Qin Feng was an official of the Provincial Surveillance Department. His sudden attack on He Nuan caused Elder Ge to stand up in shock, his sharp gaze instantly turning into blades directed at Commander She. His most capable subordinate was actually from the Commander's Office!
Commander She seemed oblivious to Elder Ge's gaze, his attention fixed on Qin Feng and He Nuan, who had already engaged. He was truly a master; Cai Zhiyuan's defeat was not unjust!
The group kneeling in the courtroom had already retreated to a corner in panic, huddled together like stray dogs.
Shi Song, protecting Qiu Huaixin, also retreated to the corner, but his eyes kept darting between the two fighters. Then, he vigilantly scanned their surroundings, fearing someone might seize the chaos to assassinate Qiu Huaixin.
Shi Song knew that his master must be aware of the traitor within the personal guards and that the assassination attempt had almost succeeded. However, his master had been busy from last night until now, having not slept for a moment. He surely wouldn't have the time or energy to investigate, so Shi Song dared not slacken in the slightest.
"So Qin Feng is Commander She's man." Zhan Feiyu glimpsed Elder Ge's shocked expression. If Qin Feng hadn't exposed himself so suddenly, Elder Ge would likely not have discovered it for some time. But Zhan Feiyu couldn't quite understand why Commander She would willingly reveal the mole he had planted in the Provincial Surveillance Department.
The sound of a long sword being knocked away echoed. Watching the direction the sword flew, everyone couldn't help but gasp.
He Nuan performed a sword flourish, his right hand holding the soft sword as he retreated to Zhan Feiyu's side. He no longer paid attention to Qin Feng, whose weapon had been knocked away. Losing one's weapon meant defeat, and if Qin Feng continued to pester, it would be self-inflicted humiliation.
Commander She, with an angry face, suddenly raised his right hand to catch the long sword flying towards Lord Tao. His eyes were terrifyingly dark, and with a flick of his wrist, he hurled the sword back.
"All of you, stop!" After Qin Feng retrieved his weapon, Lord Qiu spoke in a deep voice, "Lord Tao, without evidence, are you trying to force a confession through torture?"
Having narrowly avoided being hit by the flying sword, Lord Tao's face turned slightly pale. Fortunately, he was also a fifth-rank official of the imperial court. Even though cold sweat broke out on his back, his expression remained steady.
"As this subordinate just stated, Lord Qiu, in extraordinary times, we must use extraordinary methods. One hundred and two items cannot simply vanish into thin air. For something to be stolen right under the noses of the authorities, the people in the carriage are the most suspicious. This subordinate believes they will not confess without torture!"
Lord Tao and Lord Qiu were old rivals. Although Tao's official rank was lower, he had backing in the imperial court, and Lord Tao was not the least bit intimidated by Lord Qiu. As long as he acted meticulously, Lord Qiu, despite his anger, would be helpless.
"This official believes that what Lord Tao said is absolutely correct. To steal something under the eyes of the three departments is not something an ordinary martial artist could do. At least, they would have to reach He Nuan's level!" Commander She sneered, looking up at the displeased Lord Qiu.
"My lord is willing to bend the law for personal gain, but this official is the Commander of Qianzhong Circuit, personally appointed by His Majesty. This official's duty is to protect the peace of the region and apprehend all suspects. If they are truly innocent, the Commander's Office will naturally not wrong a good person, nor will it let a villain escape!"
After speaking, Commander She stood up and ordered in a deep voice towards the outside of the courtroom, "Guards, bring all those who stayed at Hesheng Xuan last night back to the Commander's Office!"
"Your subordinate obeys!" The first to acknowledge the order was Xu Heng, the Thousand Household of Qianzhong Guard. Even though Commander Xu was more inclined to follow Lord Qiu's instructions, military orders were absolute!
Almost simultaneously, a full contingent of armored soldiers strode into the courtroom. Under the terrified gazes of the crowd, two soldiers escorted one person, and then the vast courtroom became empty.
Commander She held the military power of Qianzhong Circuit. His orders were given, and Lord Qiu, despite his opposition, could not stop them.
Shi Song still stood protectively by Qiu Huaixin, unmoved. The two soldiers standing before them also knew this was Lord Qiu's younger son. Even while carrying out military orders, they dared not lose their composure. Otherwise, if Lord Qiu sought retribution later, they would definitely be abandoned.
Lord Tao, seeing this, immediately let out a sinister laugh, looking provocatively at Lord Qiu, who was still seated in the center of the courtroom, "Shouldn't Your Lordship set an example?"
From within the courtroom, cries of injustice could still be heard. Given Commander She's cold-blooded and brutal methods, if they were truly taken to the Commander's Office prison, they would be stripped of their skin, if not killed. Yet, they were either not from merchant families or were neglected members of their clans, and their families would absolutely not dare to offend Commander She, who held military power, for them. Did they not see that even Lord Qiu had to avoid his sharp edge?
"Shi Song, you accompany Huaixin." Lord Qiu spoke in a deep voice. He did not believe that Commander She and Lord Tao would dare to harm Qiu Huaixin.
If his eldest son, Qiu Bingde, were to be arrested today, Lord Qiu might be worried. But his younger son's talent for studying was limited, and he had yet to achieve any official position. Even Lord Qiu's political rivals would not want to harm an insignificant Qiu Huaixin and thus incur the enmity of Lord Qiu by killing his son. This would be a complete loss.
"Yes, my lord." Shi Song replied, but he still did not lower his guard. However, since his master had spoken, the Commander's Office would surely make arrangements and would never allow any villains to harm the third young master.
Qiu Huaixin was not worried about his own safety. At this moment, he frowned as he looked at Zhan Feiyu and the other two standing opposite him. Unbeknownst to him, He Sheng had also entered the courtroom and was now flanking Zhan Feiyu on either side, protecting her.
Lord Tao and Commander She also understood that Lord Qiu would not show favoritism and shield his younger son in front of everyone. Moreover, they truly dared not kill Qiu Huaixin.
Lord Qiu, as the Provincial Administration Commissioner of Qianzhong Circuit, was in charge of official governance. The troops he could mobilize were limited. However, the Qiu family had been rooted in Qianzhong Circuit for a hundred years. Such a lineage of aristocratic families likely hid many hidden forces and powers. Commander She and Lord Tao were certain that if they killed Qiu Huaixin, their own deaths would follow the very next day.
Even if they were to torture Qiu Huaixin in prison, the Qiu family would retaliate twofold within a day. This was also why His Majesty, despite trusting Lord Qiu, still allowed Commander She to control the military power of Qianzhong Circuit.
A ruler's greatest skill was in balancing power. Lord Tao, who was responsible for investigating the third branch of the Qiu family, had a conflict with Lord Qiu. Otherwise, His Majesty would not have sent him to Qianzhong Circuit.
"Miss Zhan, please proceed!" Lord Tao was a typical petty man. His malicious tone and smiling expression all indicated his intention to target Zhan Feiyu.
Perhaps because of Scholar Gu, Lord Tao dared not do anything to Zhan Feiyu. However, He Nuan and He Sheng, even if they were not registered as slaves, were still lowly commoners in the eyes of Lord Tao, a fifth-rank official.
"What if I don't move aside? Lord Tao, are you going to take action?" Zhan Feiyu asked with a smile, her dark eyes filled with apparent confusion, as if truly seeking guidance.
Once they were taken to the Commander's Office prison, no matter how skilled He Sheng and He Nuan were, they would be like sheep entering a tiger's den. If anything happened to them, Commander She could easily find a subordinate to take the blame. Not to mention Zhan Feiyu, even Scholar Gu could only swallow this bitter pill. On one side was a third-rank Commander of the imperial court, and on the other were two servants. The priority was clear.
"Qin Feng, act!" Commander She ordered again.
Elder Ge, furious, became even calmer. If Zhan Feiyu were to suffer any harm due to resistance, then the Provincial Surveillance Department would be held accountable by Scholar Gu first, especially since Qin Feng was an official of the department and previously Elder Ge's most favored subordinate.
This time, Qin Feng's attack was not a solo effort; Commander Xu and others were coordinating with him.
Seeing this, Zhan Feiyu immediately stepped aside. However, this movement brought her closer to Lord Tao. He Sheng and He Nuan were also entangled by Qin Feng and his men, unable to extricate themselves for the moment.
"Miss Zhan, please forgive me!" Lord Tao said with a sinister smile, suddenly drawing the sabre from the guard beside him and slashing it fiercely towards Zhan Feiyu.
He Sheng and He Nuan were not worried. Firstly, although Lord Tao's slash looked fierce, the flat of the blade was directed towards Zhan Feiyu. It was less of an attack and more like placing the sabre at Zhan Feiyu's neck, a tactic of capturing the leader first.
Secondly, there were people from the Imperial Guards hidden nearby. Under their watchful eyes, let alone Lord Tao, a civil official, even if Commander She were to make a move, the Imperial Guards would definitely be able to protect Zhan Feiyu's safety.
Not right! Commander She looked at the calm-faced Zhan Feiyu and then at the smug Lord Tao, and immediately sensed something was amiss. The guards around Zhan Feiyu were all top-tier experts. How could they possibly let Zhan Feiyu be in danger?
"Stop!"
Commander She roared, but it was too late. Everyone only heard a clang. Zhan Feiyu, startled, retreated three steps backward and then fell to the ground.
Just as Lord Tao's sabre swung over, Zhan Feiyu happened to turn around. The flat of the blade struck her chest, and the crisp sound clearly indicated the flat of the blade hitting a hard object.
Looking again, Zhan Feiyu was pressing her hand just below her neck. It was evident that she was wearing a longevity lock or a jade pendant around her neck, which had coincidentally blocked the flat of the blade.