Chapter 30: Framing and False Accusations

Chapter 30: Chapter 30: Framing and False Accusations

The night of drinking and candid conversation was the happiest evening that Qin Ze had experienced since his transmigration.

The following morning, Qin Ze woke up early and made his way towards the Qin residence.

The experience of slaughtering livestock at the Seventh-Rank Slaughterhouse as a Martial Practitioner now held little significance for him, and he had grown weary of the routine. Meanwhile, the butchers at the slaughterhouse in the eastern part of the city had been struggling without Qin Ze's swift knife skills, drowning in work.

The early morning streets were deserted and quiet.

As Qin Ze approached the Qin residence, the servants who were busy cleaning saw him and their eyes lit up. They quickly rushed forward, smiling broadly and bowing respectfully. "Young Master has returned," they greeted.

Qin Ze nodded slightly, taking in the grandeur of the surrounding courtyards and mansions. "Which way is the Library?" he asked.

One of the servants immediately dropped his broom, hunched his back, and scurried to Qin Ze's side. "Young Master, allow me to show you the way."

Qin Ze sneered inwardly. The Qin servants had never treated him like this before. Memories of being bullied and humiliated by them lingered in his mind. Now, seeing their obsequious faces, he couldn't help but show a cold smile and speak with authority, "Well? Don't you know how to lead the way?"

His tone carried a hint of anger, but the servant didn't take offense. Instead, he smiled even wider, hunched his back, and led the way.

Qin Ze followed leisurely, overhearing whispers from other servants.

"Ah, Xiao Sanzi beat us to it."

"Young Master Qin Ze is now the most favored talent in the Qin family. It's said he hunted down a Fifth-Rank beast..."

"He came in first at the Autumn Hunt Competition, accumulating points almost twice as many as Qin Feng's."

"Young Master Qin Ze was always a genius. What right does Qin Feng have to compare?"

"Exactly, Young Master Qin Ze is truly a dragon among men."

...

The praise grew increasingly exaggerated. Qin Ze's status and position had undergone a remarkable transformation. Anyone who dared to cross him was essentially crossing the Qin family.

"Ah, yes, the first prize of the Autumn Hunt Competition," Qin Ze replied, maintaining his respectful demeanor and a genuinely sincere expression on his face. He appeared as harmless as a lamb, concealing the cunning schemes brewing within his mind from even the most discerning eyes.

As Qin Ze grew more deferential, Qin Xiao felt increasingly important and exalted, his tone becoming haughty. "Rewards, huh? What kind of rewards are we talking about?"

As the guardian of the library, Qin Xiao's authority was severely limited. Apart from escorting individuals into the library, he didn't even have the privilege to peruse the lower-tier manuals, let alone acquire advanced ones. Qin Ze, of course, was well aware of this.

"I have the right to select three manuals. I'll give you one. Who dares to object?" Qin Ze declared with a heroic air, his words ringing with righteousness, painting a picture of naive generosity. Qin Xiao's heart swelled with joy at the prospect.

If he kept it a secret, who would ever know that Qin Ze had gifted him a manual?

"Are you serious?" Qin Xiao asked, incredulous, staring intently at Qin Ze.

"It's only natural for a nephew to show respect to his uncle. Do you think I'm lying?" Qin Ze thrust the 'Barbarian Wilderness Divine Fist' into Qin Xiao's arms.

Overjoyed, Qin Xiao glanced around nervously, ensuring no one was watching, before swiftly tucking the manual into his robes and donning a sly grin.

With a nonchalant air, Qin Ze pretended nothing had happened and walked to the other side of the library, leaving Qin Xiao stunned in place, his heart pounding with excitement and gratitude towards Qin Ze.

Shortly after, Qin Ze chose his manuals, walked to the registration desk, completed the formalities, and promptly left the library.

As Qin Xiao basked in his newfound joy, he casually flipped through Qin Ze's registration records, only to feel as if his head had exploded. The ledger clearly stated three manuals.

"Didn't he only have the right to choose three? If he gave me one, he should only be able to take two..."

"But he's taking three, and there's still one more..."

"Oh no..."

Just as he was about to return the 'Barbarian Wilderness Divine Fist,' a patrol team arrived in full force, with Qin Ze standing nearby, a triumphant smirk on his face.

"Qin Xiao, how dare you steal an upper-grade manual from the library! Arrest him and search him thoroughly!"

"Yes, sir!"

Qin Xiao, a mere eighth-rank warrior, paled at the sight of the patrol team, each member more formidable than him. His legs turned to jelly as he shouted, "I didn't steal it! It was Qin Ze, Qin Ze did it!"

The patrol team swiftly retrieved the 'Barbarian Wilderness Divine Fist' from his robes, and Patrol Leader Qin Yan, without hesitation, kicked him hard and shouted, "For stealing an upper-grade manual, arrest him immediately and imprison him in the cliffs at the rear mountain, awaiting the patriarch's judgment!"

"Yes, sir!"

Qin Xiao promptly fainted from fear.

Qin Ze, filled with elation, sang a tune incomprehensible to passersby as he strode away, leaving a trail of mischief in his wake.