Chapter 16 Fifteenth Execution Day

March 15th, early morning. In the early morning, Wei Haoke had already put on his official uniform and came to the dark courtyard behind the prison of the Ministry of Criminal Justice. His official uniform is also custom-made, with fine silk, well-fitting tailoring, and exquisite sewing, and there is absolutely no mistake in any place. It was only him who was wrong. Sometimes even he thinks he's wrong.Bansak, wine, women, the joys of the past, hellish dungeons, Murong Qiushui, death, Ding Ning. New sorrows and old loves, grievances and grievances are intertwined, forming a net. He is already in the net, and he is also the one who holds the net.

He couldn't sleep all night. How can the person in the net who is holding the net break free from the net? The small courtyard was as dark as ever, and Wei Haoke was still sitting on his old bamboo chair that had turned dark brown. He is waiting for Jiang Duanxian, he knows that Jiang Duanxian will definitely come very early to see Ding Ning and see if Ding Ning can stand up. ——Ding Ning's men couldn't move, and Jiang Duanxian's knife wouldn't move. Wei Haoke is not worried about this, he has already made good arrangements for this matter. The things he arranges are always perfect and impeccable, and this time the arrangement is even more wonderful, it is simply unimaginable.

The best part is that by the time someone else figured out the mystery, the matter is over and no one can remedy it. Thinking of this, Wei Haoke smiled like a fox who just caught a rabbit. The number of deacons in the criminal department is usually between eight and twelve. Each deacon is a legal executioner who has undergone years of training. Of course, their sword skills are not as pure and graceful as Jiang Duanxian, but they are the same when killing people Clean and neat. If Jiang Duanxian refuses to do it, they can also chop off Ding Ning's head. This is a very simple truth, and it is what everyone wants.Unexpectedly——

Why did Murong Qiushui choose Jiang Duanxian to execute this time, and why did he not hesitate to agree to Jiang Duanxian's various rather harsh conditions. Of course there is a reason for this. This reason is undoubtedly a great secret, apart from Murong Qiushui and Wei Haoke, no third person knows it. When others discover this secret, not only will it be too late to remedy it, but it will also be too late to regret it. Jiang Duanxian came really early. When he walked into the alley behind the prison of the Ministry of Criminal Justice, he saw a very strange thing. He saw Dr. Zhuge, supported by two people, coming out from the side door in the backyard of the prison.

At dawn, the snow melted and the wind was as cold as a knife. Dr. Zhuge's face was sweating, and he was panting continuously, as if he had just done the most intense exercise, and he looked half exhausted. Jiang Duanxian already thought that he was invited here by Murong Qiushui to treat Ding Ning, so he made way for them to go first. Of course Doctor Zhuge also saw him, and suddenly there was a strange expression on his face, as if he wanted to tell Jiang Duanxian something, but he didn't say it, as if he was about to scream and struggle, but he suddenly left quickly. It was not until a long time later that Jiang Duanxian knew what he was going to say and what he was going to do.

On a small table that has not even been painted, there is a plate of half-fat and lean white-cut mutton, a plate of lamb face, a plate of green onions, a plate of sauce, a large plate of fire, and a large pot of hot haggis soup. , plus two large jugs of fine sorghum wine just warmed in amine ash. These few things are what Jiang Duanxian wants to eat every morning, everything is available, and there is not much of the same thing. Wei Haoke greeted Jiang Duanxian with the most attentive smile. "I prepared this specially for you, and it was specially cut from the mutton bed of Ma Huihui in Xisi Hutong." He said, "I know you haven't eaten breakfast today."

Jiang Duanxian looked at the person in front of him who was abnormally small but otherwise very elegant, and suddenly felt admiration for this person. It is not an easy task for a person with a birth defect to do this. "I have known for a long time that you are not only the one with the most outstanding appearance and clothing among the officials of the Sixth Division of the Criminal Ministry, but also your power in the Criminal Ministry is hard for others to imagine." Jiang Duanxian looked at Wei hospitable. "But I never thought that you would know me so clearly." Jiang Duanxian said, "Not only do you know what I like to eat in the morning, but you even know whether I have had breakfast this morning."

Wei Haoke lifted the jug with a very elegant gesture and poured wine for Jiang Duanxian. "Mr. Jiang, you should know that I have admired you for a long time, and all my friends know that I am a hospitable person." Wei Haoke said: "When a distinguished guest like Mr. Jiang arrives, I must of course start preparing for it a long time ago. Of course, you need to know a little bit about Mr. Jiang’s daily life.” This sentence also made people have to admire it, and it covered up his actions of spying on other people's privacy lightly. But as long as he thinks of the way this hospitable Mr. Wei Haoke entertains the distinguished guests, no matter who he is, he can't help but feel a chill coming out of his mouth.

"Mr. Wei, I have long admired your reputation for hospitality, but it is a pity that I am not here as a guest today." Jiang Duanxian said flatly: "I am here to kill people today." "The person you want to kill, I have prepared it for you." "I know." Jiang Duanxian said, "I saw Zhuge Xian just now." "Oh?" "He looked as if he was terribly tired, as if he was so tired that he might pass out at any time." Jiang Duanxian said, "I didn't find it strange at all." "why?" "Because when I saw Ding Ning, there was not much difference between his person and a dead body." Jiang Duanxian said, "It is of course very tiring for such a dead body to stand up and walk to the execution ground." It requires not only skill but also physical strength.”

Doctor Zhuge is good at healing people, but not good at healing himself. He always advises others to be temperate, but he is very indulgent. So his physical strength has always been very bad. "I also know that Dr. Zhuge must be exhausted this time." Wei Haoke sighed: "In the past few days, not only has he not been able to eat or sleep well, he has even quit one of his favorite things." Wei Haoke seemed to be afraid that Jiang Duanxian would not know what Dr. Zhuge likes most, so he emphasized: "In the past few days, not only has he never touched a woman, he has never even seen a woman, because he is determined to do something that has never been done. Nothing anyone can do."

"I believe." Jiang Duanxian said: "If Zhuge Xian doesn't even want women, of course it's for a great event." The smile that Wei Haoke always kept in front of his distinguished guests suddenly became very mysterious. "But I believe you will never imagine what a wonderful thing he did." Wei Haoke said: "This thing he did is simply a miracle." Miracles do not happen all the time, and those that happen often are not miracles. However, many people believed that on March 15th of this year, there was indeed a miracle. Liu Banban absolutely believed it. ——If it wasn't for the miracle that happened on this day, she would still be with ghosts. Miracles that don't happen often, of course, few people can see, so Wei Haoke feels very strange. Because when he asked Jiang Duanxian "Do you want to see this miracle?", Jiang Duanxian's answer was—— "I don't want to." Jiang Duanxian said, "I just want to see Ding Ning." Wei Haoke's answer was also perfect: "If you really don't want to see this miracle, then don't go to see Ding Ning." "why?" The smile lines at the corners of Wei Haoke's eyes deepened: "Because when you see Ding Ning, you see this miracle." Jiang Duanxian finally saw the miracle Wei Haoke said, because he saw Ding Ning. This miracle happened to Ding Ning. After seeing Ding Ning, even Jiang Duanxian couldn't help admitting that there are indeed miracles in this world. This time, Wei Haoke did not take Jiang Duanxian to the "private seat", and of course Ding Ning was no longer there, because Dr. Zhuge, who is obsessed with cleanliness, would never step on the private seat for any reason. There is a door at the end of the long corridor in the back, open the door, it is a very clean and elegant hut, a tall man in white, with his hands behind his back, looking at a plum tree outside the window, as if he has been fascinated. But as soon as Jiang Duanxian walked in, he immediately became alert, and of course Jiang Duanxian immediately realized that he was a master with extremely fast reactions. ——Who is this person?Why did Wei Haoke arrange for them to meet here?Why is Ding Ning nowhere to be seen?Is there any conspiracy in this? At this moment, Jiang Duanxian had already planned the way out for himself and the attack that the opponent might launch, and occupied the most favorable terrain and angle. He didn't know the other party's identity and purpose at all, so of course he couldn't make the first move. He just has to wait. The man in white stood at the window with his back to him, staring at the tree of plum blossoms obsessively, as if he had figured out that he would never make the first move. The judgment of the two people is very correct, and it is obvious that they are all experienced masters. This mysterious white-clothed man actually has a faint aura that can rival Jiang Duanxian. There are not many such masters. Who is he?Jiang Duanxian couldn't think of it. In his memory, it seems that such a person has never appeared before. After a long time, the man in white suddenly sighed softly, and said in a very sad voice: "Seeing that the plum blossoms are blooming so well, I am afraid that spring will be over again." He said: "Why do the flowers bloom the best?" always when it is about to wither?" Jiang Duanxian suddenly felt that something was wrong.Because he suddenly had that strange feeling again. He didn't even have the slightest impression of this mysterious man in white, but he seemed to have heard this man's voice. He was about to calm down and think about it again, but the man in white turned around slowly, faced him, and said to him indifferently: "Mr. Peng, after a year, will you be safe?" Seeing this person, Jiang Duanxian's pupils suddenly contracted, and even his heart and blood vessels seemed to have contracted accordingly. He did not know how many things he saw in his life that surprised him, but none of them could shock him so much. This mysterious man in white was unexpectedly Ding Ning, the same Ding Ning who Jiang Duanxian had seen with his own eyes a few days ago struggling like a pig and dog in the dark prison, and couldn't even ask for help. Of course Jiang Duanxian didn't expect it to be him.Because that kind of thing just doesn't happen. This is nothing short of a miracle! Ding Ning's face had no blood at all, and he hadn't seen the sun for many years, which made his pale face look like a strange light blue. In the far west, this is a skin color unique to nobles, and it is also something they are proud of.But looking at Ding Ning's face, it looked indescribably miserable and sad, indescribably mysterious and terrifying. He looked at Jiang Duanxian quietly, his eyes were so deep that he couldn't even see the bottom, and of course he couldn't see the bright, happy, high-spirited expression of the past. But now he was Ding Ning again, his eyes could see again, his hands could straighten again, and his tongue could speak what he wanted to say again. Most importantly, now he can stand up like a human again. What method did Dr. Zhuge use to make this miracle happen? "Did you still not believe that the person standing in front of you is me?" Ding Ning said flatly, "I don't blame you, because even I can't believe this kind of thing." "Did you already know that I would come?" Jiang Duanxian asked. "I have no idea." "But before you turn around, you already know it's me." "That's just because I can hear your footsteps." Ding Ning said, "When you went to the elegant seat ten days ago, I just thought your footsteps were very familiar, but today I knew it when I heard them." It's you." "why?" "Because you have a murderous look today." Ding Ning said, "As soon as you walked in, I already felt it." ——Only when encountering an opponent, will the murderous aura burst out. The Ding Ning that Jiang Duanxian saw ten days ago was not only not an opponent worth guarding against, he couldn't even be regarded as a person. "What I promised to do for you, I have already done it for you. Our past grievances are now settled." Ding Ning said, "So if you want to fight me again, I can still accompany you at any time." Jiang Duanxian didn't say anything else, turned around and walked out very suddenly, because he didn't want Ding Ning to see the expression on his face at the moment. He looked like he just swallowed a piece of rat meat and just wanted to find a place where no one was around to vomit. When he walked out, Wei Haoke just walked in, and then he heard Ding Ning say in a happy and grateful voice: "Ban Shaq, I knew you would find a way to save me, but I can't figure it out Why did you wait until today to come?" Jiang Duanxian couldn't figure it out either. Until now, Ding Ning still doesn't know that today is the day of his death. Since his death was inevitable, why did Wei Haoke and Murong Qiushui still hide it from him? Wouldn't it be unfair for a person to be concealed and deceived before his death? Another point that Jiang Duanxian couldn't figure out was that the condition he put forward to Wei Haoke was only "to let Ding Ning walk into the execution ground like a person", and he didn't ask them to restore Ding Ning completely. Since Ding Ning was sure to die, why did they want Dr. Zhuge to spend so much effort on a dying person? Why is Dr. Zhuge willing to do such a thing? Is there any conspiracy and secret in it?Since Ding Ning was about to die, of course the dead were not to be framed, so who was to be framed this time? When Jiang Duanxian walked out of the small gate in the backyard of the Ministry of Justice, the sky was already completely bright, and there was a rare sunshine in the past two months. But at this time, there are at least two hours before noon, and there is still time to go to Dr. Zhuge. Doctor Zhuge is a descendant of a famous Confucian doctor. Although his mansion in Tielianzi Hutong was built more than 200 years ago, there is no sign of oldness or dilapidation at all. People only feel that its architecture is majestic and magnificent. It's a pity that the girders supporting this huge house have been broken. "Deacon Jiang, of course the villain knows your identity. If the master is not really seriously ill, how could he stand in your way." Doctor Zhuge's old housekeeper said to Jiang Duanxian: "Please forgive me for this. As soon as the master recovers from his illness, he will immediately go to the manor to pay his respects." He spoke not only politely but also sincerely, but unfortunately Jiang Duanxian couldn't even listen to a single word. Jiang Duanxian, who has always been very sensible, seems to be a little unreasonable today. No matter what, he insists on seeing Zhuge. He even hinted to the old housekeeper that he would not hesitate to use force to break in if necessary. The old housekeeper panicked. Of course he couldn't handle such things. In Dr. Zhuge's house, there was usually only one person who came forward to deal with such things—Zhuge's Mrs. Ru, also known as "Second Grandma" Zhuge Xiaoxian. Of course Zhuge Xiaoxian's surname was not Zhuge, and no one knew what her surname was, but everyone knew that the number one red girl in the Eight Great Alleys was Xiaoxian. "You are Zhuge Xian, I am Xiaoxian, I seem to be born for you." This is what she said when she met Dr. Zhuge for the first time, so she quickly became the second grandmother of Zhuge's family. This Second Mistress is of course a very shrewd character, Jiang Duanxian met her in the flower hall in the third courtyard. Seeing Jiang Duanxian's expression, she immediately realized that no one could stop this villain, so she immediately said, "Deacon Jiang, if you must meet our master, I can take you to meet him." , I just hope that you will not tell others what happened after you saw him under any circumstances." This is a very strange request, and there are obviously some ulterior secrets hidden in it. Although Jiang Duanxian found it strange, he had to agree. After he met Dr. Zhuge, he realized that this request was very reasonable. When Jiang Duanxian saw Dr. Zhuge, he had been dead for a long time, and even his body was stiff and cold. Everyone is going to die, and the dead are not surprising. Why did the second mistress ask Jiang Duanxian to keep it a secret? "Deacon Jiang, I know you are a well-informed person. I think you can see how our master died." Of course Jiang Duanxian could see it. He has seen a lot of dead people of all kinds. If the cause of death is very special, there will usually be special signs after death. Although Zhuge looked very tired just now, he was by no means exhausted. His face was convulsed and contorted, and it showed a mysterious dark blue color. Jiang Duanxian could tell at a glance that he was poisoned to death by a very powerful venom. "Our master stayed in the punishment hall for nine days, and died as soon as he came back, and he was poisoned to death. If this incident gets out, none of the more than 100 people in our family will be able to survive." Second Mistress said calmly: "I think I just begged Deacon Jiang not to tell about this. I think Deacon Jiang probably understands what I mean by now." Now Jiang Duanxian not only understood what she meant, but also began to admire the second mistress a little. "Did Zhuge and the people in the Ministry of Justice have any grudges before?" Jiang Duanxian asked. "No." Second Mistress replied flatly, "Absolutely not." "Who invited him to the torture hall this time?" "At first, I always thought it was an officer surnamed Wang in the Ministry of Punishment, but later I knew it was definitely not him." "why?" "Deacon Jiang, you probably know our master's temper. With a judge, how could he be invited to the Ministry of Punishment, and he would stay there for eight or nine days." Second Mistress explained clearly. "Now do you know who invited him?" Jiang Duanxian asked again. "It's Mr. Murong, Murong Qiushui." Second Mistress said, "He wants our master to treat a prisoner." "Do you know who this prisoner is?" Second Mistress hesitated, and finally admitted: "I heard from the master that this man's surname is Ding, and his name is Ding Ning. Not only is he famous in the world, but his family background is also very prominent, so..." "So what's up!" Jiang Duanxian asked. Second Mistress hesitated for a long time before making up her mind: "Deacon Jiang, I trust you, that's why I told you the whole story." She said, "But I also have something to ask you, and I hope you don't bother." Hide it from me." She immediately asked Jiang Duanxian: "I heard that Wei Haoke specially invited you to execute a Jiangyang bandit this time. I wonder if this bandit is Ding Ning?" "yes." "You recognize him?" "I know." "After he entered Wei Haohao's private seat, have you seen him yet?" Second Mistress asked Jiang Duanxian. "I have seen." "Of course you know that this handsome young man has become inhuman afterward. Not only his eyelids have been stitched shut, his tongue has been cut short, but even the joints of his limbs have been paralyzed." Second Mistress asked Jiang Duanxian again: "Do you know who did this?" "Doctor Zhuge?" "Yes." Second Mistress sighed: "I have been married to him for many years, and I have always understood his personality very well! I believe he would never do such a thing in the first place, not to mention that Mr. Ding has a little relationship with him." "But he's done it." "Although it's done, it's not perfect." Second Mistress said: "Every part has left a way for Mr. Ding." She explained: "Although he sutured Mr. Ding's eyes, he did not damage his eyes. As long as the sutures are removed with the same delicate operation, Mr. Ding will immediately see as before." Although this operation is complicated and delicate, it is not impossible.So Jiang Duanxian only asked, "Where's his tongue?" "His tongue wasn't cut off either, it was just folded and stitched to his jaw. As long as the stitches are removed, it can be restored immediately." Jiang Duanxian didn't ask how Ding Ning's hand and foot joints recovered. If even these two operations can be performed accurately, what else can Zhuge Xian not do? "Our master did this for the purpose of treating and recovering Mr. Ding in the future." Second Mistress said, "But when Murong came to invite him, he was very reluctant to go!" "why?" "Because he feels that there is something extremely suspicious about this matter, and there must be a conspiracy hidden in it." "Oh?" "Since Mr. Ding is sure to die, why does Murong spend so much effort on him?" On this point, Jiang Duanxian's thoughts are exactly the same as Dr. Zhuge's.He only asked: "Since Dr. Zhuge has doubts about this matter, why did he do it again?" Second Mistress sighed: "Of course it's a last resort. As long as a person lives, he will inevitably have to do some things he doesn't want to do." Her words were very flashy, and there was obviously something hidden in them, for Zhuge Xian who had always been very indulgent, it was inevitable that Murong Qiushui would hold some grounds, so Jiang Duanxian didn't pursue her further. He only killed people and never pryed into other people's privacy. He always believed that the latter's behavior was far more despicable and shameful than killing people. "What did Doctor Zhuge say after he came back from the punishment hall?" Jiang Duanxian asked. Second Mistress looked sad: "As soon as he came back, he said a very strange thing." "What words?" "He asked me to prepare for his funeral as soon as possible, as if he knew that he would not live long." Second Mistress said: "Then he told me again and again, never tell the real cause of his death." She tried her best to control herself to keep her voice calm: "I think he must have seen Murong Qiushui's plot at that time!" "He didn't say it?" "No." "why?" "Because he died too quickly." Second Mistress forced a smile, her smile was so desolate and so sad: "No matter what, he finally died peacefully, without any pain at all. His whole life can be regarded as a very happy life. It's just some people who are still alive." It's just that people still have to live, and the burdens that should be shouldered still have to be shouldered. "So our master died of a sudden illness, and it has nothing to do with Murong Qiushui." Second Mistress said, "I only hope that Mr. Murong can forget about our family from now on." Jiang Duanxian looked at this woman who had been beaten countless times in the wind and dust, and his attitude was far more respectful than that of a lady or a lady of a family. "Second Grandma," he said sincerely, "it is the luck of the Zhuge family to have you." Until he left this place, he never saw a single tear fall from her eyes. At this time, it was very close to noon, Jiang Duanxian walked back to the Ministry of Criminal Justice through the path, passed a big wine vat, and drank three more bowls. The death of Dr. Zhuge made him very sad, and what Murong Qiushui did made him feel a little bored. He must drink some wine to refresh himself, so as not to be in a trance and cut the wrong place with his knife. This knife must never be wrong, otherwise he will regret it for the rest of his life. Murong Qiushui got up very early that day, and was waiting in Wei Haoke's room early in the morning. This morning, his face looked paler than usual, and he had a very strange expression. He didn't even touch a bottle of hard-to-find wine that Wei Haoke specially prepared for him. This noble young man, who usually doesn't care about the sky falling, seems to have something very wrong in his heart today, and has even become a little irritable. Fortunately Wei Haoke finally came back in time, Murong Qiushui immediately asked him: "Did Jiang Duanxian meet Ding Ning?" "Yes." Wei Haoke said: "Ding Ning looks very good, no one can see that he has stayed in the private seat for so long." "Where's Jiang Duanxian?" "He still has a gloomy and sullen face, and no one can see what he's thinking in his heart." Wei Haoke said: "But I guarantee that he will never see anything wrong with this matter." "How is Ding Ning's attitude towards you?" "Of course he is extremely grateful to me. He already believed that we would find a way to rescue him, and of course he would not have the slightest doubt about this matter." Murong Qiushui smiled, and his unique sarcasm appeared in his smile. "Of course he won't doubt you. Haven't you always been his best friend?" Wei Haoke's eyes were cold, he looked at him coldly, and asked coldly: "Aren't you his good friend?" "But I didn't send him to the execution ground." Murong Qiushui said, "I don't seem to be the one who tied the rope made of beef tendon and gold thread to his body." Wei Haoke's face was even more gloomy, but he still had a smile on his face. "That's right, I did all these things, and it has nothing to do with you." He said, "Drinking wine and reciting poems, tuning strings, and other elegant things are what Mr. Murong should do. To kill people, How can I let you make a move?" "That's not true at all." Murong Qiushui looked at his slender and white hands with a very happy expression, and said leisurely: "It is true that my hands have never been stained with blood." "Of course you won't go to see Ding Ning either." Murong Qiushui sighed, and his expression became very gloomy again: "It's better not to see each other, and it's just a mess, so why bother to see each other?" "It's reasonable," Wei Haoke also said lightly, "Why are your words always reasonable?" Murong Qiushui laughed loudly, poured himself a glass of wine with a very elegant gesture, toasted to the sky, and drank it all in one gulp. "Ding Ning, you have to remember that your big head was chopped off by the knife in Jiang Duanxian's hand. Regarding this, I guarantee that he will not be able to evade it." Murong said: "I can also guarantee that I will definitely be there soon Uncle Ding and Auntie will know about this, so of course Jiang Duanxian's death is not far away." People in the Jianghu must retaliate for their grievances, and the humiliation of defeat must be repaid. It is absolutely natural for Jiang Duanxian to kill Ding Ning. The winner wins the loser, the winner lives and the loser dies.This is the unswerving rule that people in the Jianghu have always followed. Even if the relatives and friends of the deceased want to take revenge, no third party will be involved. But when Ding Ning died, if he had already suffered all kinds of tortures and was tortured to the point where he was not human, the situation would be different. In that case, the person who wants to avenge Ding Ning is not looking for the executioner who performed the knife, but the person who tortured Ding Ning enough before sending him to the knife. Qiu Shui couldn't get rid of it. Therefore, Ding Ning must be healed first, and no one can see that he has suffered an inhuman experience, and he was not tied to the execution ground. What happened during this period of time must be completely erased, as if it never happened at all. Then Ding Ning's death was just a personal grievance between him and Jiang Duanxian. Life and death are decided in a battle, and there is nothing to say about life and death. The most important point in this plan is confidentiality, absolute confidentiality. Fortunately, there are not many people who know this secret, except for Yinmeng, Wei Haoke, and Murong Qiushui, only Dr. Zhuge. Of course Yin Meng wouldn't say it, and of course Wei Haoke and Murong Qiushui wouldn't say it either. So Doctor Zhuge must die. He was by no means the first person who was killed and silenced in order to get involved in a vortex, nor would he be the last. Ding Ning will never die in vain, and there are definitely more people who want to avenge him than anyone imagined.Those who are hunted down by them to seek revenge will never be able to escape in heaven and earth. So when Jiang Duanxian cut off Ding Ning's head with one knife, it was as if he had already sentenced himself to death. Killing two birds with one stone, both of them are sure to die, and no one will implicate their deaths with Murong, Yinmeng, and hospitality. This is the most ingenious part of this plan. At noon, in the middle of the sun, no one would expect another miracle to appear. At this time, Ding Ning had arrived at the execution ground.