Chapter 371

First Volume, Chapter 371: Everyone Is Fish Meat

The next morning, as dawn barely broke, the streets of Jingdu erupted in chaos.

From commoners to officials and clerks, over twenty people had their doors smashed open by Tianji Camp Guards and dragged away in iron chains.

Technically, Tianji Camp Guards had no law enforcement authority in Jingdu.

Yet strangely, every department in Jingdu fell silent at once.

They let the Tianji Camp Guards act with impunity—no official, not even from the City Patrol Bureau or the Ministry of Personnel, dared to intervene.

Xie Yun'er stood at the gate, watching two Tianji Camp Guards escort a Seventh Rank Ministry of Revenue Official through the streets toward the Tianji Camp, her brows knitting with worry.

"Father, Qin Feng's personal maid is severely wounded and unconscious; I understand his rage. But to unleash troops across Jingdu to arrest people—isn't this more than just breaking the law? If the Sage investigates, this could endanger the entire Qin Family. I'll go to the Qin Residence and tell that fool to rein himself in."

As Xie Yun'er stepped forward, Xie Bi grabbed her arm.

Xie Bi's gaze was grave, but far calmer than Xie Yun'er's: "If this were truly illegal, the Longhu Army would have already surrounded the Tianji Camp. But look—neither the Longhu Army nor the City Patrol Bureau has moved a single soldier. It's as if they've all agreed in advance to give Qin Feng every convenience. This is ImperialWill."

Hearing this, Xie Yun'er was stunned: "Father, are you saying… Qin Feng's actions have the Emperor's tacit approval?"

Xie Bi sighed softly: "It's not just tacit approval—it's Sage's Special Privilege!"

"Do you remember how the Sage appointed Qin Feng to rectify Jingdu's official conduct? No deadline, no defined authority—it seemed like an empty title. Yet now, it has become a power that terrifies every official in Jingdu. As long as the Sage hasn't revoked Qin Feng's Imperial Inspector title, no official dares oppose him."

"And since Qin Feng went to Changping County, the Sage has stopped mentioning it entirely. Every morning court session discusses only the Front Line battles, internal affairs, and needs—as if Changping County has been utterly forgotten. We all know the truth: the Sage deliberately loosened the iron chain, letting his vicious hound tear at will."

Xie Yun'er instantly grasped the implication, lowering her voice: "The Sage is deliberately tolerating Qin Feng… to punish the Lin Family?"

Xie Bi gave her a glance, signaling this matter was too grave to speak aloud.

At this moment, the Lin Residence was on high alert.

Every servant and protector in the Lin Residence stood ready, waiting for the Tianji Camp Guards to arrive.

Even Lin Taibao himself sat in the DaTang.

The old Steward hurried in, face grim: "Master, the Imperial Consort visited the residence not long ago. This time, she likely has no excuse to leave the palace."

Lin Taibao nodded, showing little reaction. Hadn't Qin Feng still barged straight into the Lin Residence's rear area, even when the Imperial Consort was stationed there?

Back then, Qin Feng hadn't been this insane.

Now, after being ambushed and his personal maid grievously wounded, this fool seized the Imperial Authority, using "investigating Chaotic Faction and Enemy Nation Spies" as pretext to arrest people wildly across Jingdu.

Qin Feng now held absolute power—even the Imperial Consort's presence would mean nothing.

Could the Imperial Consort stop Qin Feng from "investigating Enemy Nation Spies"?

This concerns the very fate of the state!

Lin Taibao sighed deeply. Even with all his cunning, he never imagined Qin Feng's "Imperial Authority" would grow into such overwhelming power.

As long as the Sage doesn't revoke his verbal order, no one can restrain Qin Feng.

At that moment, two servants stumbled over, running up.

"Master! Disaster! The Tianji Camp Guards are heading straight for our Lin Residence!"

Lin Taibao frowned, silent, but his gaze was heavier than ever.

With the Lin Family's strength and status, there was no need to secretly collude with the Beidi—doing so would only backfire.

But in the Imperial Court, "the innocent will be cleared" means nothing. If Qin Feng declares the Lin Family harbors spies, that's enough.

A simple "I believe" has always been the Golden Sword used in court to kill reputations and crush hearts.

Given Qin Feng's methods, how could he miss such an opportunity?

Just as Lin Taibao prepared himself to face Qin Feng, another servant ran up.

"Report, Master—the Tianji Camp Guards passed our Fu Men without stopping. They're heading to the next house."

Lin Taibao frowned.

He let out a cold laugh.

"It seems I've been overly suspicious. Even if Qin Feng is mad, he's not mad enough to disrupt court order. If he forcibly seized me, even the Sage could no longer ignore it—he'd have to step in and strip Qin Feng of his privilege."

"Qin Feng isn't stupid. He wouldn't shoot himself in the foot."

The Steward whispered beside him: "If Qin Feng still fears the Lin Family's power, why send the Tianji Camp Guards at all?"

Lin Taibao snorted: "Just a Downward Warning."

"A reminder that the Lin Family and the Qin Family are no different."

The Steward was even more confused.

Lin Taibao didn't clarify—some things must be understood, never spoken.

The Lin Family's status in Jingdu is indeed exalted, but the Qin Family isn't far behind. Qin Tianhu is Supervisor of War, and Qin Feng enjoys the Sage's deep favor—his power grows daily.

The Lin Family's main strength lies in Jiangnan.

The Qin Family's main strength lies in Beixi County.

On the surface, the two regions support each other, making them invincible. But beneath it, both patriarchs are hostages in the Liang Emperor's hands. As long as they remain in Jingdu, they dare not act rashly.

That's why, no matter how powerful a Powerful Clan may be, it must send key members to secure positions in Jingdu.

It's not so much "securing" a post as it is pledging loyalty to the Sage—voluntarily offering themselves as hostages.

Even now, when Qin Feng gains such power, he leaves Jingdu alone—sometimes with a few sisters, but Qin Tianhu always stays behind.

It's not that Qin Tianhu doesn't want to leave Jingdu—he dares not.

Those Tianji Camp Guards who passed our gate? They were meant to remind Lin Taibao.

Yes, your Lin Family's cultivation foundation is untouchable—but that doesn't mean they can't take you, Lin Taibao, personally!

Lin Taibao knew clearly: the war between the Lin and Qin families had begun. Now, Qin Feng holds the upper hand. The Lin family must avoid his sharp edge, wait for this storm to pass, then strike back at the Qin family!

Already, over thirty BeidiSpies had been captured and locked inside the Tianji Camp.

Qin Feng knew some of these arrests were wrongful—this list came from Shen Ke's dying moments, and coerced confessions always carry the flaw of unreliable truth.

So Qin Feng didn't immediately resort to torture—he merely detained them first.