Chapter 35: To Be Admired From Afar, Not Approached With Familiarity!

After two hours of selection, the final candidate who emerged as the "Invincible God of War" was a cold, aloof woman clutching a precious sword.

Qin Feng had just witnessed the entire process. The woman’s swordsmanship was superb; clad in white, she had cut through the crowd with a ferocity that left onlookers dumbfounded.

The woman cast a cold, indifferent glance at Qin Feng. Her first words were, "Can you pay three thousand taels of silver for the first month?"

Qin Feng understood immediately: the woman’s motive for applying was money. Given her martial prowess, she should be more than capable of protecting both him and Zhu Di. However, the demand for three thousand taels of silver right off the bat made him hesitate. It felt unsettling that a woman would lead with such a high price.

Seeing his hesitation, the woman cupped her hands with a cold air and said, "If it is so difficult for you, my lord, then we shall meet again."

"Wait! I can give you the three thousand taels right now, but can you tell me why you need so much money?"

The woman said flatly, "I have nothing to say. Farewell."

"Hold on, I’ll pay you! Surely I can at least ask what level your martial arts have reached?"

The woman nodded slightly. "Sixth-rank martial realm."

"Being a bodyguard is exhausting, and you have to risk your life for your employer. As a woman... are you truly capable of this?"

"If you do not trust me, my lord, then I shall take my leave."

"..."

Is this girl a hedgehog? Why is she so icy? If it weren't for her stunning figure and exceptional skills, Qin Feng would never have agreed to be such a sucker.

Qin Feng whispered a few words to the newspaper office’s accountant and then returned to the woman with the three thousand taels of silver. Seeing the glimmering silver, the woman’s guard visibly lowered. She knelt on the ground and said sincerely, "Thank you for the reward, my lord!"

Although Qin Feng did not know why she needed the money, he and Zhu Di had finally found someone who could keep them safe. With this, they could head to the river project to assume their posts at any time. Once away from the capital, the treacherous clique led by Hu Weiyong would have no way to touch him.

"What is your name?" Qin Feng asked, looking at the cold woman before him.

"Just call me Rengui, my lord."

"Rengui? That’s not really a name, is it?"

"My lord, a name is merely a designation. The jianghu has its own rules. Once I have accepted your money, I will naturally devote my life to protecting you."

The chivalry and righteousness of the people of the jianghu were legendary in ancient times.

Qin Feng asked no more, letting Rengui follow him everywhere. No matter where he went, she trailed behind. Sometimes, when Qin Feng needed to use the latrine, Rengui stood by the door without a hint of embarrassment. Even when Qin Feng took a bath, Rengui would hang from the rafters, expressionless and ever-vigilant.

Qin Feng had to admire such a dedicated bodyguard. It was hard to imagine that someone who should have been a delicate woman lived with more strength than any man. Qin Feng suspected there must be many stories behind Rengui, but before his gaze could linger on her striking physique for even a moment, he was met with a glare so murderous it forced him to swallow hard.

Truth be told, Qin Feng had been genuinely captivated by her stunning figure. Whether it was her towering curves or her long, slender legs, she was breathtakingly beautiful. In Qin Feng’s eyes, Rengui was a rose with thorns. Having such a rose follow him day and night was, in its own way, a pleasure. But this girl was for looking, not touching—her skills were lethal!

When Qin Feng finally returned to the Shanglin Garden, the shifty-eyed Da Niu tried to play a prank on him, only to have his arm nearly twisted off by Rengui.

"Spare me, officer!"

Qin Feng laughed. "That’ll teach you to try and sneak up on me. I have someone protecting me this time."

Da Niu cradled his nearly broken arm and said painfully, "Officer, your female bodyguard is truly formidable!"

Qin Feng glanced at Rengui, his appreciation for her skills growing by the day. After all, Da Niu and his men were assassins sent by high-ranking officials; he hadn't expected them to be so utterly helpless against her. Now, he and Zhu Di could head to the river project with full confidence.

The battalion commander, Zhou Huang, also sensed Rengui’s overwhelming presence, recognizing her at once as a master of unparalleled martial arts.

Zhou Huang whispered to Qin Feng, "Grand Tutor Qin, your female bodyguard is extraordinary; she is no ordinary martial artist."

Seeing that a warrior like Zhou Huang held her in such high regard, Qin Feng knew she was truly formidable. He hooked his arm around Zhou Huang’s shoulder and asked casually, "How much grain do we have left in the Shanglin Garden?"

"As you instructed, Grand Tutor, we have been eating wild game from the forest, so the grain we brought has not been touched at all."

"Good. Grain is precious now; we must save where we can. Have those fellows like Da Niu been behaving themselves in the garden?"

"They work very hard, especially when they see their monthly wages—their eyes go wide."

"Have you managed to find out who sent them in the first place?"

Zhou Huang nodded, leaned into Qin Feng’s ear, and said, "It was Prime Minister Hu."

Qin Feng’s expression changed instantly!

It wasn't Han Shiyuan, the Minister of Justice? Could it be that Hu Weiyong had pulled a "cicada shedding its skin" trick? This corrupt official—once I get to the river and uncover the truth behind the project, I will make you pay!

At the thought of this, Qin Feng felt deeply stifled. He never expected the Minister of Justice to be a scapegoat for Hu Weiyong. Even the Emperor probably hadn't realized how cunning Hu Weiyong was. Fortunately, Da Niu and his men had genuinely defected to his side; otherwise, he might never have found the mastermind behind it all.

He should have guessed it was Hu Weiyong! Ever since he had gained the Emperor’s favor, Hu Weiyong had been targeting him at every turn.

Seeing Qin Feng clenching his knuckles in fury, Zhou Huang looked terrified. "Grand Tutor, it will be hard to convict the Prime Minister based solely on the words of Da Niu and his men. He will certainly clear his name completely."

Qin Feng smiled bitterly. "Clear his name? The case of the assassination attempt on me is already closed; someone else has already played the scapegoat for him."

Zhou Huang looked shocked, cold sweat forming on his palms. Could Prime Minister Hu really be so treacherous and malicious?

"Zhou Huang, how is the plowing in the Shanglin Garden coming along? We cannot afford any delays after spring arrives! We are raising grain for the imperial court; the responsibility is heavy."

Zhou Huang cupped his hands. "Rest assured, Grand Tutor. Before winter sets in, your subordinate will ensure all the land in the garden is plowed!"

Qin Feng patted Zhou Huang’s shoulder. "Work hard, and I will not treat you unfairly."

"I have some good news to report, Grand Tutor."

"What good news?"

Zhou Huang waved at Da Niu and his men, who understood and brought forward a batch of seedlings for Qin Feng to inspect.

"As you ordered, I have found these high-quality seedlings. Please take a look, Grand Tutor."

Qin Feng took the superior-grade seedlings and his eyes widened. So many high-quality varieties! The hybrid rice project was finally within reach!