Chapter 600

First Volume, Chapter 600: People's Will

Three MeiZhenArrows struck Qin Feng precisely.

Xie Yun'er let out a startled cry.

Just as everyone believed Qin Feng was surely dead, a bizarre sight occurred.

Those three MeiZhenArrows were all deflected by his armor.

The Palace Guards were stunned and immediately fired another arrow—it hit Qin Feng's back and bounced off just as easily.

The Palace Guards, experienced as they were, immediately deduced that Qin Feng's torso armor was thicker than expected, and with the Heart-Protecting Mirror's effect, the MeiZhenArrows could not penetrate effectively.

This Qin Feng had anticipated nearly every possible scenario.

Killing Qin Feng with arrows alone was no longer feasible.

Moreover, Qin Feng reacted swiftly, instantly taking cover behind his Warhorse, out of the Palace Guards' ranged attack range.

But under the pressure of the arrows, Qin Feng had no choice but to abandon flight and remain where he was.

This gave the Palace Guards and the Imperial Guard their chance—both sides charged toward Qin Feng almost simultaneously.

Xie Yun'er's heart was in her throat, tears streaming down her face as she screamed hysterically: "Qin Feng, run away now, don't care about us anymore!"

"You alone cannot break through the Palace Guards' DefensiveLine."

"Run, please!"

Xie Bi's face turned pale again and again, his eyes filled with despair.

Under these circumstances, even a Shanyin Expert would have no chance of survival—let alone Qin Feng.

On the Battlefield, especially against Armored Warriors, individual martial prowess is the most insignificant thing.

Numbers are always the key to victory on the Battlefield.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Justice's arrogant laugh echoed across the entire Execution Ground.

"Hahaha! Qin Feng! You call yourself First Marquis Under Heaven—why are you acting like a coward now?"

"Your Beixi Soldiers claim to be North Border's Foremost Elite Troop, yet now you're trapped by the Imperial Guard and Temple Soldiers, unable to break out."

"Do you really think one man can defeat the Palace Guards? What a dream."

"Today, not only will the Xie family father and daughter die—you will die with them."

The Minister of Justice was nearly insane, for eliminating Qin Feng was the Taibao Faction's long-held desire.

Once Qin Feng dies, the Taolin Party, the Ministry of War Faction, the Northern Border—all will collapse!

Then, without Qin Feng as an opponent, Lin Taibao will surely help the Second Prince ascend the Imperial Throne.

At that time, even if the First Prince had already died, the Lin Family would remain the foremost Powerful Clan in all of Shedynasty, their status unshakable.

And the Minister of Justice, as a core force of the Taibao Faction, would naturally rise with them—his whole household elevated.

The Minister of Justice could barely contain his excitement—this was the closest he had ever come to success; as long as nothing went wrong, this long party struggle would finally end.

The Common People gathered at the perimeter of the Execution Ground held their breath.

Especially as they watched Qin Feng hiding behind his Warhorse, while the Imperial Guard and Palace Guards advanced from two directions to flank him.

Everyone believed Qin Feng was beyond saving.

The Noble Youth who held grudges against Qin Feng were already in a frenzy.

"Hahaha! Qin Feng is finished!"

"This bastard is finally going to die—Heaven's Blessing!"

"Heh, what nonsense 'First Marquis Under Heaven'—just a naive, cocky kid."

"If Qin Feng had sided with us, he wouldn't have ended up like this. He had to play the saint, standing with the Nubi—what a joke!"

"Exactly! Becoming the public enemy of the Noble Youth and being dragged to the Execution Platform was inevitable."

"Isn't he always going on about 'People as Water, Ruler as Boat'? What good are the Common People right now? Hmph, utterly clueless."

Originally, the Jingzhong Common People held deep admiration for Qin Feng.

Hearing the Noble Youth's shouts, they were instantly filled with righteous fury.

Though Qin Feng was despised in Jingzhong by the official clans, he was gentle and kind toward the Common People.

If Qin Feng fell, who else would stand up for the Common People?

Thinking of this, the Common People gathered courage and shouted loudly.

"Marquis Qin, you cannot fall!"

"This isn't just for the Qin Family and the Xie Family—it's for all the Common People under Heaven and Earth."

"Throughout Heaven and Earth, Officials Protecting Each Other reigns supreme—only you dare speak for the Common People."

"If even you fall, who will ever dare speak for the Common People again?"

Hearing the shouts from all directions, the Minister of Justice's face turned grim—he turned and glared furiously at the Dali Temple Minister.

"Your Excellency, what are you waiting for? Send troops immediately and arrest all these foolish Common People spreading heresy!"

"These people can't even tell a Rebel Party and Flattering Minister from a true servant—they've lost their minds!"

The Dali Temple Minister had always kept to himself and sneered at party struggles.

Perhaps he didn't like Qin Feng deep down—this man was too showy, too crude, and disregarded propriety and ritual.

But by contrast, the Dali Temple Minister hated the Taibao Faction even more.

If the Taibao Faction claimed to be the second most Rebel Party and Flattering Minister, no one would dare claim first.

If not for the Crown Prince Faction's secret scheming, would the Ningguo Duke have been dragged to the Execution Platform so quickly?

Now, facing the Minister of Justice's order, the Dali Temple Minister showed no expression, his eyes utterly still.

He replied calmly: "Minister, remember your station."

"As a National Pillar, how can you call the Common People foolish?"

At these words, the Minister of Justice was left speechless.

The Chief of Dali Temple gave a light snort and went on: "Law Does Not Punish the Many — since all the common folk are shouting as one, that is the People's Will."

"Minister, simply because you have the Taibao Faction's backing, you may act arbitrarily and defy the People's Will?"

"This official is merely carrying out orders — the orders of the Sage. Minister, you had best weigh this carefully yourself!"

Facing the Chief of Dali Temple's rebuke and warning, the Minister of Justice, though resentful in his heart, could only lower his head and offer a bow.

The Chief of Dali Temple paid no heed to the Minister of Justice and looked up at Qin Feng.

He could not help but sigh within his heart.

"This boy is utterly lawless. Even if he escapes the Palace Guards' encirclement today, he won't live past tomorrow."

"The crime of storming the Execution Ground cannot be erased by a few petty tricks."

"Young people — far too reckless."

"If it were only Qin Feng, so be it, but even that Old Fox Qin Tianhu has gone and lost his senses!"

Just then, the Palace Guards had already pressed in close beside the Warhorse.

One halberd after another had already been raised.

Qin Feng, hiding behind the Warhorse, was gasping for breath in great gulps. Because the Pauldron Armor had failed to deflect the Arrow, it had been shot straight through, and now his entire shoulder was numb.

In such a desperate situation, Qin Feng showed not the slightest despondency — only because the shouts of the common folk coming from every direction were a great lift to his spirit!

With the People's Will behind him, let alone a mere Taibao Faction, even if it meant standing against imperial power, what was there to fear?!