Chapter 67

First Volume, Chapter 67: One Hammer Sets the Final Note

"Who won, finally?"

Before the maid could catch her breath, several ladies began sneering.

"Need you ask? Qin Feng lost, of course—probably crying his eyes out right now."

"Heh, Qin Feng got lucky in the first round. That was sheer fortune. This second round is Lightness Skill—climbing the Tower—and for Qin Feng to beat Ning Hu? Pure fantasy."

Hearing the murmurs around her, Li Ninghui beamed with satisfaction, deliberately provoking Liu Hongyan in a mocking tone: "Why pick Lightness Skill? Even the Imperial Guard's elite dare not claim they can beat Ning Hu for sure. Tell Qin Feng to go prepare the money—ten thousand li silver per family. Tsk tsk tsk, this fellow has swindled so many Noble Youth; it's high time he bled."

Liu Hongyan's heart was lodged in her throat; she couldn't help muttering to herself: "Could Qin Feng really lose? Losing money is one thing—but if he angers the Emperor, the entire Qin Family will be crushed under the weight of it…"

At that moment, the maid finally caught her breath and stammered: "Though… there was a small hiccup in the middle, but in the end, the old prince presided and ruled Qin Feng the victor."

The previously chattering side hall fell instantly silent.

Li Ninghui's smile froze on her face; she thought she'd misheard. She leapt to her feet and snapped at the maid: "You little fool, are you sure? Qin Feng really won?"

The maid didn't dare hesitate a moment: "Even if I had a hundred lives, I wouldn't dare deceive the ladies and madams—I saw it with my own eyes. Qin Feng truly won."

Plop.

Li Ninghui collapsed back onto her seat, eyes glazed, muttering to herself: "How is this possible? It was Lightness Skill! How could Qin Feng beat Ning Hu?"

The ladies and maidens stared at each other, utterly incredulous.

Only Liu Hongyan leapt to her feet in excitement and pulled a silver ingot from her sleeve, tossing it into the maid's hands: "Here's your reward. Go."

The maid bowed repeatedly in thanks, clutching the silver ingot as she scampered off, beaming.

Liu Hongyan couldn't hide her joy. For a long time, that brat had given her no surprises—but now, having beaten Ning Hu before the Emperor's eyes, it was clear Qin Family would soon enjoy the Emperor's heavy favor for a long while.

Seeing Li Ninghui grit her teeth, Liu Hongyan felt a deep satisfaction and couldn't resist teasing: "Didn't the Li family miss just now? Why so quiet all of a sudden? Oh, I almost forgot—this bet, the Li family lost another ten thousand li silver."

Li Ninghui shuddered, looking up at Liu Hongyan in confusion: "Again?"

Liu Hongyan sneered: "You noble ladies have such short memories. Didn't you already lose ten thousand li silver at Qingya Pavilion?"

Li Ninghui's face turned ashen. Twenty thousand li silver in total—no matter how wealthy the Li family was, they couldn't sustain such losses. And at this critical moment, paying out twenty thousand li silver all at once would surely draw the Emperor's suspicion. That damned Qin Feng was clearly driving the Li family to the brink.

Li Ninghui clenched her teeth. Though unwilling, she bowed to necessity and lowered her tone: "The Li family accepts our loss. The money will be paid. But…"

Before Li Ninghui could finish, Liu Hongyan cut her off: "Don't make excuses. The Li family holds the highest office. Li Rui squanders money daily—surely he can't lack this small sum? Go home and gather the money quickly. If you delay, the consequences are on you."

Li Ninghui seethed with rage. She wasn't afraid of Liu Hongyan—she feared Qin Feng behind her.

Who in Jingdu didn't know Qin Feng's Debt Collection Skill was unmatched?

If that fellow didn't get his money and went and composed a catchy rhyme about the Li family, they'd become the most humiliated Minister of Revenue in history.

To avoid Qin Feng's plague-like visit, Li Ninghui didn't delay—she rose and left the banquet immediately.

The ladies in attendance clearly saw the shift in power. With the Minister of Revenue's daughter driven away, the rest either kept their heads down, eating in silence, or flocked to Liu Hongyan's side, all sweetness and flattery.

"Liu Miss, you've got such a wonderful younger brother! Look at your brother—compare him to my useless brat, sigh!"

"Young Master Qin isn't just gifted in literature—his ingenuity is profound. His future is limitless. I hear Young Master Qin listens only to you, Liu Miss. Heh, with him protecting you, you'll enjoy endless peace and comfort."

"Why couldn't I have a brother like that?"

Hearing the praise swirling around her, Liu Hongyan felt her pride swell—she had become the center of the side hall.

At this critical moment, Qin Feng wasn't idle. He smiled broadly, sizing up the ministers, and deliberately bragged: "Ten thousand li silver per family—that's thirty thousand already. Add the other ministers who lost bets, we're looking at at least fifty thousand li silver. Wow, so much money—I don't even know what to do with it."

The Hubei Party officials turned pale with rage, yet had no way to stop Qin Feng.

Qin Tianhu, however, beamed with delight. For once, he didn't scold Qin Feng for his recklessness—after all, he'd endured too much humiliation in the Imperial Court. Today, at last, he could vent his hatred. Why not enjoy it?

Qin Feng counted on his fingers, muttering to himself: "I've worked so hard—I can't do it for free. I'll take five thousand li silver as my reward, another five thousand li silver to honor my father and sisters. As for the remaining forty thousand li silver… forget it. I'll donate it all to the National Treasury. A small contribution from the Qin Family to support national defense."

At these words, every minister wanted to rush forward and tear Qin Feng apart.

A chorus of silent wails rose in the hearts of the ministers.

"You brat just donated forty thousand li silver—how much will each of us, as ministers, donate? The Emperor is watching. Donate too little, your face will be slapped raw by this bastard. Donate too much, he'll suspect where you got the money. Qin Feng, Qin Feng—you may not be good, but you're truly a dog!"

The Liang Emperor, having gained forty thousand li silver for free, was delighted: "If all subjects of Heaven were like the Qin Family's descendants, how could Shedynasty not flourish? In this victory against the Di, the Qin Family deserves the foremost merit."

Qin Tianhu's beard trembled with excitement as he knelt and bowed deeply: "Your Majesty's praise is too generous. The entire Qin Family is eternally grateful."

Qin Tianhu stole a glance at Qin Feng—and as expected, the boy stood with arms crossed, showing no intention to kneel or thank the Emperor.

And the Emperor? He showed not the slightest irritation at Qin Feng's arrogance.

Whether to rejoice or fear—he couldn't tell. But one thing was certain: raising a creature like Qin Feng, Qin Tianhu felt he'd surely lose several years off his life.

All the ministers, including those of the Ministry of Revenue, though seething inwardly, could only force themselves to praise him…