Shennong Dao Master
Chapter 604 - 2: The Assessment at Li Fire Daoist Academy (Da Zhang 12,000)

Chapter 604: Chapter 2: The Assessment at Li Fire Daoist Academy (Da Zhang 12,000)

One of Zhao Xing’s Ten Thousand Skill Avatars escorted Zong Shichang onto the boat, then he proceeded to scan the crowd at the Inspection Bureau.

Before coming, he had reviewed the dossier and discovered that the reason Zong Shichang was arrested was for the crime of "dereliction of duty."

But who was Mr. Zhao? He spotted the problem at a glance.

When he arrived, upon activating the Heavenly Eye Skill, he saw a clerk outside the prison cell hitting the door with an iron rod to disturb Zong Shichang’s rest.

Instantly, he was livid with rage.

Wang Shiyang, who had come with him, also noticed that something was amiss and glared fiercely at He Xian.

The crime of dereliction of duty for an official supposedly requires the approval of oneself or Prefecture Chief He Xian before an arrest can be made.

Since he hadn’t approved such a decree, it was obviously He Xian’s doing.

In reality, Wang Shiyang didn’t have to think twice, because Song Ji was a recommendation of He Xian.

He Xian, sensing that something was wrong, was about to say something.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Xing flew into a rage right after dispatching Zong Shichang.

"Lord Wang, may I ask a few questions?" Zhao Xing looked towards Wang Shiyang.

"Speak freely, Marquis Yuan Rang," Wang Shiyang said. "Everyone else, leave."

As soon as Wang Shiyang opened his mouth, the remaining officials involuntarily left the Inspection Bureau, leaving only the Inspection Bureau’s own officials, Prefecture Chief He Xian, and himself.

Zhao Xing was angry, and naturally, Wang Shiyang had to let him vent.

Otherwise, he couldn’t expect to maintain this connection.

"Justice Director of the Inspection Bureau, Song Ji, where are you?!"

Standing beside them, Song Ji had an ugly expression; Zhao Xing’s direct calling of his name, in front of the many officials and clerks of the Inspection Bureau, was clearly a sign that he had no intention of saving his face.

But Wang Shiyang didn’t help him, and seeing He Xian slightly shaking his head, Song Ji had no choice but to stiffen up and step forward.

"How may I be of service, Marquis Yuan Rang?"

"I am of the Primary Sixth Grade, while you are of the Secondary Sixth Rank; why do you not bow in the presence of your superior?"

Song Ji felt annoyed at heart and was about to make a symbolic gesture of clasping his hands.

But Zhao Xing’s aura erupted violently, the overwhelming pressure swept over him as if he were facing a tsunami, as if the sky itself were collapsing.

"Thump~" Song Ji involuntarily knelt down.

What is bullying with power? This is bullying with power!

Song Ji, being of a lower rank than Zhao Xing, indeed should bow, but it was optional whether to kneel or not.

But Mr. Zhao was furious at the moment and directly forced Song Ji to kneel down to respond!

Song Ji struggled futilely and discovered he had no chance to resist; he simply couldn’t get up and was shocked within.

Seeing that Wang Shiyang didn’t say a word to stop this, he couldn’t help feeling fearful, realizing that Zhao Xing’s background was much more formidable than he had heard at the banquet.

Lord Wang at his side was also somewhat surprised.

This Marquis Yuan Rang was indeed a bit domineering.

He seemed so amiable during the previous banquet that no one could tell his murderous intent was this intense.

However, thinking of his military merits, Wang Shiyang came to terms with it.

Zhao Xing was indeed very angry; initially, he thought Zong Shichang committed the crime of dereliction of duty due to issues with water management, for which he was detained.

Given Mr. Zong’s character, Zhao Xing hadn’t actually suspected anything at first.

It was only after what Lord Wang’s document officer said that he realized it was not the case at all.

The bastard Song Ji actually defined drinking on duty as dereliction of duty and had Zong Shichang locked up for seven whole days, with food and drink but no sleep, a clear case of retribution and harassment!

Who was Zong Shichang? He was a good brother entrusted with the care of Zhao Xing’s family—Zhao Zheng, Zhao Ruide, and Mrs. Cai were all well looked after by Zong Shichang, who even sent Zhao Zheng to the county school.

How could he tolerate such bullying of Zong Shichang?

Looking at Song Ji kneeling on the ground, the more Zhao Xing thought about it, the angrier he became.

He had originally wanted to question the regulations, but seeing that Song Ji didn’t talk back after kneeling, Mr. Zhao straightforwardly took action.

"You son of a bitch!"

Zhao Xing kicked right at Song Ji’s face.

"Crack~"

Song Ji’s nose was kicked askew.

"Bang Bang Bang Bang Bang Bang Bang!"

Zhao Xing, like a ruffian hooligan, leapt beside Song Ji, unleashing a frenzy of kicks.

Each kick avoided the vital parts, not to seriously injure Song Ji, but every kick was excruciatingly painful!

"Ah, ah! Ah!"

Song Ji was at the Sixth Grade Realm as a martial artist; normally, even losing a chunk of flesh or breaking a bone wouldn’t make him cry out in pain.

But now he truly couldn’t hold back.

The clerks and officials of the Inspection Bureau watched with their scalps tingling.

Especially Patrol Guard Liu Silang, who was ordered to disrupt Zong Shichang’s sleep, nearly pissed himself with fear.

He couldn’t discern the intricate details within and thought Zhao Xing was beating a man to death.

If the superiors were handled like this, what would happen to a small clerk like him?

After over a hundred kicks, Song Ji’s face was swollen beyond recognition, and only then did Mr. Zhao look up, his demeanor calming down.

He looked at Song Ji indifferently: "If you feel aggrieved, you may file a complaint against me in Prefecture City."

"Uh, I dare not..." Song Ji, turned into a pigheaded mess, still managed to crawl up and kneel properly.

What was there to complain about? At most, he would receive some compensation.

Just from observing Lord Wang’s attitude, one would know it was pointless.

Zhao Xing swept a glance over the clerks of the Inspection Bureau and didn’t trouble Liu Silang further.

He simply straightened his robes and said to Lord Wang, "I apologize for my loss of composure, please punish me as you see fit."

Lord Wang expressed his surprise, "What loss of composure? Did any of you see Marquis Yuan Rang do anything?"

The clerks collectively responded, "No, we didn’t."

At that moment, He Xian also said, "Marquis Yuan Rang only came to inspect the Inspection Bureau and examined the prison Array."

Lord Wang’s attitude once again refreshed Long Xiao’s perception of civilian officials.

In the military, if someone dared to assault his brother, he would have unsheathed his sword.

But here, all Lord Wang did was watch, even indulging Zhao Xing’s actions.

Why? Because Song Ji just wasn’t one of Lord Wang’s people.