Chapter Fifty-Six: Subduing the Mighty Commander with a Single Strike!

You may leave now,” Qin Feng ordered.
“Keep a close watch on the people from Yuntian Prefecture. If there’s any unusual movement, report to me immediately,” he said in a low, grave voice.
“Yes, sir.” Yan Chonghu, with a respectful expression, clasped his hands and withdrew.

Yuntian Prefecture had already sent someone.
Yun Qing’s master should be arriving soon as well!
A sense of urgency filled Qin Feng’s heart. The threat from Yuntian Prefecture could be evaded, but the threat from Yun Qing’s master—a martial artist at the late stage of the Guardian rank—was far more difficult to avoid.

“It’s been a while since I’ve felt the pain of pushing myself to the limit,” Qin Feng murmured with a faint smile at the corner of his lips. He tapped his finger to open the plus sign in the sight of his right eye, revealing his personal interface.

Name: Qin Feng
Realm: Mid Guardian
Strength: 45,000 catties (+)

Qin Feng glanced at his personal interface and began tapping rapidly on the plus sign after the 45,000 catties.
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1, +1, +1—the numbers kept appearing after his strength, and 45,000 quickly became 45,001, 45,002, 45,003…

When Qin Feng felt the pain coming from his flesh, even his internal organs aching slightly, he ceased his tapping and turned his gaze to the interface.

Name: Qin Feng
Realm: Mid Guardian
Strength: 65,000 catties (+)

“65,000 catties of strength is enough to deal with early Guardian martial artists, but it’s far from enough for mid or even late Guardian martial artists,” he reflected.
“Though my strength is formidable, it’s not enough to crush everything. Speed and defense are my weaknesses.”
He glanced at his interface, not allowing himself to become complacent just because his strength had increased rapidly, and muttered softly.

Closing his eyes, he quickly cultivated the Bronze Corpse Body technique, striving to master it and enhance his defense.

“Master Qin, Lin Xiao-zhong has been investigating in the city for three days. He’s now left the City Lord’s Mansion and is heading toward Qingyun Mountain,” Yan Chonghu rushed in, anxious, and spoke hurriedly.
“Has he discovered something? Is he preparing to make a move against you?”

“It’s only a matter of time before he finds out I killed Yun Qing. No need to panic,” Qin Feng replied calmly.
“If he wants to see me, I’ll see him.”
He opened his eyes, ended his cultivation, exhaled a breath of waste air, and strode out of the room.

“Master Qin, what if there’s danger?” Yan Chonghu asked, worry evident in his heart.

“No matter!”
“Now, my combat strength is not inferior to any early Guardian martial artist. Even against a mid Guardian, I stand my ground!”
A confident smile appeared on Qin Feng’s lips. His skin had taken on a bronze hue—he had mastered the Bronze Corpse Body, making him impervious to blades and spears, his defense now reaching the Guardian level.

“Congratulations, Master Qin!” Yan Chonghu exclaimed, exhilarated.
With Master Qin’s power greatly increased, the one who guarded the City Lord’s Mansion could no longer threaten him, and Yan Chonghu no longer needed to brace for mutual destruction.

“Go now. Be careful and stay safe,” Qin Feng said, holding his Fangtian Halberd, striding outside. He expected the Commander of the Mighty Guard, Lin Xiao-zhong, to arrive soon.

“Master Qin, take care. I’ll withdraw,” Yan Chonghu relaxed, hurrying down the mountain. He needed to hide in the shadows to gather intelligence for Master Qin.

“You’re quite bold!”
“You knew I was coming, yet you didn’t flee.”
Lin Xiao-zhong entered the manor, holding a Crescent Spear. When his gaze fell upon Qin Feng, he showed surprise.
Behind him, over a hundred Mighty Guards and the arriving Black Iron Guards swiftly surrounded Qingyun Mountain.

“I’d like to ask a favor,” Qin Feng said, seated in the courtyard with the Fangtian Halberd upright at his side and two cups of tea before him. His tone was calm.

“How interesting,” Lin Xiao-zhong said, intrigued, looking at Qin Feng. He didn’t touch the tea, uncertain whether it was a trap or poisoned.

“You are the strongest prodigy I’ve ever met. At fifteen, you’ve reached the Guardian realm!”
“But you shouldn’t have killed Yun Qing. You’re provoking Yuntian Prefecture and the imperial court!” Lin Xiao-zhong said solemnly.

“That’s why I’d like you to help me. I want to join Yuntian Prefecture,” Qin Feng said evenly.
If he joined Yuntian Prefecture, then killing Yun Qing would no longer be an act of provocation against the prefecture or the court.

“Had you chosen to join the court earlier, with your talent, the Human King himself would have welcomed you!”
“But now, after killing Yun Qing, do you think the court will let you join?”
“If so, how could the court maintain its dignity?”
Lin Xiao-zhong faltered, hesitating when Qin Feng expressed his desire to join the court.
Qin Feng’s talent was simply unparalleled—a fifteen-year-old Guardian was unheard of.

“I believe you have a way,” Qin Feng said, sipping his tea calmly.
Joining the court was the best option for him—even if it failed, he would lose nothing.

“Why should I help you?”
“Wouldn’t it be easier to simply kill you?”
Lin Xiao-zhong leveled his Crescent Spear, speaking coldly.

“Because you’d die if you tried,” Qin Feng set down his teacup, his gaze cold, a slight smile on his lips as he spoke icily.
At the same moment, Qin Feng gripped his Fangtian Halberd and charged swiftly at Lin Xiao-zhong.

“Insolence!”
Lin Xiao-zhong roared, swinging his Crescent Spear to meet the Halberd’s strike.

Boom!
The Crescent Spear and Fangtian Halberd collided, a surge of immense force erupting from the halberd, knocking the spear aside and shaking Lin Xiao-zhong’s arm. His body was forced back by the powerful blow.

Crash!
Qin Feng stepped forward, the Fangtian Halberd striking Lin Xiao-zhong’s shoulder.

Crash.
The brutal force sent Lin Xiao-zhong staggering, nearly falling to the ground.

Clang!
Qin Feng gave Lin Xiao-zhong no time to react, thrusting his Fangtian Halberd forward, the blade pressing against Lin Xiao-zhong’s throat.
With a single push, the halberd could pierce through, killing him.
Guardian-level martial artists were famed for their resistance to blades and spears, but it was resistance, not invulnerability.

“Such formidable strength—you’ve broken through to mid Guardian!”
Lin Xiao-zhong gave a bitter smile. He had intended to subdue Qin Feng single-handedly, but he underestimated him and was instead subdued himself.
This was due both to Qin Feng’s overwhelming power and Lin Xiao-zhong’s own carelessness.

Crash.
Crash.
Crash.
The Mighty Guards outside heard the commotion and quickly broke down doors and windows to rush in.

“Commander?”
When they entered the courtyard and saw Lin Xiao-zhong captured, their expressions changed drastically, disbelief in their eyes.
But these battle-hardened soldiers quickly adapted, aiming their blades at Qin Feng.
The Black Iron Guards who entered after them swiftly drew their bows, arrows aimed at Qin Feng.

“I don’t wish to kill you. Have them all stand down,” Qin Feng said with calm eyes, surveying his surroundings.
The Black Iron Guards posed a considerable threat—their barrage of arrows could kill him.
However, with Lin Xiao-zhong as his hostage, he felt no fear.