Chapter 60

Inside the Dengwen Drum Temple, the senior bailiffs had already set up the scene.

In front of the Dengwen Drum, a long bench was placed, and a bailiff was carefully inspecting it. On both sides, there were bailiffs holding thick planks, while the one who had just opened the door was responsible for counting the planks.

“Tan Juzi, let me ask you one last time, do you regret it?”

Tan Hanchi didn’t hesitate. He took off his outer robe, resolutely lay down on the bench, and gripped the legs tightly.

“Let’s begin.”

Seeing Tan Hanchi so calm and fearless, everyone couldn’t help but feel both admiration and fear.

Receiving thirty blows could kill a person!

The bailiff shook his head, stooped over Tan Hanchi, groped around to make sure there were no obstructions, then raised his hand and waved:

“Today, Tan Hanchi, an examinee from Zhuozhou, intends to knock on the Dengwen Drum. According to the laws of the Great Yong Dynasty, anyone who knocks on the Dengwen Drum shall receive thirty blows, and their life or death is in the hands of fate!”

“Take your positions, begin—strike!”

Smack!

A profoundly dull sound reverberated, startling everyone.

Everyone’s faces were filled with fear, but they saw Tan Hanchi firmly biting down on a piece of cloth, not making a sound.

Qiao Jiaojiao’s whole body trembled, feeling unbearable.

“How pitiful, Tan Hanchi is too pitiful.”

Smack, smack, smack—

As several blows followed, blood began to appear on Tan Hanchi’s buttocks, staining his white pants, a shocking sight.

Qiao Diyi tightly clenched his hands, truly afraid that Tan Hanchi wouldn’t be able to bear it.

After fifteen blows in a row, the bailiffs stopped.

At this point, Tan Hanchi was pale, covered in sweat.

The bailiff who had been counting planks squatted down, leaned close to Tan Hanchi, and asked with a face full of reluctance:

“Tan Juzi, this is your last chance. If you want to stop, we’ll stop too.”

“The next fifteen blows won’t be as easy as the first.”

This bailiff was genuinely kind-hearted.

After all, being able to pass the imperial examinations must have been the result of ten years of hard study.

Waiting a little longer, perhaps in the next Spring Examinations, he could turn into a Jinshi or even a high-ranking official.

Tan Hanchi felt grateful in his heart, but his will was firm and unshakeable.

“Continue…”

Tan Hanchi bit down on the cloth and mumbled.

The bailiff sighed softly, about to wave his hand, when suddenly two people rushed out from behind.

“Mu, let’s switch! They’ve already done fifteen blows, and their hands are tired.”

The bailiff who had been counting planks was surnamed Mu.

He frowned slightly, “Weren’t you two supposed to have a day off today?”

These two were usually sneaky and slippery, but they had never been this eager before.

The two looked at each other, “We heard someone was going to knock on the Dengwen Drum, so we hurried over!”

“Let us take over. It’s been seven or eight years since we had a chance. Let us give it a try.”

Saying this, they couldn’t wait to snatch up the planks.

Qiao Jiaojiao’s heart suddenly tightened!

“These two must have been bribed by Duke Qing. They’re here to put Tan Hanchi to death!”

She urgently scanned the crowd, then suddenly saw Sheng Mingcheng squeezing to the front.

She saw him tightly clenching his hands in front of him, a fierce and sinister look in his eyes as he stared fixedly at Tan Hanchi.

“Sheng Mingcheng is here too! This despicable guy must have malicious intentions!”

Qiao Diyi comfortingly patted Qiao Jiaojiao, then gestured to the crowd. Soon, a bold voice rang out.

“Why are you still switching people for beating? Can’t these big masters even handle thirty blows?”

“What’s going on? The big bosses can’t even lift thirty planks?”

“At the very least, you’re eating the government’s rice. If you can’t handle it, step down early! I have plenty of strength; swinging a hundred planks is nothing to me!”

“That’s right! Didn’t you see how much pain the examinee is in? You’re just stalling here, deliberately trying to kill him, aren’t you?”

“He’s been wronged and forced into a corner before he thought of knocking on the Dengwen Drum. The drum hasn’t even been struck yet, and you want to torment him to death?”

“That’s right! Then isn’t the Dengwen Drum just a mere formality?”

Several people joined in, and the crowd, which had initially sympathized with the weaker party, suddenly boiled with anger.

“Don’t switch people, continue!”

“Seeking justice, seeking justice! We commoners must have a place to seek justice!”

“This is too much. The examinee can hardly hold on anymore!”

Seeing the public opinion boiling, the bailiff named Mu’s expression suddenly changed.

“Stop your nonsense, both of you! Stirring up public anger, can you bear this responsibility?”

“Quick, continue!”

Mu decisively intervened, and the two who were holding the planks also pushed them away.

“Get out of the way! Who said we don’t have the strength? If you keep causing trouble, we’ll lose our jobs!”

The two who suddenly intervened were embarrassed by the scolding. Seeing that they couldn’t do much, they backed off with an unwilling look.

Sheng Mingcheng, seeing this, clenched his fists tightly and cursed silently, “Useless!”

Sweat poured down his forehead, but he comforted himself in secret:

“It’s okay. If I miss this opportunity, I’ll have plenty of chances to kill him when I lead people into the palace later!”

Qiao Jiaojiao watched as the planks continued to fall and couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

“This trick to stir up public anger was thought up by Second Brother. He’s simple-minded but can see the essence of things.”

“The common people always sympathize with the weaker party. No matter what schemes are in play, they’re all rubbish in the face of public opinion. Even the emperor can’t ignore public sentiment!”

After several more blows, the sound became sticky, as if pounding flesh into pieces.

The white cloth in Tan Hanchi’s mouth was soaked in blood, indicating that he had internal injuries.

Qiao Jiaojiao’s scalp went numb as she watched, and when she saw a drop of blood drip onto the bench, she turned her head away.

“Tanjuzi, hold on a little longer, and I still have 60 merit points left. I’ll definitely save your life!”

Without hesitation, Qiao Jiaojiao summoned her Merit Point Store, swiped a few times, and selected:

“Recovery Talisman: Can heal all injuries, allowing the recipient to recover instantly. Cost: 120 merit points.”

Qiao Jiaojiao’s expression twisted.

“Oh my, it’s so expensive… Forget it, let’s swipe up and see.”

“Hmm… This one’s okay. Muscle and Bone Healing Talisman: Specifically for treating bruises, sprains, injuries from falling, and being beaten. The recipient will have no hindrance to their muscles and bones. Cost: 60 merit points.”

“Alright, this one!”

Qiao Jiaojiao didn’t hesitate. Although her merit points were cleared to zero, exchanging them for Tan Hanchi, such a talent, and being able to bring down Duke Qing, was worth it!

Qiao Diyi listened attentively, his eyes brightening when he heard “Muscle and Bone Healing Talisman.”

Meanwhile, after enduring thirty blows, Tan Hanchi had already spat out the cloth from his mouth, leaving a bright puddle of blood on the ground, a shocking sight.

He slumped on the bench, barely able to lift his head. Even this small movement seemed to tear him apart with pain.

Tan Hanchi’s bitter smile appeared. At this moment, he thought:

General Qiao was right; my body is indeed too useless.

Just then, Mu, the bailiff, called out, “Who are you? What are you doing here?”

Tan Hanchi struggled to lift his head and saw a young man with a veil approaching, holding a baby hidden under a large hat.

“Sir, we are Tan Juzi’s younger brother and sister. Let us go up and see him. He has already endured thirty blows. Can’t I give him some water?”

Hearing this, Tan Hanchi’s eyes moistened slightly, almost shedding tears.

It was Qiao Erlang who had come.

“Yes… these are my younger brother and sister. Let them come up…”