Chapter Forty-Four: Dominant Suppression!

“All men are brothers, no matter where they hail from!”

“Commander Qin, please speak your mind. If it is within my power, I shall not refuse.”

A sharp glint flickered in Liu Qingchang’s eyes. He had no prior dealings with Qin Feng and had no idea what was being asked of him. He replied in a grave tone.

“I have established the Weiyuan Escort Agency in Xuanzhou City. In the future, when Weiyuan’s convoys travel, I ask that you allow them safe passage and do not hinder their way.”

Qin Feng’s voice was steady and resolute.

“I understand now. Commander Qin wishes to clear the way for Weiyuan Escort Agency by his own hand, to deter the fiercest bandits of the land!”

As he finished listening, Liu Qingchang suddenly realized Qin Feng’s intentions.

“That’s right. I ask that you grant this favor.”

Qin Feng’s expression remained calm and composed as he spoke. He fixed his gaze upon Liu Qingchang, his blood surging within, ready to move at any moment.

“Commander Qin, you should leave. I cannot agree to your request.”

“Your strength is remarkable, reaching the rank of Commander at sixteen—truly a prodigy. But to think you alone can open the way for Weiyuan is to underestimate the heroes of the world.”

The traces of a smile vanished from Liu Qingchang’s face, replaced by a cold and hard expression.

He, too, was a Commander. For Qin Feng to expect him to yield with mere words was an affront.

“I urge you to reconsider and accept my proposal, or else fists and blades will show no mercy.”

The smile faded from Qin Feng’s face, and a chill crept into his eyes as he spoke with icy resolve.

He had to secure passage to other cities. Only then could wealth flow to him without end. Only with wealth could he buy the necessary medicines to strengthen himself.

If Liu Qingchang refused, his path to greater strength would be cut off. Without greater power, he would be powerless should the City Lord’s estate seek to bring him down—and would surely perish.

“Leave now, or you will never leave again.”

Liu Qingchang drew his twin sabers from his waist, and the two hundred bandits behind him raised their bows, arrows trained on Qin Feng.

“There’s no turning back for me. Let us see whose skills prevail!”

Qin Feng let out a long cry and darted aside with astonishing speed, covering over ten meters in a second.

Arrows whistled through the air, thudding into the spot where Qin Feng had just stood.

With a shout, Qin Feng reached a massive boulder over a meter high, wrapped his arms around it, and heaved it up, hurling it toward Liu Qingchang and his men.

“Scatter!” Liu Qingchang shouted, swiftly directing his men to retreat as he leapt high, swinging his twin sabers down upon the boulder.

With a crash, the stone shattered under the force of Liu Qingchang’s blows—his cultivation was at the mid-Commander level and his strength reached six thousand jin.

“Impressive skill!” Qin Feng was already upon him, standing three meters away, eyeing Liu Qingchang with approval.

“Kill!” Liu Qingchang’s pupils contracted. He hadn’t expected Qin Feng to move so swiftly. Now that Qin Feng was upon him, his men’s bows were useless. With a low growl, he brandished his sabers at Qin Feng.

“If only my wolf-tooth mace weren’t broken, I’d defeat him in a single strike,” Qin Feng thought as he dodged Liu Qingchang’s attacks, longing for a weapon to unleash his immense strength.

His strength far surpassed the average Commander, reaching ten thousand jin. With a suitable weapon, one blow would be enough to defeat Liu Qingchang.

After evading ten consecutive attacks, Qin Feng seized his chance, grasping Liu Qingchang’s hand in his own.

With a powerful squeeze, Liu Qingchang could not withstand the force—his saber was wrenched from his grasp and caught by Qin Feng.

In a flash, Qin Feng attacked with the saber, striking at Liu Qingchang with speed and power.

Liu Qingchang spun his remaining saber to parry the blow. Their blades collided, and a shock ran through Liu Qingchang’s arm, tearing open his palm; the saber nearly flew from his grip.

“Well done!” Qin Feng praised, impressed that Liu Qingchang could withstand a strike.

With a roar, Qin Feng swung the saber again at Liu Qingchang.

Liu Qingchang gritted his teeth, steadying his shaking arm, and met Qin Feng’s attack. At the moment of impact, his body trembled, and his saber was knocked from his hand.

Qin Feng’s foot lashed out, striking Liu Qingchang square in the chest and sending him flying ten meters before pinning him to the ground.

“No one move, or he dies.”

Qin Feng’s gaze swept over the bandits readying their bows, his voice cold and threatening.

None of the two hundred dared to move; they simply kept their bows trained on him.

“Well?” Qin Feng looked down at Liu Qingchang, his tone indifferent.

“Why don’t you kill me?” Liu Qingchang coughed, spitting out blood and breathing heavily as he questioned Qin Feng.

“Submit to me, or die,” Qin Feng replied coldly.

“And if I refuse?” Liu Qingchang’s defiance was clear—he had his pride. He could submit to strength, but not under duress.

“You and your men are ruthless bandits. I have already wounded you; surely you bear a grudge. If I let you go, you would surely seek vengeance. If you do not submit, I will destroy you all and raze Blackwind Stronghold.”

Qin Feng’s eyes swept over the two hundred bandits, who bristled with killing intent. His voice was low and deadly; if Liu Qingchang would not submit, he would act at once.

“I will submit,” Liu Qingchang answered, locking eyes with Qin Feng. For the sake of his brothers at Blackwind Stronghold, he had no other choice.

“Weiyuan Escort Agency welcomes you!” Qin Feng smiled, pulled Liu Qingchang to his feet, returned the saber, and declared loudly.

“Liu Qingchang pays his respects, young master!” Liu Qingchang sheathed his sabers and saluted with both fists.

“And the rest of you? Why do you not pay your respects?” Liu Qingchang barked at the bewildered bandits.

“Greetings, young master!” they chorused, two hundred voices saluting with fists clasped.

After Blackwind Stronghold yielded, Qin Feng dined there—four enormous bear paws—before preparing to return to Xuanzhou.

“Young master, are you not afraid I will go back on my word if you leave me here in Blackwind Stronghold?” Liu Qingchang asked in astonishment, unable to believe Qin Feng would trust him.

“A man who would risk his life to avenge a brother is not one I believe would break his word. And besides, I broke through to Commander at sixteen. I am confident I will one day reach the rank of King. If you follow me, your future will be limitless.”

Qin Feng gazed deeply at Liu Qingchang, a confident smile at his lips, in full command of the situation. With great strides, he made his way down the mountain.