Chapter 1264

First Volume_Chapter 1264 Sword Pointing at the Capital

With so many family and friends, Qin Feng naturally felt triumphant, as if he had not come into this world in vain.

To protect these "lovable" family members, Qin Feng was willing to risk everything, even defy heaven and earth!

Under the watchful eyes of his family and friends, Qin Feng turned resolutely toward Zhang Zhonghai, his voice ringing strong and clear across the scene.

"Master Zhang, you've seen for yourself how much these family and friends rely on me—how could I let them down?"

"Within one incense stick time, if the Dragon Tiger Army has not retreated, it will be equivalent to declaring war on the Northern Border."

"Today, here, only one of us will leave alive."

Almost as soon as the words left his mouth, Zhao Zhenhai had already deployed ten-plus Tianji Camp Guards in a fan formation, their crossbows all aimed squarely at Zhang Zhonghai.

With a single order from Qin Feng, Zhang Zhonghai could be eliminated instantly.

The Qin Family members present felt a complex mix of emotions—joy, but also tension.

The Qin Family knew that no person or force in this world could threaten their safety under Qin Feng's watch.

Although everyone understood that Qin Feng would inevitably break ties with the Liang Emperor to protect the Qin Family,

when this moment finally arrived, their hearts still tightened.

Yet Qin Feng's troops gazed at him with burning admiration.

To serve under a leader like Qin Feng was their honor; as the saying goes, a cowardly soldier makes one coward, a cowardly general makes a whole nest of cowards—under Qin Feng's command, whether Tianji Camp Guards, Black Cavalry, or even Beixi Light Cavalry, all displayed willpower and morale surpassing even the Imperial Guard.

Zhang Zhonghai felt the piercing aura radiating from Qin Feng, and the tiger-wolf elite troops before him—he too faced unprecedented pressure.

"Qin Feng, are you truly going to rebel?!"

Zhang Zhonghai nearly spat the words out through gritted teeth.

Qin Feng showed no hesitation; a roar like a tiger's echo instantly filled the entire scene.

"So what if I do?!"

"The Qin Family has served Shedynasty with tireless devotion, even sacrificing our lives—yet the Liang Emperor, to consolidate his authority, dares to turn against us!"

"Then let it be all or nothing!"

"I, Qin Feng, consider myself a loyal minister—but not a fool bound by foolish loyalty."

Sensing Qin Feng's fierce battle intent, whether Zhang Zhonghai, Zhao Li, or the Dragon Tiger Army Soldiers behind them, all understood: today's battle was inevitable.

Everyone's palms grew sweaty, especially Zhang Zhonghai, who now had crossbows from Tianji Camp Guards trained on him.

The moment hostilities began, Zhang Zhonghai would be killed.

Instantly, the Dragon Tiger Army Soldiers turned pale and began arguing fiercely.

"Are we really going to fight Qin Feng?!"

"At this point, are we still clinging to illusions? Today's battle is unavoidable!"

"Stay calm! Though Qin Feng's achievements are unmatched, he is not invincible—didn't he nearly get worn down by enemies in Nan Jing before?"

"That's… that's true. We have numerical superiority, and this is Jingji—our home ground. If we fight, we may not lose."

"This isn't about numbers—it's about morale. Don't let fear strike before the battle even begins. Rally your spirits!"

As the Dragon Tiger Army Soldiers gradually steadied their nerves, they finally mustered a sliver of courage to face Qin Feng.

The two sides stood on the brink of all-out war.

Just then, a messenger rushed breathlessly to Zhang Zhonghai and Zhao Li.

"R-report! R-report! R-report!"

"North Border Cavalry has reached Pingyao County—less than a hundred li from here!"

What?!

Zhang Zhonghai's face turned instantly ashen; as Heiyi Si Zhu Shi, he was so stunned he could not speak.

Zhao Li, as Liang's foremost Old General, remained calmer—he immediately demanded: "How many men?!"

The messenger replied quickly: "Over a thousand!"

Zhao Li frowned deeply and pressed: "Pure cavalry?"

The messenger wiped sweat from his brow: "Confirmed—pure cavalry."

Disaster!

Even Zhao Li, who had witnessed countless major events, now felt a surge of panic.

This North Border Cavalry had reached Jingji so swiftly—it must be a light cavalry corps on forced march. Though light cavalry had limited combat effectiveness and could not possibly challenge Jingji directly,

if they joined forces with Qin Feng and launched mobile guerrilla harassment to shield his main force, they would pose a grave threat.

But that wasn't the worst part!

The appearance of this North Border Light Cavalry sent a clear signal: this was merely the vanguard—more troops were coming.

Even Zhao Li couldn't help exclaiming to Qin Feng: "North Border Light Cavalry charging this way is equivalent to the Northern Border declaring war on the court! The fires of Nan Jing haven't yet died—will you now ignite war in the North as well?!"

"The people of Heaven have suffered war long enough. Qin Feng, even for the sake of the common folk, you must not drag Shedynasty into another endless war."

Hearing Zhao Li's words, everyone present finally realized: Qin Feng had not come merely to rescue his family—he had prepared for a final, mortal clash with the court.

Yet soon, they all grew calm, for this was simply Qin Feng's way.

For family and friends, he leaves no room for compromise.

Facing Zhao Li's plea, Qin Feng answered cleanly and sharply: "Whether we fight or not does not lie with me—it lies with His Majesty!"

Zhao Li's eyes dimmed. Though he now stood opposed to Qin Feng, the Zhao and Qin Families shared deep ties—he neither wished to fight the Qin Family nor see Shedynasty's people slaughtered, yet this catastrophe could not be avoided.

Zhao Li did not wish to judge, nor could he determine, who was right or wrong between the Liang Emperor and Qin Feng.

As Zhao Li wrestled with his thoughts, Zhang Zhonghai clenched his teeth, as if making a final leap: "Then we must strike swiftly!"

"Zhao Li, what are you waiting for? Give the order to attack—capture Qin Feng and the Qin Family as hostages, and the Northern Border Troops will dare not move."

Zhao Li had the same thought—now that matters had reached this point, he had no other choice.

The Qin Family and Zhao Li could only choose to remain loyal to the Liang Emperor.

As Zhao Li slowly raised his hand, the Dragon Tiger Army Vanguard behind him had already prepared for the Cavalry Charge.

Meanwhile, the Tianji Camp Guards under Qin Feng's command raised their Shields and leveled their Long Spears, ready at any moment to engage the Dragon Tiger Army in close combat.

At the critical moment, the messenger appeared before Zhao Li once again.

"Grand General, it's dire—urgent Beidi War Intelligence has arrived from the Yizhan along the route: the Northern Border Army has advanced straight in, and the nearest forces are now less than five hundred Li from the Jingji."

"According to reports from the Yizhan across the regions, the Northern Border Army has split into three columns, numbering no fewer than Ten Thousand Heavy Cavalry."