Section 1
It had been decreed that the execution should transpire within the hallowed grounds of the feudal lord’s residence. Thus, the man was escorted to that sacred abode and compelled to assume a kneeling position upon a broad expanse of sand, traversed by a succession of stepping stones reminiscent of the serene Japanese landscape gardens. His limbs were securely fastened at his back. Servants conveyed vessels of water in pails, accompanied by sacks brimming with small stones, which they strategically positioned around the supplicant, effectively immobilizing him. The master, beholding the preparations, scrutinized them. Finding them to be adequate, he abstained from uttering any commentary.
In an abrupt turn of events, the fated individual beseeched the esteemed man, proclaiming:
"Respected Sir, the transgression for which I have been sentenced was not a deliberate act on my part. It was solely a consequence of my profound folly. Being inherently burdened with a lack of intellect, owing to the intricacies of my karmic cycle, I often found myself incapable of avoiding errors. However, to inflict death upon an individual due to their lack of acumen is morally unjust—an injustice that shall be duly recompensed. As surely as you carry out my execution, an inevitable retribution awaits. From the deep-seated resentment you incite, vengeance shall emerge, and malevolence will be reciprocated in kind…”
Should any individual meet their demise harboring intense animosity, the specter of said individual possesses the capability to exact revenge upon their slayer. This profound understanding was within the knowledge of the samurai. In a tone of utmost tenderness, he responded, almost embracingly:
"We shall grant you the liberty to instill fear in us to your heart's content—once you have departed from this earthly realm. Yet, it is challenging to place trust in the sincerity of your words. Might you endeavor to provide us with a tangible manifestation of your profound resentment—after your severed head has been separated from your body?"
"Indeed, I shall," responded the gentleman with conviction.
"Very well," uttered the samurai, unsheathing his extended blade. "I am about to sever your head from your body. Positioned directly before you, lies a stepping stone. Once your decapitated head has fallen, endeavor to sink your teeth into that very stone. Should your wrathful spirit assist you in this feat, it is possible that some of us may experience trepidation... Will you attempt to bite the stone?"
"I shall sink my teeth into it!" exclaimed the man, consumed by immense fury. "I will bite it! I will bite—"
In an instant, a gleam pierced the air, accompanied by a swift, slicing sound, followed by a resounding, crushing impact: the restrained physique bent forward, pressed against the rice-filled sacks—two crimson streams gushing forth from the severed neck. Meanwhile, the head tumbled upon the sandy ground. With a weighty momentum, it veered toward the stepping stone, then abruptly rebounded, seizing the upper rim of the stone with its bared teeth, tenaciously clinging for a fleeting moment before succumbing to a lifelessness, and descended lifelessly.
