Chapter 1276

First Volume, Chapter 1276: Shen Qingci Meets with an Accident

After so many years, Qin Cheng Clan finally saw her husband again—the man she had longed for day and night—and burst into tears on the spot.

Qin Cheng Clan had waited countless nights and days; now, through Qin Feng's efforts, her wish had come true. Gazing at Qin Tianhu, so close at hand, she felt as if she were dreaming.

"Master…"

Qin Cheng Clan raised her hand, reaching toward Qin Tianhu, yet took no step forward.

As if fearing this was all an illusion, vanishing at the slightest touch.

Standing on the carriage, Qin Tianhu could hardly believe his eyes. Since their parting in Jingdu, so many years had passed; now, reunited at last, they felt a pang of regret for having waited so long.

He slowly stepped down from the carriage and walked toward Qin Cheng Clan. When they stood face to face, both fell silent simultaneously.

Qin Tianhu saw the wrinkles forming at his wife's temples and could not imagine how she had endured these years alone in Beixi County.

Seeing the marks time had left on his wife's face, Qin Tianhu felt only heartache.

Then, the two embraced and wept together.

Watching this scene, everyone present was moved; even Qin Feng's nose turned sour, and he silently sighed—his parents had suffered so much.

At the same time, Qin Feng silently vowed never to let his parents be separated again.

No—more accurately, he vowed never to let any family member endure the pain of separation again.

Most of the Qin Family had already reunited; only one person remained missing—and that person was Shen Qingci.

Long before Qin Feng set out for Jingdu to rescue the Qin Family, Shen Qingci had already split ways with him, for Qin Feng would never take Shen Qingci into the danger of Jingdu.

According to the timeline, Shen Qingci should have arrived in Beixi County long ago—but the opposite was true.

Upon learning Shen Qingci had not yet reached Beixi County, everyone panicked. Qin Feng immediately summoned the Brocade Guard and did everything possible to find her.

Only the next day did news of Shen Qingci arrive.

As the saying goes, without coincidence, no story unfolds: Shen Qingci and her escorting Tianji Camp Guards were unfamiliar with the terrain of the Northern Border. Though they safely reached Changming County, upon leaving it, they mistakenly entered the mountains and became lost.

Changming County was not far from Beixi County—just a day's round trip.

Although Qin Tianhu suggested sending one squad of Cavalry to fetch Shen Qingci, Qin Feng insisted on going himself.

After all, the family was about to be fully reunited; at this moment, Qin Feng could not afford any mishap.

Considering this was Qin Feng's territory, no one objected.

As the family entered the County Yamen, Qin Feng turned and left, assembling one squad of Tianji Camp Guards to head to Yunlan Mountain in the northern part of Changming County.

Just as Qin Feng stepped out of the City Gate, Ning Hu caught up with him.

"Brother Qin, wait for me—I'm coming with you."

Seeing Ning Hu had donned the General's Armor of the Tianji Camp, fully armed as if preparing for battle, Qin Feng couldn't help but smile.

"I'm just going to meet Elder Sister—it doesn't require such a grand display."

But Ning Hu shook his head, his eyes resolute.

"Brother Qin, you don't know—recently, a band of bandits has appeared around Yunlan Mountain."

Hearing this, Qin Feng froze, then frowned deeply and said sternly: "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

Ning Hu looked equally helpless: "No one knew Elder Sister had split from you, and right now the Brocade Guard is short-staffed—Beixi County couldn't possibly track Elder Sister's movements immediately."

"Most importantly—who could have guessed Elder Sister would wander into Yunlan Mountain?"

That was true—it wasn't Ning Hu's fault.

Learning that bandits were active on Yunlan Mountain, Qin Feng grew cautious and immediately increased his escort from fifty Light Cavalry to one hundred Tianji Camp Guards.

To reach Yunlan Mountain as quickly as possible, they must be lightly equipped and keep numbers minimal—otherwise, the group would become unwieldy and slow down drastically.

As for Ning Hu—he could come along if he wished.

Qin Feng immediately led the Tianji Camp Guards forward with one-strike momentum toward Yunlan Mountain.

On the way to Yunlan Mountain, Qin Feng learned from Ning Hu that the bandits were merely a disorganized mob.

Composed of fugitive robbers who had drifted into the Northern Border, they numbered roughly three hundred, with extremely crude weapons and almost no Armor.

They called themselves "Heifeng Camp," planning to make a name for themselves in the Northern Border.

Learning the true nature of the "Heifeng Camp," Qin Feng felt reassured.

Although Shen Qingci had only thirty Tianji Camp Guards with her—ten times fewer than the bandits—these mere three hundred bandits had no chance of harming her; it was pure fantasy to think otherwise.

Qin Feng had absolute confidence in the Tianji Camp Guards' strength.

Meanwhile, on the MountainWaist of Yunlan Mountain, Shen Qingci sat on a Stone, looking frustrated.

"It's all my fault—I shouldn't have taken the shortcut."

"Now we're all trapped in this hellhole. If our food runs out, we'll be in danger."

Regretting now was useless—she had to find the Official Road and escape as soon as possible.

At that moment, the Wu Wei escorting Shen Qingci approached.

"Elder Sister, the bandits gathered below are preparing to advance uphill."

"Though this mob is no threat, for your safety, please ascend the mountain."

Hearing this, Shen Qingci waved her hand dismissively.

"As a Qin Family member, how could we be driven off by a mere band of bandits?"

"I'm staying right here. Go deal with them quickly—we must leave this place."

"If Feng'er arrives in Beixi County ahead of me and learns I haven't shown up, things will blow up."

Seeing Shen Qingci's fearless resolve, the Wu Wei said no more. He left ten men to guard her and led the other twenty down the mountain to intercept the bandits.

The bandit leader, nicknamed "Iron Beard," stood at the foot of the mountain, hefting his greatsword and eagerly studying the summit.

"Comrades, after this raid, we'll be rich."

"Stay sharp—kill every man, spare every woman."

"Wait until I've picked out what I want, the rest is yours to divide evenly."

Hearing this, the mountain bandits could not help but erupt in cheers.

"Hahaha, our luck is too good — we actually ran into a fat sheep like this, it's practically manna from heaven."

"The other side only has a few dozen people. As long as we swarm them all at once, we can wipe them all out."

"Bullshit! Didn't the boss say the women are to be kept? How can we wipe them all out?"

"I wonder just how many women are inside."

"There definitely are — some Comrades saw that woman earlier!"