Chapter 1281: First Volume, Chapter 1281: Bargaining with a Tiger

First Volume, Chapter 1281: Bargaining with a Tiger

"When we storm the mountain, we'll be the vanguard, taking on the most dangerous tasks—so we deserve the biggest share."

Vanguard?

Tie Hu let out another cold laugh; he figured this young man must've had his head kicked by a donkey, otherwise how could he say something so stupid?

Robbery and plundering rely on one-strike victory.

All this vanguard and rear guard nonsense is bullshit—charge together, scare the enemy into submission, then slaughter them like chickens and dogs—that's the real way.

Just by looking, you can tell this kid's a rookie.

"I'm too lazy to waste words on you."

"Idiot, by the time you get up the mountain, Yunlan Mountain's already surrounded by the Northern Border Army—focus on staying alive first; as for splitting the loot, split your grandma!"

These bandits and outlaws naturally spat curses with every word.

Qin Feng didn't care, but Ning Hu couldn't take it anymore—he snapped, "How dare you speak like that?"

"Every time you open your mouth, it's 'mom' or 'grandma'—you're really filial, aren't you?"

Tie Hu never expected a mere petty thief would dare talk to him like this—he immediately drew his waist saber, furious: "What the hell did you say?"

"I think you're looking for death!"

"Before the army reaches the summit, I'll kill you first!"

If Tie Hu so much as moved, the next to die would be him—but Qin Feng hadn't had enough fun yet, so he reached out and stopped Ning Hu.

At the same time, he smiled warmly at Tie Hu.

"With just you lot, you'll never pull it off—I've brought important military intelligence."

"I can help you resolve the situation on the mountain and carve out a path to escape Yunlan Mountain."

At these words, the previously noisy forest fell utterly silent.

Chen Bolin now only wanted to survive and leave—he stepped forward immediately, staring fixedly at Qin Feng.

"Are you telling the truth?"

"If you dare trick us, don't blame us for turning on you."

Qin Feng shrugged, calm and unconcerned: "Don't believe me? I suppose you don't even know why the Northern Border Army came here to crush you?"

Seeing the crowd bewildered, Qin Feng revealed the inside story with solemn gravity.

Under everyone's gaze, Qin Feng pointed up the mountain: "Do you know who's up there?"

Tie Hu didn't hesitate—he blurted out: "Of course it's a beautiful bride sent northward, with guards—likely a high official's daughter."

Oh? Not bad!

This Tie Hu looked utterly rough, yet he turned out to be coarse on the outside but sharp within.

Every guess was spot-on.

Shen Qingci was indeed a beautiful bride, and as the Grand Commandant's daughter, she was unquestionably a high official's daughter.

Qin Feng nodded repeatedly: "Correct—this woman is indeed a high official's daughter, and specifically, the Grand Commandant's daughter."

What?! The Grand Commandant's daughter!

The crowd erupted instantly.

Even the arrogant Tie Hu flinched in shock.

"Are you joking? How could the Grand Commandant's daughter end up here?"

Chen Bolin turned pale with fear: "No wonder the Northern Border Army came to surround us—what a massive catch, a high official's daughter!"

The bandits around them chattered excitedly.

"The Grand Commandant's daughter? How powerful is the Grand Commandant?"

"Idiot! The Grand Commandant ranks just below His Majesty, above ten thousand others—he's a Border Official!"

"Huh? So powerful? What rank?"

"Damn it, how would I know? He's just the biggest official in the whole world."

"Who's bigger—the Grand Commandant or a prince?"

"One's an official title, one's a noble title—different."

"What's the point of debating this now? We've made a terrible mess—plundering the Grand Commandant's daughter? Even His Majesty will hear of it—he'll issue a nationwide manhunt, hunting us to the ends of the earth."

Tie Hu wiped sweat from his brow; just moments ago, he'd believed the Northern Border Army had come for him.

Now he realized—their hostage's background was far too enormous.

When Tie Hu looked at Qin Feng again, his expression had undergone a complete transformation, and his attitude was utterly reversed.

He hurriedly bowed to Qin Feng with clasped fists.

"Comrade, I apologize for my earlier rudeness—please forgive me."

"How do you know the woman up there is the Grand Commandant's daughter?"

Qin Feng smiled mysteriously: "A mountain man has his own methods—you don't need to ask. What do you say to my proposal?"

Before Tie Hu could speak, Chen Bolin had already rushed to respond.

"If you can get us out of Yunlan Mountain, we'll be brothers bound by life and death—whatever happens, we'll stand by you."

Qin Feng pointed up the mountain: "I'm talking about splitting the loot."

Chen Bolin gave a bitter laugh: "You just said she's the Grand Commandant's daughter—do you still plan to kidnap her?"

Qin Feng narrowed his eyes, grinning wickedly: "The higher the rank, the more valuable."

"And only by holding the Grand Commandant's daughter as a hostage can we safely escape here."

The group fell silent instantly—they'd do anything to escape, and immediately nodded to Qin Feng like pounding rice.

"Comrade, do it your way!"

"You saved my life. When we split the money later, I'll give you fifty percent—you take the lion's share, and we'll be happy with just the soup."

Ning Hu, standing beside them, nearly burst out laughing several times watching Qin Feng haggle with the mountain bandits.

Ever since Qin Feng left Jingdu and formally broke with the Liang Emperor, his style of doing things had grown increasingly free and easy.

It was as if he had returned to being that unruly young scion of Jingdu from before.

Just then, Iron Beard grabbed Qin Feng's wrist and, feigning intimacy, asked.

"Comrade, I can tell you're no ordinary man—being able to get your hands on such important intelligence."

"Since the one on the mountain is the Grand Commandant's daughter, that explains why those guards are so fierce and ferocious."

"I imagine you already have a plan to break the enemy—why not share it and let us hear?"

Obviously, Iron Beard was worried that Qin Feng would hog everything for himself and, once the target was taken, leave them behind here.

Qin Feng immediately laughed and said: "Actually it's very simple. The guards on the mountain may be invincible on land, but there are too few of them—they can't rotate shifts."

"As long as I take the lead and you all charge up the mountain with me, just don't be afraid of dying."

"With so many of us, even if we just wear them down, we can wear them to death."

If this had been before, that talk would have been nothing but hot air.

But Iron Beard and the others had no way back now—they had to steel themselves and charge up, figuring out a way to take the Grand Commandant's daughter hostage.

Iron Beard immediately clenched his teeth: "Whether we go left or right, it's death either way—of course we have to take a gamble."

"Still, what you said about being invincible on land—I'm afraid that's a bit of an exaggeration, no?"

Qin Feng answered with a counter-question: "Then, Boss, tell me—what soldiers or guards under heaven are stronger than the Tianji Camp Guards?"

With the words "Tianji Camp Guards" uttered, the mountain forest fell silent once more.

Throughout the Shedynasty, from eighty-year-old crones down to seven- or eight-year-old urchins, was there anyone who hadn't heard the great name of the "Tianji Camp Guards"?

Iron Beard was completely stunned, staring blankly at Qin Feng.

"You... what did you just say?"

"What are the guards on the mountain?"

"Tian... Tianji Camp Guards?"