Death from Yang Depletion

"Would Wang Liu really dare to alter the military strategy agreed upon by all the generals on the strength of his own likes and dislikes, for no reason at all?"

If they could find the ancient road, capture Duyakou, and take seven cities in a row, it would be an extraordinary feat. With that merit, Qin Sang could be promoted directly to Commander, and no one would dare utter a word against it.

Qin Sang knew Wang Liu disliked him and certainly did not want to see him earn merit.

"It wasn't entirely without reason," Deputy General Feng sighed softly. "The day before yesterday, soldiers caught a medicine gatherer who had entered the mountains for herbs. He said that several days ago, deep within Guling Mountain, the earth shook and the mountains trembled, while countless beasts fled in all directions. It lasted for most of the day, and that became Wang Liu's excuse. Wang Liu claimed that even if Guling Mountain had an ancient road, it had been buried beneath falling rocks. Finding it would be useless and would only delay military affairs for nothing."

"Was it an earthquake?" Qin Sang frowned. He had only just entered Guling Mountain and begun his operation, so he truly had not known about this.

"No..."

Deputy General Feng's tone was somewhat strange. "That medicine gatherer swore to heaven that he saw two immortals fly over his head. He said immortals fought a great battle in Guling Mountain, which was why the earth shook."

"He truly saw immortals?"

Qin Sang's eyes suddenly lit up.

Deputy General Feng sneered. "Brother Qin, don't listen to that medicine gatherer's wild ravings. My wife is from nearby, and Guling Mountain has never had any legends of immortals. That medicine gatherer originally had several companions, but they all died in the jaws of tigers and wolves. Only he escaped alone, his face full of terror. He was probably frightened out of his mind. Wang Liu isn't a fool either. The real purpose of believing one side's story is still to target you and me."

Qin Sang offered no comment. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Can I see that medicine gatherer?"

Deputy General Feng misunderstood his meaning. "You want to use him as a breakthrough? He's being held by Wang Liu's men now. I'm afraid that won't be easy..."

Before he could finish, a burst of footsteps sounded outside. Someone called from beyond the tent, "General Feng, has General Qin returned? By the Commander's order, this subordinate has come to invite General Qin to the central command tent to discuss military matters."

Qin Sang and Deputy General Feng exchanged a glance. It seemed Wang Liu's boy had already grown impatient.

Following Wang Liu's personal guard, Qin Sang entered the central command tent. The first thing he heard was a burst of coquettish laughter. Looking up, he saw Wang Liu seated behind the commander's desk, embracing women on both sides.

Wang Liu was utterly dissolute. No one knew where his two hands had gone. Two beautiful maidservants nestled in his arms; one poured him wine, while the other fed him dishes. He was eating and drinking with great delight.

"This subordinate pays respects to Commander Wang."

Qin Sang cupped his fists in salute. Wang Liu acted as though he had not heard him, continuing to frolic with the beautiful maids, spouting obscene words too foul for the ear.

Qin Sang stood silently where he was, his expression neither sorrowful nor joyful.

"Oh! So it's General Qin!"

After leaving Qin Sang hanging for quite some time, Wang Liu finally seemed to notice him. Feigning surprise, he spoke in a thoroughly mocking tone. "General Qin is a dragon and phoenix among men, already a Vice General before even reaching twenty. You girls must make sure to get on his good side. If you can become sworn siblings, brother and sister, or husband and wife, you'll soar to great heights and no longer have to smile for this old man! Isn't that right, General Qin!"

The two women giggled and coyly protested.

These two women reeked of the dust of the pleasure quarters. Wang Liu's suggestion that they become sworn kin was a deliberate humiliation of Qin Sang.

Qin Sang's face remained as still as an ancient well. "Commander Wang is joking. Qin Sang would not dare."

"Would not dare? How could you not dare?"

Wang Liu wore a teasing smile. "If General Qin wins another peerless merit like he did in Hening County, this old man will have to yield his position to you. What would you have left to fear then? What a pity, what a pity. Those damned immortals are usually like divine dragons whose heads can be seen but tails cannot, yet they chose this very moment to come out and fight, ruining General Qin's grand plans. Isn't that terribly disappointing? Hah? Hahaha..."

Qin Sang assumed an attitude of lying flat and accepting whatever mockery came his way. After taunting him for a while, Wang Liu found it uninteresting. His expression changed, and he barked, "The matter of the ancient road is not to be mentioned again! In the future, do not use this sort of intelligence to fool this Commander! This Commander now orders you to enter Guling Pass and gather military intelligence. If you delay military affairs, you will be executed without mercy!"

Qin Sang's gaze flickered. Guling Pass was heavily guarded, its walls fortified and the surrounding land stripped bare. Entering it to scout for information was no different from walking into death.

"This subordinate accepts the order!"

Qin Sang received the command and withdrew from the tent, turning back to cast it a deep look.

After wandering around the camp a few times, Qin Sang returned to his own tent and whispered a few words to Water Monkey. Water Monkey accepted the order and departed. Qin Sang sat in silent thought for a while before settling his mind to cultivate the Netherworld Scripture.

An entire day passed. The clouds dispersed, the rain cleared, and dusk closed in from all sides.

Water Monkey hurried back into the tent, holding a slip of paper. In a low voice, he said, "General Qin, Zheng Kun has sent word. There truly was a disturbance in Guling Mountain three days ago, but they did not find anyone who saw immortals. Also, a group of scouts has discovered a location suspected to be the ancient road. Zhang Wenkui has gone there personally to inspect it."

Qin Sang took the note and glanced over it, then burned it to ashes on the candle stand. He waved a hand. "I understand. Go back."

Late at night.

Outside the tent, only the footsteps of patrolling soldiers could be heard. Qin Sang stopped cultivating. Firelight from outside shone into the tent, and his eyes were exceptionally bright.

Qin Sang took out the Yanluo Banner and attached his divine sense to Yanwang. With his eyes half-closed, he ordered Yanwang to sneak toward Wang Liu's tent. It was as though his own eyes had grown upon Yanwang's body; the sensation was exceedingly strange.

The central camp was not large, so Wang Liu's tent was easy to find. The personal guards outside never imagined that an evil ghost would slip into the tent right beneath their noses.

When Qin Sang saw the scene inside the tent, his brow knitted hard.

There were still three people in the tent, but the two worldly women from daytime had vanished. In their place were a young girl and a married woman. The girl was bound with ropes, her face filled with terror and even despair.

Holding a wine cup, Wang Liu leered as he forced her to drink.

The girl had a fierce temperament. She shook her head and refused, biting her lips until they bled. After being forced to swallow two mouthfuls, she opened her mouth and spat the wine all over Wang Liu. He gave her two vicious slaps.

"You filthy bitch! You refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit!"

Wang Liu flew into a rage. The married woman coiled around him like a water snake, her voice soft and seductive. "General, please calm your anger. The little girl doesn't understand proper conduct and has angered you. Let this servant first help you put out your fire..."

Wang Liu picked up the medicinal wine on the table and drained a large mouthful. He gave the married woman's bosom a hard squeeze. "You're the sensible one. Let Master enjoy himself first. Serve Master well, and once the merits have been tallied, I'll release that dead husband of yours so you husband and wife can reunite. Hahaha..."

The married woman repeatedly agreed, taking the initiative to please him, tears glistening at the corners of her eyes.

Qin Sang watched coldly. He recognized the married woman's identity.

Some time ago, Xuanwei Camp captured the small city before Guling Mountain. The county magistrate, after being captured, swore he would rather die than surrender. Wang Liu tied him behind a horse and dragged him to death alive. This married woman was the county magistrate's wife.

In the blink of an eye, Wang Liu let out a muffled groan. As he trembled, Yanwang seized the chance and pounced upon him.

At midnight, Xuanwei Camp blazed with torchlight. The generals gathered before the command tent, Qin Sang among them.

Wang Liu's corpse lay covered with white cloth. His personal guards knelt in a trembling mass below; several had even wet their pants in fright.