Chapter 1136: First Volume, Chapter 1136: Master and Servant Finally Reunite

First Volume, Chapter 1136: Master and Servant Finally Reunite

One of the young women, around twenty, cursed the loudest—she had only just married her husband less than half a year ago, and had been working in the fields when she was suddenly snatched away.

By the time she realized what was happening, she was already tied to a cart, heading north.

At first, she and her husband tried to resist, but… these damned bandits had threatened them.

If they dared to flee, they would slaughter every last member of her family.

For the past half-month, the young woman had clung to the hope that this was all just a nightmare, and that she would wake up soon.

Until she watched her husband kneel on the ground and be mercilessly cut down like a stray dog—only then did she accept her fate.

No miracle would come!

These bandits had traveled thousands of miles, enduring hardship, just to bring them here to kill them!

The young woman's eyes burned red as she stared fiercely at the Little Commander and shouted: "What crime have we committed?"

"Even if you're going to kill us, why bring us here?"

The Little Commander's gaze was icy: "Since you're about to die, I'll show you some mercy—let you die with your eyes open."

"You fifty women—all your heads—are a gift from the Governor to Qin Feng."

A gift?!

Learning the full truth, the young woman wanted to tear these bandits apart alive—but her hands and feet were bound, and she couldn't move.

Even if she could move, what could a mere woman do?

At that moment, a soldier leered at the young woman, then turned to the Little Commander.

"Commander, this little wife is still pretty—killing her outright would be such a waste."

"This journey north is long, and to avoid attention, we didn't even stop at county cities—we've been wandering nonstop. The men are exhausted."

"If we could have some relief now, it wouldn't be for nothing."

The Little Commander didn't want trouble—he only needed to kill them quickly, dump the bodies on the Official Road, and let word reach Qin Feng as soon as possible; then his mission would be done.

But if he allowed his men to commit such vile acts… he feared delays might bring change.

Yet…

This was precisely his dilemma.

After all, they were already beyond Nan Jing's control—his safe return to Nan Jing depended on his men's loyalty.

If he angered them over these doomed sheep, even if he completed his mission, whether he'd survive to return to Nan Jing was uncertain.

Realizing the stakes, the Little Commander reluctantly compromised.

"This place is extremely close to Fuyun County City—someone could show up at any moment."

"Though no one's been seen within five li ahead or behind, we can't delay more than half a Envoy."

Hearing this, the soldier beamed and slapped his chest: "Hehehe, I'm always quick—I won't need half a Envoy."

After saying that, the soldier rushed toward the young woman.

The young woman, already broken, faced this final humiliation before death—gazing at her husband's still-warm corpse, she screamed and cursed with all her strength, useless and desperate.

Though bound, she twisted and struggled violently.

The soldier, frustrated by her resistance, punched her mouth—her Men Ya loosened, blood gushing.

Then he grabbed her hair and dragged her to the roadside.

The other soldiers, seeing this, wasted no time—yanking six more young women from the group, they dragged them toward the Cao Cong.

Too many wolves, too little meat—since they couldn't each have one, they'd share one woman as a pack.

Around the Official Road, thick, acrid bloodstink mingled with horrific screams and wails.

Originally, all fifty "captives" were to be beheaded, their heads presented as gifts for Qin Feng's wedding.

But these soldiers had become beasts—after raping the women, they slaughtered them randomly in the wild grass.

Fifty lives vanished in an instant.

The Little Commander picked up a severed head, placing the prewritten letter beneath it.

"Done!"

"No more delays—back to camp immediately. This place is far from Gusu City, and without the Merchant Caravan as cover, if we're spotted by officials, we'll all die here."

The soldiers, having satisfied their lust, were content and didn't hesitate—they followed the Little Commander, driving the cart away in the opposite direction.

Just after a stick of incense burned out, a grandfather and his young grandson, collecting manure, passed by on the Official Road.

Seeing the corpses scattered everywhere, the grandson fainted on the spot.

The Village Elder, though he'd lived many years, had never seen such a horrifying sight—he slung the boy onto his back and trembled as he ran to Fuyun County to report it.

…

By evening, the Qin Family mansion was packed with guests, buzzing with noise.

Nearly half the nobles and elites of Jingdu had come, cramming the estate so tightly it was nearly impassable.

Originally, only the Front Courtyard was set for banquets—but so many guests arrived that even the Back Courtyard was filled with tables and chairs.

Guests clinked cups, laughed, and toasted merrily.

Qin Feng stood at the Fu Men, greeting late-arriving dignitaries.

By now, three servants had lost their voices from shouting announcements—no pause in the calls.

New servants stepped in, shouting loudly again.

"Vice Minister of Revenue, here to offer congratulations!"

"Minister of Works Langzhong, here to offer congratulations!"

"Deputy Minister of Zongzheng Temple, here to offer congratulations!"

"Minister of Court of Imperial Stud, here to offer congratulations!"

Qin Feng bowed with a smile, though inside he felt so miserable he wanted to die.

Today was supposed to be a day of great joy, and he should have been happy, but receiving guests—this ritual—was for Qin Feng more exhausting than fighting on the Battlefield.

If he weren't the groom, Qin Feng would have long since slipped away.

At that moment, the servant took a gift list and read it out loud.

"Deputy Supervisor of Tianji Camp, Qin Xiaofu, comes to offer congratulations."

"Gift of White Silver, Five Thousand Liang."

At first, Qin Feng didn't react, mechanically returning the bow, until that familiar voice rang out—only then did he snap back to awareness.

He looked up and saw a familiar face come into view.

Qin Xiaofu stood outside the door, already reduced to a weeping mess.

"Master!"

"Master!"

"Master!"

Qin Xiaofu shouted "Master!" three times in a row, then rushed forward, fell to his knees before Qin Feng, sobbing uncontrollably and banging his head on the ground.

"Master, your servant has finally seen you again."

Once the Qin Family's servant, he now radiated confidence, dressed in luxurious brocade, every gesture exuding nobility.

Yet deep down, Qin Xiaofu remained Qin Feng's most loyal "dog's paw."