Chapter 516: First Volume, Chapter 516: Unexpected Gain

First Volume, Chapter 516: Unexpected Gain

Upon learning of the enemy army's mutiny below the mountain, Qin Feng exhaled deeply, relieved—this at least proved today's battle had come to an end.

Exhausted, Qin Feng struggled to his swaying feet; the Jin Yi Wei, quick to react, rushed forward to steady him lest he fall.

All the Tianji Camp Guards watched Qin Feng intently, assuming he would soon issue battlefield commands.

But…

Qin Feng strained his gaze down the mountain; after a long while, he let out a long sigh and grumbled, "Too far away—can't see a damn thing. Damn it!"

The Jin Yi Wei beside him asked, puzzled: "Young Master, what are you trying to see? I'll go scout for you."

Qin Feng shook his head, his eyes filled with regret: "Such a rare spectacle must be seen with one's own eyes to be satisfying. Forget it—I'll rest."

Hearing this, everyone suddenly understood.

Qin Feng wasn't observing enemy movements or issuing tactical orders—he was just burning with curiosity, eager to watch the show!

After enduring a brutal battle, Qin Feng still had the leisure to indulge in such amusement; the soldiers couldn't help but laugh and cry at once, and the grim, deadly atmosphere of the battlefield gradually eased.

"Young Master, just moments ago we were fighting for our lives, and now you're watching the spectacle? Should I say you've got strong mental resilience… or are you just heartless?"

One guard, leaning against the cliff wall with his spear, grinned weakly and teased.

Qin Feng paid no mind to this insolence; instead, he sat cross-legged on the ground and chatted with the guards—after all, the battlefield was dire enough; they had to seize precious moments to find joy amid suffering.

Qin Feng counted on his fingers, solemnly: "Under these conditions, any Main General who isn't an idiot wouldn't force his men to charge uphill—mutiny was inevitable."

At this, another guard burst out laughing: "Young Master, you're wrong—if you ordered us to die, we'd obey without a word!"

Qin Feng glared at the guard: "Bullshit! You all better stay alive!"

After being scolded, the guard rubbed his nose—not the least offended, he just grinned like an idiot.

At that moment, Ning Hu squeezed into the First Fortress, crouched on the ground, chewing on dried horsemeat, and mumbled: "Qin Brother, I'm baffled—Xu Qian clearly knows how to burn the mountain and advance step by step, so he's got some military sense. How could he be so foolish as to drive his own soldiers to mutiny? Unbelievable."

Qin Feng shrugged: "Xu Qian isn't stupid—he's clever. But he cares more about his own career than the lives of his men. As the saying goes: 'One general's glory is built on ten thousand bones.' Xu Qian clearly sees this military campaign as a stepping stone to his own advancement."

"And I reckon—by the day after tomorrow at the latest, or tomorrow at the earliest—the enemy will return. Comrades, rest now while you can. Gather your strength—we'll fight them three hundred more rounds!"

Ning Hu silently observed the guards' expressions and noticed that though their faces were weary, their eyes sparkled. In such dire straits, maintaining this optimism was entirely due to Qin Feng's leadership.

Even though Ning Hu had known Qin Feng for years, he couldn't help but admire him inwardly.

Leaving the First Fortress and returning to the Watchtower, Qin Feng drank two mouthfuls of water, ate a few pieces of horsemeat, and lay back against the cold cliff wall, ready to rest.

No matter how fiercely the wind howled beyond the mountain, no matter how many corpses piled below or how blood flowed, it could not disturb Qin Feng's Heart Realm.

After enduring this desperate, life-or-death battle, Qin Feng's inner strength had never been calmer or more resolute.

Ning Hu sat atop the Watchtower's wall, gazing down at the enemy camp, idly chatting: "This battle cost the enemy dearly, but we've suffered heavy losses too—two Tianji Camp Guards and six Beixi Soldiers sacrificed."

"Even if we minimize losses, every single life lost is a crushing blow to us."

"As for how long the men's optimism will last…"

Ning Hu didn't finish. In front of the guards, he played along with Qin Feng, feigning indifference—but privately, his pessimism had fully surfaced.

Qin Feng lay on his side, face turned toward the wall, silent.

After the battle ended, Qin Feng deliberately avoided counting the dead—he didn't want to face the parting of life and death, didn't want the corpses to constantly remind him how close death was.

He had no idea what progress had been made in the Northern Border—so he could only prepare for the worst: no reinforcements would come.

After a long while, Qin Feng replied softly: "If we truly reach the day when our arrows and grain are gone, I'll be the first to jump off the cliff—to set an example. Even if I die, I'll never become a Di captive. Otherwise… those comrades who died for the Liang Kingdom's throne and land died in vain!"

Hearing this, Ning Hu smiled bitterly: "Jump off the cliff? Die without a whole body? That's too gruesome. I say hanging's better—at least you keep your body intact."

Qin Feng snorted irritably: "Hanging requires a rope, doesn't it?"

Ning Hu shrugged: "Of course it does. We've got a pile of ropes in our storage—enough for all of us to hang together."

Qin Feng, who had just been sunk in despair, jolted upright as if struck by lightning, staring fixedly at Ning Hu: "What? We have ropes? How the hell didn't I know?"

Ning Hu hadn't expected such a reaction and blinked in surprise: "When we plundered Pingcang County, I saw a stack of fine ropes in the warehouse. Thought they might come in handy later for tying things, so I brought them back—tossed them in with the arrow sacks."

Ye Xian scrambled to his feet and rushed over to Ning Hu in three strides, eyes wide: "How long are these ropes?"

This was the first time Ning Hu had ever seen Qin Feng react so intensely since they'd been trapped on Qingyu Mountain.

Though he didn't understand why, Ning Hu still thought back and replied: "Roughly a hundred zhang, I'd guess."

Confirming the rope's length, Qin Feng's heart surged with joy—he punched Ning Hu square in the chest.

"Damn it! Why didn't you say this sooner?!"

"I've been sitting here moping for days, thinking I was definitely going to die!"

"Quick! Go get the ropes!"

Qin Feng, who had been suppressing his despair, suddenly felt reborn—his eyes blazed with hope stronger than ever before, and countless "Cicada Shedding Its Shell" plans flooded his mind.