Chapter 247

First Volume, Chapter 247: Total Annihilation, Great Victory

Facing the endless stream of bandits flooding into the ravine, Qin Feng sat calmly at its center, leisurely contemplating the future of Beixi County, having already forgotten the horrific battle unfolding before him.

In truth, Qin Feng had overestimated Feiying Stockade's tactical mastery.

And…

Qin Feng had restrained his warhorse merely to lure Zhong Ling into a trap, yet Feiying Stockade had charged forward like a mad horde.

Clearly, Feiying Stockade was intensely interested in Qin Feng's head.

As for the reason, it need not be delved into.

After all, Qin Feng's enemies were scattered across the entire Jiangnan and North regions—he was already "overwhelmed by too many foes."

Qin Feng only needed to hold the ravine's entrance.

Less than one Envoy since the battle began, Feiying Stockade had already lost a hundred men.

Li Qi, eyes bloodshot, screamed hysterically: "Kill! Kill! Kill!"

At this critical deadline, a burst of fire spread from the direction of the bandit garrison on the mountain waist.

Zhong Ling gasped: "No good! Qin Feng split his forces to launch a surprise attack on the garrison!"

In that instant, Zhong Ling's gaze shifted drastically, fixed on the ravine where Qin Feng stood, his face now streaked with fear: "He has barely a hundred men—and still dares to split his forces and ambush the garrison?! How could these guards possess such ferocious combat effectiveness?!"

Zhong Ling knew well: the only reason Qin Feng dared to split his forces was absolute confidence in his guards' tactical advantage.

If all Liang soldiers were this formidable, it would be an existential catastrophe for the Beidi.

Since this New Army was personally trained by Qin Feng, eliminating Qin Feng alone would sever the New Army's very root!

Realizing this, Zhong Ling's eyes hardened with unyielding resolve; he roared: "Beidi soldiers, obey my command! At all costs, breach the ravine and kill Qin Feng! Qin Feng alone holds greater strategic value than the entire Beixi County—for Beidi!"

Zhong Ling and Li Qi's forces merged and launched a near-frenzied assault on the ravine.

Hundreds pressed together, scrambling to charge inward.

At that moment, Qin Feng stood up, stretched lazily, and said with casual ease: "As planned, let us bring this night's battle to a perfect close."

Ning Hu, long eager to act, immediately drew his ox horn horn and blew it with all his strength.

The horn's blast echoed throughout the ravine.

The guards in the midst of battle immediately withdrew into the ravine, mounted the Beidi warhorses, and galloped toward the ravine's mouth.

The Beidi warhorses had already had their eyes covered.

Thirty warhorses, like a sharp blade, plunged straight into the narrow entrance of the ravine.

The bandits and Beidi cavalry blocking the way were violently crushed by the charging horses, utterly unable to resist.

Some were directly smashed into grievous injuries.

Others were cut down in a single stroke by the guards.

But most were knocked down and trampled mercilessly under the hooves.

Where the warhorses passed, the ground was plowed as if by a harrow—hundreds of enemies lay mangled and broken across the field.

The remaining enemies posed no further threat.

Zhong Ling and Li Qi stared dumbfounded as the warhorses charged back and forth, trampling the battlefield; their fighting spirit had long been replaced by terror.

Li Qi swallowed hard several times, his face as pale as paper: "H… hundreds of men… just wiped out like that?!"

Zhong Ling had fought Qin Feng before, but now he realized he had still grossly underestimated Qin Feng's tactical mastery.

Meanwhile, the bandits left behind at the garrison, drenched in blood, ran over screaming: "Lord! The garrison was attacked! Those guards are too fierce—our comrades couldn't hold them! Many have already fled!"

Li Qi stared blankly at the bandit: "How many were they?"

The bandit's face was ashen, as if his courage had shattered: "At least thirty men!"

At least…

Thirty…

They broke through the garrison and slaughtered two hundred defenders?!

Are these guards nothing but death-bringing ghosts?!

The tide has turned!

Watching his last dozen men being slaughtered by the guards, Li Qi no longer hesitated—he scrambled and crawled desperately toward East Mountain.

Zhong Ling watched his elite troops, facing Qin Feng's trained guards, being butchered like helpless bandits with no chance to fight back; his face turned pale with horror, then hardened into one final flicker of pride. He drew his short ge and charged at the guards.

Kill as many as I can!

At the same moment, a warhorse surged forward; its rider, wielding a long spear, drove it down from above, piercing Zhong Ling's chest—blood sprayed several paces.

Zhong Ling clutched the spear tightly, his eyes filled with shock and unwillingness; with his last breath, he whispered: "Who are you?"

Ning Hu's gaze flashed cold: "Son of Yong'an Hou, under Qin Feng's command, New Army Vice General, Ning Hu!"

Zhong Ling's eyes gradually lost their luster; inwardly he sighed: "Those guards are like shadow soldiers… their commander is like a demon… who could train such a fearsome army? Qin Feng… what manner of deity are you?"

…

Jingdu, Imperial Study.

Hei Wei stood behind the screen and said gravely: "Your Majesty, the messenger from Beixi has arrived at the Jingdu Yi Guan with urgent news."

The Liang Emperor, bent over reviewing an imperial memorial, replied indifferently: "A war report? Has something changed along the Bianchui border?"

Hei Wei shook his head, his expression as cold and emotionless as ever: "The messenger has been received by the Ministry of War; details are currently inaccessible."

The Liang Emperor uttered a soft "oh," unconcerned, and said casually: "If the Ministry of War has taken it, then it's a war report. If there's urgent intelligence, Qin Tianhu will report it himself—no need to panic. By the way, how is Qin Feng Xiao'er faring in Beixi?"

"It's been some time since we heard anything from him—has he grown addicted to being County Magistrate?"

At the mention of Qin Feng, the Liang Emperor's lips curled into a mocking smile.

Though Qin Tianhu never spoke of it, the Liang Emperor sensed his resentment over the appointment of Qin Feng as County Magistrate—and since that little rascal left, Jingdu, once thrown into chaos, had grown quiet.

Even Tianji Camp had become unusually subdued.

It's a good thing—who in Heaven doesn't like peace and quiet?

But it's also a bad thing! Without Qin Feng, the capital, which had barely begun to revive, will sink back into decay.

The Black Commandant's gaze held a hint of contempt: "Your Majesty, Qin Feng has made considerable progress in improving People's Livelihood in Beixi County; the wealthy gentry who colluded with Chen Li have all been crushed by his thunderous methods. If this continues, Qin Feng will soon become the Father Official of Beixi County."

Upon hearing this, the Liang Emperor's eyes filled with disappointment. He flung the Brush onto the Dragon-head Desk and snorted coldly: "Degenerate! If he loves being County Magistrate so much, let him be one to his heart's content!"

Seeing the Liang Emperor's dark expression, the Black Commandant wisely withdrew.

Li Zhan, who had remained silent beside him, hesitated for a long while before softly reminding: "Your Majesty, the appointment of County Magistrate was ordered by Grand Commandant Gao and the Ministry of Personnel—Qin Feng had no choice in the matter…"