Chapter 861: First Volume_Chapter 861: A Reclusive Master Comes Uninvited

First Volume_Chapter 861: A Reclusive Master Comes Uninvited

Ning Hu had once treated Qin Feng as a comrade, but… as Qin Feng's status rose higher and higher, and the authority in his hands grew greater and greater, coupled with the fact that Qin Feng was by nature a man of decisive action, Ning Hu could not help but begin to reassess this relationship.

Although Ning Hu had never spoken of it, in his heart he had gradually come to regard Qin Feng as his lord.

But now, Ning Hu realized that all along, it had been himself measuring a gentleman's heart with his own petty one.

That nervousness and fear had all been nothing more than his own wishful thinking.

Qin Feng had never forgotten the bond of brothers who fought side by side through fire and blood, sharing hardship together, nor had he forgotten the oath that they would all prosper together and all fall together. For the sake of his family and comrades, Qin Feng could even, without the slightest hesitation, take up the blade against the Jinyi Guards, and could even stake the prosperous realm he had won as his wager.

Or rather…

At this moment, Ning Hu finally realized that everything Qin Feng had done was for the sake of his family and comrades.

Qin Feng was like a clan patriarch, carefully looking after every relative and friend; at the critical moment, he could trade all the benefits in his hands for the peaceful, quiet lives of his family and friends.

This sincere bond of affection even overturned Ning Hu's understanding.

In this world, there truly existed a pure and sincere bond, untainted by profit and power!

Ning Hu wiped away his tears several times, but they only flowed harder. He clenched his fists, his back teeth grinding audibly, stared fixedly at Qin Feng's retreating back, and swore a vicious oath in his heart.

"Qin Feng! You're right—descendants are too far off; it's beyond our control. But in this life, I will never let you down!"

Accompanied by the Tianji Camp Guards, Qin Feng left the camp, hands clasped behind his back, strolling across the frozen wasteland outside the city. The biting Sai Bei cold wind lashed his face like a blade.

Qin Feng paid it no heed; right now he only wanted some peace and quiet.

After what had happened tonight, Qin Feng also realized that he had been moving too fast lately—even those around him were struggling to keep pace.

"Once we've sent Qian Ying back to the Beixi County War Hero and taken down the Central Plains Imperial Party, it's time to take a rest."

"I don't want… the saying that we can share hardship but not prosperity to come true on me."

Qin Feng wandered outside the Military Garrison for a long time. It was not until Zishi Hour Hour that the whole of North Di seemed to have fallen asleep; all around was utterly still, and even the whistling Cold Weather had ceased. Only then did Qin Feng turn back.

Just at that moment, the Tianji Camp Guards suddenly tensed up, staring fixedly toward the North.

"Lord Qin, you go first!" The Tianji Camp Guards were on high alert, raising their halberds and drawing their Bow and Arrow.

Qin Feng did not hurry to leave, but followed the Tianji Camp Guards' gaze. He saw a figure approaching from the North, almost merged with the darkness, with only a vague outline proving that someone was drawing near.

At first, Qin Feng was a little nervous too—out here in the pitch dark, a shadow suddenly appearing, who knew what the other party was up to.

But as the distance closed and the figure's form gradually came into view, Qin Feng's suspended heart settled.

"It's someone I know. No need to panic."

Under Qin Feng's gaze, Lao Wu's face gradually came into focus.

As a reclusive master, he had absolute confidence in his own strength; faced with the menacing Tianji Camp Guards, he was utterly unconcerned.

Seeing Qin Feng watching him with a smiling face, Lao Wu could not help but give a light snort: "The rest of you wait here. You, come with me."

Faced with Lao Wu's unquestionable Military Order, before Qin Feng could respond, the Tianji Camp Guards beside him were already unwilling to comply.

Without a word, they drew their weapons in perfect unison, ready to fight Lao Wu to the death at any moment.

Although Lao Wu's martial skill had already reached the pinnacle, the Tianji Camp Guards present and lurking in the shadows numbered a full twenty. In a fight to the death, they were confident they could take Lao Wu down before being wiped out themselves.

Although Qin Feng despised Lao Wu from the bottom of his heart, the man was, after all, a reclusive master whose martial prowess was unrivaled. Unless absolutely necessary, he could not afford to clash with him. If they really fought and Lao Wu was killed, that would be fine; but once he escaped, Qin Feng would never know a moment's peace for the rest of his life.

Qin Feng waved his hand, signaling the Tianji Camp Guards to stand down.

Sensing Lao Wu's unfriendly gaze, Qin Feng took the initiative to bow with cupped hands, his face wreathed in smiles, keeping his posture very low.

"Elder Wu has suddenly come to find this junior—what might the matter be?"

Lao Wu, hands clasped behind his back, was too lazy to beat around the bush and simply demanded coldly: "Are you willing to come with me?"

The Tianji Camp Guards at the side hurriedly tried to stop him: "Lord Qin, you cannot go!"

"If anything should happen to you, we subordinates could not bear the blame even if we died ten thousand deaths."

Qin Feng certainly knew Lao Wu was extremely dangerous, but since the man had come in person, he would certainly not let things rest easily. After a moment's consideration, Qin Feng decided to send the Tianji Camp Guards back first.

Once only Qin Feng and Lao Wu remained in the open field, Qin Feng stopped hesitating and made an inviting gesture.

"Please, Elder Wu."

Lao Wu gave a light snort: "What? You don't even ask what this old man wants with you?"

Qin Feng could not help but find it amusing: "Elder Wu has the nation in his heart. Since you've come to find me, something must have gone wrong—and it's the kind of trouble your country's court cannot resolve."

"I have the utmost respect for reclusive masters. So long as Elder Wu says the word, even if it means mountains of blades and seas of fire, this junior will not shrink from it."

Faced with Qin Feng's string of flowery flattery, Lao Wu was actually rather pleased; his perpetually icy expression softened considerably.

Hands clasped behind his back, he led Qin Feng toward Wang Du.

Since the last bloody clash, Qin Feng and the thousand soldiers accompanying him had all been driven far away. The new Military Garrison was a full Ten Li from Wang Du.

Militarily, this distance was not far, but it was hard on Qin Feng—every trip to Wang Du required quite a trek.

These past few days, the area around Wang Du had grown especially cold. Qin Feng estimated the perceived temperature was at least minus twenty degrees.

For anyone, this temperature was a trial.

Qin Feng's thick fur Overcoat had long since frozen through, while Lao Wu, wearing a bulky hemp garment—who knew how many layers he had bundled on inside and out—in short, the old fellow was calm and composed, undaunted by the bitter cold, and walked with the most rock-steady stride under the freezing night wind.

"Qin Feng, you once promised this old man that the Trade Agreement negotiated between our two nations would surely improve the People's Livelihood of our great Di."

"But so much time has passed, and the common folk's lives have not improved in the slightest—in fact, they've grown even harder."

"This old man is beginning to lose confidence in you."

Qin Feng had long anticipated Lao Wu would bring this up, so he replied offhandedly: "How could it be that fast?"

"Any national policy takes effect slowly; it cannot work like a miracle cure."

"Besides, the Trade Agreement has been signed, but winter has already set in, so trade activities cannot be carried out."