Chapter 859: First Volume, Chapter 859: The Tool of Authority

First Volume, Chapter 859: The Tool of Authority

After confirming Ning Hu had not been struck in a vital spot, Qin Feng finally exhaled, then turned away from the room to avoid hindering the healer, returning to the firepit, wrapping himself in the quilt, and staring blankly at the flames.

After a long while, Qin Feng finally spoke slowly: "Liu Ming, are you afraid of me?"

Liu Ming, who had been silently guarding Qin Feng's side, was visibly tense at this sudden question.

Though he was Anwu Guard Captain, a man who had killed countless enemies and struck terror into all foes, before Qin Feng he felt no confidence at all—always like walking a tightrope, as if death and burial without a grave could come at any moment.

This fear was not without cause.

Because Liu Ming understood Qin Feng too well—he knew just how powerful Qin Feng truly was.

Before following Qin Feng, Liu Ming had thought Master Mo Li's warnings to him were somewhat exaggerated: a young man, no matter how capable, was still just a youth, lacking depth and cunning.

But the longer he stayed by Qin Feng's side, the more he observed and understood him, the more Liu Ming feared, the more hopeless he became.

Because he knew this man before him represented absolute authority; not even he, a lowly Anwu Guard Captain, let alone all the "elders" of Beixi County combined, could possibly shake Qin Feng.

As the saying goes: serving a ruler is like serving a tiger.

By Qin Feng's side, this feeling was especially intense.

Liu Ming took a deep breath, mustered his courage, and answered: "Your humble servant dares not and would never deceive Lord Qin—if I say I am not afraid, that would be impossible."

Hearing Liu Ming's response, Qin Feng's gaze darkened: "Why are you afraid of me? Tell me your reasons."

Liu Ming frowned tightly: "Lord Qin treats your subordinates without fault—how many masters in all of Heaven treat their subordinates as comrades? And under Lord Qin's command, as long as one does not commit a fundamental error, there is no threat to life. In fact, the future is bright, the prospects boundless."

"Yet… we still fear Lord Qin from the depths of our hearts—or rather, we should fear…"

"Lord Qin must maintain authority, because… you cannot fall. Everyone has already come to see you as… a god."

That single word "god" could summarize Liu Ming's thoughts—and those of everyone else.

Even if Qin Feng were the most arrogant, he dared not claim equality with a god—but he could not stop others from deifying him.

Xu Mo, Ning Hu, Zhao Yulong, Li Zhang, and Lin Quqi—they are all men, managing military and civil affairs, equivalent to court ministers; though high in rank and power, they are not utterly unreachable.

But Qin Feng, in everyone's mind, has reached the status of the Liang Emperor.

Whether sovereign of a nation, sage, or even "god"—all these are expectations placed upon Qin Feng.

Though sometimes these expectations are unrealistic, it is no longer up to Qin Feng to decide—this is precisely what Qin Feng often says: Authority flows from below upward.

Qin Feng has been pushed to this height and cannot step down; to preserve his authority, he must make everyone fear him.

Thus, no matter what Qin Feng does, others will regard it as unquestionable Imperial Edict.

Just as Ning Hu's reaction—even if Qin Feng truly treats him as a brother, Ning Hu still sees Qin Feng as… unquestionable, absolutely perfect divinity.

Qin Feng let out a long breath, watching the flickering flames; he knew he had no choice but to continue maintaining his flawless facade.

But how long could this perfection last? Even Qin Feng himself could not say.

"Sit."

Qin Feng spoke lightly—Liu Ming obeyed instantly, without a trace of personal emotion, sitting directly beside Qin Feng like a machine programmed solely to execute orders.

All leaders favor such cold, mechanical tools—but this is not what Qin Feng wants; if things remain this way, he will feel utterly alone—he does not wish to become another Liang Emperor.

"There is a question I've held in my heart for a long time, but never had the chance to ask—even when I did, I didn't want to ask…"

"Since this incident has occurred today, I'll press forward with one-strike victory and get it cleared up."

"Since the establishment of the Brocade Guard, how many of our own have been killed?"

Liu Ming took a deep breath—he had long prepared himself for this question; Qin Feng would inevitably ask it someday.

Thus, without hesitation, he blurted out: "The Brocade Guard's official registry lists ninety-seven names."

"All those on the registry were minor, low-ranking functionaries, unworthy of formal record."

"If Lord Qin seeks a more accurate number, then the true figure lies between five hundred and one thousand."

Qin Feng knew the Brocade Guard would inevitably target their own—but he never imagined they had killed so many.

Seeing Qin Feng fall silent, Liu Ming whispered a consoling word.

"At present, with Lord Qin's prestige and status, not only the Shedynasty and Northern Border, but all surrounding nations and factions are watching you."

"Your every move, every word, can influence the balance of Heaven—naturally, countless people will scheme to plant spies at your side, manipulating secretly."

"Human hearts are made of flesh; even in the entire Northern Border, let alone in Beixi County, those subjects who adore you cannot resist temptation and will ultimately choose betrayal."

"You must face not merely the maneuvering between two empires, but the relentless, all-pervasive, day-and-night Secret Infiltration and Rebellion Inducement from every nation, every faction."

"Protecting Lord Qin and purging all unstable elements from your side is the Brocade Guard's duty."

Qin Feng understood Liu Ming's words and felt reassured—but his mood remained heavy.

After a long silence, Qin Feng spoke again, striking straight to the core: "What if the one who betrays me is Ning Hu—or Xu Mo—or Li Zhang?"

Liu Ming did not hesitate.

"Whoever it is—kill them all!"

"My master Mo Li once said: Lord Qin's honor and disgrace concern not only the Qin Family, but the entire Northern Border, and Princess Mingyue, the Ning Family, the Zhao Family, the Xu Family, and more…"

"If you die, the entire Shedynasty will be turned upside down."

"Therefore, anyone who threatens you is a target for the Brocade Guard's purge—no matter how high their rank, how great their fame, how close their bond with you."

Qin Feng stared at the flames but felt no warmth; his eyes grew icy.

"I understand the Brocade Guard's resolve."

"I'll ask you one final question."

"What if the one is my mother—or my sisters?"

Liu Ming froze, then gritted his teeth, each word forced out: "This is my duty as your servant—I fear…"

Before Liu Ming could finish, Qin Feng suddenly drew the dagger from Liu Ming's waist and plunged it straight into his abdomen, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

"Answer again!"