Delivering the Message

After crossing several more mountains, Qin Sang approached the main road. He found a spot with a clear view, stopped his horse, and waited patiently.

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

Qin Sang picked up the ironwood staff. The staff was made from the core wood of an ironwood tree. Qin Sang had bought it at the ferry crossing. Its hardness was comparable to iron, and it was extremely resilient. He had hired someone to polish it into a handy staff.

One end of the staff had a pre-drilled hole. All he needed to do was wrap the flag of the Yanluo Banner around it, insert it into the hole with the tip facing outward, and finally tie it securely with cloth strips. This would create a makeshift spear.

Qin Sang had verified that ordinary mortals couldn't see the Yanwang, but he couldn't be too reckless. He still needed to conceal himself in front of people. Otherwise, if he attracted some immortal master who specialized in demon slaying, he would die unjustly.

East of Three Witches City, countless mountains stretched out in undulating waves. This road wound through mountains and crossed several rivers. It was indeed a difficult path. Merchants who traveled this route preferred to take the northern route, detouring through Linwu City and spending two extra days, rather than this path. Consequently, there weren't many travelers on this road.

Qin Sang not only scanned the intersection but also looked around, but he didn't spot anyone who looked like an informant from Jiangshan Tower.

As the sun neared its zenith, despite it being autumn, the midday sun was still scorching. Qin Sang silently recited the Pure Serenity Scripture and waited patiently. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he straightened up.

A caravan appeared at the end of the road.

Several cargo carts were covered with black tarps, followed by two passenger carriages. Outside, there were over twenty horse-mounted guards.

These guards were disguised as escorts, carrying swords and daggers. Their eyes were sharp, and they appeared very formidable. There also seemed to be figures lurking in the woods on both sides.

Their formation was orderly. As the caravan advanced, they maintained perfect formation, distributed around the caravan in a well-organized manner, covering all directions. If any enemy activity occurred from any direction, they could react immediately.

However, upon closer inspection, it was evident that their primary focus was not on protecting the goods but on the people inside the carriages.

Even from a great distance, Qin Sang could clearly see that Bai Jianglan was leading the way at the very front!

The Water Monkey Zhou Ning was also there.

It was indeed them.

Qin Sang immediately mounted his horse, gave the reins a sharp tug, and his steed neighed loudly. He leaped out of the woods, galloping down the mountain with the sound of hooves echoing urgently.

"Who goes there!"

"Halt!"

Before Qin Sang could reach the caravan, he heard Bai Jianglan and the others shout.

Upon spotting Qin Sang, the caravan came to an abrupt halt. The guards instantly surrounded the carriages, drawing their swords and daggers with a 'swish,' pointing them at Qin Sang.

In front of him was a dazzling display, and hidden crossbows in the dark emanated a chilling aura of killing intent.

"Whoa!"

Qin Sang hastily reined in his horse and shouted, "Brother Bai, Zhou Ning, it's me! I'm Qin Sang!"

Bai Jianglan's expression froze. Upon closer inspection, he saw that Qin Sang's face looked somewhat familiar. He suddenly remembered the young man he had rescued from the raft last year.

Last year, Qin Sang had just escaped a dangerous situation, covered in blood and looking quite disheveled.

Now, after cultivating the Netherworld Scripture and practicing martial arts daily, Qin Sang's appearance and demeanor had changed significantly compared to last year.

It was precisely because of this that Bai Jianglan hadn't recognized him at first.

The Water Monkey beside Bai Jianglan also remembered, shouting with pleasant surprise.

"It really is Brother Qin! Brother Qin, you didn't go back to your hometown? I thought I wouldn't see you again, but unexpectedly..."

Bai Jianglan placed a hand on the Water Monkey, waved his hand backward, and stepped forward a couple of paces, holding his sword. He sized Qin Sang up, his eyes flashing. He said politely, "Brother Qin, may I ask why you've stopped us?"

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

Qin Sang could sense the distant and wary tone in Bai Jianglan's voice, but he didn't mind. He dismounted, unbuckled his crossbow, soft sword, and wooden staff, and walked a few steps closer to Bai Jianglan. He whispered, "Brother Bai, I have something important to report to Princess Dongyang!"

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

Qin Sang quickly waved his hands, glanced at the guards behind them, and said, "Brother Bai, please don't misunderstand. I only guessed the Princess's identity later. I truly have something important to report. It's noisy and crowded here. If Brother Bai trusts me, please come over here with me."

Bai Jianglan, confident in his martial arts, gestured to his men behind him and followed Qin Sang to the side of the road.

"The Princess's whereabouts are no longer a secret. There are assassins from Jiangshan Tower ahead, ambushing at Luoma Mountain, targeting the Princess. Qin Sang accidentally obtained this information. Thinking of the life-saving grace from the Princess and Brother Bai, I've come specifically to inform you."

After speaking, Qin Sang quietly looked at Bai Jianglan.

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

Just then, an old woman approached from behind and said in a hoarse voice, "Commander Bai, the young lady sent me to ask who this visitor is and what important matter he has to report."

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

A sharp glint flashed in the old woman's eyes. She glanced at Qin Sang and said, "Please have Commander Bai search the young man. I will go back and report to the young lady."

The old woman turned and left.

Qin Sang allowed Bai Jianglan to search him. His Netherworld Scripture, Yanluo Banner, ebony sword, and other items were wrapped in a bundle and placed on his horse. Bai Jianglan didn't probe further.

A moment later, they heard the old woman call out loudly, "Everyone, halt your horses and rest."

A few people quietly dispersed into the woods, and then they saw the old woman accompanying a young woman disguised as a man.

This was Qin Sang's first time seeing Princess Dongyang. She wore an exquisite skullcap inlaid with pearls. Her features were delicate, and she was tall and slender. She was dressed in silk, her waist extremely thin. A floral cloud-patterned sash adorned with a piece of beautiful jade was tied around her waist. At first glance, she could have been mistaken for a refined young gentleman.

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

Qin Sang secretly observed Princess Dongyang, and the Princess was also observing him.

Princess Dongyang nodded, smiled slightly, and said to Bai Jianglan, "Commander Bai, I didn't expect the person you saved on a whim to have such loyalty."

Bai Jianglan maintained a calm expression. "Your Highness is too kind. It was with your tacit approval that I dared to go into the water to save him that day. It is because Brother Qin is grateful for Your Highness's great kindness that he performed this righteous deed."

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

Granny Li looked around and pointed to a clearing in the woods. "This way, my lady."

Qin Sang, watched by Bai Jianglan and Granny Li from front and back, followed them into the woods. His attention was entirely on Princess Dongyang. Seeing that she knew someone had tried to assassinate her yet remained as calm as ever, with no trace of anxiety or fear on her face, he found her composure quite remarkable.

If they weren't in a hurry, Qin Sang was even less so. Once they reached the dense forest, Qin Sang carefully explained the reasons.

On the way there, he had already prepared his story in his mind, omitting any mention of the Netherworld Scripture and the Yanluo Banner.

As for how he, someone who had only practiced martial arts for a year, could kill assassins from Jiangshan Tower?

It was, naturally, due to his talent.

Thank you to my brothers for your votes of support. I also ask for your collections and recommendation tickets.

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