Chapter 1124

First Volume, Chapter 1124: Lord Qin Has Returned

The civilians lining both sides of the street erupted in excitement.

They had long heard of Qin Feng's many great deeds: he had crushed the Di, eradicated the Chen Clan, and forced the Di King to commit suicide for his country.

Before this, the people had never dared to imagine such feats.

Now, Qin Feng had turned all of it into reality himself.

How could the people not be moved?

Their gazes toward Qin Feng burned with intensity; they clenched their fists, breathed heavily, as if they already saw him as a true immortal descending from heaven.

"Lord Qin! You've finally returned—Liang cannot do without you!"

"Hahaha! I've finally seen Lord Qin again—tell me, among all the youth of Jingdu, how many can match Lord Qin's martial grandeur?"

"You're talking nonsense! Even among court ministers and generals, who could possibly rival Lord Qin?"

"Exactly! Just winning the National War and overthrowing the Di regime alone is enough to secure his name in the History Books and make him our Shedynasty's War God."

"I never thought one day Shedynasty would truly crush the Di beneath its feet—hahaha! No wonder it's Lord Qin!"

"What do you mean 'crush beneath its feet'? Don't speak carelessly—don't you know the relationship between the new Nü Huang of Di and Lord Qin?"

"Tomorrow is the Da Huo of Lord Qin with our Da Liang Ming Yue Princess and the Bei Di Nü Huang—keep your mouths shut and don't stir up trouble."

Under the blazing gaze of the crowd, Qin Feng dismounted and walked forward on foot.

This act sent another wave of excitement through the crowd.

"Look! Lord Qin has dismounted!"

"Not just Lord Qin—Zhao Yuxiong and the Black Cavalry have dismounted too."

"Good heavens! At his current status and power, Lord Qin still adheres so strictly to protocol—this is truly rare and precious."

"Hmph, I've told you all before—Lord Qin is no ordinary man. No matter how strong he becomes, he never oversteps his bounds."

"That's precisely why His Majesty trusts him so deeply."

Qin Feng marched forward steadily, with Zhao Yuxiong and others, advancing step by step under the Heroes' Welcome of the people.

Though Qin Feng's heart raced to return home, before going to the Qin Family, he must first enter the palace for an Imperial Audience.

This act was not only to soothe the Liang Emperor, but also to calm the hearts of all Heaven's people.

After all, too many people were now loudly spreading the phrase "Two Emperors."

Though these people may not have meant harm, such words were still painfully sharp in the Liang Emperor's ears.

Qin Feng intended to make everyone know—he was a subject, and always would be.

As for how long "always" lasts, that depended not on Qin Feng, but on the Liang Emperor.

Zhao Yuxiong, watching the passionate crowd, stood tall and straight, feigning calm, yet whispered to Qin Feng: "Qin Brother, I've never seen such a scene."

"I never imagined our return to the city would cause such a commotion."

Though Zhao Yuxiong's nature was detached, his lips still couldn't help curling upward—he felt immense pride.

Recalling when he once accompanied his father to visit the Qin Family, everything felt as if it had just happened.

Zhao Yuxiong sighed inwardly: the wisest decision of his life was to serve Qin Feng.

If this isn't glory for his lineage, what is?

He, as Main General of Beixi and Commander of Black Cavalry, held low ranks—especially in Jingdu, where if you threw a brick, nine out of ten people hit would outrank him.

Yet these two titles of his were worth more than Jinshan Yingshan.

Not just Zhao Yuxiong—even the Black Cavalry behind him stood tall, their brows brimming with pride.

"Heh, never thought we'd be seen as heroes by the people of Jingdu."

"What, aren't we heroes?"

"Hahaha, keep it down—don't embarrass Lord Qin."

"But isn't this a bit too showy? The Tianji Camp Guards and the Brocade Uniform Guards have equal military merits."

"Now we're getting a Heroes' Welcome, while the Tianji Camp Guards and Brocade Uniform Guards are silent—isn't that unfair?"

"Hehehe, I can't help that."

Among Qin Feng's three major organizations—the Tianji Camp Guards, the Brocade Uniform Guards, and the Black Cavalry—though close-knit, there was an underlying rivalry.

Each believed itself to be Qin Feng's premier elite force.

Now that the Black Cavalry received the Heroes' Welcome while the other two brother units sat idle, the Black Cavalry couldn't be happier.

As Qin Feng headed toward the imperial palace,

the news had already reached the Imperial Study.

"Your Majesty, the Marquis has returned!"

"He's entered the city and is advancing toward the palace."

Zhang Xiuye's voice echoed repeatedly through the Imperial Study.

The Liang Emperor raised an eyebrow, irritated: "What's all this shouting? Unbecoming!"

At the Liang Emperor's rebuke, Zhang Xiuye immediately bowed his head and lowered his voice: "In half a Envoy, the Marquis will enter the palace."

Hearing this, the Liang Emperor frowned in confusion.

"He's already entered the city—why so long before reaching the palace?"

"Could Qin Feng be going home first to reunite with his family?"

Zhang Xiuye shook his head vigorously and explained: "Your Majesty, Lord Qin has no intention of returning to the Qin Family—he's coming straight here."

"The delay is because, upon entering the city, Lord Qin dismounted and is walking on foot toward us."

The Liang Emperor first frowned, then burst into laughter.

He was stunned—never had he imagined that at his current status, Qin Feng would still be so humble.

You should know that given Qin Feng's achievements, not to mention riding a horse through the streets, even if he entered the main hall, he could forgo bowing to the Emperor.

Yet Qin Feng always kept firmly in mind that he was a subject.

Even Emperor Liang was deeply moved, recalling how that once fearless, reckless brat who seemed like a demon king had now become so mature and steady.

"This kid... has completely become a real man who can stand tall between heaven and earth."

"Though laden with extraordinary honors, he remains neither arrogant nor impatient. I truly like him more and more."

"According to protocol, when a hero returns triumphant, I should personally welcome him and host a feast in his honor."

"However..."

"Qin Feng's gesture is a declaration to all the people under heaven that this Great Liang has only one sovereign. If I were too warm, it would actually be inappropriate."

"Since Qin Feng wishes to help me establish my authority, I naturally should do my utmost to cooperate."

Zhang Xiuye immediately understood the Emperor's meaning and said with a light smile: "Your Majesty, please return to the palace first to change. I will go at once and give orders to have the Imperial Guard throw open the palace gates."

"Marquis Qin will enter the palace through the main Azure Dragon Gate, and Your Majesty will receive him in the main hall. This conforms to protocol, establishes authority, and does not slight Marquis Qin."

【61】 Knowing Qin Feng's achievements, let alone riding a horse through the streets, even entering the Grand Hall, he need not bow to the Liang Emperor.

【62】 Yet Qin Feng always remembered he was a subject.

【63】 Even the Liang Emperor was deeply moved, recalling the reckless, devil-may-care brat who once seemed like a demon of chaos, now transformed into such a composed and steady man.

【64】 "This boy… has become a true man of honor and resolve."

【65】 "Though adorned with every honor, he remains humble and unruffled—I grow fonder of him by the day."

【66】 "By protocol, when a hero returns victorious, I should personally welcome him and cleanse him of his journey's dust."

【67】 "But…"

【68】 "Qin Feng's action is a declaration to the people of Heaven: this Shedynasty has only one sovereign. If I show too much warmth, it would be inappropriate."

【69】 "Since Qin Feng wishes to help me establish authority, I must naturally lend him full support."

【70】 Zhang Xiuye immediately understood the Liang Emperor's intent and smiled lightly: "Your Majesty, return to the Palace first to change your robes. I shall go at once and order the Imperial Guard to open the Palace Gate wide."

【71】 "Lord Qin enters through the Qinglong Main Gate, and Your Majesty receives him in the Grand Hall—this follows protocol, establishes authority, and still does not slight Lord Qin."