Chapter 171: First Volume, Chapter 171: Hot to the Touch

First Volume, Chapter 171: Hot to the Touch

As the important figures present gradually departed, every single disciple attending the Qingyi Ceremony gathered around Qin Feng, surrounding him in three layers, leaving no space to pass through.

Although earlier, everyone had eagerly cooperated with Qin Feng's tactics to jointly resist the so-called "Rebel Army."

But it was merely a reluctant response to circumstances; deep down, they did not approve, and still despised Qin Feng.

Yet after the Liang Emperor issued an imperial decree, their attitudes had undergone a complete transformation; even if they despised Qin Feng in their hearts, they now flattered him wholeheartedly for the sake of their careers.

"Just now, thanks to Brother Qin's calmness in crisis, leading us through the test, His Majesty is overjoyed—Brother Qin deserves the foremost merit; truly a model for all Noble Youth of Jingdu."

"Well said! Young Master Qin has broken through three passes: his tactics at Po Zhen Guan were divine, his military strategies at Military Strategy Pass left us humbled, and without Young Master Qin's leadership, we could never have passed Adaptability Pass. My admiration for Young Master Qin is absolute."

Even Chen Ge, the Grand General's son, smiled warmly and approached: "Brother Qin, even if we had some misunderstandings before, we're all Noble Youth of Jingzhong—we see each other every day; we must keep in closer contact going forward."

Xu Mo and Ning Hu exchanged glances, their brows simultaneously revealing smug pride.

They had long become Qin Feng's trusted allies, so they need not lower themselves to flatter like the others.

Xu Mo was easy enough—he had always been close to Qin Feng.

Ning Hu, who had only just pledged allegiance to Qin Feng, felt not only relief but also deep dread.

If he hadn't pulled back in time, his martial fortune would have ended right there.

Thinking of this, Ning Hu's respect for Qin Feng deepened further.

Qin Feng knew full well what these people were thinking; so he merely smiled politely on the surface, giving no promises whatsoever.

Moreover, Qin Feng—who always loved to "cash in"—uncharacteristically crushed any thought of selling offices; after all, burdened with great responsibility, if he abused his position for personal gain, wouldn't he truly become a corrupt minister?

As the saying goes: a gentleman loves wealth but acquires it through proper means; money he should earn, he takes not a penny less; money he shouldn't earn, he takes not a single coin.

By the time Qin Feng finally left ShiZhen, the sky had turned dim.

The once bustling surroundings of ShiZhen were now eerily quiet, leaving only scattered servants waiting for their young masters.

Liu Hongyan and the other women, seeing Qin Feng hadn't emerged yet, and with Qin Tianhu urging them to return home quickly to avoid ghosts on the night road, had no choice but to leave ahead, leaving only Qin Xiaofu, Xiao Xiangxiang, and Shu Feng behind.

Seeing Qin Feng finally emerge, Xiao Xiangxiang hurried forward with tiny steps and couldn't help calling out: "Young Master."

She had wanted to pour out a flood of words to Qin Feng, but now that she saw him, shyness outweighed anticipation, and she couldn't say a word.

Qin Feng reached out and pinched Xiao Xiangxiang's nose, smiling lightly: "Silly girl, isn't this Young Master perfectly fine?"

Such an intimate gesture made Xiao Xiangxiang's cheeks burn; she marveled at what virtue she must have accumulated in her past life to become Qin Feng's Tieshen Yuhuan in this one.

Today, the most excited person was undoubtedly Qin Xiaofu.

Qin Feng led Xu Mo through Po Zhen Guan first, then Military Strategy Pass—his name had shaken Jingdu; as Qin Feng's confidant, Qin Xiaofu's status naturally rose with the tide.

He had become the hottest new star among the servants!

In terms of fame and fortune, no servant in all of Jingdu could match Qin Xiaofu.

As for the final Adaptability Pass, Qin Xiaofu had already heard what happened inside; upon seeing Qin Feng, he ran over eagerly, rubbing his hands and exclaiming: "Truly worthy of you, Young Master! Today's Qingyi Ceremony was a dazzling triumph—your humble servant's admiration for you is like the Yellow River flooding…"

Before Qin Xiaofu finished his flattery, Qin Feng kicked him hard in the rear, frowning: "You all acted so convincingly! When I heard the screams from outside the wall, I truly thought something had happened! You little rascal, why didn't you warn me?"

Qin Xiaofu clutched his buttocks, dodging left and right, looking utterly innocent: "Unfair, Young Master! After the City Patrol Bureau and Garrison Army arrived, they immediately surrounded the grounds without a word, saying it was ImperialWill—we were ordered to cooperate fully. Not even I, let alone the three ladies, dared defy ImperialWill."

"Besides! With Young Master's brilliance, such a low-level trick would be instantly seen through."

Qin Feng's face flushed red; he crossed his hands behind his back and stood tall: "Of course! I saw right through it!"

Unknown to him…

Jing Qianying and Shu Feng, seeing escape was impossible, led Liu Hongyan and the others up onto the wall, where they met Lin Quqi and several Imperial Guard soldiers and learned that all of it was merely a performance for the Adaptability Pass.

Thus… everyone on the wall watched Qin Feng's reactions closely.

Watching Qin Feng lie without a hint of hesitation, Shu Feng covered her mouth and chuckled: "Maid knew long ago that such tricks could never fool Young Master's fiery eyes."

Hearing Shu Feng's words, Qin Feng's lips twitched.

At that moment, Lin Quqi arrived with Xu Mo Ninghu.

Seeing Qin Feng's smug, all-knowing expression, Lin Quqi secretly chuckled but said nothing, only urged: "Young Master Qin now bears heavy responsibility; if any villain dares to plot against you, you'll cut through chaos with a swift blade. To avoid unnecessary complications, return home quickly."

Xu Mo and Ning Hu spoke in unison: "We will escort Young Master Qin home."

As the group was about to leave, a dark shadow flashed before them—its speed was so swift, it reached Qin Feng's side in an instant.

Shu Feng reacted first, crying out: "Danger! Assassin!"

Before the words left her lips, she unleashed her Snow-Tender Palms and struck toward the shadow.

The shadow dodged Shu Feng's strike with lightning speed, seized her wrist, pulled it aside, and used her own momentum to shove her away—Shu Feng flew forward helplessly.

In a single exchange, Shu Feng was neutralized.

Qin Feng stared in shock; the assassin's martial skill was beyond his comprehension—only Fourth Sister Jing Qianying might stand a chance against him.

Xu Mo Ninghu, seeing the shadow attack, rushed forward simultaneously to block it.

Though both were formidable in hand-to-hand combat—especially Ning Hu, hailed as the strongest warrior among Noble Youth of Jingdu—

Against this shadow, they were utterly powerless.

With grotesquely fast strikes, one punch and one kick sent them both sprawling to the ground.

Regaining his senses, Qin Feng screamed at once: "Great Hero, spare my life!"

The shadow ignored him entirely, his right hand like a claw, gripping Qin Feng's throat.

A crushing sensation of suffocation surged over him.