Chapter 243

First Volume, Chapter 243: March on Yinggang Mountain

Qin Feng stretched vigorously; though he had slept only slightly more than two hours, it felt like a drought-stricken land receiving sweet rain—unbearably light and easy.

Ning Hu and Qi Meng, deep in lively conversation, didn't notice Qin Feng had awakened, and had completely forgotten Li Xiaolan's repeated warning not to disturb Qin Feng's rest.

As they grew more animated, Qi Meng beamed with excitement: "Now the people of Beixi County see Young Master Qin as a bodhisattva who saves from suffering. Even we, his subordinates, have basked in the glory. Now, whenever we step out of the County Yamen, the locals greet us warmly—back in Jingdu, we never had such treatment!"

Ning Hu's brow radiated pride as he declared triumphantly: "Of course! Just look who we serve!"

"Back in Jingdu, I and Brother Qin were enemies before we became allies. Now I realize, fighting alongside Brother Qin is the wisest decision I've ever made."

"Following some leaders brings only profit; others bring only fame. But by Brother Qin's side, we gain both."

"Though we're temporarily stuck in this godforsaken place, it's dangerously close to Biancheng—and with Brother Qin's maneuvering, this might not be all bad. Just wait—our brothers' glorious days are still ahead!"

Hearing their words, Qin Feng couldn't help rubbing his nose.

To earn such trust from his comrades, Qin Feng felt both moved and comforted.

But as dusk neared, the scheduled time for Bandit Suppression was fast approaching.

Qin Feng asked bluntly: "Are troops and mounts ready? Has the terrain been surveyed?"

Only then did they realize Qin Feng had awakened, and hurriedly gave their report.

Biancheng refused to send troops; the County Defense forces were rotten, reduced to old, weak, sick, and deserters collecting empty rations. Yinggang Mountain's terrain was complex and hard to penetrate.

The situation had deteriorated to its worst for Qin Feng.

Qin Feng frowned slightly, musing: "With only my personal guards, to capture Yinggang Mountain, we'd need to eliminate seven or eight times our own number…"

Seeing Qin Feng's gloom, Ning Hu growled: "I see nothing difficult! The bandits holed up on Yinggang Mountain are all useless drunkards—how could they compare to our elite guards? As long as we advance steadily and avoid the miasma, taking Yinggang Mountain is merely a matter of time."

Ning Hu's words were uplifting—and not exaggerated.

But the problem Qin Feng worried about was never whether Yinggang Mountain could be taken.

Qin Feng looked up at Ning Hu, an unusual sadness flickering across his face: "Every time I think of those three comrades who died in military death, my heart aches. These brothers weren't just expendable soldiers—we brought them all from Jingdu. Each one was as close as flesh and blood."

"I brought them out—I must bring them back, whole and alive."

"A direct assault on Yinggang Mountain will bring casualties!"

Ning Hu's fiery spirit instantly dimmed at these words.

As a Jingdu noble, Ning Hu had never cared about the lives of common soldiers.

As the saying goes: one general's glory is built on ten thousand bones.

But since joining Qin Feng, Ning Hu's entire worldview had been turned upside down.

Training and fighting alongside the guards had forged bonds deeper than commander and subordinate.

Though he never spoke of it, Ning Hu still carried deep sorrow for the three fallen comrades.

Beside him, Qi Meng stared blankly at Qin Feng.

Until now, Qi Meng had always believed he and the other guards were Qin Feng's LoyalServants.

But today, for the first time, he understood—he was not an expendable servant, but a brother to Qin Feng…

Qi Meng suddenly clenched his fists, dropped to one knee with a thud, his eyes blazing: "Young Master, even if it's a mountain of knives or sea of fire, I, Qi Meng, swear the PatrioticOath—I will not hesitate!"

At that moment, the guards rushed into DaTang one after another.

They knelt down in a sweeping wave.

All stared at Qin Feng with profound admiration, shouting in unison: "We swear the PatrioticOath for Young Master!"

Feeling their unwavering gaze, Qin Feng's hesitation vanished completely.

He stood at once and barked: "Good brothers! Beidi War Command: March on Yinggang Mountain!"

Due to the County City's weak defenses, Qin Feng had to leave twenty guards behind to hold the city.

Plus the guards still recovering from prior injuries.

Only seventy guards actually marched toward Yinggang Mountain.

Qin Feng divided the seventy into three squads.

First Squad, thirty men, led by Ning Hu.

Second Squad, thirty men, led by Qi Meng.

Third Squad, ten men, led by Qin Feng himself.

And the seventy did not leave the City Gate together—they pulled four men from each squad, sending them out in staggered waves ahead, moving stealthily toward Yinggang Mountain.

These four were the FrontierScouts.

By the time Qin Feng led the main force past the City Gate, as predicted, within the time of one cup of tea, a FrontierScout galloped back, a bloody head hanging from his saddle.

The FrontierScout bowed: "Report, Young Master: One Imperial Spy from Yinggang Mountain captured and beheaded!"

Qin Feng nodded: "Good! Reward ten taels of silver!"

The FrontierScout froze, his face flushing with embarrassment: "This is my duty—I do not seek reward."

Qin Feng waved his hand decisively: "Brothers are brothers; rewards are rewards—keep them separate. You are not just my Brotherhood—you are the foundation of my cultivation. Helping you live well is my duty too."

At these words, the FrontierScout's face flushed with excitement, and he shouted: "Thank you, Young Master!"

Before the words faded, he spurred his horse away.

The remaining guards watched him with blazing eyes—all knew what it meant to follow Qin Feng.

Qin Feng led the main force steadily toward Yinggang Mountain; along the way, the FrontierScouts captured six more Imperial Spies.

Ning Hu couldn't help remarking: "No doubt now—Zhong Ling's forces have definitely taken up position on Yinggang Mountain. Spreading so many spies isn't bandit work."

Qin Feng nodded: "Zhong Ling is a rare military talent—don't underestimate her. If we rush blindly toward Yinggang Mountain, we'll be spotted, giving them time to prepare. Worse, Zhong Ling may lead cavalry to ambush Beixi County."

Hearing Qin Feng's analysis, Ning Hu shuddered in relief—he finally understood why Qin Feng left so many behind in the County City.

When they were less than five li from Yinggang Mountain, Qin Feng ordered the War Horses hidden in a depression.

He left two guards to watch them.

The four FrontierScouts continued their patrol around Yinggang Mountain.

Qin Feng and the remaining sixty-four guards advanced on foot toward Yinggang Mountain.

The point of intrusion was precisely East Mountain.

Qin Feng once again dispatched two FrontierScouts to enter the mountain for Reconnaissance.

With this arrangement, only two guards remained by Qin Feng's side.

After roughly One Incense Stick Time had passed, the FrontierScouts came rushing back through the forest, their eyes grave: "Young Master, the situation has changed!"