CHAPTER 96: CHAPTER 93: CAN’T EVEN BE A BAD PERSON WELL, WHAT’S THE USE OF KEEPING THEM?

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After Wang Ding Race finished speaking.

He presented all the evidence to Thunder Guardian Envoy Lei Yangqiu and said, "All those witnesses have been fully controlled by my subordinates. If you have any doubts, you may summon them for further questioning." Then he respectfully stood aside.

Thunder Guardian Envoy Lei Yangqiu, born from the direct lineage of the Celestial Human Lei Family. He has always shown outstanding talent and was groomed as an elite.

Since his promotion to the Spirit Ascension Platform, he was assigned by the family to guard Ping’an Town, and it’s been more than ten years now. Naturally, he is well-informed and experienced.

At this point, he couldn’t be more aware that he had fallen into a trap.

However, as Thunder Guardian Envoy, Lei Yangqiu had a duty to perform. He reviewed the evidence and Wang Ding Race’s closing statement. The chain of evidence was complete, and the statement was clear and thorough, with no loopholes, revealing the "painstaking effort" of Deputy Garrison Commander Wang Ding Race in handling the case.

Lei Yangqiu put away the evidence and statements, with a hint of "kindness" in his gaze: "Brother Ding Race, you are a talent, not inferior in talent and skill to this Guardian Envoy."

Wang Ding Race cupped his hands in salute: "Sir, your praise is overwhelming, Ding Race dares not accept it."

"It’s just a pity that you come from a declining minor family, and the support you can receive is truly limited." Lei Yangqiu said with his hands behind his back, "Forty-five years old, eighth level in the Qi Refining Realm, truly a shame. If you were born in my Lei Family, you would have been given focused nurturing, and the path to the Spirit Platform would have been possible."

Wang Ding Race was silent, expressionless, and did not reply.

"Brother Ding Race, do you really want to oppose me for such a family?" Lei Yangqiu’s gaze became stern as he scrutinized Wang Ding Race, "Do you know the consequences?"

Even under such pressure, Wang Ding Race remained as steady as a mountain and solemnly said with cupped hands, "Thunder Guardian Envoy Sir, I am the Deputy Garrison Commander of Ping’an Town, having received the immense favor of Emperor Changlong of the Daqian Kingdom. Naturally, I must devote myself to my duty, guarding and pacifying the region. The evidence in this case is conclusive. I request the sir to order the interrogation of the suspects, to administer the national law on the spot, and to serve as a warning to others."

"Good, good, good! Brother Ding Race is truly devoted to the nation, a model for us officials and warriors." Lei Yangqiu laughed in anger, "I will take this dossier, and after returning to the Guardian’s Mansion, I will soon summon the suspects for interrogation."

After speaking, he prepared to leave with a wave of his sleeve.

"Sir, please wait." Wang Shouzhe called out.

Lei Yangqiu stopped, glaring unkindly at Wang Shouzhe: "Clan Leader Wang, what advice do you have?"

"I dare not presume to advise." Wang Shouzhe cupped his hands in salute, "Although the Ping’an Wang Family is a minor clan, it is also an officially recorded Black Tortoise Noble Family of the Daqian Kingdom."

"According to the Daqian Law, our Black Tortoise Noble Family has the responsibility to protect and assist the local government and supervise it. Especially since this case involves the bloodline members of the Liu and Zhao Clans. Therefore, it’s more prudent for you, sir, to interrogate and make a decision in public to prevent the spreading of rumors among the thousands of people in Ping’an Town and to protect your reputation as an official."

"Public interrogation, public interrogation."

Among the onlookers, some began to stir up sentiments, "These cases of family extermination involve the exalted Black Tortoise Families. Who can guarantee that the Guardian Envoy won’t abuse power for favoritism?"

"Yes, yes, the Liu and Zhao Clans have far-reaching influence. As long as they’re given time, they will surely eliminate evidence and reverse the situation."

"If that’s true, won’t those who died unjustly never have their day of vindication?"

"Alas, young man, you’re still too young. You don’t understand the dangers of the world, the treachery of people’s hearts. Hasn’t this kind of thing happened less often before? Who’s seen the Liu or Zhao Clans lose a single strand of hair?"

A wave of momentum was stirred up, with some among them naturally being those Wang Shouzhe had already arranged to be there.

The Zhao and Liu Clans had also placed some people among the masses previously, but when it came to manipulating public opinion to fan the flames, who could match Wang Shouzhe’s "well-rounded experience"?

In a past life online, he had seen countless similar tactics and techniques. The methods of the Liu and Zhao Clans to incite and stir were mere child’s play.

"Everyone rest assured, Thunder Guardian Envoy will definitely give us an explanation."

"Everyone should trust the Guardian Envoy sir. After all, he is a noble from the Celestial Human Family."

Public opinion was boiling!

Lei Yangqiu was already being driven forward. He glowered at Wang Shouzhe with eyes like sinking water, and murmured, "Clan Leader Wang, though you’re young, you’re indeed skilled. Is it really appropriate to be so confrontational?"

"What is the sir saying?" Wang Shouzhe glanced at the Liu and Zhao Clans, then solemnly said, "As the Clan Leader of a Noble Family, and with Ping’an being the place protected by my family’s ancestor’s life, the oversight of this case is both my duty and my responsibility. Of course, Ping’an Town ultimately looks to you, sir, as the leader. If you truly have any scruples, you can choose to handle it back at the mansion."

Scruples? Handle it back at the mansion?

Lei Yangqiu wanted to murder someone at this moment. The situation had been pushed to this extent by Wang Shouzhe, and if he insisted on going back to the mansion to deal with it, based on the skills Wang Shouzhe had displayed so far, it was likely that the matter would be made a big fuss over.

If things escalated, he, Lei Yangqiu, would likely lose his position as Guardian Envoy. The family would blame and even shelve him. If he couldn’t manage such a small place, how could he be entrusted with greater responsibilities?

Being born into a Celestial Human Family had its advantages and its disadvantages. The disadvantage was the many competitors. Such a vast Celestial Human Family lacked neither resources to nurture someone to the Spirit Ascension Platform nor talents on the path to the Spirit Platform.

With this thought, Lei Yangqiu’s face immediately turned solemn, and in a righteous and stern manner, he criticized Wang Shouzhe, "Clan Leader Wang, what are you saying? As this Guardian Envoy has received the favor of the King to guard this corner, my clothing and salary come from the support of countless people, and I should naturally seek justice for the people."

Whether it is the Daqian Kingdom or the Black Tortoise Clan, although both are lofty, they ultimately place great importance on the local order and stability. To them, commoner tenant farmers, though of low status, even ant-like, are recognized as the fundamental basis of the Black Tortoise Clan and the state’s establishment.

Without millions of people, where would the Black Tortoise Clan’s abundant resources come from?

If there was real public outrage, and it could not be suppressed, neither the Black Tortoise Clan nor the local Garrison Commander would benefit.

"Ding Race."

Lei Yangqiu was also a decisive individual and immediately got into action.

"Subordinate at your command." Wang Ding Race solemnly cupped his hands.

"Since this case involves Liu Family member Liu Shengze and Zhao Family member Zhao Jinda, according to the law, you originally have no authority to arrest and interrogate Shi Clan Members of the direct vein." Lei Yangqiu said sternly, "I now authorize you, given the substantial evidence, to immediately arrest these two and bring them to justice."

Many Deputy Garrison Commanders are often from local noble families.

The Daqian Kingdom, to prevent noble families from using public power to meddle in internal disputes among noble families, requires that in cases involving Shi Clan Members, only with a complete chain of evidence and a direct order from the Garrison Commander can arrests be made.

"Subordinate respectfully follows the command of the lord." Wang Ding Race respectfully accepted the order and immediately led a group of fierce soldiers into the ranks of the Liu and Zhao Clans, capturing Liu Shengze and Zhao Jinda.

"Father." "Father!"

The young elites Liu Yongzhou and Zhao Dingtian rushed forward anxiously.

"How bold!" Wang Ding Race’s expression turned cold, and with a "clang," he drew his sword. "You dare to obstruct the Guardian’s Mansion from executing Daqian Law? If you don’t retreat immediately, I, as the Deputy Garrison Commander, will not spare you."

Clan Leaders Liu Shengye and Zhao Jinxian hurried out to stop them, "Yongzhou, Dingtian, quickly step back."

Their faces were also dark as water, begrudging Wang Shouzhe deeply.

But now that Wang Ding Race held the "Imperial Sword," who dared to interfere? Who could bear the consequences of such serious accusations?

Thus, the two clan leaders could only turn their gaze to their ancestors. At this moment, only the ancestors could speak on behalf of the family.

The ancestors of the Liu and Zhao Clans, Liu Zhide and Zhao Bojun, glanced at each other, each feeling the difficulty of today’s situation.

Moreover, at this moment, they realized that from beginning to end, it seemed as if the Wang Family had been leading them by the nose, every step falling into the other’s calculations.

But if they didn’t save important clan members, wouldn’t the family morale collapse?

Immediately, Liu Zhide, with no other options, stepped forth and cupped his hands to Lei Yangqiu, saying, "Yangqiu, my younger brother, as everyone knows, the Wang Family has longstanding grievances with our Liu and Zhao Clans. The Wang Family bringing up this case now is likely targeted. How about..."

"The evidence in this case is conclusive, there’s no need for a retrial." Lei Yangqiu interrupted directly, "Ancestor Zhide, Ancestor Bojun. Although I’ve been associated with you two for many years, I cannot condone this for personal favor. Let me remind you, as members of the Black Tortoise Clan, while it is inevitable to have a few unworthy descendants, it is still due to your lack of discipline."

While saying so outwardly, Lei Yangqiu cursed inwardly, you two old relics still dare to ask him to condone favoritism now? The Wang Family had calculated every step completely, leaving no loopholes in the evidence. These people were already nailed down.

Moreover, Lei Yangqiu was well aware that these things were indeed done by them, with no injustice involved.

He, Lei Yangqiu, was put on the spot today, not because Liu Zhide and Zhao Bojun were too incompetent?

They couldn’t even manage a disturbance properly, instead being led by the nose back and forth, having their face slapped repeatedly, losing all prestige and dignity.

Ultimately, they even dragged him, Lei Yangqiu, into this, being caught red-handed by Wang Shouzhe, who wouldn’t let go. Where could he voice the grievances of his heart?

Even with the pleas of the two ancestors being ineffective, the members of the Liu and Zhao Clans were immediately filled with rage and lamentation.

The two clan leaders exchanged glances, signaling the household generals to temporarily control Zhao Dingtian and Liu Yongzhou, preventing them from acting impulsively. Otherwise, giving Wang Family more leverage would cause even bigger troubles.

Seeing the other side self-restrict, Wang Ding Race naturally had no excuse to exploit the situation and, adhering to impartial law enforcement, brought the two key clan members before Lei Yangqiu.

"Zhao Jinda, Liu Shengze, with such conclusive evidence, if you don’t have the ability to overturn it, this Garrison Commander suggests that you at least preserve a bit of dignity for your family."

Lei Yangqiu glanced at them coldly, having judged them with death in his heart.

Meanwhile, he was somewhat annoyed. Truly useless people, can’t even do a bad deed well, what use are they?

The Wang Family, however... that seemingly gentle young man... for a moment, Lei Yangqiu grew deeply apprehensive of Wang Shouzhe.

This youngster is terrifying!

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