Bai Zihe's words, in one go,
Conformed to heavenly principles and human desires.
Zhao Qingtian found no words to retort, but was thus enraged,
"Bai Zihe!"
Zhao Qingtian's face was as dark as water, his eyes blazing brighter than the midday sun. "I advise you to stop with your clever words and surrender quickly, otherwise..."
"These guns of mine are not afraid to spill blood!"
He finished speaking.
Innumerable soldiers stepped forward in unison.
That awe-inspiring might indeed shook the hearts of all present; ordinary people would scarcely dare to resist.
"Military Governor Zhao!"
Bai Zhanhong suddenly stood up, half in anger, half in grievance. "Four years ago, the three great families suddenly joined forces against my Bai family. It was even more cruel and bloody than Zihe's actions against the three families today!"
"I was merely crippled with a broken leg!"
"Zihe was knocked unconscious by a barrage of blows and thrown into the sea. If not for his immense fortune, he would have died long ago."
"Wan Zhen, she... was directly murdered by the three great families!"
"Why do you turn a blind eye to their crimes?"
"Could it be..."
Bai Zhanhong's question resonated like thunder. "Because their families are powerful and influential, their crimes need not be investigated?"
"Because we are few and weak, we deserve to be bullied?"
"Exactly!"
Bai Ruoyi also stepped forward, indignantly retorting, "Back then, where were all you 'just and upright' officials?"
"Now that my brother has avenged us, you come to arrest him. Is that reasonable?"
Their intervention prompted more people to step forward.
Su Weiwei stepped forward, arguing with reason. "Military Governor Zhao, I am Su Weiwei of the Su family."
"Four years ago, the destruction of the Bai family was known to all in Suhang. The three great families were arrogant and vindictive; we could only express our anger in our hearts."
"Now that Mr. Bai has eliminated the three great families, he has brought clarity and order back to Suhang. This is a cause for great rejoicing."
"I implore Military Governor Zhao to investigate thoroughly!"
Following her,
Chen Peng and others also began to speak for Bai Zihe.
But in the face of so many pleas, Zhao Qingtian grew even more furious—
He was an absolute authority in Jiangdong Provincial City.
Here in this small Suhang, people were obstructing him from arresting Bai Zihe. Where was his prestige, where was the authority of the military governor! He sneered, "Bai Zihe's crimes warrant death; he should be arrested."
"This is an order personally issued by Minister Qian Yuanshan of the Military Department. No matter how eloquently you speak, your words will be of no avail!"
"Today,"
"Either Bai Zihe surrenders himself for arrest, or..."
"He will be shot dead on the spot!"
As his words fell, everyone trembled.
Zhao Qingtian was determined to kill Bai Zihe!
"Military Governor Zhao..."
"Lord Zhao..."
A group of people were about to step forward to plead again.
Bai Zihe, however, said dismissively, "You don't need to worry about me."
"Their bullets will not leave their barrels!"
Zhao Qingtian scoffed endlessly. "Bai Zihe, since you are stubborn and unrepentant, let us wait and see—you say my soldiers' bullets will not leave their barrels. Then tell me, with one command from me, how many holes will appear on your body?"
"Fire, kill him!"
However...
Moments after Zhao Qingtian finished speaking, the surrounding soldiers remained motionless. Behind him was silence.
"Are you all deaf?"
"I told you to fire, kill Bai..."
Zhao Qingtian flew into a rage, turning to scold the soldiers, but froze.
All the soldiers,
Though still holding their weapons in a ready stance, stood like statues, their eyes vacant and devoid of spirit, like puppets ensnared in a magic formation!
Just as Zhao Qingtian was bewildered, a sharp shout echoed:
"Kneel!"
*Whoosh!*
All the soldiers, upon hearing this voice, as if receiving a command from the depths of their souls, threw their weapons aside and, in unison, knelt on the stage.
The orderliness of their actions, the grandeur of the scene...
Was unparalleled!
Unfathomable, and astounding!
"Who?"
"Who is playing tricks?"
Zhao Qingtian knew with his toes that someone had interfered.
Like an enraged lion, he roared, scanning his surroundings, trying to find the culprit.
"Uncle, are you looking for me?"
A figure bounded onto the stage, approaching with joyous excitement.