Chapter 407

First Volume, Chapter 407: The Expeditionary Force Against the Rebels

Li Xiaolan was swept into Qin Feng's arms, feeling the strength of his solid arms, and her heart stirred with complex emotions.

"Feng'er, after all this time, how have you made no progress at all?"

"You're already a renowned figure in Shedynasty—how can you still act like a child?"

Facing Li Xiaolan's gentle reprimand, Qin Feng took no shame but pride in it, pressing his head against her twice with full force, face radiating delight.

"Before my sisters, I am forever a child."

"A man remains a boy till death!"

Hearing this, Li Xiaolan sighed helplessly.

Though her face showed exasperation, her heart was deeply comforted—after all, all men in Heaven were the same: once they gained wealth and power, they changed entirely. Yet here stood Qin Feng, now a fearsome figure whose single strength had halted the Northern Di army's advance, yet remained unchanged at heart.

Li Xiaolan smiled softly, reached out, and stroked Qin Feng's head, speaking gently: "Get off quickly, or don't blame me for being uncivil."

Recalling how she had nearly left him castrated back in Beixi County, Qin Feng felt a chill run down his spine and immediately let go, stepping sullenly aside.

"Capturing Wei Xiao? Let the Jinyiwei handle it—why must Third Sister make the trip herself?"

"He's just a mere assassin."

Hearing this, Li Xiaolan let out a light scoff: "A mere assassin? You're the first person to describe Wei Xiao like that. If the Jinyiwei hadn't uncovered Wei Xiao's movements early tonight, you'd be dead. His arrow skills have reached divine mastery—he can take your head from a hundred steps away."

"Such a dangerous man should be executed immediately. Why spare his life? Aren't you afraid of raising a tiger that will turn on you?"

Facing Li Xiaolan's warning, Qin Feng remained unconcerned.

"He'll be killed, certainly—but not now. Wei Xiao has lain low for so long; someone must be pulling the strings. If we don't drag out the mastermind behind this, I won't be able to sleep or eat in peace."

Learning Qin Feng's true intent, Li Xiaolan's eyes flickered with deep meaning: "Some things are better left unknown. In this life, it's rare to be truly foolish."

Qin Feng raised an eyebrow, gazing at Li Xiaolan with profound implication: "So… Third Sister knows who the mastermind is?"

Li Xiaolan, now Jinyiwei Left Envoy, was of equal rank to Mo Li—but if push came to shove, even Mo Li would obey her orders.

As the second-in-command of the Jinyiwei, how could Li Xiaolan not see through Qin Feng's schemes?

"Don't ask me this. If you ask, I won't answer. You only need to know: the interests entangled behind Wei Xiao far exceed your imagination. If you kill him outright, the matter ends. If you capture him but spare him, you'll draw fire upon yourself."

Qin Feng understood this: once news of Wei Xiao's capture spread, the mastermind would grow restless—there would be only two outcomes: either kill Wei Xiao to silence him, or kill Qin Feng for good.

But Qin Feng intended to use Wei Xiao as bait to lure out the mastermind.

Seeing Qin Feng's carefree, dismissive demeanor and refusal to heed advice, Li Xiaolan dropped the matter and shifted tone: "When you return to the Northern Border, will you visit Beixi County for a while? Mother has mentioned you several times these past days."

Honestly, Qin Feng missed his mother too—but the situation was grave. Though his father and the Taolin Party supported him in the capital, their hold was unstable. To deal with that old fox, Lin Taibao, Qin Feng himself must act. He had sworn a military oath to return to Jingdu within ten days—there was no spare time for Beixi County.

Qin Feng sighed softly: "Please tell Mother, Third Sister, that once I bring down the grain prices in Jiangnan, I'll find the right moment to visit Beixi County and pay my respects."

Li Xiaolan knew Qin Feng was swamped with duties and didn't press. Instead, she asked: "What's your confidence level in crushing the rebellion in Pingnan County?"

At this, Qin Feng smiled: "Before nightfall tomorrow, it'll be over."

To break Pingnan County in one afternoon? Li Xiaolan doubted it—but since Qin Feng had said it, she had no choice but to believe him.

Seeing Li Xiaolan prepare to leave, Qin Feng grabbed her arm from behind with a mischievous grin: "How about you stay tonight, Third Sister? I'm scared of the dark…"

Li Xiaolan wrenched free, spun, and slapped his forehead, laughing and scolding: "Don't even think of that trick! Second Sister already told me your true nature—I'm not falling for it."

Qin Feng rubbed his forehead, looking pitiful: "I'm truly afraid—what if another assassin tries to kill me?"

Li Xiaolan gave him a withering look: "You have Zhao Yuxiong and the Black Cavalry, plus Jinyiwei shadows guarding you—even if the Northern Di's Night Owls launched a full assault, what could they do to you? Just stay put. We'll talk about Beixi County when you get there."

Qin Feng's eyes lit up: "If I go to Beixi County, will you tuck me in?"

Li Xiaolan's cheeks flushed, and she spat: "Pfft—I already said: we'll talk about it when you get to Beixi County!"

Qin Feng jumped up excitedly: "Then it's settled!"

Li Xiaolan bit her lower lip, shot Qin Feng another look. Normally, spending more time with him wouldn't hurt—but the Sanggan Army was pressing at the border; she had to return to Beixi County to hold the line and coordinate military intelligence with Mo Li. She simply had no time.

Qin Feng stood outside the tent, gazing at the bleak night. This place was less than a hundred li from Beixi County—on a galloping horse, he could reach it in less than one Envoy.

Such proximity, yet he was forced to gaze across the distance at his mother and Third Sister—his heart ached with bitter regret.

At dawn the next day, as the sky barely lightened, Qin Feng led Zhao Yuxiong and others toward Pingnan County.

At this time, the Cheji forces had already begun arriving at Pingnan County, forming ranks outside the city walls. The vanguard numbered three thousand; the remaining twenty thousand would arrive in waves before noon.

Qin Feng summoned all the Cheji generals before him and spoke casually: "I know you dislike me. Likewise, I dislike you. After today's battle, we'll go our separate ways. Whether we meet again—and how—depends on fate. You need only obey my orders precisely. Anyone who dares to slack off will be executed on the spot."

The ten-plus generals present said nothing; their gazes toward Qin Feng brimmed with resentment and contempt.

But seeing Zhao Yuxiong on his left and Jing Qianying on his right, plus the five hundred grim, terrifying Black Cavalry behind them, the generals swallowed their hatred.

The Cheji General had become Qin Feng's hostage; even if they resented him, they had no choice but to obey.

Excluding the troops guarding the camp, the total force attacking Pingnan County was twenty-three thousand—all arrived before noon, surrounding the entire County City completely.

Meanwhile, the rebel soldiers crouched atop the City Wall, seeing the dense, overwhelming army outside, all grew grim-faced…