144: reward

The battle ended, and the smoke of gunpowder gradually dissipated.

Inside and outside West Lake City, tense yet orderly post-battle cleanup work began. Soldiers collected the remains of their fallen comrades, tallied the corpses of the Japanese pirates, and gathered the spoils of war. The air was filled with a faint scent of blood and scorched material, but it was soon diluted by the relief of having survived the disaster and the joy of victory.

Xiao Chun, accompanied by military doctors from the City Lord's residence and medical personnel from the Hundred Flowers Pavilion and the Four Seas Merchant Guild, moved among the wounded. Her hands, imbued with the vitality of the Myriad Medicine Body, emitted a soft green light. Combined with her superb medical skills and herbs, this greatly accelerated the recovery of the injured. The Treasure-Seeking Squirrel quietly crouched on her shoulder, its black, beady eyes curiously surveying the surroundings.

Thanks to precise intelligence and a perfect ambush plan, the allied forces' losses were minimized this time.

According to preliminary statistics, the allied forces suffered:

· Martial King Level: One killed (a Guest Elder of the Four Seas Merchant Guild), one severely injured (a Commander from the City Lord's residence), and thirteen with minor injuries.

· Grand Martial Master and below: Over one hundred and twenty killed, approximately three hundred wounded.

· Total casualties less than five hundred.

As for the enemy, including the rebel forces inside the city and the main force of Japanese pirates outside, the number of annihilated Martial King-level experts reached as high as sixteen. Over three hundred elite Grand Martial Masters and Martial Masters, and over nine hundred ordinary Bandits, Japanese pirates, and Cao Gang Disciples were killed. In total, more than twelve hundred enemies were completely wiped out!

This was a resounding, overwhelming victory achieved at a minimal cost!

The city's common people had initially been very afraid of the Japanese pirates' attack, after all, the pirates' ferocious reputation was well-known.

When the city's residents confirmed that the crisis had been resolved and the powerful enemies had been completely annihilated, the entire West Lake City erupted into a sea of jubilation! People ran to spread the news, weeping for joy, with cheers and firecrackers rising and falling everywhere. The fear and anger suppressed for so long now transformed into heartfelt gratitude and praise for City Lord Xuanyuan Ren, the defending troops, and all the heroes who participated in the battle.

"Long live the City Lord!"

"City Lord Xuanyuan is mighty!"

"We won! West Lake City is saved!"

On every street and alley, people celebrated and discussed animatedly.

"I heard City Lord Xuanyuan had laid a tight net long ago, just waiting for those damned pirates and traitors to walk right into it!"

"Serves them right! That really vented our pent-up fury! Let's see if those godforsaken pirates dare to come again!"

"Yes, it's all thanks to the City Lord's divine strategy and the desperate efforts of the heroes from the Hundred Flowers Pavilion and the Four Seas Merchant Guild!"

Amidst the cheers of the populace, filled with praise for Xuanyuan Ren's capable leadership and admiration for the allied soldiers' bravery, no one knew that behind this glorious victory, the most crucial stabilizing pillar was that young man who provided the top-secret intelligence but whose name was not widely publicized — Qin Feng.

Xuanyuan Ren stood atop the city wall, looking down at the celebrating crowd below, his heart filled with myriad emotions. He walked over to Qin Feng, who was assisting in counting the spoils of war, dismissed his attendants, and solemnly clasped his fists in salute:

"Young Friend Qin, great kindness needs no words of thanks. Without you, there would be no West Lake City as it is today. Others may not know of your merits, but I, Xuanyuan Ren, and those who should know, will never forget!"

Qin Feng returned the salute calmly. "You flatter me, City Lord. It was merely my duty, not worth mentioning. Seeing the city's people safe and sound is the best reward."

Xuanyuan Ren gave him a deep look, feeling increasingly that this young man's Heart-Nature was extraordinary — not claiming credit, not arrogant — his future achievements would undoubtedly be limitless... Several days later, news of the battle at West Lake City spread as if on wings, rapidly sweeping through the Great Qian Dynasty and causing a great stir! West Lake City's thunderous actions, quelling internal rebellion and completely annihilating over twelve hundred enemies (publicly declared as Bandits and pirates), including one Martial Emperor and sixteen Martial Kings, within a single day, greatly boosted morale.

The Imperial Capital, the Palace, the Imperial Study.

The young Great Qian Emperor, reading the urgent victory report sent by Xuanyuan Ren via express courier, was greatly pleased.

"Excellent! What an impressive Xuanyuan Ren! Purged traitors within, annihilated strong enemies without, enhancing our nation's prestige! This is a rare and great victory in recent times!" the Emperor praised, clapping his hands.

The Chief Eunuch standing nearby quickly bowed with a smile. "Congratulations, Your Majesty! This is due to Your Majesty's immense fortune and the soldiers' dedication!"

The Emperor's gaze fell on the latter part of the victory report and he nodded slightly. "Hmm, Minister Xuanyuan specifically mentions that the Hundred Flowers Pavilion contributed greatly in this battle, and that a steward within their pavilion named Qin Feng also performed outstandingly and bravely in the fight, deserving praise? Is this the same Qin Feng who helped City Lord Xia crush the barbarians in Star South City?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, it is indeed the same person. It is said he has already broken through to the Martial King realm before the age of twenty."

"A young talent, repeatedly achieving merits, deserves a reward!" the Emperor pondered for a moment, then declared clearly: "Proclaim Our decree!"

"Xuanyuan Ren, City Lord of West Lake, loyal and courageous, commanded with composure. He is hereby granted the additional title 'Duke of Sea Pacification', and awarded one million gold coins and a thousand bolts of silk!"

"Zhang Daoling of the Celestial Masters Mansion, for meritorious service in aiding the battle, is granted the honorary title 'Protector of the Nation Immortal Master' and awarded eight hundred thousand gold coins."

"Qin Feng, steward of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, exceptionally brave and valorous, meritorious in combat, is granted the honorary title 'loyal and courageous gentleman', awarded five hundred thousand gold coins, and one imperial-bestowed Python Robe! Furthermore, the special position of 'Southeastern Inspector' is established, to be held by Qin Feng, assisting in matters related to investigating Japanese pirates along the southeastern coast!"

"The Hundred Flowers Pavilion, loyal to the state and meritorious in fierce combat, is granted an Imperial-inscribed plaque reading 'Loyal and Courageous Hundred Flowers', and is permitted a three-year tax reduction for its merchant guild!"

"The remaining meritorious officers and soldiers shall be rewarded by the Ministry of War according to regulations!"

When the imperial decree reached West Lake City, Xuanyuan Ren, Zhang Daoling, and others all received their rewards, naturally leading to a scene of jubilation. When the Decree-reading eunuch announced the rewards for Qin Feng, although people were somewhat surprised by the generous rewards, they only attributed it to his bravery in the battle and his past merits in Star South City, not connecting it to the deeper layer of intelligence contributions.

Qin Feng calmly accepted the imperial decree and rewards. Five hundred thousand gold coins was a huge sum; 'loyal and courageous gentleman' was an honorary title; the Python Robe represented status; and the position of 'Southeastern Inspector', although lacking substantial power, was a clear signal, indicating he had entered the court's field of vision, possibly bringing more responsibilities and troubles in the future.

Su Yuetang looked at the 'Loyal and Courageous Hundred Flowers' plaque with complex emotions. Soon, a personal letter from Yue Long, the Pavilion Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion headquarters, also arrived. The letter highly praised the performance of the West Lake City branch and offered special commendations to Su Yuetang and Qin Feng, clearly stating her intention to personally receive the two of them.

Ji Ruxue remained silent as ever, like Qin Feng's shadow.

Xiao Chun felt simply happy for Qin Feng receiving the Emperor's rewards.

Far away in the Imperial Capital, in the Bai Family, Bai Kong, upon hearing that Qin Feng had again achieved merits and received rewards, was almost driven mad with jealousy and hatred. His father, Eldest Young Master Bai, had an even gloomier look in his eyes.

The crisis in West Lake City had been resolved, and Qin Feng's name once again shone brightly in the vision of the Qian Kingdom's higher echelons.