Chapter 1097

First Volume, Chapter 1097: The Noisy Toad

Li Tao stood frozen outside the County Yamen, his eyes glazed, as if struck by five thunderbolts, his head buzzing.

Black Riders…

That fierce army that followed Qin Feng, fought on battlefields, repelled the Northern Di forces, and guarded the nation's gates.

That army which endured the most brutal battlefield trials and was the only one to withdraw intact among all participating forces.

That army representing Qin Feng's greatest power.

Had appeared in Ming County.

This meant the man who personally forged the Black Riders, Tianji Camp Guards, and Brocade Robe Guards—and overthrew the entire Northern Di—stood on Ming County's soil.

Or rather… he was within arm's reach, inside the County Yamen.

Recalling the rumors the Yamen Runners had leaked, a terrifying thought surfaced in Li Tao's mind.

The man who killed Wang Chi was Qin Feng, and… the next to be killed would be Wang Yuanli.

And Li Tao knew well that Qin Feng, who always despised the term "Powerful Clan," would never stop killing so easily.

Li Tao's mind kept conjuring the idea of fleeing Ming County to warn the Prefect.

But he was far too close to the Black Riders; their cold, piercing gazes had already locked onto him. Not only could he not escape Ming County—even if the Prefect sent an entire army, they could not rescue him.

After prolonged inner turmoil, Li Tao finally gritted his teeth and took heavy, step-by-step strides through the County Yamen's Door.

When he saw Qin Feng sitting calmly behind the Shushu, Li Tao's back was drenched in cold sweat.

When Li Tao had gone to Jingdu for his Imperial report, he had once briefly seen Qin Feng; Qin Feng's face had been seared into Li Tao's memory, impossible to erase.

Even if Qin Feng turned to ash, Li Tao would never mistake him.

"The Prefect has arrived!"

At the Yamen Runner's announcement, every gaze in the room snapped toward Li Tao—including Qin Feng's.

Feeling Qin Feng's gaze, Li Tao felt his legs weigh a thousand jin.

Just as he was about to bow, Wang Yuanli's raucous laughter erupted through the entire County Yamen—this laughter was a death knell to Li Tao, freezing him completely in place.

"Hahaha! Prefect, you've finally arrived!"

"Look closely, everyone—this man standing before you is the local Prefect, Li Tao, Lord Li!"

"Monster!"

Wang Yuanli glared fiercely at Qin Feng, each word deliberate: "What are you waiting for? Get down and kowtow to Lord Li!"

"If Lord Li is pleased, he might spare your life."

"If not, next year today will be your anniversary of death."

Wang Yuanli was ecstatic—his son's vengeance was finally at hand. No matter who this man was, on this land, no one could outrank Li Tao.

Even if this one-in-a-million possibility existed, above Li Tao stood the Prefect.

Thinking of his nearly invincible backing, Wang Yuanli trembled with excitement, his eyes brimming with triumph.

Across this land, no one was more precious than he.

Seeing Qin Feng remain silent, Wang Yuanli grew even more arrogant: "Scared stupid? Heheh, weren't you arrogant just now? Facing a true high official, you've been reduced to nothing?"

"I've seen plenty of scum like you!"

"I've already given you the chance to kneel and beg—since you won't take it, then…"

As Wang Yuanli brazenly threatened, Li Tao's voice drifted over, light as air.

"Shut up."

Wang Yuanli thought he'd misheard, so he ignored it and continued shouting at Qin Feng.

"Die, bastard! Pay for my son's life!"

Li Tao clenched his fists, teeth grinding, eyes nearly bloodshot, screaming in hysterical rage: "I told you to shut your mouth!"

The mad Wang Yuanli finally clamped his incessant mouth shut.

He slowly turned, staring at Li Tao in shock—only now did Wang Yuanli notice Li Tao trembling violently, face slick with sweat.

What the hell is going on?!

Wang Yuanli blinked hard, certain he hadn't imagined it, and his confusion deepened.

"Lord Li, what's wrong with you?!"

"Do you know this scum? I warn you—think carefully. This man killed Chi'er. Knowing he's alive, I will never let this go. Don't forget the relationship between the Prefect and my Wang Family."

In response to Wang Yuanli's reminder, Li Tao gave no reply.

Thud!

With a heavy thump, Wang Yuanli stared in disbelief: the local Prefect, second only to the Prefect himself, had… knelt on both knees!

"Lord Li, what are you—"

Under Wang Yuanli's incredulous gaze, Li Tao prostrated himself on the ground, shivering: "Lord Qin, I know my days are numbered. I beg you, show mercy—spare my Jia Guan's life."

What?!

Wang Yuanli couldn't believe his ears—Li Tao was begging this man?

Li Tao had just arrived; this man hadn't even spoken a word—why was Li Tao so terrified?

Unless…

This man had enormous prestige in the bureaucracy!

Could this man truly be a Beijing Official?!

Though stunned, Wang Yuanli still clung to hope: a Strong Dragon doesn't suppress a Local Snake. Even a Beijing Official, upon arriving here, must yield to the Prefect.

"Boy, who the hell are you?" Wang Yuanli glared at Qin Feng, teeth clenched.

Throughout it all, Qin Feng showed not the slightest emotional reaction to Wang Yuanli's provocation.

He watched Wang Yuanli's performance as if watching a toad incessantly croaking and shrieking at him.

Facing Wang Yuanli's accusation, Qin Feng merely glanced at Li Tao: "Who am I?"

Li Tao slowly pushed himself up, his eyes filled with bitter hatred as he stared at Wang Yuanli.

If not for this bastard, relying on the Prefect's connections and acting with impunity, how could he have provoked Qin Feng? Everyone has been doomed by this old scoundrel.

Li Tao longed to tear this useless, trouble-making fool into eight pieces to satisfy his burning rage.

But now, Li Tao could do nothing—he could only speak, word by deliberate word.

"Wang Merchant, listen well!"

"The man you cursed as a beastly scoundrel is named Qin Feng!"

Qin Feng? Wang Yuanli had a faint recollection of that name, but could not immediately recall where he had heard it.

Seeing Wang Yuanli's confused expression, Li Tao grew even more furious.

This old scoundrel didn't even know who he was dealing with, yet dared to act so brazenly—even if he hadn't provoked Qin Feng today, he would surely provoke some other great figure tomorrow.

How could the Prefect, who had spent half his life cautious and prudent, end up with such a relative?!