Armipotent

As the executioners stood behind the death row prisoners. The execution ground went quiet, awfully quiet after the booming chant. Everyone had their attention focused on the main platform.

Tang Shaoyang was having his battle-ax for the execution. He raised his left hand, signaling the others to get ready for the execution. The ten executioners took another step forward, standing next to the kneeling prisoner.

Hines Myer's body was trembling, sweat soaked the white thin prisoner clothes. He had tried any necessary means to make it out alive, even offering Europe for The Tang Empire. But nothing could help him to escape from the execution. He knew that the Tang Empire could capture Europe even without the World Government or his World Union. It was just his last attempt.

"If you are ready to kill people for your ambition. You should be ready to be killed as well," That was Tang Shaoyang's words for Hines Myer. He could tell and sensed the fear from the man in front of him. The leader of the World Government was overwhelmed by the fear.

Tang Shaoyang lowered his left hand, a signal to start the execution. Everyone was using their own weapon except Zhang Mengyao. Her main weapon was Lance which was not that good for the execution. She borrowed Tang Shaoyang's Nightfall.

The ten executioners raised their weapons to the air at the same time. The time ticked down, and five seconds after, they swung their weapon. A swift execution, not letting the prisoners feel pain.

Ten heads plopped down, their heads rolled on the top of the platform as blood poured down. Out of ten prisoners, six bodies remained in the same position while the other four bodies immediately fell to the ground.

Tang Shaoyang swung the battle ax, clearing the blood on his battle ax. The others followed suit, cleaning their weapon from the blood. All known factions were invited to watch the execution. It was a show for them what would happen to those who tried to harm The Tang Empire. The whole event was around twenty minutes, but the execution took less than a minute. The Tang Empire sent the message to the other factions in that less than one-minute event.

The silence did not last long before someone shrieked hysterically. The execution freaked the visitors. The people might be killing zombies and monsters, but for some of them, killing people was totally different. Especially this was an execution, not the casualty of the battle.

Of course, the people who screamed were not many, a few, less than twenty people. However, that caught the attention because of how quiet the execution ground was. The scream was so loud because of how quiet it was.

The executioners turned around and left the platform after the execution, leaving Zhang Mengyao to close the event, "We thank everyone who came to our invitation. With this, the event is over, and we hope you can enjoy the festival in the city." n-(1n

Zhang Mengyao bowed her head slightly and left the platform. No one took care of the dead bodies. It was left there, not because no one was tasked to clean the bodies. Tang Shaoyang purposely left the bodies behind for everyone to see. Giving them a deep and unforgettable impression. The bodies would be taken care of after everyone left the execution ground.

*** ***

Tang's Triumph, was the name chosen by Li Shuang, Kang Xue, Jasmine, and Ashley. Even though it was just a name, it took them almost two hours to decide the name. Of course, it must go through Tang Shaoyang's approval who is always busy with his daughter.

As its name suggested, Tang's Triumph was a festival to celebrate their victorious battle against The God Rank, the biggest threat to The Tang Empire. From now on, The Tang Empire would hold a festival on the same day, every year. This was not a one-time festival, an annual festival.

Herman Bonivido came out together from the execution ground with his people. He brought a hundred people with him. That was The Tang Empire's request, and he brought exactly a hundred people. If not for the weird request, he planned to come with just Henry and Frans, his two Vice Guild Leaders.

His breathing was quite heavy after coming out of the execution ground, and he looked relieved the execution was over quickly. It was suffocating inside the execution ground. The atmosphere was not to his liking. At the same time, he could not help imagining what would happen if he did not surrender to the Tang Empire and continued to work with The Giteron Dynasty? If that was the case, he would be the eleventh death row inmate. His head would be rolling on that platform, and that was what suffocated him because he was so close to being executed.

"Are you okay, Sir?" Frans came next to Herman and tapped the back two times. He felt the same pressure, but not quiet. He did not get the feeling where he positioned himself on the platform.

Herman let out a chuckle, "I made the right choice to side with the Tang Empire, huh? If we are stubbornly clinging to the Giteron Dynasty. We three would be there, on the platform with them. Having our heads cut and leaving our bodies rot there," He assumed the Tang Empire would let the body rot.

Frans and Henry had their eyes widened as they exchanged glances. They never thought about it until their Guild Leader brought it up. The realization affected Henry more than Frans. Back then, Henry did not agree to side with the Tang Empire and sold off the army from the Giteron Dynasty. Back then, he thought the Tang Empire could not win once the God Rank came to the Earth.

"But still, I can't help but think The Tang Empire is somewhat psycho to hold the festival on the same day as The Public Execution," Herman was at the well-decorated street, bustling with people who celebrated their victory against three factions from the other worlds.

He was not in the mood to enjoy the festival after witnessing the execution. There was no way he could have fun after seeing ten people's heads roll in the pool of blood.

"I am thinking differently than you, Sir," Frans had a different opinion, "We need this festival to lighten our mood or even forget what we just witnessed. More than that, don't you want to see The Tang Empire development? Maybe we can find a little secret about what makes them so strong."

Herman did not really have the mood after the execution, but he agreed with Frans. More than enjoying the festival, he wanted to see how far the Tang Empire developed. Their progress in rebuilding the city, and if possible, they want to investigate if the Tang Empire had a unique facility. He nodded his head, agreeing with Frans to take a stroll in this festive atmosphere.

*** ***

Tang Shaoyang returned to the Tarrior Training Ground. He wanted to take a quick check on his army's training. But he forgot that it was a holiday, no one was in the training ground. He forgot about the festival, and The Tarrior was sent back.

Zhang Mengyao overtook Tang Shaoyang and stood in front of him, blocking him. He looked up as she took out the lance and the shield, "It's been a while since we have a spar. Why don't we have a spar right now? Recently the training has become dull for me because I won easily, and I want to challenge myself. Have a spar with me." She smiled because it was a long time ago since their last sparring fight. Almost one year from their last sparring fight.

What made Zhang Mengyao strong was not her class or bloodline, but her talent, Insight. For a powerful talent, the System graded it as A-Tier Talent. The talent allowed her to see the future for a few seconds which made her powerful as she could read her enemy's movement. Even Lu An with his shadow could not win against Zhang Mengyao.

Tang Shaoyang was caught off guard for a moment, but then he also smiled. He felt nostalgic because he fought Pride, Lu An, Wei Xi, and Zhang Mengyao a lot, almost daily.

"Why not?" Tang Shaoyang grinned as he took out a sword. It was not Nightfall, but a smaller sword.

"As usual, no bloodline transformation or spirit integration. We fight without using the big skills," As she said, Zhang Mengyao equipped her armor.

"That's fine," Tang Shaoyang nodded, "But don't get too disappointed if you lose to me. Our gap is just too big right now. What about if I give you the first five moves?" It sounded cocky, but he was genuine with his opinion about their gap.

"There's no need. We will do it like we did in the past. You don't need to hold back. I still have a chance as long as you don't use your Spirit Integration and Bloodline Transformation," Zhang Mengyao put on a stance, indicating she was ready to fight.