Blood-Clad Tower

Qin Sang learned from Daoist Master Jixin that not all immortal masters lived in seclusion. He hadn't expected the connection between immortal masters and the mortal world to be deeper than he imagined, to the point where even a ruler of a nation needed their approval.

But upon reflection, it made sense.

"That's not quite right. Immortal masters do not interfere in worldly affairs. If someone is to be a ruler, they must be the one who ultimately unifies the land before being recognized by an immortal master. During the process of vying for power, no one can receive help from an immortal master. Similarly..."

Bai Jianglan said with a solemn expression, "If a ruler lacks the ability and is overthrown, the immortal master will also not intervene."

Qin Sang's heart stirred as he caught the implied meaning. He whispered, "Could it be, Your Highness..."

Bai Jianglan candidly admitted, "Brother Qin, you've been staying at the mansion and may not be aware. A while ago, His Highness personally penned a 'Proclamation Against the Usurper Emperor,' detailing the usurper's cruel and foolish actions. The incompetent ruler has caused continuous natural disasters, leading to the suffering of the populace, and the Great Sui's five-hundred-year foundation is crumbling. Now, the proclamation has spread throughout the land. Of the Great Sui's thirteen prefectures, all have responded except for the three prefectures controlled by the usurper emperor. His Highness has personally led troops to campaign against the usurper emperor. King Zhenshui has already pledged allegiance to His Highness. The combined forces of the two prefectures are now advancing towards Yingnan Prefecture. My and the County Princess's efforts in traveling back and forth are to facilitate this matter. Now that heroes are rising everywhere, it is a great opportunity to achieve merit and establish a career."

Qin Sang secretly thought, King Dongyang's actions are so swift!

Just a month ago, there wasn't the slightest sign. Now, in just one month, he had gathered momentum from across the land and raised an army to rebel.

If he hadn't been yearning for the immortal path, this would indeed be the best time to achieve merit and establish a career. Perhaps he could have even attained a noble title and enjoyed wealth for a lifetime.

Bai Jianglan glanced at Qin Sang and slowly said, "When the new emperor ascends the throne, he can select trusted officials to receive enfeoffment together on Pilgrimage Mountain..."

Qin Sang suddenly looked up. Seeing Bai Jianglan smiling without speaking, he asked in a deep voice, "What can I do for the County Princess?"

Although he possessed the Yanwang, he wasn't even considered a beginner in the cultivation world. Remaining hidden in the mortal world and slowly plotting seemed like the most prudent approach.

Bai Jianglan smiled slightly, dipped his finger in water, and wrote three characters on the table—Blood-Clad Tower!

Bai Jianglan lowered his voice, "After His Highness issued the proclamation, the usurper emperor's lackeys, Jiangshan Tower, launched a large-scale invasion of Dongyang Prefecture, hiding in the shadows to carry out sabotage, assassinations, and espionage. Jiangshan Tower has become like a persistent ulcer that must be removed! Ten days ago, King Zhenshui was nearly assassinated by an assassin, causing widespread panic. His Highness was furious, and the County Princess advised the establishment of Blood-Clad Tower to counter Jiangshan Tower. Eliminating Jiangshan Tower will not only sever the usurper emperor's claws but also cut off a crucial intelligence source for the usurper emperor. Furthermore, Blood-Clad Tower will also be responsible for infiltrating enemy lines and gathering military intelligence..."

After listening, Qin Sang secretly sighed. In the end, they wanted him to join an intelligence organization.

The keen senses brought by the Netherworld Scripture and the ability to interrogate enemies with the Yanluo Banner were indeed perfectly suited for this.

"Who will be the Tower Master? Big Brother Bai, or Elder Yue?"

"I will not join Blood-Clad Tower," Bai Jianglan shook his head. "The Tower Lord of Blood-Clad Tower is the commander of His Highness's personal guards, True Man Black Crane. This person's origins are mysterious, his inner force is divinely refined, and his Qinggong is as elusive as a ghost. Both Elder Yue and I admit we are inferior. However, there will be four protectors established below the Tower Lord of Blood-Clad Tower, and Elder Yue will be among them."

Qin Sang asked curiously, "Big Brother Bai, your martial arts are so formidable, why..."

Bai Jianglan sighed softly, "Years ago, I didn't want to implicate my wife and daughters, so I severed my own toes, settled my grudges in the martial world, and retreated into the royal mansion. I had already lost the ambition to achieve merit and establish a career. Now, I only wish to remain by the County Princess's side as a guard and live out my days peacefully, no longer wishing to get involved in martial world affairs. However, I have some brothers under me who are unwilling to remain ordinary and will join Blood-Clad Tower to work. I will need Brother Qin's help to look after them then. Brother Qin, although you are not a top master in the martial world, your skills are truly extraordinary, and Blood-Clad Tower cannot do without you. The County Princess had intended to make Brother Qin her personal guard, but she worried it would be a waste of your talents, so she delayed the decision. Later, the County Princess sought my advice regarding Blood-Clad Tower, and you were the first person I thought of."

Qin Sang gave a wry smile, "Big Brother Bai truly thinks too highly of me. I fear that my limited abilities might cause great trouble for His Highness and the County Princess."

Bai Jianglan chuckled, "Brother Qin, please don't be modest! The County Princess may not know Jiangshan Tower's reputation in the martial world, but how could I not? Before Brother Qin, I had never heard of anyone who could extract information from that group of lunatics at Jiangshan Tower..."

Qin Sang was startled by this.

Bai Jianglan waved his hand, "Everyone has their secrets. As long as Brother Qin loyally serves the County Princess and His Highness, I will not interfere unnecessarily. Let's get straight to the point. Blood-Clad Tower is in its nascent stages, and all matters will be decided by the Dharma Protectors themselves. The County Princess and Elder Yue wish to establish two divisions. The Yin Division will infiltrate the martial world, targeting Jiangshan Tower's activities, while the other, the Military Division, will go deep into the front lines to gather military intelligence. Brother Qin can consider which division he would like to serve in."

Qin Sang said no more, his brow furrowed in thought.

With the immortal masters watching over the Great Sui, Qin Sang knew it was best not to overturn the table. Otherwise, it might not bring him immortal destiny, but rather a death sentence.

Whether to join Blood-Clad Tower or not was still undecided. However, contacting an immortal master through the Fengshan ritual seemed to be the only path to seeking immortality that he could see at the moment.

Between the Military Division and the Yin Division, the Yin Division was undoubtedly more suitable for him. The Military Division required infiltrating the front lines. Although there were many opportunities for military achievements, the battlefield was merciless, and perhaps a stray arrow could end his life.

But what Qin Sang was thinking about was the Soul Pill. For him, the Soul Pill was the primary concern, and he couldn't miss any opportunity to collect souls.

Where were the most souls to be found?

The battlefield!

By joining the Military Division, under the guise of his mortal identity, he could collect souls on the battlefield, improving his cultivation while also pursuing his own agenda. Even if it wasn't for seeking immortality, it would solve his biggest current problem, though he would need to be cautious.

"Brother Qin intends to join the Military Division?"

A flicker of surprise crossed Bai Jianglan's face. He was somewhat taken aback by Qin Sang's choice, but since Qin Sang had chosen it himself, he didn't feel it appropriate to say more.

"Brother Qin, prepare yourself. I will report to the County Princess immediately. The preparations for Blood-Clad Tower are nearing completion, and there will be major actions within a few days."

After seeing Bai Jianglan off, Qin Sang sat in a daze, lost in thought for a long time.

He had envisioned his future: becoming a favored official, or a close confidant of the County Princess. As long as he had the opportunity to come into contact with immortal destiny, he could endure anything.

He never imagined he would become a spy, an intelligence operative, or even engage in assassination.

Engaging in such activities carried immense danger. Even with the Yanwang protecting him, it was difficult to guarantee absolute safety.

After much deliberation, Qin Sang made up his mind. After joining Blood-Clad Tower, all his actions would be based on not neglecting his cultivation, and his primary principle would be to preserve his own life.

He would rather fail to accomplish anything than risk his life. However, he would still strive for merit, and he would do so openly, not as an unsung hero.

Furthermore, upon learning that there were cultivators watching over the Great Sui, Qin Sang felt fortunate that he had acted cautiously before. He also secretly resolved that from now on, whether collecting souls or killing people, he would be as low-key as possible. Unless absolutely necessary, he would not reveal his abilities casually.

If he were to mess up something important, at worst, he could go into hiding, flee to another country, and start over. After all, the Netherworld Scripture couldn't be perfected in just a year or two.

With his mind made up, Qin Sang felt a sense of relief. He picked up the secret manual on the table and began to read.

That evening, Elder Yue paid him a visit.

After a long private conversation, Qin Sang packed his belongings, met with the County Princess briefly with Elder Yue, and then quietly left the royal mansion, disappearing without a trace.