A few minutes later, Qin Feng made his way toward the Command Hall.
Within his shadow walked Shadow, captain of the Shadow Squad stationed in the fortress. Five shadow stalkers were positioned at key locations within his residence, while the remaining five were scattered throughout the fortress, carrying out reconnaissance.
Five isn't nearly enough to watch over the entire fortress… but it will have to do for now.
He kept Shadow by his side for the sake of Mind Link II. With Shadow as the node, not only could he maintain contact with the stalkers within the fortress—this is within the limits of ordinary Mind Link—but he could also reach the squads that had already departed for the capital, should the need arise.
When Qin Feng arrived at the Command Hall, the two guards stationed at the entrance snapped to attention and saluted. He gave a brief nod in acknowledgment as they announced his arrival.
Qin Feng stepped inside, his gaze sweeping across the hall.
The Command Hall was vast and spacious, its polished stone floor reflecting the dim glow of hanging lanterns. Thick timber beams supported the high ceiling, casting long shadows across the room. Along the walls hung detailed maps of provinces and battlefields, each marked with colored pins. Low tables were cluttered with scrolls, troop rosters, and intelligence reports.
Weapon racks lined the sides of the hall—gleaming halberds resting beneath war banners that stirred faintly in a passing draft.
At the head of the hall, atop a slightly raised platform, stood a single high-backed chair of dark wood, polished to a subdued sheen.
And at the very center of the hall lay a cluster of joined tables bearing a terrain map of Beiguan Fortress and its surrounding lands, meticulously marked with miniature figurines and colored flags.
The generals stood on either side of the central table, their gazes following Qin Feng's every step. Their expressions varied—some wore visible relief, others stared with thinly veiled curiosity, their eyes lingering on the blood-soaked sac in his hand. A few, however, looked openly displeased.
(AN: Here, "generals" don't actually mean just generals. Apparently, generals, deputy generals, vanguard generals, etc can be collectively referred to as generals)
Qin Feng walked past them and took his seat on the high-backed chair.
The air in the hall grew taut, the atmosphere subtly tightening the moment he sat down. The generals straightened instinctively. In this moment, they were no longer the uncles who had watched him grow up—they were generals standing before their commander.
Though many had questions burning on their tongues, none dared speak.
At last, Qin Feng inclined his head—a silent gesture granting permission.
The first to step forward was one of the highest-ranking generals in the fortress—General Liang Wude, a veteran who had followed Qin Feng's father since his youth.
"Commander Qin…"
His voice was low but steady. "We are all relieved to see you return alive. The men who survived the night raid swore they saw you fall beneath the enemy's blades. When the news reached us, we feared…" He paused, then let out a quiet breath. "How did you escape? What exactly happened that night?"
Qin Feng looked at him.
Liang Wude had been one of those whose relief had been unmistakable upon his entrance. There was no mistaking it—this was a man who genuinely cared.
He did not answer immediately. Instead, his gaze swept across the hall, meeting the eyes of every general present.
'Looos like he asked the question on everyone's mind.'
At last, Qin Feng spoke.
"The matter of the night raid is not so simple," he said calmly. "We have moles within our walls."
A ripple of murmurs spread through the hall—shock, disbelief, and grim understanding intermingling. It was clear some had long harbored similar suspicions.
He continued, his voice steady. "The Northerners knew we were coming. Not only that—they knew exactly where, when, and how we would strike."
One of the generals stepped forward. "Even if that is true, it does not necessarily mean there is a mole among us. Scouts could have discovered your movements. From the start, we all knew the mission had a slim chance of success."
Several generals nodded in agreement.
Liang Wude turned sharply. "Feng Luo! How dare you! Are you implying the commander was careless?!"
Feng Luo shot back just as fiercely. "I am merely stating facts!"
"Enough."
Qin Feng's voice cut through the hall, halting the argument before it could escalate.
He turned his gaze toward Feng Luo. From the moment he had begun speaking, Qin Feng had been observing him through True Sight. Given his words, most would have immediately placed Feng Luo among the prime suspects.
But what Qin Feng perceived told a different story.
This man was as loyal as Liang Wude. His words stemmed not from betrayal, but from a belief that Qin Feng was young and inexperienced—and that mistakes were inevitable, especially given how ambitious the night raid had been.
"I understand your doubts," Qin Feng said evenly.
His gaze moved from Feng Luo to the rest of the generals. "The raid was ambitious. Many things could have gone wrong."
He paused, then continued, "But I did not summon you here to debate or argue about that night."
Qin Feng rose from his chair and stepped down from the platform, walking toward the terrain map at the center of the hall.
"Regardless of the raid," he said, stopping before the table, "the enemy knowing that over one hundred thousand of our troops are stationed away from the fortress is, by itself, proof enough that moles exist."
A wave of confusion passed through the generals.
Before anyone could speak, Qin Feng continued.
"On my way back, I encountered a group of Northern Khaganate soldiers. They spoke—casually—about our remaining troop strength, with absolute confidence." His gaze sharpened. "If not for the fact that their previous commander had just been killed, and the new one was eager to use my head to secure his position, this fortress would not be as quiet as it is right now."
He looked around the hall.
"Tell me, General Feng Luo—how did they know that only thirty to fifty thousand troops remain to defend Beiguan Fortress?"
Feng Luo's eyes widened.
He immediately dropped to one knee, his deputy following suit. "Commander, forgive my disrespect! I had no ill intentions!"
Across the table, Liang Wude wore a smug expression, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.
Qin Feng glanced at him briefly, then gestured for Feng Luo to rise.
Another general spoke up. "Commander, if this is true, then we should expect a Northern assault at any moment."
Qin Feng turned to him. This was General Zhao Kun, another veteran who had fought alongside his father in numerous campaigns.
The hall erupted once more—murmurs, curses, and anxious discussion spreading among the generals.
"General Zhao Kun speaks correctly," Qin Feng said as he turned and returned to his seat. "However, there is no need to panic. They will not be able to march for at least another month."
He sat down calmly.
The room gradually quieted.
Just as silence fully settled, a general began, "Why would they—"
He was cut off as Qin Feng casually tossed the blood-soaked sac onto the floor.
"Because," Qin Feng said evenly, "that is the head of their newly appointed commander."
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AN: In case you're wondering why Qin Feng is confident about the one-month window—it is because that is the time required for the reinforcements—mentioned by the Northern Khaganate general—to arrive. With two commanders killed in succession, they cannot appoint a new expedition commander until those reinforcements arrive. The replacement commander will almost certainly be chosen from among the reinforcement.
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