Brothers

Chun Tao was extremely similar to Princess Dongyang in height, build, face shape, and even gait. Their temperaments differed somewhat, but unless the two stood side by side for comparison, outsiders would never be able to tell the real from the fake.

Granny Li said, "Miss, Chun Tao and I will return to Kun City first. Once you have finished your important business, we will meet up in Kun City."

With that, Granny Li led the disguised Chun Tao back.

Unexpectedly, as they passed Qin Sang, Chun Tao suddenly stopped. Looking at Qin Sang, she broke into a radiant smile. "Young Master Qin, what kind of wood is the stick in your hand made from? Its sheen is so bright. My younger brother also loves to play with staves, but he has been weak and sickly since childhood, and our parents would not allow it. Since I am going back this time, I was thinking of bringing him one as a gift."

Qin Sang froze, not understanding why Chun Tao had suddenly asked such a thing.

Seeing the old woman's displeased expression and that Princess Dongyang herself did not stop her, he answered, "Miss Chun Tao, this staff is made from Heart of Ironwood. This kind of ironwood grows in the southern Muzi Kingdom. If Miss Chun Tao finds merchants from Muzi Kingdom, you should be able to buy some."

"My younger brother will surely like it. I will thank Young Master Qin on his behalf first."

Chun Tao's eyes shimmered. Covering her mouth, she smiled, then followed Granny Li out.

As she boarded the carriage, Chun Tao nearly slipped, but Granny Li caught her with quick eyes and swift hands.

After helping her into the carriage, Granny Li called out, "By Miss's order, we will not be going to Three Witches City this time. Turn around at once and return to Kun City."

The guards immediately mounted their horses. Without asking the reason, they silently turned back.

The carriage was silent. Chun Tao covered her mouth tightly, tears falling like rain.

After Granny Li and the others had gone far away, everyone emerged from the forest. Gazing at the empty road ahead, Princess Dongyang fell silent for a while before suddenly asking an elderly guard, "Elder Yue, was what Chun Tao said true?"

Elder Yue replied, "In answer to Miss, Miss Chun Tao indeed has a younger brother. He has been ill all year round and nearly died several times. His life has only been sustained with medicine. Miss Chun Tao also gives all of her monthly wages to her family, which barely suffices to buy medicine for her younger brother."

Princess Dongyang frowned in confusion. "What illness is it? Could even the Imperial Physician Li not treat it?"

"This..."

Elder Yue hesitated before saying, "Chun Tao seems to have asked before... However, the Imperial Physicians in the residence rarely leave the prince's manor. Outside the manor, aside from the prefect and a few other officials, ordinary households would likely only be able to invite one with an enormous sum of money."

Princess Dongyang gave an "Mm." "After we return to the manor, Elder Yue, remember to take my written order and invite an Imperial Physician to treat Chun Tao's younger brother. The consultation and medicine fees will all be drawn from the prince's manor... Then find him a job in the manor."

Elder Yue said, "Miss is most benevolent."

Princess Dongyang looked around and asked again, "Commander Bai, is there a way out if we head north from here?"

Bai Jianglan pondered for a moment, then nodded. "There is a small path through the mountains that leads to Linwu City. We can also skirt around the city. If we ride at full speed, we can cut across to Yingnan Prefecture in four days."

Princess Dongyang made her decision at once. "Then we head north. Elder Yue, send word along the way and have Father send people to meet us in Yingnan Prefecture."

Bai Jianglan took the lead, clearing the way. Qin Sang and Water Monkey silently followed at Bai Jianglan's side as the group sped along the narrow path.

It was clear that Bai Jianglan knew this area extremely well. He changed directions and routes in rapid succession, leaving everyone dizzy, and that night they passed through Linwu City's jurisdiction without entering the city.

Late at night, Bai Jianglan chose a mountain hollow for them to rest.

They were all capable hands. Before long, they had caught some game. They roasted it over the fire, while Elder Yue personally fetched spring water. They filled their stomachs with hard, dry flatbread. Princess Dongyang had difficulty swallowing it, but she still finished it bite by bite.

They had fled all day without seeing anyone pursue them. Qin Sang guessed that even if Jiangshan Tower had not abandoned the assassination, they might have been lured away by the bait.

He wondered how many of the bait would survive.

Throughout the day, Chun Tao's final smile kept surfacing in Qin Sang's mind, making him sigh inwardly. The cruelty of this world was even more naked and bare than that of his previous life.

Forced to spend the night in the mountains, Qin Sang had no duty to stand guard, so he casually found a tree to lean against and rest.

By the bonfire, Princess Dongyang lay on her side, covered with clothing. She did not stir for a long time, as though she had truly fallen asleep, while Elder Yue sat cross-legged beside her.

Bai Jianglan led Water Monkey and the others in setting up a few simple mechanisms and traps.

Qin Sang could not sleep. With so many people around, he could not cultivate either, so he sank his mind into his body for inward observation, his consciousness returning to his soul.

Ever since the Jade Buddha had driven away the evil ghost, Qin Sang had come here almost every night after cultivating to study it. Yet no matter how Qin Sang jumped about, the Jade Buddha never appeared again. Only that faintly yellow layer of light remained unextinguished.

After the Jade Buddha appeared, Qin Sang had not felt any changes when cultivating the Netherworld Scripture. It seemed that only when he was in danger would the Jade Buddha act to save his life; at other times, it could not even be bothered to spare him a glance.

Though full of expectations, Qin Sang could only gradually accept reality and attribute it to his own meager realm.

The night was cold.

Qin Sang wrapped his clothes more tightly around himself and closed his eyes in feigned sleep. Hearing footsteps, he opened his eyes and saw Water Monkey, Zhou Ning, walking over.

"Have a drink, Brother Qin." Water Monkey handed him a small gourd flask, wiggling his eyebrows.

Qin Sang removed the cap, and the rich fragrance of wine rushed into his nostrils. Seeing that no one was paying attention to them, he quickly took a large gulp. Though his body was robust and he did not fear the cold, the strong liquor sliding down his throat like a line of fire into his stomach still made him feel wonderfully warm.

"Thank you, Brother Zhou!"

Qin Sang handed the wine gourd back and said with a smile, "Brother Zhou, from now on, we'll get to eat the river fish you catch."

Water Monkey chuckled and stood beside Qin Sang. He was not as talkative as usual today and had said little along the way. Looking up at the night sky, he suddenly asked in a low voice, "Brother Qin, why haven't you gone home for an entire year? Don't you miss your parents?"

Qin Sang sighed softly. "What good would missing them do? If I returned to the village, I could only live a hard life. Out here, perhaps I might make something of myself and let them enjoy wealth and glory too."

Water Monkey looked wholly unconvinced. "Brother Qin, you are mistaken. What parents care about most is you. Reuniting with one's family is the proper way. What do wealth and glory amount to..."

As the two spoke, Qin Sang's expression abruptly changed. He suddenly sprang upright, raised his head to stare at the branches and leaves blotting out the sky overhead, and shouted, "Someone's here! Watch out!"

Before his words had faded, the tree shadow beside Princess Dongyang twisted, and a black figure pounced straight at her.

Fortunately, Elder Yue was right beside Princess Dongyang. The instant the assassin appeared, Elder Yue drew the treasured sword resting across his knees. His body soared like a hawk, blocking the assassin's path, his sword light coiling like a swimming dragon as it struck straight for the assassin's vital chest and abdomen.

Unexpectedly, the assassin neither dodged nor evaded. Facing the sword light head-on, the assassin instead became even faster.

Pfft!

The longsword easily pierced through the assassin's waist and abdomen, yet the assassin's speed did not diminish in the slightest. It charged straight before Elder Yue, opened its mouth, and sent a flash of cold light shooting toward Elder Yue's face.

This assassin seemed not to know what pain was.

Stared at by those dead, silent eyes, Elder Yue felt a chill in his heart. He hurriedly twisted aside to evade the hidden dart, then sharply pulled back, trying to withdraw his treasured sword. But the assassin twisted its body and used its bones to clamp the sword fast.