Chapter 29

Buzz~

Yang Yu felt a blur before his eyes and slightly closed them. He then saw the text on the cauldron wall glowing:

【Ingredient: Ghost Head Decapitation Blade】

【Grade: Acceptable (Upper)】

【Quality: Excellent (Upper)】

【Evaluation: A blade that has been honed through countless decapitations, showing skill in its simplicity, quite precious】

【Refinement can yield: Sword Technique 'Decapitation'】

"Indeed, it's a sword technique!"

Yang Yu felt a surge of joy.

Compared to internal and external cultivation techniques, he was more urgently in need of a sword technique or similar skill-based ingredient at this moment.

Only such skill-based techniques would not be constrained by the progress of blood replacement, allowing him to quickly enhance his strength.

Whether it was internal or external cultivation, even he had to proceed step by step, making gradual progress. Once the ingredients were lacking, the progress would be delayed.

But sword techniques were different.

The broken blade, with a quality of 'Inferior (Lower)', had already made his sword technique more proficient than the blood-replaced warriors of the Lian Sheng Sect after he refined it.

This Ghost Head Great Blade likely contained the valuable knife skills of three generations of executioners from the Wei family.

To him, its value was even greater.

"If I can thoroughly refine this Ghost Head Great Blade, wouldn't I instantly possess the knife skills of a hundred years of practice?"

Although he found it somewhat unlikely, Yang Yu was still excited by the thought.

After a while, he calmed down and began to carefully read the other text.

From previous experiences, Yang Yu initially determined that in the evaluation of the Cauldron of Gluttony, ingredients could be divided into four grades: 'Excellent, Good, Acceptable, Inferior,' each with upper, middle, and lower sub-grades.

The quality was also basically these four grades.

The 'Broken Blade,' 'Ancient Scroll,' and 'Silk Scroll' recording the Wind Chasing Steps he had previously obtained were all within this grading system.

Only the 'Recipe' exceeded this boundary, with a grade of 'Ten Capital Cities.'

"Counting the Ghost Head Great Blade, I already have five ingredients. With six more, I can know the effect of the 'Recipe'..."

Yang Yu steadied himself.

Outside, Wu Liu's calls and urging could already be heard. Before his voice even faded, he had already entered the room.

After Yang Yu left, he was somewhat worried and followed along, fearing that he might miss the time.

"I thought you were going to run away at the last minute!"

Wu Liu glared at Yang Yu with a scowl but didn't really mind.

Neglecting duty and fleeing at the last minute was a serious offense. No matter how foolish this kid was, he wouldn't be so stupid as to let his head be cut off when he could avoid it.

"Hmm."

Yang Yu tightened his grip on the blade and said,

"Let's go."

...

The execution ground of Black Mountain City was located in the bustling southern district, not far from the market.

It was not large, even somewhat narrow.

No more than ten meters wide and less than a hundred meters long, it was surrounded by wooden railings and watchtowers, with soldiers holding crossbows on guard.

In the center of the platform, there were high fences, and many soldiers were on guard with swords and knives.

On the east side, a canopy had been set up, where the officials in charge of the execution sat, looking bored.

In the corner of the north wall, a simple gray shed housed several executioners with red headbands, sharpening their blades in the rain.

Yang Yu stood in one corner, holding the Ghost Head Blade, constantly observing the entire execution ground.

The layout of the execution ground was simple, but there were hidden mechanisms. The watchtowers faced outward, and there were hidden guards inside the ground.

If someone tried to rescue the prisoners, the first action would be to shoot the condemned prisoners dead.

Yang Yu didn't know if anything would happen, but he was cautious and silently memorized the terrain of the execution ground.

During this hour, he had also been looking for Wang Fobao.

This head of the Black Mountain City constabulary had always been in charge of the executions in previous years. His sudden absence this year made him even more uneasy.

"Brother Yang, let me sharpen your blade for you!"

A burly man with bare arms called out with a smile.

Yang Yu turned and smiled, indicating that it wasn't necessary.

Many of these executioners had connections with Old Wei, and some were even his disciples. They naturally knew about Yang Yu.

However, although they had entered the profession earlier, once they underwent blood replacement, their status changed significantly.

They deliberately gave him the best spot and spoke to him with a tone of respect and flattery.

"Brother Yang, don't be nervous. Decapitation isn't much different from slaughtering pigs or sheep; it's just that human blood is more pungent..."

The burly man walked over with a chuckle, introducing himself familiarly.

This man was named Wang Kui, a butcher under Hu Wan, and being an executioner was just a part-time job for him.

In fact, executioners didn't have work every day, and many had part-time jobs.

"We have some tricks for the execution," Wang Kui whispered. "When you hold the blade in reverse, step on the convict's back, and as you push the blade to decapitate, kick with your foot. This way, the blood won't splash onto you."

"Thank you, Brother Wang."

Yang Yu nodded.

He wasn't good at socializing, and this man's overly familiar personality made him somewhat uncomfortable.

They chatted intermittently, and soon a call came from the east: "Executioners, prepare! Bring in the convicts!"

"The time has come."

Yang Yu glanced around, seeing the execution ground cold and empty in the light rain.

"Let's go, Brother Yang."

Wang Kui called out, lifting his blade to step forward.

Yang Yu patted his shoulder, hesitated for a moment, and then whispered, "If things look bad, immediately take cover."

"Huh?"

Wang Kui was taken aback and then laughed, "Brother, you're too timid!"

With that, he shook his head and went up to the platform.

"I hope I'm overthinking it."

Yang Yu shook his head, lifting his blade to the platform.

The convicts were already tightly bound, most of them kneeling on the ground, except for the bandit named 'Tie Long.'

He held his head high, and no matter how hard the four soldiers tried, they couldn't press him down. In the end, they had to bind him to the platform with chains.

"Those who have undergone blood replacement are not human," Wang Kui marveled.

This convict's shackles were the heaviest, with two large iron balls weighing a hundred pounds each hanging from his collarbone, yet he could still stand.

He was even more exaggerated than his own boss, Hu Wan.

Subconsciously, he wanted to skip this convict and choose one farther away.

However, Yang Yu suddenly reached out and pulled him, walking toward the convict.

"Brother?"

Wang Kui struggled but was surprised to find he couldn't break free.

"Be quiet," Yang Yu sternly ordered. "Look at those soldiers."

"What?"

Wang Kui was taken aback and involuntarily looked at the soldiers outside the platform.

This look revealed something was wrong.

In the drizzle, these usually lazy soldiers were now on high alert, and some of them were trembling with their weapons in hand.

What was going on?

Wang Kui was still puzzled when a loud laugh suddenly echoed through the rain.

"Brats, Grandpa is here!"

This roar instantly drowned out all other sounds. Those who were closer felt their ears ringing and their vision going dark.

"R, really someone is trying to rescue the convicts?!"

Wang Kui was frightened, but Yang Yu saw everything clearly.

As the roar echoed, a dozen or so men charged into the execution ground at incredible speed, like galloping horses!

The first man was tall and muscular, with a face full of scars. His large blade swept across, sending heads flying into the air.

He laughed bloodily, his face twisted with ferocity and malice, the scars on his face writhing like snakes:

"Kill the executioners first!"