Night Visit

A man of Ning Country had become the Marquis of Jiang Prefecture in Great Sui.

After five years in Great Sui, it still did not feel all that familiar. Qin Sang was filled with emotion.

Returning to his own residence, Qin Sang entered the study.

He was alone, and aside from the Ebony Sword and a few other items, he had no luggage to bring.

After breaking through to the fifth level of the "Netherworld Scripture," he consumed Soul Pills even faster. A few days of full-force cultivation would use up one pill. Without the aid of Soul Pills, the speed of his cultivation progress was enough to drive one to despair.

Fortunately, he had anticipated this. Before the war ended, he had stockpiled some Soul Pills, and Yanwang had recovered to peak strength. If Qin Sang squeezed him dry, he could last for quite some time.

Then there was gold and silver for traveling expenses. Qin Sang did not bring much. A dignified Immortal Cultivator would not be driven to death by money; he could always beg for alms.

Still, he could not simply leave like this. There were worldly matters to arrange. Qin Sang had his personal guards wait at Wu Chuanzong's residence and tell him to come see him after court.

Once he had packed, including his clothes, he had only a small bundle.

If only he knew the Object Manipulation Technique and could use a Mustard Seed Pouch, Qin Sang thought ruefully.

According to the Young Man surnamed Han, cultivation markets were the equivalent of marketplaces in the Cultivation World. Cultivators traded there, purchasing or exchanging items they needed.

At a large cultivation market, one could find disciples from renowned sects and great schools, cultivators of the Demonic Path, and Rogue Cultivators. In regions where the righteous and demonic paths met, one could easily encounter cultivators from Demonic Sects. That was why the Young Man surnamed Han had told Qin Sang to try his luck.

However, Qin Sang's most pressing concern was not joining a sect, but finding a way to make contact with the world of Immortal Cultivators.

The Object Manipulation Technique, Mustard Seed Pouches, magical artifacts, the Qi Refining Stage, the Foundation Establishment Realm, Yin Sha Qi...

These were common knowledge to Immortal Cultivators, yet he knew nothing about them. Only after learning such common knowledge could he know where his future path lay.

This key to a cultivation market would also open the gates of the Cultivation World for him. That was why Qin Sang had not pestered the Young Man surnamed Han without reason.

Even if no sect accepted him, he could at worst become a Rogue Cultivator. From the Young Man surnamed Han's tone, there were quite a few Rogue Cultivators among Immortal Cultivators.

Once he reached the cultivation market, he would first obtain the Object Manipulation Technique, retrieve the things inside the Seven-Colored Brocade Pouch, then ask how to find Yin Sha Qi so his cultivation would not be delayed.

He also needed to find a way to uncover the secrets surrounding him. What exactly were the Ebony Sword, the Jade Buddha, the sheepskin, and the other items? Why could he cultivate despite having no spirit root?

And then there was the "Netherworld Scripture."

In truth, after breaking through to the fifth level, Qin Sang had vaguely sensed that the "Netherworld Scripture" should contain more than six levels. This cultivation art might be incomplete.

Later, the information he learned from Zhen Ming about the Qi Refining Stage further confirmed Qin Sang's suspicions.

Could he buy a complete "Netherworld Scripture" at the market?

Were cultivation arts expensive?

What did he have that he could trade with Immortal Cultivators?

The thought alone gave Qin Sang a headache. He was poor as a church mouse. If all else failed, he could only sell a magical artifact or exchange that Talisman Paper, whose purpose he did not know, for a cultivation art. After all, the "Netherworld Scripture" was the foundation upon which he stood.

Thinking of this, Qin Sang took out the Jade Disc to inspect it. It was called a Jade Disc, but there was actually a round hole in its center, making it look like a Jade Ring.

The Jade Disc was only palm-sized and very thin. It was crystal-clear throughout, without a trace of impurity or any pattern. It even made one worry that it might be terribly fragile and shatter at the slightest touch.

Qin Sang hesitated, then cautiously sent his divine sense and spiritual power into the Jade Disc. A halo of light immediately appeared, revealing the four characters Youshan Market. Beyond that, there was no further reaction.

It seemed he truly had to go to Biyun Kingdom.

Qin Sang put away the Jade Disc with the utmost care. Before long, he heard a flurry of footsteps in the courtyard and knew Wu Chuanzong had arrived.

"This is the address of my hometown, Wang Family Village in Ning Country. Other than you, I have never mentioned it to anyone else." Qin Sang handed the map he had drawn himself to Wu Chuanzong. "Unless something unexpected happened, my parents should still be alive, and I have two elder brothers... I am determined to seek immortality and cannot tend to worldly affairs. I entrust these relatives to you from now on. Tell them I am dead."

Ever since taking possession of Qin Sanwa's body, Qin Sang had been avoiding this body's family ties. In five years, he had not returned even once.

Wu Chuanzong solemnly accepted it and said through tears, "Rest assured, sir. Without you, there would be no Wu Chuanzong today. I will certainly treat them as my own family..."

Qin Sang waved his hand. "There is no need for this. As for my parents, elder brothers, and sisters-in-law, you need only ensure they never lack food or clothing. If any among the younger generation show promise, lend them a hand as appropriate. Beyond that, do not concern yourself with them. Let them depend on their own fortune."

Wu Chuanzong was intelligent and quick-witted, with outstanding military achievements. At such a young age, he already held a high position, and his future was boundless.

Even ordinary families could not maintain wealth past three generations. This arrangement could be considered an explanation to Qin Sanwa.

Other than that, there were only trivial matters. Once Qin Sang left, those under his command would temporarily lose their support. Fortunately, the Grand Princess and the others could look after them.

The two spoke in secret for a while when a hurried set of footsteps suddenly sounded outside. A personal guard said in a lowered voice, "My lord, the Grand Princess has come in secret."

Qin Sang frowned, unable to guess why the Grand Princess had come so late at night. He had intended to go bid her farewell tomorrow.

"You should go back first." Qin Sang rose and saw Wu Chuanzong out. Then he personally went outside the residence to receive her, only to find that the Grand Princess had traveled light, bringing only Bai Jianglan and two guards. She had ridden over on a single horse.

"Let us speak inside."

The Grand Princess flicked her riding whip and walked into the residence first, as though she were entering her own home. Familiar with every turn, she headed straight for Qin Sang's study.

Qin Sang could only nod to Bai Jianglan and silently follow her inside. The Grand Princess stood with her hands clasped behind her back, her slender figure poised and graceful, utterly motionless.

"Marquis of Jiang Prefecture!"

The Grand Princess suddenly spoke, her voice cold and clear.

Qin Sang replied, "Your subject is here."

The Grand Princess abruptly turned around. Her autumn-water eyes gleamed beneath the candlelight as she stared at Qin Sang and demanded, "This princess has never treated you poorly, have I?"

Qin Sang sighed helplessly. "Why does the Grand Princess say this...?"

"Then why are you determined to leave?"

The Grand Princess suddenly stepped forward, her gaze blazing. She gave Qin Sang no chance to explain. "What is so good about cultivating immortality? Look at all those who seek immortality—lonely all their lives, growing old and dying in remote mountains and wild forests, their corpses becoming food for tigers and leopards. In the end, they have no kin to raise their eyes to, and accomplish nothing. Now look over there!"

The Grand Princess raised a jade-like finger and pointed toward Jade Palace. Her words came faster and faster. "There are jade towers and jeweled halls, supreme power within them, countless beauties, fine wine and jade nectar, embroidered robes and lavish feasts, a life drowned in paper and gold, pools of wine and forests of meat... Whatever you desire can be obtained with ease! Why must you remain so stubbornly obsessed?"

Qin Sang fell silent, then said, "Grand Princess, please come with me."

Leaving the study, Qin Sang quietly said, "Forgive my offense," then took the Grand Princess's hand. With a tap of his foot, he leaped onto the roof. Looking again toward Jade Palace, he found it truly magnificent, a truly splendid sight.

The Grand Princess slightly raised her head, her eyes filled with confusion, unable to tell what medicine Qin Sang was selling from his gourd.