Chapter 5: The Immortal Master is Hard to Find

After much effort coaxing Chun Tao back, Bai Jianglan ordered someone to help Qin Sang up.

"Brother Qin, Miss Chun Tao was only concerned for the young lady's safety and acted out of necessity; please do not take it to heart. I am sorry to trouble you to rest in the stern cabin for the night. I will have someone bring you some food shortly, and we will see you off the ship once we reach the Three Witches City ferry. Three Witches City is a major thoroughfare, a place every merchant must pass through; perhaps you might even find fellow countrymen there..."

Qin Sang was deeply grateful. Remembering the two money pouches on his person, he took them out all at once and said, "Brother Bai, your life-saving grace is something I can never repay. This gold and silver belonged to the two bandits I killed. I only hope you do not find it dirty..."

"Hey!"

Bai Jianglan looked displeased and pushed Qin Sang's hand back.

"In the past, my own martial arts were meager. While wandering the jianghu, I relied on the help of righteous men to reach where I am today. Now, I am merely following the example of my predecessors by performing a small act of kindness. Do not mention money again, or I shall have you thrown off the ship right now!"

Qin Sang stood there awkwardly with his hand extended.

The man helping him laughed and said, "Brother Bai’s annual salary is over a thousand taels; why would he covet your pittance? You earned that with your life, so keep it to buy a wife when you get home."

The stern cabin was divided into several rooms, originally meant for the boatmen to rest, but now filled with miscellaneous items. They found one that was relatively clean and piled high with straw. A quilt was sent down later; though simple, it was something Qin Sang hadn't dared to dream of for the past month.

After settling Qin Sang in, Bai Jianglan led his men back to the ship. Before long, someone brought down a set of old clothes and a hot meal. Qin Sang wolfed it down, though he couldn't really taste anything.

He changed into the clothes, wrapped himself tightly in the quilt, and after a long while of letting his mind wander, he finally drifted into a deep sleep.

Before falling asleep, he touched the ebony sword and the few items in his chest, resisting the urge to take them out and look at them.

...

He slept without dreams.

Qin Sang opened his eyes, feeling the gentle rocking of the cabin, his spirit feeling more refreshed than ever before.

His stomach was growling again; he had no idea what time it was.

Qin Sang sat up, found a wooden stick, and slowly stood. Balancing on his toes and using the stick for support, he found he could actually walk slowly. He couldn't help but marvel once more at the wonders of internal energy.

Moving step by step, he reached the ladder of the stern cabin. He heard shouts of "Hu! Ha!" coming from above. A head poked down—it was the man who had helped him yesterday.

"Brother Qin is awake!"

The man jumped down in one stride and chided, "Your leg hasn't healed yet, why did you get up on your own? I’ve been keeping watch above; you only had to call out and I would have come down. Come, it’s stuffy in the cabin, let me help you up. It’s still early, not yet time for a meal. Brother Bai is currently teaching the brothers martial arts. The ship has already passed Nine-Fold Gorge; we aren't far from Three Witches City. You can get off the ship after breakfast..."

Qin Sang calmly sized the man up. He was about the same age as himself, with a lively personality and a mouth that never stopped moving.

"How should I address you, brother?"

"My name is Zhou Ning. I’m a good swimmer, so everyone calls me 'Water Monkey.' Once we pass Three Witches City, the water calms down. It’s a pity you have to leave soon; you won't get to eat the river fish I catch. Let me tell you, the Nine-Whiskered Fish in the Wuling River is the freshest thing there is, but they don't take bait and nets can't catch them. Aside from me, few people can catch them..."

"So it is Brother Zhou," seeing the man's eyes light up as he talked about fishing, Qin Sang quickly interrupted, "I wonder how much you know about Three Witches City? I am a newcomer here; could you give me some pointers?"

"No problem!"

As they spoke, the two climbed onto the deck.

It was the break of dawn. A thick fog had risen on the river, obscuring the green mountains on the banks. All that could be seen was a vast expanse of white mist, and the river breeze was biting cold.

On the deck, the burly men seen yesterday were wearing uniform short tunics with the character 'East' written in white paint on their backs. Unfazed by the cold, they were arranged in rows, practicing their punches, their steaming sweat dissolving into the mist.

"The ninth form: Angry Dragon Crushes the Mountain!"

Bai Jianglan held a short staff, his expression stern. If anyone made the slightest mistake, they would receive a strike to the back, yet no one cried out in pain, nor did anyone resist.

"Three Witches City governs the Wuling River system. Because of its location, people from the southwestern kingdoms must pass through Three Witches City to reach the Great Sui. The merchants are countless, and there are all sorts of people from every walk of life, especially at the First Ferry, which is the most chaotic. Brother Qin, you have no martial arts; you must be careful after getting off the ship. Keep your money pouch hidden and don't show your wealth, or you will surely invite trouble. Once you find your fellow countrymen, hurry home..."

Under Qin Sang's subtle guidance, Zhou Ning was in high spirits and kept talking, while Qin Sang listened carefully.

Only then did Qin Sang realize that he was no longer in the Ning Kingdom of his hometown.

The Great Sui bordered the Ning Kingdom to the northeast, separated by several treacherous mountain ranges and the natural barrier of the Wuling River. It had always been relatively peaceful.

As for those bandits who had crossed the mountains and headed north, he had no idea why.

The Wuling River branched into several tributaries at Three Witches City, all of which were mighty and powerful. The entire Wuling water system flowed through several countries, which was precisely why Three Witches City was so unique.

Additionally, there was a royal manor in Three Witches City, where one of the eight kings of the Great Sui, the Water-Suppressing King, held court.

With the Water-Suppressing King's army, the city was stable, and merchants from all nations were willing to come there to trade.

The First Ferry was the largest ferry before Three Witches City. If Qin Sang wanted to go home, that was the easiest place to find merchants from his homeland.

While listening to Zhou Ning's chatter, Qin Sang's gaze kept drifting toward Bai Jianglan and his men. He gradually noticed something—such strict discipline was something Qin Sang had only seen in soldiers. Coupled with what he had accidentally overheard from Chun Tao last night about them being sent by a prince to protect the young lady, could these men be the guards of a prince?

Qin Sang glanced at the flower pavilion. Zhou Ning had just mentioned that the Great Sui had thirteen commanderies and eight princes, whose status was second only to the Emperor. He wondered what kind of status that young lady held to be worth a prince sending troops to escort her.

"Zhou Ning!"

Zhou Ning jumped, his demeanor suddenly becoming sharp. "Here!"

"Fall in!"

"Yes!"

Zhou Ning ran to join the ranks. Bai Jianglan walked over, and Qin Sang struggled to stand and offer a salute. "Brother Bai..."

Bai Jianglan waved his hand, telling Qin Sang not to stand on ceremony. "Did you sleep well last night? The brothers' skills are crude; I hope you don't find them laughable, Brother Qin."

"You are all heroes and men of valor; I envy you greatly! Brother Bai, if I were to start learning martial arts now, could I become as powerful as you?"

Qin Sang said earnestly; he truly envied them and wanted to learn.

Bai Jianglan chuckled and said, "What am I? Those innate masters in the jianghu can project their true energy, manifest sword light with their internal power, and it is even said that one innate master once slew an Immortal Master. That is what you call truly powerful."

"An Immortal Master can be killed by a martial artist?" Qin Sang was stunned and asked impatiently, "Brother Bai, have you ever seen an Immortal Master?"

Bai Jianglan shook his head. Seeing through Qin Sang's intentions, he advised, "Immortal Masters are like dragons that show their heads but never their tails; how many have truly seen one? There are countless people in this world seeking immortality, yet they all waste their lives in deep mountains and great rivers, achieving nothing. Do not fall into such an obsession and waste your prime years."