On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

Three quarters of a hour.

The city of Anzhou was completely silent, with the vast majority of its residents fast asleep. Only the long, drawn-out sound of the night watchman's clapper echoed lonely through the empty streets.

However, on the edge of that chaotic, sewage-filled shantytown in the southeast of the city, a deadly threat, like a lurking venomous snake, quietly bared its fangs.

Lin Zhen personally oversaw the operation, dispatching the most elite "Night Owl" spies and a squad of imperial guards clad in black armor and wielding powerful crossbows, who surrounded the low mud-brick house reported by Ying Qi like ghosts.

He himself was hidden in the shadow of an abandoned attic not far away, his gaze cold as he stared at the faint light below.

He kept in mind Murong Yan's order to "kill without mercy".

Inside the mud-brick house, Park Ji-woong and Kim Soon-cheol were unaware of the impending disaster.

The two were drinking cheap wine and discussing in hushed tones how to use Li San as a pawn to continue creating trouble for Murong Yan's "assimilation" project.

Park Ji-woong wore a smug look on his face, believing that his plan was flawless, both damaging the prestige of the Holy Emblem and inciting the rebellious sentiments of the Goguryeo people.

"Hmph, that vixen Murong Yan thinks she can win people's hearts by slaughtering a city to establish her authority and by showing some small favors? Dream on! As long as we keep tripping her up in the shadows, we'll make sure her Andong Protectorate never has a peaceful day!"

Park Ji-woong took a big gulp of wine, his eyes flashing with fanaticism and hatred.

Kim Soon-cheol chimed in, "The leader is brilliant! Especially targeting this school is the best way to hit her sore spot! Once things have calmed down, we'll..."

His words stopped abruptly.

"Whoosh whoosh-!"

Several crossbow bolts pierced through the thin paper window without warning, their sharp whistling sound carrying them precisely towards the two people inside!

At the same time, the dilapidated wooden door of the mud-brick house was kicked to pieces! Several dark figures pounced into the house like cheetahs!

"There's an ambush!" Park Ji-woong, being a soldier by training, reacted quickly. He roared, flipped over a table to shield himself, and drew a short knife from his waist.

Kim Soon-cheol was a beat too slow. He screamed as an arrow pierced his thigh, and he staggered to the ground.

The room instantly descended into chaos.

Park Ji-woong was exceptionally brave. Using tables and chairs as cover, he wielded a short knife and temporarily forced back "Night Owl," who had charged in first.

But more imperial guards had already swarmed in from outside, and crossbow bolts rained down like raindrops!

"Park Ji-woong! You traitors, surrender now!" a Night Owl gang leader shouted sternly.

"Surrender? Bah! I'll take a few of them down with me even if I die!" Park Ji-woong's eyes were bloodshot. Knowing that there was no chance of survival today, he became even more ferocious and launched a crazy counterattack.

However, with overwhelming numbers and superior force, individual bravery is ultimately futile.

Within a few breaths, Kim Soon-cheol was the first to be hacked to death.

Park Ji-woong was hit by several arrows and covered in blood, but he still roared and fought fiercely. However, he was soon pierced by several spears and pinned to the wall!

The battle began suddenly and ended just as quickly.

From the moment the first crossbow bolt was fired until there were no more enemies standing in the house, only a few dozen breaths had passed.

A strong smell of blood filled the cramped mud-brick house.

One of the "Night Owls" stepped forward and checked Park Ji-woong's breath, then reported, "Your Highness, the traitor Park Ji-woong is dead!"

Lin Zhen slowly emerged from the shadows, his expression cold and stern.

He glanced at Park Ji-woong's hideous and unwilling death, then at Kim Soon-cheol's corpse, and said indifferently, "Sever Park Ji-woong's head, thoroughly search this place, and leave no documents or letters. Dispose of the rest of the corpses on the spot."

"Yes!"

The next day, at dawn

Just as dawn was breaking, a fast horseman rushed into the palace and reported the results of the overnight raid to Murong Yan, who had not slept all night.

Upon hearing the news, Murong Yan's face remained expressionless, showing only the calm that followed the release of her icy killing intent.

She didn't change her clothes all night; she was still wearing the same phoenix-descending dress.

She looked in the mirror and had the palace maids restyle her hair, then put on the most solemn nine-phoenix golden crown.

"Issue my decree," her voice was calm and composed, yet carried an undeniable authority, "At three-quarters past Chen hour (7:45 AM), in the central market of Anzhou City, publicly display the head of the traitor Park Ji-woong. The cook involved, Li San, will be executed by slow slicing for the crimes of harming a child and colluding with the rebels. All officials of the Protectorate General's Office, all military officers of the rank of colonel and above, all teachers of the academies, and all village heads and elders within Anzhou City are hereby ordered to witness the execution. This decree shall be announced throughout the city as a warning to others!"

"Yes! Your Majesty!"

At 3:45 AM, in Anzhou City.

The usually bustling city was filled with a somber atmosphere today.

Two execution pillars were erected on the high platform.

Hanging from a pillar is Park Ji-woong's head, which, though simply treated, still has a grotesque appearance.

Under another pillar, Li San, the cook, was bound hand and foot, his face ashen, his shirt stripped off, and he was kneeling on the ground, trembling like a leaf.

Below the stage, a dense crowd of officials, generals, gentry, and ordinary people who had been ordered to witness the execution stood, along with those who had been driven to the perimeter and were whispering amongst themselves.

Fear and oppression filled the air.

At exactly three quarters past Chen Shi (7:45 AM), the drums sounded three times.

A commotion arose in the crowd as they quickly made way for each other.

Murong Yan has arrived.

She did not ride in the imperial carriage, but walked alongside Lin Zhen.

She was still wearing that phoenix descending to earth dress today, with its long, dark gold train that was even faintly visible from the edge of the hem.

The black and gold mink shawl was not worn; it was carried by a palace maid who followed closely behind.

She wore a nine-phoenix golden crown, and a beaded curtain draped over her face, obscuring her expression. However, the chilling murderous aura and imperial majesty emanating from her were enough to suffocate everyone.

Lin Zhen, dressed in a prince's python robe, followed half a step behind her, his expression calm, his sharp gaze sweeping across the entire room like the most loyal guardian deity.

Against the backdrop of this bloody execution ground, the Phoenix Descends to Earth dress presents a breathtakingly beautiful yet cruel scene.

Under the pale morning light, the deep black Suzhou brocade fabric seemed to absorb all light and vitality, while the woven gold cotton and real gold threads reflected a cold, razor-sharp gleam.

The giant phoenix pattern on the nightgown, at this moment, was no longer an auspicious symbol, but had transformed into a phoenix that held the power of life and death, filled with absolute authority over destruction and rebirth.

The five-zhang-long Suzhou brocade train stretched out gracefully on the high execution platform covered with yellow earth.

The opulent brocade mercilessly swept over any filth and dust on the ground, creating a chaotic and oppressive atmosphere that trampled all resistance and proclaimed the final order. This chaos was the unbridled indulgence of power at its zenith, the victor's most utter contempt for the vanquished.

Murong Yan sat down on the phoenix chair in the center of the high platform, with Lin Zhen standing solemnly beside her.

She didn't speak immediately, her gaze slowly sweeping across the faces below the stage—faces filled with fear, awe, or numbness—through the beaded curtain.

Finally, her gaze fell on Li San, who was kneeling on the ground, defecating and urinating.

The executioner stepped forward and loudly read out Li San's charges: "Cook Li San, who received the Emperor's favor but failed to repay it, colluded with the traitor Park Ji-woong to murder young children entering school. His crimes are heinous, and he shall be executed by slow slicing according to the law! The traitor Park Ji-woong shall be beheaded and his head displayed to the public as a warning to others!"

After the reading was completed, the executioner stepped forward, carrying his gleaming blade.

"Your Majesty, spare me! Your Majesty, spare me! It was Park Ji-woong who forced me! He kidnapped my wife and children—!" Li San let out a pig-like wail, kowtowing desperately until his forehead was instantly covered in blood and flesh.

Murong Yan remained expressionless, only slightly raising her chin.

The executioner understood, and with a swift movement, the blade fell!

Instead of carrying out the execution directly, they first cut off Li San's tongue!

The piercing screams instantly turned into muffled whimpers!

The bloody execution by slow slicing began.