You don't want your secret to be revealed by others, right?

Lin Yue's words sent shockwaves through the hall. Everyone looked incredulously at the young man seated at the head of the table. What was this important figure of the Xiahong Clan thinking? The gift from the governor's mansion was clearly the most valuable, consisting of nine Essence Pearls, and they had even scolded Lin Yue on behalf of Young Master Xia Lie. Why was their entire family to be executed? The Qingdu Prefectural Governor's family turned deathly pale in an instant, hardly daring to believe their own ears. "It is possible," said Baili Fengzhi, glancing at the Qingdu Prefectural Governor's family. "With your status, killing a minor local official isn't much trouble, but the Patrol Envoy will arrive soon, and this might affect his impression of you." "I see," Lin Yue stroked his chin, nodding slightly. "Alright, then we'll wait for the Patrol Envoy to leave before proceeding with the execution." He turned to the governor's mansion family with a grin. "Let your family live a few more days; enjoy the time with your family and consort, send them out of the city afterwards. Who knows, you might leave some descendants behind." This was indeed how Xia Lie should behave. A chilling shiver ran through everyone present. Publicly declaring the execution of a whole family, allowing them to spend time with their families, and even allowing the consort to leave some descendants? "No..." The Qingdu Prefectural Governor suddenly knelt down, his face ashen as he spoke, "Young Master Xia Lie, has my Xu Family displeased you in any way? If so, it must be a misunderstanding. Please see clearly, my Xu Family holds nothing but admiration for you, how could we dare to offend?" Xu Mingli was also frightened, his legs trembling, he knelt down involuntarily. He looked up, his voice quivering slightly. "Young Master Xia Lie, did I say something wrong? Last month, my Xu Family revealed the true identity of Priest Tu to assist you, even if that clue didn't help you, you wouldn't exterminate my entire family, would you?" "The less you speak, the less annoyed I get," Lin Yue coldly glanced at him. "It's because of your misleading information that Commander Baili couldn't find me in time, and she even got involved with a high-ranking member of the Shenxiao Sect." He paused, then scoffed, "Moreover, Lin Yue, a mere mortal, is able to bring this young master to this predicament, and you think you have the right to insult me?" The perfect Xia Lie demeanor. Baili Fengzhi found herself at a loss for words. However, whether it was Xia Lie or Lin Yue, either of them would have acted in the same way. After all, the Qingdu governor's mansion clearly intended to have Priest Tu killed this time. "This..." Xu Mingli seemed to be falling apart, gritting his teeth he said, "Our Xu Family didn't mean to offend you at all, just because of this, you want to exterminate my entire family?" Lin Yue couldn't be bothered to respond, simply saying nonchalantly, "Have his legs broken." Baili Fengzhi nodded, "Yes." She then called softly, "Men, break his legs." Two Personal Guards entered from the door, one grabbed Xu Mingli, and the other prepared to break his legs with a sheathed saber. "Hold on." The Qingdu Prefectural Governor couldn't hold back and spoke, "Young Master Xia Lie, although I'm not aware of offending you, surely you owe me an explanation?" "Stop for now," Lin Yue glanced at him and sighed, "The heart of a parent is pitiful. The young master cannot bear to see such tragic scenes or hear such screams." He waved his sleeve, "Drag him out before breaking his legs, and make sure it's far enough so I can't hear." The Qingdu Prefectural Governor was stunned by these words, then slumped to the ground, seeming to age a decade in an instant. Compared to his almost disheartened calm, his three sons were much more agitated. Particularly Xu Mingli, whose indignant roar, if he had been dragged out a bit later, might have even extended to cursing Xia Lie's ancestors. Lin Yue didn't care. At a time like this, Xia Lie's unpredictable madness was indeed useful. Even if he didn't replace Xia Lie originally, he had planned to deal with the governor's family eventually. If not for the governor's family dragging Priest Tu into this, he wouldn't have stood a chance of surviving this time. After the governor's family was escorted out of the Observatory Tower, Lin Yue then turned to Baili Fengzhi, "Seal off the governor's mansion, then have someone investigate. This kind of official, who after a few years accumulates hundreds of thousands of gold, according to the law should be raided, imprisoned, and dying in jail isn't unusual, right?" "To amass so much, the involvement must be significant," Baili Fengzhi spoke softly. "That's not my concern," Lin Yue lazily looked at the people in the hall, smiling, "I, the young master, am of a compassionate heart. I cannot bear to see such exploitative officials alive. In a moment of weakness, I acted, and I hope you all won't take it amiss." The people in the hall could only manage a forced smile, praising him with insincere compliments such as "the master is just," "the master is upright," and "we disdain such company." Among those present who have reached this point, none could swear on their conscience that they were clean. After all, they had long lost their conscience. "Having said so much, this young master is tired now. Please, see yourselves out." Lin Yue waved his sleeve, dismissing them. After everyone left, only Lin Yue and Baili Fengzhi remained in the Observatory Tower. "Your Highness." Baili Fengzhi suddenly spoke, "The Patrol Envoy sent by the Imperial Family will arrive within a day or two at the latest. Are you sure you don't need to prepare any further?"