"You..." Lei Yangqiu’s face changed dramatically, and a surge of anger erupted in his chest, "Wang Shouzhe, how dare you make false accusations."
"Accusations indeed, but whether they’re false or not remains to be discerned," Wang Shouzhe said calmly. "The second point is not dissatisfaction but my deep questioning of your morality and professionalism as a Garrison Commander. You know, as a Noble Family, we have the right to oversee the conduct and laws governing you, the Garrison Commander."
"As a Garrison Commander, you should abide by the laws of the Daqian Kingdom and handle cases impartially. Just look at what you have done?"
"You... where have I not handled matters impartially?" Lei Yangqiu was furious, but there was a vague sense of unease in his heart.
Wang Shouzhe, full of righteous indignation, said aloud, "The laws of the Daqian Kingdom have their procedures for handling cases. First, you used coercive means to directly suppress the self-defense of two unjudged suspects."
"Secondly, without any questioning, without hearing them recount whether their offenses corresponded with the investigation, and without interrogating whether they had accomplices or instigators behind the scenes, or whether there were other hidden aspects to the case, or even whether there were unsolved old cases, you decided in one word, pronouncing them to be unforgivable criminals. I would like to see how your case report is written. Such professionalism in governing is something I, Wang, cannot agree with."
"Thirdly, rushing to a verdict without interrogation is procedurally inappropriate. I had not thought that you would imply and subtly threaten the suspects not yet convicted to commit suicide. There are only two explanations: first, you fear that during interrogation, more accomplices might be implicated; or second, you’re impatient with this matter and just want to wrap it up hastily. Whichever it is, I feel greatly afraid."
"Today, you hastily dealt with the bloodline members of the Liu and Zhao Clans. Tomorrow, you could just as arbitrarily convict the members of our Wang Family. I am truly terrified."
"You..." Lei Yangqiu’s face turned red, and he staggered back a few steps under Wang Shouzhe’s words, eyes wide in anger, "Wang Shouzhe, how dare you make such slanderous accusations!"
A massive aura of pressure enveloped Wang Shouzhe.
"Such authority you wield, my Lord," Wang Shouzhe faced the pressure fearlessly. Most of the Spirit Platform Realm’s pressure is psychological intimidation over those lower in the hierarchy. With some Divine Thought Power imbued in it, Wang Shouzhe, at the seventh layer of the Qi Refining Realm, was yet unaffected.
Ancestor Mang saw Lei Yangqiu using Spirit Platform Realm pressure and initially intended to shield Wang Shouzhe, but he saw that Wang was undisturbed by it and could only admire him in amazement, growing even more respectful of this great-grandson.
One had to admit, what this great-grandson said had a lot of sense. Lei Yangqiu’s conduct clearly did not meet the Daqian Kingdom’s demands for a Garrison Commander.
He vaguely felt that with his great-grandson’s methods, Lei Yangqiu might face some bad luck. His great-grandson was not one for idle words.
Ancestor Mang even felt a bit of sympathy for Lei Yangqiu. This fellow, an upright cultivator of the Spirit Platform Realm, was first forced by Shouzhe to act against the Liu and Zhao Clans, using him as a tool to kill.
Then, once used, Shouzhe promptly discarded him like dirty tissue after going to the bathroom, treating him with disdain.
Ancestor Mang was not alone in feeling this way.
The Wang Clan members and the Liua Brothers and Sisters all felt that Wang Shouzhe’s words made sense — Lei Yangqiu was either incapable of serving as a Garrison Commander or was deeply colluding with the Liu and Zhao Clans.
Either way, his tenure as Garrison Commander of Ping’an Town was a disaster.
For the thousands of spectators, at first, they thought Thunder Guardian was handling things impartially and was a good Garrison Commander. But after listening to the Clan Leader Wang’s analysis, they broke out in cold sweat, filled with dread.
Yes, is such a Garrison Commander, disregarding state laws, functioning on whims, and carelessly deciding cases really fit for the role? Today, he can arbitrarily deal with the Liu and Zhao Clans, tomorrow he can do the same to the Wang Family, the day after, nothing stops him from turning his blades to the local commoners.
A Garrison Commander should keep a locality calm and peaceful.
Now everyone was afraid — who wouldn’t be scared of a Garrison Commander without regard to law?
With malicious individuals steering public opinion, the discussions among the commoners became increasingly louder and more fervent, all feeling that Thunder Guardian had serious problems.
The sounds of discussion reached Lei Yangqiu’s ears, sinking his heart bit by bit as public sentiment boiled over.
Even the Liu and Zhao Clans’ members, including Liu Zhide and Zhao Bojun, two old ancestors, sneered at his predicament, with an attitude relishing in his misfortune rather than sympathetic.
Lei Yangqiu, oh Lei Yangqiu, did you ever imagine this scene as you were dealing with us earlier?
Seeing that the time was ripe, Wang Shouzhe clasped his hands, sneeringly said, "I’ve felt the might of Thunder Guardian’s authority. But this Changning Guard isn’t something your Celestial Human Lei Family can dominate alone."
"As for this matter, I will record the entirety clearly, make several copies, and send one to the Lord of the City Chief’s Mansion, one to the Purple Mansion Academy, and one to the Longzuo County Prince’s Mansion. Right or wrong, let the authorities judge. I refuse to believe there’s nowhere in the Daqian Kingdom’s great authority to plead for the people’s sake. If not, I’ll go to the Capital City."
"Well said, Brother Shouzhe. I also think Lord Thunder Guardian is not fit to occupy this seat," Liua Ruolei excitedly stepped forward, "I’ll entrust the Purple Mansion Academy letter to Ancestor Xuanfu for delivery to the Academy."
"Thank you, Sister Ruolei, for speaking out righteously," Wang Shouzhe clasped his hands in gratitude, "But our Wang Family also has some connections with the Academy to handle this."
"Could it be... Bing?" Liua Ruolei said with surprise and joy, "Has her honorable self forgiven Ancestral Grandmother?"
"Cannot say, cannot say," Wang Shouzhe teased, half revealing half concealing about the Binglan Ascendant, but dared not lie outright. If news reached Binglan Ascendant’s ears, it would be extremely troublesome.
Better to leave some room for everyone to imagine for themselves.
Sure enough, Liua Ruolei smiled and said, "Since Brother Shouzhe already has plans, I won’t interfere. With her there, the Academy will surely respond."
Lei Yangqiu was truly stunned, suddenly felt a chill in his heart.
With Wang Shouzhe’s piece of speech, there was no one left to side with him. If news reached the City Chief’s higher authorities and they sent an Inspector down to take a quick look, no one would speak well of him.
Moreover, some of Wang Shouzhe’s words were not without foundation; how could he withstand an investigation?
As Wang Shouzhe said, this Changning Guard was not something solely dominated by the Lei Family. Putting him in this position already took considerable effort from the family. If it reached the family, he would be the first to bear the consequences.
Wang Shouzhe’s ability to turn clouds and cover rain with just a flip was terrifying!
Immediately, he hastily retracted his aura, putting on a friendly face, and saluted to Wang Shouzhe, "Junior Brother Wang, could you spare me a moment?"
Wang Shouzhe returned the courtesy and politely refused, "Lord Garrison Commander, you jest. There are no ties between us, if there’s something to say, please speak it directly."
Lei Yangqiu was furious inside, but today the leverage was firmly held, and his future depended entirely on Wang Shouzhe’s disposition.
He couldn’t care less about face now, he cupped his hands with a foolish smile and said, "Clan Leader Wang, what do you think would be the right course for me to take? Rest assured, I can swear I won’t make things difficult for your Wang Family in the future."
"Lord Garrison Commander, my Wang Family stands upright with no law-breaking deeds, no need for you to swear," Wang Shouzhe respectfully responded, "At this point, I can only offer you one piece of advice."
"What?" Lei Yangqiu felt a chill run down his spine.
"I suggest you leave some face for your family," Wang Shouzhe said, then turned and left with a flick of his sleeve.
Wasn’t this what he said to Liu Shengze and Zhao Jinda just now?
"Wang Shouzhe, you..." Lei Yangqiu’s heart was overcome with anger, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.