Chapter 994: First Volume, Chapter 994: I

First Volume, Chapter 994: I'll Kick You to Death

The bystanders on the scene were all stunned, and after a moment of shock, their faces uniformly twisted with fear.

Since Qin Feng arrived in Changshui County, the locals had heard countless "legends" about Qin Feng, and even the names of those close to him had grown thunderously famous.

Who was Ning Hu? In the past, the common folk would merely stare blankly and shake their heads, secretly sneering: there were countless people named Ning Hu in Heaven and Earth—who the hell knew which one you meant?

But now, just hearing the name "Ning Hu" sent chills down their spines and sweat to their palms.

As Qin Feng's original core group and his most trusted confidant, wherever Qin Feng performed great feats, Ning Hu was always by his side; not only was his status unquestionable, but his personal martial prowess had shattered the people's very understanding of the word "bravery."

Whether it was charging into battle alongside Qin Feng, or leading the Tianji Camp Guards to hold Daqingshan against ten thousand enemy troops, then retiring in triumph—

Any single one of these deeds was enough to leave the common folk gaping in awe, as if facing a celestial being.

No one knew how many people Ning Hu had killed, but the overwhelming aura of slaughter radiating from him proved to every villager that anyone daring to anger him would die without a grave.

Both the Wang Family and the Zhou Family turned pale as death, their legs trembling, unable to stop retreating.

Zhou Dasheng trembled violently, especially as Ning Hu advanced with long, thunderous strides; Zhou Dasheng wished he could crawl into a crack in the earth to escape the terrifying sharpness radiating from Ning Hu.

Ning Hu stared coldly at Zhou Dasheng's ashen face and sneered: "A moment ago you were so boastful—why are you so limp now?"

"Tell me, who are you?"

"Where did you get the nerve to cause trouble on Qin Hou's territory?"

Qin Hou's territory? Hearing this, Zhou Dasheng wanted to weep but had no tears—wasn't this Changshui County? Wasn't this Da Di Kingdom soil? When had it become Qin Feng's land?

But upon reflection, the entire Changshui County had already been seized by Qin Feng; at this moment, Qin Feng was the local emperor.

Zhou Dasheng retreated step by step, daring not to answer.

Ning Hu's eyes blazed with fury; he grabbed Zhou Dasheng's collar and yanked him forward.

Zhou Dasheng wasn't short, but before the enraged Ning Hu, he was utterly paralyzed, his body limp and sagging downward, looking up at Ning Hu—making himself appear pitifully small.

Unfortunately, Ning Hu's eyes held not a trace of mercy: "Repeat every word you just said, exactly as you said it. Miss a single character, and I'll twist off your head."

Zhou Dasheng's heart pounded wildly—he dared not repeat it. To insult Qin Feng to Ning Hu's face was to beg for death.

He gritted his teeth and pleaded: "Commander Ning, I was just a fool with a loose tongue, a petty man who got above himself—please treat me like a fart and let me go."

At these words, Ning Hu's eyes blazed with fire: "Now you beg for mercy? Too late!"

Just as Ning Hu raised his fist to beat Zhou Dasheng to death on the street as an example, a calm voice came from behind.

"Commander Ning, wait a moment!"

Ning Hu paused his motion and turned to see Liu Ming walking forward.

Ning Hu snapped: "Liu Ming, are you softening? Or do you intend to spare this dog's life despite his insults to Qin Hou?"

Facing Ning Hu's accusation, Liu Ming quickly explained: "Commander Ning, you misunderstand—I only wish to investigate this matter thoroughly."

"I was injured before and have been inactive for a long time; I know little of the city's current situation."

"As Commander of the Jin Yi Wei in Changshui County, it is my failure if abuses of power and corruption occur under my watch."

"Once I have fully Investigating Backgrounds this matter, Commander Ning can act without delay."

Realizing this was the case, Ning Hu no longer argued; he hurled Zhou Dasheng forward by his collar, and Zhou Dasheng collapsed onto his knees before Liu Ming.

While Ning Hu and Liu Ming spoke, Zhou Dasheng had already heard clearly—this man before him was… Liu Ming!

Even though Zhou Dasheng had been favored by Qin Feng and frequently entered the County Yamen, he had only ever heard Liu Ming's name—he had never seen the man in person.

Zhou Dasheng knew only that Liu Ming was the Acting Commander of the Jin Yi Wei and Qin Feng's chief spy master—ruthless, cruel, and cunning.

Not even the hardest man in Heaven and Earth, once in Liu Ming's hands, would break within a day, wailing and begging, confessing everything without reservation.

If before, Zhou Dasheng had merely feared, now he was utterly hopeless.

He never imagined Qin Feng's right-hand man would appear here—and hear every arrogant word he'd spoken.

Zhou Dasheng knew clearly: even a Great Luo Golden Immortal could not save him today—the only difference was how he would die.

Liu Ming gazed coldly down at Zhou Dasheng, his voice crisp and direct, cutting straight to the point with no wasted words.

"I ask you something, you answer it. If you dare evade or sidestep, I won't waste time—I'll throw you straight into the dungeon, and the Jin Yi Wei will handle you."

"Who among those responsible for distributing materials to the people have abused their power and acted corruptly?"

Zhou Dasheng didn't dare hesitate; he stammered: "I know only three men—all brothers in our Zhou Family: Zhou Ping, Zhou Lu, Zhou Sanqing…"

Seeing Zhou Dasheng so readily name three men, Liu Ming did not immediately order arrests.

After all, clan rivalries were common—Zhou Dasheng might be dragging others down to save himself.

As Qin Feng's Law Enforcer, Liu Ming would never let a threat to Qin Feng go unpunished—but he would never wrong an innocent soul.

Liu Ming spoke calmly: "Do all three work in Logistics?"

Zhou Dasheng nodded frantically: "If you don't believe me, go check."

Liu Ming replied with a question: "You say these three embezzled—do you have proof?"

Zhou Dasheng didn't think: "Every time materials are distributed to the people, they withhold one-tenth, transport it back to their homes, either sell it for Silver or hoard it secretly for their own use."

Hearing this, Liu Ming turned and waved his hand; the accompanying soldiers rushed over.

Liu Ming gave a precise order: "Take men to search their homes. If you find they hoarded materials, cut off their heads and bring them to me."

"Be thorough—don't mistake their own Grain for our Materials."

"Also, do not punish their families beyond the three implicated."