When a commoner's wrath erupted, two bodies lay dead, and blood flowed five paces.
Shang Rong panted heavily. This was the first time in his life he had killed anyone.
The blade went in white and came out red. Though the thrust lacked strength, its angle had been precise, and the hand gripping the hilt had not trembled in the slightest.
As the Marquis of Yue fell, his eyes stretched wide, as though asking, "Why me?"
Weren't they supposed to be killing the Shamans???
It was not just the Marquis of Yue who had died without understanding why. Everyone present could scarcely believe what had just happened.
Shang Rong was merely a civil official without the strength to truss a chicken. Ever since entering office, he had handled matters of rites and music; gentle refinement had practically become his defining trait.
He had little courage, or he would never have thought of preserving himself by staying out of trouble.
Although Shang Rong commanded some respect among the court officials, Feudal Lords, and nobles, quite a few privately considered him timid and afraid of trouble.
This was the head of all officials?
Even when his daughter's engagement had been broken off, he had only dared to seethe in silence. He had swallowed his anger until King Zhou stood up for him and the Female Physician began treating and saving people, and only then had he uttered a few inconsequential threats.
No one knew why this old Chancellor, over sixty and devoted to harmony, had suddenly cast aside all his propriety, kindness, and refinement to act like a reckless brute, decisively killing a Feudal Lord before everyone's eyes.
A Chancellor killing a Feudal Lord?
It was unprecedented since time immemorial.
With a clang, the long blade fell to the ground.
The scene