"Who was it that said they would cut down my Qin family?" Qin Feng spoke coldly, his sharp gaze locking onto Xiao Shanhe with an icy intensity.
Xiao Shanhe had been a dominant figure in the Jianghu for over twenty years. But today, when a younger man's eyes bore into him like that, he felt a chill run down his spine and nearly stumbled. In his mind, he cursed, Damn it, it was me who wanted to cut them down. What can he do about it? But on the surface, he dared not utter such words. Seeing that Qin Feng had referred to Qin Ren as a member of the Qin family, Xiao Shanhe immediately realized he had offended someone he shouldn't have. He bowed deeply, a wide smile plastered on his face as he said, "Young Master, I am Xiao Shanhe, the Grand Master of the Baihua Hall… This, this was my mistake, I did not recognize the esteemed Qin Ren as a member of the Qin family of Xiaoyao Mountain. It's all a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding, I beg Young Master for your forgiveness…"
Qin Feng let out a cold snort, saying, "Xiao Shanhe, I, Qin Feng, don't waste words. Tell me, how should this matter be resolved?"
Xiao Shanhe's mind raced. He quickly smiled, saying, "Young Master, may I ask what position Qin Ren holds in Xiaoyao Mountain?"
Qin Feng responded coldly, "Ah Ren is my third brother. What position do you think he holds in Xiaoyao Mountain?"
Xiao Shanhe's entire body shook, and he blurted out, "So, he's… he's the Third Young Master? Young Master, I truly had no intention to offend him! The Third Young Master never mentioned that he was the Third Young Master of Xiaoyao Mountain. Please, Young Master, forgive me, it was an honest mistake…" As he spoke, he bowed repeatedly, losing the imposing air of the ruthless Jianghu tyrant.
Qin Feng glanced at Qin Ren and said, "Ah Ren, you decide how to deal with him."
Qin Ren nodded, then turned to Xiao Xiangyue and said, "Xiangyue, what do you think we should do with your heartless father?"
Xiao Xiangyue bit her lip so hard her teeth left marks on her pale red lips. Her eyes, filled with deep hatred, stared at Xiao Shanhe as she whispered, "My mother was a beautiful woman, born to a humble family. Xiao Shanhe took advantage of her, used every trick to marry her, and even killed my never-seen grandparents. My mother was kept in the dark, until seven years ago when she discovered the truth. She confronted Xiao Shanhe, but he locked her up. I was then sold to Li Haokai's brothel. I didn't seek revenge because I was afraid he'd harm my mother. But who would have known, who would have known that my mother…"
She couldn't continue, her eyes brimming with tears, a silent sob escaping her lips.
Qin Ren nodded, looking back at Qin Feng, "Big Brother, you've heard everything."
Qin Feng took a deep breath, his voice turning colder as he said, "On the ninth day of October last year, you raided the flood relief funds of the Nujiang River, stealing two million taels. On the twelfth of May last year, you raided the drought relief funds in You Province, stealing three million taels. On the twenty-fifth of January this year, you had the family of General Liao Xiu killed, seventy-three lives in total. Xiao Shanhe, these are your crimes, aren't they?"
Xiao Shanhe's face paled, and he hurriedly denied, "Young Master, those things have nothing to do with me! Who said such things? Who is slandering me?"
Qin Feng sneered, "Slander? Xiao Shanhe, you really don't know when to stop! You think I, Qin Feng, would slander you? What I said just now was only a few of your most representative crimes. The evil deeds you've committed behind the scenes are too many to count! On the surface, you're a bigwig in the white world, doing legitimate business, running legal brothels. But in the shadows, you force women into prostitution, rob, kill, smuggle arms, and annihilate entire families. Xiao Shanhe, don't think I don't know about your dealings with the leader of the Demon Sect, Ximen Wudi!"
As soon as Qin Feng's words left his mouth, the crowd of onlookers began murmuring and pointing at Xiao Shanhe, whispering among themselves.
But to everyone's surprise, Xiao Shanhe seemed to calm down. He stood up straight, putting aside his humble demeanor, and stared at Qin Feng with a vicious look. "Qin Feng, everything needs evidence. You say I did these things, but do you have any evidence? Without evidence, you're just slandering me! Don't forget, I'm the city governor of Wanhua City, a fifth-rank official. My name is even on the Jianghu magistrate's rolls. I can sue you for slander, and have you thrown into prison! You may have control over the martial world in Jiangnan, but when it comes to the officialdom, your influence is limited. The people never go against the officials. You should understand that!"
Qin Feng remained unmoved, his voice as cold as ever. "Xiao Shanhe, someone like you is fit to be an official? You've bought your position with silver, and used your female disciples to seduce people for money. Evidence? Hah, my word is evidence! Don't think that I'm falsely accusing you. Even if I wanted to slander you, what could you possibly do about it?"
Qin Ren rolled his eyes and muttered, "See that? See that? This is the true face of a righteous hero. Whoever has the bigger fist gets to speak the truth. Damn, this Jianghu is a real thrill!"
Qin Feng obviously heard Qin Ren's words, but he didn't pay attention. Instead, he turned to Xiao Shanhe and said, "Moreover, you're also guilty of the death of my third brother's friend's grandparents. That alone is enough to sentence you to death!"
Xiao Shanhe roared, "Qin Feng! I spared you because of your reputation as the Star River Sword Saint, and now you've wasted my time with all this nonsense! Others may fear your Crescent Moon Seven-Star Sword, but I, Xiao Shanhe, fear no one! Qin Xiaoyao may rule the skies, but he cannot control Wanhua City! Here, I am the king! Baihua Hall disciples, listen up! Kill the Qin brothers and their two women!"
Furious, Xiao Shanhe had resolved to bury the Qin brothers right here. He knew that although Qin Xiaoyao was formidable, the distance was too great for him to intervene in time. Once he killed the Qin brothers, he'd have enough time to prepare for dealing with Xiaoyao Mountain. Without hesitation, he pulled out a signal flare and shouted, "A single arrow to pierce the clouds, bringing a thousand soldiers to meet me!"
As he launched the signal flare, a loud explosion echoed through the sky, and a massive rainbow-colored flower bloomed in the air.
Xiao Shanhe laughed heartily. "Once my signal is sent, the thousand soldiers stationed in Wanhua City, along with Baihua Hall's seven hundred disciples, plus the one hundred and eight here, will all come rushing to my aid! Let's see how you, Star River Sword Saint, will escape now!"
Qin Feng glanced at the hundred and eight trembling disciples of Baihua Hall closing in on him, then spoke coldly, "Looks like Wanhua City is going to be soaked in blood today."
Qin Ren, however, raised his voice and called out, "Big Brother, don't go too hard on the flowers!"