Chapter 1933 - 2032: She Really Dares to Strike
Chapter 1933: Chapter 2032: She Really Dares to Strike
A tall middle-aged priest, accompanied by several guards, walked toward Zhao Xinggu and immediately suppressed Zhao Xinggu’s cultivation. It was the Penalty Priest Gao Yuqi from Huayu Temple.
In fact, Zhao Xinggu’s strength far surpassed his, and under normal circumstances, it would be impossible for him to be subdued. But alas, Han Yan’s burning spear was aimed directly at the crucial point of his Heart Meridian, so he dared not make any rash moves.
"Take him away!" Gao Yuqi said expressionlessly.
One of the guards kicked Zhao Xinggu to the ground, dragging him outside the temple like a dead dog.
"Stop, stop, I didn’t do anything to her, she is still innocent. Han Yan, you can’t kill me!" Zhao Xinggu screamed hysterically.
The guard’s kick had completely shattered his last defense and destroyed all his illusions. At first, he thought Han Yan was just bluffing, putting on a show for the others, and that if he stalled for a few days, it would naturally fade away. But soon, he realized things were not as optimistic as he had imagined.
Especially with that kick from the guard, it brought him to a harsh reality. If he hadn’t realized Han Yan was truly determined, how could the guards dare to rough up him, a Penalty Priest from the Life God Temple?
He finally saw through it; his identity and background were utterly worthless in Han Yan’s eyes. She was determined to punish him, and even if the Divine Lord came, it wouldn’t change her mind.
"Oh?" Han Yan gestured for Gao Yuqi and others to pause.
"Is what he said true?" Han Yan asked Ruan Zhi.
"I resisted desperately, which is why he didn’t succeed, but... but he..." Ruan Zhi said this and turned red with shame and anger, tears streaming down her face.
There is no need to say more; everyone could imagine, although Ruan Zhi’s desperate resistance prevented Zhao Xinggu from succeeding, she still suffered humiliation and was taken advantage of.
"Han Yan, she admitted it too, I didn’t ruin her innocence, you can’t kill me." Zhao Xinggu shouted loudly, grasping it as if it were a lifeline.
"Master Priest..." Zhuge Qiu once again turned his gaze to Han Yan.
Upon hearing Ruan Zhi admit that Zhao Xinggu did not ruin her innocence, Zhuge Qiu let out a long sigh of relief.
It wasn’t just him; even quite a few priests in Huayu Temple breathed a sigh of relief. After the initial outrage, their emotions gradually calmed, and they felt deeply worried about Han Yan’s decision. No matter what, the opponent was a Penalty Priest from the Life God Temple, supported by a Right Priest, and even backed by the Life God Temple.
Since the opponent did not defile Ruan Zhi’s innocence, it was obviously the best outcome.
Han Yan’s mood eased significantly, but unlike them, her concerns weren’t about the Life God Temple or any Right Priests, but for Ruan Zhi alone.
Whether it’s the Holy Court Continent or the Divine Continent, although the defenses between males and females weren’t very strict, especially among cultivators who aren’t concerned about trifles, chastity is still highly valued. If Ruan Zhi’s innocence were truly ruined, she might live her entire life under a shadow.
But if she was only humiliated and taken advantage of, then it wasn’t a big deal. Because another way of saying it is, she faced tyranny without yielding, fought back bravely, and it could even become a celebrated tale.
"Then spare him the death penalty, whip him a hundred times, execute it tomorrow morning!" Han Yan, in high spirits, waved her hand, changing the command.
Since Zhao Xinggu truly didn’t ruin Ruan Zhi’s innocence, according to the temple’s laws, Han Yan couldn’t sentence him to death. However, Han Yan didn’t feel any regret; in her view, Ruan Zhi’s innocence was much more important than Zhao Xinggu’s life or death.
"What!" Zhao Xinggu, seeing the hint of joy and relief in Han Yan’s eyes, initially felt relieved. But then, Han Yan’s words sank his mood into an Ice Valley.
"Take him away." Han Yan did not pay any attention to him and turned to leave.
"Han Yan, you will regret this!" From behind, came Zhao Xinggu’s voice, shrill and angry.
Early the next morning, on the large square in front of the temple, Zhao Xinggu was tied to a tall pillar, his body shivering in the cold wind.
"Execute!" With Han Yan’s command, the long whip, gleaming with silver light, emitted soul-stirring howls, brutally striking Zhao Xinggu’s body, causing a spray of blood, followed by Zhao Xinggu’s heart-wrenching screams.
This whip, named Divine Punishment Whip, is also a type of magic artifact. When refining it, the Power of Laws of Death was specifically added. In the circumstance of restrained cultivation, not even a Divine Heart Priest, or even a Divine Soul Priest, could withstand it.
Around them, tens of thousands of civilians stopped and watched, uttering earth-shaking shouts of cheer.
Initially, Han Yan intended to execute it privately at night for the sake of Ruan Zhi’s reputation, but since she remained unspoiled, the humiliation she suffered wasn’t unacceptable to the people of the Divine Continent. So, she changed her mind, deciding to execute in public, in front of all the priests, guards, and tens of thousands of civilians in the city.
Although Zhao Xinggu’s identity was not deliberately proclaimed, Han Yan did not intentionally block the information. Thus, even before the execution started, Zhao Xinggu’s background had spread to everyone’s ears.
Looking at Zhao Xinggu tied to the pillar, blood splattering as he howled in pain, and then at Han Yan calmly positioned atop the temple, everyone felt a sense of deep respect.
In such matters of bedchamber, not just in each temple, but even among the Priest Family, they are common occurrences, and never before has anyone been punished for them, especially someone with such a significant background.
Only in Huayu City, in Huayu Temple, and only their Master Priest, would consider people like them as equals. At this moment, Han Yan’s prestige reached its peak.
Looking at Ruan Zhi beside Han Yan, moved to tears of gratitude, numerous maidens from civilian families showed envy. To be protected by their Master Priest, their God—Han Yan—how could they not be envious?
Although knowing this incident wouldn’t adversely affect Ruan Zhi’s future life too much, Han Yan still didn’t want her to suffer in the slightest. So she specifically made her a personal maid, ensuring that no one would dare to gossip about her.
Finally, as the last whip fell, Zhao Xinggu had long been exhausted, hoarse and strained. Once Gao Yuqi loosened the shackles, he collapsed to the ground like a dead dog.
Meanwhile, the civilians watched Han Yan, excited and ready to die for her without hesitation.