Chapter 642: First Volume, Chapter 642: Face-to-Face Rebuke

First Volume, Chapter 642: Face-to-Face Rebuke

"Qin… Qin Young Master."

"Earlier, I was blind to Taishan's greatness—I deserve to die."

"I beg you, show mercy and spare my life."

"I swear, I will never again show you the slightest disrespect."

Zhao Zan lay sprawled on the ground, trembling violently, his eyes filled with terror—where was the arrogance he had shown before?

Lin Ziyi, standing aside, was stunned.

Zhao Zan, as the Second Young Master of the Zhao Clan, had wielded absolute power in Yanshou County.

Even the County Magistrate dared not provoke him, speaking only in submissive tones.

Yet here and now, this tyrannical second-generation heir knelt before Qin Feng, begging like a whipped dog.

Most crucially, this fear was not faked.

Lin Ziyi racked her brain but could not fathom how Qin Feng had achieved this.

In just half a day, he had forced Zhao Zan to submit.

But one thing Lin Ziyi knew for certain: as long as Qin Feng was here, no one could ever bully her again.

Thinking of this, her small face lifted with pride, her eyes gleaming with triumph.

"Young Master, please have some tea."

Lin Ziyi, quick to read the situation, immediately took the teapot from the clerk's hands and poured Qin Feng a cup herself.

Qin Feng accepted the tea cup with a smile and took a light sip.

His calm, detached gaze settled on Zhao Zan, and he spoke with solemn gravity: "Second Young Master Zhao, what am I to say about you?"

"Mistakes may be forgiven once or twice, but not a third time."

"First, while I was away, you bullied the Shopkeeper and Clerks of my Qin Family Grain Merchants Branch."

"Second, you openly disrespected me."

"Now, you're secretly hiring assassins to kill me—that's the third."

Qin Feng listed Zhao Zan's crimes in detail, knowing every misdeed he had committed.

He had refrained from acting simply because he never considered Zhao Zan a worthy opponent.

Since Zhao Zan kept coming back to court death,

Qin Feng naturally intended to oblige him.

Qin Feng's calm, restrained gaze sent a chill through Zhao Zan—he had never in his life felt so close to death.

All his titles—Zhao Family Second Young Master, the North's largest Grain Merchant, backed by the Central Plains Imperial Party—

meant nothing at all before Qin Feng.

Zhao Zan had lost even the courage to beg.

He lay sprawled on the ground, utterly broken, as if he had already accepted his fate.

Qin Feng waved his hand idly, preparing to order the Brocade Uniform Guards to execute Zhao Zan on the spot,

when Qin Xiaofu rushed in.

"Young Master, the Zhao Clan's Eldest Young Master, Zhao Li, has arrived with heavy gifts, seeking an audience."

Hearing his elder brother had come, Zhao Zan seized the lifeline like a drowning man.

He knelt and wailed in tears.

"Qin Young Master, I beg you—please, at least meet my elder brother."

"I know I deserve to die, but my brother is a man of propriety—please let him make amends on my behalf."

Qin Feng had no interest in Zhao Zan—the brat was merely a wastrel with lofty ambitions and a fragile life.

But Zhao Li was different.

Zhao Li had been instrumental in building the Zhao Clan's current stature.

Even if Zhao Li had not come, Qin Feng would have sought him out.

Since he had come, it saved Qin Feng the trouble of going to him.

Better to act today than delay.

At Qin Feng's nod, Qin Xiaofu hurried out and brought Zhao Li in.

Compared to Zhao Zan's arrogance, Zhao Li was truly cultured and refined.

The moment he crossed the threshold, he raised both hands in a formal bow and stepped forward slowly.

"I am Zhao Li. I have long admired your name, Young Master Qin—meeting you today is truly like beholding a jade tree in the wind."

"I heard my younger brother insulted you publicly and brought trouble upon himself."

"I have come specifically to apologize to you, Young Master Qin."

"That brat spoke without restraint—he deserved to be slapped in public."

"If you still seek retribution, I will kick him myself right now."

"I beg you, consider that our father is old, and we two brothers are his only hope for care in his final years."

"Spare his life."

As he spoke, Zhao Li bowed deeply.

He held his body at a ninety-degree bow, refusing to rise until Qin Feng responded.

Qin Feng held Zhao Li in higher regard.

This speech was reasonable, humble yet dignified—he was a man of talent.

If the Zhao Clan had only this one heir, and he alone held full authority over the Zhao Clan, it would be troublesome indeed.

Qin Feng gently blew on the steam rising from his tea cup, not rushing to reply to Zhao Li.

Let him stay bowed like this—it's a downward warning, to make him understand that coming to Yanshou County wasn't about making friends.

Zhao Zan rose from the ground, eager to grasp this lifeline.

At that moment, Qin Feng's voice sounded.

It was neither loud nor harsh, yet carried undeniable authority.

"Did I tell you to stand up?"

Zhao Zan's body trembled; he immediately knelt back down, his face filled with terror.

Zhao Li kept his head bowed, his expression utterly grim.

He had been so courteous, yet Qin Feng showed not the slightest leniency.

To treat Zhao Zan like this right before his eyes—utterly outrageous.

But Zhao Li knew well inside: Zhao Zan's life was in Qin Feng's hands; even if he killed him, there was nothing he could do.

Zhao Li could only grit his teeth and maintain his bowed posture.

Hoping his humility might win Qin Feng's faint goodwill.

Only after Qin Feng slowly finished his tea did he turn his gaze back to Zhao Li.

"Brother Zhao, to be frank, I despise hypocrites more than anything in this life."

"Are you truly respecting me now—or bowing only to save your comrade's life?"

"We both know the truth."

"So let's stop pretending."

"Want me to release Zhao Zan? Fine—give me a reason that can move me."

Zhao Li was caught off guard.

He hadn't expected Qin Feng to act so unpredictably.

Yet in an instant, he understood.

After all, this was Qin Feng—the man even the Li Imperial Clan dared not confront directly; he had his own unique power.

Zhao Li took a deep breath, slowly straightening his body, his earlier humility vanished.

"Heh, no wonder you're Young Master Qin!"

"If that's how it is, I'll stop beating around the bush."

"Bring them in!"

At Zhao Li's command.

Ten plus clerks carried four large wooden chests into view before Qin Feng.

Zhao Li swiftly flung open all the lids; instantly, the room shimmered with jewels and gold.

Lin Ziyi, staring at the colorful treasures inside, was left spellbound.

She had never in her life seen so many jewels.

This… was the Zhao Clan's strength?

But when Lin Ziyi turned to look at Qin Feng, she was stunned to find his eyes utterly unmoved.

As if these silver and gold, these jewels, meant nothing to him.

"Here are one hundred thousand tael of White Silver, one thousand liang of gold, one coral tree, and twenty hu of agate and pearls."

"Can this buy my comrade's life?"