Delivering the Warning

After crossing several more mountains, Qin Sang approached the main road, found a spot with a broad view, reined in his horse, and waited quietly.

According to the intelligence, Princess Dongyang's caravan had camped in Kun City last night and set out at dawn today. It was now past mid-morning, so they should be arriving soon.

Qin Sang picked up an ironwood staff. The core of this staff was made from ironwood, which Qin Sang had bought at the ferry crossing. It was as hard as an iron rod and exceptionally resilient, and he had paid someone to polish it into a staff that fit comfortably in his hand.

One end of the staff had a hole reserved in it. He only needed to wrap the Yanluo Banner's flag around it, insert it into the hole with the pointed tip facing outward, then bind it tightly with strips of cloth. It became a rather mismatched spear.

Qin Sang had tested it before. Ordinary human eyes truly could not see Yanwang, but he could not be too unscrupulous. He had to conceal him somewhat in front of others, or if he happened to draw an immortal master who slew demons and banished evil, dying would be a true injustice.

East of Three Witches City, countless mountains rose and fell in endless succession. This road crossed mountains and ridges, and one had to ford several rivers along the way. It was truly difficult to travel. Merchants would rather take the northern route around Linwu City, spending two extra days, than travel this road, so there were not many passersby.

Qin Sang watched not only the road junction, but also kept looking around. Yet he found no one who seemed to be a Jiangshan Tower lookout.

As the sun neared its zenith, its rays remained scorching despite the arrival of autumn. Qin Sang silently recited the Pure Serenity Scripture and waited patiently. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he straightened.

A convoy appeared at the far end of the road.

Several cargo wagons were covered in black canvas, followed by two carriages for passengers. More than twenty mounted guards rode outside them.

These guards were disguised as escort agency guards, carrying sabers and swords. Their eyes were bright and spirited, and they looked extremely capable. There also seemed to be figures hidden in the woods on both sides.

Their formation was highly disciplined. As the convoy advanced, it remained utterly unruffled, the guards spread neatly around it in orderly ranks, able to watch all directions. No matter where an enemy appeared, they could react at once.

But on closer inspection, it was clear that their priority was not the goods, but the people inside the carriages.

Though they were still far away, Qin Sang could see clearly that Bai Jianglan was leading the way at the very front!

Water Monkey Zhou Ning was there too.

Just as expected.

Qin Sang immediately swung himself onto his horse and snapped the reins. The fine steed gave a long neigh, leaped out of the woods, and galloped down the mountain, its hoofbeats pounding urgently.

"Who goes there!"

"Stop!"

Before he even reached the convoy, Qin Sang heard Bai Jianglan and the others shout.

The moment they spotted Qin Sang, the convoy came to an abrupt halt. The guards instantly formed a protective ring around the carriages, drawing their sabers and swords with a sharp swish and pointing them at Qin Sang.

A dazzling flash of steel lay ahead, while powerful crossbows were concealed in the shadows. Killing intent filled the air.

"Whoa!"

Qin Sang hurriedly pulled his horse to a stop and shouted, "Brother Bai, Zhou Ning, it's me! I'm Qin Sang!"

Bai Jianglan's expression froze. Looking carefully, he found Qin Sang's face somewhat familiar, and suddenly remembered the young man they had rescued from a raft last year.

Last year, Qin Sang had only just escaped the tiger's jaws. He had been covered in blood and filth, utterly bedraggled.

Now, Qin Sang cultivated the Netherworld Scripture and practiced his fists every day. His appearance and bearing had changed enormously from last year.

That was why Bai Jianglan had not recognized him at first.

Water Monkey beside Bai Jianglan remembered him as well and cried out in delighted surprise.

"It really is Brother Qin! Brother Qin, you didn't return to your hometown? I thought I would never see you again, but who would have thought..."

Bai Jianglan held Water Monkey back and gestured behind him. Gripping his sword, he stepped forward two paces, looked Qin Sang up and down, and a flicker passed through his eyes. He said politely, "Brother Qin, why have you stopped us?"

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

Qin Sang could sense the distance and wariness in Bai Jianglan's tone, but he did not mind. He dismounted, removed the crossbow bolts, soft sword, and wooden staff from his body in front of him, then walked several steps to Bai Jianglan's side and said quietly, "Brother Bai, I have an urgent matter to report to Princess Dongyang!"

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

Qin Sang quickly waved his hands, glanced at the guards behind them, and said, "Brother Bai, do not misunderstand. I only guessed the County Princess's identity afterward. I truly have an urgent matter to report. There are too many people here and too many ears listening. If Brother Bai trusts me, come over here with me."

Confident in his Martial Arts, Bai Jianglan made a gesture toward the rear and followed Qin Sang to the roadside.

"The County Princess's whereabouts are no longer a secret. Jiangshan Tower assassins are lying in ambush at Luoma Mountain ahead, and their target is the County Princess. Qin Sang learned of this by chance. Remembering the life-saving grace of the County Princess and Brother Bai, I came especially to deliver this warning."

Having said that, Qin Sang quietly watched Bai Jianglan.

Bai Jianglan remained expressionless as he stared at Qin Sang for a long while. Qin Sang met his gaze calmly.

Just then, an old woman came over from behind them and said in a hoarse voice, "Commander Bai, the young lady asked this old servant to ask who this visitor is, and what urgent matter he wishes to report."

Bai Jianglan kept his eyes fixed on Qin Sang, stepped back several paces, and whispered into the old woman's ear for a while.

A sharp gleam flashed in the old woman's eyes. She swept Qin Sang a glance and said, "Sorry for the trouble, Commander Bai, but search this young man first. This old servant will return and report to the young lady."

The old woman turned and went back.

Qin Sang allowed Bai Jianglan to search him. The Netherworld Scripture, Yanluo Banner, Ebony Sword, and the rest were wrapped in a bundle and placed on his horse, and Bai Jianglan indeed did not investigate too deeply.

A moment later, the old woman's voice rang out. "Everyone, heed the order. Dismount and rest."

Several people quietly slipped into the woods. Then the old woman appeared, accompanying a young woman dressed as a man.

This was Qin Sang's first time seeing Princess Dongyang. She wore an exquisite melon-skin cap inlaid with precious gems. Her features were refined, her figure tall and slender, and she was dressed in silk. Her waist was exceptionally narrow, and a piece of fine jade hung from the flower-clustered cloud-patterned belt at her waist. At first glance, one might mistake her for a handsome young gentleman of the dusty world.

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

Qin Sang secretly observed Princess Dongyang, while the County Princess was observing him as well.

Princess Dongyang nodded and smiled faintly at Bai Jianglan. "Commander Bai, I never expected that someone you saved on a whim would possess such gratitude and righteousness."

Bai Jianglan's expression remained calm. "The County Princess overpraises me. It was only with the County Princess's tacit permission that this subordinate dared enter the water to save him. Brother Qin remembers the County Princess's great kindness, which is why he has performed this righteous deed."

Only then did Princess Dongyang turn her gaze to Qin Sang. Tilting her head toward the old woman, she said, "Granny Li, find a quiet place and let this warrior Qin explain the whole matter in detail. I have only read of repaying a drop of kindness with a gushing spring in books; I have never seen it with my own eyes."

Granny Li looked around and pointed to an open patch in the woods. "Young lady, come with this old servant."

With Bai Jianglan and Granny Li watching him from before and behind, Qin Sang followed them into the woods. His attention remained on Princess Dongyang. Seeing that she knew someone was coming to assassinate her yet remained as composed as ever, without the slightest trace of anxiety or fear on her face, he found her temperament far from ordinary.

They were in no hurry, and Qin Sang was even less hurried. Only after they entered the dense woods did he begin to explain the reason in detail.

On the way here, he had already prepared his story, erasing the existence of the Netherworld Scripture and the Yanluo Banner.

As for how someone who had trained in Martial Arts for only one year could kill a Jiangshan Tower assassin?

Naturally, it was talent.

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