Chapter 156

First Volume, Chapter 156: Heartily Convinced and Fully Submissive

Lin Quqi kept winking at Qin Feng, signaling him not to admit anything, lest Ning Hu file a complaint at Dali Temple.

Qin Feng ignored him entirely, bent down, leaned close to Ning Hu, and revealed a chilling smile: "You're right—I'm using official power to settle personal grudges! Whether they're guards or anyone else, anyone who harms me is unacceptable! If those three wounded guards recover, fine; if they're left with lasting injuries or die, you'll support their families for life—or we'll see how this ends."

Though furious, Ning Hu deeply admired Qin Feng's loyalty to his own.

This time, Ning Hu offered no rebuttal, only stared fixedly at Qin Feng.

Qin Feng slumped back into the Tengyi Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair, pulled out half a stalk of Raw Sugarcane from behind his waist, and began chewing it with relish, casually adding: "Of course, beyond settling personal grudges, I also want you to understand one truth: no matter how brave or noble you are, on the battlefield, you're no different from an ordinary man! Become a prisoner, and you're fish on a chopping block—anyone can cut you down."

"You even brought out the Small Golden Mace—this mock battle's only difference from a real battlefield is that the Weapons aren't sharpened… If this were a real battlefield, not only would you die, but your troops behind you would die too, and Liang would suffer catastrophic losses from your Military Defeat, even threatening the empire itself!"

"With all that, what right do you have to bluster at me?"

Though Ning Hu had a terrible temper, he wasn't a reckless fool—he understood Qin Feng's reasoning, so he bit his lip and said nothing.

Meanwhile, Qin Feng's eyes flickered with disappointment: "I'd planned to recommend you for the northern Di campaign, but it's clear you have no qualifications for it."

The northern Di expedition was crucial to Ning Hu—its outcome could determine the rise or fall of the Ning Family.

Ning Hu knew well: having lost the contest, he'd already lost his chance to join the northern Di campaign; and since Qin Feng was a favorite of the Holy Person, one word from him would sever Ning Hu's ties to the northern Di war entirely.

Ning Hu couldn't accept it. Ignoring his fragile dignity and thinking only of his Clan, he shouted loudly: "Winning and losing are common in warfare! Even on the battlefield, there are victories and defeats—how much more so in a contest? I lost just one match, yet you say I'm unfit? I won't accept it!"

Qin Feng had expected this reply and couldn't help laughing: "On the battlefield, one loss means death. Besides, your Military Talent is utterly inadequate—you don't even know how you lost."

At this, Ning Hu immediately shouted back: "How could I not know?"

Qin Feng raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Then tell me."

Ning Hu's gaze turned serious as he recalled the contest: inwardly admiring Qin Feng's Command, yet calmly analyzing: "There were three turning points! First, my forces failed to press forward immediately and seize advantageous Terrain, allowing Xu Mo Army to seize the Central Formation. Second, we failed to capture Xu Mo's Central Formation at once. Third, we exhausted too many troops in the Central Formation and didn't deal with the Raiding Cavalry and Bow Infantry promptly."

Qin Feng took a bite of Raw Sugarcane, showing clear disdain for Ning Hu's detailed analysis: "You're describing surface symptoms. I asked for the decisive factor."

At this, Ning Hu's eyes flickered with confusion: "Decisive factor?"

Qin Feng shrugged, his gaze toward Ning Hu now devoid of any hope: "That's why your ability is inadequate—you can't see the core issue! The only factor that truly decided the outcome of this contest was Communication!"

Ning Hu's brow furrowed deeper, half-understanding Qin Feng's words: "Communication? What do you mean?"

Qin Feng smiled coldly, patiently explaining: "Communication means the transmission of Military Orders. Throughout this entire contest, I maintained full situational awareness and transmitted commands instantly and accurately via Flag Signals—Command and action had near-zero delay."

"Look at your side: when the Drum Beats faltered, you panicked too, and your messengers running back and forth became prime targets for my Raiding Cavalry. Every messenger I eliminated crippled your Command."

"As the saying goes: without a leader, the troops scatter like sand."

"Without timely battlefield Command, even the most Elite Troops of the Imperial Guard become nothing but lambs awaiting slaughter in your hands."

Ning Hu's last vestige of resentment vanished; his face burned with shame.

Seeing Ning Hu slowly lower his head, Qin Feng pressed on: "Liang has fought the northern Di for years, losing more than winning—clear proof their strategists surpass us. If you can't even beat me, how do you think you'll face the northern Di? You'll just get hung up and beaten!"

Ning Hu's body collapsed like a deflated sack, his once-sharp eyes now dull with despair.

His prized Military Talent meant nothing before Qin Feng.

Qin Feng was right: if he couldn't even win a mock contest, how could he fight the northern Di?

Ning Hu let out a bitter laugh, his tone stripped of all past arrogance: "Qin Young Master is right—I, Ning Hu, am fully convinced."

At these words, Qin Feng's expression cleared instantly, no longer as foul as before; instead, he wore a harmless, amiable smile: "Knowing shame leads to courage—you're still salvageable. It's currently a time of military readiness; at least three or four months remain before departure for the northern Di. That's enough time for you to improve."

Ning Hu, who had given up all hope, froze in disbelief, staring at Qin Feng: "You still want me to go to the northern Di?"

Qin Feng shrugged dismissively: "Otherwise why would I waste so much breath? Do you think I'm bored?"

Ning Hu's eyes, once dead, blazed back to life—he stared fiercely at Qin Feng, wanting to speak, but his tongue was clumsy and he couldn't utter a word.

Qin Feng glanced subtly toward ShiZhen, speaking with deep implication: "I'm practical. Sending you to the northern Di isn't hard—the hard part is worrying you'll turn on me later."

Even if he were foolish, Ning Hu understood Qin Feng's meaning and immediately pledged: "If you let me go to the northern Di, from now on, at least I, Ning Hu, will follow your lead! As for my father—"

Before Ning Hu could finish, Qin Feng waved him off with a smile: "That's enough. From now on, we're brothers. As long as I can still appear before the Holy Person, I'll always look out for my own."

Watching Qin Feng's face change as swiftly as turning a page.

Ning Hu's heart felt far less conflicted than expected—instead, agreeing to stand with Qin Feng brought him unexpected clarity.

During this time, Ning Hu had remembered every shocking act Qin Feng had committed in Jingdu.

Before, his resentment was pure; now, he genuinely admired him.

Add to that Qin Feng's Military Talent and his "protective of his own" nature—and Ning Hu felt nothing but respect.

Ning Hu no longer hesitated, his words ringing clear and firm: "If Qin Young Master holds me in such high regard, then I, Ning Hu, will forever remember this favor! Whoever opposes you, opposes me!"