Chapter 23: Delivering the News

After crossing several more mountains, Qin Sang approached the main road, found an open area with a clear view, and halted his horse to wait.

According to intelligence, Princess Dongyang's caravan had camped in Kun City last night and departed in the early hours of this morning. It was now past the middle of the Si hour, and they should be arriving soon.

Qin Sang gripped his ironwood staff. The material was an ironwood core he had purchased at the ferry crossing; its hardness was comparable to iron, yet its toughness was excellent. He had commissioned someone to grind it into a well-fitting staff.

One end of the staff had a pre-drilled hole. He only needed to wrap the fabric of the Yama Banner around it, plug it into the hole with the tip facing outward, and finally bind it tightly with cloth strips, and it would become an unconventional spear.

Qin Sang had verified that ordinary mortal eyes indeed could not see the Yama King, but he could not be too reckless. He had to maintain some level of concealment in front of others; otherwise, if he accidentally attracted an immortal master specializing in demon hunting, he would die a senseless death.

To the east of Three Witches City, countless mountains rolled in succession. This road wound through peaks and valleys and required several river crossings, making it truly difficult to traverse. Traveling merchants preferred to take the northern route around Linwu City, even if it cost them two extra days, rather than take this path, so there were few travelers on the road.

Qin Sang did not just watch the intersection; he scanned his surroundings, but he found no one suspected of being an eye for the Jiangshan Tower.

As the sun approached its zenith, the midday heat remained fierce despite it being autumn. Qin Sang silently recited the *Classic of Purity and Tranquility* while waiting patiently. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he straightened his posture.

A convoy appeared at the end of the main road.

Several cargo wagons were covered with black tarpaulins, followed by two passenger carriages, with over twenty mounted guards surrounding them.

These guards were disguised as escorts, carrying swords and sabers. Their eyes were sharp and spirited, making them appear highly disciplined. There also seemed to be figures moving within the woods on both sides.

Their formation was highly organized; they moved with the convoy without any disorder, distributed orderly around the carriages to cover all directions. No matter which way an enemy appeared, they would be able to react immediately.

However, upon closer inspection, it was clear that their primary focus of protection was not the cargo, but the people inside the carriages.

Even from a distance, Qin Sang could see clearly: leading the way was Bai Jianglan!

The Water Monkey, Zhou Ning, was also there.

It was indeed them.

Qin Sang immediately vaulted onto his horse and gave the reins a sharp tug. The steed let out a long neigh and leaped from the woods, galloping down the mountain with rapid hoofbeats.

"Who goes there!"

"Halt!"

Before he could reach the convoy, Qin Sang heard the shouts of Bai Jianglan and the others.

Upon spotting Qin Sang, the convoy came to a sudden halt. The guards instantly swarmed around the carriages, drawing their blades with a *shua* sound and pointing them directly at him.

The front was a flash of bright steel, and hidden crossbows were poised, radiating killing intent.

"Whoa!"

Qin Sang hurriedly reined in his horse and shouted loudly, "Brother Bai, Zhou Ning, it's me! It's Qin Sang!"

Bai Jianglan froze. Looking closely, he found Qin Sang's face somewhat familiar, and he suddenly remembered the youth he had rescued from the raft last year.

Last year, Qin Sang had just escaped from the jaws of death, covered in blood and looking extremely disheveled.

Now, having practiced the *Nether Sutra* and performing daily martial arts training, Qin Sang's appearance and temperament had undergone a massive change compared to last year.

It was precisely because of this that Bai Jianglan had failed to recognize him at first.

The Water Monkey beside Bai Jianglan also remembered him, shouting with a face full of pleasant surprise.

"It really is Brother Qin! Brother Qin, you didn't go back to your hometown? I thought I'd never see you again, I didn't expect..."

Bai Jianglan pressed the Water Monkey down and waved him back. Gripping his sword, he stepped forward two paces, sized Qin Sang up, and with a flash in his eyes, said politely, "Brother Qin, I wonder why you have stopped us?"

He could tell that Qin Sang had come specifically for them.

Qin Sang could sense the estrangement and vigilance in Bai Jianglan's tone, but he did not mind. He dismounted, removed the crossbow, soft sword, and wooden staff from his person in plain sight, walked a few steps to Bai Jianglan's side, and whispered, "Brother Bai, I have urgent matters to report to Princess Dongyang!"

Bai Jianglan's expression changed drastically. "You!"

Qin Sang hurriedly waved his hands and glanced at the guards behind them. "Brother Bai, do not misunderstand. I only guessed the Princess's identity later. I truly do have urgent news. There are too many ears and mouths here; if you trust me, follow me over here."

Confident in his martial skills, Bai Jianglan gave a signal to those behind him and followed Qin Sang to the roadside.

"The Princess's whereabouts are no longer a secret. There are assassins from Jiangshan Tower ahead, lying in ambush at Luoma Mountain, and their target is the Princess. I happened to obtain this information, and thinking of the life-saving debt I owe the Princess and Brother Bai, I have come specifically to report it."

After speaking, Qin Sang watched Bai Jianglan quietly.

Bai Jianglan remained expressionless, staring at Qin Sang for a while. Qin Sang met his gaze unflinchingly.

Just then, an old woman approached from behind and said in a raspy voice, "Commander Bai, the Young Mistress has sent me to ask who this is and what urgent matters he wishes to report."

Bai Jianglan kept his eyes fixed on Qin Sang, took a few steps back, and whispered into the old woman's ear for a moment.

A sharp light flashed in the old woman's eyes. She swept a glance over Qin Sang and said, "Please allow Commander Bai to search the young brother first. I shall return to report to the Young Mistress immediately."

The old woman turned to leave.

Qin Sang allowed Bai Jianglan to search him. The *Nether Sutra*, the Yama Banner, and the Ebony Sword were all wrapped in bundles and placed on the horse; as expected, Bai Jianglan did not probe further.

A moment later, the old woman's voice rang out: "All hands, heed my command. Halt the horses and rest."

A few people quietly dispersed into the woods, and then the old woman appeared, accompanied by a young woman dressed in men's clothing.

This was Qin Sang's first time seeing Princess Dongyang. She wore an exquisite skullcap inlaid with precious gems. Her features were delicate, her stature tall, and she wore silk with an extremely slender waist. A piece of fine jade was fastened to her floral cloud-patterned sash; at first glance, one might mistake her for a refined young gentleman.

Qin Sang bowed and said respectfully, "Qin Sang pays his respects to the Princess."

As Qin Sang secretly observed the Princess, she was also observing him.

Princess Dongyang nodded with a slight smile and said to Bai Jianglan, "Commander Bai, I did not expect that the person you rescued on a whim would possess such gratitude."

Bai Jianglan remained composed. "The Princess overpraises me. It was only with your tacit permission that I dared to enter the water to save him. Brother Qin is simply repaying the Princess's great kindness."

Only then did Princess Dongyang turn her gaze back to Qin Sang. She turned to the old woman and said, "Granny Li, find a quiet place and let this Warrior Qin explain the whole story in detail. I have only read of stories where a drop of kindness is repaid with a flowing spring in books; I have never seen it with my own eyes."

Granny Li looked around, pointed to a clearing in the woods, and said, "Follow me, Young Mistress."

Watched by Bai Jianglan and Granny Li, one in front and one behind, Qin Sang followed them into the forest. His attention remained on Princess Dongyang; seeing that she remained calm despite knowing of the assassination attempt, showing no sign of anxiety or fear, he realized her mental fortitude was extraordinary.

They were in no rush, and neither was Qin Sang. Once they reached the dense woods, Qin Sang began to explain the details.

On his way here, he had already prepared a mental draft, omitting any mention of the *Nether Sutra* and the Yama Banner.

As for how a man who had only practiced martial arts for a year could kill assassins from the Jiangshan Tower?

Naturally, it was talent.