Chapter 484: First Volume, Chapter 484: Rushing Into Enemy Territory

First Volume, Chapter 484: Rushing Into Enemy Territory

Just half a Envoy ago, the Jin Yi Wei delivered the news to Beixi County; upon learning Ning Hu was unharmed, Qin Feng exhaled in relief—but when he heard eighty Tianji Camp Guards had died, his heart clenched instantly.

The Tianji Camp Guards were the core group Qin Feng himself had built; each one was as close as a brother.

It could be said that Beixi County's present prosperity owed its greatest debt to the Tianji Camp Guards.

Now Ning Hu and two hundred twenty Tianji Camp Guards were trapped inside enemy territory; Qin Feng longed to fly there at once and bring them all back.

Qin Feng knew Lin Quqi and Li Zhang would spare no effort to stop him from leaving Beixi County.

Qin Feng took a deep breath, steadied his agitated emotions, and looked at the two with solemn gravity: "If you were trapped in enemy territory, I would rush to save you without hesitation—because you are all my brothers, Qin Feng's brothers."

"If you insist I give you a reason untouched by emotion, fine."

"The reason Beixi County differs from other counties is that we value human life; whether Tianji Camp Guards or common people, if they are citizens of Beixi County, I will bring them back even if it means crossing mountains of knives and seas of fire."

"Soon, when the National War ends and peace negotiations begin, the Tianji Camp Guards trapped in Bei Di territory will become Bei Di's bargaining chips. The Emperor may ignore them—but how will Beixi County stand then?"

Qin Feng's stance was firm; emotionally, rationally, publicly, and privately, he must retrieve Ning Hu and the others immediately.

Lin Quqi hadn't thought so far—he only stopped Qin Feng from leaving Beixi County out of concern for his safety, nothing more.

Li Zhang had considered human sentiment, but not what would happen after the National War ended.

Undeniably, Qin Feng had offered a reasonable justification.

Yet as Lord of Beixi County, Qin Feng personally entering enemy territory still made Li Zhang utterly unwilling.

"Brother Qin, the Tianji Camp Guards and Jin Yi Wei have now merged; both are elite fighters. Even on their own, they can return. Even if you insist on rescuing them now, you should dispatch troops from the Front Line. The Main General risking himself is not a rational act."

Qin Feng did not question the logic of Li Zhang's words.

But if it were easy to dispatch troops from the Front Line, Qin Feng would never take such a risk.

Qin Feng sighed deeply: "Though our army now holds the initiative and surrounds the Bei Di forces from three directions, we face open field battles—how great the pressure on the Front Line is, you both know. Can we now dispatch the Black Cavalry? The Infantry? Or the Light Cavalry? Whichever unit we pull away, the Front Line risks collapse."

"I'm going now because I fear if we delay further, Ning Hu and the others will become Bei Di's prisoners."

Hearing this, Li Zhang frowned tightly: "Prisoners? Could Bei Di really expend so much effort to capture two hundred men?"

Qin Feng's gaze was unwavering: "If I were Chen Si, I would never let elite enemy troops leave our borders! From day one of the war, prepare for the worst. If Bei Di fails, in future negotiations, the Tianji Camp Guards become their best leverage—to force Beixi County into submission, forcing us to pressure the Emperor, making us eternal traitors of Shedynasty."

"Have you forgotten how Zhong Ling's death shattered Bei Di's Front Line morale?"

At the mention of Zhong Ling, Li Zhang and Lin Quqi fell silent.

Zhong Ling was merely a lowly company commander, yet his death devastated Bei Di's Front Line morale.

The Tianji Camp Guards now number only two hundred twenty, yet they have repeatedly achieved miraculous feats and hold an irreplaceable status in Beixi County. If they die or become Bei Di's prisoners, the blow to Beixi County's morale will be unimaginable.

Lin Quqi and Li Zhang exchanged glances, hesitated long, then finally stepped aside.

Almost as Qin Feng mounted his horse, a sharp cry came from behind.

"Qin Feng, where are you going?"

Turning, Qin Feng saw Qin Cheng Clan storming toward him, flanked by her three daughters, Xiao Xiangxiang, and Shu Feng.

Qin Feng frowned and turned to Lin Quqi.

Lin Quqi's eyes were filled with shame: "Brother Qin, this matter is too grave—I had to inform the old madam. It is my duty as Lin Quqi. Even if you hate me afterward, I accept it."

Qin Feng let out a bitter laugh.

Lin Quqi was his best brother; even if he hated anyone, he could never hate him.

Besides, Lin Quqi was right—if Qin Feng left without warning, Qin Cheng Clan would punish Lin Quqi.

Qin Feng dismounted, knelt on one knee before Qin Cheng Clan: "Mother, I—"

Almost as Qin Feng opened his mouth, Qin Cheng Clan slapped him across the face.

Crack!

The sound was sharp and clear.

No one expected Qin Cheng Clan to act so decisively; everyone present froze.

Qin Feng's cheek burned red, yet he made no reaction—still bowed his head, kneeling on the ground.

Qin Cheng Clan ignored the stunned glances around her, fixed her gaze on Qin Feng, her tone more serious than ever.

"You ungrateful, unfilial, disloyal wretch!"

"As Lord of Beixi County, abandoning the safety of your people to risk yourself alone—that is disloyalty! As a son, forcing your parents to bury their own child—that is unfilial! Your three sisters and two Tieshen Yuhuan moved to Beixi County for you; your brothers have risked life and limb—all of them share your glory and your ruin—that is disloyalty!"

"Did I strike you wrongly?"

Facing Qin Cheng Clan's rebuke, Qin Feng lowered his head deeply, without hesitation, cleanly: "No, Father, I deserve it."

Qin Cheng Clan closed her eyes, took a deep breath, then slowly opened them, eyes gleaming.

"Since you understand how grave this is—and still choose to enter enemy territory—then go."

At these words, Qin Feng's heart trembled; he looked up at Qin Cheng Clan, eyes wide with surprise.

"Mother, aren't you here to stop me?"

Qin Cheng Clan sniffed, voice absolute: "I only remind you—you are no longer the wastrel of Jingdu's Qin Family, living only for yourself. The lives of everyone in Beixi County rest on you. If you falter, all of them die with you."

"But if you must go to enemy territory, there must be a reason—and I will not stop you."

Saying this, Qin Cheng Clan turned to her three Yi Nu: "What do you think?"

Shen Qingci stared at Qin Feng for a moment, then sighed helplessly: "This act is reckless beyond measure—but you've done far worse before. When you rode a thousand li to rescue your mother from the Northern Border, what difference was there from today?"