Chapter 726: First Volume, Chapter 726: Marching Toward Di

First Volume, Chapter 726: Marching Toward Di

Liu Hongyan could no longer hold back, silently weeping, her heart filled with quiet awe: "Feng'er, to have you as my… younger brother is such great fortune."

Feeling the dampness on his chest, Qin Feng helped Liu Hongyan up, only to find she had already wiped away her tears and smiled again.

She always showed Qin Feng her best side.

"Foolish boy, go make your preparations!"

Qin Feng did not leave at once; he gazed into Liu Hongyan's eyes, speaking slowly and clearly: "Wait for me to return!"

Feeling the resolve in Qin Feng's gaze, Liu Hongyan softly murmured, "Mm."

…

"Did you hear? Lord Qin is leaving Jingdu."

"Lord Qin? Who's that?"

"Who else but Qin Feng?"

"What? Qin Feng? Isn't he the Anle Baron? How did he become a Marquis again? Did he get promoted again?"

"This isn't just any promotion—it's the top of the Hundred Marquises, Tianlu Marquis!"

"Whoa!"

On the day Qin Feng departed Jingdu, many commoners flooded the streets hoping to see him off, but the Xun Cheng Si Guards had already sealed the roads; they could only watch from afar.

At the City Gate, Qin Tianhu slapped Qin Feng's shoulder hard, his eyes brimming with pride: "Feng'er, I won't waste words on you."

"After all, even if the sky falls, your shoulders can bear it."

"Just remember: this Jingdu has your father here."

Qin Feng and Qin Tianhu either treated each other with formal respect or joked and quarreled like most father-son pairs, maintaining a relationship that swung between closeness and distance.

After all, men are bad at expressing themselves—even when they care deeply, they bury it deep.

But this time, Qin Feng suddenly embraced Qin Tianhu.

Caught off guard by this sudden hug, Qin Tianhu, his face showing signs of age, wore a complex mix of embarrassment and pride.

"Brat, there are so many people here—what are you up to now?"

Qin Tianhu scolded him, yet did not push him away; instead, he gently patted Qin Feng's back.

Even though Qin Feng had become Tianlu Marquis, the undisputed Northern Border King, before Qin Tianhu, Qin Feng was still that brat who'd climb onto the roof if not beaten for three days.

Qin Feng whispered into Qin Tianhu's ear: "Father, when I return, I'll bring Mother back too—we'll be a family again."

At these words, Qin Tianhu froze. A man who had weathered countless storms and stood at the pinnacle of power, he now could not stop tears from streaming down his face.

A family reunited…

Qin Tianhu had long since abandoned this impossible dream.

Now, Qin Feng's words echoed in his ears; his deep emotions could no longer be held back. He shoved Qin Feng away, turned his face, tears streaming, and snapped: "Get going already—don't pull this sentimental crap on me!"

Qin Feng bowed deeply to Qin Tianhu, then wasted no more time—he mounted his horse and led his retinue toward the Di lands.

Qin Tianhu turned, watching Qin Feng's retreating back, wiped his tear-filled eyes, and couldn't help smiling: "Feng'er… I, Qin Tianhu, have such a son—I have no regrets in this life."

Qin Feng's Pacification Mission consisted of one thousand five hundred men: five hundred Black Riders, three hundred Tianji Camp Guards, and seven hundred Common Foot Soldiers.

Though it appeared vast and imposing, its speed was in no way diminished.

After all, this Pacification Mission had been formed from the start at the level of an Expeditionary Camp.

"Rapid march!"

Qin Feng roared, leading his troops into a full-speed run.

Ten days later, they entered the Northern Border.

Xu Mo and Li Zhang, who had been waiting long, dismounted and embraced Qin Feng and Ning Hu tightly.

After many days apart, the four comrades were reunited at last.

Xu Mo's face flushed bright red with excitement: "Brother Qin, Brother Tianhu—you've finally returned! I've missed you so much!"

"You have no idea—since I was left in charge of Beixi County, Lin County Magistrate and the Heir Apparent have been squeezing me nonstop."

Qin Feng clenched his fist and punched Xu Mo's chest, laughing and scolding: "You're the Main General of Beixi—who else would they squeeze?"

Laughing, Qin Feng sighed deeply.

He still remembered when they first arrived in the Northern Border—these brothers were all fiery, youthful Noble Youth, each with soft, delicate skin.

Time had changed them: now Xu Mo's face was rough, his large hands covered in calluses.

Time truly is a butcher's knife.

Qin Feng sighed: "Brother Xu, you've suffered through all this."

Xu Mo lifted his chin, grumbling: "I'm the Main General of Beixi—if not me, who else? Brother Qin, since when did you start talking nonsense?"

At this, everyone burst into laughter again.

At that moment, Li Zhang suddenly bowed deeply to Qin Feng without warning.

Qin Feng was startled and quickly pulled him up, alarmed: "Heir Apparent, what are you doing?"

Li Zhang pushed Qin Feng's hands away, insisting on completing the full bow, then said solemnly: "Brother Qin, my brother's return to the Imperial Ancestral Hall—this great grace, our family will never forget."

Li Zhang was emotionally overwhelmed. Since Ming Wang had been placed under soft detention in Fuyun County, Li Zhang had accepted his fate, believing his life had only two possible ends.

Either die quietly and uselessly in Fuyun County.

Or suddenly be branded with a crime and executed outright by the Liang Emperor.

Now, his brother had returned to the Imperial Ancestral Hall—something Li Zhang had never dared to dream of before.

He knew full well how much effort Qin Feng had put in, how great the risks he had taken, to bring Li Lang back.

His gratitude was beyond words.

"Brother Qin, let me bow to you once more!"

This time, Qin Feng did not refuse. After Li Zhang completed his bow, he waved his hand directly: "Xu Mo, Ning Hu, seize the young master! Since he doesn't treat me as a comrade, I won't be polite either—strip his pants off, hahaha!"

Xu Mo Ninghu, eager to stir up trouble, pinned Li Zhang to the ground in a few swift motions; immediately, Li Zhang's laughter and curses rang out across the scene…