Chapter 337: First Volume, Chapter 337: Only for Home and Nation

First Volume, Chapter 337: Only for Home and Nation

The reason is simple: it has nothing to do with political stance, duty, or bloodline.

Across all of Liang, only Qin Feng is fighting the Northern Di.

The Liang Emperor sits high in the Grand Hall, overseeing grand strategy, yet shows not an ounce of humanity—he sacrifices the lives of a county's people to gain strategic victory; even if this war is won, what does it matter? Win the battle, lose the hearts of the people.

The Border Army has battled the Northern Di for years, once a noble cause, but over these years it has grown corrupt.

Any clear-eyed observer can see that the Beixi Battlefield and the Bian Jun Da Ying are so close, yet the Border Army has sent not a single soldier—this proves the Border Army has begun to take sides.

If Qin Feng had not gritted his teeth and spared no cost to sustain this war, Beixi County would long ago have been slaughtered to the last man and beast by the Northern Di.

Zhao Yuxiong took a deep breath, a steely resolve flashing in his eyes: "Father! I have never defied you in my life, but this time, I will not abandon the chance to serve my country for the sake of personal fame or gain! I joined the Tianji Camp not for the rank of Deputy Commander, nor to write a glorious chapter in my official record—I serve only for the Liang state, for the peace and prosperity of the people, nothing more!"

These words made Zhao Li's aged face burn with shame.

He had tried several times to shout at him, to order Zhao Yuxiong back to the mansion.

But he was born a warrior, his bones carrying an indelible bloodline of courage.

As the eldest of the family, Zhao Li naturally had to weigh carefully the rise and fall of the clan against his own aspirations.

In the end, Zhao Li chose only to support Zhao Yuxiong personally—and nothing more.

"If you insist on joining the Tianji Camp, I won't stop you—but I have one condition: if trouble arises later, I can protect only you. The lives or fates of others mean nothing to the Zhao Family. If you promise me you'll know when to withdraw from the storm, I will no longer oppose you."

Zhao Yuxiong's voice rang strong and clear: "I serve only Liang—not any person!"

Between father and son, no further words were needed.

Meanwhile, Qin Feng had returned to the Tianji Camp under the escort of Jing Qianying, Wu Wei, and others.

Upon learning Qin Feng was wounded, the entire Tianji Camp erupted.

All Tianji Camp Guards surrounded the Tianji Camp Compound, pressing so tightly not even a drop of water could pass—they longed to don armor, muster troops, and storm Jingdu for revenge.

"Captain Wu, who wounded Young Master?!"

"Young Master had Guards protecting him, and Fourth Miss accompanied him—he was under the Son of Heaven's gaze. Only the Imperial Guard or Palace Guards could possess such strength and audacity."

"So what if it's the Imperial Guard? What if it's the Palace Guards? Whoever dares wound Young Master is our mortal enemy!"

Seeing the Guards rise in fury, Wu Wei, though seething with rage himself, raised a hand and barked low: "All of you, be silent!"

At this moment, Ning Hu and Xu Mo were both in Beixi County; among the Tianji Camp, Wu Wei held the highest rank.

Even though Wu Wei was merely a Captain, the Guards obeyed instantly, not daring the slightest defiance.

Wu Wei's eyes held an unprecedented gravity: "Generals Ning Hu and Xu Mo are not in Jingdu. Most Tianji Camp Guards have been dispatched to Beixi County to protect Merchant Caravans and Grain Escorts. Young Master is isolated in Jingdu—do not let anger cloud your judgment. How we respond must wait for Young Master's orders."

"But one thing is certain: our present status comes entirely from Young Master's recognition and promotion. If he gives one word, even if it's a mountain of blades or sea of fire, we will go without hesitation!"

Hearing this, the Guards clenched their fists, their eyes filled with resolve.

The atmosphere inside the Tianji Camp Compound was equally heavy.

Upon learning Qin Feng was wounded, everyone from the Qin Family rushed over.

Qin Feng lay on the bed, his upper clothing removed, a tiny but unmistakable red dot embedded in his shoulder. Though the wound was small, it was extremely troublesome—a penetrating injury. The physician wanted to bandage it, but Qin Feng firmly refused.

Even the physician and Liu Hongyan and others could not understand Qin Feng's stubbornness.

Liu Hongyan frowned deeply, her voice thick with worry: "Feng'er, though the wound is small, if you don't stop the bleeding soon, it may fester into a serious illness."

Shen Qingci had intended to scold him sharply and force him to bandage it, but seeing his pale face, clearly wracked with pain, she could not bring herself to.

She abandoned her usual haughty demeanor, sat beside the bed, and gently cradled Qin Feng's head on her lap, silently wiping the sweat from his forehead with a wet towel.

Facing their pleas, Qin Feng forced a weak smile: "The Flying Needle pierced my shoulder, but it only went through skin and muscle. This little blood loss is nothing. Just wipe the wound with Alcohol to prevent infection—it's so fine, the wound will heal on its own."

Qin Feng spoke lightly, but he was biting his toes raw from pain.

And…

Who knew if that Flying Needle had rust on it? Such a fine penetrating wound is extremely likely to trigger tetanus—given today's medical standards, it's practically a death sentence.

Right now, aside from keeping the wound clean to prevent Anaerobic Bacteria from multiplying inside, all that remains is to gamble.

Jing Qianying stood beside him, sometimes clenching her fists, sometimes frowning tightly.

Her eyes were filled with guilt and self-reproach.

If not for her negligence today, Qin Feng would not have been wounded.

The only way to ease her conscience now was to avenge Qin Feng.

Jing Qianying silently made a shocking decision, about to turn away—when Qin Feng called out to stop her.

"Fourth Sister, this is not your fault."

"If you hadn't been there today, even without the Imperial Consort's direct order, the Imperial Guard would have already cut me down. The Imperial Consort always finds an excuse to strike at me."

"A fall teaches wisdom—I must be more careful in the future."

Qin Feng did his best to soothe Jing Qianying, fearing she might act rashly and do something irreversible.

After all, the Imperial Consort's skill was simply too strong—even Jing Qianying had no chance against her.

Moreover, attacking the Imperial Consort is a crime punishable by Nine Clans Extermination!

Right now, the Imperial Consort stands utterly invincible.

The only way forward is to slowly erode her power through attrition tactics.

Jing Qianying bit her thin lips—she couldn't remember the last time she'd felt this panicked.

Especially seeing Qin Feng's ashen face, his eyes filled with unbearable pain yet forcing calm—it broke her heart.

Jing Qianying took a deep breath, her gaze suddenly sharp and solemn: "I owe you my life! Whatever you ask of me to repay it, I will do."

The Qin Feng who had been weak, nearly dying moments before, sat bolt upright like he'd been injected with stimulant: "Fourth Sister, you mean it?"

Jing Qianying did not hesitate: "A word once spoken cannot be recalled—not even by four galloping horses!"