Qi State Spy

A man cannot go without food.

Back in Ghost Valley, the Verdant Green Clad Woman would hunt a wild boar every few days to improve Sun Boling and Pang Juan's meals.

The person she raised was being humiliated by another person she raised!

People, ah, they're just cheap!

"You stinky kid, why won't you listen?"

The Verdant Green Clad Woman supported Sun Boling and scolded him.

Sun Boling said nothing. Ever since she helped him up, he hadn't made a sound, head lowered, dirty hair falling loose to cover his face, letting her guide him along.

The eateries on the street dared not let the two sit inside. After the Verdant Green Clad Woman smashed up half a shop, they finally accepted reality and, beaming with smiles, invited them in.

The Verdant Green Clad Woman slapped down a large bag of coins.

"Don't gossip about me in the future. Take this money, serve some stomach-warming dishes, and use the rest to fix your shop."

The shopkeeper, who had looked like he'd lost his father, instantly lit up with joy. He clutched the coins, cheerfully thanked her, and withdrew to prepare the meal.

"Tch—truly cheap."

Hong Luan sneered at the shopkeeper's snake-like wriggling figure.

The Verdant Green Clad Woman parted Sun Boling's tangled, filthy strands of hair. The once-clear youth now looked like a candle flickering in the wind, his face covered in a thick layer of grime, his beard unkempt. On his forehead was a glaringly branded character.

This was the mark of Ink Punishment.

"Mas... Master..."

Sun Boling's voice was hoarse.

"Don't call me that!"

The Verdant Green Clad Woman sniffed, her expression disdainful. "I've never seen a disciple as stupid as you."

Hearing this, Sun Boling let out a self-deprecating laugh.

The soldier who had been chased off by the Verdant Green Clad Woman hurried back to Pang Juan's Mansion and reported the matter.

Learning that someone dared to approach Sun Boling, Pang Juan's face twisted with rage. He shoved aside the table before him and bellowed, "There's still someone who dares to touch him? Are they from outside Daliang City?"

"Yes, Grand General!"

The soldiers clutched their hands and feet, their pained expressions recounting the situation.

Pang Juan was furious. With his current power in Wei State, aside from the King of Wei and the Crown Prince, who would dare to defy the laws he had set?

And they dared to strike his men!

In his rage, he personally mustered his troops, left the mansion, and headed toward the street.

The shopkeeper served the dishes—mostly soups and light fare.

Given Sun Boling's condition, even if a plate of roasted meat were placed before him, he couldn't swallow it.

But when the food was ready, Sun Boling still didn't touch his chopsticks. It was then the Verdant Green Clad Woman noticed he couldn't even hold them.

Those hands, once commanding and directing military affairs, were now cracked, calloused, and numb.

"Just cup it and drink. I won't fight you for it."

Seeing his awkwardness, she said this. She turned to the shopkeeper, tossed out another bag of coins, and ordered, "Bring some roasted meat—for me!"

"Yes!"

The shopkeeper was overjoyed.

Roasted meat didn't cost nearly this much!

If the concept of the God of Wealth existed yet, the shopkeeper would surely have cried out—this wasn't a villain, this was the God of Wealth!

When Pang Juan arrived, he saw the Verdant Green Clad Woman sitting across from Sun Boling, gnawing on a lamb leg.

"Grand General, it's her!"

A man beside him pointed at the Verdant Green Clad Woman.

Pang Juan's face shifted. He immediately drew his sword and chopped off the man's hand, roaring, "How dare you!"

The sudden turn of events caught everyone off guard. No one understood why Pang Juan would attack his own man. Shouldn't he have ordered Sun Boling and the verdant-clad woman sitting across from him arrested and thrown into prison?

If you find this book enjoyable, to avoid losing it next time, remember to add it to your bookshelf.

The man whose hand was severed was dazed; the searing pain at the wound made him faint on the spot!

Pang Juan dropped his sword, knelt on one knee, and bowed. "Disciple pays respects to Master!"

Master?

Master!

This verdant-clad woman was Pang Juan's teacher?

The legendary Ghost Valley Master?

But how could the Ghost Valley Master be such a young and beautiful maiden?

Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, Verdant Green Maiden remained oblivious to the world outside, single-mindedly gnawing on her Roasted Lamb Leg. Pang Juan neither grew angry nor rose to his feet; he simply knelt there, and the passersby who saw the Grand General kneeling in this spot were even more stunned.

Among them was the real Qi State Spy!

After finishing her meal, Verdant Green Maiden wiped her hands and tossed the bones before Pang Juan. She stood up and lifted Hong Luan, letting it fly first.

"You came to capture me?"

Pang Juan lowered his head further and said in a low voice, "This Disciple would not dare."

"I think you've got plenty of nerve!"

Verdant Green Maiden gave a light snort, turning her head to glance at Sun Boling.

There, Sun Boling was staring fixedly at Pang Juan, his eyes devoid of joy or sorrow, but beneath the calm surface of his gaze, a storm of hatred surged like crashing waves!

Over a year of humiliation had taught him to completely conceal his true emotions.

If not for Verdant Green Maiden having seen countless people, she might not have noticed it either.

Pang Juan opened his mouth, "This Disciple..."

Verdant Green Maiden gave a light cough and said, "Stop right there! I don't want to hear nonsense."

At these words, the expression on Pang Juan's face faltered. He let out a dry laugh and said, "Master is still as straightforward as in the old days."

"Let me be more straightforward—I'm taking him away."

Verdant Green Maiden looked down at Pang Juan.

Hearing this, Pang Juan was silent for a long moment before he smiled and said, "Master has come from afar; why not first stay in Da Liang..."

"I said I don't want to hear nonsense—are your ears deaf?"

Verdant Green Maiden repeated herself, staring at Pang Juan.

Pang Juan's face shifted through several changes. His hands, hidden within his wide sleeves, clenched and relaxed repeatedly. After several cycles, he calmed his emotions, looked up at Verdant Green Maiden, and put on a smile. "Since Master wishes to take Junior Disciple away, This Disciple naturally agrees!"

"Go prepare a carriage. Don't tamper with it, or I'll come back and punch you in the head!"

As she spoke, Verdant Green Maiden shook her fist.

She had once punched straight through a Wild Boar's head in front of Pang Juan and Sun Boling, so Pang Juan naturally wouldn't compare his own head's hardness to that of Brother Wild Boar. He repeatedly agreed.

After Verdant Green Maiden drove the carriage away with Sun Boling, Pang Juan finally vented his anger.

"Bastard! Why couldn't he just die! And to think Master actually ran into him! And you, Shopkeeper—why didn't you poison his food!"

The Shopkeeper, faced with this sudden calamity, was on the verge of tears. He hurriedly knelt to defend himself. "Grand General, this humble man is innocent!"

Pang Juan, in his rage, paid no heed to such things.

"This General thinks you must be a Qi State Spy! Men, seize him!"

"Yes!"

But then, Hong Luan in the sky flapped its wings, swooped down at speed, and directly pecked Pang Juan on the head!

Only then did Pang Juan snap back to reality. He quickly shouted, "Stop!"

The few Soldiers who had just stepped forward looked at Pang Juan in confusion. Pang Juan, still shaken, glanced up at Hong Luan flying in the sky, waved his hand at the Soldiers, and said, "Forget it, stop here!"

"Yes, Grand General."

Though the Soldiers did not understand, they dared not defy Pang Juan's order.

Pang Juan took a deep breath, turned, and walked toward the General's Mansion, muttering repeatedly, "Sun Bin... Sun Bin... in the future, he will surely become a thorn in my side! Master, why do you favor him alone? Am I, Pang Juan, not your Disciple as well?"

Leaving Da Liang, they traveled eastward.

When they passed by a Riverbank, Verdant Green Maiden pulled the carriage to a stop.