Pan Long's decision took Tang Jingzhe and Shang Man completely by surprise.
This was not how Wind Patrol Envoys usually operated.
For years, Wind Patrol Envoys had generally investigated in secret. Once they had established the facts, they reported them to the Imperial Court through a dedicated channel, and the Imperial Court sent people to handle the case.
That was partly because Wind Patrol Envoys were few in number and lacked the force to back themselves up. It was also because the people who investigated a case should not be the same people who judged it.
How could they be both contestants and referees?
What happened to fairness and impartiality?
But Pan Long was no traditional Wind Patrol Envoy. He cared nothing for the unwritten rules of officialdom.
Did a Wind Patrol Envoy's authority include punishing the wicked?
It did.
Was he capable of punishing the wicked?
He was.
Was the Zeng Family wicked?
It was.
Then what else was there to consider?
Cut them down first!
Violence often failed to solve problems. It might even create new ones and make the problems multiply.
So what?
Doing a poor job was still better than being powerless to act.
A novel Pan Long had loved in his previous life contained a line he had never forgotten.
Better to regret what you had done than regret doing nothing.
Besides... he might not regret it at all.
"If we punish the Zeng Family severely and the already tense situation in Northern Youzhou gets worse, what then?" Tang Jingzhe asked, pinching the bridge of his nose wearily.
"Whoever stirs up trouble, I'll kill them," Pan Long answered at once.
"That won't do..."
Before Pan Long could reply, Shang Man burst out excitedly. "Of course it will! It's a fine idea!"
His eyes shone, and