Chapter 1073: First Volume, Chapter 1073: Almost Home

First Volume, Chapter 1073: Almost Home

These dozens of heavy cavalrymen were clad entirely in black, even their capes pitch-dark—unmistakably Qin Feng's elite Black Cavalry.

Leading them was none other than the Commander of Black Cavalry, Zhao Yuxiong, who should have been stationed in Liang's rear area.

Qin Feng immediately waved his hand and ordered all troops to disarm.

Facing Qin Feng's furious yelling, Zhao Yuxiong could only look helplessly: "Brother Qin, if I hadn't kept my cool, I'd have already taken you for the enemy."

"After all this time apart, we finally meet again—and without a word, you unleash a storm of arrows."

"What did I ever do to you?"

In response to Zhao Yuxiong's complaint, Qin Feng picked up a stone from the ground and hurled it at him.

"Damn it, you've got the nerve to complain? A whole troop of cavalry suddenly appears—elite heavy armor? Anyone would panic."

"Didn't you wipe out the light cavalry we sent to intercept you?"

Zhao Yuxiong sighed, looking utterly exasperated: "They burst out of nowhere—I had no idea who they were. Thought they were disguised enemy troops. Only halfway through the fight did I realize they were ours."

"Thankfully, casualties were light."

Thinking of this, Zhao Yuxiong felt even more helpless—what right did he have to blame Qin Feng? After all, when he himself faced the sudden appearance of light cavalry, he'd panicked just as badly and instinctively ordered a counterattack.

This misunderstanding had been too grave—it nearly caused disaster.

The Tianji Camp Guards and Beixi Soldiers present all wore grim expressions; they'd almost fought their own comrades, and worse—elite against elite. Had they not recognized each other at the last moment, both sides would have suffered heavy losses.

"Why the hell did you come all the way out here? If you were coming, why not warn the Brocade Guard first? Did you really need to make such a fool of yourself?"

"Damn it, my family members were so scared they fled ahead of schedule."

Zhao Yuxiong dismounted and yanked an armor-piercing arrow from his shoulder armor with force.

"If I'd come openly with banners flying, the powerful clans of the southern border would've known I'd left—and they'd stir up trouble."

"So, besides the checkpoints along the way, very few know I've come to the border."

"Brother Qin, I just wanted to see you off for a stretch."

"How's it going in Northern Di?"

Hearing this, Qin Feng's nose tingled with emotion. Though Zhao Yuxiong's reckless act warranted court-martial, he could never punish his good comrade.

He tossed the stone he'd been clutching aside, opened his arms, and pulled Zhao Yuxiong into a tight embrace.

"Good brother, I missed you too."

"Hahahaha, you nearly scared me into peeing my pants—you owe me drinks for this!"

Zhao Yuxiong grinned widely: "I wasn't much better—I nearly got surrounded and executed as a jianxie by the local garrison."

Meanwhile, the remaining Black Cavalry dismounted and bowed to Qin Feng.

"My Lord!"

Qin Feng scanned his most precious elite troops, nodded, his eyes filled with affection: "Good, good—all good comrades."

Qin Feng said nothing about the disciplinary breach, punching Zhao Yuxiong squarely in the chest: "At least you've got some heart, coming all this way to see me off."

"But honestly, once I've settled things in Jingdu, I'll naturally join you—why rush this now?"

Zhao Yuxiong sighed softly: "Actually, it was the Grand Commandant's idea."

At this, Qin Feng's eyes lit up: "My father? What's going on?"

As he removed his heavy armor, Zhao Yuxiong suppressed his excitement and explained quietly.

"Since you're returning to Liang and plan to head straight to Jingdu, it's best to handle everything at once."

"Your status has risen so high—even if His Majesty trusts you, there will surely be those who seize the chance to stir up trouble."

"So the Three Great Generals of the Northern Border should return to Jingdu with you to submit their imperial reports, showing loyalty to His Majesty—and silence those critics."

So that was it. Qin Feng rubbed his chin, thoughtful—his father's concern wasn't unfounded.

If he was going to Jingdu anyway, he might as well get everything done at once.

Qin Feng immediately nodded: "Then we'll follow Father's decision—take the Three Great Generals with me to Jingdu for our imperial reports."

"Zhao Yuxiong, since you're here already, come with us to Jingdu. Next spring, we'll head to our garrison together."

Hearing this, Zhao Yuxiong's eyes brightened: "That's exactly what I wanted—but I feared you'd refuse."

"To be honest, after being away from home so long, I miss my parents deeply."

Qin Feng couldn't help teasing: "I see—you've turned sentimental all of a sudden."

In Qin Feng's mind, among the three Great Generals—Zhao Yuxiong, Xu Mo, and Ning Hu—Zhao Yuxiong had always been the most detached from worldly matters.

He never expected that after so long apart, Zhao Yuxiong had changed so much.

It seems everyone has grown.

As a commander, maintaining dignity is good—but beyond dignity, you must learn to win hearts. Always frowning, keeping people at arm's length—even with great talent, you'll never earn true loyalty from your subordinates.

After all, hearts are made of flesh. Constantly offering warmth to a cold back? No one can endure that.

Zhao Yuxiong's long years serving under Qin Tianhu hadn't been wasted.

Qin Feng clapped Zhao Yuxiong's strong arm and praised: "That's the spirit. Look at the Manchu Civil and Military—all ministers and generals smile every day."

"Being approachable quickly builds bonds—and creates useful confusion."

Zhao Yuxiong gave a wry chuckle: "I'll try."

Qin Feng said no more and merged his forces with Zhao Yuxiong's, advancing together along the Official Road.

Because of this misunderstanding, they'd be delayed again—first, they had to retrieve the womenfolk, then wait for the Three Great Generals to arrive.

Only three days later, after the force had reorganized, did they set out toward Jingdu.

Everyone was eager, so they galloped hard along the Official Road, cutting daily rest stops from three to one.

Had the war horses not been exhausted, they'd have skipped even that single rest.

Meanwhile, in the imperial palace of Jingdu.

The Nangong Empress strolled through the Western Flower Hall, dusted in white, admiring the uniquely elegant winter snowscape.

Yesterday, a heavy snowfall visited the Liang Capital; though it came swiftly and departed just as quickly, its intensity was great, turning the entire capital into a sea of white.

The Nangong Empress rarely left her Bedchamber; her sudden appearance today was an exception.

"I hear Qin Feng has already entered the realm?" the Nangong Empress asked lightly, as if speaking to herself.

The maid who had always followed behind hurried to reply: "The last scout's message reported that Qin Feng had already crossed the border; he should now be only seven or eight days' journey from the capital."

Upon hearing this, the Nangong Empress nodded slightly: "I must do something…"