Qianhu

Lin Feng's eyes remained cold, showing no panic.

Years of combat experience allowed him to instantly assess the situation.

He couldn't win through brute force, only by wit. First, he had to break their encirclement!

He suddenly shook his left arm, which was entangled by the Chain Dart. Instead of breaking free, he used the momentum to charge forward. Simultaneously, he reversed his right hand, swinging his long saber behind him to push back the attacker with the short spear.

This move was unexpected, causing the Bandit wielding the Chain Dart to stumble as Lin Feng pulled him along.

In that instant, Lin Feng discarded his saber!

His right hand moved like lightning, his five fingers black with condensed malevolence. The Evil Tiger Heart-Plucking Palm struck directly at the Bandit's chest!

"Puchi!"

The Bandit hadn't anticipated such a ferocious counterattack from Lin Feng while he was still restrained. His protective true qi was like paper, and his chest was directly pierced!

[Killed Bandit, gained 5 Slaughter Points]

Lin Feng didn't hesitate. He vigorously shook his left arm, actually flinging the corpse towards the enemies charging from the side, temporarily blocking their advance.

At the same time, he ducked and rolled, evading the leader's cleaving saber, and conveniently picked up a waist saber dropped on the ground.

As he rose again, he was already close to the Bandit with the short spear.

The short spear was effective at medium range, but its power was greatly reduced when an opponent got close, causing the Bandit to hastily retreat.

How could Lin Feng let him succeed?

His saber flashed like a silk ribbon, attacking fiercely at close range, every move a life-or-death struggle.

In less than three exchanges, he found an opening and slashed horizontally with the waist saber, directly severing the opponent's throat!

[Killed Bandit, gained 5 Slaughter Points]

In the blink of an eye, two capable subordinates were dead!

The Bandit leader was both shocked and enraged. "You little brat! Die!"

He unleashed his full power, his saber strikes like a torrential storm, aiming to tear Lin Feng to shreds.

Lin Feng, having just killed two men, was at the height of his momentum. Although the wound on his waist bled profusely, his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's.

He no longer engaged in direct confrontation, instead using his agile footwork to maneuver, continuously wearing down the leader's strength.

The leader, unable to land a decisive blow, grew impatient. He swung his saber with excessive force in a "Splitting the Mountain" move, leaving his chest exposed again!

"Now!" Lin Feng's eyes flashed with sharp light. He no longer dodged, instead using his shoulder to forcefully take the edge of the opponent's saber, creating an opportunity to get close!

His left palm, which had been gathering power, shot out again, faster and at a more cunning angle. It pierced through the protective true qi and went straight into the Bandit leader's heart!

"Urk!" The Bandit leader froze, looking down in disbelief at the hand embedded in his chest. "You..."

Lin Feng's expression was devoid of emotion as he clenched his fingers!

The Bandit leader's heart exploded!

The light in his eyes instantly dimmed, and his body slumped to the ground.

[Killed Bandit Leader, gained 20 Slaughter Points]

[Current Slaughter Points: 45]

The battle ended. Lin Feng leaned on his saber, breathing heavily, covered in blood, his wounds throbbing with pain.

But he immediately suppressed the discomfort and walked to the leader's corpse, bending down to search.

Besides some money, he found a thin booklet. The cover was blank, and it felt slightly heavy in his hand.

He didn't have time to examine it closely and stuffed it into his robes.

His gaze swept towards the last two terrified Bandits. Seeing their leader's gruesome death, they turned to flee.

Lin Feng kicked out, sending a pebble flying. It struck one man's knee, causing him to fall to the ground.

He flashed forward, catching up to the other Bandit, and struck the back of his neck with the flat of his saber, knocking him unconscious.

Then, he returned, stepped on the chest of the fallen Bandit, and pressed his blood-stained saber against the man's throat.

"Speak! Who sent you?" His voice was icy, carrying an undeniable killing intent.

The Bandit's face was ashen, his pants soaked. He stammered, "Spare... spare my life... It was... it was Master Zhou... who paid us..."

"Master Zhou? Which Master Zhou?"

"It... it was the Imperial Brocade Guard's Battalion Commander Zhou... Master Zhou Gang..."

Zhou Gang?!

Lin Feng's pupils contracted, and his heart was shaken.

Zhou Gang?

The one who had guided and looked after him when he first joined the Imperial Brocade Guard, the one he privately called "Uncle Zhou"?

How could it be him!

"Nonsense!" Lin Feng increased the force under his feet, and the bandit cried out in pain. "Battalion Commander Zhou is my colleague, why would he kill me?"

"This… this subordinate wouldn't dare to talk nonsense… Master Zhou said… said you were too high-profile and didn't understand the rules… blocking his path… you must… you must be eliminated…" The bandit wept tears, "Spare my life… I've told you everything I know…"

A storm of shock surged within Lin Feng. His gaze sharpened, and he no longer hesitated.

A flash of blade light ended the life of the bandit under his feet.

He then walked to the unconscious bandit and finished him off with another strike.

[Killed a bandit, gained 5 Slaughter Points]

[Killed a bandit, gained 5 Slaughter Points]

[Current Slaughter Points: 55]

He expressionlessly wiped his blade, quickly tidied up any traces that might expose the system, and found his mount.

Mounting the horse, he endured the pain all over his body and galloped towards the Northern Garrison Command.

Zhou Gang… the name swirled repeatedly in his mind.

Upon returning to the Northern Garrison Command, Lin Feng, disregarding his injuries, directly requested an audience with his direct superior, Qianhu Sun Dehai.

In his office, Sun Dehai sat imposingly behind his desk. After listening to Lin Feng's report on the Zhao Family and examining the blood-stained ledger and secret letter, his expression grew increasingly grim.

"Bang!" He slammed his hand on the table, roaring, "Lin Feng! You audacious dog!

Without evidence, you arbitrarily killed a Battalion Commander and raided the Zhao Family!

And now you dare to fabricate such evidence, falsely accusing the Wang Family of colluding with the Northern Barbarians and attempting rebellion?

Do you know that the Wang Family are pillars of the court? How can you slander them!"

Lin Feng looked up, his gaze calm: "Lord Qianhu, the evidence is conclusive, how can it be fabricated?"

"Conclusive? Just based on these few pieces of scrap paper?" A sinister look flashed across Sun Dehai's face. He snatched the ledger and secret letter and tore them to shreds in a few swift motions, paper scraps raining down on Lin Feng!

"If I say you fabricated it, then you fabricated it! I think you've been blinded by greed, driven mad by the desire for merit! Guards! Strip Lin Feng of his rank as Battalion Commander, and escort him to the Imperial Prison to await judgment!"

Two fierce guards responded and entered, ready to seize Lin Feng.

Lin Feng looked at the scattered paper scraps on the floor, his eyes turning completely cold.

He stood up straight, meeting Sun Dehai's gaze fearlessly: "Qianhu Sun, what you tore up was merely a copy."

Sun Dehai's movements froze.

Lin Feng continued, his voice not loud but perfectly clear: "The real evidence to bring down the Wang Family is naturally not just this much. Do you think I would put all my trump cards on the table?"

He abruptly took off his official hat and slammed it heavily onto the desk in front of Sun Dehai, making a dull thud.

"Keep this hat for me for now. Later, you will kneel and beg me to put it back on."

Sun Dehai was stunned at first, then burst into earth-shattering, mocking laughter as if he had heard the most ridiculous joke in the world.

"Hahaha! Beg you? To put it back on? Lin Feng, have you lost your mind!

Just you alone? You still have a backup plan? Hahaha! Get lost to the Imperial Prison and dream! I'll see how long you can keep that tough mouth of yours!"

Lin Feng said no more. He gave Sun Dehai a deep look, his eyes icy and bone-chilling, carrying a hint of unsettling mockery.

He turned and walked towards the two guards at the door.

Sun Dehai's laughter abruptly stopped after Lin Feng turned away. He watched Lin Feng's straight back, then glanced at the official hat on the desk and the paper scraps all over the floor, his brow furrowed tightly.

That sliver of unease rose again in his heart, growing even stronger.

This kid… could he really have a backup plan?

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