Chapter 474: First Volume, Chapter 474: Mouth Conceded, Heart Conceded

First Volume, Chapter 474: Mouth Conceded, Heart Conceded

As the Former General awoke, the crowd erupted in wild cheers, the noise never ceasing.

"Qin Qianhu has cured the Former General!"

"The Former General is safe—thank heavens! Now the Border Army won't harass Beixi County anymore."

"What nonsense! Not long ago, if not for Beixi County's relentless, no-holds-barred reinforcements, the Border Army would have been wiped out by the Northern Di forces long ago. Even if the Former General had died, could the Border Army then turn ungrateful? Besides, even the Northern Di couldn't touch Beixi County—how much less the Border Army?"

"Enough bickering! The main thing is the Former General has awakened—that's a good thing. By the way, this Qianhu is simply miraculous: not only is he brilliant in Strategy, his Medical Skill is equally extraordinary."

"Who can deny it? Our Qianhu excels in military strategy, the Way of Commerce, and healing—every skill top-tier. It's said his literary talent is equally outstanding: he wrote the beloved novel The Tale of the Bright Moon, and even the famed poem 'Chu Sai,' which shook the Shede Dynasty and was revered by countless scholars, was penned by our very Qianhu."

"What?! 'Chu Sai' was written by the Qianhu?"

All of Qin Feng's achievements were dragged out by the crowd; those who already admired him plunged into frenzy, clenching fists, breathing heavily, faces flushed, staring fixedly at Qin Feng.

Those who knew understood the people were in awe of Qin Feng.

Those who didn't… might think Qin Feng had committed some heinous crime, inciting Civilian Morale, and the crowd was about to rush forward and beat him senseless.

The Former General had already pieced together the situation; he looked down at the Arrow Wound on his shoulder.

Back at the Border Army Zhong Zhen, he had been all but pronounced dead: after all, as a general who had hoarded troops in the Northern Border, returning to Jingdu for treatment was no guarantee of survival—and even if he made it, he'd likely be executed on arrival. Coming to Beixi County was merely a last-ditch hope.

Who could have imagined that this most stubborn Arrow Wound had truly been cured—and the one who saved his life was Qin Feng!

Though fiery-tempered, the Former General was a man of feeling; he stepped forward and bowed deeply to Qin Feng.

"Your great kindness, Qin Qianhu, I shall never forget for as long as I live!"

Qin Feng was startled—he had never expected the Former General to thank him publicly—and hurriedly returned the bow.

"Grand General, you humiliate this junior."

But the Former General insisted, determined to perform the bow.

"This bow is not just for myself—it's for the Border Army, and even for all of Shede Dynasty. That day in battle, had Qin Qianhu not personally taken Command, dispatched reinforcements to relieve the Piaoqi, and jointly aided our Border Army, the Northern Border would already be lost. Here on the Northern Border, there are no seniority ranks—only merit. Qin Qianhu deserves this honor without question!"

Before this, though the Former General had heard rumors of Qin Feng's deeds, he had never personally interacted with him.

Now, having been pulled back from the gates of death by Qin Feng, and after this brief contact, he realized Qin Feng was nothing like the rumors claimed. On the contrary, this young man, though appearing a Wastrel, understood the bigger picture and respected propriety. After just one meeting, the Former General already felt a flicker of fondness for Qin Feng.

The Former General's bow was seen by all in the crowd; they grew even more elated, for now Beixi County's status in the Northern Border was irrevocably secured—and as citizens of Beixi County, they felt immense pride.

Just then, an utterly discordant voice rang out.

"Qin Feng, you cheated—you secretly summoned a Physician to treat the Former General behind the scenes, then stole the credit! You know nothing of Medical Skill—you're just trying to buy public favor!"

Chen Bingtian was nearly insane.

After all, the bet had been made—if Qin Feng truly cured the Former General, Chen Bingtian was doomed. To save his life, Chen Bingtian spared no effort to smear Qin Feng, grasping at any chance to overturn the verdict.

Before Qin Feng could speak, Sun He snapped: "Chen Yishi, do you even know how to write the words 'shame' and 'honor'?"

"The facts speak louder than words: Qin Qianhu cured the Former General—that's a fact, witnessed by all. How can you speak nonsense alone?"

Facing Sun He's rebuttal, Chen Bingtian went hysterical: "You, Sun—hear me out! In years of medical practice, I'm no younger than you. How dare you pretend to be my elder? I say it's you who secretly treated Qin Feng—you two are in cahoots, deliberately fooling the people!"

Sun He, a blunt man by nature, was so enraged by Chen Bingtian's baseless slander that his face flushed crimson and his whole body trembled.

Qin Feng feared Sun He might collapse from rage; he stepped forward at once, smiling calmly at Chen Bingtian: "Since you refuse to accept it, I'll make you concede—heart and soul."

"Whether I cheated or not—just uncover the Former General's bandages, and you'll see!"

Before any apprentice could move, the Former General himself tore open the bandages.

Instantly, every eye in the crowd fixed on the Former General's wound.

Since only one night had passed, the wound hadn't changed much—but those who had seen the Former General's condition before could plainly tell: the swelling had clearly subsided.

Qin Feng pointed at the wound: "Yesterday, when I treated the Former General's wound, everyone saw it. The Medicinal Liquid had dried, but the residue clearly matches Beixi White Medicine. Are there any other medicines on it?"

No one was blind—they clearly saw the wound, clean and free of any medicinal residue.

All evidence confirmed: the Former General's recovery was entirely due to Qin Feng's treatment.

Chen Bingtian's vision went black; he collapsed onto the ground, face ashen.

"Chen Yishi, what do you have to say now?"

Qin Feng stared at the Physician, now ashen-faced, his smile gone. Seeing Chen Bingtian remain silent, Qin Feng made no further plea—he gave the order.

"Bring him! Enforce the bet: punish this quack!"

Soldiers dragged Chen Bingtian away.

At that moment, two other Physicians scrambled forward on their knees, crawling to Qin Feng's feet, pounding their heads on the ground, wailing desperately.

"Qin Qianhu, we were blinded by Chen Yishi—no, that dog Chen Bingtian! We had no ill intent—please spare our lives!"

"Yes, Qianhu, consider our hard work—even if we did no great deeds!"

These Physicians, once esteemed, now groveled like beggars—where was their dignity?

Qin Feng's eyes flickered with contempt: "Anyone else may live—but you, these quacks and traitors—I kill one the moment I see one."

"Bring them away! Punish them as accomplices to Chen Bingtian!"