Chapter 427

First Volume, Chapter 427: The Lone Tiger

These people were sent by the Liang Emperor; no matter how confident Qin Feng was, he could never trust them easily—screening them was necessary.

Qin Feng feigned profundity: "We're all familiar faces, no need for introductions, and we see each other every day, so let's speak plainly. I know one of you is definitely an Imperial Spy, maybe even a Black Guard in disguise."

"Here's your chance: step forward yourselves."

Faced with Qin Feng's sudden inspection, the Imperial Guard were all caught off guard.

Zhong Qi, their leader, looked embarrassed and replied with a question: "Young Master Qin, are you doubting our Loyalty?"

Facing Zhong Qi's inquiry and the clearly indignant stares of the Imperial Guard, Qin Feng showed no hesitation or restraint—he nodded cheerfully: "Yes, I doubt you. So what? Bite me!"

"Whether Imperial Guard, Black Guard Office, or Palace Guards, I've fought them all before. We're old acquaintances—no need for roundabout talk."

"That's right, all Tianji Camp Guards have been reassigned to Beixi County. I'm alone in Jingdu with no one to rely on. But I still warn you: don't think I'm a tiger fallen to the plains. On the contrary, the lonelier the tiger, the more dangerous it becomes."

Qin Feng's seemingly casual gaze swept over each Imperial Guard's face, then he pointed at one young man with smooth, delicate skin.

"You. Step out."

The Imperial Guard immediately stepped forward, standing tall and unyielding: "Young Master Qin, what are your orders?"

Looking at the muscular young guard, Qin Feng smiled slyly: "I know Imperial Guard training is brutal—sun and wind every day, and since you wear Pen-collar Armor year-round, only your upper face is exposed, so your skin is clearly split: dark on top, pale below."

"But look at you—your whole face is smooth and delicate. You must take excellent care of yourself."

At these words, the young guard's eyes flickered with clear panic.

Qin Feng didn't waste time: "Get out."

The young guard clenched his fists silently, cursing inwardly—he'd disguised himself well, yet Qin Feng saw through him at a glance.

This guy is just as troublesome as the rumors said!

Since his identity was exposed, the young guard didn't hesitate—he turned and left.

Seeing Qin Feng so easily unmask one Jianxie, the remaining Imperial Guard grew visibly tense.

Qin Feng pointed at two middle-aged men: "Dark circles this obvious—do you often stay up late?"

The two middle-aged guards exchanged glances and nodded in unison: "We've been on night watch lately."

Oh…

Qin Feng deliberately stretched out the "Oh," then grinned: "But I wonder—aren't these dark circles more like sunburn? Could they be from wearing Black Guard face masks for too long?"

Hearing this, the two middle-aged guards instantly broke—no explanation, they turned and walked away.

But after only two steps, Qin Feng called out: "Back at the city gates, my men killed many of your Black Guard brothers. Don't you plan to avenge them?"

The two fake Imperial Guards, now revealed as Black Guards, gritted their teeth, slowly turned, and fixed Qin Feng with icy, lethal stares.

"Young Master Qin, the Black Guard Office always repays every grudge. Watch your words."

Qin Feng laughed: "Black Guard identities are meant to be secret. I've memorized your faces—when you return to the Black Guard Office, do you really think your superiors will still use you?"

Kill the man, destroy his soul.

This sentence pierced straight into the hearts of the two Black Guards.

"What exactly do you mean?!" one Black Guard snarled.

Qin Feng shrugged dismissively: "If I recall correctly, when my Qin Family left Jingdu, the Black Guard Office sent assassins after us, didn't they?"

"If I hadn't wiped out every Black Guard operating around Jingdu beforehand, wouldn't it have been my Qin Family who died?"

At these words, the two Black Guards felt dread.

But Qin Feng gave them no chance: "The Black Guard Office repays every grudge—true enough. But so do I."

Here, Qin Feng glanced at Zhong Qi: "Kill these two Black Guards right here—or I kill you."

Zhong Qi gripped his Zhan Dao tightly, eyes wide with disbelief.

Just earlier at the Xie Family, Qin Feng had been a carefree Wanfu, utterly harmless.

Who could have imagined that returning to the Qin Family, he'd become a completely different person?

The Black Guard Office had indeed tried to ambush Qin Family members—but failed.

Yet Qin Feng, merely because they'd entertained the thought of harming his family, wanted them dead.

And he knew full well they were the Liang Emperor's trusted Black Guards.

At this moment, Zhong Qi realized: beneath this young man's harmless exterior lay a heart of ruthless, decisive slaughter.

Yet killing Black Guards still exceeded the Imperial Guard's limits.

Qin Feng didn't care—he snatched a blade from a nearby guard and smiled at Zhong Qi: "I'll count to three. If you don't kill them, I kill you."

"One…"

"Two…"

Qin Feng had no intention of saying the third—he raised the blade to swing—when the two Black Guards shouted.

"No need for you to lift a hand!"

Black Guards were Dead Soldiers; once exposed, they had no value left in life.

Without hesitation, the two Black Guards drew their swords and slashed their own throats.

Thud.

With two dull thuds, the Black Guards collapsed.

Qin Feng nodded, eyes filled with approval: "No wonder they're Black Guards—true grit."

Qin Feng dropped the Zhan Dao, gave Zhong Qi a long look: "If you refuse my Military Order, you're not fit to stand beside me. Go back."

Qin Feng ignored Zhong Qi's conflicted gaze, swept his eyes over the remaining Imperial Guard, and said firmly: "Return and tell the Son of Heaven: I appreciate his goodwill, but I don't need his protection. As for my personal safety, don't worry. Unless something unexpected happens, I won't leave Jingdu."

"This is Tianzi Jiaoxia—I don't believe anyone dares to kill me here."

These Imperial Guards were sharp—they understood Qin Feng's meaning perfectly.

Qin Feng wasn't afraid of assassination—he was warning the Liang Emperor: if he died in Jingdu, the Liang Emperor would bear full blame, and Beixi County would never let it go.

Zhong Qi took a deep breath and bowed to Qin Feng: "Young Master Qin, take care."

Saying this, he turned away with the Imperial Guard.

Qin Feng let out a quiet scoff and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, I, Qin Feng, have never harbored any intention of rebellion against you, but since you harbor such deep suspicion toward me, I can only be firm if I am to continue serving Shedynasty with merit."

"A wise minister and capable general never dies on the Battlefield — they die in the Imperial Court!"