Chapter 378

First Volume, Chapter 378: Uncharacteristic Behavior

If Zhang Xiuye were the Sage's mouthpiece, the Imperial Guards present would never react so calmly—they'd have already snarled and bared their teeth at him.

Since Zhang Xiuye is not the Sage's mouthpiece, there's nothing to fear.

Zhang Xiuye's tongue can't match the Black Guard Bureau. The Sage makes every decision only after reviewing the Black Guard Bureau's reports; otherwise, how could Li Zhan have served for so many years only to be cast aside so easily?

The Black Guard Bureau, though cruel and ruthless, never falsifies reports—otherwise, how could it have earned the Sage's deep trust?

Entering the palace, they arrived outside the Imperial Study.

Zhang Xiuye clenched his teeth, silently threatening: "Qin Feng, if you're this arrogant even after stepping through the door, I'll consider you a true man."

Qin Feng gave Zhang Xiuye a withering look and, before the surrounding Imperial Eunuchs and Imperial Guards, sneered: "I'll be arrogant when I want to be, cowardly when I want to be—what's it to you, a eunuch? The Emperor isn't worried, why are you, a eunuch, so worked up?"

Watching Zhang Xiuye turn beet red and storm off in fury, the surrounding Imperial Eunuchs stared as if they'd seen a ghost, and even the Imperial Guards widened their eyes in utter disbelief.

Just as Qin Feng was about to enter, an arm blocked his path.

He looked up—well, well… old enemy.

The Palace Guard standing before him was none other than Kong Wu, who had nearly been shot into a hedgehog by Tianji Camp Guards outside the Capital's city gate.

Kong Wu coldly asked: "Are you carrying weapons?"

Since he was an old enemy, Qin Feng had nothing to lose—this grudge was already sealed.

Qin Feng shrugged: "Do the Imperial Guards not know if I'm carrying weapons? Do the Palace Guards not know? What the hell are you even good for?"

Kong Wu narrowed his eyes: "I'll ask you one more time—are you carrying weapons?"

As Kong Wu stepped forward, Qin Feng simply collapsed backward onto the ground and shouted: "Palace Guards are beating people!"

Kong Wu froze, gritted his teeth: "Hmph! I thought you were a hero, but you're just a slippery jackal. When the Sage once ordered your cane punishment, I let you handle it yourself—now be careful. I'll personally give you your due."

Qin Feng rose from the ground, thinking: I've already insulted Zhang Xiuye—why should I fear a mere Palace Guard? He immediately adopted the attitude of a dead pig unafraid of boiling water: "Whether the Sage wants to beat me isn't your decision. Zhang Xiuye is a eunuch, you're a guard—what, both of you think you can take over?"

Kong Wu knew Qin Feng's tongue was ironclad—no one could outwit him in words, so he said nothing further, but his gaze was resolute: "Qin Feng, go ahead and act out. One day, you'll learn the true power of a Palace Guard—and that day is inevitable."

Qin Feng leaned forward and whispered into Kong Wu's ear: "If that day ever comes, Tianji Camp Guards will beat you so badly even your mother won't recognize you."

With that, under Kong Wu's icy, lethal stare, Qin Feng strode boldly through the door into the Imperial Study.

One moment ago, Qin Feng had feared nothing and no one.

The instant he stepped inside, he transformed completely—bending his back, lowering his eyes: "Your humble servant Qin Feng pays homage to the Sage."

The Liang Emperor sat behind his Shushu, having already received layered reports from the Black Guard Bureau about Qin Feng's actions on the way.

Qin Feng was no troublemaker—his behavior was deliberately aimed at the Liang Emperor.

The Liang Emperor had intended to reprimand Qin Feng over Li Zhan, but instead found himself outmaneuvered.

Qin Feng was still in a rage; scolding him now would be unjustifiable—he's too vital to the Liang state. Without Qin Feng, Beixi County couldn't function at all.

The Liang Emperor harbored resentment, so he ignored Qin Feng entirely, silently reviewing memorials at his Shushu.

Seeing the Liang Emperor wouldn't respond, Qin Feng called again: "Commoner Qin Feng pays homage to the Sage."

First he called himself "your humble servant," now he calls himself "commoner"?

The Liang Emperor sneered inwardly: "This brat's tongue is sharp—he's deliberately lowering his stance to gain advantage? I won't play along!"

The Liang Emperor continued to pretend not to hear.

At that moment, Qin Feng stepped out the door and shouted: "Zhang Xiuye, you dog of a servant—how have you served the Sage? Li Zhan has just left; the Sage was still grieving his farewell to his loyal servant, yet you leave him alone behind his Shushu, lost in sorrow—you're not even half as good as Li Zhan!"

Hearing this, the Liang Emperor slammed his Brush onto the desk and growled: "Insolent!"

But the moment the words left his mouth, he swallowed his rage.

Qin Feng was deliberately mocking the Liang Emperor's inhumanity—Li Zhan deserved banishment to the Ancestral Land, not death.

Qin Feng's uncharacteristic outburst today was a hint: today you killed Li Zhan—tomorrow will you kill me?

I, Qin Feng, serve the Liang state with all my heart, yet I can't even protect my own life—how then can I serve Liang wholeheartedly?

The Liang Emperor exhaled deeply—he must endure for the sake of the Liang state.

"Qin Feng, I ask you only this: do you know why I banished the Ming Prince to Fuyun County?"

Qin Feng bowed his head and answered quickly: "Commoner doesn't know, nor has he ever inquired—it's the Sage's family affair, none of a commoner's business. As the saying goes, even an upright official can't judge family matters—outsiders have no right to speak."

This remark lifted the Liang Emperor's spirits considerably.

Among the Civil and Military Officials, no one dared utter a word about the Ming Prince.

Yet Qin Feng, though blunt, had spoken directly to the Liang Emperor's heart.

Indeed—past grievances and grudges, what do they have to do with outsiders?

The Liang Emperor said sternly: "If so, why did you summon Li Lang to the Capital? Didn't you know I'd be angry?"

Qin Feng didn't hesitate: "Commoner doesn't know. Commoner only knows Li Lang is brave, and Liang is in dire need of capable men."

Hearing this, the Liang Emperor raised an eyebrow: "There are countless scions of Military Clans in Jingzhong—pick any one, all are exceptionally brave. Why choose Li Lang?"

Qin Feng replied bluntly: "Others aren't trustworthy or convenient to use."

The Liang Emperor narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharpening: "So you find Li Lang convenient and agreeable? It seems you've had plenty of contact with the Ming Prince's family. Tell me—whose words do you obey better: mine or the Ming Prince's?"

Just as the Liang Emperor's eyes brimmed with murderous intent, Qin Feng remained calm: "It depends."

"In Jingdu, the Sage's words hold sway. But in Beixi County, forgive this commoner for speaking plainly—when a general is abroad, the sovereign's orders may be disregarded. No one's words matter. I must judge based on actual conditions, always prioritizing the Liang state."

The Liang Emperor sensed Qin Feng was deliberately challenging him—a behavior utterly unprecedented before.

Was it because of Li Zhan? Or because of the unconscious girl?

Even the Liang Emperor found himself unable to fathom it.