Two-Pronged Advance

Qin Sang waited off to the side.

Princess Dongyang and the others discussed matters in the forest, thinking they were far enough away, but Qin Sang heard every word clearly.

Granny Li said grimly, "Whether what that boy said is true or false, the County Princess's identity and whereabouts must already have been exposed. King Zhenshui's attitude is ambiguous, and Three Witches City is absolutely off-limits. Those False Emperor lackeys surely will not give up. The best course is to split into two groups. The convoy will take the main road back toward Kun City to draw their attention, while the County Princess secretly slips away and takes the water route back to Dongyang County as quickly as possible. What I fear most is that the boy was sent by the False Emperor's lackeys, intending to divide our strength. In this old woman's view, there is no need to verify the boy's identity at all. Just kill him with one stroke, and there will be no need to worry about him tipping anyone off along the way."

Qin Sang's expression did not change, but a chill ran through his heart. He had never expected this old woman to be so ruthless.

He glanced sideways at the black horse outside the forest. The Yanluo Banner was still in the bundle on its back. Qin Sang silently calculated the routes, pacing back and forth as if unconcerned, inching closer to the roadside without drawing attention.

If they truly intended to make a move, he naturally would not sit and await death.

Then he heard Bai Jianglan speak again. "Please reconsider, County Princess. If Brother Qin truly came to warn us out of gratitude for the County Princess saving his life, disregarding his own safety, then killing him for no clear reason would not that be..."

Before Qin Sang could breathe a sigh of relief, Granny Li sharply cut Bai Jianglan off. "Commander Bai, this old woman cares only for the County Princess's safety. Beyond that, I care about nothing! Let me offer you a kind warning: since you have pledged yourself to serve the Prince, it would be best to wash away that jianghu air from your bones sooner rather than later!"

A silence fell.

He had not expected things to turn out like this. Qin Sang sighed inwardly and prepared himself to fight, when he suddenly heard Princess Dongyang say, "Commander Bai, are you certain Qin Sang still did not know martial arts last year?"

Bai Jianglan said, "That day on the boat, this subordinate personally examined him. There was not a thread of True Qi in his body, and his muscles and bones were lax. He should never have practiced martial arts."

"Less than a year of training, yet he could kill a Jiangshan Tower assassin!"

Princess Dongyang sighed softly. "Such talent—surely even you have never seen it before, Granny? Words alone prove nothing. Commander Bai, sorry for the trouble, but test him."

"Yes!"

Qin Sang feigned ignorance and watched Bai Jianglan approach with a blank, bewildered expression.

"Brother Qin..."

Bai Jianglan slowly walked up to Qin Sang. When only one step remained between them, he suddenly struck.

"Clang!"

A flash of sword light shot forth like lightning, stabbing straight at Qin Sang.

A vicious wind rushed into his face.

From this single sword strike, Qin Sang could tell that Bai Jianglan was stronger than the man in black. Yet he could still see the path of the blade clearly, not to mention that he had long been prepared.

"Eldest Brother Bai!"

Qin Sang looked utterly shocked, but his movements were not slow. His feet shifted in quick succession, and he violently twisted his upper body. The icy blade grazed past him and thrust through empty air.

"Eldest Brother Bai, you..."

Qin Sang tried to speak, but Bai Jianglan gave him no chance. His figure flashed, and in an instant he closed in before Qin Sang. His treasured sword had vanished somewhere, while his hand curled into an eagle claw and viciously seized at Qin Sang.

Bai Jianglan's palm technique was exquisite, swift as thunder, and endlessly shifting, but Qin Sang saw it all with perfect clarity.

After exchanging several moves in an instant, Qin Sang seized an opening and met palm with fist, clashing head-on with Bai Jianglan. It felt as though he had struck a wall. He staggered back several steps before barely managing to steady himself, while Bai Jianglan did not move at all.

Only then did Qin Sang realize that without the Yanluo Banner, there was still an enormous gap between him and a true martial arts expert.

Little did he know that Bai Jianglan was even more astonished.

Though their exchange had been brief, Bai Jianglan had felt something with utter clarity: before Qin Sang, it was as if he had nowhere to hide. The moment each move left his hand, Qin Sang could strike after yet arrive first, dissolving his offensive.

This exchange had left Bai Jianglan fighting with his hands tied. Several times, Qin Sang had nearly turned the tables and seized the initiative.

Only in that final head-on clash had Bai Jianglan secretly circulated his True Qi, allowing him to stand firm in an undefeated position.

"Eldest Brother Bai, why did you hit me?!"

Qin Sang panted heavily and demanded an answer with grief and indignation written across his face.

At that moment, Princess Dongyang and Granny Li also walked over, studying Qin Sang with astonishment on their faces.

Bai Jianglan sheathed his sword and said to the County Princess, "Reporting to the County Princess, this subordinate has tested him. In this subordinate's opinion, few can surpass Brother Qin in the sharpness of his five senses and the speed of his reactions. He has also trained this 'Tiger Subduing Long Fist' to its utmost limit, beyond what others can easily achieve. Jiangshan Tower assassins excel most at assassination and concealment. They are skilled in disguise, hiding their aura, and covert killing, but may not be particularly formidable in a direct fight. Before Brother Qin, none of these methods can remain hidden. It is only natural that they would lose to him."

Granny Li smiled darkly. "The County Princess truly saved the right person. I never expected little Brother Qin to possess such astonishing talent. To have trained a 'Tiger Subduing Long Fist' to such a level—given time, he will surely become a top expert. Congratulations, County Princess, on gaining another fierce general!"

Had he not heard Granny Li insist on killing him earlier, he might truly have believed she was a good person.

Qin Sang's face still wore an uncertain, alarmed expression.

"You were testing me?"

Princess Dongyang spoke with a sincere expression. "Please do not blame me, brave warrior Qin. Lives are at stake, and Anning had no choice but to proceed cautiously. Since you have granted me the grace of saving my life, brave warrior Qin, once we are out of danger, Anning will certainly repay you generously."

Granny Li interjected, "We can discuss this later. Time waits for no one. This old woman will immediately invite Elder Yue over. Commander Bai and Elder Yue will escort Miss south to cross the river, then travel downstream. Within a few days, we will return to Dongyang County."

Princess Dongyang's delicate brows furrowed slightly. "Granny, you are not leaving with me?"

A faint chill entered Granny Li's eyes as she glanced outside. "Though these guards are dead soldiers raised by the Prince, there may inevitably be cowards who cling to life, disloyal and unfilial wretches among them. This old woman must remain behind to hold the fort. Only then will they not dare harbor other thoughts, and Jiangshan Tower will not notice anything unusual. Rest assured, Miss. This old woman will act according to circumstances."

Princess Dongyang also knew there was no better solution. She said solemnly, "Granny, you must be careful... Sorry for the trouble, Granny, but call Chun Tao in. Commander Bai, go with Granny as well. Choose several guards and bring the horses over. We will travel light."

"As you command."

Qin Sang also followed them out to lead his horse over. He tied the Yanluo Banner to the ironwood staff. Only by keeping it at hand could he feel at ease.

As he led the horse into the forest, Qin Sang saw Bai Jianglan bringing the Water Monkey over, along with six guards he did not recognize, one of whom was a rosy-faced old man.

Granny Li, meanwhile, led Chun Tao inside.

Qin Sang still vividly remembered Chun Tao's harsh, cutting expression, yet Chun Tao merely glanced at him before walking past with a blank face.

Granny Li took out a human-skin mask as thin as cicada wings and pressed it onto Chun Tao's face, then had Chun Tao change into an outer robe identical to Princess Dongyang's.

Once the mask adhered to her face, there was not the slightest trace of it.

Qin Sang secretly marveled. After the County Princess removed all her accessories and had Chun Tao wear them, the disguised Chun Tao had completely become the County Princess's likeness, identical in every way.