Chapter Ninety: The Northern Martial King Attacks!

Qin Feng, Lin Xiao Zhong, and Chen Donghai led twenty thousand troops in haste toward Tiger Gate Pass. After days of arduous travel by boat and carriage, the three commanders and their soldiers arrived, their expressions weary from the journey.

Following a stringent inspection, Qin Feng, Lin Xiao Zhong, Chen Donghai, and their men entered the stronghold. “The many commanders who have arrived are currently discussing matters inside; please wait a moment,” said a guard.

Guided by the guard, Qin Feng, Lin Xiao Zhong, and Chen Donghai proceeded to the council hall within Tiger Gate Pass. Emergency reports had been dispatched to all major counties, prompting the arrival of powerful reinforcements; more and more strong warriors gathered in succession.

“General Song, the three commanders from Yuntian County have arrived,” the guard announced respectfully after knocking on the door.

“Let them in,” replied Song Haicheng, who was within the pass, consulting with twenty-five other commanders on strategies to repel the invasion of the Datong Empire.

Upon hearing the report, Song Haicheng paused and spoke in a deep tone. “Allow the three commanders to enter.”

The guard opened the door, bowing deeply as he waited for Qin Feng, Lin Xiao Zhong, and Chen Donghai to step inside.

Qin Feng entered and saw twenty-six individuals in total, all at the commander’s rank—a formidable assembly of strength. Yet the invading commanders from the Datong Empire vastly outnumbered those stationed at Tiger Gate Pass. How many such commanders did the Datong Empire field?

“General Qin Feng of Yuntian County, leading twenty thousand soldiers, comes to assist General Song in resisting the Datong Empire,” Qin Feng declared, his hands clasped, voice steady and strong.

“Commander Chen Donghai of the Wolf Guard Army of Yuntian County, greets General Song.”

“Commander Lin Xiao Zhong of the Mighty Army of Yuntian County, greets General Song.”

Chen Donghai and Lin Xiao Zhong had met Song Haicheng several times before; Song Haicheng was the chief battle commander under Marquis Tianjun, a late-stage commander of immense strength, and held the Marquis’s deepest trust.

“So you are Qin Feng? Indeed, a heroic youth with extraordinary presence,” Song Haicheng said, turning his gaze to Qin Feng with praise. Even in the military camp, he had heard of Qin Feng’s reputation: a sixteen-year-old commander who slew Patriarch Qinghe, a late-stage commander, and after entering Yuntian County, unleashed astonishing strength—once killing five commanders in a single day, including those from the Chen and Li families.

The other twenty-five commanders also fixed their eyes on Qin Feng. They had heard tales of him, and their hearts were filled with curiosity and a touch of skepticism.

“Qin Feng has simply devoted himself to arduous cultivation,” Qin Feng responded in a deep voice. Having arrived in this world less than a year ago, he had elevated his power from an ordinary man to the level of a King, enduring trials and pains unimaginable to most.

“Please, take your seats,” Song Haicheng nodded, speaking loudly.

“Gentlemen, the situation at Tiger Gate Pass is extremely dire,” he continued. “The Datong Empire’s invasion is fierce; their overall strength far surpasses ours. According to intelligence, Datong has dispatched a King, fifty-six commanders, and four hundred thousand troops. Our Marquis is already holding their King in check, leaving us to contend with the remaining fifty-six commanders and four hundred thousand soldiers. Does anyone have a strategy mighty enough to rout the enemy?”

After Qin Feng was seated, Song Haicheng stood, gesturing across the map and addressing the assembly.

“General Song, perhaps we should launch a surprise attack on the Datong camp at night, dealing them a severe blow!” suggested Cheng Haitian.

“That’s unwise. If our ambush fails, our deaths matter little, but losing Tiger Gate Pass would let the Datong Empire sweep through and seize our lands,” retorted Mo Yuntao.

The room erupted in debate, but no brilliant plan emerged.

Qin Feng sat quietly, refraining from speaking; all present were veterans, and it was not his place to interject, nor did he harbor any clever scheme—though a thought lingered in his mind.

“Commander Qin, do you have any plan to defeat the enemy?” Song Haicheng, hearing the heated arguments and seeing no consensus, rubbed his temples and addressed Qin Feng.

“General Song?” Qin Feng was startled; he had not expected to be asked.

“Commander Qin, to reach the rank of commander at sixteen is extraordinary—do share your thoughts,” Song Haicheng urged, his gaze fixed on Qin Feng.

“I support launching a surprise attack on the Datong camp,” Qin Feng declared after a moment’s deliberation, voicing his idea.

“Do you have a plan?” Song Haicheng frowned.

“The Datong Empire fields fifty-six commanders, their strength far surpasses ours. If we wish to drive them back, our sole path is a surprise assault. Moreover, we have a significant chance of success. Our side has twenty-nine commanders; if you all can hold off forty of theirs for a time, I can eliminate the remaining sixteen commanders, then come to your aid,” Qin Feng stated firmly.

His strength rivaled an early-stage King, with force equal to fifty-seven thousand pounds—he had a good chance of defeating sixteen commanders single-handedly.

“Commander Qin, don’t joke about such things.”

“As for whether to launch a surprise attack, let me think it over,” Song Haicheng replied, dissatisfied with Qin Feng’s claim to fight sixteen commanders alone, dismissing it as empty boasting.

“He really dares say that,” muttered Cheng Haitian, staring in disbelief at Qin Feng. “Does he think himself a King?”

The other commanders were equally astonished, shaking their heads.

“General Song, I support the surprise attack,” Lin Xiao Zhong and Chen Donghai chimed in, recalling Qin Feng’s terrifying feats—having once slain twelve commanders alone.

“Enough!” Song Haicheng’s eyes flashed with discontent as he looked at Lin Xiao Zhong and Chen Donghai, snorting coldly. “You two are as reckless as Qin Feng, stirring up trouble.”

Suddenly, urgent bells rang out—eight in succession.

“Eight bell tolls! That means the threat of a breach!”

“This is bad—Datong’s soldiers must be launching their assault,” Song Haicheng’s expression changed drastically; he stood up swiftly and rushed outside.

Qin Feng, Lin Xiao Zhong, Chen Donghai, Cheng Haitian, Mo Yuntao, and others rose quickly, following Song Haicheng in haste toward the city wall.

“Damn it! Looks like I must intervene personally,” said King of Northern Arms, Qi Xuanbei, upon receiving news that the twelve commanders from Beast King Sect, Supreme Sect, and Red Sun Sect had been annihilated. Fury burned in his heart, compelling him to act himself.