Chapter 1260

First Volume, Chapter 1260: Feng'er Has Arrived

"Even if we're afraid, we must leave Jingji with the Qin Family—otherwise, His Majesty will soon settle accounts with my Ning Family."

"Just relying on Tianji Camp Guards and Black Guards to break out is truly unrealistic."

Xu Chang and Xu Ran, standing beside him, were merely ordinary wealthy households who had used family connections to get Xu Mo appointed to the City Patrol Office.

In terms of status and rank, they had no qualifications to stand alongside the Duke of Ning and the Marquis of Yong'an.

But now, they were all one family, so there was no longer need to cling so tightly to hierarchy and propriety.

Xu Chang leaned back against the carriage, arms crossed, and was the most relaxed of the three.

"Even if we die, our Xu Family will walk the same path as the Qin Family to the end."

"If not for Qin Feng, how could my son have achieved what he has today? One of the County Commanders of Beixi—hah, how many are envious!"

"Earlier, we received word that my son nearly sacrificed his life in Nan Jing—Qin Feng braved danger to rescue him and saved my son's life."

"Our Xu Family and Qin Family have long been intertwined—each within the other."

It was clear Xu Chang had made his peace with death—he would rather die than burden his son, Xu Mo.

Seeing this, the Marquis of Yong'an stopped complaining, since Ning Hu was also one of Beixi's County Commanders.

Xie Bi had no sons, but his daughter was the Qin Family's daughter-in-law and an Imperial Consort—this bond allowed the Xie Family to share life and death with the Qin Family.

The three Patriarchs had already come to terms with their fate; their womenfolk naturally stood united in life and death.

Since Xie Bi's wife had passed away years ago, the wives of the Ning and Xu Families, along with ten plus other women, gathered together, all adopting a resolute, death-defying stance.

One Envoy passed in the blink of an eye; Qin Tianhu personally donned armor and rushed to the First Line, preparing for a final battle with the enemy.

Under Zhang Zhonghai's repeated orders—and even threats—Zhao Li finally began commanding the Dragon Tiger Army, gradually tightening the Encirclement.

Zhao Li knew the Qin Family would not easily turn on him, so he remained at the very front of the formation, shouting repeatedly at the approaching Tianji Camp Guards.

"We were never meant to turn weapons against each other—circumstances forced us into this. If we fight, do not hold back!"

"Comrades, take care!"

Zhao Li, filled with deep reluctance, still gave the order to attack the Qin Family.

The front-line Heavy Armor soldiers began advancing steadily, their footsteps thunderous.

Opposite them, the Tianji Camp Guards stared blankly—knowing this battle meant certain death—they still firmly held their DefensiveLine, vowing to advance or die alongside the Qin Family.

"Comrades, even if we die, we die in front of the Qin Family!"

"Without the Qin King, we would have nothing today. As Tianji Camp Guards, if we cannot protect the Qin Family, we have no face left to live."

"In our next life, we will beg the Qin King's forgiveness!"

Facing an enemy force several times their own, the Tianji Camp Guards faced death without fear—the front-line soldiers raised their Great Shields, while those behind raised Chang Mao and halberds.

The Black Cavalry stood ready, prepared to launch a Cavalry Charge at any moment.

The distance between both sides shrank further—less than Fifty Steps remained!

Just as the battle was about to erupt and every heart hung at the throat's edge, the Dragon Tiger Army suddenly halted—and then retreated in slight disarray, pulling back dozens of steps.

They then broke formation, splitting the once-tight Iron Barrel Encirclement into three separate formations.

All Servant Soldiers were pushed to the center, while Armored Warriors protected the front and rear lines—every Dragon Tiger Army Soldier stood as if facing a dire enemy.

Zhao Li's expression was complex; he gazed toward the Northwest, beside him stood a panting messenger.

Just moments ago, Zhao Li received word: Qin Feng had arrived!

Zhang Zhonghai, who had been certain of victory, gnashed his molars in rage, glaring fiercely at Zhao Li, cursing inwardly.

"Damn Zhao Li—if you hadn't delayed us again and again, how could Qin Feng have returned in time?!"

"When we return to Beijing, I will personally impeach you!"

Though furious, Zhang Zhonghai could do nothing—he too turned his gaze toward the Northwest, where a dark, endless line appeared on the horizon.

Qin Tianhu and the Tianji Camp Guards were utterly stunned.

At first, they had no idea what was happening—they'd been completely encircled, unable to contact the outside world.

Until someone shouted: "Look! A force is approaching!"

At this, nearly everyone turned sharply toward the Northwest.

The dark line grew clearer as it neared—it was a dense mass of cavalry.

These cavalry were strange—not traditional Light Cavalry Corps, for their Warhorses wore no armor, yet the riders were fully armored.

As the distance shrank further, someone recognized the armor on the riders—it was Tianji Camp Guard armor. They immediately realized: the approaching force must be Qin Feng.

"The Qin King has come!"

With a wild, ecstatic roar, the once-resigned ranks erupted into frenzy.

Qin Tianhu gripped his halberd shaft tightly, staring at the approaching mass of troops—his eyes filled with shock and relief.

"Feng'er—you actually made it back!"

Xie Bi and the Marquis of Yong'an, upon hearing Qin Feng had arrived, stared at each other in disbelief—then scrambled onto the carriage, standing on the boards to peer desperately.

When they saw the approaching force from the Northwest, the three Patriarchs burst into loud laughter.

Xie Bi clenched his fist and slammed it hard against the carriage roof, roaring with excitement: "Good! Good!"

"Qin Feng, you little rascal—you never fail to surprise me."

"You covered such a long distance and still arrived in time—did you ride day and night without stopping?"

"Even a messenger couldn't endure such brutal marching."

"This boy always turns decay into wonder."

The Marquis of Yong'an yanked open the carriage curtain and shouted to his wife inside: "Madam! Qin Feng has arrived!"

Ning's wife, who had already accepted death, suddenly opened her eyes wide—so overcome with joy, her hands trembled involuntarily.

"Qin Feng is back—does that mean we're safe?"

Xu Chang also gazed at his wife with burning eyes: "Didn't I say so? No need to worry—even if the sky falls, Qin Feng will hold it up."

"Hahaha, we are Xu Mo's parents; Qin Feng and Xu Mo are sworn brothers—how could they let us die here?"

Xu's wife was overjoyed, but she shot Xu Chang a glare and grumbled, "You really know how to flatter yourself."

"Qin Feng returned to protect his father and wife and children; he's only saving you by the way—why are you so happy?"

At that moment, Li Xiaolan and Jing Qianying, supported by Xiao Xiangxiang and Shu Feng, also stepped down from the carriage.