Chapter 512: First Volume, Chapter 512: Chen Ping Imprisoned

First Volume, Chapter 512: Chen Ping Imprisoned

Even for Qin Feng, this scene was something he'd never seen in his life!

Amidst a major battle, internal strife? What's the difference from deserting mid-battle?

If this happened in Shedynasty, whether Xiongying Brigade or the Search and Exterminate Army, they'd all be slaughtered to uphold military discipline!

Qin Feng showed no mercy whatsoever; at an upwind position less than ThirtySteps from the Enemy Army, he waved his hand and ordered two hundred soldiers to unleash a chaotic barrage down upon the enemy—regardless of their branch or rank, in Qin Feng's eyes, they were all lambs awaiting slaughter.

"Enemy stealth attack!"

"The rebels are coming down the mountain!"

"Stop fighting, everyone!"

Many Scouring Soldiers and Xiongying Brigade cavalry spotted the threat and screamed in hysteria, but the scene was far too chaotic—the cries reporting Beidi War Intelligence were instantly drowned out by curses and battle cries.

Soldiers who came to their senses either formed small units and charged toward Qin Feng, or simply broke and fled.

But in either case, nothing could alter this one-sided massacre.

Only when more and more soldiers died senselessly beneath Qin Feng's and Tianji Camp Guards' arrows did the fighting troops gradually snap back to reality.

Yet their first action was not to organize a counterattack or encirclement—but to flee!

After all, fighting the Xiongying Brigade was merely to vent inner resentment.

But facing Tianji Camp Guards meant fighting for survival.

The weight of each choice was clear to these pampered officer-class soldiers—they made the most advantageous decision immediately.

Chen Ping hastily organized the Xiongying Brigade for a counterattack, but his troops were already mixed in with the Scouring Soldiers; no matter how hard he screamed, he could not rally any coherent force.

Moreover, the armor of the Xiongying Brigade differed noticeably from that of the Scouring Soldiers.

The Tianji Camp Guards were cunning—they seized every opportunity to target Xiongying Brigade soldiers first.

Seeing the tide had turned, Chen Ping could only order a military retreat, filled with bitter resentment.

"Comrades, fire!"

Qin Feng roared—he'd never fought an easier battle in his life.

In contrast, Chen Ping had never felt so humiliated in his life; as he turned to glance at the Tianji Camp Guards, he unintentionally spotted a slender figure standing among them, holding a step spear, issuing orders to others.

Assuming this man was the enemy's Main General, Chen Ping let out a frustrated roar.

"Who is the enemy commander?!"

This roar, thick with fury and helplessness, immediately caught Qin Feng's attention; he turned his gaze and saw Chen Ping being swept away by the fleeing crowd. Qin Feng said nothing, merely narrowed his eyes and watched Chen Ping vanish into the throng.

Qin Feng disliked that man's gaze intensely—for he had seen that same look before, in every formidable enemy he'd ever faced!

This man must be the Main General of the Xiongying Brigade.

And that night, when Qin Feng and his Tianji Camp Guards nearly got slaughtered—this man was surely behind it!

Qin Feng memorized the man's face and gaze, and silently resolved: if he ever got the chance, he'd kill him without hesitation!

Fortunately, the enemy didn't know his true identity.

In this age, even the most detailed intelligence on Qin Feng couldn't capture his likeness on paper—so unless someone had seen him in person, almost no one could recognize him.

Qin Feng waved his hand, and the Brocade Guard stepped forward.

"Young Master, what are your orders?" the Brocade Guard asked, clasping fists.

Qin Feng stared unblinkingly through the gaps in the trees toward the direction of the retreating Enemy Army, his voice firm and resonant: "Take two men, maintain strict surveillance of the Enemy Camp. Report any suspicious activity to me immediately."

Meanwhile, down at the Camp, chaos erupted again.

This time, the ones thrown into disarray weren't Xu Qian—but the Xiongying Brigade.

As soon as they retreated back to the Camp, the Xiongying Brigade infantry were immediately surrounded by the Search and Exterminate Army, both sides tense and weapons drawn.

Xu Qian fixed his gaze on Chen Ping and barked: "Chen Ping, you failed to take the mountain—what punishment do you deserve?!"

Sensing Xu Qian's ostensibly stern but actually triumphant, throwing-stones-at-one-who-has-fallen gaze, and the sycophantic presence of Liu Qing beside him, Chen Ping instantly realized: the Rear Army's failure to reinforce wasn't due to disobedience—it was ordered secretly by Xu Qian!

As long as Chen Ping still held command, Xu Qian would never let him go.

Ma Ning could no longer contain himself—he shouted at Xu Qian at the top of his lungs: "Xu! You've repeatedly obstructed our assault on the mountain and extermination of rebels—what's your true intent?! Is this battlefield now your chessboard for power games?! Is the entire Xiongying Brigade merely your sacrifice for glory?!"

Facing Ma Ning's outburst, Xu Qian merely sneered in silence.

Instead, Liu Qing stepped forward, pointing at Ma Ning and barked: "Boldness! You failed your assault, suffered heavy losses—you should admit fault and accept punishment! Yet now you turn the tables and slander Senior Xu! Soldiers, seize this insolent fool and throw him in prison! If he resists, kill him on the spot!"

The soldiers present had long resented the Xiongying Brigade.

What damn "First Elite Force of Northern Di"? Get off their horses, and weren't they crushed by mountain rebels, helmets lost, armor torn?

With such strength, how dare they parade their arrogance?

Four sturdy soldiers lunged at Ma Ning.

Ma Ning was about to draw his Zhan Dao when hidden archers in the crowd fired three arrows—two struck Ma Ning's chest and thigh.

Thud!

Ma Ning knelt on one knee, staring wide-eyed at his body gushing blood.

"You… you…"

He had fought alongside Chen Ping for years, slain countless enemy soldiers—yet he didn't die at enemy hands, but at the hands of his own men—how humiliating!

Chen Ping stared in shock: "Ma Ning!"

As Chen Ping moved to protect him, soldiers pinned him to the ground; the Xiongying Brigade soldiers behind him were surrounded by surrounding Scouring Soldiers.

Just as Chen Ping lowered his head to beg for Ma Ning's mercy, a soldier, under Liu Qing's nod, suddenly raised his Zhan Dao and brought it down!

Ma Ning crashed to the ground, his head rolling far away.

Watching his old subordinate cut down like this, Chen Ping turned deathly pale, his eyes bloodshot, his roar echoing through the entire Military Camp:

"Xu Qian, you dog! I swear I'll never let you live!"

Xu Qian sneered coldly, his gaze filled with contempt: "Chen Ping, I ought to execute you on the spot—but since you're Chen Si's cousin, I'll spare you for now. You're under arrest. Await trial later."

Chen Ping gnashed his teeth, screaming with all his might: "I want to see my superior! Let me go!"

Liu Qing, beside him, couldn't help laughing: "Chen Ping, you won't even get to see your superior—and even if you do, it's a death sentence! Chen Si holds absolute power on the Front Line, fighting to the death against the Liang Kingdom; many have long resented him. Once your charges are confirmed, it'll give them another reason to impeach Chen Si!"