Chapter 421: First Volume, Chapter 421: Fleeing Under Cover of Night

First Volume, Chapter 421: Fleeing Under Cover of Night

Throwing out this explosive news, he expected a fierce reaction.

But the outcome surprised Qin Feng.

Liu Hongyan suddenly grew calm, exhaling slowly: "This day has finally come."

"Times are no longer what they were. The greater your reputation and power, the more conspicuous your achievements become—so much so that even the Holy One cannot tolerate them. Though my Qin Family has served the Holy One faithfully, he is suspicious. The only solution now is to follow Feng'er's advice and leave Jingdu immediately. Only then can we preserve our relationship with the Holy One."

With Liu Hongyan saying this, Qin Tianhu's complex expression gradually faded, replaced by resolve.

"Feng'er, what is your plan?"

Under normal circumstances, Qin Tianhu would have flown into a rage, for Qin Feng's actions amounted to betrayal of the Holy One.

But at this moment of clan peril, Qin Tianhu unexpectedly grew calm—and threw his full support behind him.

This moved Qin Feng deeply; he laid everything bare: "It's just one word: run!"

"Everyone except me and Father must relocate to Beixi County at all costs—only then will the Holy One hesitate to act."

This strategy mirrors the approach taken by the Lin family's patriarch.

The Lin family's core interests lie entirely in Jiangnan; only the Lin Patriarch and the Imperial Consort remain in Jingdu. Even if the Holy One is furious, he must suppress his anger. Attacking the Patriarch or the Imperial Consort would bring no benefit except provoking a backlash from Jiangnan's powerful clans.

As the saying goes, among three travelers, one must be my teacher. Qin Feng learned this survival tactic from the Lin Patriarch. All along, his vigorous development of Beixi County was preparation for this day.

That night, the entire Qin Family stirred silently, packing silver, gold, valuables, and ledgers. All servants willing to move to Beixi County were disguised; those unwilling to leave Jingdu were given travel funds and dismissed on the spot.

As the third watch neared its end, Liu Hongyan, Xiao Xiangxiang, and others disguised themselves as commoners and headed for the City Gate.

Though they were spotted several times by the City Patrol Bureau, as long as it wasn't the Imperial Guard, they faced only narrow escapes.

Beyond the City Gate, Liu Hongyan and the others first went to Tianji Camp for final preparations. Then, a caravan of over a hundred people departed Tianji Camp under the guise of a Merchant Caravan. And Qin Feng, not stopping halfway, took the Ming Prince along as well.

Meanwhile, Qin Feng issued two military orders.

First, the Brocade Robe Corps messengers immediately headed to Jiangnan to recall Shen Qingci, Ning Hu, and other key personnel to Beixi County.

This grand move would inevitably trigger a chain reaction; once Jiangnan learned of it, the Lin Family would seize the chance to strike back.

As for Qin Shi Trading House, it must be temporarily sealed. Only after Beixi County stabilizes can we reopen it. Though this severely disrupts Qin Feng's commercial layout, for survival, there is no alternative.

Second, Jing Qianying and the Tianji Camp Guards sent to rescue Xie Yun'er must deliver her back to Jingdu after success, then proceed directly to Beixi County.

After all, the Xie Family can run away, but their temple remains. Combined with Ning Guogong's special status, this is not yet the time to flee.

Qin Feng barely slept all night.

At dawn, Jing Qianying finally returned, drenched in blood, her eyes filled with exhaustion.

Qin Feng rushed forward: "Fourth Sister, how are you?"

Jing Qianying shook her head: "I'm fine. Xie Yun'er is unharmed, though shaken. As for the Tianji Camp Guards… four are dead."

Hearing this, Qin Feng's brow tightened. Four… Tianji Camp Guards—each one was his brother. Even one death pained him deeply. But there was no choice; the Imperial Guard were elite among elites. In direct combat, no one could claim to emerge unscathed.

"Did you extract the name of the mastermind?"

Jing Qianying shook her head again: "Useless. These Imperial Guards were Dead Soldiers—either they died in battle or swallowed poison. We captured no live prisoners. But I feel they never truly intended to kill Xie Yun'er; they deliberately lured us into rescuing her."

Qin Feng sighed deeply: "Of course. The Holy One turned our move against us—he wanted to force me to reveal myself. If I forcibly rescued Xie Yun'er and killed Imperial Guards, I'd have no defense. If he's pleased, he can suppress the matter for now; if not, he'll use it as an excuse to end my life."

"Fourth Sister, dawn is coming. Take the remaining Tianji Camp Guards and head to Beixi County immediately."

Jing Qianying's eyes were filled with worry: "If we all leave, what about you and Father?"

Amid such dire circumstances, Qin Feng grinned: "If you're all gone, Father and I are safe. Think of it this way: if you're all still in Jingdu, my death lets the Holy One seize everything I've built and keep pressuring the Lin Patriarch. But if I'm the only one left in Jingdu, he won't dare let me die."

Though Jing Qianying still worried, she knew Qin Feng never acted without preparation. If he made this decision, there was reason behind it.

She no longer hesitated. After bidding farewell to Qin Tianhu, she led the last remaining Tianji Camp Guards in Jingdu toward Beixi County.

Thus, they had officially broken with the Liang Emperor.

Qin Feng, for the first time, felt unprecedentedly at ease. He turned and returned to the Back Courtyard, collapsed onto his bed, and fell into deep sleep.

The Liang Emperor also spent the night in turmoil, finally sleeping as dawn approached. He barely made it through the morning court, ending it hastily.

When Zhang Xiuye woke him, daylight was bright.

As palace maids and eunuchs dressed him, the Liang Emperor asked casually: "How is Xie Yun'er?"

Zhang Xiuye, standing nearby, bowed low: "Xie Yun'er has returned home. The Imperial Guards who escorted her out of the City Gate are all dead."

After days of gloom, the Liang Emperor finally smiled: "This Qin Feng never disappoints me. The boy values emotion above all—his betrothed taken, even by Imperial Guards, he naturally fought back. Issue this order: Qin Feng killed Imperial Guards, a crime deserving death. But considering his extraordinary merit on the Northern Border, merit and demerit offset—no reward, no punishment."

"Yet… this Qin Feng grows ever bolder. He must be mildly punished as a warning. Send the Imperial Guard to take over Tianji Camp."

Zhang Xiuye rejoiced—he had long awaited a chance to strike at Qin Feng. Now that the opportunity had come, he was delighted.

Just as Zhang Xiuye prepared to issue the order, Blackie suddenly appeared behind the Liang Emperor, ignoring Zhang Xiuye's presence, and reported urgently: "Holy One, disaster!"

"Qin Feng… has fled!"

The Liang Emperor's smile froze. He spun around to face Blackie, each word deliberate: "Fled? Without my order, where could Qin Feng possibly run?"

Blackie's face was more grim than ever: "Qin Feng and Qin Tianhu are still in Jingdu—but…"