Chapter 867: Truly Enough Already

First Volume, Chapter 867: Truly Enough Already

A casual remark plunged the already utterly silent scene into absolute stillness; everyone present dared not even breathe.

Throughout, Qin Feng never so much as glanced at Wu Qi, stepping directly toward the group gathered not far away.

Wu Qi stood frozen, staring at Qin Feng's back; he hesitated, about to chase after him, when a thick, powerful hand seized his shoulder, sending his body tumbling backward to crash heavily against a stone pillar at the Yamen entrance.

The impact nearly knocked Wu Qi unconscious.

When Wu Qi came to his senses, he found the man dressed as a military officer watching him with a cold sneer.

Ning Hu sized up Wu Qi, speaking casually: "Lord Qin has important matters—why waste energy on you?"

Saying this, Ning Hu waved at County Magistrate Chen Tian: "Lord Qin has given his order. You'll carry it out."

Chen Tian hesitated; though he knew how dangerous Qin Feng was, Qin Feng was ultimately an outsider, while Chen Tian was a Di official—how could he obey an outsider's command?

But…

Recalling the turmoil in Wang Du, this man had directly ordered troops to storm the City Gate Tower—and faced no punishment whatsoever, proving everyone in the Imperial Court feared Qin Feng.

How could a mere County Magistrate like him dare provoke such a powerful figure?

Realizing this, Chen Tian no longer wavered, immediately barking at Zhou Bantou: "What are you waiting for? Lord Qin's order: execute this dog who oppresses the people and display his head!"

Only then did Chen Tian snap out of his daze.

He had just realized: Qin Feng's casual remark had already decided Wu Qi's fate.

Wu Qi refused to accept it; after all, this was Changshui County, Wu Family's territory. Even if Qin Feng was famous, he was merely a diplomatic envoy of Liang Kingdom.

A foreign envoy comes to Changshui County to cause chaos—and dares to kill the trusted servant of a local Country Gentleman?!

Absurd!

Wu Qi stepped back two paces, gritting his teeth: "Chen Tian! I am Steward of the Wu Residence—if you dare kill me, my master will never let this go!"

"Don't forget, you've been able to serve as County Magistrate here for so many years only because of my master's support."

Faced with Wu Qi's threat, Chen Tian hesitated again.

As the saying goes: a strong dragon can't overpower a local snake. Today, if Chen Tian helps Qin Feng kill Wu Qi, once Qin Feng leaves, Wu Dagui will surely make Chen Tian pay.

Chen Tian was just a minor County Magistrate; though nominally an imperial appointee, in the countryside he still had to bow to the Country Gentleman's will.

Chen Tian's mind churned—he feared offending Qin Feng, yet feared offending Wu Dagui even more.

Helplessly, Chen Tian gathered his courage and pleaded with Ning Hu: "Commandant Ning, the Wu Family only sought to assist Lord Qin, albeit crudely. Their offense doesn't merit death."

"Why not this: have the Wu Family burn all prior contracts. Whether the common folk go to Wang Du as laborers will be entirely voluntary."

"It's better to resolve enmity than deepen it. Let it go."

Wu Qi, who had been trembling moments before, sighed in relief upon seeing Chen Tian finally come to his senses, then turned smugly toward Ning Hu.

"Hmph! The Wu Family has worked tirelessly for Lord Qin—yet he repays us with betrayal! Truly a sight to behold!"

"Still, County Magistrate Chen shows wisdom: better to resolve enmity than deepen it. For Chen's sake, I'll let this matter drop today."

"But after burning the contracts, the Wu Family must renegotiate with Lord Qin—by headcount. For every laborer, Lord Qin pays the Wu Family one hundred cash. Thus, Lord Qin gains the manpower he wants, and the Wu Family gains wealth—mutual benefit."

Watching Wu Qi's wild outburst, Ning Hu and Liu Ming exchanged glances and burst into laughter together.

Their hearty laughter echoed across all of Changshui County.

Wu Qi's face darkened; he growled: "What's so funny?! What's amusing?! Am I wrong?"

Ning Hu studied Wu Qi with a grin, shaking his head: "Truly, as the old saying goes: small temple, big demons; shallow pond, many turtles."

"You opened your eyes? Hah—rather, we've opened ours."

"A mere Steward of a County Gentleman dares to threaten Lord Qin? The greatest joke in the world."

"Better to resolve enmity than deepen it? To become Lord Qin's enemy? Let me ask you one thing: are you even worthy?"

Facing Ning Hu's merciless mockery, Wu Qi's expression flickered between rage and fear.

This was Changshui County—Wu Family's territory. These outsiders… no, these men weren't even outsiders—they were foreigners—how dare they act so brazenly? Wu Qi silently swore: today, he would make them learn their place, and understand that in Changshui County, the Wu Family's word was law!

At that moment, Liu Ming beckoned to Chen Tian with a finger.

Chen Tian didn't dare delay a moment, hurrying forward with bowed head and humble posture.

Liu Ming cut straight to the point: "Since the court refuses to intervene, stay as far away as possible. Today, whatever happens in Changshui County has nothing to do with you."

Chen Tian, though only a minor County Magistrate, was still a man of the official world—his cunning far surpassed that of an Evil Servant.

Hearing Liu Ming's words, Chen Tian instantly understood—he dared not utter another word, spinning on his heel and sprinting back to the County Yamen, shouting to Zhou Bantou: "Today, every Yamen Runner on duty must not step beyond the Door!"

A terrible premonition spread over Zhou Bantou; he immediately gathered the Yamen Runners maintaining order and retreated in a run back to the Yamen.

Boom!

With a heavy crash, the County Yamen Door slammed shut.

Wu Qi, who had witnessed the entire scene, froze again—he never imagined Chen Tian, the County Magistrate, would fear Qin Feng and his men so utterly, bringing shame upon the Di Empire!

Emboldened by Wu Family backing, Wu Qi sneered at Ning Hu: "Hah! Others fear you—I don't!"

"In Changshui County…"

Before Wu Qi could finish, Ning Hu lunged, grabbing his throat.

He yanked him forward, drew his Waist Saber, and brought it down in one swift motion.

Blood spattered seven or eight paces, staining a large patch of thick snow red.

Plop.

The head hit the ground, rolled a few times, then stopped.

Wu Qi's face still wore the stunned expression of a man moments from death.

Only then did his body slowly collapse to the ground.

Ning Hu sheathed his Waist Saber, muttering irritably: "Truly enough already!"

As he spoke, Ning Hu pointed at the stunned Wu Residence servants before him: "You—go call your people!"