Chapter 181: First Volume, Chapter 181: And Then What?

First Volume, Chapter 181: And Then What?

Qin Feng was already a notorious wastrel, so naturally he would amplify this identity to its fullest.

In contrast, Lin Feimo seemed like a child chosen by heaven.

He radiated heroic vigor and looked down on everyone.

Especially when Lin Feimo adopted a haughty posture, disdainful of wasting words with anyone, and utterly confident he could crush Qin Feng effortlessly.

Qin Feng grew even angrier.

At that moment, a rapid, dense clatter of hooves came from afar.

Looking toward the sound, hundreds of cavalry charged toward the camp with fierce momentum.

Seeing this, Liu Hongyan's heart sank halfway—finished, everything was finished.

Qin Feng, Qin Feng, why did you have to provoke someone else? Why did you pick Lin Feimo?

Chen Cheng, choked with humiliation and wanting to die, suddenly lit up with excitement and shouted like a dog barking at its master: "Qin Feng, your time is up!"

Seeing the situation turn dire, Xu Mo abandoned the servants and immediately gathered the guards around Qin Feng, while sending someone to notify Ning Hu to bring reinforcements.

By the time the fierce cavalry reached the camp door, Ning Hu had already lined up the remaining guards and new recruits behind Qin Feng, gripping Chang Mao spears, even a few newly forged "samples" of Mo Dao blades from the Gongfang.

This posture clearly meant war was coming.

The lead general dismounted and strode forward three steps at a time to stand before Lin Feimo, clasping his fists: "Your humble servant salutes Young Master Lin."

Lin Feimo gave no reaction, merely glancing at Qin Feng, who stood with hands on hips like a bully, and said coolly: "This man disrespects me—what should be done?"

The general's eyes flashed with malice as he glared at Qin Feng, but upon recognizing his face, he instantly shrank back and shouted to his cavalry behind him: "Stand down, all of you!"

Then he removed his helmet, staring at Lin Feimo in shock: "May I ask, Young Master Lin—have you quarreled with this man?"

This man?

Lin Feimo, calm and composed, finally frowned: "What? You're afraid now that you know he's the son of the Minister of War?"

The general wiped cold sweat from his palm, silently cursing the messenger girl to hell.

"That damn bitch didn't even clarify—had I known I was getting into a fight with this demon, I'd have died before coming!"

He'd originally thought helping Young Master Lin would earn him a favor.

But now, this matter had blown up!

The general glanced at Qin Feng, then at Lin Feimo—neither could he afford to offend.

Just as the general was caught between a rock and a hard place, he suddenly felt a stone strike his head—he turned to see Qin Feng holding a small pebble, grinning wickedly.

The general cursed inwardly but forced a smile: "Young Master Qin, what is the meaning of this?"

Qin Feng kept his left hand tucked under his long robe, tossing the pebble in his right hand, smiling at the general: "Judging by your weapon and armor patterns, you're from the Longhu Army, right?"

Damn, he recognized us.

The general's back went cold, but he gritted his teeth and bowed: "Young Master Qin has sharp eyes—I am indeed a Colonel of the Longhu Army."

Since he admitted it, there was no need for further words.

Qin Feng's smile deepened: "In all of Jingdu, only one person can mobilize the Longhu Army—the Holy Chariot. Yet this Young Master Lin dares to privately command the Longhu Army? Tsk, tsk, tsk…"

Saying this, Qin Feng ignored the Longhu Colonel and turned to Ning Hu: "Little Marquis, please go to the Ministry of War and report that someone has privately mobilized the Longhu Army, fully armed and ready for bloodshed. We are acting in legitimate self-defense—no need to hold back."

At first, Ning Hu was still afraid—he too recognized Lin Feimo's identity.

But now, hearing Qin Feng's words, he gained confidence and couldn't help grinning: "Brother Qin, rest assured—I'll be back soon!"

"Wait! Little Marquis, hold your horses!"

Seeing the situation escalate, the Longhu Colonel rushed to block Ning Hu, drenched in sweat: "Little Marquis, if the Holy Chariot learns of this, the entire Longhu Army will be implicated in a chain of consequences…"

As he spoke, the Longhu Colonel hurried to Qin Feng's side, stammering nervously, whispering urgently: "Young Master Qin, this Young Master Lin rarely returns to Jingdu—he's stationed in Jiangnan. Not knowing him is understandable. In my view, we should let this blow over. After all, this Lin Feimo is the nephew of Imperial Consort Lin and the grandson of the current Grand Protector!"

Qin Feng suddenly understood.

He'd been wondering where such a powerful figure had come from.

So he was Imperial Consort Lin's relative.

According to Qin Feng's knowledge, the Imperial Consort was deeply favored in the Hou Gong, and the Holy Chariot still felt guilt over the "DaxiangPrinceDeath."

Thus, according to Shedynasty regulations, the Holy Chariot should have two Imperial Consorts—but currently, only one was appointed.

All to make up for the past injustice to Imperial Consort Lin.

With this connection, it was no surprise the Longhu Army bowed to Lin Feimo.

But…

This wasn't over!

This bastard had just tried to steal Qin Feng's woman—his aunt could tolerate it, but his uncle couldn't!

Qin Feng knew the Longhu Army was hard to press, so he brushed it off casually: "Brother, I won't make things hard for you. Return to the Dragon Tiger Army Grand Commander and tell him—I'm training new recruits, and I'll surely need his help someday."

The Longhu Colonel exhaled in relief, hurried back to Lin Feimo's side, and bowed with a forced smile: "Young Master Lin, Young Master Qin is far more than just the Minister's son—I'd like to help, but I simply can't."

Having said that, the Dragon-Tiger captain swung himself onto his horse and shouted at the stunned Dragon-Tiger cavalry: "What are you all standing around for? Back to camp! If your horses' hooves damage the ground around Young Master Qin's campsite, you'll answer for it!"

Watching the Longhu cavalry retreat in disgrace.

Chen Cheng and Lü Qian, who had moments ago been barking like dogs with their master's backing, instantly froze, their bravado vanished—they became wilted eggplants, utterly silent.

Liu Hongyan couldn't help covering her mouth, stunned: "This brat is just a Jingdu wastrel—how come even the Longhu Army fears him?"

Little did she know, while others dared not mention private troop mobilization, Qin Feng didn't care.

The Second Prince's private mobilization of the Imperial Guard was still in Qin Feng's hands.

The Longhu Army naturally took heed.

If pushed too far, Qin Feng could just report it directly to the Holy Chariot—no big deal.

As for Lin Feimo before him, though he still held his composure, the aura of unshakable calm had been replaced by defiant fury.

The Longhu Army being the Holy Chariot's personal troops, their hesitation over "private mobilization" was understandable.

But this capital isn't just home to the Longhu Army!

Even though Lin Feimo hadn't returned to the capital in years, none of the officials or generals here dared defy him—or rather, none dared incur the wrath of Imperial Consort Lin.

At that moment, Qin Feng's voice suddenly rang out: "Hey, you! You just said I successfully angered you—so what now?"

Qin Feng was actually provoking Lin Feimo!

Liu Hongyan knew her bratty younger brother had always feared nothing, but no matter how favored he was, he was still an "outsider"—no match for Lin Feimo, an Imperial Cousin.

Since ancient times, the outer court and the inner palace have always supported each other.

A powerful maternal family can solidify a consort's status.

And a favored consort can, in turn, uplift her natal family.

In the current Hou Gong, the Empress, who rules all under Heaven, spends her days fasting and chanting sutras, rarely meddling in worldly affairs—so although Imperial Consort Lin holds no official title as Lord of the Six Palaces, she wields the very power of the Lord of the Six Palaces.

And furthermore… Imperial Consort Lin's father is the current Grand Protector, ranked among the Three Dukes!

In short, excluding the Li Imperial Clan, only the Lin Family holds true power in the entire Liang Capital.

Liu Hongyan feared Qin Feng would escalate things and tried to pull him back.

But Qin Feng showed no fear at all; ignoring Lin Feimo's staggering background, he blithely declared: "Sister, in this whole world, no man except me dares look at you with that kind of gaze!"

Upon hearing this,

Liu Hongyan's heart trembled.

Especially as she felt the unquestioning protection in Qin Feng's gaze, her heartbeat quickened.

Liu Hongyan bit her thin lips, cheeks flushed—she couldn't tell if she was relieved or furious: "Feng'er, listen to me! If you make an enemy of the Lin Family, our Qin Family's path will grow narrow."

The logic was sound.

If they hadn't insulted them to their face, why would Qin Feng, of all people, pick a fight with Lin Feimo?

And yet…

Qin Feng vaguely remembered that his mother, Madam Qin, had once been banished back to the Ancestral Land simply for offending Imperial Consort Lin.

In truth, the feud between the Qin and Lin families stretched back generations.

Qin Feng wrapped one arm around Liu Hongyan's waist and patted his own chest, grinning proudly: "Don't worry—on this One Mu Three Fen Land in the capital, we fear no one."

Liu Hongyan's cheeks burned; she wanted to warn Qin Feng to watch his words.

But seeing his smug confidence, the words died on her lips.

Ah!

If it's fortune, no disaster can stop it; if it's disaster, no escape can avoid it!

At that moment, Lin Feimo's cold voice rang out: "How bold! When did the Qin Family become master of this capital?"

Hearing this, Qin Feng laughed, turning to grin at Lin Feimo: "Oh? You can speak? I thought you were mute! You're right—the capital doesn't belong to the Qin Family. But neither does it belong to your Lin Family to meddle in! What, has Liang changed its surname from Li to Lin?"

A flicker of unease crossed Lin Feimo's face.

That moment of unease only fueled his rage.

His aunt was none other than the Imperial Consort; his grandfather was the current Grand Protector, with countless disciples. In the Six Ministries and Nine Courts, how many officials bowed and addressed his grandfather as "Master"?

Since Lin Feimo's birth, save for the direct heirs of the Li Imperial Clan, everyone who met him called him "Young Master."

How could it be that his status had just been nullified?

A mere Qin Family wastrel—how dare he?!

Back then, Madam Qin was a First-Rank Lady of Honor—yet one word from Imperial Consort Lin was enough to banish her from the capital.

Over the years, Minister of War Qin Tianhu has walked with extreme caution, terrified of provoking Imperial Consort Lin again.

Even his parents acted this way—so how could this Qin Feng brat dare show such utter disregard?!

Lin Feimo silently swore: he would use every resource at his disposal to kill Qin Feng.

Yes—kill him. Directly push him into the Dali Temple's guillotine, so his head rolls off.

For this "minor matter," Lin Feimo had absolute confidence he could make it happen.

The Tieshen Yuhuan sent to deliver the message had now returned.

She stepped beside Lin Feimo, bowed slightly, and spoke softly: "Your Excellency, I saw the Longhu Colonel return to camp and suspected something went wrong, so I detoured to the Ministry of Revenue and the Jingdu Magistrate's Office."

Hearing this, Lin Feimo's eyes gleamed with satisfaction; he nodded: "Well done."

At Lin Feimo's praise, the Tieshen Yuhuan's face flushed.

Seeing this, Qin Feng felt a surge of jealousy.

As if he didn't have a Tieshen Yuhuan too.

He immediately ordered Qin Xiaofu to fetch Xiao Xiangxiang.

Before Xiao Xiangxiang even understood what was happening, Qin Feng pulled her into his arms. She froze, cheeks burning, body stiff as a bowstring, whispering barely louder than a mosquito's hum: "Master, what are you doing? There are so many people here."

Qin Feng ignored the strange glances around him, holding Xiao Xiangxiang tightly as he deliberately taunted Lin Feimo: "What's the worry? Who in the entire capital doesn't know she's my Tieshen Yuhuan?"

As he spoke, Qin Feng raised an eyebrow at Lin Feimo—his expression clearly said, "Your Tieshen Yuhuan? You can't compete."

Lin Feimo's face remained cold; he glanced at Xiao Xiangxiang, then flicked his eyes to his own Tieshen Yuhuan.

His expression darkened instantly.

The girl named Xiao Xiangxiang, though young, had already developed a curvaceous figure, poised and elegant—her lovely face, in a few more years, might rival Liu Hongyan's beauty.

Lin Feimo had always scorned comparisons, for he knew no other young master in this world could match him.

But now, looking at Qin Feng, Lin Feimo began to doubt.

Could it be… he couldn't even outdo Qin Feng in the matter of Tieshen Yuhuan?!

Lin Feimo's face grew darker, his eyes slowly filling with lethal intent.

At that very moment, the County Commandant of Jingdu, accompanied by several constables, rushed over, knelt on one knee, and bowed: "Young Master Lin, Magistrate Qi is unwell and cannot come himself—he has sent me to report."

Throughout, the County Commandant and the Jingdu elite constables never dared meet Qin Feng's gaze.

After all……

Since leaving Wuhu Restaurant, Qi Cheng had been gloomy.

Although Qi Cheng never mentioned what had happened at Wuhu Restaurant that day, everyone knew he had been thoroughly humiliated by Qin Feng!

Just now, the Jingzhao Yin learned that Lin Feimo had clashed with Qin Feng, and panicked—he immediately ordered the Yamen shut, but it was too late; forced to send the County Commandant to "deliver himself to death."

Lin Feimo's brow slowly furrowed.

Report back?! He knew perfectly well that sending only a County Commandant and three constables was clearly telling Lin Feimo: he would not get involved.

These four men wouldn't even get close to Qin Feng before being pinned down and ground into the dirt by the guards and the New Army.

At that moment, a shrill laugh came from behind Lin Feimo.

Qin Feng had never expected the Jingzhao Yin would still dare send someone—he burst out laughing, clutching his stomach: "Hahaha! Commander Qi is unwell? How can the Father Official of Beijing lie sick in bed? Come, I'll sell you some tonic at a discount—get your body back in shape!"