Chapter 453: First Volume, Chapter 453: The Thousand-Household Has Arrived

First Volume, Chapter 453: The Thousand-Household Has Arrived

Xu Mo led a light cavalry unit ahead to meet them, while the rest waited on the City Wall, and the townsfolk flooded the streets, hoping for a glimpse of Qin Feng.

A young woman, with her seven- or eight-year-old son, stood near the Wengcheng, staring intently at the gate arch, eager to thank Qin Feng in person.

After all, more than half the townspeople had originally fled here as starving refugees; for the people of Beixi County, Qin Feng's grace was like a second birth.

"Mother, who is Qin Qianhu?"

The boy craned his neck, barely understanding the significance of Qin Feng's arrival.

The woman was deeply moved and replied with a question: "Do you know Lin Quqi?"

The boy nodded vigorously: "Of course! He's the County Magistrate, our Father Official."

The woman's lips curled slightly, her gaze burning hot: "Qin Qianhu is the County Magistrate's superior—and the true master of Beixi County. It's because of Qin Qianhu that we eat well and dress warmly. Isn't your greatest hero the Tianji Camp Guards? Those guards were trained by Qin Qianhu himself."

At first, the boy was confused and showed little reaction, but when he learned the Tianji Camp Guards were trained by Qin Feng, he leapt up in excitement.

"Wow! Mother, when we meet Qin Qianhu, you must tell him I want to become a Tianji Camp Guard when I grow up!"

The woman stroked her son's head and smiled gently: "Qin Qianhu is far too noble for us to approach. But if you behave, stop running away from Private School and stop being lazy, when you grow up, Qin Qianhu will surely take you in."

The boy nodded vigorously: "Mother, I'll be good!"

At that moment, a roar of cheers rose from above the City Wall.

The woman hurriedly pulled her son toward the City Gate, but soldiers blocked them; she had to stop and watch from where she stood.

Simultaneously, the tightly shut City Gate slowly opened.

Under Xu Mo's escort, Qin Feng lay slumped across his horse, like a hostage, being carried inside.

The cheers instantly died. Everyone stared at the listless Qin Feng, their eyes filled with confusion.

"This… this is Qin Qianhu?!"

The soldiers on the City Wall had been selected from the original refugees; they had longed for days and nights to meet their great benefactor, especially after hearing of Qin Feng's countless exploits.

Now that they finally saw him in person, he was just a limp, ragged figure slumped on a horse—his lofty image shattered instantly.

Those who had never seen Qin Feng felt the same; soon, loud murmurs echoed throughout the outer Wengcheng.

"Is this really the legendary Qin Qianhu?"

"Who'd have thought it! I imagined Qin Qianhu clad in battle armor, riding a thousand-li steed, majestic and fearsome. Instead… he's a layabout? Can't even sit properly…"

"Could all of Qin Qianhu's exploits be just rumors?"

The New Recruits were utterly baffled and hurried to ask the veterans.

The veteran lifted his chin, smugly proud: "Don't doubt it—this lazy-looking fellow is none other than Qin Qianhu himself."

Upon hearing this confirmation, the New Army grew even more confused.

The veteran crossed his arms, gazing at Qin Feng—not with fervor, but with amusement; those who knew Qin Feng well understood he possessed extraordinary abilities, yet lived with startling humility.

"Don't be fooled by Qin Qianhu's laziness—he seems useless, but that's called practicality, not pretense."

"It's this man!"

"He killed Zhong Ling, crushed Huang Cheng's rebellion in seven days, and casually repelled the Sanggan Army. Had Qin Qianhu not been tied up by political enemies in Jingdu, he'd have arrived in Beixi long ago—and Chen Si would already be on the Execution Platform."

Seeing the veteran so certain, the New Recruits' confusion slowly turned to excitement.

"Is Qin Qianhu really that capable?"

The veteran snorted: "The Young Master is skilled in Strategy, but lacks battlefield experience. Against a veteran like Chen Si, he's been repeatedly outmaneuvered. Now that Qin Qianhu has arrived, it's Chen Si's turn to tremble."

Beixi County had lost three battles in a row; every soldier shuddered at the name Chen Si.

But now, with Qin Feng's arrival, morale surged instantly—everyone was eager to fight Chen Si again, Blood Debt Paid in Blood!

Below, Xu Mo had dragged Qin Feng off the horse.

Qin Feng nearly cried—every long journey nearly killed him; his buttocks were swollen and agonizing to touch, his spine nearly broken from the jolting ride.

The moment he dismounted, he nearly collapsed—until Zhao Yuxiong and Li Zhang spotted him and caught him just in time, sparing him humiliation before the crowd.

"Qin Da Ge, you're too embarrassing—just a thousand-li ride, really?" Li Zhang, as always, threw Stones at One Who Has Fallen; though thrilled to reunite, he couldn't resist mocking.

Qin Feng weakly retorted: "I'm a merchant—I wanted silk robes and fine food, wine and spice. Now I'm treated like a courier—don't I have reason to be annoyed?"

Li Zhang chuckled and slapped Qin Feng's buttocks—pain so sharp Qin Feng nearly drew his blade and chopped him to pieces!

Zhao Yuxiong steadied Qin Feng and bowed: "Qin Brother, long time no see."

Qin Feng didn't respond, only patted Zhao Yuxiong's shoulder: "Your father's fine. As long as the Qin Family stands, no one can touch him."

Since learning his father was allied with the Qin Family, Zhao Yuxiong had lived in constant dread.

After all, the Longhu Army was the Liang Emperor's personal force; as its leader, the Zhao Family's faction-building naturally invited suspicion.

Everyone knew the Liang Emperor was ruthless—those he suspected never survived.

Thinking of this, Zhao Yuxiong couldn't sleep or eat.

But now, with Qin Feng's words, Zhao Yuxiong finally felt at ease.

At that moment, a deep voice called out: "Qin Brother!"

Turning, they saw Li Zhang walking forward, his face grim—obviously blaming himself for recent military failures.

Li Zhang bowed deeply, neither evading nor excusing himself: "I, Li Zhang, have betrayed your trust. Since arriving in Beixi County, I've lost all three battles, repeatedly outwitted by Chen Si, suffered heavy casualties, and lost Ning Hu and three hundred guards trapped deep in Di territory—alive or dead, unknown."

"I am willing to surrender my command and accept punishment!"

Qin Feng had planned to tease Li Zhang, but seeing his sincerity, he changed tone and raised his voice so all soldiers could hear.

"Young Master, don't blame yourself—your presence alone has kept Chen Si cautious, forcing him to defend rather than advance."