Chapter One: I Am the Executioner, Renowned as the Slayer of a Thousand

Supreme Realm of the Grand Purity.

Great Xia Immortal Dynasty, Taixuan Heavenly Prison.

Hearing someone calling his name, Qin Lang, lying flat on the cold bed, slowly opened his eyes in a daze. The stifling smell of sweat and sourness in the air made him uncomfortable.

He rose slowly, surveying his surroundings. Dim moonlight shone through the barred window.

Shaking his head to clear his mind, Qin Lang slipped on his shoes and walked toward the door. He felt annoyed—who would come to disturb him in the dead of night?

Creak—

Opening the door, Qin Lang was still yawning. Rubbing his eyes, he saw before him a burly man with sallow skin, shifty eyes, and the look of a trickster. Qin Lang frowned slightly.

"Brother Wu, why are you bothering me at this hour instead of sleeping?"

This burly man was Wu Li, one of the three Execution Officers of Taixuan Heavenly Prison, and a powerful cultivator.

Three years ago, when Qin Lang first arrived in this world, he was a stranger to everything. Relying on his silver tongue, he managed to befriend Wu Li, a man with whom he had no prior connection.

Though not a cultivator himself, and initially overlooked by others, Qin Lang was tenacious by fate, with an ironclad birth chart and a peerless executioner’s blade technique.

From the memories he inherited, Qin Lang knew his predecessor had led a tragic life—his grandfather had just passed away when he was forced into the prison as an executioner.

By rights, as a mere mortal, he shouldn’t have been able to come here. However, his grandfather was notorious for having executed a hundred men, so Qin Lang was made an exception and given the coveted position of executioner.

Unfortunately, after executing only two Immortal criminals, his predecessor died of fright, and so Qin Lang transmigrated, inheriting everything—including the coveted “golden rice bowl” of the executioner.

"Heh heh, Brother Qin, don’t blame me for disturbing you so late. I had no choice—if I didn’t come, this matter couldn’t be settled," Wu Li said, holding a lantern, his face full of helplessness and bitter smiles.

He hadn’t wanted to come in the middle of the night either, but there was a matter only this “fate-hardened” young man could handle.

"Brother, just be straight with me. You wouldn’t come at this hour unless you want me to behead someone. So tell me—who do you need me to execute?"

Seeing his directness, Wu Li didn’t hesitate: "The Prince of Pingnan, Liu An."

Hearing the heavy tone, Qin Lang sobered immediately, his expression turning grave.

Prince of Pingnan, Liu An.

He didn’t know him personally, but had heard tales of his exploits from Wu Li and the others.

Wasn’t this man just granted his title a hundred years ago? Why was he suddenly condemned to execution? Could it be...

"Brother Qin, can you handle this? If not, I’ll speak with the higher-ups and have someone else do it," Wu Li said urgently, seeing Qin Lang’s darkening expression.

If Qin Lang couldn’t accept, it would be safer to find another. Though his fate was strong, he was, after all, just a mortal. If he failed, it could spell his own doom.

After a moment’s silence, Qin Lang looked at him. "Brother Wu, before you came to me, did you offer this task to someone else?"

"Four men have taken it, but all died of fright."

Receiving the answer he expected, Qin Lang nodded. "In that case, wait for me a moment, Brother Wu. I’ll change my clothes and go with you to carry out the execution."

"Good!"

Execution Ground.

At the center, a burly man was shackled to the ground by special talisman chains. No matter how he struggled, he could not break free.

The talisman chains pierced his limbs and locked his shoulder blades.

All around, over a thousand black-armored guards, fierce-eyed and brimming with murderous intent, stood vigilant against any attempt at escape.

Approaching with Wu Li to within ten meters, Qin Lang asked in confusion, "Brother Wu, is this lion-like fellow really the Prince of Pingnan? He doesn’t look it to me."

"Brother Qin, he may not look the part now, but he truly is the Prince of Pingnan. During a battle with the court’s masters, his cultivation was crippled, and he ended up like this."

"Are you sure he’s the Prince?"

"Why do you ask?" Wu Li looked at him, puzzled.

"I just don’t want to execute the wrong man." Qin Lang’s tone was honest and straightforward.

"Don’t worry. This man before you is Liu An, Prince of Pingnan. Execute him as you will—there is no need to fear responsibility."

Suddenly, a cold and indifferent voice sounded from behind.

Both men turned to see a pale, sinister-looking young man approaching. Qin Lang recognized him, though they weren’t close.

This youth was Lu Jun, like Wu Li, one of Taixuan’s three Execution Officers.

Compared to Lu Jun, Qin Lang preferred dealing with the sly-faced Wu Li.

Wu Li nodded slightly to Lu Jun, signaling that the execution could proceed.

Now certain that both men were being truthful, Qin Lang felt reassured.

Without hesitation, he stepped forward.

Seeing this mortal executioner approach, Liu An bared his teeth in a snarl, his vicious gaze fixed on Qin Lang, an overwhelming aura pressing forth.

Though his cultivation was gone, the presence of a once-mighty expert still lingered.

Feeling this lethal pressure, Qin Lang blanched, but quickly steadied himself. Taking a deep breath, he moved forward.

"Boy, are you the executioner sent to behead me?"

He laughed coldly. "The Immortal Emperor of Great Xia is getting pathetic—sending a mere mortal executioner to take my head. What a joke! The greatest of ironies!"

Hearing Liu An’s mocking, the crowd simmered with silent rage, their eyes cold and brimming with killing intent.

Wu Li and Lu Jun were especially furious, itching to take action themselves. But the rules were clear—their positions as officers forbade them from personally executing prisoners.

Rolling up his sleeves, Qin Lang replied coolly, "To die by my blade, the Thousand-Soul Executioner, you should feel honored, not deride me before your death."

Taking a bowl of wine from a nearby soldier’s tray, he poured it before Liu An, as was custom for the condemned.

He then lifted a second bowl and drank it down himself.

Thousand-Soul Executioner?!

At these words, Liu An’s face turned ashen, sweat pouring from his back as his eyes locked fearfully onto Qin Lang.

"You’re Qin Lang?"

It was rumored that Taixuan Prison had a formidable executioner—a mortal with an unyielding fate who had slain countless Immortal criminals.

To execute a hundred Immortal criminals and survive was already a rare feat, after which most would retire.

But the mortal executioner Qin Lang, with his iron fate, had executed over a thousand in three years—and thus earned the name “Thousand-Soul Executioner.”

Pfft—

Taking up the broad, three-fingered black blade, Qin Lang spat the wine onto its edge. He fixed his gaze on Liu An.

"You guessed right. I am Qin Lang, the Thousand-Soul Executioner. To fall by my blade is a rare honor indeed."

"Set your head in place, so I can send you on your way. Don’t make my blade stick in your neck."

"Don’t kill me! If you spare me, I’ll give you all my wealth—you’ll live a life of luxury forever!"

As Qin Lang advanced relentlessly, the once fierce and unrepentant Liu An was now so terrified he lost control of his bladder.

The acrid stench of urine left not only Qin Lang dumbfounded, but stunned all those present.

This scene was not as expected—shouldn’t Qin Lang be the one afraid? Why such a reversal?

"Really, you were once a prince—how did you become such a coward?"

Wiping the wine from his blade with a white cloth, Qin Lang looked at him coldly, full of disdain.

But none of this mattered to him.

Anyone brought here was a criminal Immortal—someone who deserved death.

He signaled two soldiers to hold Liu An down, then stepped forward, gripping the blade with both hands. Aimed at that exposed neck, he brought the blade down in a single stroke.

Swish!

"No—!"

Seeing the blade flash coldly, Liu An’s eyes filled with terror, his face turned deathly pale, his eyes bulged, and he roared his unwillingness.

"Stop!"

At the same instant Qin Lang’s blade fell, a deep male voice called out from nearby.

But it was too late. Qin Lang’s blade had already struck, separating head from body, blood gushing like a crimson spring.

The severed head rolled to the ground, eyes wide in disbelief, staring at Qin Lang—how dared this man do it?

The voice’s owner prompted the surrounding soldiers to raise their weapons, their expressions cold and their auras oppressive.

Wu Li and Lu Jun quickly flanked Qin Lang, ready to defend him—he was their prison’s treasure, not to be lost at any cost.

At that moment, a golden light shot from Liu An’s corpse, piercing straight into Qin Lang’s mind. He seemed not to notice at all.

"Deputy Commander Wang, what brings you to our prison at this late hour?" Wu Li asked, looking at the handsome, mustached youth who appeared about thirty.

Seeing Liu An’s corpse at their feet, Wang Kai’s face darkened, murderous intent flashing in his gaze as he looked at Qin Lang.

"Boy, I told you to stop—didn’t you hear me?"

"I heard, sir, but your voice was a moment too late. My blade had already fallen—so you can’t blame me," Qin Lang replied with a helpless shrug.

"Hmph!"

Snubbed and seeing the corpse at his feet, Wang Kai’s face grew colder. He snorted and left without looking back, his killing intent undiminished.

His mission had failed—he would have to report to the Immortal Emperor, or the blame would fall squarely on him.

"Wu Li, Lu Jun, you two can expect punishment."

As he departed, Wu Li and Lu Jun both frowned, sensing trouble was brewing.

"Wu Li, take this kid to rest. I must go to the palace and see the Emperor." Without waiting for a response, Lu Jun hurried away.

Seeing him depart, Wu Li paid little mind, saying nothing more, and led Qin Lang away.

Barely five or six paces out, Qin Lang grew anxious, his heart uneasy. "Brother Wu, am I in trouble?"

"Don’t worry, kid. With me here, nothing will happen to you. Even if I lose this golden rice bowl, I’ll see you safe," Wu Li said, clapping Qin Lang on the shoulder to reassure him.

ps: The introduction is complete, and the contract is about to be signed—invest now, heh heh! Dear readers, if you enjoyed this, please add it to your collection.