Chapter 653

First Volume, Chapter 653: Execute on the Spot!

Lü Li showed not the slightest mercy.

He coldly regarded the Minister of Rites.

"I am the Pillar of the State of Great Di, Second Rank, Grade Two. You, a Third Rank official, dare to negotiate with me?"

Pillar of the State is a Meritorious Official title of Great Di, granted only to those who have achieved glorious military exploits and wield immense authority.

It ranks just below Super Pillar of the State.

The Minister of Rites knew full well that Great Di had sent Lü Li, a Pillar of the State, to lead this envoy group for State Peace Talks.

It was undeniably a gesture of sincere intent.

But…

The King of Hell is easy to deal with; it's the Little Ghosts that are hard to handle.

Who could have expected Lü Li to be so brutal?

When a general is in the field, he is not bound by court orders—the same logic applies to civil officials.

Since Lü Li has full authority over the State Peace Talks, his power surpasses even the throne.

Even if someone were sent to Great Di to lodge a complaint with the Di King, it would be meaningless.

The Minister of Rites found himself trapped between two impossible choices.

If he swallowed this Hatred, he would be drowned in the spittle of the common people.

If he resisted directly, he would still meet no good outcome.

Just as the Minister of Rites silently cursed his bad luck for stepping out today, a sudden cry erupted from the crowd.

"Young Master Qin, you've arrived at the perfect moment!"

Young Master Qin… Qin Feng?!

The Minister of Rites's eyes lit up, as if grasping a lifeline.

The Qin Family was already in charge of these State Peace Talks, and Qin Feng's reputation for terrifying Great Di, combined with his bold and flamboyant conduct.

Today's matter could not be better suited for Qin Feng to handle.

The Minister of Rites turned toward the voice, saw Qin Feng's figure, and hurried forward.

"Young Master Qin, when did you arrive?"

Qin Feng had stood among the crowd, watching for a long time.

He had remained silent all along, waiting for the Minister of Rites to muster some backbone.

But the result was a great disappointment.

Under the blazing, expectant gaze of the crowd.

Qin Feng looked at the flustered Minister of Rites and sighed.

"Minister, they've insulted us right to our faces, and you haven't even dared to let out a fart—don't you fear it damages the dignity of Shedynasty?"

At these words, the Minister of Rites's heart lurched.

Though deeply aggrieved, he felt more guilt and shame than anything else.

He said nothing.

Qin Feng had no time to waste on the Minister of Rites.

He stepped over to the White Clothes scholar.

Squatted down, checked his condition.

Confirmed the White Clothes scholar's life was not in danger, then exhaled in relief.

Gently patted the White Clothes scholar's shoulder: "Brother, you defended the dignity of Shedynasty."

"Rest easy—I will reclaim justice for you."

Blood continuously seeped from the White Clothes scholar's lips, yet his eyes burned bright and hot.

With great effort, he grabbed Qin Feng's sleeve.

"Qin… Qin Young Master."

"Say I was injured—what if I were killed? So what?"

"I am but weak, lowly, and voiceless; my worthless life cannot change a thing."

"You've come—that's all that matters."

"Only you can subdue these North Di Barbarians!"

Qin Feng smiled slightly, called over several commoners to care for the White Clothes scholar.

He ignored the Northern Di Envoy Group beside him.

Shouted loudly.

"Find out how many were injured—record every injury precisely."

The literati present clenched their fists, trembling with excitement.

Immediately, they spontaneously began counting the injured.

Soon, they had the tally.

An old scholar, over sixty, as representative of the literati, stepped forward, trembling with emotion.

"Young Master, the North Di Barbarians injured sixteen of our Jingji civilians."

"Three are seriously wounded; the rest, lightly injured."

"We haven't had time to register them yet."

Qin Feng nodded, ordered the old scholar to compile the list immediately.

Then slowly turned to face the Northern Di Envoy Group.

The scene was utterly silent, leaving only Qin Feng's voice.

"Guests have come, so I offer you two choices."

"Either pay: sixteen men, sixteen thousand liang of silver."

"Or pay with your lives."

"Give me your answer within one cup of tea time."

Lü Li's face turned icy cold.

As for the name "Qin Feng," Lü Li knew it better than anyone.

This National War ended in defeat precisely because of this young man before him.

Lü Li had long wished to meet Qin Feng.

Why wait for another day?

Facing Qin Feng's terms, Lü Li sneered, deliberately ignoring him.

His gaze swept across the crowd.

He sneered: "Has Liang Kingdom lost even a single decent Official?"

"How dare a mere commoner negotiate with me?"

"Or has Liang Kingdom become so hollow it has no one left to send?"

At Lü Li's mockery, every civilian present clenched their teeth.

But no one moved.

All eyes turned to Qin Feng.

Including the Ministry of Rites Vice Minister, every heart held one firm belief.

Qin Feng will seek justice!

Ignored by Lü Li, Qin Feng showed no anger, not even a reaction.

He merely said calmly: "Time is running out. Seize your chance."

Hearing this, Lü Li's eyes pierced like swords.

"Qin Feng, showing off before me? You're still green."

"I hear you're always swift and ruthless—nothing in Heaven dares stop you?"

"Heh, as the Diplomatic Envoy of this State Peace Talks, dare you lay a finger on me?"

Lü Li's meaning was clear.

If Qin Feng so much as touched Lü Li, the State Peace Talks would be canceled.

The war between Shedynasty and Di would continue indefinitely.

At that point, Qin Feng would become a traitor to history.

Despite Lü Li's repeated provocation, Qin Feng remained calm, utterly unruffled.

"I'll count to three. Give your answer."

"If not, I'll take it as consent to pay with your lives."

"You injured sixteen of my civilians—I kill sixteen of you. Fair enough."

"Three…"

As Qin Feng uttered "three," Lü Li's face changed instantly.

Furious beyond control.

"Try to scare me? I've killed three hundred or two hundred men with my own hands."

"Do you think a bratty kid like you can intimidate me?"

"Greatest Joke in the World!"

"Bring me men!"

"I'll give you sixteen heads—let's see if you dare take them!"

At these words, the Di soldiers behind Lü Li obeyed instantly, stepping forward sixteen men.

They lined up in a row before Qin Feng.

These soldiers had spirit.

Too bad—it meant nothing.

"Two."

Lü Li narrowed his eyes, certain Qin Feng would not dare act.

"One."

Almost the instant Qin Feng said "one," several burly soldiers stepped forward from the crowd.

Many recognized them at once—they were Tianji Camp Guards!

Their leader was Ning Hu.

"Kill!"

At the order, Ning Hu and the Tianji Camp Guards drew their Zhan Dao and slashed at the Di soldiers before them.

In the blink of an eye, sixteen Di soldiers were cut down on the spot.

The scene fell deathly silent.

Lü Li's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the sixteen soldiers lying in pools of blood.

Qin Feng actually dared?!