"Qin law is heartless." Following a moment of silence, Huan Yi said. These weren't his words, but rather a common saying in the Barbarian Lands, a saying that only got more widespread following the Primordial Evil's return.
Of all barbarian states, Qin had always possessed the most unforgiving legalist system, believing in an ideal where all became equal before the law. Of course, power and influence made that ideal a childish fantasy. But this didn't change the fact that, for thousands of years, the Kings of Qin went to great lengths to strengthen the law and empower their magistrates—creating a nation where even powerful nobles, princes and generals became wary of offending the law.
A fine example was the current king's own little brother, famous for getting executed by the previous king due to refusing to denounce his favorite retainer's mishandling of a royal decree.