Chapter 741: First Volume, Chapter 741: Long Ago Arrived

First Volume, Chapter 741: Long Ago Arrived

Lü Ci stared blankly at Qin Feng, thinking his ears must be playing tricks on him.

Qin Feng, as a subject of Liang Kingdom, how could he have the legitimate Beidi imperial family by his side? And judging by the demeanor, this imperial was no ordinary legitimate heir—it might even challenge the Beidi King's legitimacy…

During the previous state peace talks, Beidi, under pressure, did sign an agreement to "hand over hostages," but only agreed to send a princess for marriage and the crown prince to "study."

These two imperial relatives, though legitimate, clearly had no bearing whatsoever on challenging the Beidi King's legitimacy.

Yet, sensing Qin Feng's confident gaze, Lü Ci knew deep down that Qin Feng was no man who spoke without foundation; if Qin Feng said it, he could certainly do it—but no matter how hard Lü Ci racked his brains, he could not fathom Qin Feng's true intent.

…

Meanwhile, outside the Grand Hall in the Beidi Imperial Palace, the Beidi King stood with his hands behind his back, strolling casually as he listened to the Night Owl's report.

"Your Majesty, the Nightingale stationed in Jingdu has returned, bringing back no small amount of valuable intelligence."

The Beidi King gave a slight nod, a look of pride flickering across his brow.

The world knew only that the Night Owl was Beidi's hawk-eyed spy network, monitoring Heaven—but few knew that, compared to the vast Nightingale network, the true agents who penetrated Liang's core secrets were the extraordinary women known as "Nightingales."

As the name suggests, Nightingales were women of exquisite beauty, skilled at seducing men, lying dormant among the courtesans of Mingyue Lake's Hua Fang in Jingdu.

Any noble guest the Nightingales could reach was a prominent figure of Jingdu; after a few cups of alcohol, with their soft, lilting whispers and coquettish pouts, these so-called elites would spill everything, leaving nothing hidden.

Whether it was Liang's Black Guard or Qin Feng's Brocade Robe Guards who had launched multiple sweeps against the Night Owls within Jingji, each sweep left the Nightingales untouched, suffering not a single loss.

In fact, the Nightingale network owed its creation to Liang itself.

Had the Liang Emperor not been obsessed solely with power balancing, focused entirely abroad or suppressing internal factions, causing constant natural disasters and human suffering, leaving the people destitute…

How could the Night Owls have ever recruited native Liang women?

These Liang women, starving, having watched their families starve to death, already hated the Liang rulers with every fiber of their being—they naturally gave their all to serve Beidi.

The Night Owl beside him spoke in a hushed tone: "Your Majesty, Qin Feng, as head of the Pacification Mission, has already set out."

"Under normal circumstances, the mission travels slowly; by now, they should have reached the border."

"Meanwhile, Xiongying Ridge remains besieged by Beixi troops. According to prior intelligence, the ridge's drinking water supply can last three more months."

"Also, Qin Feng and the Liang Emperor appear to have reached some form of reconciliation."

"Qin Tianhu, appointed Minister of War, also holds the title of Grand Commandant of Liang, and has been granted the additional honorary post of Lesser Protector, held concurrently by Minister of Court of Imperial Treasury Chen Zheng. This Lesser Protector title is purely ceremonial, serving only to balance the Grand Commandant and Grand Tutor, ensuring smooth implementation of imperial decrees."

"By the way, Qin Feng has been enfeoffed as Tianlu Marquis, with the Northern Border as his fief. Officially a marquis, in reality he is the foremost of all marquises—his status and treatment rival those of a non-imperial king."

The Beidi King had anticipated that after the peace talks, Liang would make major moves.

Initially, he assumed that, given the Liang Emperor's nature, he would crush Qin Feng with thunderous force—but reality left the Beidi King momentarily stunned; it seemed Qin Feng's power had grown so immense that even the Liang Emperor was forced to bow.

Unexpected, yet logical: Qin Feng controls the Northern Border, commands many capable ministers and generals, boasts a powerful army, and holds Liang's only Expeditionary Brigade.

Such terrifying strength—even the Beidi King himself would tread carefully.

Moreover, the Liang Emperor's reconciliation with Qin Feng, all things considered, brings more benefit than harm.

If Qin Feng has no intention of rebellion, then for the short term, the Liang Emperor need not waste energy fighting him internally, and can instead focus on domestic governance.

Undeniably, the Liang Emperor possesses considerable boldness; the Beidi King himself lacks such broad-mindedness—he could never tolerate Qin Feng. Even knowing it would trigger a catastrophic internal war across Heaven, the Beidi King would unhesitatingly expend every resource to eliminate this dire threat.

"This Liang Kingdom is becoming increasingly difficult to deal with."

"Very well. As Qin Feng comes to our land for pacification, I expect the Hawkish Faction officials here will not remain quiet. When that happens, I shall treat Qin Feng as an honored guest—anyone who dares harm him shall face my unyielding punishment!"

Upon hearing this, Li Yu, Pavilion Master of the Night Owl, couldn't help but smile inwardly.

Others might not understand the Beidi King's methods, but Li Yu knew him inside and out.

The Beidi King's words were, in truth, a signal for assassination: first honor Qin Feng as a guest, display sincerity, then let Hawkish Faction officials strike him down—afterward, the Beidi King would merely punish the killers.

As long as Qin Feng, that thorn in his eye, was removed, even bearing some risk was worth it.

At that moment, Li Yu withdrew a secret letter from his sleeve and handed it to the Beidi King.

"Your Majesty, this letter was delivered to the Nightingales by someone inside the Liang palace. Since even the Liang imperial family is involved, the contents must conceal something extraordinary—I have not opened it."

The Beidi King was highly satisfied with Li Yu's conduct, took the letter, and casually unsealed it to scan a few lines.

The smile on his face froze instantly.

The next moment, he tore the letter into shreds—but did not discard it; instead, he crumpled it into a ball and shoved it into his sleeve, later burning it to ashes.

Li Yu observed every reaction of the Beidi King, and inwardly felt relieved—he was glad he hadn't read the letter's contents; otherwise, even if not killed to silence him, he would have been buried in obscurity.

The Beidi King's previously approachable gaze turned suddenly cruel and deadly: "Li Yu."

"Your servant is here!" Li Yu did not dare hesitate a moment, immediately kneeling in response.

Without a second's pause, the Beidi King blurted: "I can't wait any longer—kill Qin Feng before he enters the capital!"

Li Yu's heart sank. What secret could drive the Beidi King to such recklessness? But even as the Beidi King's confidant, Li Yu dared not ask—immediately he acquiesced.

Once Qin Feng entered Beidi territory, no matter how many elite guards accompanied him, he would have only one path: death.

Just as Li Yu was about to leave and give orders, a Night Owl hurried in.

"Master, it's bad news—Qin Feng arrived at the border twenty days ago!"

"What?" Li Yu froze.

Before Li Yu could question, the Beidi King snapped impatiently: "Twenty days ago? What have you been doing?!"