Chapter 1296: First Volume, Chapter 1296: Softened Heart

First Volume, Chapter 1296: Softened Heart

Zhao Ping had already believed he was certain to die, given Qin Feng's well-known ways.

Anyone standing against Qin Feng, regardless of status, was doomed to death.

Qin Feng's ruthless decisiveness had long been deeply ingrained.

Yet now, Qin Feng had spared them, leaving Zhao Ping both astonished and grateful, while also strengthening his original resolve.

Attacking the Northern Border was merely the Liang Emperor's scheme to eliminate Qin Feng—like discarding the dog after catching the rabbit—not only immoral, but a cruel act that disregarded the lives of all Heaven's people.

Zhao Ping's expression was deeply complex; he bowed his head and gritted his teeth: "Though I have become a prisoner, anything I say is meaningless."

"But I must speak it out—holding it inside is too painful."

"Had I not been ordered to, I would never have raised weapons against Prince Qin—Shedynasty's present strength is entirely due to Prince Qin."

"Without Prince Qin, Shedynasty would never have risen to its glory."

"Yet on the eve of completing our great cause, His Majesty seeks to eliminate Prince Qin—I simply cannot bear it..."

Before Zhao Ping could finish, Qin Feng waved his hand to cut him off.

Under Zhao Ping's puzzled gaze, Qin Feng spoke solemnly: "I am glad you think this way, but some things are better left unspoken."

"Even if you do not voice them, once you return to your garrison, you will still face punishment and purge."

"Huh..."

Qin Feng sighed deeply: "Forget it. Go to the Prisoner of War Camp for now. When the war ends and prisoners are released, if you wish to return home, no one will stop you."

"If you wish to stay in the Northern Border, no one will trouble you."

"Not just you."

Qin Feng's gaze swept deeply over the other prisoners: "The same goes for all of you—when the war ends, if you wish to remain in the Northern Border, I welcome you all."

Hearing Qin Feng's words, Zhao Ping was already moved to tears of gratitude.

He knew well that as the North Border King, Qin Feng should not have said such things—it would shatter the morale of the Northern Border Troops—but Qin Feng had said them anyway.

This meant that, deep within, Qin Feng still cared for the safety of Shedynasty's soldiers, and had only been forced by war to strike down his own kin.

The other prisoners present also lowered their heads, wiping away tears.

They felt no resentment in losing to Qin Feng, yet now, being pardoned by him, they felt overwhelming shame.

Deep down, they never wished to be Qin Feng's enemies, but as low-ranking soldiers, they had no choice.

Qin Feng feared that continuing to speak would reveal his true feelings, so he waved his hand, signaling Zhao Zhenhai to take all prisoners away, process them briefly, then transport them to the Prisoner of War Camp for mass detention.

As the prisoners were led away, they shouted repeatedly toward Qin Feng.

"Prince Qin, you must win!"

"While clad in armor, we must obey orders and fight you—but now that we are prisoners, we have nothing left to fear."

"That's right, win! Hold the Northern Border! When the war ends, I'll stay here to fight for Prince Qin."

"His Majesty is cruel, but Your Highness is full of humanity and righteousness—Shedynasty is blessed to have Prince Qin."

Qin Feng made no reply, only watched the prisoners depart.

Even Zhao Zhenhai, standing beside him and witnessing the entire scene, was deeply moved.

"Alas! Because of one man, former comrades-in-arms are forced to slaughter each other—how tragic and helpless."

"Prince Qin, even if we win this war, the court's greed for the Northern Border will never cease."

"And the only way to end this predicament is one solution."

Zhao Zhenhai did not finish, but Qin Feng understood—the one lasting solution was naturally... to overthrow the Li Imperial Clan and change dynasties.

But this was precisely what Qin Feng did not wish to see; his greatest desire was simply a warm hearth, wife and child, and he had no interest whatsoever in the imperial throne.

"I understand."

Qin Feng replied casually, refusing to dwell further on the matter—but within him, he was already formulating another plan.

At the very moment Qin Feng won his first battle, Dingtao County presented an entirely different scene.

Inside the Ying Zhang, all officers except Zhao Yuxiong were like ants on a hot pan.

They fidgeted restlessly, their faces filled with terror.

"In a single strike, Qin Feng wiped out our entire Eastern Front force—that's Qin Feng!"

"Damn it! Even the Northern Di and the Nan Jing Powerful Clans have fallen to Qin Feng—how can we possibly stand against him? Coming to the Northern Border was suicide."

"Heheh, I'm certain Qin Feng didn't even use his full strength!"

"Of course not! The two thousand Infantry sent as reinforcements never even advanced—if they had, coordinated with the Cavalry, they could have broken through the Eastern Front breach and stormed straight into the County City."

"Though we outnumber them, the Northern Border Troops are strong and well-equipped, and this is Qin Feng's home ground—he can send reinforcements anytime."

"If Qin Feng wanted to take Dingtao County, he already has."

After heated discussion, the officers realized an even more terrifying truth: Qin Feng's thunderous strike had actually been lenient.

Had Qin Feng not held back, Dingtao County would have already fallen—and every officer present would likely be dead.

Why he held back—whether out of old brotherhood with Zhao Yuxiong or some deeper strategy—remained unknown.

All eyes turned to Zhao Yuxiong.

"Grand General, morale has collapsed. Every soldier trembles at the name Qin Feng—we have no courage left to fight him."

"How can we possibly fight this war?"

Zhao Yuxiong understood Qin Feng's strength better than anyone; he felt no surprise or panic at this predicament.

Instead, his eyes blazed as he said firmly: "This is our opportunity."

Opportunity?!

What opportunity?

The officers exchanged glances, utterly confused by Zhao Yuxiong's words.

Zhao Yuxiong didn't hesitate and blurted out: "Qin Feng has always been ruthless against enemies, but he can't bring himself to see us as enemies."

"That violent and decisive man has grown soft."

"We will gain a chance to catch our breath and continue reinforcing Dingtao County's City Defense."

Upon hearing this, the officers did not feel the slightest joy; instead, they all lowered their heads, their faces burning with shame so deep they could not bear it.

Qin Feng regarded them as his own, yet they sought Liao's life—how despicable was that?

Especially Zhao Yuxiong, who planned to exploit Qin Feng's kindness to crush him—was he still one of Qin Feng's best Comrades?

Though no one spoke aloud, the glances cast toward Zhao Yuxiong carried varying degrees of contempt.