Tyrant Sky Martial Soul

Chapter 1096: Chapter 1096: The Villain Succeeds

Within the Imperial City, notices were posted everywhere, bearing portraits of Ji Ning and others, including Ling Xiao, Ji Mingkong, and Leng Mei.

Below the portraits of generals like Ji Ning, there were lengthy lists of their alleged crimes and the scheduled times for their executions.

Colluding with the enemy and treasonous conduct, commanding improperly, causing the deaths of tens of thousands of soldiers, attempting a surprise attack on Great General Si Kong Zun, and so on.

In essence, any one of these charges was a capital offense.

Below the portraits of Ling Xiao, Ji Mingkong, and Leng Mei, there were wanted notices, claiming they were spies from the Black Crow Empire, that the defeat in this battle was their fault.

Due to the delay in news and the Royal Family’s blockade, the news that Northern Desert City had successfully defeated the Black Crow Empire’s army had not arrived.

Hence, the version of events known to the public here was completely different—

The Northern Desert Army had almost been entirely wiped out. It was only thanks to General Jia who stood firm that a major problem was resolved, ensuring the peace of the Phoenix God Empire.

Before each notice, there were bustling crowds and a myriad of discussions.

”Who would have thought Ji Ning was this type of person, colluding with the Black Crow Empire, causing the death of so many of our soldiers. He truly deserves to die!”

”Yes, he should be dismembered by a thousand cuts!”

”And that Ling Xiao, he fled from the Heavenly Dragon Continent to our Phoenix God Empire. We gave him so many benefits, and yet he ran off with the people from the Black Crow Empire. He’s nothing but a shameless bastard!”

”It’s impossible, how could the Great General betray the Empire? There must be some misunderstanding.”

”Hit him, he actually dares to speak for that traitor who caused the death of so many. He still supports him!”

This was the prevailing atmosphere throughout the Imperial City.

You must vilify Ji Ning, vilify Ling Xiao—you must criticize them.

Otherwise, you would be associated with their dirt; you would be a treasonous bastard.

Any voice of reason that emerged was quickly suppressed, and those who raised logical arguments were even brutally beaten, battered half to death.

The atmosphere throughout the Imperial City was unanimous—

Ji Ning and the others were viewed as the Empire’s great criminals, while General Jia and Si Kong Zun were hailed as the Empire’s heroes.

In the Heavenly Prison, Si Kong Zun suddenly appeared, looking at Ji Ning who had already been tortured to an inhuman state, and scoffed, ”Ji Ning, what was the point of all this? Just look at the scene outside. Nobody believes in your innocence, and no one believes that Ling Xiao went after Jiumo Zhiyan.

You are the traitors, the rebels! And I am the hero of this country, a lone hero who fought his way out of encirclement, hahaha!”

”Ptui, shameless scoundrel!” shouted Li Ruguang loudly.

”Commander Li, don’t get angry over such a person. He won’t be smug for long. Ling Xiao will not die; he will surely come back to avenge us. Si Kong Zun, you are afraid, aren’t you?” said Zhu Ge Ming coldly.

”Afraid?”

Si Kong Zun spoke disdainfully, ”From the Northern Desert to the Imperial City, our people are searching every inch of the way. Even if Ling Xiao is not dead, it is impossible for him to return to the Imperial City alive.

And even if he does, he is someone with a bounty of over 100 million low-grade Spirit Stones. Do you think he could survive after arriving in the Imperial City?”

Ji Ning took a deep breath, his voice weak, but his eyes were still determined, ”Si Kong Zun, before I die, I just want to ask one thing, was this all your idea, or was it the Emperor’s?”

Si Kong Zun gave a faint smile and said, ”Ji Ning, oh Ji Ning, you’ve lived such a long life, how can you still be so naive? Do you really think that you can dictate right from wrong with just my support?”

”Understood!”

A fierce smile suddenly appeared on Ji Ning’s face: ”Hahaha, hahaha, it’s a waste that I, Ji Ning, have been so loyal to the Phoenix God Empire, so loyal to the Righteous Qi Alliance, only to end up with such a fate.

If I don’t die, I will make sure those who plotted against me pay the price, definitely!”

”Alright, no use yelling, you no longer have that chance. Whether you admit your crimes or not, the common people have already convicted you. Do you know how His Majesty the Emperor plans to execute you?”

Si Kong Zun suddenly asked with a smile.

Before Ji Ning could say anything, Si Kong Zun continued on his own: ”His Majesty has granted all the citizens of the Imperial City a right – that is, each person can carve a piece of flesh from your body, haha, not bad, right? This form of slow slicing fits your life perfectly.”

”Son of a bitch!”

Li Ruguang roared, ”Are you even human? To torture a general who has made great contributions to the Empire like this.”

”Go ahead and curse, but soon you won’t have the energy to curse anymore. No need for a trial, take them to the execution ground now. His Majesty the Emperor said that these people have numerous followers; to prevent any unforeseen events, the execution shall be carried out ahead of time!”

Si Kong Zun sneered coldly and turned to walk out of the Heavenly Prison.

He was in an exceptionally good mood.

On the city wall, three people were standing.

Among them was the Nine Gates Commander of the Fengming Army.

The other two were Jia Yun and the Border City Lord Jia Lin.

Jia Lin was Jia Yun’s father and the person who previously led the troops to block the Northern Desert Army’s retreat and captured Ji Ning and others to the Imperial City.

”Father, I don’t quite understand. Wasn’t His Majesty sending you to pursue those remnant soldiers of Ji Ning? Why are you staying here?”

At this time, Jia Yun was clad in armor, exuding a certain heroic air.

”Little Yun, you’re still too green. Leading the troops to chase them across the vast desert makes it extremely hard to find them. Besides, even if we found them, what good would come out of killing them?”

Jia Lin sneered: ”However, staying here is different. Now, I am the Imperial City Camp Commander personally appointed by His Majesty the Emperor. I shall handle any Rebel Army attacking the Imperial City.”

”Father means to say, those guys will come to rescue Ji Ning?”

Jia Yun furrowed his eyebrows: ”Impossible, Father, they can barely escape in time.”

”That’s where you don’t understand those people. Those commoners certainly won’t come, but the remaining thirty thousand Northern Desert Army soldiers will definitely come. Their emotional bond with Ji Ning runs deep. As soon as they confirm the safety of the commoners, they will immediately come to the Imperial City.”

Jia Lin said confidently.

”Once they arrive, we will wipe them all out. Not only will it be righteous and aboveboard, but it will also be considered a great merit. Isn’t this waiting at ease for them?”

A cold smile appeared on Jia Lin’s face.

Perhaps he wasn’t as good as Ji Ning in warfare, but when it came to conspiracy, Ji Ning was certainly not his match.

”Brilliant! You truly deserve to be my father, this move is simply marvelous, I really hope Ling Xiao will show up too. If we can kill Ling Xiao in front of everyone, that would be perfect.”

Jia Yun said somewhat excitedly.

”Him? Hehe, he won’t survive. Facing Jiumo Zhiyan, Timmerman Muto, Feng Zhan, as well as the Scorpion people and Lizard people, he simply won’t make it!”

Jia Lin said disdainfully: ”Even if by chance he does survive, along the way, both father and General Si Kong Zun have arranged numerous ambushes, he will definitely not make it to the Imperial City.”