Chapter 65

First Volume, Chapter 65: Immortal Descending from Beyond the Heavens

In the blink of an eye, Qin Feng overtook Ning Hu, and the entire Ji Wangye Fu echoed with his unrestrained cry: "Immortal Descending from Beyond the Heavens!"

Every official tied to the Pro-Peace Faction turned ashen-faced.

Ning Hu watched Qin Feng "fly" past him, his eyes filled with shock and rage; by the time he struggled to the tower's peak, he found Qin Feng standing on one foot atop the tower, the other foot dangling midair, deliberately delaying. Only when Ning Hu half-propped himself onto the peak did Qin Feng slowly retract his left foot and snatch the flag.

Give Ning Hu a sliver of unrealistic hope, then crush it instantly!

Xie Yun'er had seen bad people before, but never anyone as vile as Qin Feng; her emotions twisted into a complex tangle—she didn't know whether to rage in disgust or tremble in fear…

Ning Hu stared at the flag clenched tightly in Qin Feng's hand, his gaze dazed—this had been the perfect chance to trip Qin Feng, a victory within reach, yet Qin Feng had effortlessly reversed it. Ning Hu's resentment transformed entirely into fury; he glanced down at the tower's base, his eyes flickering with cruelty.

"Qin Feng, I'll kill you! Someone like you, an Yisheng, doesn't deserve to stand in Jingdu's circles—I'll rid the Noble Youth of this menace!"

Seeing Ning Hu's face twisted into near-madness, Qin Feng couldn't help but feel fear—if this fool truly lost control and tore his own rope, then shoved him down, there'd be no one to hear his plea!

Facing Ning Hu, consumed by rage and nearly irrational, Qin Feng feigned calmness and forced a thin smile: "To commit murder before the Holy Emperor and the civil and military ministers? How many heads does the Ning Family have to lose? Little Marquis, let me offer you a golden piece of advice: Impulse is the devil. Young man, don't take steps too big—you'll tear your own balls off."

Ning Hu clenched his fists tightly, ready to rush forward and cripple Qin Feng, but reason ultimately prevailed—just as Qin Feng said, acting here would doom the entire Ning Family to die with him. Not worth it!

Qin Feng's solemn expression vanished in an instant, replaced by smug, unshakable confidence—he loved seeing Ning Hu furious yet powerless to touch him.

The competition officially ended, but the atmosphere in Ji Wangye Fu grew heavier; the Pro-Peace Faction had missed their golden chance to topple Qin Feng, and their expressions sank into gloom.

The Vice Minister of Revenue still refused to give up, lowering his voice: "Lord Li, we still have a chance! Qin Feng again relied on Toukongquqiao—if only…"

Before the Vice Minister could finish, the Minister of Revenue waved him off, forcing a bitter smile: "If we persist, what we'll face won't be Qin Feng anymore—it'll be the Holy Emperor."

Hearing this, the Ministry of Revenue officials fell silent.

The Liang Emperor's face lit up with joy; with Qin Feng's victory, the campaign against the Di was now sealed. He hadn't expected this long-standing problem in the Imperial Court to be resolved so simply by Qin Feng.

The Liang Emperor scanned the assembled ministers: "The contest is over—Qin Feng has won. Do any of you have objections?"

The officials exchanged glances; since the Ministry of Revenue remained silent, none dared become the Chuhuoniao. Just as the Liang Emperor prepared to announce the result, a low shout rang out.

"Your Majesty, I object!"

In an instant, every gaze in the arena fixed on Ning Qingquan.

The Liang Emperor's eyes flickered with clear displeasure, but he was no tyrant; if someone raised an objection, he must hear it: "Qin Feng reached the peak first and seized the flag—everyone saw it. What objection does the Marquis of Yong'an have?"

Ning Qingquan wasn't just Pro-Peace Faction—he'd been utterly humiliated today. If he accepted this, not only would his status as Marquis of Yong'an plummet, but even Ning Hu's future right to inherit the title was in jeopardy!

For the Ning Family, Ning Qingquan went all-in, his tone unyielding: "Qin Feng only knows Toukongquqiao—his methods are so crude, even a three-year-old could win!"

The Ministry of Revenue officials began feigning murmurs of agreement.

"Qin Feng did win, but he did so through Toukongquqiao—if we declare him victorious, we're encouraging such opportunism; soon everyone will act this way, and who will bother with honest effort?"

"True! The diligent lose, the schemers win—if this spreads, won't all of Heaven copy it?!"

Fueled by the Ministry of Revenue officials' incitement, the murmurs swelled—so much so that even the Liang Emperor couldn't directly intervene.

At that moment, Qin Tianhu barked coldly: "Are you all sore losers? Even if he used Toukongquqiao, so what? Everyone knew before the contest that Qin Feng was countering Ning Hu's strength with strategy. You said nothing before—now you pick apart the result. Is it because you're unwilling to part with silver, or do you have ulterior motives?"

With Qin Tianhu stepping forward, the tension in the arena spiked; officials supporting him rose and shouted in unison.

"Win the bet, then refuse to accept it? What a fine group of court ministers, National Pillars—let this spread, and won't all of Heaven laugh at you?"

The two sides plunged into fierce debate, neither yielding—like a full-blown factional struggle in the Imperial Court.

Watching the high-ranking ministers scream and turn red-faced, even hurling insults, Qin Feng's eyes gleamed—he'd never seen such a spectacle before. He quickly dragged over a small stool, grabbed a handful of melon seeds, cracked them open, and savored the scene like a true Chiguo spectator.

As the deadlock dragged on, Ning Qingquan's booming voice rang across the Jiaochang: "Arguing further is pointless! Let Ji Wang decide."

The Ministry of Revenue officials wholeheartedly supported Ning Qingquan's proposal.

After all, today was Ji Wang's birthday banquet—now ruined by Qin Feng. Ji Wang must already despise him.

Even if Ji Wang chose to overlook Qin Feng, he'd still strive for perfect balance, favoring neither side—then Ning Hu and Qin Feng's chances would be fifty-fifty, completely neutralizing Qin Feng's advantage!

Qin Tianhu knew full well the evil scheme behind Ning Qingquan's words, but continuing the argument would yield nothing—he nodded reluctantly: "Then let the Old Marquis preside."

Ji Wang, who had remained detached until now, hadn't expected the fire to suddenly turn on him; he felt a surge of annoyance, yet forced a smile: "Since you all insist I decide, I shall not refuse."

Ji Wang rose and stepped before the Liang Emperor, bowing with neither humility nor arrogance: "Your Majesty, this old minister has long retired from court and holds no vested interest—I seek only fairness, balance, and impartiality."

Ji Wang was the Liang Emperor's elder; the Emperor responded with due respect: "Uncle, make your ruling."

In an instant, every heart in the arena rose to their throats.