Chapter 329 - Chapter 329: Chapter 322 Gongsun Gang Leader’s Goodwill_1 (2/2)

Elder Wen’s gaze fixed on Qin Niu.

Suddenly, an invisible pressure made Qin Niu’s body tense up.

The gaze of the strong, as if it could transform into an invisible restraint.

“This junior, Qin Niu, has met Elder Wen! It really wasn’t my intention to provoke the law, but the He Family bullied me first. Left with no other choice, I killed in self-defense.”

Although Qin Niu had clearly wiped out the entire He Family, at that moment he assumed an expression of a victim wronged.

It made others feel that his killing was completely a move of helplessness.

“You kid, your words are quite pleasing,” said Elder Wen, his gaze softening somewhat, and the invisible pressure bearing down on Qin Niu also lessened a great deal. “Everyone has arrived; let’s begin! If the trial is over quickly, maybe I can still get home for a bit of extra sleep.”

“That’s exactly my wish,” Another voice chimed in, “I was sleeping so soundly in the middle of the night. What’s the point of convening a trial? Qin Niu doesn’t seem like the haughty and domineering type. It’s most likely the He Family bullying others on their seniority, picking on a newly ennobled first-class noble. Since they’re killed, they’re killed; it’s time for the local families to learn their lesson. The Legal Orders from our Black Tiger Gang are always distorted when implemented locally; it’s about time we set things right.”

Gongsun Jin was clearly helping Qin Niu find an excuse.

The trial hadn’t even started yet, but with a deputy gang leader covering him, Qin Niu became even more optimistic about the outcome.

“We are here today to try Qin Niu for killing within the city gates, other matters can be discussed on another day. Otherwise, Elder Wen’s desire for extra sleep might be in vain!”

Seeing the tide turning unfavorable, City Commandant Lu hurriedly steered the conversation back.

The matter at hand was about trying Qin Niu for murder, but Gongsun Jin had turned the subject to the untamed local families. How then could the trial proceed?

“I don’t mind; these local families stretch their hands too long, ignoring the gang’s Legal Orders—it’s indeed time to manage them. Last time I even heard that a local family leased over 760 acres of public land and only paid less than seventy silver in rent for ten years. If the roots are rotten, none of us at the top can rest easy.”

Elder Wen’s loyalty to his gang was extreme.

When the subject of the gang’s corruption came up, he naturally sided with Gang Leader Gongsun.

“Let’s judge the case first, one by one! To govern locally, we must also work together with the Household and Workshop divisions,” said City Commandant Lu, feeling dismayed.

With much fanfare, he had arranged a three-departmental trial, but the other two officials clearly weren’t taking the matter seriously, showing little intention to delve into the murder committed by Qin Niu.

He weighed inwardly whether he should continue to stand up for the He Family.

But as soon as he thought of the Dragon Elephant Skill and the Blood Silkworm Cocoon, his heart grew firm.

The rise of a great family might only require the emergence of a Spirit Qi Realm expert. However, to reach a higher level after becoming a prominent family in the city required accumulation in many aspects.

His position as City Commandant might seem prestigious, but the Lu Family was a recent riser, lacking a deep foundation, which was a sore point for City Commandant Lu.

Looking at the Fang Family, Gongsun Family, Bai Family… each of these top families was deeply founded and powerful.

As for the Lu Family, it was just him, the City Commandant, holding the fort. Without a family elder nor exceptional herbs or spiritual woods, they only had a decent mount to their name.

If he could obtain that Blood Silkworm Cocoon, even if he didn’t use it himself, he could exchange it for other high-level resources.

One should know that ordinary elixirs, herbs, and pets could be bought on the open market. But special top-tier cultivation resources, whether it be Cultivation Techniques or pets, or even elixirs and herbs, were impossible to purchase.

Any resource that could help a family grow stronger was something no one was willing to sell.

For any family, power was the most important.

Silver was just a pile of metal.

Without power, no amount of metal would prevent others from making free use of it.

The three big shots presided in court, and the trial officially began.

Qin Niu remained seated throughout the trial.

A first-class noble had such privileges, able to enjoy this treatment.