Chapter 712

First Volume, Chapter 712: Commoner Nobility

With all arrangements settled, Qin Feng strode back along the Street, hands behind his back, strolling leisurely.

The Common People gathered on both sides of the Street stared at Qin Feng as he passed, eyes gleaming, whispering among themselves.

"Look! Isn't that Lord Qin?"

"Lord Qin? That's ancient history! He's now Noble Title of Baron Anle."

"What? Demoted again?"

"Demoted? No, he was promoted!"

"He was stripped to commoner status over the State Peace Talks, but was reinstated as Noble Title of Baron Anle because of them."

"Damn, before you know it, Young Master Qin has practically held every noble title in Shedynasty."

"Heh, isn't being demoted and promoted just a Family Banquet for our Young Master Qin?"

"If they made him a Duke today and stripped him to commoner tomorrow, I wouldn't be the least surprised."

"For Young Master Qin, noble titles are just empty names—whether it's Noble Title of Baron or even the lowest rank of Baron, what does it matter? One word from Young Master Qin still carries more weight than a Duke's."

The people of Jingdu were the most well-informed, and they knew every one of Qin Feng's recent "great achievements" by heart.

Added to that, Qin Feng often wandered through Jingdu, so the Common People frequently saw him—making him endlessly talk-worthy.

A Merchant who had just arrived in Jingdu stared blankly at the unremarkable young man before him.

"He… he's Qin Feng?"

"Even in my hometown, Young Master Qin's name is thunderous. How could such a towering figure, wielding immense power at court, be wandering alone?"

"If you hadn't told me, I'd never guess this was the legendary Young Master Qin."

The Jingdu Merchant beside him couldn't help laughing: "Alone? Don't you see? Young Master Qin has a servant trailing him."

The outsider wiped sweat from his brow and forced a smile: "One servant? What good is that?"

"In my county, even the lowliest County Magistrate takes out a dozen men whenever he leaves the Yamen."

"In Jingdu, high officials are even more ostentatious—wouldn't they need eight bearers, a sedan chair, and countless attendants?"

"I once saw a Ministry of Revenue Official—heard he was a Magistrate? He rode in a sedan chair with over a dozen guards."

"Young Master Qin's entourage should at least match a Heir Prince's, right?"

At this, the vegetable seller beside them burst into laughter.

"Ha! Entourage? Does Young Master Qin even need an entourage?"

"That's the funniest thing I've heard all year."

The outsider frowned, not understanding why the vegetable seller was laughing.

He didn't understand why his own words were funny either.

It was an eternal truth: those of high rank and power must be accompanied by guards.

Especially someone like Qin Feng—his safety was paramount.

Before the vegetable seller could explain, a young man carrying a shoulder pole behind them grinned and chimed in.

"Safety? This is Jingdu! Who dares threaten Young Master Qin's safety?"

"The most dangerous people here are those inside the palace."

"And the only ones from the palace who often appear are the Imperial Guard—do you know that even the Imperial Guard detour to avoid Young Master Qin?"

"If no official dares lay a finger on Young Master Qin, then no one in the wild would be so foolish as to trouble him."

"Let me put it this way: if you took a knife right now and tried to assassinate Young Master Qin—"

"You'd be cut down on the spot by hidden guards before you even got close."

The outsider's eyes widened—he hadn't realized Qin Feng's status had reached this level.

He didn't even need an entourage; just being in Jingdu meant no one dared touch a single hair on Qin Feng's head.

At that moment, the vegetable seller chuckled and added: "Not even the hidden guards."

"Anyone who dares harm Young Master Qin, I'll be the first to oppose them!"

"Who in Jingdu doesn't know Young Master Qin stands with the Common People?"

"Since Young Master Qin rose to power, the nobles and elites of Jingdu have become far more restrained."

"Especially those wastrels who spent their days idling, bullying men and oppressing women—they've vanished for a long time."

The young man waved his shoulder pole and teased: "If you don't believe me, go try it—I'll knock you down with this pole!"

The outsider waved his hands frantically—he dared not provoke such a thing.

But as the outsider waved, Qin Feng mistook it for a greeting, didn't think twice, and waved back twice.

The outsider was utterly stunned.

Such a powerful figure, so approachable—even toward a stranger, he showed kindness.

The outsider felt his entire worldview overturned.

Then, a surge of pride filled him—he had actually greeted Young Master Qin! Just that alone was enough for him to brag about for years back home.

Qin Feng strolled through the streets with Qin Xiaofu, returning leisurely to Mingyue Zhai.

Assassination? Qin Feng feared it—but it depended on the place.

This was Jingdu, Tianzi Jiaoxia—who dared commit murder in broad daylight? Was there no law?

Watching Qin Feng's carefree demeanor, Qin Xiaofu shook his head and sighed.

"Master, only you would dare be so brazen across Heaven and Earth."

"Any other Official—even a Sixth Rank petty bureaucrat—would never dare stroll like this through the streets."

Qin Feng shrugged, unconcerned: "Why fear?"

"A straight back casts no crooked shadow—I've done nothing wrong. Why would anyone want to kill me?"

"If in Shedynasty, countless people wanted to assassinate me, then I'd be doing awfully badly."

Qin Feng did not dwell on this matter; he rushed back to the Back Courtyard to check on his brewed liquor.

Due to insufficient fermentation, it would take at least seven or eight more days before it was ready.

With no choice, Qin Feng could only bide his time and wait patiently.

After all, the old saying goes: good wine needs no alleyway, good food needs no haste.

Once this white liquor was brewed, merely with the two features of 'high strength' and 'clear as water,' Qin Feng was confident he could obliterate every fine liquor in Heaven, and securing the title of Heaven's top liquor merchant was a sure thing.

Liu Hongyan watched Qin Feng spend his days circling the wine vats and silently sighed.

Now, the situation had grown even clearer.

Within Shedynasty, a terrifying balance had been reached between the Li Imperial Clan and Qin Feng.

As long as Qin Feng's strength remained firm, the Li Imperial Clan would soon resume goodwill toward him.

Of course, this goodwill was merely a reluctant compromise.

Should Qin Feng's strength begin to wane, the Li Imperial Clan would still unhesitatingly destroy the Qin Family.