I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense

Chapter 667: Chapter 668: Promotion and Wealth, Today Is the Day!
As these words were spoken, the crowd below burst into an uproar, just like the last time. Was that demon head here again, preparing to wreak havoc once more?

“The demon head is here?”

“Last time, I saw with my own eyes how he beheaded that official. With one quick chop, the official didn’t even have time to react. Is he planning to raid the execution site this time?”

“Should we retreat first and avoid the limelight? I heard that demon head has killed countless people and often abducts virtuous women. He’s a vile fiend beyond redemption. It’s very dangerous for us to stay here!”

“Indeed, many women from our village have fallen victim to his cruelty, ravished and their bodies left to rot in the wilderness. It’s not something a human would do, he’s nothing but a beast!”

“But the newly appointed official has something to say; let’s listen to him first. The authorities must have anticipated the return of that demon head and would surely be fully prepared this time.”

The public was in disarray, whispering to each other and scanning their surroundings vigilantly, hoping to catch a glimpse of the demon head.

Unfortunately, their search yielded nothing in the end.

“My fellow villagers, please calm down and let this official explain slowly.”

On the execution platform, the official raised his hand, signaling for the crowd to be quiet. There were experts secretly guarding both sides underneath the platform, not only Imperial bodyguards but also Elders from various Sects who had come to support at the invitation of the Prime Minister.

He wasn’t worried about his safety in the slightest; even if Li Xiaobai suddenly appeared, he would only be met with immediate submission. The words he was about to speak were merely an attempt to subdue him without spilling a single drop of blood.

“I trust that the citizens who often care about public welfare are already aware of the situation with the Southern Barren Lands. Just a few days ago, warriors from the Southern Barren Lands invaded our Imperial Court en masse. They dispatched fifteen experts of the Refinement Void Realm to assist in the battle, and our border defenses are showing signs of imminent collapse.”

“Those fifteen were selected from the barracks, possessing extraordinary combat abilities. Moreover, it isn’t hard to infer that there are more hidden experts within the Southern Barren Lands. They have spent over a decade laughing at the vigilance of the Central Plains, gradually expanding, enjoying the stipend from our court each year, and now they have bared their fangs and claws at us!”

“The border is the defense line of the Central Plains and must not be breached. However, relying solely on the current military forces and the assistance of martial artists from all walks of life, we have, after all, only assembled a makeshift team; I fear it may not be enough to prevail.”

“Therefore, by the decree of the Prime Minister, this official is here to offer clemency to Li Xiaobai. Provided that he is willing to contribute the Divine Technique of Spiritual Cultivation to help our Imperial army rapidly grow stronger, all his previous actions will be expunged by the Imperial Court!”

“Li Xiaobai, what do you think? This could be a great merit that benefits the public! If you can defeat the enemy at the border, the people will be spared the suffering of war. That would indeed be a meritorious deed of immeasurable good!”

Atop the execution platform, the middle-aged greasy official spoke to the crowd below in a deep voice.

He knew the other party must be lurking somewhere below and must have heard everything he had said. All of this was in accordance with the Prime Minister’s strategy: to combat the warriors from the Southern Barren Lands, the only way was to rapidly increase the cultivation level of the soldiers in a short span of time.

And the sole means for that was the Spirit Realm Technique in Li Xiaobai’s hands. With access to this cultivation technique, one could improve their strength much faster than by consuming Heaven and Earth Treasures. Simply by absorbing Inner Strength, the Court was confident that within a month, it could create dozens of Qi Cultivation Spirit Refinining Realm experts.

Of course, this was contingent on Li Xiaobai agreeing to hand over the Spirit Realm Technique. By openly detailing the benefits of the Spirit Realm Technique in front of all the people, they were also leveraging public opinion to put pressure on Li Xiaobai.

This was not only for the sake of the Imperial Court but for all the people of the Central Plains. If Li Xiaobai refused, he would become a villain scorned by everyone in the Central Plains, or even a true traitor to the nation!

This would be a lifelong disgrace; surely he would make the wise choice.

“Nonsense! The loss of the border is due to the weakness and incompetence of the Imperial Court, what does it have to do with my senior brother’s cultivation technique? You refuse to make progress and instead of reflecting on your own mistakes, you blame the disasters on not obtaining my senior brother’s technique. Truly despicable intentions!”

“You keep calling us demon cultists, but in reality, it is you who are the true demon heads, bringing calamity upon the innocent in the world. And now, you even dare covet my brother’s Cultivation Technique, how utterly despicable!”

Long Xue’s face was filled with indignation, her eyes brimming with angry expressions. She had nothing but contempt for the sanctimonious words she was hearing.

“You are mistaken. We both understand the properties of the Spirit Realm Technique, which can absorb other martial artists’ Inner Strength for one’s own use. It is precisely because of this that your brother has rapidly grown stronger. If we were to distribute it en masse to the skilled soldiers in the army, within a month, they would reach a new level of prowess. Should the soldiers practise it for a year or so, the Southern Barren Lands would no longer pose a threat.”

“By then, the Central Plains will be impregnable, the people will live in peace and happiness, and we will have an era of great harmony. All it takes is for your brother to nod his head and offer up the technique. Whether he will be remembered through the ages or bear the infamy forever hinges on a single thought from your brother.”

“Lady Long, if you truly care for the world, you should take this opportunity to persuade your brother.”

The middle-aged greasy man didn’t get angry; instead, he said with a smug smile.

His speech was nothing more than using the common people to apply public pressure, also providing the government with a way out. If the Imperial Court were to fail later, they could easily shift the blame onto Li Xiaobai, accusing him of not offering up the Cultivation Technique for personal reasons, leading to the Imperial Court’s defeat – a very reasonable excuse.

The outcome of today had already been decided. Li Xiaobai was bound to be captured, and the Spirit Realm Technique would surely fall into their hands.

“You are the newly appointed official, what is your name?”

Just then, a fierce wind arose within the main city, and a black figure appeared seemingly out of nowhere on a rooftop not far from the execution platform – it was Li Xiaobai.

Dressed in a straw raincoat and wearing a conical hat, he stood confronting the hidden experts beneath the execution platform from afar.

“You… who are you?”

“My family name is Zhao, just call me Official Zhao.”

The middle-aged greasy man on the execution platform was startled, having not noticed the other’s approach at all. By the time he regained his senses, the figure had already appeared there.

The most troubling part was that the secret guards to his left and right also failed to notice anything amiss, looking as though they’d seen a ghost, which gave him quite a shock.

“I am the one you’ve all been dreaming of, Li Xiaobai.”

The black figure said calmly.

“You’re the demon head?”

“Showing up today must mean you agree with what I’ve just said. Have you decided to hand over the Spirit Realm Technique to the Imperial Court?”

Official Zhao’s face lit up with joy as he eagerly looked toward Li Xiaobai.

Capturing Li Xiaobai would be a great achievement, sending Long Xue to the Imperial City another, and obtaining the Spirit Realm Technique for the Imperial Court yet another. He had a premonition that his luck was about to turn!

Promotion and wealth were within reach today!

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