After much effort, they finally coaxed Chun Tao back inside. Bai Jianglan ordered someone to help Qin Sang up.
"Brother Qin, Miss Chun Tao is worried for the young lady's safety as well, and had no choice. Don't take it to heart. You'll have to suffer the indignity of resting in the stern cabin for the night. I'll have someone bring you food later. Once we reach the Three Witches City ferry dock, we'll send you ashore. Three Witches City is a crossroads between north and south, a place every traveling merchant must pass through. Perhaps you might find someone from your hometown there..."
Qin Sang was deeply grateful. Remembering the two money pouches on him, he took them both out at once. "Brother Bai, you saved my life. Qin Sang has no way to repay you. This gold and silver came from the two bandits I killed. I only hope Brother Bai will not find it too dirty to touch..."
"Hey!"
Displeasure filled Bai Jianglan's face as he pushed Qin Sang's hand back.
"Back when Bai was weak in Martial Arts and traveled the martial world, I received much aid from righteous heroes. That was how I came to be where I am today. Now, I am merely following in the footsteps of those before me and doing a few small acts of righteousness. Do not mention money again, or I'll throw you off this ship right now!"
Qin Sang awkwardly propped himself up with his hands.
The man supporting him laughed. "Boss Bai's annual pay is over a thousand taels. Why would he covet this little money of yours? You fought for it with your life. Keep it to marry a wife when you go home."
Several rooms had been partitioned off in the stern cabin. They had originally been places for the boatmen to rest, but were now filled with miscellaneous goods. They found one that was relatively clean, piled high with straw, and brought down a set of bedding. Though crude, it was something Qin Sang had not even dared dream of during the past month or two.
After settling Qin Sang in, Bai Jianglan led the others back upstairs. Before long, someone brought down a set of old clothes and hot food. Qin Sang wolfed it all down, barely tasting a thing.
After changing clothes and wrapping himself tightly in the bedding, Qin Sang lay there lost in wild thoughts for quite some time before finally falling into a deep sleep.
Before drifting off, he touched the Ebony Sword and the few objects against his chest once more, resisting the urge to take them out and inspect them.
He slept through the night without dreams.
Qin Sang opened his eyes. Feeling the gently swaying cabin, he found himself more refreshed than ever before.
His stomach was growling again, but he had no idea what time it was.
Qin Sang sat up, found a wooden stick, and slowly rose to his feet. Leaning on the stick and putting weight on his toes, he actually managed to walk slowly. Once again, he could not help marveling at the wonder of Inner Force.
Step by step, he shuffled to the ladder leading out of the stern cabin. A series of sharp shouts of "Hah!" and "Hup!" came from above. Then a head poked down—it was the man who had helped him yesterday.
"Brother Qin is awake!"
The man jumped down in a single bound and reproached him, "Your leg hasn't healed yet. Why did you get up on your own? I've been standing guard above. If you called out, I would have come down right away. Come on, it's stuffy down here. I'll help you up. It's still early, not time for breakfast yet. Boss Bai is teaching the brothers Martial Arts. The ship has already passed Nine-Fold Gorge, and Three Witches City isn't far now. After breakfast, we can send you ashore..."
Qin Sang quietly sized the man up. He was about the same age as Qin Sang, lively by nature, and his mouth never stopped moving.
"How should I address you, Brother?"
"My name is Zhou Ning. I'm good in the water, so everyone calls me Water Monkey. After Three Witches City, the water calms down. Too bad you have to get off the ship soon, or you could try the river fish I catch by hand. Let me tell you, the nine-whiskered fish in the Wuling River are fresher than anything, but they won't take bait, and nets can't hold them either. Apart from me, few people can catch them by hand..."
"So it's Brother Zhou." Seeing Zhou Ning's eyes grow brighter and brighter as he spoke of catching fish, Qin Sang hurriedly interrupted. "I wonder how much Brother Zhou knows about Three Witches City. This little brother has only just arrived. Could you give me some guidance?"
"No problem!"
As they spoke, the two climbed up onto the deck.
It was just dawn. A heavy fog had risen over the river, hiding even the green mountains along the banks. Everywhere Qin Sang looked was a vast expanse of white mist, while the river wind bit with cold.
On the deck, the brawny men Qin Sang had seen yesterday all wore matching short tunics, with the character "East" painted in white on their backs. Unafraid of the cold, they stood in formation and practiced their punches, steam rising from their heads and merging into the fog.
"Ninth form—Furious Dragon Shatters Mountains!"
Bai Jianglan held a short staff, his expression stern. Whenever anyone made the slightest mistake, their back received a blow from the staff. Yet no one cried out in pain, nor did anyone resist.
"Three Witches City commands the Wuling River system. Because of its location, people from several southwestern countries all have to pass through Three Witches City to reach Great Sui, and merchants are countless beyond measure. Every sort of person from the three teachings and nine streams gathers here, especially at the First Ferry Dock, which is the most chaotic place of all. Brother Qin, you know no Martial Arts. Once you leave the ship, you must be careful. Hide your money pouch well and don't let it show, or trouble will surely follow. Once you find someone from your hometown, hurry home..."
Under Qin Sang's subtle prompting, Zhou Ning became increasingly animated and kept talking without pause. Qin Sang listened closely as well.
Only then did Qin Sang learn that this was no longer Ning Country, where his hometown lay.
Great Sui bordered Ning Country. Great Sui lay northeast of Ning Country, with several perilous mountain ranges and the natural chasm of the Wuling River between them. The two countries had remained fairly peaceful all along.
Those bandits had crossed mountains and ridges, heading north the whole way. No one knew why.
At Three Witches City, the Wuling River branched into several tributaries. Every one of them surged mightily, and the entire Wuling water system passed through several countries. That was precisely why Three Witches City was so exceptional.
Furthermore, there was a princely residence within Three Witches City. King Zhenshui, one of Great Sui's eight princes, was stationed in the city.
With King Zhenshui's army there, the city was stable, and merchants from every country were willing to come here to trade.
The First Ferry Dock was the largest dock before Three Witches City. If Qin Sang wanted to return home, that was the easiest place to find merchants from his homeland.
Though Zhou Ning's chatter filled his ears, Qin Sang's gaze kept drifting toward Bai Jianglan and the others. Gradually, he noticed something. He had only ever seen such strict discipline among soldiers. Coupled with Chun Tao's unguarded remark last night that they had been sent by a Prince to protect the young lady, could these people be the guards of some Prince?
Qin Sang glanced at the flower hall. Zhou Ning had just told him that Great Sui had thirteen prefectures and eight Princes, each of them of exalted status, second only to the Emperor of Great Sui. He wondered who that young lady was, to be worth a Prince dispatching troops to escort her.
"Zhou Ning!"
Zhou Ning jolted, his demeanor instantly turning sharp. "Present!"
"Fall in!"
"Yes!"
Zhou Ning ran back into formation. Bai Jianglan walked over, and Qin Sang struggled to rise and greet him. "Brother Bai..."
Bai Jianglan waved for Qin Sang not to stand on ceremony. "Did you sleep well last night? The brothers only know a few crude skills. I've made Brother Qin laugh at us."
"Every one of you brothers is a hero among men. Qin Sang truly admires you! Brother Bai, if Qin Sang starts learning Martial Arts now, could I become as formidable as you?"
Qin Sang spoke earnestly. He truly envied them and wanted to learn.
Bai Jianglan chuckled. "What do I amount to? Those Xiantian Masters in the martial world can project True Qi beyond their bodies and use Inner Force to give rise to sword radiance. There is even a legend that one Xiantian Master slew an Immortal Master. That is what true power looks like."
"An Immortal Master can be slain by someone who practices Martial Arts?" Qin Sang was stunned and hurriedly asked, "Brother Bai, have you ever seen an Immortal Master?"
Bai Jianglan shook his head. Seeing through Qin Sang's intentions, he advised, "Immortal Masters are like divine dragons—one sees the head but never the tail. How many people have truly seen one? Countless people in this world seek immortality, only to waste their entire lives away in deep mountains and great rivers, accomplishing nothing. Do not become trapped in obsession and squander your finest years."
Before you continue