Zhao Fang, who had previously hurled all sorts of foul language and insults at the three of them, felt a chill crawl down her spine.
The repeated utterance of the name resonated with earth-shattering impact, leaving him speechless.
Finally snapping back to reality, Zhao Xuelong didn't say a word. He took a step forward and knelt down, letting the rain drench his body and the chill seep into his very bones through his knees.
However, more unsettling than this chill was the arrogant, utterly presumptuous talk from before.
While his replies were few, they all conveyed a single idea.
I have power and influence, and I can handle things however I please. Even if I twist right into wrong, as long as I say you're black, you are black. If I say you're white, then you must be white.
"I heard that Young Commander Zhao holds considerable power here? That you wantonly manipulate right and wrong, intending to lay a hand on those I care about?"
Ye Longlin spoke slowly, his gaze fixed ahead, never once looking directly at him.
These words struck his head like a thunderclap, terrifying Zhao Zixi into burying his head low, daring not to make any move.
"I, I, I wouldn't dare. It was all Zhao Xuelong's orders. I was just taking money to do a job. I beg the Heavenly King for your discernment."
Yuan Gang stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over this clique of cronies like a pair of dragons and tigers.
"I've killed nineteen people today. How about you make it a nice round number for me?"
He kicked Zhao Zixi away. Zhao Zixi rolled five or six times, completely disheveled, dirt clinging to him. He didn't dare to get up rashly.
Gulp—
Everyone present heard Yuan Gang's words and didn't doubt for a moment that they had just descended from the battlefield. Their killing intent was palpable, clearly the mark of a disciplined, iron-blooded army!
Zhao Zixi also felt he was terribly unlucky to run into such an iron-blooded army that had just returned from the battlefield. If it weren't for that little bastard Zhao Xuelong, he wouldn't be in such a sorry state!
With a fierce sweep of his hand, the sharp sound of swords being drawn erupted behind him, the cold glint of blades seeming to cut through the rain, instantly heightening the tension.
Many villagers even held their breath to the extreme.
"A, a misunderstanding, this is all a misunderstanding. Please, spare my dog's life, considering I didn't lay a hand on them. Heavenly King Ye, you are a magnanimous person. I didn't do anything to them; it was Zhao Xuelong who intended to harm them!"
Zhao Zixi was so terrified his soul had flown from his body. If this matter wasn't handled properly, it was highly likely that today would be his death anniversary.
His hoarse wails caused the surrounding villagers to feel a sense of bewilderment.
When had Zhao Zixi, always the bully, ever resorted to begging for mercy?
Ye Longlin looked at Zhao Xuelong, then at Zhao Fang.
"I am not here to argue with you, but have you not gone too far?"
"Zhao Xiaoya was a guest at my home. Without permission, she took items and left, yet acted as if she were in the right. It now appears that the rot starts at the top."
Was this not an indirect insult to Zhao Fang as well!
"Do you think a bit of money allows you to twist right into wrong, stir up trouble without facing consequences?"
Zhao Fang: "......"
Mu Hanqi then pouted, her voice full of grievance, and said, "She also said we were guilty. That old geezer over there said there was a reason Auntie couldn't get married and wanted to expel Auntie from the family registry. They wanted to kick us out, saying we were outsiders. Zhao Xuelong also said he wanted us to enter standing and leave horizontally."
Zhao Xuelong: "......"
The Old Clan Elder: "......"
Zhao Fang: "......"
Oh dear, this situation had truly escalated.
Ye Longlin had initially thought it was a minor conflict, but he never expected it to reach the point of personal attacks!
Ye Longlin's icy gaze fell upon Zhao Fang, and he spoke with a flat tone, "Explain, what do you mean by 'guilty'?"
Instantly, all eyes in the place focused on Zhao Fang. Zhao Fang, a mere woman, had no idea what carrying a five-star insignia truly represented.
"This is my fault. I admit I was wrong, alright? Besides, they didn't explain themselves. If they had explained, wouldn't I have believed them?"
Zhao Fang said with righteous indignation, even blaming them for not revealing their identities earlier.
Was it a grudging apology for underestimating them?
She skirted the main issue throughout, her tone suggesting a misunderstanding, and her apology was clearly reluctant.
"Oh, come on. If I, an outsider, recall correctly, didn't you say earlier that the two people who came to apprehend them were Auntie's bodyguards?"
Mu Hanqi sneered, speaking sarcastically, reminding Zhao Fang of her own words.
Zhao Fang: "......"
"So what? What if I reluctantly believed it? What would you believe? If someone who has lived at the bottom of society for years suddenly has two bodyguards, would you believe it?"
Zhao Fang stated with righteous conviction, completely unafraid of Ye Longlin, her eyes meeting his directly.
Ye Longlin nodded: "It's only human nature."
Zhao Fang immediately felt vindicated and said with great satisfaction, "See? He himself said it's human nature. If it were you, you wouldn't believe it either..."
But before she could finish, Ye Longlin cut her off directly: "But I am not satisfied with your explanation."
As he spoke, a large hand landed on Zhao Xuelong's head. Zhao Xuelong's entire body went rigid with dread.
"I have always been decisive. Those who threaten me are, at the very least, no longer alive."
As the words fell, Zhao Xuelong's eyes widened, his face turning pale at a visible rate, and then he collapsed straight onto the ground!
"Threaten my kin, enter standing and leave horizontally?"
"Who gave you the audacity?"
This action instantly silenced everyone present!
They stared at Ye Longlin in disbelief. Although they had guessed this matter wouldn't be minor, they had never imagined it would result in death!
"You... you..."
Ye Longlin stood with his hands behind his back, continuing to look at the Old Clan Elder: "Tell me, what is the reason why my Aunt Zhao couldn't get married?"
The Old Clan Elder had seen his fair share of storms in his lifetime, but the storm before him... was a bit too vast, potentially capable of drowning him on the shore.
But what kind of person was the Old Clan Elder? He was an extremely shrewd and seasoned individual. With a wry chuckle, he said, "Of course, she couldn't get married. Someone of your stature calls Zhao Qian Auntie. There are very few people in this world who can be worthy of her, and even fewer at this age."
Ye Longlin: "......"
Even Yuan Gang couldn't help but admire him. Not only did this highlight Ye Longlin's status, but it also perfectly explained the meaning of his earlier statement.
A master!
Ye Longlin gave him a deep look, then continued, "How many years have you been serving here?"
Clearly, this question was directed at Zhao Zixi.
Zhao Zixi trembled and replied respectfully, "Ten, ten years."
"As a Young Commander, what is your duty?"
Zhao Zixi lowered his head: "To enforce justice impartially."
Ye Longlin asked again: "Have you fulfilled it?"
Zhao Zixi remained silent.
Ye Longlin waved his hand: "Since that is the case, then execute him. Keeping him alive only causes harm to the populace."