Chapter 140: The Peach Blossom Immortal Enters Mortal Sight

That day, Tao’er became a spirit and used Sword Flight to the capital.

Everyone at the execution ground stood frozen, watching the scene.

None knew exactly how the woman had come. In the end, only her fleeting figure remained in their sight, along with the deep slash she left on the execution ground.

“This is…”

“What on earth…”

Countless people gaped, their jaws slack. That sword light deeply shocked every person there.

“Him, I’m taking away.”

The woman left these words, grabbed the prisoner-clad Tong Zhihuan behind her, then stepped upon the sword and flew away.

That brief, startling glimpse of her made everyone halt in their tracks.

Chang Shan, standing on the execution ground, stared after the departing figure. He couldn’t help but chuckle with admiration: “Physician Tong’s beloved… she truly is something else…”

He turned his head to glance around the execution ground now thrown into chaos.

Physician Tong was saved, but what about himself…

Chang Shan gave a helpless smile, accepting he just wasn’t meant to survive.

But suddenly, a flash of cyan light swept past his eyes. Chang Shan started, then promptly collapsed unconscious.

In the depths of his fainting, he seemed to glimpse a familiar figure.

“Little mas…”

Chang Shan’s words remained unfinished before darkness claimed him.

Confusion still reigned around the execution grounds. Strangely, all had forgotten why they were there, every single one rooted to the spot, dazed and unable to compose themselves.

One of the masked men reacted first. After a sweeping look at the situation, he urgently commanded: “Withdraw!”

His men snapped back to reality at his order.

All the masked men fled towards the outside.

The Shadow Guards onsite jolted awake from their stupor, shouting: “Halt, scoundrels!”

After the masked men who had stormed the execution grounds and the Shadow Guards departed, the place finally descended into utter silence.

The pyres on the platform flickered.

The executioner’s hat lay fallen on the ground. The trembling official struggled to his feet. He surveyed the chaotic scene before him and recalled that overwhelming sword slash. A shudder ran through him.

The swordsmen wounded by Sword Qi staggered as they picked themselves up from the ground, equally unable to regain composure.

Behind curtains in the shadows, Zhao Zhen stood numbed for a long while.

As the dust settled,

a single fallen petal drifted into his view.

Zhao Zhen stirred. He raised his eyes, watching as the petal floated slowly down from the air.

He paused, then stretched out his hand.

The petal alighted in his palm.

Zhao Zhen looked down at it, murmuring: “Peach blossom…”

Raising his gaze towards the vast Azure Heaven above, his mind was in turmoil.

When the beliefs you hold sacred are shattered, acceptance is difficult for anyone.

“In this world…”

“Do immortals truly exist?”

The executions simply could not continue. All the condemned prisoners were taken back to Zhao Prison.

After witnessing that spectacle, Zhao Zhen felt apprehensive about executing those men. Back in the palace, he ordered them confined in Zhao Prison instead. Sentencing would be decided later.

The remaining prisoners breathed sighs of relief, feeling like survivors of a disaster.

Meanwhile, in Autumn Moon Market,

a glimmer of swordlight returned to a Daoist temple.

Tong Zhihuan slipped off the Immortal Sword, landing hard on his backside. A yelp of pain escaped him.

“Ow…”

Miss Tao’er rolled her eyes at him. “Serves you right!”

Hearing her voice, Tong Zhihuan froze for a moment, then clarity washed over him.

Abruptly, a silly grin spread across his face. He scratched his head sheepishly.

Tao’er looked at him coldly. “The Wooden Talisman. Where is it?”

Tong Zhihuan hurriedly answered, “It’s, it’s here, right here…”

“I didn’t lose it, Miss Tao’er.”

He opened his palm, presenting the Wooden Talisman to Tao’er.

Miss Tao’er gave him a reproachful glance, then snatched the talisman right from his hand.

She glanced at it, then handed it back to him.

“Hmph. At least you have a shred of conscience.”

Tong Zhihuan took the talisman back, clutching it like a precious treasure in his hand.

He raised his head, earnestness etched onto his face. “Miss Tao’er saved me today. My life belongs to her now.”

“Who wants your life,” she retorted.

Tao’er shook her head. Her voice softened slightly. “I’ll just ask you one thing.”

Tong Zhihuan paused. He asked gently: “What is it?”

Miss Tao’er looked straight at him. She bit her lip softly and then the question came:

“Will you still leave?”

Tong Zhihuan stiffened briefly. Then, unexpectedly, a wide, genuine smile bloomed across his face.

“What are you smiling about?” Tao’er frowned.

Tong Zhihuan shook his head slowly. His voice was warm and clear. “No.”

He met her gaze steadily. Looking into the eyes of this girl flecked with peach blossoms, he spoke his answer. “I am not going anywhere. I’ll stay right here.”

A small, relieved smile touched Tao’er’s lips. She gently chided him, “You dummy.”

…

The Peach Blossom Immortal entered mortal sight, riding the wind and sword to seize the execution ground.

Zhao Zhen initially intended to suppress the news. But too many witnesses had seen it that day. Thus, rumors of the Peach Blossom Immortal slowly began to spread.

Luckily, such tales lacked credibility. Most merely dismissed them as wild stories.

Zhao Zhen had little energy to deal with this now. Da Xiang remained unstable. He urgently needed to consolidate power and prevent a counter-uprising.

Compared to a peach fairy, the nation itself remained paramount in Zhao Zhen’s eyes.

That didn’t mean he ignored the matter completely.

He ordered a thorough investigation into that Physician’s origins and ancestral home. What they uncovered was a surprise. No problems surfaced until they dug deep.

“Tong Zhihuan…”

“Anning County… Autumn Moon Market?”

Zhao Zhen jolted. The mention made him recall the “Mr. Chen” spoken of by that vile Demon Daoist.

“Autumn Moon Market… Again…”

Zhao Zhen felt inwardly uneasy. Recent events kept pointing toward that place.

A Shadow Guard knelt in the hall offered more: “Your Majesty, it wasn’t just Tong Zhihuan. Another man also vanished that day.”

Zhao Zhen lifted his head. “Who?”

“Chang Shan,” the Shadow Guard replied. “Deputy Chief of the Court of Judicial Review during the Great Jing era. We traced his roots. Though registered in Yan County, he originally came from Autumn Moon Market in Anning County. He practiced Cultivation in the mountains before coming down for the imperial exams. After becoming a Zhuangyuan (Top Scholar), he came to the capital.”

The competence of these Shadow Guards proved undeniable. Chang Shan’s origins as a Daoist were obscure knowledge, yet they pieced it all together remarkably fast.

Hearing this, Zhao Zhen grew increasingly certain.

That Autumn Moon Market at Anning County… was definitely no ordinary place.

He pondered silently for a moment, then his gaze settled on the Shadow Guard before him. “You performed well.”

“I merely serve Your Majesty,” the guard said, bowing deeply. He then ventured: “Highness… what about…?”

Zhao Zhen shook his head decisively. “Leave Autumn Moon Market be for now. The affairs of state remain unsettled. Our priority is to eliminate the lingering remnants. What clues exist about the masked men who stormed the execution?”

The Shadow Guard responded, “Your Majesty, those men possessed remarkable physical prowess. They were strong and decisive. It’s likely they were Jianghu People.”

“Jianghu People…”

Zhao Zhen weighed this information. “I’ve heard the Great Jing Jianghu is complex. True, it deserves careful attention.”

After a brief pause, he delivered his judgment. “Handle it as you deem necessary.”

The Shadow Guard understood. He acknowledged the order and withdrew.

Zhao Zhen released a long breath.

His gaze turned unfathomably deep. He unconsciously rubbed the dragon head carved into the armrest of his Dragon Throne.

“Autumn Moon Market…”

His voice was quiet, resolute. “I shall visit personally… once matters quiet down.”