Chapter 102

Chapter 102: The Qin Family’s Mad Dog

Dai Qun, a Level 45 professional and considered a City Lord-level powerhouse, felt chills coursing through his entire body. His limbs trembled uncontrollably as fear took hold.

Despite his efforts to calm himself, his voice quivered as he spoke. “What law have I broken? What reason do you have to arrest me?”

Ou Yue smiled faintly, taking out an arrest warrant and showing it to Dai Qun. “You should know very well what you’ve done.”

Though Ou Yue’s lips curled into a smile, his eyes were devoid of any warmth. He didn’t bother with pleasantries and simply gestured to his subordinates. The inspectors behind him moved in, quickly restraining Dai Qun.

Seeing this, everyone in the meeting hall knew that Dai Qun was finished.

As the head of the Statistics Division, Dai Qun held a high-ranking position. Normally, the Ministry of Supervision would not target someone of his level. However, once they decided to act, it meant complete ruination.

A trace of despair appeared on Dai Qun’s face. He knew exactly what he had done—he had secretly aided the Ye family. But how had he been exposed?

Over the years, he had hidden his actions meticulously. Nearly two decades had passed, and the empire’s vigilance regarding the Ye family had slackened. Why had it resurfaced now?

The meeting hall was silent. Thousands of people sat in stunned silence, their gazes fixed on the ashen-faced Dai Qun.

Many silently speculated about what the Statistics Division head could have done to provoke such a reaction. Meanwhile, a few individuals in the room turned visibly pale.

The inspectors began calling out names from a list.

“Ni Shen of the Third Section, Statistics Division, Ministry of Civil Affairs!”

“Ran Chengye of the Third Section, Statistics Division, Ministry of Civil Affairs!”

“Ma He of the First Section, Review Division, Ministry of Civil Affairs!”

One after another, mid- and low-ranking officials from the Ministry of Civil Affairs stood up, their faces filled with fear and despair, as they were escorted away by the inspectors.

The list in Ou Yue’s hands seemed like a death warrant. Whoever’s name was called was doomed.

The hall was thick with an oppressive atmosphere. Those whose names were called rose shakily, some losing control of their bladders from sheer terror as they were dragged away in utter humiliation.

Everyone knew that being taken by the Ministry of Supervision meant, at best, a life spent rotting in prison. Who wouldn’t be terrified?

Most of the attendees sat frozen in their seats, pale-faced and stiff with fear, praying that their name wouldn’t be called next. Older attendees trembled visibly.

Many of them had lived through the great purge following the Ye family’s extermination two decades prior. Was another great purge beginning?

Jiang Kang, the highest-ranking official of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, watched the scene with a grim expression. Having so many of his subordinates taken away in the middle of a meeting was a severe blow to his authority.

He spoke in a deep voice, “How many people does your Ministry of Supervision intend to take? I will be asking Sheng Junchen exactly what he thinks he’s doing!”

Ou Yue’s smile faded slightly at Jiang Kang’s outburst. As the head of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Jiang Kang was one of the empire’s top officials, a man of immense power and influence. His anger was not something even a senior inspector like Ou Yue could withstand lightly.

With a low voice, Ou Yue replied, “This is an order from the Cardinal Council.”

At the mention of the Cardinal Council, Jiang Kang’s expression froze, his eyes flickering with suspicion and unease. “The Chancellor?”

He knew Sheng Junchen was nothing more than a rabid dog raised by the Qin family. Clearly, this entire operation was orchestrated by the Qin family.

Understanding this, Jiang Kang’s fury vanished entirely. He returned to his seat on the main stage, adopting a contemplative posture as though pondering his next steps.

The roll call continued for nearly an hour. In addition to Dai Qun, over seventy officials were arrested, nearly emptying the Statistics Division of personnel.

This incident would undoubtedly send shockwaves through the imperial bureaucracy, sparking a political earthquake in the capital. Many feared this was only the beginning.

—

Dai Qun sat alone in an interrogation room at the Ministry of Oversight. Despite his arrest, his high status ensured he wasn’t mistreated. The room was stark, containing only two chairs, a table, and several surveillance cameras.

His face was dark with worry as he struggled to determine how he had been exposed. He had hidden his actions well over the years. What had gone wrong?

The door opened, and several inspectors entered. One of them, a rotund middle-aged man with a deceptively amiable demeanor, sat across from Dai Qun and smiled warmly.

“Director Dai, I apologize for the rudeness of my subordinates.”

Seeing the seemingly harmless man, Dai Qun’s face went pale. This man was Sheng Junchen, the infamous executioner and mad dog of the empire—the head of the Ministry of Supervision.

Despite his genial appearance, Sheng Junchen was known for his ruthless, cold-blooded methods. Countless officials had been destroyed under his hand.

Even though Dai Qun had mentally prepared himself, he couldn’t suppress a sense of dread in Sheng Junchen’s presence.

“Minister Sheng, why has the Ministry of Supervision brought me here?” Dai Qun asked, taking a deep breath and feigning composure.

Sheng Junchen waved a hand dismissively, his grin widening. “Old Dai, we’ve shared a few meals together before. Let’s not beat around the bush. I just have one question.”

Leaning forward, his fleshy face close to Dai Qun’s, he asked eagerly, “Who else from the Ye family is still alive? Write me a list, and I’ll personally send you back to your office as the head of the Statistics Division. How about it?”

Hearing the mention of the Ye family, every hair on Dai Qun’s body stood on end. His heart sank. It was true—they had discovered the secret he’d worked so hard to conceal.

Despair consumed him. Sheng Junchen’s reputation ensured that any attempt to resist would be futile, and his time in the Ministry of Oversight would be a living hell.

Yet, recalling Ye Buxiu’s life-saving kindness from years ago, Dai Qun clenched his jaw and responded, “What are you talking about? I don’t understand. I know nothing about the Ye family!”