Chapter 287

First Volume, Chapter 287: The First Great Villain of the Capital

Are you well-fed and well-drunk?

The old woman was emaciated from hunger, as if a light breeze could knock her down; she clearly distrusted Qin Feng, fearing he was one of Zhou Yufu's henchmen sent to test her, and refused to invite trouble upon herself.

Qin Feng had intended to repeat his old trick, bluffing the old woman into revealing the truth.

But seeing how frail she was, he feared he might frighten her to death, so he forced himself to explain patiently: "I've already patrolled the County City— even the townsfolk there are skeletal. The villagers outside must be suffering even more. I have no connection whatsoever with Zhou Yufu; I only wish to investigate the true conditions in Pingyao County. If you won't tell me the truth, how can I help you?"

The old woman's eyes still radiated deep distrust, scanning the three of them repeatedly; though their attire and demeanor differed entirely from the wicked Country Gentleman Zhou Yufu, she still refused to cooperate.

The old woman sighed deeply: "Even if you truly are Officials from Jingdu, what can you do? This Pingyao County… is Lord Gao's Ancestral Land."

The "Lord Gao" the old woman referred to was naturally Gao Ming.

It was clear that Gao Ming's terrifying reputation had reached the point of being thunderously known throughout Pingyao County.

Qin Feng's anger surged from within; he snorted coldly: "What Gao Ming? I'd rather be Low Dark! I've seen that old bastard's methods— they're anything but clever. Pingyao County is so close to Jingdu, yet he dares to allow his Evil Servants to turn this place into a cesspool! He's audacious beyond measure! If the Emperor finds out, he must be severely punished."

The old woman, already repulsed by Qin Feng, turned pale at these words and instinctively raised her hand to cover his mouth, panicked: "Don't you dare speak like that! That Lord is the highest-ranking minister! Not just Pingyao County— even across the entire Shedynasty, no one dares challenge him!"

"Sir, for you to say such things, I know you're a good person—but don't bring fire upon yourself!"

Before the old woman could touch Qin Feng, Shu Feng swiftly grabbed her bony wrist, his face brimming with pride: "Old lady, don't be afraid. Others fear Grand Commandant Gao, but my young master doesn't care. Do you know who stands before you?"

At this, the old woman scrutinized Qin Feng from head to toe. After a long while, she shook her head helplessly: "I… I don't know…"

Shu Feng's lips curled into a smug smile: "Have you ever heard of Qin Feng?"

The old woman froze, as if her soul had left her body. After what felt like an eternity, her eyes slowly regained color, her expression utterly transformed— she trembled violently with shock.

Pūtōng!

Before Qin Feng and the others could react, the old woman collapsed to her knees, curling into a ball, prostrating herself as she wailed loudly: "Qin Feng? The First Great Villain of the Capital, Qin Feng?!"

Watching her reaction, Li Lang snorted, silently cursing: "Good one, Qin Feng— you're so infamous that even this country bumpkin turns pale at your name. Brother's been wise all his life, but he's misjudged you completely. Savior? Pfft! That title— First Great Villain of the Capital— is utterly revolting."

Such a Wanfu was not worth Li Lang's protection.

Just as Li Lang swung his arm, ready to abandon Qin Feng and turn away, the old woman burst into loud sobs.

"Old Heaven has finally opened his eyes!"

"I thought Jingdu had sent another useless Official— someone who might want to relieve Pingyao County's suffering but would ultimately bow to Grand Commandant Gao's prestige and slink away. But now, you've been sent! Our people of Pingyao County are saved!"

Suddenly remembering something, the old woman turned and shouted toward the inner room: "Girl, come out quickly! These people aren't Zhou Yufu's henchmen— they're Young Master Qin! Come out and kowtow!"

At the old woman's call, a girl of fifteen or sixteen timidly squeezed out through the door crack, glanced at Qin Feng once, then gathered courage, ran forward, and knelt to bow.

Li Lang stood stunned, turning to the old woman with a stern voice: "Old woman, what's going on? Just now you called him the First Great Villain of the Capital— why are you now delighted instead of afraid?"

Tears streamed down the old woman's face as she fumbled blindly, laughing and crying at once: "That title— First Great Villain of the Capital— was aimed at Officials. Young Master Qin's reputation is already legendary. The principle of Officials Protecting Each Other means nothing to him. Young Master Qin is cruel to the sons of Officials, but kind to Commoners."

"In our Pingyao County, there was a young man— I don't know what good fortune he earned in his past life— he became a craftsman in the Tianji Camp, and now he's bought property in a county near Jingdu. When he returned home recently to visit family, he brought such glory to his clan; all the villagers envied him."

"Whoever gains Young Master Qin's protection will enjoy benefits for life."

Li Lang stood dumbfounded. He had always despised bullies who preyed on the weak and looked down on the so-called sons of Officials in Jingdu.

His aversion to Qin Feng had stemmed mostly from his identity as a "son of an Official."

But now, seeing Qin Feng's standing among the people, Li Lang's feelings underwent a complete reversal.

His gaze at Qin Feng shifted from contempt to shock, then finally to awe.

Li Lang muttered grudgingly: "Didn't think you were such a hypocrite— outwardly meek, but secretly doing real good."

Qin Feng ignored Li Lang, reached out, and helped the old woman and the girl to their feet, smiling slightly: "Now, can you tell me the truth?"

The old woman nodded vigorously; her face, normally yellow from malnutrition, now flushed with excitement: "Young Master, ask anything— I'll tell you everything, without holding back. Not even Grand Commandant Gao, not even the Imperial Prince, means anything to you— I've come to the right person to plead my case."

The praise made Qin Feng blush; he rubbed his nose, trying to ease the awkwardness.

Yet inwardly, he sighed— every family has its own hard-to-recite scripture.

His own struggles, he knew well, were nothing like the "legendary" image the people painted.

To be honest, right now Qin Feng was being manipulated by Gao Ming's faction, with only the Liang Emperor playing mind games with him— and here he was, sent straight to Pingyao County on a single order.

But…

The people need heroes.

With the National War looming and chaos reigning, the Di still hold the upper hand; as long as that advantage lasts, these "demons" within Shedynasty will keep emerging.

After all, those who profit from national disaster, undermine their own foundation, and pave the way for the future— they've always been common throughout history…

Qin Feng supported the old woman as he asked bluntly: "Pingyao County was once a small but prosperous county— why has it become so desolate? Has there been a famine here?"