"This humble official hopes milord can go and oversee the matter. It would be fine if the Fang Family did not resist, but if they did, with their strength, they would not be able to stir up any waves before you."
As he spoke, the County Magistrate quietly slipped in a bit of flattery.
"Let's go. I happened to want to take a look at the Fang Manor as well."
Wei Qing rose to his feet.
The County Magistrate followed behind him, quietly letting out a breath of relief.
He was also afraid that the Fang Family would resist. If even one person escaped, he would be punished as an accomplice.
Fang Manor.
Ever since Fang Xiang had been killed and Fang Youting thrown into prison, the atmosphere in the Fang Family had grown heavier by the day.
Everyone understood.
The consequences of colluding with demons.
The crucial point was—
They had no way to escape either. The Fang Manor was surrounded by constables watching it around the clock.
As for attacking the constables, with the guards' fate serving as a warning, they dared not act rashly.
At this moment, all the direct descendants of the Fang Family had gathered in the main hall.
"Although the Imperial Court's decree has yet to arrive, everyone here understands the consequences of colluding with demons. A blade now hangs above our heads; all that remains is to see when it falls."
A scar-faced middle-aged man seated in what had once been the family head's seat spoke softly.
The man was Fang Youren, Fang Youting's younger full brother.
At present, he was the most senior member of the entire Fang Family.
At his words, the women in the hall were frightened into tears, each of them sobbing softly.
A young man with two dark circles framing his eyes twisted his face viciously. "Wasn't it that bastard Fang Xiang who colluded with demons and dragged the Fang Family down to this state? If you ask me, as long as someone steps forward to take the blame, perhaps the Imperial Court will spare the Fang Family."
"Fang Changshan, what do you mean by that?" a fourteen- or fifteen-year-old boy roared.
"Fang Changyou, my meaning is perfectly clear. It was your elder brother who colluded with demons. A son's debt is paid by his father. We cannot let the entire Fang Family be buried alongside him because of your elder brother alone."
"Besides, Eldest Uncle received invitations from His Majesty twice. That alone shows how weighty Eldest Uncle is."
Fang Changshan sneered. "If the Fang Family truly has its nine clans exterminated, what face will you have when you go below to meet our Fang Family's ancestors?"
"Better for your branch to shoulder this matter. Then the Fang Family may still have a thread of hope."
The moment his words fell.
Someone immediately echoed him.
"That's right, Changyou. Your brother made the mistake—why should we bear the consequences?"
"Exactly. For the sake of the Fang Family, your branch should pay for your elder brother's mistakes and take this blame upon yourselves."
"That's right. It should be so."
As one Fang Family member after another spoke, Fang Changyou's expression grew uglier and uglier.
"When my father was Magistrate, every one of you received no small amount of his care. Now that the Fang Family is in trouble, you actually want to push my father out."
"Are you even human?"
"Shut up, all of you."
Fang Youren barked coldly, and the scene fell silent at once.
Fang Youren swept his gaze around, lingering briefly on his grandson who had just turned three, before looking again at Fang Changyou. "Changyou, although Changshan's words are harsh, they are not without merit. I believe Eldest Brother would understand as well."
"Second Uncle... you..."
Fang Changyou stared at Fang Youren in disbelief, as though he were looking at a stranger.
Fang Youren continued, "If Eldest Brother is willing, this matter is not without room for a turn. Even if we are exiled or conscripted into the army, the Fang Family bloodline can still be passed down."
"That is still better than the Fang Family bloodline being severed and the entire clan exterminated."
Just as everyone was arguing.
Suddenly.
A guard rushed into the main hall in a panic. "Second Master, men from the yamen have charged in."
"What?"
Fang Youren's expression changed drastically.
Inside Fang Manor.
The Fang Family guards gripped their weapons, staring in fear at Wei Qing, who stood at the head of more than a dozen constables.
Wei Qing's ruthlessness had left a deep impression on them before.
Zhu Huan stepped forward and shouted sternly, "What? Are you refusing arrest?"
The leading guard's Adam's apple bobbed. "Milord, we are only—"
Wei Qing raised his eyes, his gaze icy cold.
In an instant, the man speaking felt as though he had fallen into an ice cellar. The words behind his lips were choked dead in his throat, and he could not utter another syllable.
Just then.
Led by Fang Youren, the Fang Family members arrived.
Seeing this, the guards automatically made way.
The moment Fang Youren saw Wei Qing, his heart sank, but his face showed no sign of it. He stepped forward again, cupped his hands slightly, and asked, "May I ask what brings Lord Wei to my Fang Manor?"
Wei Qing directly took out the Verdict and read aloud, "Following verification by the Heavenly Realm Division, Fang Xiang's collusion with demons has been confirmed. Under Great Zhou Law, all who collude with demons shall be treated as traitors, and their nine clans exterminated."
"The Fang Family's nine clans, along with all Fang Family servants, are to be immediately detained and beheaded two days hence."
Having said that.
Wei Qing put away the Verdict and ordered, "Arrest them."
"Yes."
All the constables immediately charged forward.
In contrast, every member and servant of the Fang Family turned pale.
The three words "exterminate nine clans" exploded beside their ears like a thunderclap.
The timid ones were so frightened that they collapsed to the ground.
Some were even scared unconscious by the words "exterminate nine clans."
Fang Youren hurriedly stepped forward and blocked the constables' path. "Lord Wei, I still have something to say. We are willing—"
"I have no time to listen to your nonsense. Either surrender without resistance, or die!"
Wei Qing forcefully cut off his remaining words and coldly declared.
"Throw everyone in the Fang Family into prison. Any who resist are to be killed without exception!"
"Yes."
Seeing this, Fang Youren immediately ordered, "Those who do not want to die, kill them!"
At this moment, if they resisted, they might still have a sliver of a chance to survive.
If they were shackled and thrown into prison, they could only wait for death.
"Kill!"
Upon hearing this, the martial artists and guards of the Fang Family raised their weapons and charged at the constables.
"You still dare resist? Your crime has just grown another degree!"
Wei Qing's face turned cold. His figure flickered, and he appeared before a Fang Family martial artist. Before the man could react, a single slash pierced his heart.
Ding! Killed an Early Ninth-Rank Martial Artist Strength +8, Constitution +9
Wei Qing twisted his wrist and drew out his long blade in the same motion, his figure flashing again and again.
Ding! Killed an Early Ninth-Rank Martial Artist Spirit +9, Strength +12, Constitution +13 Ding! Killed an Early Ninth-Rank Martial Artist Strength +8, Constitution +9
Ding! Killed an Early Eighth-Rank Martial Artist Spirit +21, Strength +29, Constitution +26, High-Grade Profound Tier cultivation art "Ephemeral Art"
When everyone saw Wei Qing clearly again, he had already returned to where he had been standing.
He flicked the blood from his blade and sheathed it.
Before you continue