On the way, there was no further incident of robbery on the prison cart, and they smoothly arrived at the execution ground at the bustling street corner.
By this time, the place was already packed with onlookers pointing at the condemned being led to the execution platform.
Until Liu Xiangnan was escorted up, the noise below suddenly surged.
"Don't kill him, Hero Liu is noble, he cannot be executed!"
"Officer, have mercy, spare Hero Liu!"
"Injustice..."
Song Changming looked at the clamor of the public below, evidently showing Liu Xiangnan's popularity.
However, the pleas of these commoners were of no use; they could not decide the fate of the condemned.
"Noon has arrived, execute immediately!" With the command from the Executioner.
Several strong executioners raised the large cleavers in their hands.
Song Changming stood below the execution platform, along with a large group of Patrol Guards, glaring at the large crowd outside the barriers.
Due to the deterrence of the Patrol Guards maintaining order, those people, though agitated, dared not act recklessly.
Getting too close, too impulsive, those guards would show no mercy.
Just when Song Changming thought no miracle would happen, several streaks of light suddenly shot out from the crowd.
Song Changming focused his gaze on the execution platform; those streaks of light were several Flying Sabers.
The executioner in charge of Liu Xiangnan, the saber in his hand was hit precisely by the Flying Sabers, forcing him to let it fly out of his hand.
At the critical moment, Liu Xiangnan survived temporarily!
"Someone is rescuing the prisoner!"
The sudden change caused even the Executioner to jump in surprise.
The next moment, a hearty laugh was heard.
"Liu Xiangnan, it's been years, how have you ended up like this!"
Song Changming looked towards the sound, at the back of the crowd, a figure in white casually sat atop a large sedan, holding a sword, smiling at Liu Xiangnan on the execution platform.
This man's face was fair, his disposition free and easy, an attractive man with a touch of Jianghu charm.
Without doubt, the Flying Sabers just now came from this man.
As everyone's attention turned to him, a group of masked figures wrapped in turbans suddenly dashed out from the crowd, their agile moves like panthers, easily leaping over the barriers.
Clang!
The Patrol Guards immediately drew swords to confront them, Song Changming raised his eyebrows, also engaging one of the masked figures.
In the clash of blades, the masked man used the momentum to flip above Song Changming's head.
The masked man jumped onto the execution platform and severed the shackle chain on Liu Xiangnan's foot with a single strike.
"Brother Liu, you've suffered, today we're taking you away!" the masked man said in a deep voice.
Before Liu Xiangnan could speak, Liang Chuan Mountain and Zhao Dezhi near the platform had already drawn their swords and leaped forward.
Attacking the execution site was a grave crime, capturing these masked individuals would bring substantial merit.
By this time, more masked figures had ascended the platform, blocking the group of Patrol Guards.
The strength of these masked figures was notable, each capable of wielding Sword Momentum and collaborating well, not a disorganized team.
Even several Patrol Captains, including Liang Chuan Mountain, could not apprehend these masked figures promptly.
"Release the arrows!" The old Director personally overseeing the situation, commanded coldly.
At both sides of the platform, two rows of Patrol Guards raised their Hand Crossbows and Bows, aiming at the platform.
At this moment, one of the masked figures threw several Smoke Balls.
Instantly, thick black smoke billowed and quickly enveloped the entire platform and surrounding area, making the scene even more chaotic.
Someone shouted that the smoke was poisonous, causing the onlookers to panic and scatter.
The masked figures also blended into the crowd and fled together.
Song Changming covered his mouth and nose, holding his breath, turned to look at the sedan chair but the white-clad swordsman was no longer there.
Undoubtedly, this rescue operation was meticulously planned, far more comprehensive and formidable than the previous prison cart robbery.
In fact, the intimidating black smoke was non-toxic.
At least when the smoke dispersed, Song Changming didn't see anyone poisoned.
On the platform, all the other condemned were still there, only Liu Xiangnan had been taken away.
"Chase! Retrieve the prisoner by any means necessary!" The old Director's face was extremely grim.
Unexpectedly, such an incident occurred before his retirement.
After hurriedly executing the other condemned, the Patrol Guards were dispatched, searching through the streets and alleys.
Song Changming sharply noticed a group of the General Department's Golden Patrol Guards also present, capturing the masked figures; however, this time, they seemed to underestimate the masked individuals' agility, failing to apprehend them on the spot.
This group, having planned the escape route in advance, quickly distanced themselves from the execution ground.
In an empty alley, several masked figures dashed by, one of them carrying the rescued Liu Xiangnan on his back.
"Brother Liu, hold on for a while longer, once we're out of the city, it will be safe!" the masked man spoke out.
"Attacking the execution site carries a heavy punishment." Liu Xiangnan said with guilt, his voice dry.
"Our lives were saved by you; Brother Liu, there's no need to mention this again. Do not underestimate us, it's just a minor charge, we are not those who cling to life and fear death!" the masked man quickly said.
Liu Xiangnan opened his mouth, but in the end, said nothing more, only expressing gratitude and noting down their kindness in his heart.
Unlike earlier days, his determination to die had significantly diminished.
Now he sought not self-liberation but self-redemption.
To achieve this, he needed to stay alive.
Buzz!
Suddenly, several Crossbow Arrows shot down from the rooftops, taking them by surprise.
Several of the General Department's Golden Patrol Guards appeared, blocking them.
"Kill!" The masked figures, having blocked the arrows, moved to attack without hesitation.
Ordinary Golden Patrol Guards indeed had decent skills, but they still weren't opponents for these masked Jianghu guests.
It wasn't until the towering figure, resembling a giant, appeared that the situation took a turn for the worse.
If Song Changming were present, he would certainly remember.
This imposing figure, standing like an iron tower and blocking the alley, was the Chief Patrol Guard, Lu Zheng, who had handed over the condemned earlier.
Lu Zheng, using only his fists, effortlessly struck several masked figures away in mere moments.
The masked figures, upon falling, seemed to suffer substantial internal injuries, coughing up blood uncontrollably.
Lu Zheng swept his cold gaze over the fallen masked figures, his eyes full of indifference and killing intent.
"The play is over. Your rebellious acts, defying the law, merit death!"
As Lu Zheng spoke, just as he was about to step forward, several Flying Sabers seemed to descend from the sky, intercepting the Chief Patrol Guard.
"Go!" Seeing the Flying Sabers, the masked figures breathed a sigh of relief and quickly fled with their injured bodies.
A figure in white, the handsome man who previously sat atop the sedan chair, gracefully descended from a rooftop.
"Come spar with me." The man in white chuckled lightly, facing Lu Zheng without a hint of fear.
Lu Zheng squinted, exuding intense killing intent, and said coldly, "Xiaoyao Sword, Zhao Dongming!"