BXBX NOVEL Chapter 668: 669: Do You Dare to Swear to Heaven?
“Official Zhao just gave a very impassioned speech, which I admired. However, I have a question for Official Zhao. If you can answer truthfully, I will immediately hand over the Spirit Realm Technique!”
Li Xiaobai looked up at the person on the stage and said with a light chuckle.
“Oh?”
“Whatever you wish to ask, just ask freely. Today, I represent the Imperial Court, and I will certainly give you a satisfactory answer in front of all the people!”
The middle-aged greasy man’s eyes sparkled with even greater joy, for if the other party was willing to cooperate, everything would be easily managed.
“Then let’s talk about how the Imperial Court exterminated my entire family over a mere Spirit Realm Technique, and also branded us as ‘Demon’ heretics.”
“Or perhaps discuss how many of the crimes imputed onto me are the result of Imperial Court officials’ false accusations and using my so-called demon head name to commit atrocities among the commoners?”
“Official Zhao, can you tell the truth?”
“Just tell the truth, and the Spirit Realm Technique is yours!”
Li Xiaobai said with an easy smile, apparently not taking the dozens of Martial Artists surrounding him seriously. In fact, he really didn’t consider them much of a threat. Judging by the aura alone, almost all of them were Martial Artists in the Spirit Refining Realm, among which three or four were high-level masters in the Refinement Void Realm.
A Taoist priest, a monk, and a eunuch—figures who could shake the world with a single stomp in the martial arts circles—now appeared as mere ants that could be easily squashed in the eyes of the current Li Xiaobai.
No sooner had his words fallen than the oily middle-aged man’s face turned pale on the stage. He had never expected the other party to be so disrespectful and directly ask such a question.
If he responded, not to mention his future career being ruined, even his life might be at stake.
“What does this demon head mean?”
“Could it be that he is implying that the officials have pinned all the embezzlement, bribery, and the seizing of civilian women on him, letting him take the fall?”
“That’s impossible. The Imperial Court has always been good to us. The fact that my family can live in a thatched house is all thanks to the officials!”
“Yes, if not for the pro-people policies frequently introduced by the officials, my family’s land would have gone to waste long ago.”
“How could such filthy and indecent acts of seizing civilian women possibly be committed by the officials? Clearly, this demon head is spouting Luanyu, deliberately trying to disgust the honoured official!”
“Exactly, the title of ‘demon head’ isn’t just for nothing. It’s said that thousands have died at his hands, and rumors are even circulating that he has colluded with the barbarians from the Southern Barren Lands. He’s definitely not any good, and then there’s that Demonic Woman; just by looking at her, she’s a loose woman who wreaks havoc on the world with her beauty. She deserves her death!”
“Official Zhao, don’t waste words with this demon head; just kill him quickly!”
The commoners below were abuzz with discussion, all trying to guess the deeper meaning behind Li Xiaobai’s words.
Having lived under the shadow of the Imperial Palace for years, their reverence for royal authority was deeply ingrained in their bones.
In the hearts of the commoners, the image of the Imperial Court had always been one of wholeheartedly seeking the welfare of the people, and indeed, their lives had improved considerably with the protection of the Court. Therefore, they were not convinced by the demon head’s words at all.
Li Xiaobai looked at the commotion among the commoners below with an indifferent expression, feeling sadness in his heart.
These commoners thought they were living comfortably under the benefits of the Imperial Court, unaware that the Court only saw them as lambs to be slaughtered.
The so-called thatched cottage was simply what had been hastily allocated to them after their proper residence was seized and occupied; it was just an old and dilapidated grass hut. The small piece of barren land that was meant to sustain an entire family had merely been a casual handout from Imperial Court officials after they had claimed the best mountainous land for themselves.
Unfortunately, the common people knew nothing of these affairs. They lived only for the trivial benefits before their eyes, utterly oblivious to the fact that the greater wealth they once had was stealthily taken from them.
“Hmm?”
“Why has Official Zhao fallen silent?”
“It’s all right if you don’t wish to answer these two questions. I have one last question for you. As long as Official Zhao can answer truthfully, I will immediately present the Spirit Realm Technique with both hands, and I will bind myself and accept whatever comes.”
Li Xiaobai looked at the greasy middle-aged man on the execution platform, his demeanor indifferent as he spoke.
“Demon head, you criticize the Imperial Court and slander others. If you are willing to bow your head and admit your wrongs now, I will still uphold my earlier promise and spare you!”
A murderous intent flashed in the eyes of the Zhao surnamed official, but he still suppressed the rage in his heart as he spoke.
“Very well, then let’s assume that what I’ve said just now is nothing but idle talk!”
“This final question is regarding Official Zhao.”
“I dare to ask how many innocent women have you drugged and violated over these years? Or, throughout your years in office, how many commoner girls have you secretly or openly abducted?”
Li Xiaobai chuckled faintly, looking up at Official Zhao he asked loudly.
“Utter nonsense, you actually want to spread rumors to damage my reputation, that is utterly foolish. I gave you a chance, but to think you are so ungrateful, it’s true that a demon head can’t understand reason!”
On the execution platform, the greasy man flew into a rage. He was well aware of his own misdeeds, but how could those possibly be made public.
Faced with Li Xiaobai revealing such actions under broad daylight and before everyone, where could he hide his face?
Moreover, his lawful wife was right there in the crowd watching!
“Then dare you swear, if what I have just said is true, may your lineage be forever without descendants from this day forth!”
“And if what I have said is all slanderous rumors, may I be struck by five thunders!”
The cold light flickered in Li Xiaobai’s eyes as he stared unwaveringly at the middle-aged man on the high platform and stated each word distinctly.
“Hurry, what are you waiting for, seize him immediately!”
“With such wild claims and defamation of an Imperial Court official, attempting to incite panic among the populace, your intentions are despicable!”
“Furthermore, with our nation facing a crisis, you show not the slightest intent to help, only caring for personal gain, you’re truly lower than a beast!”
“I shall personally take your head today!”
Panic flickered in the eyes of the Wang surnamed official as he quickly berated the dozens of government officers around him.
He had already noticed his wife’s displeasure written on her face, she had even cast him a cold look.
Li Xiaobai’s actions sharply contrasted with his own; the other man readily cursed himself without hesitation, while he dared not verify his innocence, which seemed somewhat like a thief crying ‘stop thief.’
He knew his wife had begun to doubt him; he needed to capture the demon head quickly to silence him!