Chapter 93: Nine Ministers? What Are They Worth?! (Part One)

Panic had completely overtaken Zhang He. How could he have possibly imagined that Fang Xu was actually the Commandant of Justice, one of the Nine Ministers? Zhang He was well aware of the powers wielded by the Commandant of Justice; even if Fang Xu were to execute him right now, no one would dare stand up for him. That was the reality of the situation. Offending the most powerful of the Nine Ministers over a dead man was never a profitable trade, was it? This was why Zhang He was muttering to himself as if possessed, oblivious to the cold sweat streaming down his face.

Fang Xu felt no satisfaction or joy. In his heart, he was consumed by an endless, surging rage and self-reproach. If only he had revealed his badge as the Commandant of Justice sooner, perhaps Old Sun would not have died. He stared at Zhang He with icy, judgmental eyes.

"You... what are you doing? Stay back!" Zhang He instinctively stepped away, sensing the lethal chill in Fang Xu's gaze. The villagers gathered outside the house stared in wide-eyed shock. When Old Sun had died to prove his innocence, they had never expected things to escalate this far. And when Fang Xu killed Magistrate Zhao, they were even more stunned, their mouths agape. How could Fang Xu just kill someone like that? Didn't he know that executing someone without a trial violated the Great Qin laws? Yet, it now appeared he intended to kill Zhang He, the Governor of Danyang Commandery, as well. Everyone wondered if they were dreaming; the events unfolding before them felt utterly surreal.

Fang Xu ignored the onlookers, viewing them with no more favor than he did the corrupt officials. He dragged his Xiuchun saber, the blood of Magistrate Zhao still wet and glistening on the blade.

As Fang Xu took a small step forward, Zhang He retreated in kind, until he realized he had nowhere left to go—he had been backed into a corner. Seeing the terror on Zhang He’s face, a faint smirk tugged at the corners of Fang Xu's mouth.

"You cannot kill me! The power behind me is beyond your comprehension! Even you, as a Commandant of Justice, cannot afford to provoke them!" Zhang He cried out in desperation.

"Oh? Do you really think your father, the Minister of Ceremonies, or the Grand Secretary behind him is someone I cannot afford to provoke?" Fang Xu asked, watching him with mockery. He was in no rush to finish Zhang He off; with no one left to stop him, he chose to savor this cat-and-mouse game.

"Of course... of course not! Do you know that I am backed by the Tu family of the South? Even the Emperor himself must show them a modicum of respect!" Zhang He played his trump card.

He was right. His true backing was not his father or the Grand Secretary. Zhang He’s current actions were clearly illegal, and his father, Zhang Chang—despite being the head of the Nine Ministers—held little real power and would never tolerate his son engaging in such base, predatory behavior. As for the Grand Secretary, although he and Fang Xu were at odds, Fang Xu trusted that when it came to matters of right and wrong, the man could distinguish between the two.

If neither could be the source of Zhang He's confidence, only one answer remained: the Southern Tu family. Without their tacit approval, Fang Xu did not believe Zhang He would dare to extort wealth so brazenly.

"Oh? So it is the Tu family? That is quite a surprise," Fang Xu said with a smile. To Lao Wu and Gu Bei, however, the expression on his face was one of cold, playful intent.

"Since you know, why don't you let me go?" Zhang He, sensing Fang Xu’s hesitation, felt a flicker of renewed confidence.

"I know who they are, but why should I let you go?" Fang Xu stood his ground, his smirk deepening.

"Are you not afraid of offending the Tu family? Are you not afraid of their retaliation?" Zhang He was panicking again; to him, Fang Xu was nothing more than a complete madman.

"The Tu family... as you said, even the Emperor gives them a modicum of respect. How could I not be afraid?" Fang Xu paused, then continued, "But if I kill you now, I trust the Tu family won't trouble themselves to seek revenge for a dead man, will they?"

He raised his Xiuchun saber high, swinging it down toward Zhang He’s head with lethal force. Just as the blade was about to connect, Lao Wu suddenly lunged from behind, tackling Fang Xu to the ground. Before Fang Xu could react, several arrows struck the very spot where he had been standing.

Fang Xu wiped the cold sweat from his brow, his expression turning sour. Someone was clearly trying to take his life. Who could be so bold?

"I want to see today who dares to lay a hand on my people!" a voice shouted from the entrance of the magistrate's office.

The villagers parted, and a figure hurried forward to help the trembling Zhang He to his feet—it was the servant who had fled earlier. Seeing him, the color finally returned to Zhang He's face.

Fang Xu looked toward the source of the shouting to see a young man dressed in plain white robes with a python-patterned belt, fiddling with a folding fan and smiling down at him. His attire alone made it clear: he was an enemy. Lao Wu helped Fang Xu up, and the guards quickly formed a defensive perimeter, knowing that no harm could befall him.

"I am the Commandant of Justice. May I ask what this is about?" Fang Xu asked, deciding to offer courtesy before force.

"Commandant of Justice? What is that supposed to be? You dare touch my people?" The youth let out a scornful, mocking laugh.