Interrogation

Qin Sang found it strange that the Yanluo Banner, the Purple Soul Bell, and the ebony sword, all weapons used by cultivators, had completely different methods of use.

The Purple Soul Bell was a high-grade magical artifact. Were they also magical artifacts? What grade were they?

Putting down the Yanluo Banner, Qin Sang's gaze fell again on the sheepskin and the seven-colored brocade pouch.

To his disappointment, the sheepskin, just like before, allowed Spiritual Sense and Spiritual Power to pass straight through it, like any other ordinary item. It was just a piece of ordinary hide.

Qin Sang hadn't held out much hope for the seven-colored brocade pouch either. Unexpectedly, as soon as his Spiritual Sense entered the pouch, with a 'boom,' a strange space appeared 'before his eyes.'

He had touched the brocade pouch with Spiritual Power many times before without any reaction, but it opened immediately with Spiritual Sense!

This space wasn't large and was filled with various sundries.

As Qin Sang scanned the area, the most conspicuous items were the two small piles of gold and silver, shimmering and reflecting each other.

With just this gold and silver, Qin Sang, even as a mortal, would be considered extremely wealthy.

Strangely, next to these piles of gold and silver were not jade ornaments or jewelry, but a few scattered stones. Except for their different colors, these stones were all similar. Some were yellow, some blue, some crimson, without a trace of impurity, making them very peculiar.

Qin Sang counted them; there were only eight in total.

Besides these, there were some common items needed for daily life, even including pots, bowls, oil, salt, and spices. None of them seemed like something a cultivator would possess.

As he looked through each item, Qin Sang grew more disappointed. Finally, only a few books and an empty wooden box remained in the corner.

One of the old books looked very ancient, with four characters written on its cover—Song Family Genealogy.

Could this be the family tree of that young swordsman?

Qin Sang mused, So the young man's surname was Song. I wonder if the genealogy records his address or the location of the Song family ancestral hall. If I have a chance later, I can go and deliver the news.

Another book was titled "Xuan Yin Manual," and the last book had no characters on its cover at all.

These two books were very likely the cultivation techniques the young man named Song practiced. Qin Sang's heart stirred, and he wanted to open them to see how they differed from his own "Netherworld Scripture." However, he found it impossible.

It was then that he suddenly realized that the items inside the brocade pouch could only be seen, not touched!

Qin Sang felt as if he had been doused with a bucket of cold water. Anxious, he tried them one by one, but he couldn't even move the most ordinary clothes, nor could he take them out. He tried for a long time before finally giving up in dejection.

The feeling of returning empty-handed from a treasure mountain was not pleasant. Qin Sang felt dejected and could only console himself that the items in the brocade pouch didn't seem very valuable.

After looking at everything, the sky outside had completely darkened. He had been busy until late at night without realizing it.

Although he couldn't take the items from the brocade pouch, his gains over the past two days were extremely significant.

The brocade pouch, which he had initially thought was merely decorative, turned out to be a storage bag. This made Qin Sang no longer dare to underestimate the sheepskin. He carefully stored it along with the Talisman Paper and other items. As for the Purple Soul Bell, he found a thread and tied it to his wrist, making it more convenient to use.

After Qin Sang put everything away, he entered a state of meditation and cultivation with satisfaction. Perhaps it was due to his pleasant mood, but not long after he began cultivating, the bottleneck that had troubled him for a month loosened!

Qin Sang was overjoyed and didn't dare to slacken in the slightest. He circulated his cultivation technique with all his might and finally broke through the barrier, advancing to the third level of the "Netherworld Scripture"!

This wasn't easy!

Qin Sang sighed inwardly. It had been a full two years since he started cultivating, without any interruption, yet he had only reached the third level. The "Netherworld Scripture" would undoubtedly be more difficult later. He wondered how many more years it would take to reach the sixth level.

After the sixth level, what would the higher realms be like?

Without the subsequent cultivation methods, how should he proceed on his path?

Calming the restless aura on his body, Qin Sang exhaled a breath of turbid air and opened his eyes to find that the sky outside had already brightened.

After breaking through to the third level of the "Netherworld Scripture," Qin Sang's Spiritual Power had increased severalfold. Using the Purple Soul Bell was no longer as strenuous. He had no desire to sleep and was fond of the Purple Soul Bell, paying more attention to it than the Yanluo Banner.

After all, it was the first magical artifact he could use directly.

Bang bang...

The courtyard gate outside was suddenly knocked upon. Qin Sang frowned, "Who is it?"

Zheng Kun said from outside, "Hall Master, General Zhou sent someone into the city with a message. The Princess has arrived and is heading towards the county office."

The Princess?

Qin Sang thought, She's here so quickly. He quickly tidied himself up, hid the Purple Soul Bell in his sleeve, and hurried towards the county office.

Just as he arrived in front of the county office, he heard the sound of urgent horse hooves from the street. Princess Dongyang led the way, followed by Zhou Mingguang and Bai Jianglan, with several accompanying riders, all galloping towards them.

Since their first meeting, Qin Sang had never seen Princess Dongyang wear women's clothing, and this time was no exception.

The sky was a hazy blue.

On the bluestone long street, the autumn wind blew, and yellow leaves danced.

Princess Dongyang was clad in light armor with a helmet, a precious sword at her waist, and a black and red cloak flying high, swaying with the rhythm of the horses' hooves.

Upon seeing Qin Sang, Princess Dongyang's eyes fixed on him, a cold glint flashing within them, as if signaling an impending storm.

Bai Jianglan discreetly gave Qin Sang a look, signaling him to behave.

As she was about to rush towards Qin Sang, her horse's speed did not decrease at all. At the last moment, Princess Dongyang forcefully pulled the reins. The horse neighed loudly, its front hooves rearing high.

Princess Dongyang dismounted, her apricot eyes glaring at Qin Sang, and she questioned through gritted teeth, "Forging the royal seal, falsely issuing imperial decrees, arbitrarily mobilizing troops, and wreaking havoc on the sacred land! Hall Master Qin, how many heads do you have!"

Facing Princess Dongyang's piercing gaze, Qin Sang's expression remained unchanged. He gestured, "Princess, please calm your anger. Please enter the county office first. Your subordinate will show you something."

Princess Dongyang snorted coldly, flicked her horsewhip forcefully, and strode into the county office.

Qin Sang sidestepped and led the way, heading directly into the county office's main hall.

The gold and silver treasures had been inventoried, with the chests neatly arranged. Princess Dongyang stood at the doorway, her gaze sweeping over them as she said impatiently, "What is this?"

Qin Sang walked closer to a chest and reached out to open it. It was filled with silver ingots, neatly stacked. He opened another, and it was the same.

Qin Sang took the booklet handed to him by the Water Monkey and said, "Your Highness, this is the wealth moved from one of Xuanji Temple's treasuries. The current silver alone amounts to a million taels, not to mention the immeasurable amount of jewelry and precious stones, not to mention the countless White Kiln porcelain pieces and fine silks and satins. It took over a thousand people a day and a night to move it all."

This was what remained after distributing benefits to Zhou Mingguang. Xuanji Temple was so rich it astonished everyone.

Princess Dongyang's delicate brows furrowed, and she remained silent for a long time, lost in thought.

Qin Sang found it strange. After waiting for a while, he saw Princess Dongyang looking at him with bright eyes. "There are still a thousand soldiers defending Jiang Prefecture. I'll give them all to you. How confident are you?"