Chapter 375

First Volume, Chapter 375: Pure Cooperation

The Supervisor of War's face was utterly grim.

After a long silence, he replied in a low voice: "This matter has three layers. First, the National War has entered its second phase; Shedynasty assassinated our General Chen Si, and our Beidi response was a justified counterstrike. Once this precedent is set, it will plunge us into a quagmire of retaliation—mutual assassinations of high-ranking generals, stealth attacks on grain granaries, Jun Xie Ku, and other high-value targets."

"Second, Beixi County has been worn down by our Consume tactics and is likely at its limit; sending Tianji Camp Guards to launch Ambushes now is a delaying tactic. Moreover, since Chen Si was recalled to Wang Du, Beixi County's boldness… has only grown."

Hearing this, the Beidi King couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

If Chen Si hadn't been ambushed and his condition had worsened, as long as he stood on the Front Line, Beixi County would have cowered, daring not to overstep by a hair.

Our Chen Si and Zhong Ling—two Legendary Generals—one dead, one wounded.

Truly, Heaven does not favor Beidi.

All the Civil and Military Officials present shook their heads in sorrow; Chen Si was the only man alive who could hold Beixi County in check—and now his condition had worsened, forcing him to be recalled to Wang Du…

Had Chen Si not been wounded, Beixi County would surely have been crushed long ago…

Ah!

Even as the ministers sighed, the Beidi King demanded sharply: "And what of the third?!"

The Supervisor of War sighed bitterly: "Our Imperial Spies have long studied Qin Feng—he is deeply emotional. It is said… it is said…"

"It is said that when his maid was wounded, he flew into a rage and nearly drew swords with the Imperial Palace Guards."

At these words, the Beidi King finally accepted it.

Qin Feng truly is as mad as the legends claim.

Drawing swords with the Imperial Palace Guards? What is that but Rebellion?

It seems…

Qin Feng's entire retaliation was truly over a maid…

Though standing on the opposite side, the Beidi King couldn't help but marvel: What manner of man is Qin Feng? How could he value a mere maid so deeply that he would risk forfeiting all his wealth and status for those close to him?

No!

This is precisely Qin Feng's cleverness.

Through this, all of Heaven will understand one truth: harming anyone close to Qin Feng—even a maid—will trigger his relentless, all-out retaliation.

From now on, anyone daring to covet Qin Feng's kin will think twice.

…………

The Imperial Palace, Western Flower Hall.

The Imperial Consort's lips curled slightly, forming a mocking smile.

"So many days have passed, and still no reaction. It seems the Saint has accepted it."

"Since Shedynasty's founding, Qin Feng is the first person to defy the Imperial Palace Guards and walk away unscathed."

The attendant beside her hesitated, then whispered: "Why would the Saint fear a mere Qin Feng?"

The Imperial Consort snorted: "It's not fear—it's calculation of gains and losses."

"Now the Saint has finally understood Qin Feng's bottom line: as long as no one touches his family, everything is negotiable; once that line is crossed, Qin Feng becomes utterly heartless. Henceforth, the Saint's cooperation with Qin Feng will be far purer."

The attendant half-understood: "Cooperation? What are the Saint and Qin Feng cooperating on?"

At this, the Imperial Consort's face darkened; she glared at the attendant: "Get out!"

The attendant didn't know what she'd said wrong and dared not speak, hurrying away.

The Imperial Consort's gaze turned icy.

Cooperation?

Of course it's cooperation against the Lin Family—what else could it be?!

Fool! Must I spell it out for you?

Since the Chang Princess entered the palace, the officials from the Imperial Household Department have sent us one attendant after another—each dumber than the last—afraid to assign even one clever soul to advise me!

…………

At this moment, every Official in Jingzhong understood clearly: the capital was seething with hidden currents.

Yet on the surface, everyone carried on as usual—doing their duties, everything appearing calm and still.

Even Qin Tianhu continued attending court; the Liang Emperor's trust in him remained undiminished.

He even occasionally praised Qin Feng for eliminating Beidi Spies.

In recent days, the silks and Ceramics awarded alone had nearly piled into a small mountain.

Qin Tianhu understood perfectly: this was the Liang Emperor soothing Qin Feng, urging him to keep fighting Shedynasty.

At least until the National War ended, Qin Feng's position remained unshakable.

Today, after the afternoon court, Qin Tianhu returned to his Residence to rest—only to hear shouting the moment he stepped inside.

Such loud commotion! What decorum!

Qin Tianhu frowned and followed the noise to the Pian Yuan—then nearly fainted from rage.

Qin Feng and a thin, scrawny man were rolling on the ground together.

Qin Feng, a scholar with no martial strength, was thrown around until dizzy—but each time he got up, refused to yield, charged again, and was thrown down once more.

Qin Tianhu knew that since Xiao Xiangxiang had taken a blade for Qin Feng, Qin Feng had decided to train in martial arts for self-defense.

But…

For the heir of the Qin Family to be tossed around like a chick was simply disgraceful.

Qin Tianhu was about to stop it—until he recognized the man throwing Qin Feng—and nearly spat blood: it was… Li Xu!

Qin Tianhu's face turned pitch black; he said nothing, turned, and walked away.

In the DaTang, he happened to see Liu Hongyan passing by and called her over: "Hongyan, how did the Baron of Fuyun County come here?"

Liu Hongyan also looked helpless: "He was invited by Feng'er."

"After all, Feng'er's body is weak, and although Li Lang is short, he is extraordinarily brave and strong; Feng'er feels Li Lang's martial arts suit his style, so..."

"Bullshit!" Qin Tianhu growled lowly: "The Ming Wang family is the sacred emperor's forbidden scale—this is deliberately provoking trouble!"

Liu Hongyan said she could not handle this matter, bowed, and left.

At this moment, in Pian Yuan, Qin Feng was once again pinned to the ground by Li Lang; no matter how hard he struggled, he could not rise, gasping heavily and grumbling: "Are you on drugs? You're skin and bones, how the hell are you this strong?"

Li Lang was extremely proud: "You don't understand, little master! Since childhood, I've trained in solid, rigid martial arts—don't be fooled by my thin frame; every bit is pure muscle."

Qin Feng rolled his eyes: "I'm already five-spice! If you keep training me like this, I'll die from being thrown before I even get good!"

Li Lang released his grip and pulled Qin Feng up, shrugging: "Martial training is like this—there are no shortcuts. If you take one, your skills won't be solid."

Qin Feng brushed the dust off his body, grumbling: "I don't need such solid martial arts—just enough to protect myself."

At that moment, Jing Qianying stepped forward and tossed her wooden sword to Qin Feng.

Before Qin Feng could react, Jing Qianying swung her sword—not only knocking his wooden sword flying, but also striking his shoulder, making him grimace in pain and roll around on the ground.

"Fourth Sister, are you trying to murder your own husband?!"

A flush crossed Jing Qianying's cheeks; she spat: "You can't even hold your sword steady—you're pathetically weak!"