in the dark!"
The insults that once followed Bai Zihan's na were quietly swallowed.
In their place-
Admiration, reverence, and gratitude.
"A hero of righteousness!"
"He not only killed those demonic beasts and demonic cultivators, but he is also cleansing evil from the Empire. This is what a true hero should be!"
anwhile, curses rained upon the Azure Sun Holy Sect like an unending
storm.
"Beasts in human skin!"
"Demonic sect in disguise!"
"To think we respected them! They must all face punishnt!"
Voices united against the Azure Sun Holy Sect.
So what if they were a Top Sect? Could they do whatever they wanted?
With the unity of everyone, they had nothing to fear even if it was soone like the Azure Sun Holy Sect.
As for the Bai Clan-
Their prestige soared, with everyone praising them, while those who previously cursed them apologized, citing it was due to misunderstanding and lack of information.
***
Three days later!
The capital's main plaza was overflowing.
It was said that even rooftops were occupied.
Vendors closed early. Cultivators from surrounding regions rushed over simply to witness history.
At the center of the plaza stood a towering execution platform.
Imperial banners fluttered above it, golden dragons coiling across crimson silk. Heavy chains clanked.
Wen Haoyu was brought forth.
His once immaculate robes were gone, replaced by plain white prisoner
garnts.
His cultivation base had been sealed.
No spiritual aura.
No commanding presence.
No sect leader.
Just a man. Perhaps not even that. Just a filthy criminal who didn't deserve any
of a human's privileges.
The crowd roared the mont they saw him.
"That's him! The Sect Leader of Azure Sun Holy Sect and the one who started
those experints."
"Execution! Execution!"
Wen Haoyu's face was pale, his body was bruised.
It was certain that those three days weren't peaceful or leisurely for him, and
he had endured torture.
But his eyes-
They burned with resentnt.
With hatred.
He scanned the crowd as if searching for soone-however, with his Qi
sealed, he couldn't find the said person.
Bai Zihan!
Only if he hadn't ssed with him. If only, he didn't order for him to be
assassinated.
Even if he did all that, he should have escaped when he got the chance.
Why did he have to believe in Li Jainhong and Zhao Wutian, thinking that with their support, he could take down the Bai Clan and reclaim his sect?
Above the platform stood the Imperial Execution Officer, decree scroll in hand.
His voice echoed across the plaza.
"Wen Haoyu, forr Sect Leader of Azure Sun Holy Sect-" "You have conducted forbidden human experintation for decades. You deceived the Imperial Court. You violated the moral laws of the Empire."
"By decree of His Majesty-You are sentenced to public execution."
The crowd erupted.
"Kill him!"
"Justice!"
"Let this be a warning!"
"Do you have any last words?"
The Imperial Execution Officer asked.
Wen Haoyu suddenly laughed unhingedly.
"Hehe... hahaha..."
The laughter grew louder, harsher, echoing across the plaza like the cry of a
madman.
His bloodshot eyes scanned the endless sea of faces.
Then his voice rose sharply.
"Bai Zihan!"
The na rang through the crowd.
"You think hiding behind that mask of righteousness makes you different from
?!"
His lips twisted with venom.
"You and I are the sa!"
Wen Haoyu's voice grew hoarse as he shouted toward the masses.
"One day, your mask shall also be unveiled.
His gaze burned with hatred.
"And when you do-you will et the sa fate as !"
For a mont-
Silence lingered.
Then the crowd exploded in anger.
"Shut your mouth!"
"How dare you compare yourself to Young Master Bai!"
"You demonic scum!"
"Soone like you isn't even worthy of saying his na!"
"The Empire would never allow harm to co to our hero!" "That's right!"
"Don't try to drag him down with you!"
The voices grew louder, drowning Wen Haoyu in curses and insults.
Yet-
Wen Haoyu only laughed harder.
"Hehehe..."
The sound was hollow with mocking tone.
"You fools..."
His voice carried, though his cultivation was sealed.
"Do you think this Empire is just? That they will protect everyone? Hehe... Even
the Imperial-"
"Silence!"
The Imperial Execution stopped Wen Haoyu before he could complete his
sentence.
"By decree of His Majesty-Justice shall be carried out here and now."
The officer lowered his hand.
"Execution!"
Then a massive blade that had glead under the sunlight descended.
For a brief mont-
Silence fell!
Wen Haoyu's laughter faded.
Then-
Thunderous applause.
CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!
It was done.
It rolled across the plaza like waves crashing against stone.
"Justice!"
"Good riddance!"
"May his soul never reincarnate!"
The cheers grew louder, heavier, and unified.
So spat toward the execution platform.
So wept-not for Wen Haoyu, but for the unseen children whose suffering
had finally been acknowledged.
Others raised their fists high into the air.
"This is what happens to those who hide evil beneath a righteous banner!"
"Let every sect take warning!"
The executioner stepped back, blade resting against his shoulder as imperial
guards swiftly cleared the platform. Crimson banners fluttered above.
The Imperial Execution Officer raised his hand, signaling the crowd to quiet
slightly.
His voice rang across the plaza.
"Let this be known throughout the Desolate Heaven Empire! Any who practice
forbidden arts, harm innocents, or conceal evil beneath the banner of righteousness shall et the sa fate."
"The Empire will not tolerate such cris." The decree echoed through the plaza like thunder.
The Empire had made its statent.
And the people approved.
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