Chapter 671: Chapter 672: Cleaning House
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The giant hand that eclipsed the sun scattered terrifying fluctuations of inner strength. With a single slap, everyone in the arena was smashed into a heap of mush, devoid of life.

“This…”

“The Prime Minister’s information was all fake. This guy is not some low-level martial artist at all, but at the very least a powerhouse in the Refinement Void Realm. Killing three Refinement Void Realm martial artists in a single encounter, who in the martial world could possibly contend with him?”

“The Spirit Realm Technique is truly terrifying. Prime Minister, you have deceived me!”

On the execution platform, Official Zhao was shivering uncontrollably, slumping on the ground like a lump of mud, his pupils somewhat dilated.

He had not expected that all the information he had about Li Xiaobai was false. In a moment, he could not discern whether the other party had deliberately concealed his strength or if he himself had been tricked by the Prime Minister.

However, he was very clear about one thing—the opponent’s strength was far beyond his imagination. Effortlessly killing dozens of martial artists, including three Refinement Void Realm masters, was beyond his comprehension. Recalling his previous confidence, his body chilled with fear. Today, it seemed more likely that he would meet with misfortune than fortune.

Li Xiaobai arrived, walking on air. He had never specialized in qinggong, using only a massive amount of inner strength accumulated and compressed under his feet before erupting it forcefully to let himself float and walk in the air—a method only he could execute.

The robust inner strength beneath his feet erupted continuously, causing the entire space to thunder with his every step,

“Official Zhao, what do you have to say for yourself?”

Li Xiaobai landed on the execution platform, and pebbles flew as the ground was indented with a large crater from his step.

Watching Li Xiaobai, who seemed like a demon god descending, Official Zhao lost his temper completely, his face filled with terror and bewilderment.

“Young Master Li, I was merely muddleheaded for a moment and misled by the Prime Minister to act in such a manner. Please, in consideration of my decade of hard work for the common people, spare my life!”

“Over the years, I have accumulated a considerable wealth. Should Young Master Li be willing to spare me, it is all yours!”

“And the women, I have women numerous as oxen’s fur, many of whom are virgins and young girls. These too, I offer to you!”

Official Zhao lay prostrate on the ground, ceaselessly begging.

“Oh? Then tell me, how much money do you have, and how many women? How did you acquire them?”

Li Xiaobai asked with great interest.

“Besides my official salary, every year I divert a part of the military provisions for my own profit, and I take ninety percent of the disaster relief silver allocated to us. The gifts from officials from various places during the holidays are not few either. In total, I own over twenty estates and mansions, and the number of women I have is beyond count. Whenever there is a woman with a beautiful face, someone will send her to me.”

“The older women, I enjoy myself directly, while the young girls around twelve or thirteen years of age, I keep them till they are grown up before I slowly savor them. As a result, I still have many virgins untouched, which I have never laid a hand on. Should Young Master be pleased, all of these are offered to you!”

Official Zhao quickly said, fearing to displease Li Xiaobai and only seeking to trade for a way to survive.

In order to live, he threw aside all concern for his dignity, saying everything he could, laying bare all of his years of deplorable actions.

“Having done so many heinous acts, are you not afraid the Imperial Court will find out, not afraid that the common people will discover them?”

Li Xiaobai’s gaze turned cold as he enunciated each word.

“Everyone does the same. My actions are nothing special inside the Imperial Court. The Prime Minister recently presented a pair of twin sisters to the Emperor. Do you know how he obtained them? He slaughtered an entire village to snatch them, and the final infamy also fell upon you.”

“If there are any dissenters among the common people, the Imperial Court will suppress them directly. This has become the customary practice accumulated over the years. It’s not because I am not clean, but because everyone acts this way. I had no choice!”

“Who didn’t have a heart full of passion during their youth?”

“I had no choice before, but now, I want to be a good person. I beg of you, Young Master, please show mercy and spare me my life!”

“`

Official Zhao was crying his eyes out, sobbing uncontrollably and presenting a picture of remorse.

“Scum dressed in headgear and robes, deserving of a death worse than a thousand punishments, I thought it was only you high-ranking officials committing atrocities—yet it turns out the entire Imperial Court is riddled with your sort. Brother, don’t waste your breath on him; just kill him!”

Long Xue, standing to the side, looked at him with even more disgust. This man’s evil deeds were more numerous than she had imagined, displaying absolutely no limit to his depravity.

Li Xiaobai nodded his head in agreement; he had the same thought. There’s no use in keeping such a person alive. It would be best to put him to death with a single slap.

“No, no, no… You can’t kill me!”

“I’m an official appointed by the Imperial Court, sent here by the current Prime Minister. If you kill me, the Prime Minister won’t let you off!”

“Young Master Li, I can be your informant. As long as you spare me, I’ll report any move made by the court to you first thing!”

Official Zhao, terrified, shook his hands repeatedly, having thrown out all his bargaining chips.

Unfortunately for him, Li Xiaobai had no interest in listening to his deceitful arguments; inner strength flowed through his dantian and covered his palm, ready to strike down.

But just then, onto the execution platform leaped another figure that landed softly on the ground, and a faint female voice called out, “Wait!”

“Hmm?”

“Who are you?”

“Another who slipped through the net?”

Li Xiaobai looked towards the direction the voice had come from with some puzzlement. The person was a woman with a beautiful face. She was older but well-maintained and still exuded charm.

Hearing Li Xiaobai’s words, the woman’s complexion darkened somewhat.

Slipped through the net?

You’re the one who slipped through the net, okay?

“I am the second daughter of the General’s Mansion, Chen Yuanyuan. The current border general, Chen Yu, is my elder brother, and the man at your feet is my husband.”

The woman moved gracefully forward, speaking as she approached the middle-aged man.

“Yes, yes, yes, she’s my lawful wife, from the General’s Mansion. Yuanyuan, save me!”

“As long as the General’s Mansion intervenes, even this demon head will have to let me go!”

The middle-aged man’s face lit with joy, as his wife’s family wielded tremendous power. Much of the authority over the military in the Central Plains rested with the border general Chen Yu. Even the emperor had to act patiently in his presence. With his wife’s intervention, he had hope for salvation.

“Are you going to save him?”

Li Xiaobai squinted his eyes and focused on the woman, who had now approached him. Judging by her aura, she was a martial artist in the Spirit Refining Realm. If he so wished, he could snuff out the lives of both in an instant.

“Heh, of course not. I heard Young Master’s questioning clearly. This scoundrel has done so many atrocious things behind my back, committing sins too grave to be forgiven. The reason I stopped Young Master is because I want to take care of this family disgrace myself!”

Chen Yuanyuan’s expression was cold, and a murderous intent flashed in her eyes as she spoke icily.

Before the middle-aged man had time to react, she suddenly reached to her waist, drew a knife, and decisively beheaded him.