Border Soldiers: My granaries are full of grain and meat, and I guard this region.

Ma Shuo's stern shout stunned the county soldiers who had rushed up, and for a moment no one dared to go any further.

Zhong Shao was so angry at the sight that he trembled all over.

"What are you all standing there for! I am an eighth-rank military advisor! Ma Shuo slaughtered over a hundred people in Ye Family Village last night! He committed such an outrageous act as killing innocent people and claiming credit for it! Capture him immediately!"

"Whoever captures Ma Shuo will be rewarded with one hundred taels of silver!"

It is said that a great reward will surely bring forth brave men, and upon hearing Zhong Shao's words, someone immediately grabbed a steel knife and rushed forward.

But this soldier couldn't even withstand a single blow from Ma Shuo before being stabbed in the stomach.

Seeing this, the surrounding county soldiers stood still and hesitated, only daring to surround Ma Shuo, but not daring to make a move.

Zhao Tongchuan was terrified by this scene and broke out in a cold sweat. He immediately tried to use his status as the county magistrate to force the group forward.

But having lived in Fuxing County for so long, everyone knows that Ma Shuo is the local tyrant. Even Zhao Tongchuan has to step aside in front of Ma Shuo.

"What...what should we do!"

Zhong Shao and Zhao Tongchuan never expected that their plan, which was going so smoothly, would go wrong here.

If they don't take Ma Shuo down now, Zhong Shao and Zhao Tongchuan know perfectly well what Ma Shuo will do once he goes back.

The two sides have now become mortal enemies; either Ma Shuo or they will die!

Ma Shuo seemed to realize that Zhong Shao and Zhao Tongchuan couldn't do anything about him, and couldn't help but laugh loudly.

"Hahaha! A bunch of cowards!"

"Zhao Tongchuan! Zhong Shao! How dare you two plot against me! Do you know the price of plotting against an official of the imperial court?!"

"Don't even mention Zhao Tongchuan. He's just a sixth-rank county magistrate. As for you, Zhong Shao, even if you have the Zhong family backing you, you dared to attack a border general, especially during a war between the Sui and Rong dynasties. Now, let alone the Zhong family, even if I were to kill you both right here and now, no one would dare say a word against me!"

Upon hearing this, Zhong Shao was enraged and pointed at Ma Shuo, angrily shouting:

"Outrageous! You were the one who slaughtered over a hundred people from Ye Family Village for your own selfish reasons! How dare you speak here!"

"You've committed such an inhuman act, even a hundred heads wouldn't be enough to chop you off!"

However, Ma Shuo merely snorted coldly and smiled disdainfully.

"Do you have any evidence? What makes you accuse me of killing innocent people and claiming credit for it?!"

"The Ye Family Village is currently located in Liupan Ridge. If you don't believe me, you can go and see for yourselves. Everyone in the Ye Family Village is dressed as bandits! I, Ma Shuo, am doing a good deed by eliminating a scourge for the people! I am not killing innocent people to claim credit!"

"It is you and Magistrate Zhao who have now made it a reality to plot against high-ranking officials of the imperial court! Right and wrong are crystal clear! Everyone here should know what to do!"

Upon hearing this, the people around all took a step back; they had no desire to get involved in this mess.

But just then, a cold snort came from outside.

"Ma Shuo! You're about to die and you're still being stubborn! Do you really think no one here can deal with you?!"

Upon hearing this, everyone looked over. Qi Feng walked into the hall with his head held high and chest out, followed by Ye Ling Shuang and Ye Zhi Wan from Ye Family Village.

Ma Shuo had never met Qi Feng before, so he was taken aback when he saw Qi Feng, and then frowned.

Who are you?

Upon hearing this, Qi Feng burst into laughter, then bowed slightly to Zhong Shao and Zhao Tongchuan.

"Did you all hear that? This Ma Shuo doesn't even recognize me!"

Those around him were completely bewildered, including Ma Shuo.

"Where are you from? Why should I know you!"

Seeing this, Qi Feng stopped hiding it and let out a cold laugh.

"I am the so-called spy for the Great Rong that you speak of! Qi Feng!"

Upon hearing this, everyone around was stunned, even Ma Shuo was momentarily taken aback.

"Everyone, did you see that? This Ma Shuo doesn't even recognize me, I've never even met him before, so why is he so certain that I'm a spy for the Great Rong?"

"He kept saying he knew me very well, but in the end, he didn't even recognize me when I stood right in front of him. Isn't that ridiculous?!"

"Furthermore, the two people behind me are the only two survivors of Ye Family Village! They are Ye Ling Shuang, the village chief, and her sister Ye Zhi Wan."

"The owner of the Ye Family Restaurant in Fuxing County is none other than Ye Zhiwan, you should all be familiar with her! And you all know the business of the Ye Family Restaurant, so could it be that Ye Zhiwan has lost her mind and abandoned a perfectly good business to become a bandit?"

"Therefore, all of this can be considered as Ma Shuo spouting complete nonsense!"

Qi Feng's words were as loud as a bell, deafening and resounding. Even Ma Shuo was speechless at this moment and could only stare blankly at Qi Feng.

Ye Ling Shuang and Ye Zhi Wan immediately spoke up, tears streaming down their faces, recounting Ma Shuo's actions.

"Last night, Ma Shuo sent men to massacre over a hundred people in my Ye Family Village! Gentlemen, please discern the truth! They only dressed the corpses after the killings. If you don't believe me, go and see for yourselves; the bodies are lying there, but there are no wounds or bloodstains on their clothes!"

Upon hearing this, the people around him changed their expressions. They had guessed most of the truth and knew that it was all a play directed and acted by Ma Shuo. They subconsciously took a few steps back and moved away from Ma Shuo.

Seeing that he had intimidated the people around him, Qi Feng knew that he could not miss the opportunity. He immediately snatched the long sword from the county soldier next to him and looked at Zhong Shao.

"Young Master Zhong, watch me capture this man!"

Upon seeing this, Zhong Shao and Zhao Tongchuan's eyes lit up, and they immediately stood up.

"Good! Capture Ma Shuo quickly!"

With the endorsement of Zhong Shao and Zhao Tongchuan, Qi Feng immediately stepped forward and headed straight for Ma Shuo.

Ma Shuo also realized at this moment that the only way out was to fight his way out.

Seeing Qi Feng heading straight for him, he immediately let out a cold laugh.

"Back when I was slaying the Rong tribes on the border, you were still breastfeeding! And you dare to show off your sword in front of me!"

Ma Shuo realized that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If he could eliminate Qi Feng here, he would regain the initiative, and then it would be up to him to decide what to say.

Thinking of this, Ma Shuo raised his long sword and slashed at Qi Feng with the force of splitting a mountain!

Qi Feng remained unfazed upon seeing this, raised his hand and knocked Ma Shuo's longsword away, then kicked him hard in the chest.

Even though Ma Shuo was large, Qi Feng's kick sent him flying, knocking over a bunch of tables and chairs.

Seeing this, the surrounding county soldiers dared to step forward. One by one, they pounced on Ma Shuo, and more than a dozen of them pinned him to the ground, rendering him unable to move.

"Let me go! I am the commander of Duma Village!"

Qi Feng stepped forward and coldly looked at Ma Shuo, then kicked him in the mouth, finally silencing him.

Zhong Shao immediately stepped down, his gaze filled with gratitude as he looked at Qi Feng.

"If it weren't for Brother Qi, we might have really suffered a crushing defeat this time!"

Qi Feng waved his hand, "Young Master Zhong, there's no need for that. I'm only doing this to protect myself. Now, let's hurry and retrieve the tiger tally from Ma Shuo and head to Du Ma Village to take over the garrison troops there! If Ma Shuo doesn't return for a long time, I'm afraid something might happen there!"

"Alright! We'll do as you say!"

Zhong Shao took the tiger tally from Ma Shuo, and then immediately led Qi Feng towards Duma Village, ten miles north of Fuxing County.