Chapter 1098: First Volume, Chapter 1098: Why Aren

First Volume, Chapter 1098: Why Aren't You Arrogant Anymore?

Wang Yuanli, and indeed the entire Wang Family, are the Prefect's blunder.

Li Tao gritted his teeth and said: "Since you can't remember who Qin Feng is, I'll make it clearer."

"So you understand exactly who you've offended!"

"Qin Feng, son of the current Grand Commandant Qin Tianhu and First-Rank Imperial Consort Qin Cheng Clan."

"His Majesty has enfeoffed him as Tianlu Marquis—beneath the Dukes, he alone holds this rank, universally recognized as the First Marquis Under Heaven."

"The King of the Northern Border who defeated the Di, held fast Liang's gates, and propped up a collapsing empire."

"The Imperial Special Envoy who annihilated the entire Snow Wolf Brigade, killed the Beidi Legendary Tooth General Zhong Ling, slew Chen Li and Chen Mou, eradicated Grand General Chen Si, crushed the entire Di, and drove the Di King to suicide."

"The Party Chief of the Taolin Party."

"Commander-in-Chief of the Beixi Expeditionary Brigade, the Black Riders, the Tianji Camp Guards, and the Brocade Uniform Guards—the Emperor's most trusted minister."

As Li Tao listed each of Qin Feng's honors one by one, Wang Yuanli's arrogance gradually vanished, replaced by mounting shock.

His mouth widened further, his eyes filled with terror.

Only when Li Tao's voice finally fell silent did Wang Yuanli freeze in place inside the County Yamen, feeling as if he were dreaming—worse, the most horrifying nightmare in history.

The entire County Yamen fell deathly silent.

After all, aside from Li Tao and County Magistrate Ma Fangyuan, everyone present knew little of Qin Feng.

Even Squad Leader Sun Yi had only heard Qin Feng's name, unable to recite his achievements with the same familiarity as Li Tao.

The townsfolk gathered outside the County Yamen's door all wore expressions of stunned disbelief.

After what felt like an eternity, Wang Yuanli turned slowly, staring at Qin Feng, who sat behind the Shushu, still smiling.

At that moment, Wang Yuanli finally understood why, no matter how he cursed and provoked, Qin Feng had always met him with a smile.

In Qin Feng's eyes, his terrifying patrons and connections were nothing but a Jumping Clown.

This man before him—even the Emperor himself—could not touch him in the slightest.

As for the Prefect, in Qin Feng's presence, he likely wouldn't dare even breathe loudly.

"Qin… Marquis Qin…"

"I remember now… hehe… hehehe…"

Wang Yuanli's legs gave out; he collapsed onto the ground, all his arrogance now turning to devour him.

Qin Feng made a casual gesture of invitation: "Has the show ended? If not, continue."

"Since I've come to Ming County, I intend to settle its affairs properly—I have all the time in the world. Take your time."

"I'd like to see who else you can drag into this."

At these words, Wang Yuanli sank into deeper despair.

Qin Feng had remained so calm precisely to wait for Wang Yuanli to reveal every single patron—then sweep them all away.

"Marquis Qin, is it still possible for me to beg for mercy?"

Just moments ago, Wang Yuanli had been arrogant beyond measure, treating himself like a local emperor—now he stood frozen and numb, like an eggplant struck by frost.

Qin Feng sighed softly: "Old man, I told you—your failure to discipline yourself is a crime, but not one deserving death."

"If you accept your sentence quietly, in ten years you may return home to enjoy your twilight years. The Wang Family will remain the Wang Family—even if your bloodline ends, others in the family can still inherit, correct?"

"But… I still can't understand why you've treated me with such malice."

"Was it merely because you believed your connections were strong enough to do whatever you pleased?"

Facing Qin Feng's earnest inquiry, Wang Yuanli turned deathly pale and dared not utter a word.

Seeing this, Qin Feng couldn't help but shake his head with a bitter smile and turned to Zhao Yuxiong.

"Brother Yuxiong, have you ever seen anything like this before?"

Zhao Yuxiong offered a wry smile: "Even in Jingdu, whether Prince or Powerful Noble Son, none would ever point at you and call you a beast."

"Perhaps this is what people mean when they say: the King of Hell is easy to deal with—it's the Little Ghosts who are hard to handle?"

"Even fierce tigers and wild beasts know to avoid harm and seek benefit—they never do meaningless things. It's only mangy dogs that bark wildly without reason."

Under the tense gaze of all present, Qin Feng nodded.

"Indeed—the lesser the scoundrel, the more arrogant they are. The true scourges of Heaven are always polite, well-mannered."

"Since Master Wang keeps baring his teeth at me, barking incessantly…"

"If I don't kick you, I'd be doing you a disservice."

Since Wang Yuanli had already confessed nearly everything, Qin Feng no longer hesitated.

"Li Official."

Hearing Qin Feng call him, Li Tao trembled and bowed his head immediately: "Marquis, I know my days are numbered—I dare not beg for mercy, only ask for a swift death."

Qin Feng waved his hand, signaling Li Tao need not be so tense.

"Though you've surely aided Wang Yuanli in many unsavory deeds behind the scenes…"

"After all, even the Prefect is a member of the Wang Family. As the saying goes: don't blame the monk, blame the Buddha. I understand this court atmosphere well."

"There's no need to kill you."

"Once you've handled the Wang Family properly, go to the capital yourself and confess your crimes."

"How the Ministry of Personnel deals with you is no concern of mine."

Qin Feng was not a killer, especially toward Officials—he was exceedingly cautious. After all, if a Prefect could be executed on a whim, who would then do the work when the post stood empty?

This was precisely Qin Feng's frustration: he knew the man was no good, yet to avoid chaos from leadership vacuum, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and endure.

Qin Feng's words were heavenly music to Li Tao.

He trembled with emotion, knelt, and banged his head three times against the floor.

"Marquis Qin, your righteousness is unmatched—I am overwhelmed with gratitude."

"Please rest assured, my lord. This official will do his utmost to handle the Wang Family properly!"

Qin Feng nodded. "Execute Wang Yuanli directly. A man like him — given any chance, he will prey on the common folk. There is no possibility of him turning back from the brink."

"Investigate every evil deed the Wang Family has committed. Any commoner they have oppressed shall receive corresponding compensation from the Wang Family's assets."

"After the atonement, if any assets remain, leave them with the Wang Family."

"Although this marquis despises powerful clans, that does not mean every great clan he sees must be cut down at the roots."

"As for the Prefect, simply have him come to the capital to make his imperial report. This marquis will notify the Ministry of Personnel and His Majesty to dismiss him from office and let him retire to his fields early."

"Without the Prefect as their backing, the Wang Family won't be able to stir up any trouble, and there will be no chance of them rising again."

At this point, Qin Feng looked at Li Tao with deep meaning in his eyes.

"I wonder if this marquis's decision can be considered appropriate?"

Li Tao nodded like a pestle pounding garlic. "The marquis is wise!"