The execution platform here was quite high, at least five meters, almost ensuring that everyone could see clearly.
When Mu Rufeng stepped onto the execution platform, he saw the densely packed commoners below, surely numbering in the thousands.
In the surrounding inns, taverns, and other places, the upper floors were also packed with people, and some high-level private rooms were occupied by the wealthy and noble.
They were all staring intently at Mu Rufeng.
"I am Prince Mu Rufeng of the Da Li Dynasty," Mu Rufeng declared, looking around.
When Mu Rufeng disclosed his identity, there was an immediate uproar below.
"Greetings, Your Highness!" The voices rose one after another.
Some people were even excitedly trying to kneel.
"No need for such ceremony. Today, I am here to execute a criminal," Mu Rufeng said slowly.
As Mu Rufeng spoke, the crowd around gradually quieted down.
"Everyone should know that I led fifty thousand Black Banner troops to the frontier to battle the Demon Clan, but we were ambushed, and the entire army was annihilated."
"I was severely injured and nearly died, but fortunately, my trusted aide rescued me and sent me back to the Imperial City. Ultimately, thanks to the Holy Medicine, Thousand-year-old Snow Lotus, bestowed by my mother and sister, I recovered from my injuries."
"The annihilation of the fifty thousand Black Banner troops was my fault. I swear, I will avenge this blood feud!" Mu Rufeng’s tone was chilling, boiling with killing intent.
The dozens of guards behind the execution platform also immediately shouted loudly, bursting with murderous aura.
The commoners around, influenced as well, began shouting loudly.
"Recently, I allocated eight million silver taels for compensations to the families of the soldiers who died in battle."
"Each family of the fallen soldiers will receive at least one hundred and fifty taels of silver," Mu Rufeng announced.
Upon hearing this, the entire execution ground burst into an uproar.
Among them, many had served in the army and knew about the compensations for the fallen soldiers. This amount of one hundred fifty taels was exceptionally high.
As long as one did not court death, it was enough for a family of five to live comfortably and even luxuriantly for many years.
"However, someone had their eyes on this batch of compensation money. Right after it was distributed, someone under my own name intercepted the funds, leaving only a few broken taels."
Mu Rufeng suppressed his anger and slowly spoke.
As soon as these words were uttered, the previously silent crowd burst into uproar.
This was compensation money, meant for soldiers who died for their country. Yet, someone dared to tamper with it.
Such a crime deserved death, indeed deserved death.
"Bring the criminal up to me," Mu Rufeng commanded.
Soon, two trusted aides brought up a man dressed in luxurious clothes but covered in scars.
Mu Rufeng waved his hand, and with an invisible force, lifted Li Mohu and brought him in front of Mu Rufeng, facing the crowd.
"Wh-wh-what~~!" Li Mohu struggled ceaselessly but was bound and unable to move; his mouth was also stuffed with rags, muffling his sounds.
"This man is the mastermind behind the calamity. What say you, should he not be killed!" Mu Rufeng bellowed.
The overwhelming killing intent pierced through the skies, causing the observing nobles to frown.
With a thought, Mu Rufeng removed the rag from Li Mohu’s mouth.
"I was wrong, please spare me, spare me, Your Highness, I am your maternal uncle, your own maternal uncle."
"Before your mother died, she asked you to take care of me, and you promised her personally."
"Your Highness, please do not kill me. I am willing to give all my family wealth, and I am not the mastermind behind this. I was told by someone else to do this; someone wrote me a letter instructing me to do it."
After Li Mohu was able to speak, he immediately began to cry and plead loudly, desperately pulling at his familial ties with Mu Rufeng and then shifting the blame onto someone else.
Although, a letter did appear before him, he foolishly went ahead, merely wishing to embezzle those silver coins.
Greed made him fearless, unconcerned about the consequences.
However, when Li Mohu spoke these words, the previously murderous crowd instantly burst into an uproar again.
They couldn’t believe that the person who embezzled the compensation money was none other than Prince’s maternal uncle.
He was a royal relative, indeed a royal relative. To kill, or not to kill? How would the Prince handle this?
"Li Mohu, do not use that as an excuse anymore. If you weren’t driven by your greed to covet those more than seven million taels of silver, would you have acted?" Mu Rufeng sneered.
"Gentlemen, his identity is indeed my own maternal uncle, a royal relative of the Da Li Dynasty, the Duke of Xuanping."
"By rights, he is my elder, and my actions today would be considered highly disrespectful; however, for the sake of the fifty thousand soldiers and their families,"
"I, Your Highness, will perform justice over familial love today. Should there be any crime, I shall bear it alone, even if it means descending to the Eighteen Layers of Hell after death!"
As Mu Rufeng’s words ended, he drew a long sword from a nearby guard.
With a "clang!" sound of the sword being unsheathed,
what followed was the sound of the blade entering flesh.
A flash of blood occurred.
The next moment, a line of blood appeared above Li Mohu’s neck.
Li Mohu did not die instantly. His hands regained movement at this moment.
He immediately covered his neck with his hands, his eyes widened, attempting to speak but finding himself unable to utter a word.
Blood gushed from the slash at his neck.