Eradicate Evil Root and Branch!

"The People's Wishes, the People's Wishes..."

People's Wishes converges, and one side rises while the other falls.

Not only Qiu Yan could sense it, but Physician Huang could also clearly perceive it. Even with his accumulated experience over the years, he could not tolerate being robbed of his food. Instantly, his anger erupted, and he trembled all over, his eyes almost spitting fire!

"These common people are the result of my hard work in raising them, and their People's Wishes is the result of years of effort! This nobody thinks he can take them? Use me as a stepping stone? Don't even think about it! Things have come to this, the tide has turned, so I don't need to care about any worldly rules anymore. I might as well kill them all! If all else fails, I can always find another place and start over!"

Just as this thought arose, Physician Huang was suddenly startled, a chill ran through his body, and he felt an inexplicable pressure descend upon him. His heart pounded with alarm, and he froze on the spot.

"Damn it! I forgot about that old bastard Ma Yang! With him in charge, there's no way we can run rampant in the city! Damn it!"

Roaring inwardly, Doctor Physician Huang seemed to have lost his backbone, allowing the Yamen Runners to twist his arms behind his back and drag him away. The people along the way quickly retreated when they saw him, and many even threw things at him.

Seeing the people he used to manipulate and control, whose emotions and thoughts he could so easily control, now rebelling against him, Physician Huang's anger and resentment grew stronger, and the cold glint in his eyes deepened.

"Let you be smug for now. It's not easy for your Living Soul to Spirit Projection during the day; wait until nightfall..."

Many people who usually defended Physician Huang felt betrayed after seeing the corpses in the courtyard.

One thought elevates you, another shatters you.

People's Wishes can change in an instant.

On a distant rooftop, Shen Weisheng stood ramrod straight, long sword in his arms. From his vantage point, he could take in the entire view of the clinic courtyard and the street.

"I didn't expect him to actually find it. After this incident, Huang Wende's reputation is completely ruined."

Speaking softly, he slowly withdrew his power, no longer intending to envelop Physician Huang, and then turned his gaze to Qiu Yan.

"Anyone who can get the teacher's attention is indeed extraordinary. I just wonder which deity stands behind him."

As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Weisheng turned and left. With a single movement, he left a series of afterimages between the rooftops. His speed was so fast that he disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Meanwhile, the County Government Office quickly dispatched more personnel. The situation had escalated to this point, with too many corpses found, making it no small matter. Even the county magistrate's advisor rushed over to personally oversee the operation.

Not long after, people began carrying corpses out of the clinic one after another.

"That man! That's my man!"

"My son, I never imagined that after surviving the entire escape, he would die at the hands of this beast!"

"I told you my dad disappeared at the clinic, but nobody believed me!"

From time to time, people cried out in the crowd; most of them were refugees fleeing the disaster or strangers staying in other places.

Hearing these noises, the crowd became increasingly chaotic and showed signs of spiraling out of control. Seeing this, the officials quickly dispersed the surrounding crowd, and the clerk also spoke to calm them down.

Qiu Yan also came out of the clinic at this time.

He was greeted with apologies and a surge of People's Wishes; those who had previously criticized, scolded, and ridiculed him were now filled with shame.

But listening to everyone's words, Qiu Yan felt a sense of alienation and was in a daze.

"Public opinion and People's Wishes, can they really be manipulated? Or rather, can they really be manipulated?"

He then shook his head and walked towards one of the people.

"Thank you for speaking up for me, Brother Zhang," he said, clasping his hands in a fist salute.

This person was Zhang Zhen, who claimed to be from Yuan Ning. Previously, when Physician Huang slandered Qiu Yan with the things about Li Bo, Wang Qiao'er, and others, it was Zhang Zhen who stepped forward and spoke out.

Zhang Zhen smiled and said, "This is nothing. I'm just stating the facts. Li Bo, Wang Qiao'er, and the others were troublemakers, but after being taught a lesson by you, young master, they've turned over a new leaf and started doing good deeds. The other scoundrels have also stopped hanging around and are now working and living honestly. This news has already spread throughout Yuan Ning."

Qiu Yan nodded. The matter involving Li Bo and the others originated with him. He was the one who tested Divine Path methods on them, and over the past few days, things have gradually gotten back on track.

Across from him, Zhang Zhen suddenly lowered his voice. "In addition, a distinguished person entrusted me with this task. Young Master Qiu is talented and virtuous, with a promising future. The Prefect and Mr. Sun both think highly of him and asked me to keep an eye out for his assistance."

"Prefect? Mr. Sun? What merits or abilities does Qiu Yan possess to have attracted the attention of these two?"

Qiu Yan said this, but he was also puzzled. He wondered why the prefect and Mr. Sun would notice him. He knew that Mr. Sun Yuan Ning, whom they were talking about, was the prefect's chief advisor.

Qiu Yan's true form is a god, and the kitchen is his foundation. The kitchen is filled with cooks and servants, with people coming and going and chatting. It is truly a place where information is readily available. All the kitchens, big and small, in Yuanning City are connected to his perception, sensing each other day and night, so he naturally knows a lot of things.

After he said that, Zhang Zhen said something else, and over time they became acquainted.

"Young Master Qiu, I own several shops in the city. Feel free to visit me more often when you have time."

"Definitely, definitely."

This wasn't the place for a conversation, so after a brief exchange and promising to visit again later, Qiu Yan took his leave.

Watching Qiu Yan's retreating figure, Zhang Zhen's expression turned serious. "This Qiu Yan is truly extraordinary. With such a prestigious reputation Wind-Feasting Hall, offending him has ruined their reputation in just two days. Physician Huang is also disgraced and his life is in danger."

At this moment, someone came up from behind and approached Zhang Zhen, asking in a low voice, "Young Master, we should go now. We helped Qiu Yan today, which can be considered as fulfilling Mr. Sun's request. Qingchang is remote, and now that a murder has occurred, it's not advisable to stay any longer."

Zhang Zhen shook his head and said, "No, I want to stay in Qingchang County for a while and get to know Qiu Yan better. When I get back, I'll tell my father that it's a quiet place with Grand Confucian like Chancellor Ma, perfect for studying and pursuing knowledge."

The man behind him asked, puzzled, "Qiu Yan? Just a scholar, I heard he doesn't even have any official rank. If it weren't for the prefect's favor..."

"After seeing this spectacle today, do you still think this is just a scholar who relies on favors? Even without our intervention, Wind-Feasting Hall would have been utterly defeated," Zhang Zhen said, just as he saw several starving people about to kowtow to Qiu Yan, but Qiu Yan stopped them and helped them up. "He can turn his hand to make clouds and rain; after this incident, his reputation has not only not declined, but will rise even higher. He's this powerful even before he has any official rank; once he has..."

He suddenly shook his head. "With his current prestige, getting a Xiucai's degree would be a piece of cake for him. Who would dare not grant him the degree? Aren't they afraid of a popular uprising?"

On the other side, Qiu Yan comforted several disaster victims, then stepped forward, pulled the head Yamen Runner to a spot, and took out a few taels of silver.

"Young Master Qiu, you're too kind," the head Yamen Runner grinned.

"I've caused you all a lot of trouble today, please accept this as payment for the drinks."

"You're too kind," the head Yamen Runner said, still putting the bag into his pocket. "If you ever need anything in the future, just come to us brothers."

On the other side, the County Government Office clerk also came over, spoke with Qiu Yan for a while, and finally mentioned Chancellor Ma.

"Mr. Qiu, since you are acquainted with Mr. Shen, you must also have been in contact with Chancellor Ma. This is a great opportunity, you must seize it." He had a kind expression, as if he were encouraging a young man.

Qiu Yan, being sensible, thanked them. Now that the government had intervened, there was nothing more for him to do. After exchanging pleasantries, Qiu Yan turned and left.

The people he met on the road all gave him a thumbs up and praised him highly, showing no trace of the previous gossip.

This time, Physician Huang was utterly disgraced, and all the good reputation he had accumulated vanished, which only served to highlight Qiu Yan's actions.

In an instant, the People's Wishes that had gradually subsided after the disaster relief efforts boiled up again and gathered together. This was only because the news had not yet been fully disseminated. In a day or two, the People's Wishes would only become stronger!

"Fortune and misfortune are intertwined. I was smeared by Physician Huang's schemes, but now I've turned him into a stepping stone. Truly, life is unpredictable. However, although the People's Wishes have been fulfilled, the task of making an example of them is not yet complete. On the contrary, with so many People's Wishes gathered together, they've become easy targets. If we can't deter the wicked, trouble will surely follow. We must eradicate evil completely, starting tonight!"

As soon as he finished speaking, flames suddenly rose from his hand, and within the flames was a crystal-clear jade pendant.

P. S.: Thank you Xiaoyao and Ba Nanfeng for the donations!