Chapter 1096

First Volume_Chapter 1096 The Rising Powerful Clan

In the past, Ma Fangyuan and others would never have dared to challenge Wang Yuanli.

But today is different; Wang Yuanli's little "strength" means nothing before Qin Feng—now even a fool knows whom to serve.

Ma Fangyuan barked sharply: "Wang, you're dead already and still talking big!"

"I am an official appointed by the imperial court—how could I be intimidated by you?"

"What are you all standing around for? Drag this man down!"

Seeing the Yamen Runners hesitating, Sun Yi took the lead, lunged forward, kicked Wang Yuanli to the ground, drew a rope from his waist, and looped it around Wang Yuanli's neck.

Wang Yuanli stared in shock, unable to believe what he saw.

"Are you fucking insane?!"

"You dare lay hands on me? You must be tired of living—have you all forgotten who backs my Wang Family?!"

Sun Yi remained unmoved, silently cursing: Even if your Wang Family's patron is powerful, can he rival Qin Feng?

"Master Wang, I advise you to shut up—perhaps you'll still keep some dignity. If you dare open your mouth again, I'll have to carry out official duties."

Wang Yuanli raised an eyebrow, dismissive: "What do you plan to do?"

To show Qin Feng his upright character, Sun Yi immediately hissed: "Shouting in court—strike his mouth!"

"Hahaha!" Wang Yuanli roared with laughter: "Try touching a single hair on me—you won't even know how you die!"

Crack!

Almost the moment Wang Yuanli finished speaking, Sun Yi slapped him across the mouth.

The blow sent blood spraying from Wang Yuanli's mouth; he howled in agony, eyes wide, staring at Sun Yi—the man who once wasn't even fit to clean his shoes—daring to strike him, his mind reeling.

Could the young man seated above be stronger than my patron?!

Impossible!

Before arriving, Wang Yuanli had seen the soldiers outside the County Yamen—he assumed this man was merely a Martial man passing through.

But the patron behind the Wang Family? The Prefect of Zhou Fu!

No matter how high this fellow's status, it couldn't surpass that of a Prefect.

"This is rebellion! All of you are rebelling! When my family learns of this, I'll turn this entire Yamen upside down—you won't escape one!"

As Wang Yuanli was about to be dragged out of the County Yamen, Qin Feng grew interested.

"Wait."

Hearing Qin Feng's voice, Sun Yi froze instantly and stopped.

Qin Feng regarded Wang Yuanli with keen interest and smiled meaningfully: "Master Wang, you're so confident—tell me, who exactly is your Wang Family's patron?"

"Surely, at the very least, a high official in the Zhou Fu?"

"Otherwise, why would you ignore even the County Magistrate?"

Facing Qin Feng's question, Wang Yuanli wiped blood from his lip and laughed wildly again.

In his mind, this man had suddenly asked because he feared the Wang Family's connections—afraid of angering someone in the Zhou Fu.

Realizing this, Wang Yuanli grew even more arrogant.

"Now you're afraid? Too late!"

"All of you bastards will die with my son."

"State officials? Pfft! No matter how high their rank, they're worthless compared to my Wang Family."

"Listen well: the Prefect of Ben Zhou, Wang Pu, is my own brother!"

Wang Yuanli lifted his head, beaming with pride, already imagining this bastard trembling at the name of his brother, falling to his knees in apology.

Just then, laughter rang out…

Wang Yuanli frowned, thinking he'd misseen—he blinked hard, stared again, and confirmed: Qin Feng was indeed laughing.

He dared laugh after insulting the Prefect of Ben Zhou?! This man's head must've been kicked by a donkey!

Before Wang Yuanli could process this, he was stunned to see the armored Martial man beside Qin Feng also laughing.

Wang Yuanli flew into a rage, bellowing: "What's so funny?!"

"Are you all mad? Don't you know what happens when you offend a Prefect?!"

"Someone! Go fetch the Governor—let's see if this man can still laugh when he faces him!"

The servant at the door ran off without looking back.

Wang Yuanli sneered: "I didn't want to disturb the Zhou Fu—but since you're begging for death, don't blame me. The Prefect is too busy to come to Ming County, but he sent the Governor to visit home."

"That's right—to visit me!"

The Governor holds a Fifth-rank official position, head of the entire Zhou.

The Prefect is Fourth Rank—fully one rank higher, overseeing two or three Zhou, and the Governor's direct superior.

Wang Yuanli indeed had grounds for arrogance.

Unfortunately…

He had just met Qin Feng.

Qin Feng had heard the name Wang Pu—every year he traveled to Beijing for his Imperial report, and Wang Pu was a Classmate friend of the Minister of Revenue.

As Wang Yuanli sent men to summon the Governor to crush Qin Feng, Zhao Yuxiong chuckled beside him.

"Brother Qin, if I recall correctly, when Wang Pu came to Beijing this year to visit the Minister of Revenue, he tried to use the Minister's introduction to call on the Qin Family—only to be turned down by the Minister."

Qin Feng nodded: "The Minister of Revenue is a member of the Taolin Party; Wang Pu is a Local official—if he truly entered the Qin Family, His Majesty might grow uneasy."

"But a mere Fourth-rank official? Turning him down was nothing to worry about."

Hearing Qin Feng and Zhao Yuxiong's exchange, Wang Yuanli's furious face twisted with contempt.

"It's not even dark—why are you talking nonsense?"

"If you were truly ministers from Jingdu, why would you come to Ming County?"

"I see through your bluff!"

Qin Feng smiled, offering no explanation—he wanted to see if, within the borders of Shedynasty, a Family thief could actually steal power.

A mere Wang Family not only controlled Ming County but also had the Prefect as their backer.

Wasn't that making them a true local emperor?

Next spring, Qin Feng planned to move against the Powerful Clans of Nan Jing, yet before he could act, he encountered a Rising Powerful Clan right here in Ming County.

It was no coincidence—if Qin Feng had stumbled upon it, then this future Powerful Clan must be uprooted entirely!

Less than Half an Incense Stick later, the local Prefect Li Tao arrived at the County Yamen in a hurry.

He was deeply puzzled—how could anyone in his jurisdiction dare to strike against the Wang Family?

But when he reached the County Yamen and saw the Black Riders standing at the gate, his heart sank halfway.

The Black Riders had long been stationed in the Imperial Party fief; every Official of Fifth Rank or higher knew them intimately…

"How could the Black Riders be here? Could it be… Good heavens!"