Chapter 42: Death by Loss of Yang

“Does Wang Liu truly dare to change the military strategy agreed upon by the generals based solely on his personal likes and dislikes, for no reason at all?”

If an ancient path could be found to conquer Raven's Mouth and capture seven cities in succession, it would surely be a monumental achievement. With such a feat, Qin Sang could be promoted directly to Inspector, and no one would dare to object.

Qin Sang knew that Wang Liu found him disagreeable and certainly did not want him to achieve merit.

“It is not entirely without reason,” Vice General Feng sighed. “The day before yesterday, the soldiers captured a medicinal harvester from the mountains. He claimed that several days ago, deep within the Guling Mountains, the earth shook violently, the mountains trembled, and all beasts fled in terror for more than half a day. This has become Wang Liu's excuse. He claims that even if an ancient path exists in the Guling Mountains, it has been buried by fallen rocks, and finding it would be useless, only serving to delay military operations.”

“Was it an earthquake?” Qin Sang frowned. Having just entered the Guling Mountains and only just beginning his operations, he was indeed unaware of this matter.

“It wasn't...”

Vice General Feng’s tone was somewhat strange. “That harvester swore up and down that he saw two immortals flying overhead. He said the earthquake occurred because the immortals were engaged in a great battle within the Guling Mountains.”

“He truly saw immortals?”

Qin Sang’s eyes suddenly lit up.

Vice General Feng sneered, “Brother Qin, don't listen to that harvester's nonsense. My wife is from a nearby village, and there have never been legends of immortals in the Guling Mountains. That harvester originally had several companions, all of whom perished by the mouths of tigers and wolves; he was the only one who managed to escape, looking utterly terrified. He is likely driven mad by fear. Wang Liu is no fool; he isn't blindly believing a single person's word. His true intention is still to target you and me.”

Qin Sang offered no comment and thought for a moment before asking, “Can I see that harvester?”

Vice General Feng misunderstood his intent. “You want to use him as a breakthrough? He is currently being held by Wang Liu's men; I'm afraid it won't be easy...”

Before he could finish, the sound of footsteps came from outside. Someone called out, “General Feng, has General Qin returned? I have been ordered by the Inspector to invite General Qin to the central command tent for a discussion.”

Qin Sang and Vice General Feng exchanged a glance. It seemed that the brat Wang Liu could not wait any longer.

Following Wang Liu's personal guards, Qin Sang entered the central command tent. The first thing he heard was a burst of flirtatious laughter. Looking up, he saw Wang Liu sitting behind the command desk, flanked by women.

Wang Liu was behaving debauchedly, his hands nowhere to be seen. Two beautiful handmaidens leaned against him; one was pouring him wine while the other was picking up food for him, and he was eating with great gusto.

“This subordinate pays respects to the Inspector.”

Qin Sang clasped his hands in salute, but Wang Liu acted as if he hadn't heard, continuing to play with the beautiful maids, uttering lewd and indecent words that were unbearable to the ear.

Qin Sang stood silently in place, his expression devoid of joy or sorrow.

“Oh! So it is General Qin!”

After ignoring Qin Sang for quite a while, Wang Liu acted as if he had only just noticed him, feigning surprise with a voice full of sarcasm. “General Qin is truly a dragon among men; you've already become a Deputy General before the age of twenty. You all ought to make it a point to associate well with him. If you can become sworn siblings, or even husband and wife, you'll rise to prosperity and won't have to play the fool for me anymore! Wouldn't you agree, Gen! er! Qin!”

The two women giggled and clung to him.

These two women carried a heavy air of the pleasure quarters. Wang Liu's suggestion that they become sworn siblings was a deliberate insult to Qin Sang.

Qin Sang's face remained as calm as a still pool. “The Inspector jokes; Qin Sang would not dare.”

“Would not dare? Why wouldn't you dare?”

Wang Liu smiled playfully. “If General Qin achieves another unprecedented feat like you did in Ning County, I'll have to step down and give you my position. What wouldn't you dare then? A pity, what a pity. You say those damn immortals are usually elusive, yet they just had to show up to fight at this exact moment and ruin General Qin's good fortune. Isn't that just disappointing? Ah! Haha...”

Qin Sang maintained an attitude of passive indifference. After mocking him for a while, Wang Liu found it lacked interest. His expression changed, and he said sternly, “The matter of the ancient path is not to be mentioned again. From now on, do not attempt to deceive this Inspector with such intelligence! I now order you to enter Guling Pass to scout military intelligence. If you delay military operations, you shall be executed without mercy!”

Qin Sang's eyes flashed. Guling Pass was heavily guarded and fortified; entering to scout intelligence was no different from seeking death.

“This subordinate obeys!”

Qin Sang accepted the command and exited the tent, casting one deep look back.

After walking several laps through the camp, Qin Sang returned to his own tent. He whispered a few words to Water Monkey, who took his orders and departed. Qin Sang sat in meditation for a while before focusing his mind on practicing the *Nether Scripture*.

An entire day passed. The clouds cleared, the rain ceased, and twilight descended.

Water Monkey hurried back into the tent, holding a slip of paper. He whispered, “General Qin, Zheng Kun sent word. There was indeed a tremor in the Guling Mountains three days ago, but they did not find anyone who saw immortals. Additionally, a scout team has discovered a location suspected to be the ancient path, and Zhang Wenkui is personally heading there to investigate.”

Qin Sang took the slip, scanned it, and burned it to ash on the candle stand. He waved his hand, “I understand. You may go.”

Late at night.

The only sound outside the tent was the footsteps of the patrolling soldiers. Qin Sang ceased his cultivation. The light from the torches outside flickered in, and Qin Sang's gaze was exceptionally bright.

Qin Sang took out the Yama Banner and attached his divine sense to Yama. With his eyes slightly closed, he commanded Yama to sneak toward Wang Liu's tent. It felt as if his own eyes were growing upon Yama—a truly miraculous sensation.

The central camp was not large, making Wang Liu's tent easy to find. The personal guards outside could never have imagined that an evil spirit was sneaking into the tent right under their noses.

Upon seeing the scene inside the tent, Qin Sang's brow furrowed deeply.

There were three people in the tent now, but the two women from earlier were nowhere to be seen. In their place were a young girl and a young woman. The girl was bound with ropes, her face filled with terror and even despair.

Wang Liu held a wine cup, smiling lewdly as he forced her to drink.

The young girl had a fierce temperament; she shook her head refusing to drink, biting her lip until it bled. After being forced to swallow two gulps, she opened her mouth and spat all over Wang Liu, earning her two heavy slaps.

“You little bitch, refusing a toast only to be forced to drink punishment!”

Wang Liu flew into a rage. The young woman clung to Wang Liu like a water snake, her voice seductive. “Please calm your anger, General. The girl is ignorant and has offended you. Let me help you soothe your fire first...”

Wang Liu took a large gulp of medicinal wine from the table and squeezed the woman firmly in his embrace. “You're the sensible one. Let the master feel comfortable first. Serve me well, and once the campaign is successful, I'll release your dead husband and let you two be reunited, haha...”

The woman repeatedly agreed, actively pleasing him, though tears welled in the corners of her eyes.

Qin Sang watched coldly; he recognized the woman's identity.

A while ago, when the Xuanwei Battalion captured the small town before the Guling Mountains, the county magistrate had refused to surrender even after being captured. He was tied behind Wang Liu's horse and dragged to death. This woman was the magistrate's wife.

In the blink of an eye, Wang Liu let out a muffled groan. As he began to tremble, Yama seized the opportunity and lunged.

...

At the midnight hour, the Xuanwei Battalion's torches burned brightly. The generals had gathered before the command tent, including Qin Sang.

Wang Liu's corpse was covered with a white cloth. The personal guards knelt on the ground below, shivering uncontrollably; some had even urinated themselves in terror.