Chapter 477

First Volume, Chapter 477: Ultimate Battle

At this moment, in the Yamen's Inner Courtyard, Li Xiaolan and Qin Cheng Clan were chatting leisurely in the Cool Pavilion.

Qin Cheng Clan maintained her old habit—whenever idle, she would sew and mend; now she was stitching a shoe sole, a faint smile playing on her face: "Lan'er, Beixi County has grown stronger than ever; you no longer need to worry about your safety. Just settle down here permanently."

Qin Cheng Clan genuinely rejoiced at their current situation, still feeling as if it were a dream—she had never imagined Qin Feng could transform Beixi County into this.

Li Xiaolan's mood was equally bright; even when she had once hidden in the Qin Family Back Courtyard, she had never felt this much peace.

And all of this was thanks to Qin Feng.

Li Xiaolan tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, a slight smile curling her lips—she was unrecognizable from the cruel, fearsome Jinyiwei Left Envoy.

"Before, I feared the Emperor might suddenly summon us back to Jingdu. Now, with Beixi County as our backing, even if the Emperor issues an Imperial Summons, we may receive the decree without obeying it."

"By the way, Mother, have you heard that Feng'er cured the Former General's Arrow Wound and kept him staying a few days in the County City?"

No one was happier than Li Xiaolan about the Former General's stay in Beixi—after all, he was her great benefactor.

Qin Cheng Clan nodded, still stitching the shoe sole, unable to suppress a proud smile.

"They say no one knows a son better than his mother, yet I know nothing about that brat. After all these years apart, he's learned so much—become a formidable force who turned the tide. I don't know whether to be happy or sad."

"As for the Former General, you and I need not interfere. I'm sure Feng'er will handle it properly."

The mother and daughter exchanged a smile, full of confidence in Qin Feng.

Just then, Liu Hongyan hurried in and quickly signaled to the two.

Almost simultaneously, Qin Feng appeared in the Back Courtyard.

Qin Cheng Clan and Li Xiaolan instantly understood—both fell silent at once.

Seeing the three women, Qin Feng couldn't help but smile inwardly. He had planned to immediately break the illusion, but the words died on his lips.

He wanted to see what tricks they could pull.

He grinned at once: "Mother, Second Sister, Third Sister, you're enjoying yourselves, yet you won't lift a finger to help me—I'm nearly dead from exhaustion."

Seeing Qin Feng complain so bitterly, they realized he was still clueless; they exchanged glances and collectively exhaled in relief.

Liu Hongyan shot him a glare, irked: "You dare complain about being tired? Beixi's People's Livelihood is handled by Lin Quqi, the Tianji Camp Workshop by Lu Ming, the Military Camp by Li Lang, Xu Mo, and Zhao Yulong—even the Beixi Medical Hall you just handed over to Sun He. You're the ultimate absentee landlord—truly enviable!"

Li Xiaolan narrowed her eyes, smirking: "If you're truly tired, I could give you a few acupuncture needles to relieve the strain."

Acupuncture?!

Qin Feng's back chilled—he instinctively clenched his thighs and rushed to Qin Cheng Clan: "Mother, look! Third Sister is threatening me again!"

Qin Cheng Clan shook her head, sighing: "You're so fierce outside, yet as soon as you come home, you only know how to whine like a child who'll never grow up."

Qin Feng took no shame in it: "Before Mother, I'll always be a child."

Hearing this, Qin Cheng Clan felt an unexpected warmth and waved her hand at Li Xiaolan and Liu Hongyan: "Enough. Don't keep picking on Feng'er. After all, he crushed the Northern Di army, cured the Former General's Arrow Wound, and achieved extraordinary feats—let him enjoy a few days of indulgence, what harm is there?"

With Qin Cheng Clan's backing, Qin Feng immediately puffed up, hands on hips, threatening Liu Hongyan and Li Xiaolan: "You heard Mother. Aren't you coming over to rub my waist and pound my legs? I've earned great merit out there—don't I deserve this?"

Liu Hongyan had been about to scold him for dreaming, but Li Xiaolan stopped her.

Li Xiaolan gave a glance—Liu Hongyan instantly understood.

The two women stepped forward, smiling sweetly, their tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Rubbing your waist and pounding your legs? Easy enough."

"Hehe, Young Master Qin, enjoy yourself."

The two women clawed at Qin Feng with vicious glee—he yelped and jumped high: "Mother, save me!"

Qin Cheng Clan wanted to protect Qin Feng, but this brat—if given an inch, he'd take a mile. It was infuriating.

Qin Cheng Clan deliberately pretended not to hear, ignoring his cries for help.

Qin Feng winced and groaned: "Two Venerable Nuns, please spare this Old Monk!"

Just as Qin Feng was being tormented by the two women, Xu Mo arrived, panting. Seeing Qin Feng's "intimate" relationship with the two ladies, he paused, then tactfully withdrew.

Qin Feng seized him like a lifeline, shouting as he ran toward the Residence Gate: "Xu Mo came to see me—he must have Beidi War Intelligence to report! Goodbye!"

Qin Feng escaped the women's grasp, leaning against the Gate, gasping for breath, as if he'd just walked out of the Gates of Hell, trembling with lingering dread.

Xu Mo hurried forward, face grim, voice hushed: "Brother Qin, you were right—the Northern Di army hasn't retreated, nor are they waiting for the Northern Di King's reply. They've returned in force, and this time, they have no clear Strategic Goal. Their troops are arrayed on the Front Line, seemingly preparing for a full-scale invasion of the Northern Border."

At this, the carefree Qin Feng instantly grew serious.

After the devastating defeat at the Bian Jun Zhong Zhen, the Northern Di army would no longer advance cautiously, methodically sieging cities and forts—time was running out for them.

The Northern Di's next Strategic Principle would surely focus on plundering Grain and Forage, forcing the defenders into Open Field Battle.

This tactic, for Chen Si or the entire Northern Di, was like the Seven Injuries Fist—killing a thousand, losing eight hundred.

It seemed Chen Si was determined to fight Shedynasty to the death.

Since the Enemy's Encampment was so close to the Front Line, a full-scale assault could come at any moment. Qin Feng did not hesitate: "Send a messenger with the General's Token to the Border Army—order them to prepare for a desperate defense of the City. After last battle, the Border Army suffered heavy losses and cannot replenish troops. Tell them: don't worry about Open Field Battle. Just holding the Bian Jun Zhong Zhen is a major achievement."

"Also, while the Northern Di army hasn't moved yet, rush as much Materials and Supplies as possible to the Bian Jun Zhong Zhen—both military and civilian."

Xu Mo immediately bowed and departed.

Qin Feng lowered his head in thought, certain this was the final battle between Shedynasty and the Northern Di—if they could hold out until the end, this decades-long war would finally be extinguished…