Chapter 415: First Volume, Chapter 415: Quiet Return to Beijing

First Volume, Chapter 415: Quiet Return to Beijing

Several Yamen Runners exchanged glances, fully aware that the woman before them was a formidable martial artist; they dared not confront her directly and quickly turned to flee, gritting their teeth.

"Let's go report to the Vice Minister!"

"These three have landed themselves in a massive mess today!"

The Yamen Runners, panting heavily, arrived at the Guan Ka checkpoint on the Fuyun County Official Road and fell to their knees.

"We beg Your Excellency to intervene—up ahead, three individuals blocked the road. We approached to reason with them, but they were arrogant beyond measure: not only did they refuse to move aside, they attacked us. Especially that woman—relying on her superior martial skill, she struck with ruthless speed!"

The three Vice Ministers were already frantic with anxiety.

To welcome Qin Feng's triumphant return to Beijing, even the Emperor was waiting to summon him; according to the timeline, Qin Feng should have already reached Fuyun County.

Yet, aside from seeing a distant ox cart, there was no trace of Qin Feng.

If they delayed his arrival and the Emperor grew angry, no one could bear the consequences.

Upon hearing the Yamen Runners' report, the Vice Minister of Revenue immediately scowled: "How is it you didn't tell them today Qin Young Master is returning to Beijing, and all unauthorized persons must clear the road?"

The several Yamen Runners exchanged glances.

The lead runner immediately embellished: "Of course we told them! But the moment we did, they became even more insolent. They even said… 'What is Qin Feng, anyway?'"

These words fully enraged the three Vice Ministers.

The Vice Ministers of Revenue and Personnel simultaneously turned to look at the Vice Minister of War.

The Vice Minister of War's face turned icy as he growled: "I'd like to see who dares be so audacious as to disregard Qin Young Master!"

With a single command, the three Vice Ministers led their dozens of Officials and over a hundred soldiers and Yamen Runners, surging forward in a massive wave toward the ox cart.

The old farmer, having lived his entire life without ever witnessing such a spectacle, collapsed in terror.

Just then, his shoulder was tapped; he turned to find Qin Feng had somehow descended from the hay pile.

"Old sir, rest easy—you're not only innocent today, you're blessed."

Watching Qin Feng's casual demeanor, the old farmer internally screamed in despair.

Blessed?

Blessed with what? Today he feared his Nine Clans would be subjected to Nine Clans Extermination.

Jing Qianying, beside him, noticed the old man's desperate gaze and smiled lightly: "If the Young Master says you're unharmed, you're unharmed. Don't worry—even if high-ranking court officials arrive, there's no need to panic."

They're insane! All of them are insane!

The old farmer wanted to weep but couldn't; he thought these two, man and woman, were each more deranged than the other—how else could they speak such nonsense in broad daylight?

In an instant, the ox cart was completely surrounded.

Emboldened by their newfound backing, several Yamen Runners rushed to the cart and pointed at Qin Feng, shouting loudly.

"You little thief, now see how bold you dare be!"

"Blind fool, you're lucky today—three Vice Ministers of the Ministry of War, Ministry of Revenue, and Ministry of Personnel are all in Fuyun County. Even if you're a local magnate who commands the wind and rain, you'll only have time to kneel and beg for mercy!"

"Heh, look where you are—you dare come here to cause trouble? Soon you'll be thrown into the Prison, and the three Squads of Yamen Runners will thoroughly 'clean' you inside and out. Let's see if you still have the nerve to stand tall."

Facing the Yamen Runners' taunts, Qin Feng remained unmoved, leaning casually against the ox cart.

As the crowd parted, the three Vice Ministers arrived one after another beside the cart.

The old farmer swallowed hard several times.

These were Vice Ministers!

In his entire life, the highest-ranking Official he'd ever encountered was a County Magistrate—these Vice Ministers were immeasurably higher in rank.

Surely… even the Prefectural Governor would bow and scrape before them?

It's over—this is truly over. Offending such a powerful figure means his entire family will be Implicated.

Just as the old farmer sank into despair, he noticed something strange—the three Vice Ministers stared at the young man behind him, not with anger, but with pale faces and eyes filled with shock.

What's going on?

Before the old farmer could react, the three Vice Ministers simultaneously bowed and saluted Qin Feng.

"Vice Minister of War, Vice Minister of Revenue, Vice Minister of Personnel, pay respects to Qin Special Envoy."

At these words, not only did the old farmer gape in disbelief, but the previously arrogant Yamen Runners turned ashen as if struck by frost.

Not…

What does this mean?

The Yamen Runners first stared in stunned silence, then felt a chill crawl up their spines.

"This… this man is Qin Special Envoy? How is that possible!"

Everyone stared at Qin Feng's ox cart behind him, their minds reeling with disbelief.

Given Qin Special Envoy's status and his legendary battlefield achievements in the Northern Border, his return to Beijing should have been accompanied by drumming processions and escorted by officials from every region.

Yet… Qin Special Envoy was riding an ox cart, lying on a hay pile?!

Qin Feng ignored the three Vice Ministers and all accompanying Officials, smiling as he studied the Yamen Runners: "Who just said they'd throw me into the Prison? Who said they'd 'clean me inside and out'?"

At Qin Feng's question, the Yamen Runners instantly turned ashen, collapsing to their knees and frantically banging their heads on the ground.

"Young Master, we were blind to your greatness—please, have mercy on us, do not hold our ignorance against us."

"Young Master, why are you returning to Beijing on an ox cart? We truly did not recognize your noble presence."

As the Yamen Runners begged for mercy, the Vice Minister of War's face turned grim.

After all, Qin Feng was a scion of the Ministry of War—how could he be threatened by mere local Yamen Runners? This was a direct insult to the Ministry of War's honor.

The Vice Ministers of Revenue and Personnel exchanged glances and did not hesitate—they immediately shouted aloud.

"Bring forth the executioners! Cut down these fools who dared confront Qin Special Envoy!"

"How dare they block Qin Young Master's cart? What audacity!"

In an instant, the scene was filled with the hysterical wails of the Yamen Runners.

At that moment, Qin Feng waved his hand to stop the soldiers, looking at the Yamen Runner with tear-streaked face and utter despair, and said solemnly: "You several are also serving official duties, merely following orders—that I understand. But as officials, you've been far too tyrannical. People as Water, Ruler as Boat: water can carry a boat, yet also capsize it."

"Without the people, where is the state?"

Even the dumbest of the Yamen Runners understood the meaning of Qin Feng's words.

They scrambled on hands and knees to the old man's side.

"Elder, our earlier words were disrespectful—we beg you not to hold it against us."

The old man was utterly stunned.

As the saying goes, the common folk do not fight with officials; on ordinary days, the old man fled at the sight of Yamen Runners, terrified that even a slip might bring disaster.

Yet today, these official lords were all kneeling on the ground, kowtowing?!

The old man slowly turned to look at Qin Feng, his eyes filled with shock: "You… you are the legendary Young Master Qin?"

Hearing this, Qin Feng couldn't help but smile: "How did I become legendary? I'm just an ordinary person."

The old man fell to his knees with a thud, tears streaming down his face—whether from overwhelming joy or sheer astonishment, he could not tell.

"Young Master Qin, your name has long been known to this humble servant—you are not only the pillar of Shedynasty, but also the savior of all our people!"