Hard Truths

Daoist Qing Song looked much the same as before, but his temperament and overall impression had changed enormously. His Daoist robe flowed elegantly, a longsword strapped across his back, while the fly-whisk looped around his arm like tassels. Combined with the two heads dangling from his other hand and his placid expression, every soldier who saw this Daoist approaching knew that a master had arrived. Appearing at this time and place, he was most likely on Great Zhen's side.

Before Daoist Qing Song had even reached the military camp, Du Changsheng had already brought several disciples to wait at the entrance. Soldiers and officers had gathered nearby to watch, and a captain who knew Du Changsheng asked him, "Imperial Advisor, is that a master from our Great Zhen?"

Du Changsheng was not overly imposing. He nodded with a smile.

"The newcomer must be a master of Great Zhen. What he holds are two heads, though I don't know which two demon fiends from the enemy camp they belonged to!"

Before Du Changsheng's words had faded, Daoist Qing Song's voice drifted over from afar.

"This humble Daoist has only just arrived in the Northern Territory, so naturally I know even less about who these two wretches were. I can only leave their identification to Imperial Advisor Du. I killed in too much haste last night and did not question them."

With the lingering echo of his words, Daoist Qing Song moved at a speed slightly beyond the senses, as though he had crossed a hundred paces in only a dozen strides and arrived before the camp. With a flick of his right hand, the two heads hit the ground with two bangs, rolling off to one side. At the same time, Daoist Qing Song gave Du Changsheng a Daoist greeting, slightly