Chapter 138: First Volume, Chapter 138: Settle It Privately Behind Closed Doors

First Volume, Chapter 138: Settle It Privately Behind Closed Doors

A rapid flurry of footsteps came from outside the Wine House; Qin Tianhu stormed through the Door, like a furious tiger: "Who dares bully my Qin Family's descendant?!"

This roar, like a rolling thunder, made everyone present's scalp tingle with fear.

Only then did the crowd awaken as from a dream—Qin Tianhu had never been a civil official; he was a fierce general who had led troops in bloody border battles and crawled back from fields of fire and blood.

At this moment, Qin Tianhu wore spiked armor, a plumed helmet, a battle knife at his waist capable of piercing armor, a rhinoceros-hide Hard Bow slung across his shoulders, and a six-foot-long spear in hand—fully Armed to the Teeth, radiating terrifying might.

Whether guests or noble offspring, all were greenhouse flowers who had never seen such a ferocious man; they all fell silent as frozen cicadas, daring not to breathe.

Qin Feng stared in shock—he knew Old Qin had a fiery temper, but never imagined he'd don full armor just to defend his son, staging a full-scale "slaughter-all" display.

Qin Feng never dreamed that Old Qin, who constantly beat him half to death, was so fiercely protective of his own flesh and blood!

Gao Song, Li Rui, and the others had already been driven to despair by Qin Feng; now faced with Qin Tianhu's sudden arrival, they were utterly terrified and stumbled backward in panic.

Only Qi Cheng, relying on his age and experience, managed to keep his composure—but before the monstrous Qin Tianhu, he still swallowed hard, his heart full of guilt.

"Qin… Qin Tianhu, what are you doing? You may be Minister of War, but you have no investigative authority—if you dare act recklessly, I will file charges against you at Dali Temple!" Qi Cheng stammered nervously.

As the old saying goes: like father, like son; Qin Feng was already so difficult, his father Qin Tianhu could hardly be any better.

Qi Cheng's threat only enraged Qin Tianhu further—he roared: "You old ass, relying on Grand Commandant Gao to back you, you've caused my Qin Family no end of trouble. Today, even heaven's own emperor can't save you!"

As he spoke, Qin Tianhu reversed his spear and swung it hard, aiming straight for Qi Cheng's forehead.

If that blow landed, even the spear's shaft would splatter brains!

At the last instant, Qin Feng lunged and grabbed Qin Tianhu, frantic: "Old Qin, calm down! I asked you to come and hold the scene, to stop Qi Cheng from dragging me to the Jingzhao Inspectorate—not to start a bloody brawl!"

Having such a protective father moved Qin Feng deeply—even excited him—but the situation was now firmly under his control; if Old Qin truly struck, things would spiral beyond repair.

After all, assaulting a court official in broad daylight—even Qin Tianhu would be in deep trouble!

Qin Tianhu's face darkened with rage: "If I hadn't known, fine—but now that I do, I'll make sure these dogs remember this day!"

"Wait…" Qin Tianhu suddenly remembered something, his eyes bulging as if he wanted to devour Qin Feng: "What did you just call me?!"

Qin Feng dared not answer—otherwise, the one getting beaten today might be him; he quickly changed the subject: "We're in a state of wartime readiness—no mistakes can be made, Father. You must prioritize the greater good."

Hearing this, Qin Tianhu reluctantly held back.

Seeing Qin Tianhu lower his spear, every single person present exhaled a collective sigh of relief.

Even Ji Wang had sweat on his palms, feigning calm: "Qin Official, you've been back in Jingdu for so long—how can your temper still not have mellowed?"

Only then did Qin Tianhu notice Ji Wang was present; his murderous intent instantly vanished, replaced by deference—he bowed deeply: "I didn't realize Your Royal Highness was here. Hearing my Quan Lang was in mortal danger, I panicked and lost my head—nearly startled Your Majesty. I beg Your Royal Highness's forgiveness."

Ji Wang naturally wouldn't hold a grudge—he merely waved his hand: "Enough, Qin Official. I understand your paternal concern."

Qin Tianhu bowed again, then slowly straightened, turned, and glared at Qin Feng: "I heard someone died? What exactly happened?!"

At these words, Qin Feng suddenly understood.

No wonder Old Qin was so furious—he'd assumed Qin Feng was dead.

Hardship reveals true feelings… Though daily, Old Qin beat and scolded him, after what just happened, Qin Feng's resentment dissolved completely, replaced by boundless warmth and emotion.

To have a father who protects you—that's true fortune in life.

Qin Feng promptly recounted every detail of the incident to Qin Tianhu.

As for the true mastermind, Qin Feng still kept silent.

Qin Tianhu was about to demand the killer's identity when Ji Wang pulled him aside; sensing Ji Wang's unspoken meaning, Qin Tianhu immediately changed tone: "Handle this matter as you see fit—I'll see who dares abuse power for personal gain!"

This was clearly aimed at Qi Cheng.

Qi Cheng's face flushed red then pale—he was only an accomplice, but if this reached Dali Temple, his tenure as Jingzhao Inspector was over.

Gao Song and the others were drenched in sweat; with Qin Tianhu present, there was no room for maneuver.

And this death case could be small or huge: on the small side, it's just another Common People dead—easily buried by influence.

But on the large side, anyone implicated must pay with blood.

How this is resolved rests entirely on Qin Feng's decision.

Li Rui held back for so long, he finally couldn't—ignoring Gao Song's warnings, he rushed forward three steps and grabbed Qin Feng's arm, voice nearly pleading: "Qin Feng, you must handle this properly…"

Li Rui deliberately stretched out the word "properly," making it clear: settle this privately, don't make it public.

Qin Feng snorted inwardly—if it were just a minor brawl, fine; but now someone's dead, it can't end peacefully!

Qin Feng ignored Li Rui, turned, and bowed to the guests: "Ladies and gentlemen, today's incident is most unfortunate. As compensation, your meal fees are waived—please leave now."

Seeing the situation escalate, the guests had already been desperate to flee; hearing Qin Feng's words, they felt as if granted amnesty and bolted away like frightened deer.

Not just guests—even the Wine House staff were driven out.

Qin Feng turned and bowed to Princess Qiyang and Xie Yun'er: "Ladies, please."

Princess Qiyang crossed her arms, refusing: "What? Is there something shameful? I'm staying to watch the show."

Beside her, Xie Yun'er's expression was complex—her thoughts were entirely on the Chang Princess's marriage decree; she had no interest in lingering and forcibly pulled Princess Qiyang away.

Thus, the Wine House was left with only Qi Cheng and the others, the victim's widow, and the witnesses: Qin Tianhu and Ji Wang.