Chapter Forty-Two: Justice on the Spot!

“It is truly beyond imagination—a mere security regiment commander, yet he can wield absolute power over the entire Qingyuan County. In the past, I wouldn’t have dared to believe it, but today, Hei Kui, you’ve really opened my eyes!” Chen Qingzhi laughed in fury, sneering as he spoke.

Though his words were accompanied by laughter, anyone could detect the murderous intent lurking beneath them—it was almost palpable.

Hei Kui, meanwhile, had been terrified into silence, collapsing onto the ground with a deathly pale face, utterly pitiful.

Yet Chen Qingzhi remained unmoved, his voice cold: “Hei Kui, your time has come!”

With a sweeping gesture, he commanded, “Tiger, drag Hei Kui out and execute him immediately!”

“Yes, sir!” Tiger responded, stepping forward to seize Hei Kui and haul him toward the door. Hei Kui was limp, like a pile of rotten mud, offering no resistance.

Moments later, a gunshot rang out from outside.

At that moment, Chen Qingzhi summoned a soldier and instructed, “Ride back at once. Bring reinforcements. Seize control of the security regiment immediately. Remember, if there’s any resistance, execute them on the spot!”

“Afterward, thoroughly screen everyone in the regiment. Anyone guilty of wrongdoing, anyone who has oppressed the people—execute them without mercy!”

“Yes, sir!”

The soldier saluted, his answer sharp and resolute.

Soon after, Tiger returned to report, “Commander, that bastard has been dealt with.”

Hearing this, Chen Qingzhi’s expression eased slightly.

Hei Kui was a true scoundrel and disgrace.

Since arriving at Qingyuan County, Chen Qingzhi had sought to inquire about the security regiment commander. To his surprise, even random passersby spoke with grief and indignation—the tales of Hei Kui’s cruelty were endless.

Chen Qingzhi had been furious from the outset, which was why he had stormed in, leading to the scene before him.

Now, with Hei Kui executed, Liu Zhian, standing to the side, was still in shock.

He stared at the unfolding events, struggling to believe what he saw was real.

Hei Kui, who had overshadowed him for more than two years, was dead?

Hei Kui, once all-powerful in Qingyuan County, had been executed just like that?

Though it seemed impossible, Hei Kui’s corpse lay at the doorway, silently testifying to the reality of it all.

Liu Zhian drew a sharp breath, his eyes flickering with horror.

Hei Kui’s death was a tremendous shock to him.

Although Liu Zhian knew Hei Kui was a mere insignificant figure to Chen Qingzhi, easily dispatched, it was a different matter for himself.

Since his appointment to Qingyuan County two years ago, he had been sidelined by Hei Kui, forced to endure threats and coercion, always meek and submissive.

Even though Liu Zhian wished to resist and change his circumstances, he was powerless.

He was merely a county magistrate without real authority, while Hei Kui, as the security regiment commander, commanded over three hundred men and more than a hundred rifles.

Even the police bureau, his only armed force, was under Hei Kui’s control. What could he possibly use to confront Hei Kui?

Thus, he had always been at Hei Kui’s mercy.

But today, witnessing Hei Kui’s execution, Liu Zhian felt a sudden sense of unreality.

For a moment, he was dazed.

“County Magistrate Liu? County Magistrate Liu?” As he drifted, a voice reached his ears. Liu Zhian snapped back to awareness, recognizing the young, uncommonly youthful commander addressing him.

He quickly clasped his hands in respect and said, “I am Liu Zhian, county magistrate of Qingyuan County. Greetings, Commander! May I ask your unit’s designation?”

Chen Qingzhi smiled. “No need to call me Commander; I do not deserve the title. You are in civil administration, I in the military. Our duties differ—there is no hierarchy between us.” He paused, then continued, “My name is Chen Qingzhi. I currently serve as the commander of the Independent Composite Zhongzheng Brigade under the Fifteenth Army Group.”

Commander of the Independent Composite Brigade!

Hearing this, Liu Zhian was stunned.

He glanced at Chen Qingzhi’s youthful appearance, finding it hard to believe that someone so young could be appointed such a position.

Though not a soldier himself, Liu Zhian had some understanding of the military.

The Fifteenth Army Group was the most elite of the Central Army, under the command of General Chen Cheng. The Independent Composite Brigade was not an ordinary unit—it was a full-strength, reinforced brigade, far superior in combat capability to regular ones.

Generally, any unit in the Central Army with an independent designation was known for its fighting prowess.

Moreover, this particular brigade bore the name Zhongzheng.

In the Republic, who did not know the weight of that name?

Liu Zhian could not help but be astonished.

Hearing Chen Qingzhi’s name, Liu Zhian suddenly found it familiar, as if he had heard it before. Frowning in thought, he abruptly looked up and exclaimed, “Is it possible—could you be Chen Qingzhi, the commander who, on the Nanjing battlefield, annihilated an entire Japanese regiment with a single battalion and killed Lieutenant General Tani Shoufu, the commander of the Sixth Division?!”

He finally recalled why the name seemed familiar.

He had just read about it in the newspapers a few days prior, so Chen Qingzhi’s name was fresh in his memory.

He hadn’t connected the dots before, but now, realizing the truth, Liu Zhian felt waves of shock rise within.

To think—it was actually Chen Qingzhi!

Now, Chen Qingzhi’s name was renowned throughout the Republic; anyone who followed the war’s progress knew of him.

Chen Qingzhi smiled and nodded. “That would be me.”

Receiving confirmation, Liu Zhian was both astonished and delighted.

He was amazed that such a celebrated figure would visit Qingyuan County.

He was delighted to meet a hero like Chen Qingzhi up close—it filled him with happiness.

“It is an honor for our Qingyuan County to welcome Commander Chen! Though, regrettably, you have encountered such troubles here—I am afraid we have made a poor impression.” Liu Zhian spoke with a wry smile.

“There are evildoers everywhere. In these turbulent times, those with guns and power can easily become local tyrants. For a scholar like yourself, County Magistrate Liu, to maintain your integrity under Hei Kui’s threats and remain true to your principles—I greatly admire that,” Chen Qingzhi replied with a smile.

“Let us leave the past behind,” Liu Zhian said, bowing again and clasping his hands. “Commander Chen, by executing Hei Kui, you have saved the people of Qingyuan County from their suffering. I offer you my sincere thanks!”

“As a soldier, it is my duty to protect the country and ensure the safety of its people. There is no need for thanks,” Chen Qingzhi replied.