50: Chapter 50 Chang Feng's Unspeakable Suffering

"Oh? A rift?"

Guo Jin caught the loophole in his words and immediately pressed, "Then tell me, what rift is there between you?"

At this, Chang Feng was completely dumbfounded.

What could he say?

Could he say that because he was jealous of Su Bai's military merits, he targeted him at every turn, withheld his rewards, and even sent him on a near-certain death mission?

If he said that, wouldn't it be the same as admitting he was a narrow-minded person who suppressed his colleagues out of jealousy?

That wouldn't be much better than a murder charge!

Especially in front of Military Governor Zhou Zheng, such a thing absolutely could not be admitted!

Seeing Chang Feng's tongue-tied state, his face turning as purple as pig liver, Su Bai sneered inwardly.

Fool, you jumped into the pit yourself, so you can't blame me.

Just as Chang Feng was at a loss for words and the court fell into a stalemate,

A clear voice rang out from outside the hall.

"This commoner, Su Bai, has a grievance to report!"

Everyone looked toward the source of the sound and saw Su Bai in his military uniform, standing tall and walking in with steady steps.

On his face, there wasn't the slightest hint of fear, only openness and fortitude.

Behind him followed Ma Lie, Zhao Ding, and several other soldiers also in uniform; though they were all injured, their gazes were equally firm.

Seeing Su Bai appear, Chang Feng's eyes instantly turned red!

It was this piece of trash!

It was all his fault!

Seeing Su Bai, a barely perceptible smile flashed in Guo Jin's eyes, but he feigned a majestic shout, "Who goes there? Why have you intruded upon the court?"

Su Bai walked to the center of the hall and gave a respectful military salute to Guo Jin and Zhou Zheng.

"Reporting to Your Excellencies, this commoner Su Bai is the victim of last night's murder case!"

"This commoner wishes to sue New Recruit Camp Vice General Chang Feng for being jealous of talent, abusing his power, disregarding human life, and attempting to murder a meritorious soldier!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall was shocked!

Chang Feng trembled with rage, pointing at Su Bai and cursing, "Su Bai! You despicable person! You're making false accusations!"

"Whether I am making false accusations or not, His Excellency will naturally judge!"

Su Bai ignored his roaring entirely, turning instead to the commoners listening nearby and speaking loudly, "Fellow townsfolk, Your Excellencies! Since joining the Yunzhou Army, I, Su Bai, have only ever cared about defending our country and slaying demons!"

"Some time ago, I and these brothers behind me were ordered to go deep into the Yao Race's heartland on a near-certain death mission!"

"We fought bloody battles and struggled desperately, eventually fulfilling our mission by successfully burning the provisions of the Yao Race's 300,000-strong army. Furthermore, I personally slew a Foundation Establishment Stage Wolf Demon!"

At this point, he suddenly raised his voice, which was filled with grief and indignation.

"Such merits may not be world-shaking, but they are enough to console the souls of those who died in battle! However! What did we get in return?!"

"What we got was Vice General Chang Feng's harassment and suppression! Not only did he withhold the military rewards we deserved, but he also refused to help our severely wounded brothers! Even worse, after I exposed his crimes, he harbored a grudge and, last night, led his trusted subordinates with sharp blades to silence me!"

Su Bai's voice was powerful and resonant!

Every word was like a heavy hammer, smashing into the hearts of everyone present!

Burned the provisions of a 300,000-strong Yao army?

Slew a Foundation Establishment Stage Yao general in battle?

Is... is this true?

The surrounding commoners all gasped, and their gazes toward Su Bai changed instantly!

From looking at an ordinary victim to looking at a towering hero!

Meanwhile, Chang Feng panicked completely.

He hadn't expected Su Bai to dare expose everything in front of so many people!

"You're lying! This is slander! Where's the evidence? What evidence do you have?!" he roared hoarsely.

"Evidence?"

Su Bai sneered.

Just then, Zhou Zheng, who had been resting with his eyes closed, finally opened them slowly.

He didn't look at Chang Feng or Su Bai, but turned his gaze toward Ma Lie and the others.

In a calm tone, he asked faintly, "Do you have anything to say?"

Ma Lie took a step forward.

This iron-willed man now had tears in his eyes.

With a "thud," he knelt on the ground and kowtowed heavily to Zhou Zheng!

"Military Governor! Every word Squad Leader Su Bai said is the truth!"

"We went deep behind enemy lines, facing certain death! Brother Zhao Ding's heart was even invaded by Demonic Qi, and he almost lost his life! But after we returned, Vice General Chang Feng not only snatched away all the spoils we traded our lives for but also called us useless cowards who fled the battlefield!"

"If Squad Leader Su Bai hadn't risked his life to slay the Foundation Establishment Stage Wolf Demon and used the military merits he earned to save Zhao Ding's life, we... we would have died without a place for burial long ago!"

"Please, Your Excellency, seek justice for us!"

Ma Lie broke into tears, and the brothers behind him all knelt down, weeping.

This scene was incredibly impactful!

A group of iron-willed men, heroes who dared to fight the Yao Race to the death on the battlefield, were now kneeling in court, crying like children.

Their grievances and indignation moved everyone present!

The commoners were enraged!

"This is too much! He's simply not human!"

"Heroes bleed on the front lines while villains stab them in the back! Does such a person even deserve to be a Vice General?"

"Kill him! This kind of military scum must be severely punished!"

For a moment, waves of noise surged outside the county yamen!

Chang Feng's face instantly turned as pale as paper.

He knelt blankly on the ground, his mouth opening and closing, but not a single word came out.

It was over.

Everything was over.

He knew that the moment Ma Lie and the others stood up to testify, he had already lost—lost completely.

Zhou Zheng slowly stood up.

He walked to the center of the hall and personally helped Ma Lie and the others up one by one.

Then, he turned around and looked at Chang Feng with a gaze so cold it held no emotion.

"Chang Feng, what else do you have to say?"

Chang Feng's body went limp, and he collapsed completely to the ground.

...

Having dealt with the major problem of Chang Feng, Su Bai's mood didn't feel any lighter.

On the contrary, it felt even heavier.

Because he knew that Chang Feng was merely a dog pushed forward by General Qin Bei.

The real threat was the master behind that dog.

Now that he had beaten the dog, its master would likely step onto the field personally very soon.

After leaving the county yamen, Su Bai didn't go straight home; instead, he was invited to the Jiedushi Residence by Zhou Zheng once again.

This time, it was in Zhou Zheng's study.

There were only the two of them there.

"Sit."

Zhou Zheng's attitude was even more friendly than before, one might even say appreciative.

Su Bai's performance in court today had made him see him in a new light.

Brave and resourceful, able to adapt to any situation; such a talent, if he could be used, would surely achieve great things in the future.