Great Victory, Summons, Assassination Attempt

Qin Sang was having so much fun that he summoned the Ice Silkworm Armor, drew a sharp sword from beside him, and thrust with all his strength.

To his surprise, the instant the sword tip touched the armor, it automatically slid aside. It happened several times in a row, yet not a single mark appeared on the armor.

What a fine treasure!

Qin Sang could hardly put it down. After studying it for quite some time, he discovered that when he wore the Ice Silkworm Armor and drove it with all his spiritual power, a thin mist like ice crystals would appear around his body, enveloping him completely. Its defensive power seemed even more outstanding then.

Moreover, this Ice Silkworm Armor consumed nowhere near as much spiritual power as the Purple Soul Bell. Qin Sang could sustain it for a long time.

Qin Sang was overjoyed. With this armor, even if he encountered a Xiantian Master like Venerable Yuanjue in the future, he would not have to fear capsizing in a gutter.

"Reporting to the general, someone claims to be the County Princess's messenger. He has delivered a confidential letter and requests an audience with you!"

Qin Sang had been cultivating when the personal guard outside awakened him. He frowned and pushed open the door.

The morning sun had just risen, and the end of the Lingshui River gleamed with dazzling light. The air within Duyakou City was thick with a scorched smell that lingered for a long time.

After encountering the Young Man surnamed Han, another ten days had passed before they finally cleared the ancient road. They then discovered that Duyakou's defenders were unusually sparse. Opportunity could not be missed; after a brief rest, Qin Sang immediately led the soldiers of three camps in a direct assault on Duyakou.

Duyakou's defenders had not expected the enemy to appear behind their backs. In their panic, they offered only slight resistance before surrendering en masse.

Unexpectedly, the False Emperor's forces reacted with astonishing speed. On the third day after Qin Sang captured Duyakou, they gathered troops and attacked by boat. Deputy General Feng's main army had not yet arrived, and Qin Sang had no choice but to hold out for several days before burning every granary and retreating into the mountains.

Even so, it did not affect the final outcome. Guling Pass's defenders lacked provisions, and their retreat route had been cut off. Before long, mutiny broke out within their ranks, and one of their great generals willingly became an inside agent, opening the gates and surrendering.

The overall situation had been decided. Qin Sang and Deputy General Feng combined their forces, gathered up the False Emperor's routed troops, and pacified the region. Their strength now surpassed even the combined forces of the former Xuanwei Camp and Xiaoyong Camp.

The victory report had been sent back half a month ago. Qin Sang did not know why the County Princess had sent someone with a confidential letter.

When he met the messenger and carefully read the letter, Qin Sang pondered for a long while.

The letter stated that upon hearing of the great victory, King Dongyang had been greatly pleased.

The Xuanwei Camp would be renamed the Victory Camp. Deputy General Feng would be promoted to Left Commander of the Victory Camp, while Qin Sang would be elevated to Right Commander of the Valiant Camp, succeeding Admiral Mu's former position. The meritorious officials listed in the victory report would likewise receive substantial rewards.

In addition, the Prince thought highly of Qin Sang, and the Heir Apparent had also spoken many good words for him before the Prince. The Prince wished to summon Qin Sang in Zhaoyang Prefecture, and the County Princess instructed him to go there for an audience before assuming his post.

The letter stated only facts, yet Qin Sang could read much that remained unsaid.

Would the Heir Apparent really be kind enough to speak well of him?

Qin Sang sneered inwardly. News of his encounter with an immortal had long spread through the camp, accompanied by all manner of rumors. Yet concerning the immortal master giving him a treasure, everyone spoke with one voice, their tales so detailed they had noses and eyes.

He did not believe the Heir Apparent had no spies in the Xuanwei Camp.

With the Ice Silkworm Armor protecting him, Qin Sang naturally did not fear any schemes or tricks. If the Heir Apparent dared stretch out his claws, Qin Sang would chop them off and teach him what pain meant!

"Chuanzong, prepare the horses!"

Qin Sang selected Wu Chuanzong, Water Monkey, and the other generals who were to accompany him to assume their posts in the Xiaoyong Camp. After bidding Deputy General Feng farewell, they rode first in a detour back to Pingshan Prefecture, then headed straight for Zhaoyang Prefecture.

King Dongyang's traveling palace stood in Mingcheng, at the border between Zhaoyang Prefecture and Xitai Prefecture. Qin Sang traveled without stopping and only reached Mingcheng after ten days.

However, after entering Mingcheng, Qin Sang did not rush to meet the Prince. Instead, he ordered Water Monkey to report first to the County Princess, while he found a place to stay, tightly locked the gates, and entered seclusion to make a breakthrough.

He lacked no Soul Pills and never ceased cultivating. At last, he sensed the bottleneck of the fourth level of the Netherworld Scripture. Unsure how difficult this breakthrough would be, Qin Sang felt somewhat uneasy.

To his surprise, Qin Sang encountered little difficulty this time. He successfully broke through in only two days. The Netherworld Scripture's ever-changing, unpredictable behavior left Qin Sang secretly puzzled.

"Qin Sang pays respects to the Prince and the Young Prince."

After his breakthrough, Qin Sang went to see the County Princess, who then led him into the traveling palace.

King Dongyang had not yet proclaimed himself emperor and was still addressed as Prince.

"I heard that General Qin entered Mingcheng three days ago, yet you have only come to see Father now. Did you run into some trouble?" the Heir Apparent asked with apparent concern.

"Please forgive me, Prince," Qin Sang said calmly. "After receiving the summons, I traveled day and night on horseback. I was covered in dust and looked quite bedraggled. I feared I might disturb the Prince, so I came to pay my respects only after resting and recovering."

The Prince was around fifty, with a thin goatee and the face of a scholar. Hearing this, he laughed heartily. "I am also a rough man who fights wars on horseback. Do you think I would be frightened by the sight of you? Attendants, quickly bring General Qin a seat and tea. General Qin possesses both wisdom and courage and has repeatedly rendered great merit. With General Qin's assistance, why should I worry that my great undertaking will not succeed?"

Qin Sang bent slightly at the waist. "I would not dare! For a commoner like me to have reached this day, it is all thanks to the Prince's and the County Princess's guidance and care. I would not dare claim any merit."

After speaking, Qin Sang caught a flash of displeasure on the Heir Apparent's face, but pretended not to see it.

King Dongyang smiled and patted Princess Dongyang's little hand affectionately. "Anning truly has a discerning eye, but General Qin must not belittle himself either."

"That is right," the Heir Apparent suddenly interjected. "Even the immortal master values General Qin so highly, which shows that General Qin is indeed a rare talent! I heard that before leaving, the immortal master bestowed a treasure upon General Qin. Would General Qin be willing to take it out and let Father and me broaden our horizons?"

Here it came!

Sensing the greed in the Heir Apparent's gaze, Qin Sang snorted coldly in his heart.

As long as his spiritual sense covered the Ice Silkworm Armor, he could retrieve it with a thought. There was no harm in taking it out for inspection, but he could not simply hand it over the moment the Heir Apparent asked.

Qin Sang glanced sideways at the County Princess, only to see her lean against King Dongyang and say sweetly, "Father, I cherish every treasure you bestow upon me and rarely dare take them out to admire, for fear of knocking or damaging them and earning Father's rebuke. I have heard that those immortal masters are all strange-tempered. At the slightest disagreement, they start shouting about killing and fighting. If one were angered by this and took it out on us, would that not be more loss than gain?"

King Dongyang hesitated for a moment, then laughed loudly. "Since those things were bestowed upon Anning, you may dispose of them as you please. They are merely external possessions; how could Father blame you? Still, Anning speaks reasonably. Since the immortal master bestowed it upon General Qin, General Qin must keep it safe and not treat it lightly."

"This subordinate obeys!"

After remaining at King Dongyang's traveling palace for a banquet, Qin Sang went that night to the County Princess's residence for a private discussion. The next day, he took the Tiger Tally and other items, rode out of the city, and headed for the Xiaoyong Camp in Guize Prefecture to assume his post.

He galloped hard for an entire day, then pressed onward beneath the stars that night. When he rode into a stretch of mountain forest, Qin Sang suddenly heard a shrill whistle. He yanked hard on the reins and said coldly, "Careful, there are assassins!"