Chapter 376

First Volume, Chapter 376: The Art of Survival

Qin Feng looked utterly innocent. How could this be his fault? These delicate, soft hands were meant for caressing young ladies and counting coins, not for wielding swords and spears.

If it weren't for those who wanted him dead, the line would stretch from the Meridian Gate in Jingdu all the way to the Execution Grounds—he had no intention wasting time practicing martial arts.

Lying flat, being a lazy fish who just eats and waits to die, was Qin Feng's unshakable ultimate dream for ten thousand years.

"Can't you teach me something simple?"

"Both wrestling and Sword Art are too advanced—I can't handle them."

Qin Feng hung his head dejectedly, declaring he had no ambition to become a martial hero; techniques didn't need to be fierce or refined—just functional.

Jing Qianying and Li Lang exchanged a glance, both thinking the same thought.

You're useless mud that won't stick to the wall!

Jing Qianying sighed, exasperated: "Fine! I originally intended to pass on all my martial skills to you, but you're lazy and unmotivated. Speak—what do you want to learn?"

That's more like it!

You can't swallow a fat man in one bite; learning martial arts must match your aptitude.

Sword? Too refined, too high a barrier.

Knife? Too brutal—I might accidentally cut myself.

Long Weapon? Am I supposed to carry a Chang Mao around town every day? That'd be too much trouble.

After much thought, Qin Feng's eyes lit up: "Can you teach me the Dagger?"

At this, Jing Qianying spat: "Good-for-nothing! Among all these weapons, you pick the most treacherous, the most disreputable one."

What kind of talk is that? Weapons exist to kill—whatever kills the enemy is a good weapon; there's no hierarchy.

Qin Feng wanted to learn the Dagger—first, because it's easy to carry; second… with a Dagger's thrust, all beings are equal—you can force a fifty-fifty fight with anyone.

Under Qin Feng's strong insistence, Jing Qianying reluctantly taught him basic Dagger techniques; whenever she tried to go deeper, Qin Feng groaned in agony.

On the other side, Li Lang taught Qin Feng basic close-quarters combat.

In addition, Qin Feng combined these with martial arts tutorial videos he'd watched, distilling his own combat philosophy.

In summary: steady, precise, ruthless.

Don't strike unless you strike to kill—if you miss, turn and run!

Thinking of this, Qin Feng slapped his thigh: "That's right! I'll just train running!"

After all, when facing experts, you always have to run—so Qin Feng decided to revive his long-abandoned habit: running.

Then he sketched a Blueprint on paper and gave it to the Tianji Camp craftsmen to build a "parkour training ground."

Thus, Qin Feng's combat philosophy took shape.

In summary: target the weak, avoid the strong!

If you meet a weakling, charge and crush him; if you meet a strong one, turn and run—who cares!

By the time Qin Feng finished, night had fallen. As he stepped out of the Pian Yuan, Qin Tianhu reached out and slapped his back with a giant hand—nearly giving Qin Feng a heart attack.

"Father…"

Qin Tianhu glared: "Shut your mouth!"

Then, like a chick, Qin Feng was hauled by Qin Tianhu into the Book Room. The door slammed shut. Qin Tianhu snatched up a Whip, gritting his teeth: "You brat, do you intend to drag the entire Qin Family to ruin? What's this 'Baron of Fuyun County' nonsense? Why is it on our property? If you don't explain yourself today, I'll beat you to death!"

Qin Feng jumped and dodged, evading Qin Tianhu's Whip. Seizing an opening, he dashed to the door and shouted through it: "Elder Sister! Second Sister! Fourth Sister! Whoever you are—help me!"

Seeing Qin Feng dare resist, Qin Tianhu's face twisted in rage. He swung the Whip again, lashing out at Qin Feng.

Though Qin Feng had only trained running for half a day, he'd already grasped some basics—he twisted his body, dodged, pressed against the wall, shoved hard, and slipped effortlessly out of Qin Tianhu's reach.

This startled Qin Tianhu.

Although…

Qin Feng's movements had been clumsy, ugly beyond words—but… wasn't that "Wall-Crawling Gecko Skill"?

What's going on? Qin Feng trained with Jing Qianying and Li Lang for only one day—and already reached this level? Is this boy, besides his business talent, also gifted in martial arts?

As Qin Tianhu stared in disbelief, Qin Feng quickly raised both hands and shouted: "Father! Calm down! I'm now a proper… Ten-House! I hold a title—how can you just beat me?"

This nearly made Qin Tianhu laugh.

Ten-House?

Even if a Thousand-House showed up, Qin Tianhu would still beat him.

"You brat, you think you've grown wings? Now you dare defy your old man!"

Qin Feng raised his hands in surrender, face twisted in despair: "Even if you lent me a hundred courage, I'd never dare! I brought Li Lang to Jingdu for two reasons: first, to have him teach me a few survival techniques—because Xu Mo and Third Sister are in Beixi County, Ning Hu and Wu Wei are in Jiangnan Tangqi, and only Fourth Sister remains in Jingdu."

"Fourth Sister's martial arts are too high a barrier—unsuitable for me."

"Second, Beixi County is desperately short of manpower, and Li Lang is the Ming Prince's son—he's incredibly strong…"

Before Qin Feng could finish, Qin Tianhu's eyes bulged as if ready to swallow him whole: "Shut up!"

Qin Tianhu roared, gripping his braid and trembling with rage: "Don't you have enough trouble already? Even if Li Lang were the strongest martial artist in Heaven, he must stay buried in Fuyun County!"

"If you move Li Lang to Fuyun County, won't the Emperor think you're colluding with the Ming Prince?"

As soon as he said it, Qin Tianhu himself froze in shock and quickly added: "I spoke carelessly just now—but you understand the meaning."

Colluding with the enemy…

That term must never be applied to the Ming Prince—he is the legitimate prince of Shedynasty, and once won great victories for Shedynasty.

In the past, Qin Feng would have feared this, avoiding any association with the Ming Prince's family.

But after the Bei Di Night Owl's assassination attempt, and after the Emperor of Liang proved so unscrupulous, Qin Feng's mindset had undergone a subtle shift.

Qin Feng intended to free this "caged dragon"—the Ming Prince!

Qin Feng was about to explain his motives to Qin Tianhu, but before he could speak, Liu Hongyan rushed in.

"Father, someone from Gong Zhong has arrived—the Emperor urgently summons Feng to make an Imperial Audience—no delay allowed."

At these words, Qin Tianhu's face turned instantly pale.

Damned! I've finally brought trouble upon myself.

Qin Tianhu pointed the Whip at Qin Feng: "You, of all people, are going to drive your old man to death! Can't you just stay a merchant? Why must you stir up trouble? Fine—I'll go with you into the palace to mediate this matter."

Qin Feng reached out and stopped Qin Tianhu: "The Emperor wishes to see me—what business is it of yours to go? Besides, you're currently Supervisor of War; you ought to avoid even the appearance of bias. Don't worry—I'll go as I am, and I'll return the same way!"