The Infinite Power of Public Opinion

Qin Jishi returned to his room. Zhang Shiqing was still fast asleep. He gently pulled the red quilt over her, then returned to his own bed and quickly drifted off to dreamland.

Qin Jishi slept until the sun was high in the sky before waking up.

"Ugh~"

He stretched and realized Zhang Shiqing was nowhere to be found. Shaking his head, he got out of bed and suddenly stopped in his tracks, taken aback.

"Herbal soup?"

A vein throbbed on Qin Jishi's forehead. "She... she couldn't have actually fallen for me, could she?"

Qin Jishi knew exactly who had brewed the soup. He picked up the bowl and took a shallow sip.

Tsk, tsk, tsk~

He clicked his tongue and nodded with genuine appreciation, "Not bad, her cooking skills are quite good."

With that, he downed the rest of the soup in the bowl.

After a simple tidy-up, Qin Jishi opened the door and stepped out of the room.

"Qin... Young Master Qin..." Zhang Cheng and the others had been waiting for a long time. They fawned over him with fawning expressions, "The Patriarch is in the main hall. We'll take you there now."

Qin Jishi had the backing of the Young Prefecture Lord of Black Eagle Prefecture. It wasn't just them; the entire Soaring Dragon City power structure had to show him utmost respect. They had dared to mock him before, but now they felt nothing but trepidation.

If Qin Jishi said anything unfavorable about them, the entire Zhang Family might not tolerate them.

They shuddered to think about how they had once planned to humiliate him.

"Heh heh~" Qin Jishi chuckled lightly. "Then I'll trouble you, Brother Zhang Cheng."

"It's our duty, our duty!" Seeing Qin Jishi's kind demeanor, Zhang Cheng felt his face burn with shame.

To think that he could connect with the Young Prefecture Lord of Black Eagle Prefecture. Look at his magnanimity, his vision. Compared to him, they were petty-minded indeed.

"Young Master Qin, this way please." Surrounded by Zhang Cheng and the others, Qin Jishi headed towards the main hall.

"Young Master Qin, we apologize for our previous lack of judgment and for offending you. Please don't hold it against us."

"Let's not mention the past."

"..."

Along the way, every Zhang Family disciple who saw Qin Jishi bowed respectfully.

Word had already spread outside that the Zhang Family's useless son-in-law actually had a deep background and a strong connection with the Young Prefecture Lord of Black Eagle Prefecture. This led to the Liu Family seeking out an Elder from Black Eagle Prefecture, only to leave in utter disgrace.

Furthermore, the news of the Liu Family's complete annihilation overnight had spread through every street and alley of Soaring Dragon City.

They were all secretly speculating that this matter might be connected to Qin Jishi in some way.

After all, the Liu Family was wiped out right after they left the Zhang Family. Wasn't that too much of a coincidence? Even if Qin Jishi wasn't directly responsible, he was likely involved.

Public opinion was a powerful force, and rumors spread like wildfire. Eventually, some even claimed that Qin Jishi was the one who annihilated the Liu Family and that he was actually a peerless genius.

Of course, mortals might believe such things, but the influential powers did not.

They knew that Chief Liang of the Black and White Academy had already intervened in the matter between the Liu Family and the Zhang Family. Would Qin Jishi be foolish enough to make an enemy of the Black and White Academy?

Who on the Azure Wave Continent didn't know the reputation of the Black and White Academy? Offending them was no different from seeking death.

Regardless of the outside speculation, one thing was certain: Qin Jishi's name now echoed throughout Soaring Dragon City.

Qin Jishi arrived at the main hall and could hear the deep worry in the voices of those conversing.

"Patriarch Yang, who annihilated the Liu Family? Are they trying to frame us?"

"Patriarch Zhang, there's no need to worry. I believe Chief Liang of the Black and White Academy will see things clearly."

"..."

It would be a lie to say the Zhang Family wasn't worried. Everyone in Soaring Dragon City knew about the conflict between the Liu Family and them. Now that the Liu Family was annihilated, wouldn't the Black and White Academy suspect them?

Just as the Zhang Family was fretting about how to handle the situation, Qin Jishi entered the hall.

"Uncle Zhang, I agree with Patriarch Yang. If the Black and White Academy truly intervenes, they will discern right from wrong."

Upon seeing Qin Jishi, everyone stood up. Zhang Shiqing looked at him with a meaningful gaze.

"Jishi!"

"Young friend Qin!"

"..."

Qin Jishi nodded in acknowledgment and then said softly, "Uncle Zhang, I heard about the Liu Family. In fact, we don't need to worry too much. The Liu Family has always been arrogant and overbearing. Who knows who they offended."

"Furthermore!"

"Even if we all banded together to destroy the Liu Family, we couldn't possibly achieve such swift and decisive results. If the Black and White Academy is involved, wouldn't they consider that?"

Even with Qin Jishi's words, the Zhang Family members remained worried.

They understood the logic, but would the Black and White Academy listen?

Compared to the Zhang Family's reaction, Yang Kun and Zhao Tai looked relaxed.

Others might not know what was going on, but they did.

"Just kidding!

If Qin Jishi made a move, who could possibly find out?

Besides, last night they went to the Liu family, and not even a speck of dust was left behind. How could anyone investigate this?

If it were anyone else, they might not escape the Black and White Academy's pursuit. But as for Qin Jishi? The Black and White Academy should save their energy. Is the Young Pavilion Master of the World-Saving Pavilion just a title?

"But..." Zhang Jinhua was still a little worried.

"Uncle Zhang..." Qin Jishi interrupted before he could finish, "Don't worry, nothing will happen."

Qin Jishi's confidence stunned Zhang Jinhua.

At the same time, Yang Kun and Zhao Tai echoed his sentiment, saying there was no need to worry.

Helplessly, since they all said so, no matter how worried Zhang Jinhua was, he could only wait and see.

The matter had already happened, and worrying was useless. After all, what was coming would eventually come...

At this moment, Zhang Shiqing walked up to Qin Jishi and tugged his sleeve, "Come with me."

Qin Jishi: "..."

The two walked to the side, and Zhang Shiqing crossed her arms, "Tell me, what happened to the Liu family?"

"What do you mean, what happened?" Qin Jishi feigned ignorance.

"Still playing dumb with me?" Zhang Shiqing rolled her eyes at him.

She had initially thought Qin Jishi's words last night were just angry outbursts, but now she realized she was wrong.

"Heh heh!" Qin Jishi chuckled, "It has nothing to do with me."

"You won't tell me?" Zhang Shiqing threatened, "Then I'll reveal your secrets."

She could tell that Qin Jishi had been deliberately hiding something from her all along.

"Whatever," Qin Jishi remained unfazed, "Even if you don't say anything, aren't there enough rumors out there?"

"You~" Zhang Shiqing gritted her teeth, but she was helpless.

"Alright, I'm tired and need to rest."

"You haven't answered my question yet, stay right there."

"..."

Soaring Dragon Myriad Treasures Tower!

The Myriad Treasures Tower held a deeply entrenched position throughout the Azure Wave Imperial Capital, with branches spread everywhere.

The Soaring Dragon Myriad Treasures branch was an absolute landmark building in Soaring Dragon City. Its opulent exterior and ancient, distant aura exuded extravagance in every corner...

On the top floor of the pavilion, an old man and a young woman wore solemn expressions.

"Elder Ge, the Academy actually sent me a message, telling me not to interfere in the Liu family matter."

"Someone is interfering in this matter?" The old man narrowed his eyes. "Chief Liang, may I know which Academician from the Black and White Academy is involved?"

In the old man's opinion, no more than five people in the entire Black and White Academy could stop Liang Simeng. Each of these five individuals was a renowned figure.

The fact that someone could intervene in this matter suggested that this person might be the mastermind behind it all.

"It's... it's..." Liang Simeng lowered her voice, "It's the Prefecture Lord."

"What?"

The old man's expression changed drastically.