68: Name of Heroes

The news that Star South City had severely crippled the barbarian army at a heavy cost and forced their retreat spread with astonishing speed throughout the Qianyuan Kingdom, which had long suffered from barbarian plundering.

First came shock and disbelief.

Once the news was confirmed, the entire kingdom was swept into a sea of jubilation!

The fear, humiliation, and despair that had been suppressed for far too long were completely released in this moment! From the Royal Capital to border towns, from bustling cities to remote villages, countless people ran to spread the word, weeping with joy!

In teahouses and taverns, storytellers, with flying spittle, dramatized the tragedy and heroism of the bloody battle at Star South City. When they described how soldiers and citizens joined as one, using their flesh and blood to plug the breaches, the halls fell silent, and countless eyes reddened. When they told of the mysterious young physician's sudden emergence on the battlefield, cooperating with the defenders to slay the barbarian Martial King, the halls erupted in cheers and thunderous applause!

On every street and alley, people passionately discussed the heroes of Star South City. The steadfast resolve of City Lord Xia Wuyin, the world-shaking power of the reclusive Martial King Mu Shan, and the heroic bearing of the City Lord's daughter, Xia Xue, all became hot topics of conversation. Among them, the young physician who was originally unknown but repeatedly performed miraculous feats at critical moments—Qin Feng—was shrouded in an even more legendary aura. His deeds as the 'Nameless Hero' were passed from mouth to mouth, growing more and more mythical with each telling.

The imperial court viewed this battle as a pivotal one that could turn the tide of the war and boost national prestige! According to post-battle statistics, the Barbarians suffered extremely heavy losses in this battle. Over six thousand elite barbarian troops were lost, including their airborne elites, siege units, and the slain Martial King Batu, along with two thousand captive soldiers driven forward as cannon fodder. In the end, only a little over three thousand escaped in disarray to the north! Even the more than twenty thousand villagers they had plundered from surrounding areas, who hadn't yet been taken away, were indirectly rescued!

Such great merit, how could it go unrewarded?

Not long after, the Emperor and the Empress Dowager personally summoned Star South City Lord Xia Wuyin to the Imperial Capital. They lavished praise on him for his merit in defending the city, bestowed countless gold and silver, promoted his rank and title, and ordered generous compensation for the fallen soldiers of Star South City, tax reductions, and aid for its reconstruction. Of course, this was all for later... Within Star South City, the difficult work of rebuilding amidst the aftermath of the calamity was underway. Sorrow still lingered, but those who survived must always look forward.

Late at night, the zi hour.

In the relatively quiet small room temporarily assigned to him, Qin Feng sat cross-legged. The noise and social obligations of the day had left him utterly exhausted, but he forced himself to stay alert, waiting for the System's refresh.

[Daily Intelligence has been refreshed]

The light screen appeared on time, three pieces of information entering his view.

[White Intelligence: The Host has become a hero of Star South City, and your reputation has greatly increased. City Lord Xia Wuyin admires your strength and potential, intends to recruit you into the City Lord's Manor, and may have intentions to match you with Xia Xue. Xia Xue's Favorability +40.]

[Yellow Intelligence: Due to the exposure of your strength during this great battle, your 'Ghost' identity has been pinpointed by the intelligence networks of the Yin Demon Sect and its affiliated force, the 'Purple Robe Bandits.' They have confirmed you are in Star South City and are gathering personnel, preparing for retaliation.]

[Blue Intelligence: Your master, Chu Tianhe, is grateful for your life-saving grace and even more shocked by your true strength and character. After deep consideration, he has decided to betroth his only daughter, Xiao Chun (Su Yuchun), to you, hoping to firmly keep you at the Huichun Medical Hall. Su Yuchun's favorability towards you has increased from 100 (maximum dependence/familial affection) to 120 (admiration and dependence surpassing limits).]

Looking at these three pieces of intelligence, Qin Feng's face showed no joy. Instead, a trace of deep, bitter smile appeared, and he shook his head.

Recruitment into the City Lord's Manor seemed glorious on the surface, but it was actually a shackle. Once he joined, he would inevitably be drawn into the vortex of power, losing the freedom he currently enjoyed and making it even harder to hide the secret of his System. As for Xia Xue's favorability... he had neither the heart nor the capacity to respond to it for now.

The Yellow Intelligence, however, was like a sharp sword hanging over his head, instantly sending a chill down his spine! The Yin Demon Sect and the Purple Robe Bandits! He finally understood the source of that vague unease he had felt before. Exposing his strength had indeed attracted these venomous snakes lurking in the shadows! They wouldn't care about battlefield honor; their retaliation would surely be a fight to the death!

What made his feelings most complex was the third piece, the Blue Intelligence. His master's intentions, Xiao Chun's favorability surpassing all limits... It wasn't that he had no feelings for Xiao Chun; it was a complex mix of familial affection, pity, and a sense of responsibility. But he deeply understood that his path was destined to be fraught with danger and the unknown, and the existence of the System was a secret he could not share with anyone. He did not want, nor could he afford, to drag Xiao Chun into all this. He appreciated his master's good intentions but could not accept them.

"It seems... I can't stay in Star South City any longer," Qin Feng murmured to himself, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness and resolve.

The City Lord's Manor's recruitment was an overt trouble, the Yin Demon Sect's pursuit a deadly threat in the shadows, and his master's marriage proposal an emotional shackle difficult to handle properly. Staying here any longer would only make the situation more complex and dangerous.

He needed a reason to leave and a suitable destination.

Naturally, the invitation left by Hua Qianying of the Hundred Flowers Palace when she departed surfaced in his mind.

The Hundred Flowers Palace, a Sect primarily composed of women but also accepting a small number of male Disciples, was known for its unique Cultivation Techniques and relatively detached stance. Most importantly, it was far from the troubled land of Star South City, and its Sect rules could, to some extent, block direct provocation from external forces.

Although he had refused at the time, citing the need to defend the city, now it seemed like the most suitable choice available.

"It seems my only option might be the Hundred Flowers Palace," Qin Feng thought, gazing out the window at the pitch-black night sky, his decision already made.

Fame and crisis coexisted; affection and difficult choices stood before him. The halo of the hero of Star South City had not yet cooled, but he already had to start planning his route for a quiet departure. This path of martial arts was never just about increasing strength; it was also a test of mind and choice.