Arriving before Jiuchi Xue, Lin Feng called out, "Commander."
"Lin Feng, your camp is still where it was. Now is the time to bestow upon you a title. You belong to the Chi Blood Iron Cavalry Legion. Within the army, you have the freedom to move as you please. In case of emergencies, you have the authority to handle them independently. However, I must reclaim these two fellows. If they leave, the positions of my two centurions will be vacant."
Jiuchi Xue pointed to Han Man and Po Jun behind Lin Feng, saying.
"General, why don't we stay in Tianjian Camp?" Han Man stepped forward, somewhat expectant. He didn't care much about the position of a centurion as long as he could fight alongside Lin Feng.
"No, the two of you return to my command immediately."
Jiuchi Xue rebuked sternly. Han Man and Po Jun smiled bitterly and said, "Yes, General."
With that, they smiled wryly at Lin Feng and returned to their respective units of a thousand soldiers.
"Lin Feng, I still have use for these two lads. They will be yours sooner or later," Jiuchi Xue said meaningfully, then added, "You may go."
"Very well." Lin Feng nodded slightly and stepped aside.
"Lin Feng."
At this moment, a crisp sound rang out. Lin Feng turned his gaze and saw Duan Xinye waving at him.
"Wait for me here," Lin Feng instructed his companions before approaching Duan Xinye, asking, "Princess, is there anything else you need?"
"Do I need a reason to find you? You are my personal guard," Duan Xinye smiled sweetly, leaving Lin Feng unsure of how to respond.
"Lin Feng, come back to camp with me. I only brought Autumn Grass with me this time. You can keep me company."
Duan Xinye suggested, but Lin Feng remained silent.
"If you don't want to, forget it. You can go back."
Seeing Lin Feng silent, a hint of disappointment flickered in Duan Xinye's eyes, and a smile squeezed out from the corners of her mouth.
Lin Feng turned his horse's head and rode away. This scene made Duan Xinye bite her lip lightly, feeling a hint of sourness in her heart. From childhood to adulthood, she was always adored by others and had never been rejected. Even those talented youths in the imperial city didn't catch her eye, except for Lin Feng, this arrogant and charming young man, who made her gradually develop some fondness. But when she gathered the courage to speak up for the first time, she was rejected like this.
"You go back to the camp first."
A voice reached Duan Xinye's ears. It was Lin Feng's voice. She looked up slightly, seeing Lin Feng turning around. A bright smile appeared on the corner of Duan Xinye's mouth, with a hint of tenderness, almost like tears of joy.
So, Lin Feng wasn't rejecting her, just asking his subordinates to go back first.
"Princess."
Lin Feng returned to Duan Xinye's side and called out.
"Let's go."
Duan Xinye's long hair fluttered in the wind as she spurred her horse forward. Immediately, many soldiers who were protecting her followed closely. Lin Feng also followed on horseback, paying no attention to the many sinister gazes behind him.
"Hmph."
Beside Liu Canglan, a delicate snort sounded, making Liu Canglan pause. Then he looked at Liu Fei, who was wearing armor beside him, and said, "Feifei, you must perform well."
"What do you want me to perform?"
Liu Fei gritted her teeth and said, then turned and rode back. In her heart, she cursed Lin Feng, this lecher.
"General, it seems that Princess Xinye has intentions towards Lin Feng. Feifei might be her rival."
Jiuchi Xue whispered lowly. Their old eyes were sharp, noticing that Duan Xinye's gaze towards Lin Feng was slightly different from others.
Towards others, Duan Xinye always smiled gently, but towards Lin Feng, that gentle smile contained a hint of tenderness.
A girl's first love, tender feelings, eyes cannot deceive others, just like Liu Fei.
Liu Canglan smiled bitterly and shook his head, his gaze falling on the figure quietly leaving. Under the armor, he would never forget the purity beneath it. Even when he saw that pure figure, he would still feel a shocking beauty.
...
Inside Duan Xinye's tent, it was decorated exceptionally elegantly. Not luxurious, but clean and refreshing, giving off a sense of purity.
At this moment, Lin Feng and Duan Xinye were seated on the ground, with a sandalwood table between them.
"Princess, Master Lin Feng, have some tea."
Autumn Grass brewed two cups of tea and placed them in front of Duan Xinye and Lin Feng.
Lin Feng quickly took one and nodded to Autumn Grass, smiling, "Miss Autumn Grass, there's no need to take care of me like this."
Being treated like this made Lin Feng somewhat uncomfortable.
"Master Lin Feng, you are the Princess's guest. It's only proper for me to serve you."
Autumn Grass smiled sweetly, revealing two dimples on her face, very cute. She was only fifteen or sixteen years old, in the prime of her youth.
Lin Feng just smiled and didn't say much. Girls like Autumn Grass were actually considered servants. Being able to stay by the princess's side was already very lucky. Moreover, Duan Xinye seemed to treat her well. It could be seen that Autumn Grass respected Duan Xinye but was not afraid of her, indicating that Duan Xinye was not a domineering person.
"Princess, the battlefield is fraught with danger. Why take the risk to come here?"
Lin Feng asked somewhat puzzled. Duan Xinye wouldn't have much impact on the battlefield.
"After staying in the palace for too long, breathing the same air every day, I wanted to come out and take a look, see the yellow earth, see the passion of the soldiers." Duan Xinye smiled softly. The palace, for many, was a revered place, but for those locked within, it felt like a shackle. They wanted to go out and move around, just like Duan Xinye.
"Lin Feng, do you like listening to the sound of the qin?" Duan Xinye suddenly asked. Lin Feng nodded slightly, "I do."
"I'll play for and placed it neatly on the sandalwood table, showing great thoughtfulness.
With a faint smile on her lips, Duan Xinye gently stroked the strings of the qin, her fingertips creating melodious notes that filled the air.
Observing Duan Xinye at this moment, Lin Feng couldn't help but admire her beauty, elegance, and nobility. The occasional smile that graced her lips mesmerized him, regardless of her status as a princess. Her demeanor and beauty alone were enough to captivate many men.
It was no wonder that so many noble youths hoped to gain Duan Xinye's favor. A woman of such grace, possessing the status of a princess and the strength of a formidable warrior, how could she not stir the hearts of others?
The melody played by Duan Xinye was soft and serene, yet carried a hint of joy, akin to a gentle stream flowing through a bamboo forest.
Listening to the qin, one could understand the essence of Duan Xinye's character. Like a clear spring meandering through a mountain valley, like the fragrance of orchids pervading a tranquil mountain.
Slowly closing his eyes, Lin Feng savored the tea in his cup, soaking in the enchanting music. In the company of Duan Xinye, he felt not a trace of restraint, but rather a sense of ease and comfort, even a hint of enjoyment.
Occasionally, when Duan Xinye glanced at Lin Feng, who was intoxicated with closed eyes, the smile on her lips became even sweeter.
Within the tent, the atmosphere was tranquil, with only the lingering melody of the qin drifting through the air.
However, at this moment, Lin Feng, who had closed his eyes tightly, suddenly felt a pang in his heart, as if his heart was convulsing.
Opening his eyes, a pair of gray, merciless pupils instantly emerged, making everything around him incredibly clear. Without any hesitation, Lin Feng turned around, a dagger appearing in his hand, thrusting out directly.
"Crack!"
A crisp sound echoed as the dagger struck the arrow, splitting it in half. In an instant, the arrow that had been shot towards Lin Feng flew past, grazing his cheek.
A gust of wind rushed in, lifting the curtains of the tent. Then, a shadow flashed, and a strong sense of danger enveloped Lin Feng.
Advancing forward, Lin Feng's dagger gleamed once again, shattering the sword that was thrust at him. However, this did not hinder the movements of the phantom figure.
"Swoosh, swoosh!"
The dagger followed the trajectory of the broken sword, piercing into the opponent's chest. However, what shocked Lin Feng was that the opponent's right hand directly grabbed his palm, while a terrifyingly sharp arrow whistled through the air from the opponent's left hand, aiming towards Duan Xinye behind Lin Feng.
Fast! The entire movement was completed in an instant, as swift as lightning. The opponent even disregarded their own life, trading it for Lin Feng's.
"Assassin, Death Warrior!"
Lin Feng's heart trembled. The arrow thrown by the opponent's left hand was too fast, so fast that Lin Feng could not rely on his powerful strength to block it.
If he didn't block it, Duan Xinye behind him would be in mortal danger.
This assassin was at least at the fifth level of the Spiritual Martial Realm. The power behind the arrow thrown in exchange for their life was incredibly fierce.