Fang Xun Cornered

On March 23, news that Cheng Rang had taken poison and killed himself reached Li Shun.

His family had not been implicated. With Cheng Rang dead and gone, the storm appeared to have blown over.

"He's dead? He poisoned himself?" Li Qing froze when he heard, hardly able to believe it.

Li Shun had expected this outcome. "He was branded a wanted criminal by the court. Whoever was behind him might have had the power to clear his name, but that would have taken a great deal of maneuvering. Too much trouble."

"To those people, he was only one life. Letting him die and putting an end to it was much cleaner."

Li Qing bristled. "Put that way, Cheng Rang was almost pitiable. He willingly served as someone else's vanguard, only to gain nothing and lose his life. The hidden hands behind him are the truly hateful ones!"

Li Shun had little sympathy. "He chose to make his move. He should have been ready to bear the consequences."

"Just watch. This isn't over. They've taken a heavy loss and won't let it go. There's bad blood between us now." Despite his words, Li Shun looked entirely composed. He clearly did not take the threat to heart.

Li Qing gave a cold smile. "If soldiers come, we'll send generals; if floods come, we'll pile up earth. Who's afraid of them?"

After the turmoil at Three Elders Peak, Li Shun noticed a sea change in how everyone across Shangyu County treated him.

Before, they had feared him because of his background and the warning from Kong Zhao, the investigating censor. Now, their submission came from the thunderous methods Li Shun himself had displayed.

Whenever officials of any rank came to see him, they trembled and walked as though on thin ice, afraid