Chapter 373

First Volume, Chapter 373: Li Zhan "Returning Home"

Li Zhan was old in body but not in spirit; he knew every word of his conversations with Qin Feng had been relayed verbatim to the Emperor by Black Captain.

The Emperor's previous indifference was not due to trust in Li Zhan, but merely out of respect for Qin Feng.

Now, the relationship between the Liang Emperor and Qin Feng had shifted subtly, and it was time to settle accounts with Li Zhan.

Li Zhan slowly raised his hand and bowed: "This old servant refuses to be mere meat on the chopping block."

The meaning was clear: even if the Emperor ordered it, Li Zhan would still fight back.

The Palace Guards paid no heed, even facing one of the Four Great Experts of the Capital, they lazily gestured "proceed," signaling Li Zhan to act as he wished.

After a moment of stillness, Li Zhan suddenly struck, two fingers forming a sword, aiming straight for the Palace Guard's vital point.

The lead Palace Guard neither dodged nor retreated; not only was his pen-collar armor tough, but his own Hard Qigong was formidable.

One such strike would have killed any other man instantly.

The Palace Guard showed no reaction, seized Li Zhan's wrist, and with his other hand shot out to clamp his throat: "You're old."

Li Zhan truly was old; youth overcomes strength—no matter how hard he strained, he could not break free from the Palace Guard's grip.

At the same moment, three other Palace Guards stepped forward, each seizing Li Zhan's legs and left arm.

All four Palace Guards exerted force simultaneously—there was a sharp, crisp "crack."

No blood was spilled; that was the last shred of respect the Capital showed for this old man.

The City Gate slowly opened, and a luxurious carriage rolled out, carrying a black lacquer coffin.

Li Zhan was gently placed inside the coffin.

The Emperor's gift of Twenty Thousand Li Silver—including the silver Qin Feng had "paid" over these days—was retrieved by the Palace Guards, neatly stacked, and placed upon Li Zhan's chest.

The coffin lid closed, and the carriage slowly headed toward Li Zhan's Ancestral Land.

At the same time, Black Captain on the City Wall Gate shouted: "Eunuch Li has passed away in peace! Send Eunuch Li home to his roots!"

Just then, a gaze shot over from nearby.

The lead Palace Guard glanced once, expressionless, and turned to leave—until the man called out: "Next is me?"

The Palace Guard halted abruptly, his peripheral vision flicking over: "Qin Shi Hu, watch your tongue!"

Qin Feng, who had just finished interrogating Beidi Spies at Tianji Camp and was preparing to return to the city, had witnessed Li Zhan's "farewell" firsthand—he clenched his fist tightly.

Was this the end of a loyal servant who had devoted his entire life to the Da Liang Imperial Family?

Must leaving Jingdu always end like this?

In the past, Qin Feng would never have clashed with the Palace Guards in any form.

But seeing Li Zhan sent away, and recalling Xiao Xiangxiang, still unconscious at home, Qin Feng's eyes blazed with fury: "Watch my tongue?!"

"I saw you kill Li Zhan!"

"Li Zhan was a faithful servant of the Emperor—what is your intent? I now suspect you of subverting the court and colluding with Beidi Spies!"

Almost the moment Qin Feng finished speaking, twenty Tianji Camp Guards drew their bows, armor-piercing arrowheads already aimed at the four Palace Guards.

Qin Feng stared at the lead Palace Guard, each word deliberate: "Do you remember when I asked you in Gong Zhong—how strong are the Palace Guards?"

"But even if you're that strong, you're still just one volley away!"

The lead Palace Guard remained expressionless, utterly unmoved by Qin Feng's threat: "Within the city, the Palace Guards are invincible. Outside, the Tianji Camp Guards outshine them. But does it matter? Qin Feng, do you dare defy ImperialWill?!"

Qin Feng met the Palace Guard's cold, authoritative gaze without flinching.

One order from Qin Feng, and these "invincible" Palace Guards would instantly be riddled with armor-piercing arrowheads—no matter how fierce, they were but ants beneath a storm of arrows!

Qin Feng and Li Zhan had always been close; though they had dealings of interest, their bond was genuine.

Now, watching his old friend strangled, and remembering Xiao Xiangxiang—once inseparable, now drifting away, as if she might vanish from him forever—

A killing intent, unlike any he had ever felt, surged wildly through Qin Feng's heart.

Qin Feng stared at the Palace Guard, slowly raising his right hand.

The Palace Guard's eyes turned icy—he knew there was nothing Qin Feng would not do.

If Qin Feng gave the order, these four would die—but in return, the thin veil between Qin Feng and the Emperor would be torn open.

Just as the two stood locked in standoff, a rapid clatter of hooves approached.

"Stop, all of you!"

Xie Yun'er dismounted, stepping sharply in front of Qin Feng and snapping: "Qin Feng! Do you still even care about avenging Xiao Xiangxiang?!"

At those words, Qin Feng's eyes flickered with shock, then pain.

Yes.

Only by leveraging the power of Liang could he continue his revenge against Beidi—this thin veil could not yet be torn.

In other words, he was still far too weak to defy the Liang Emperor…

Meanwhile, the Palace Guards walked away without looking back.

Xie Yun'er rushed forward and shoved Qin Feng hard, scolding: "With your current strength, the Emperor needs only one word to crush you like an ant—what are you proving by being so stubborn? Everyone in this Capital is a stone beneath the Emperor's feet; if you're a stone, learn to be a stone."

"If you stick out and annoy him, the Emperor will kick you aside without hesitation."

Xie Yun'er's words jolted Qin Feng awake—his current strength couldn't even handle the Lin Family, let alone challenge the Emperor.

Strength was the only language the world truly understood.

"Thank you, Yun'er."

Qin Feng exhaled deeply, his expression shifting a full 180 degrees—he smiled his old, carefree grin, wrapped his arm around Xie Yun'er's shoulder, and pulled her toward the city.

Though Qin Feng smiled, Xie Yun'er felt the depth of his sorrow, the darkness within him.

When Qin Feng had raised his hand toward the Palace Guards—even if only for a fleeting moment—

It proved his true stance.

The arrows aimed not at the Palace Guards—but at the Emperor!

This is Qin Feng—when his family is harmed, his rage will cause him to bare his fangs at anyone.

In a certain sense, Qin Feng and the Liang Emperor are the same kind of person.

The difference is that one sees only his family, while the other sees only the state…

…………

In Beixi County, Li Xiaolan held the Secret Letter delivered by the Brocade Guard envoy and let out a bitter laugh.

From the moment she learned of Qin Feng's ambush and Xiao Xiangxiang's severe injuries, Li Xiaolan had foreseen this.

Not just Shedynasty, but also Beidi, or even the entire Heaven, will change beneath Qin Feng's boundless rage.

Li Xiaolan glanced at Qin Cheng Clan.

Seeing Qin Cheng Clan nod, she no longer hesitated and softly proclaimed: "Order Xu Mo to assemble the Tianji Camp Guards; order Mo Li to assemble the Brocade Guard—launch a retaliatory… Decapitation Operation against Beidi!"