47: The reincarnation of the Great Ming Dynasty's God of War?

Over the next few days, Qin Feng's life focused entirely on cultivation. Having reached the Late Martial Master stage, his Internal Energy was as vast as a surging river, and the original Poison Jade Sword Art could no longer fully unleash his power. After mastering this yellow rank high grade sword technique to the pinnacle, he finally began to comprehend the long-forgotten Azure Peak Sword Manual he had obtained from beneath the locust tree at the Ai Family estate.

A Profound Rank sword technique was indeed extraordinary. Even with Qin Feng's Sword Heart talent, at first glance, he found the underlying sword principles profound and the force-exertion methods complex and subtle, far beyond what a Yellow Rank technique could compare to. He was in no rush for success, starting instead from the most basic sword trajectories and the coordination of Qi and blood. He contemplated every move and style repeatedly, carefully sensing the "mysterious and profound, the gateway to all wonders" Concept contained within the sword manual.

Progress was slow, but every step was extremely solid. He could feel that whenever he circulated his internal breath according to the manual, the Azure Edge Sword in his hand seemed to come alive, creating a marvelous resonance with him. The autumn-water-like cold light on the blade seemed to become increasingly agile.

Meanwhile, the System's nightly intelligence regarding Shadow Scorpion had almost become a fixed routine:

[(White) Shadow Scorpion investigated four households on the list today; no clues found. Went to 'Yihong Courtyard' for entertainment in the evening.]

[(White) Shadow Scorpion investigated six households on the list today; no clues found. Went to 'Zuichun Establishment' for drinks in the evening.]

[(White) Shadow Scorpion investigated eight households on the list today; no clues found. Went to 'Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion' to listen to music in the evening.]

Looking at this repetitive information, a cold sneer curled the corners of Qin Feng's mouth beneath his mask.

"Keep searching slowly, fellow." He was happy to let the other party waste time in the wrong direction. However, he also felt a slight doubt, "I wonder where he gets the money to soak in brothels every day? Does the Blood-Filled Tower actually reimburse prostitution expenses?" This led him to have some strange imaginings about the "benefits" of the Blood-Filled Tower organization.

However, the changing winds of the outside world barged into his vision with the force of a thunderbolt, bringing news far more shocking than Shadow Scorpion.

[(Green) Barbarian Great High Priest, Martial Saint-level expert Tuoba Hong suddenly appeared at the Luofeng Slope battlefield. With three moves, he heavily injured the Chief Internal Steward and personally captured the Qianyuan Kingdom Emperor, Li Hong Li Hong!]

[(Yellow) The Emperor has been captured. The Commander of the Golden Guard and the Great General of the Realm died in battle while protecting the sovereign. All the elite personal guards died for their country!]

[(Yellow) Taking advantage of the situation, sixteen thousand Barbarian iron cavalry launched a general offensive. The morale of the twenty thousand Qian Kingdom troops collapsed; over fifteen thousand fled, more than two thousand were killed in battle, and over two thousand were taken prisoner. All grain, supplies, armaments, and Magic Treasures were seized by the Barbarians!]

The three pieces of intelligence were like three claps of thunder, exploding in Qin Feng's mind one after another!

The Emperor was captured alive!

The Golden Guard and the Great General were completely wiped out!

An army of twenty thousand was nearly annihilated!

Even though Qin Feng was somewhat prepared, knowing the internal strife of the imperial family and fearing the army might be ambushed, the speed and tragedy of the battlefield's deterioration still exceeded his imagination.

"How embarrassing... The dignified Emperor of the Great Qian Kingdom actually fell into a trap so easily and became a prisoner of the Barbarians..." Qin Feng muttered to himself, a sense of indescribable absurdity and a hint of humiliation as a citizen of the Qian Kingdom (albeit a transmigrated one) welling up in his heart. This was even more pathetic than the "Great Ming God of War" he knew from his previous life!

It was foreseeable that once this news fully spread, it would cause a massive upheaval throughout the Qianyuan Kingdom! The imperial power had collapsed, the central government was shaken, and local forces would surely begin to stir. Chaos under heaven was likely right before his eyes!

Although Star South City was located in the relatively remote south, separated from the capital's Imperial City by three large prefectures, such earth-shattering news would eventually spread like a plague. No one could predict what kind of panic and turmoil it would trigger then.

"I hope... we can stay safe." Qin Feng sighed, his heart heavy. He had originally only wanted to quietly increase his strength in Star South City and resolve the troubles around him, but the trees want to be still while the wind refuses to stop. The storm from the outside world would eventually affect this seemingly peaceful city.

He composed his mind and temporarily suppressed his worries about the external situation. Regardless, enhancing his own strength was the fundamental way to deal with all changes. He gripped the Azure Edge Sword in his hand again, feeling the coolness from the blade and the surging of the Primordial Internal Energy within his body.

The first style of the Azure Peak Sword Manual, "Profound Light First Appearance," slowly played out in his mind. Compared to the blood and wind of the outside world, he focused more on the comprehension of the Dao of the sword within this square inch of space.

Only the sword in his hand is the foundation of his existence.