Chapter 46: Great Victory, Summoning, Ambush

Qin Sang, caught up in the excitement, summoned the Ice Silkworm Treasure Armor, drew a sharp sword from his side, and thrust it forward with all his might.

Unexpectedly, the moment the tip of the sword touched the treasure armor, it automatically slid to the side. This happened several times in succession, and not a single mark appeared on the armor.

What a magnificent treasure indeed!

Qin Sang could not bear to put it down and studied it for a long time. He discovered that when he wore the Ice Silkworm Treasure Armor and channeled his spiritual energy with full force, a thin layer of ice-like mist would appear around his body, enveloping him entirely, making his defensive capabilities seem even more exceptional.

Furthermore, the consumption of spiritual energy by this Ice Silkworm Treasure Armor was far less terrifying than that of the Purple Soul Ling, allowing Qin Sang to sustain it for a long time.

This brought Qin Sang great joy. With this armor, even if he encountered a先天 (Xiantian) expert like Superior Yuanjue in the future, he would not fear a sudden disaster.

...

"Reporting to the General, a person claiming to be the Princess's messenger is here with a secret letter and requests an audience with you!"

Qin Sang was in the middle of cultivation when he was startled awake by the personal guards outside the door. Frowning, he pushed the door open and stepped out.

As the morning sun rose, a dazzling brilliance shimmered at the end of the Linshui River. The air within Raven's Mouth City was permeated with a lingering smell of scorching, which refused to dissipate.

After encountering the young man surnamed Han, it took another ten days for them to break through the ancient road. They discovered that the Raven's Mouth garrison was unexpectedly hollow. Seizing the opportunity, Qin Sang took a brief rest and immediately led the troops of the three camps to charge toward Raven's Mouth.

The Raven's Mouth garrison had not expected the enemy to appear from their rear. In their panic, they surrendered entirely after a brief resistance.

Unexpectedly, the puppet emperor's garrison reacted extremely quickly. Only three days after Qin Sang occupied Raven's Mouth, they assembled forces and launched a naval assault. At this time, General Feng's army had not yet arrived. Left with no choice, Qin Sang held his ground for several days before he was forced to burn all the granaries and retreat into the mountains.

Even so, this did not affect the final outcome. The Guling Pass garrison was short on food and their retreat was cut off; soon, an internal mutiny broke out, and a great general turned traitor to open the gates and surrender.

With the overall situation decided, Qin Sang joined forces with General Feng, gathered the fleeing troops of the puppet emperor, and stabilized the region. His military strength was now even more formidable than the combined forces of the Xuanwei and Xiaoyong camps from before.

The victory report had already been sent back half a month ago; he did not know what business the Princess had in sending a messenger with a secret letter.

Upon meeting the messenger, Qin Sang took the secret letter, read it carefully, and fell into a long silence.

The letter stated that the Prince of Dongyang was greatly pleased upon hearing of the great victory.

The Xuanwei Camp would be renamed the Victory Camp. Vice-General Feng would be promoted to the Left Commander of the Victory Camp, while Qin Sang would be promoted to the Right Commander of the Xiaoyong Camp, taking over the position originally held by Commander Mu. Those who had performed meritorious service in the victory report would also receive substantial rewards.

Additionally, the Prince held Qin Sang in high regard, and the Heir Apparent had also spoken many good words for Qin Sang in the Prince's presence. The Prince wished to summon Qin Sang to Zhaoyang County; the Princess requested that he visit the Prince in Zhaoyang before assuming his new post.

The letter consisted entirely of statements of fact, but Qin Sang could read much between the lines.

Would the Heir Apparent be so kind as to speak well of him?

Qin Sang sneered inwardly. The news of his encounter with the Immortal had long since spread through the camp, accompanied by all sorts of rumors. However, the claim that the Immortal had bestowed a treasure upon him was the only thing everyone agreed on, described with vivid and convincing detail.

He did not believe for a moment that the Heir Apparent did not have spies within the Xuanwei Camp.

With the Ice Silkworm Treasure Armor protecting him, Qin Sang naturally did not fear any schemes or tricks. If anyone dared to reach out a claw, he would hack it off and teach them a lesson in pain!

"Chuanzong, prepare my horse!"

Qin Sang selected several officers, including Wu Chuanzong and Water Monkey, who were to accompany him to his new post at the Xiaoyong Camp. After bidding farewell to Commander Feng, he rode back toward Pingshan County before heading straight for Zhaoyang County.

The Prince of Dongyang's palace was built in Ming City, where Zhaoyang County and Xitai County bordered each other. Qin Sang rode without pause, taking ten days to reach Ming City.

However, after entering Ming City, Qin Sang did not rush to meet the Prince. Instead, he instructed Water Monkey to report to the Princess first, while he found a place to stay, locked his doors, and entered seclusion to break through his cultivation.

He did not lack Soul Pills and continued his cultivation relentlessly. He finally felt the bottleneck of the fourth layer of the "Netherworld Scripture." Qin Sang felt somewhat apprehensive, unsure of how difficult this breakthrough would be.

To his surprise, Qin Sang did not encounter much difficulty this time. He successfully broke through the realm in just two days. The unpredictable nature of the "Netherworld Scripture" left Qin Sang feeling secretly puzzled.

...

"Qin Sang pays respects to the Prince and the Young Prince."

After his breakthrough, Qin Sang went to meet the Princess, who then led him into the palace.

The Prince of Dongyang had not yet declared himself emperor and was still addressed as Prince.

"I heard that General Qin entered Ming City three days ago, yet he only comes to see my father now. Did you encounter some trouble?" the Heir Apparent asked with a look of feigned concern.

"I ask the Prince for forgiveness," Qin Sang said calmly. "It was only because, after receiving the summons, I traveled day and night on horseback. Covered in dust and looking quite disheveled, I feared I might disturb the Prince. I came to pay my respects only after recovering my composure."

The Prince was about fifty years old, wore a goatee, and had the countenance of a scholar. Hearing this, he laughed loudly. "I am also a rough man who fights on horseback; do you think I would be frightened by you? Someone, quickly bring General Qin a seat and tea! General Qin is both wise and brave and has achieved many extraordinary feats. With General Qin's assistance, why should I worry about the success of my great cause?"

Qin Sang bowed slightly. "I dare not! That a mere commoner like myself has reached this position is entirely due to the guidance and care of the Prince and the Princess. I dare not claim credit."

As Qin Sang spoke, he saw a flash of displeasure cross the Heir Apparent's face, but he pretended not to notice.

The Prince of Dongyang smiled faintly and patted the hand of Princess Dongyang beside him, saying affectionately, "Anning is indeed perceptive, but General Qin, do not undervalue yourself."

"That's right," the Heir Apparent suddenly interjected. "Even the Immortal holds General Qin in high regard, which shows that General Qin is indeed a rare talent! I heard that before the Immortal departed, he bestowed a treasure upon General Qin. I wonder if he could bring it out to let my father and the Young Prince have a look?"

Here it comes!

Sensing the greed in the Heir Apparent's gaze, Qin Sang sneered in his heart.

As long as he focused his divine sense on the Ice Silkworm Treasure Armor, he could retrieve it with a single thought. It wouldn't matter if he showed it for viewing, but he could not simply hand it over just because the Heir Apparent asked.

Qin Sang glanced toward the Princess, only to see her lean against the Prince of Dongyang and say coquettishly, "Father, every time you bestow a treasure, Anning cherishes it deeply and does not dare to take it out for display, fearing that if it is chipped or damaged, you might blame me. I have heard that those Immortals all have eccentric temperaments and may resort to violence at the slightest disagreement. If they were to become angry and take it out on us, wouldn't the loss outweigh the gain?"

The Prince of Dongyang hesitated for a moment, then laughed heartily. "Since those things were bestowed upon Anning, you may dispose of them as you wish. They are merely external objects; how could your father blame you? However, Anning is right. Since the Immortal bestowed it upon General Qin, General Qin must take good care of it and not neglect it."

"I obey your command!"

After staying at the Prince's palace for a banquet, Qin Sang held a private discussion at the Princess's manor that night. The next day, he left the city on horseback, carrying the tiger tally and other items, to take up his post at the Xiaoyong Camp in Guize County.

Riding hard all day and traveling through the starry night, when he reached a certain mountain forest, Qin Sang suddenly heard a sharp whistling sound. He jerked the reins violently and said coldly, "Careful, assassins!"

(End of Chapter)