Chapter 29: Blood Clothing Pavilion

Qin Sang learned from Daoist Jixin that Immortal Masters did not all live in seclusion for cultivation. He had not expected that their involvement in the mortal world was deeper than imagined; even the ruler of a nation required the recognition of an Immortal Master.

But upon reflection, this was only logical.

"You are mistaken. Immortal Masters do not interfere in mortal affairs. If one is to be a ruler, they must be the one who ultimately stabilizes the world to be recognized by an Immortal Master. During the process of vying for hegemony, no one receives the help of an Immortal Masters. Similarly..."

Bai Jianglan said in a heavy voice, "If a ruler lacks sufficient ability and is overthrown by another, the Immortal Masters will not intervene."

Qin Sang’s heart stirred as he caught the implication. He whispered, "Could it be that the Prince..."

Bai Jianglan admitted it candidly, "Brother Qin, staying in the Prince's manor, you may not be aware. A short while ago, the Prince personally wrote the *Manifesto Against the False Emperor*, enumerating the atrocities and incompetence of the false emperor. His lawless rule has caused continuous natural disasters, leaving the common people in misery and the five-hundred-year foundation of the Great Sui on the verge of collapse. Now, the manifesto has spread throughout the land. Of the thirteen prefectures of the Great Sui, all have responded, except for the three prefectures of the imperial capital controlled by the false emperor. The Prince has personally raised an army to crusade against the false emperor. King Zhenshui has already pledged allegiance to the Prince; their two armies have merged and are now pointing their blades directly at Yingnan Prefecture. My travels with the Princess have been to facilitate this very matter. Now that various heroes are rising, it is the perfect time to establish great achievements."

Qin Sang thought to himself: *The Prince of Dongyang moves fast!*

A month ago, there wasn't even a hint of this. Yet in just one month, he had already harnessed the momentum of the world to raise an army in rebellion.

If he were not devoted to the Immortal Dao, this would indeed be the best time to build a career; perhaps he could fight for a title of nobility and enjoy a lifetime of wealth and status.

Bai Jianglan glanced at Qin Sang and said slowly, "When the new Emperor ascends the throne, he may select his pillars of state to be enfeoffed together at Mount Chaosheng..."

Qin Sang suddenly looked up. Seeing that Bai Jianglan was smiling without speaking, he asked in a low voice, "What can I do for the Princess?"

Though he possessed the Yama, he was not even a novice in the world of cultivation. Hiding in the mortal world and planning slowly was the safest course of action.

Bai Jianglan smiled slightly and used his finger to write three words in water on the table—Blood Clothing Pavilion!

Bai Jianglan lowered his voice, "After the Prince issued the manifesto, the false emperor's claws, the Jiangshan Pavilion, launched a massive incursion into Dongyang Prefecture. They hide in the shadows, engaging in sabotage, assassination, and espionage. The Jiangshan Pavilion is like a cancer in the bone; it must be removed! Ten days ago, King Zhenshui was nearly assassinated, causing widespread panic. The Prince was furious, and the Princess suggested forming the Blood Clothing Pavilion to stand in direct opposition to the Jiangshan Pavilion. Eliminating the Jiangshan Pavilion would not only sever the false emperor's claws but also cut off one of his most important sources of intelligence. Furthermore, the Blood Clothing Pavilion must also undertake the duty of infiltrating enemy lines to scout military intelligence..."

After hearing this, Qin Sang lamented inwardly; in the end, they wanted him to join a secret service organization.

The keen five senses brought by the *Netherworld Scripture* and the ability to interrogate enemies with the Yama Banner were indeed perfectly suited for this.

"Who will be the Pavilion Master? You, Brother Bai, or Elder Yue?"

"I will not join the Blood Clothing Pavilion," Bai Jianglan shook his head. "The Pavilion Master is the Prince's personal guard commander, Master Black Crane. This man has a mysterious background, divine internal strength, and ghost-like lightness skills; even Elder Yue and I admit we are inferior to him. However, there will be four Protectors established under the Pavilion Master, and Elder Yue is one of them."

Qin Sang found it strange. "Brother Bai, your martial arts are so high, why..."

Bai Jianglan sighed softly, "Years ago, not wanting to implicate my wife and daughter, I severed my own toes to settle my grievances in the martial world and took refuge in the Prince's manor. I lost the ambition to build a career long ago. Now, I only wish to remain by the Princess's side as a guard and live out my life in peace, without interfering in the affairs of the martial world again. However, some of my brothers are unwilling to live ordinary lives and will join the Blood Clothing Pavilion to work. I will need Brother Qin's help to look after them then. Although you are not a top-tier expert in the martial world, your skills are certainly beyond that of ordinary people; the Blood Clothing Pavilion cannot do without you. The Princess once considered making you her personal guard, but she worried it would be a waste of your talent, so she hesitated. Later, when the Princess consulted me regarding the Blood Clothing Pavilion, you were the first person I thought of."

Qin Sang gave a bitter smile. "Brother Bai, you overestimate me. I fear my meager abilities might jeopardize the great cause of the Prince and the Princess."

Bai Jianglan chuckled. "Brother Qin, do not be so modest! The Princess knows the reputation of the Jiangshan Pavilion in the martial world, so how could I not? Before you, I had never heard of anyone being able to pry intelligence from those madmen of the Jiangshan Pavilion..."

Qin Sang was startled by this.

But Bai Jianglan waved it off. "Everyone has secrets. As long as Brother Qin works loyally for the Princess and the Prince, I will not cause any complications. Enough small talk. As the Blood Clothing Pavilion is newly established, all affairs will be decided by the Protectors. The Princess and Elder Yue wish to divide the organization into two branches: the Yin Branch will disperse into the martial world to target the Jiangshan Pavilion, while the other, the Bing Branch, will go deep into the front lines to scout military intelligence. Brother Qin can consider which branch you wish to serve in."

Qin Sang said no more and fell into deep thought with a frown.

With Immortal Masters watching over the Great Sui, Qin Sang knew it was best not to overturn the table; otherwise, what he might attract was not immortal fate, but a death sentence.

Whether to join the Blood Clothing Pavilion remained a toss-up. However, contacting an Immortal Master through the imperial investiture seemed to be the only visible path to seeking immortality.

Between the Bing Branch and the Yin Branch, the Yin Branch was undoubtedly more suitable for him. The Bing Branch required going to the front lines; although there would be many military merits, the fires of war were merciless, and a single stray arrow could take his life.

But what Qin Sang was thinking about was the Soul Elixir. To him, the Soul Elixir was the priority, and he could not miss the opportunity to collect souls.

Where were there the most wandering souls?

The battlefield!

By joining the Bing Branch, using his mortal identity as cover, he could collect souls on the battlefield while increasing his cultivation and planning his future. Even if it wasn't for the sake of seeking immortality, it could solve his most pressing problem; he would just need to be cautious.

"Brother Qin intends to join the Bing Branch?"

A flash of surprise crossed Bai Jianglan's face; he was somewhat surprised by the choice, but since it was Qin Sang's own decision, he found it inappropriate to say more.

"Prepare yourself, Brother Qin. I will report to the Princess immediately. The preparations for the Blood Clothing Pavilion are nearing completion; there will be major movements within a few days."

After seeing Bai Jianglan off, Qin Sang sat in silence for a long time.

He had envisioned his future: becoming an official and a loyal subject, or becoming a close attendant to the Princess. As long as there was a chance to touch upon immortal fate, he could endure anything.

He never expected he would become a spy, an agent, and even a killer.

One could imagine how dangerous such work was; even with the Yama protecting him, there was no guarantee of absolute safety.

After much deliberation, Qin Sang made up his mind. Once he joined the Blood Clothing Pavilion, all actions would be based on the principle of not hindering his cultivation, and his primary rule would be to preserve his own life.

He would rather fail to achieve a goal than risk his life, but he would still reap the merits—and he would do so openly, refusing to be an unsung hero.

Furthermore, having learned that there were cultivators watching over the Great Sui, Qin Sang felt fortunate that he had been cautious in his previous actions. He secretly decided that in the future, whether collecting souls or killing, he must be low-profile to the extreme; unless absolutely necessary, he would not reveal his skills.

If he ever messed up a major matter, the worst that could happen was to change his name and flee to another country to start over. After all, the *Netherworld Scripture* was not something that could be mastered in a year or two.

Having made his decision, Qin Sang felt much lighter. He picked up the manual on the table and began to read.

That evening, Elder Yue came to visit.

After a long, private discussion, Qin Sang packed his belongings, followed Elder Yue to meet the Princess once, and then quietly left the Prince's manor, vanishing without a trace.