Chapter 536: First Volume, Chapter 536: Return in Triumph

First Volume, Chapter 536: Return in Triumph

At this moment, inside and outside the Beixi County Gate, the streets were packed with people.

Outside the gate, Zhao Yuxiong and Xu Mo stood armored and spear in hand, one on each side, their black cavalry and light cavalry arrayed behind them in a sweeping formation; black banners bearing red dragon patterns stood every thirty riders, fluttering in the wind with a rustling sound, exuding solemn authority.

Inside the gate, the Beijing Garrison Infantry stood in two lines, halberds in hand, rigid as ancient pines, forming a straight corridor stretching two hundred steps; behind them, the Beixi People were tightly packed.

The people all gazed toward the gate, spontaneously maintaining order.

Lin Quqi stood at the end of the human corridor, flanked by the Yamen's "Zao Zhuang Kuai" three squads, holding a low-rank banner with a black top and black tassels.

Scholars and imperial examinees from the county also stood quietly nearby; even Mo Li, the second-in-command of the Brocade Uniform Guard who rarely appeared in public, stood beside Lin Quqi, shrouded in a black robe, waiting in silence.

Every heart held but one thought: to welcome the master of Beixi County home.

At noon, a scout rider galloped into Beixi County, dismounted outside the gate, and sprinted toward the city while shouting: "Young Master Qin is back!"

The people of Beixi County, who had waited long enough, erupted in a deafening cheer.

Zhao Yuxiong and Xu Mo exchanged glances, their eyes simultaneously alight with excitement.

Long before Zhao Yuxiong led the Black Cavalry into battle, he had already heard of Qin Feng's deeds.

As a son of the Longhu Army, Zhao Yuxiong had never bowed to anyone in strategy or martial skill—yet now, he revered Qin Feng utterly.

Whether it was Qin Feng leading two hundred light cavalry deep into enemy territory to rescue his brothers-in-arms,

or holding Qingyu Mountain against tens of thousands of the Search and Exterminate Army in a prolonged defense battle, each feat stirred Zhao Yuxiong's blood.

Zhao Yuxiong could no longer recall when he had last felt such excitement.

Zhao Yuxiong believed the wisest decision of his life was following Qin Feng to Beixi County.

Had he not, he would still be idling in Jingdu.

Though the life of a wastrel was easy, it was utterly boring.

In contrast, Xu Mo appeared far calmer; as a core member of the City Patrol Bureau, he had already been close to Qin Feng when Qin Feng was merely a wastrel youth—now, after the baptism of life and death, their brotherhood was unbreakable.

It took only the time of a cup of tea.

Under their gaze, scattered figures gradually appeared on the horizon.

As the distance closed and their forms became clear, both men held their breath, their eyes instinctively burning with heat.

Qin Feng sat atop a warhorse, clad in black heavy armor, his ink-black cloak billowing in the wind.

His left hand gripped the reins tightly, his right held a horse spear; between the thick neck guard armor and helmet lay a pair of eyes weathered by hardship—once idle and carefree, even dismissive of all things, they had now fully transformed into fierce, piercing hawk eyes.

To Qin Feng's left rear rode another fierce and valiant war general.

Likewise clad in ink-black armor and cloak, likewise armed with halberd and bow, yet his aura was utterly different.

If Qin Feng's valor carried an understated scholar's grace, making him a commander's talent, then the man beside him was pure, ruthless, and ferocious martial might.

This man was Ning Hu!

Compared to Qin Feng's inner transformation, Ning Hu's change was equally stark—and purely physical.

The Ning Hu once called "Little Marquis" had shed his youthful frame through relentless war and the passage of years.

In its place stood a body as sturdy as a bear or tiger; merely sitting atop his horse, he inspired awe.

Beyond Qin Feng and Ning Hu, the thirty-one Tianji Camp Guards behind them radiated equal menace.

Having fought in the defense of the Border Army Stronghold, the Tianji Camp Guards, specialists in Special Operations, had discarded their light armor and now uniformly wore heavy Pen-collar Armor, mounted on equally robust Highland Horses, like thirty-one war gods, never leaving their sole commander's side.

Seeing their brothers utterly transformed, Zhao Yuxiong and Xu Mo's eyes betrayed a trace of envy.

Why had it not been them who followed Qin Feng into battle against the Di?

Meanwhile, the Black Cavalry and Light Cavalry behind them also murmured in awe.

"It's Young Master—no mistake!"

"What have they endured? Why have they changed so drastically?"

"Fought tens of thousands of the Search and Exterminate Army, crossed nearly the entire width of the Di territory, aided the Border Army in repelling Chen Si's final counterattack—any one of these deeds alone would be sung across Heaven. Anyone who survived such a battle would change, wouldn't they?"

"Two hundred light cavalry, two hundred Tianji Camp Guards, fifty Brocade Uniform Guards… only thirty-one returned."

"To bring back thirty-one is already a miracle—Young Master did his utmost."

Under the intense gaze of all, Qin Feng rode slowly to the gate.

Zhao Yuxiong and Xu Mo both dismounted.

They hurried forward, bowed, knelt on one knee, and spoke in unison.

"Your servant, Zhao Yuxiong."

"Your servant, Xu Mo."

"We pay homage to Qin Qianhu, and welcome our Qianhu back to the city!"

Though Qin Feng had always addressed Zhao Yuxiong and others as brothers, now, sensing the aura of menace and authority radiating from Qin Feng, Zhao Yuxiong and Xu Mo could not help but dismount and kneel.

At this moment, Qin Feng was no longer the wastrel of Jingdu—he had become the warlord of the Northern Border, a man whose every step could shake the entire Northern Border, even all of Shedynasty.

Not just Zhao Yuxiong and Xu Mo, but all military forces of the Northern Border had now submitted to Qin Feng's command.

The young Qin Feng had become one of the four great powers, standing equal to the Central Plains Imperial Party, the Nan Jing Powerful Clans, and the Imperial Capital Garrison. This achievement and authority brooked no defiance.

Qin Feng had intended to dismount and embrace Zhao Yuxiong and Xu Mo, thanking them for their contributions to Beixi County, the Northern Border, and Shedynasty.

Without these two generals holding the line, how could Qin Feng have left Beixi County to rescue Ning Hu?

With such brothers, Qin Feng felt his life was worth it.

His martial officers: Zhao Yuxiong, Ning Hu, Xu Mo, Li Zhang.

His civil officials: Lin Quqi, Li Zhang.

His intelligence network: Li Xiaolan and Mo Li in charge.

With such talents aiding him, how could Beixi County fail to flourish?

Just before Qin Feng could dismount, Zhao Yuxiong and Xu Mo stopped him.

The Thousand-Household returned in triumph, should have sat proudly atop his Horse, striding into the city, as the people of Beixi County gazed upon him.