Qin Sang waited nearby.
Princess Dongyang and the others were conferring in the woods. They thought they were far enough away, but Qin Sang heard every word with crystal clarity.
Granny Li said coldly, "Regardless of whether what that brat said is true or false, the Princess's identity and whereabouts have certainly been exposed. Prince Zhenshui's stance remains ambiguous, so Sanwu City is strictly out of the question. Those claws of the false emperor will surely not give up. Our best course is to split into two routes: let the caravan take the main road back to Kun City to draw attention, while the Princess secretly departs by water to return swiftly to Dongyang Commandery. What worries this old woman most is that the boy was sent by the false emperor's lackeys to divide our strength. In my view, there is no need to verify his identity at all—a single cut to end him will ensure we needn't worry about him passing word along the way."
Qin Sang's expression remained unchanged, though a chill crept into his heart; he had never imagined the old woman could be so vicious.
Glancing sideways at the black horse outside the woods, where the Yanluo Banner remained in the pack on its saddle, Qin Sang silently calculated an escape route. Pacing casually back and forth, he quietly edged closer to the roadside.
If they truly planned to strike, he certainly would not sit by and await death.
Next, he heard Bai Jianglan speak: "I urge the Princess to reconsider. If Brother Qin came to warn us at risk to his own life out of gratitude for the Princess saving his life, killing him in such cold blood would..."
Before Qin Sang could breathe a sigh of relief, Granny Li sharply cut Bai Jianglan off. "Commander Bai, this old woman cares only for the Princess's safety—aside from that, I care about nothing! Let me offer a word of well-meant advice: since you have cast your lot under the Prince to serve him, you would do well to wash away that jianghu air of yours as soon as possible!"
A silence fell.
Qin Sang had not expected things to reach such a point. Sighing inwardly, he was already bracing himself for a fight when he suddenly heard Princess Dongyang speak: "Commander Bai, are you certain Qin Sang knew no martial arts last year?"
Bai Jianglan replied, "On the boat that day, this subordinate examined him in person. There was not a trace of true qi within him, and his muscles and bones were slack. He could not have practiced martial arts."
"Practicing martial arts for less than a year, yet capable of killing an assassin from Jiangshan Tower!"
Princess Dongyang gave a soft sigh. "Such talent must be something even you have never witnessed, Granny. Words alone are no proof. Commander Bai, I will trouble you to go test him."
"Understood!"
...
Qin Sang feigned ignorance, watching Bai Jianglan approach with an expression of naive confusion.
"Brother Qin..."
Bai Jianglan walked slowly up to Qin Sang, and when only a single step remained between them, he suddenly struck.
*Clang!*
A flash of sword light darted forth, swift as lightning, lunging straight for Qin Sang's vitals.
Fierce wind whipped against his face; in an instant, blood was about to spill.
From this single thrust, Qin Sang could tell that Bai Jianglan was stronger than the man in black. Even so, he could still see the path of the incoming blade clearly—and what was more, he had prepared in advance.
"Brother Bai!"
A look of shock washed over Qin Sang's face, but his movements were not slow. Shifting his footwork, he twisted his upper body violently. The icy blade grazed his throat, piercing harmlessly past.
"Brother Bai, you—"
Qin Sang tried to speak, but Bai Jianglan gave him no chance. In a flash, his figure closed in. His sword had somehow vanished from his grasp, and his hand formed an eagle's claw, tearing viciously toward Qin Sang with every strike aimed at a vital point.
Bai Jianglan's palm techniques were exquisite, thunderously swift and unpredictable, yet Qin Sang saw them with absolute clarity.
In a flash, they traded several exchanges. Qin Sang spotted an opening and met palm with fist, clashing directly against Bai Jianglan. It felt as though he had struck a solid wall. Staggering back several paces, he barely steadied himself, whereas Bai Jianglan had not budged an inch.
Only then did Qin Sang realize that without the Yanluo Banner, a substantial gap still lay between himself and a genuine martial arts master.
Little did he know that Bai Jianglan was even more astonished.
Though the clash had been brief, Bai Jianglan had felt with acute clarity that he had nowhere to hide before Qin Sang. The moment he unleashed any move, Qin Sang would strike after him yet land first, unraveling his offense.
Throughout this bout, Bai Jianglan had felt constrained and awkward, nearly having the tables turned on him several times.
Only in that final head-on clash had Bai Jianglan secretly channeled his true qi to secure his ground.
"Brother Bai, why did you attack me?!"
Gasping for breath, Qin Sang demanded with grief and fury written across his face.
By now, Princess Dongyang and Granny Li had walked over, studying Qin Sang with looks of surprise.
Sheathing his sword, Bai Jianglan addressed the princess: "Reporting to the Princess, this subordinate has tested him. In my view, Brother Qin's senses are so sharp and his reactions so swift that few can match him. He has also mastered this Tiger-Subduing Long Fist to its utmost limit, far beyond what others could achieve. Jiangshan Tower's assassins excel most at assassination and stealth, specializing in disguise, breath concealment, and ambush; in head-on combat, they are not necessarily formidable. None of those tricks could hide from Brother Qin, so it is only natural that they were no match for him."
Granny Li gave a sinister smile. "The Princess truly made the right choice in saving him. Who would have thought little Brother Qin possessed such astonishing talent, mastering a common Tiger-Subduing Long Fist to such a degree? In time, he will certainly become a top-tier expert. Congratulations, Princess, on gaining yet another valiant general!"
Had he not heard Granny Li vehemently advocate killing him earlier, one might truly have taken her for a benevolent soul.
An expression of bewilderment and suspicion lingered on Qin Sang's face.
"You were testing me?"
Princess Dongyang said with sincere earnestness, "Please do not take offense, Warrior Qin. My life is at stake, and Anning had no choice but to act with utmost caution. Having received your life-saving warning, once we are out of danger, Anning will surely reward you generously."
Granny Li interjected, "We can discuss this later. There is no time to lose. This old woman will go summon Elder Yue at once. Commander Bai and Elder Yue will escort the young mistress south across the river and down the waters. In a matter of days, you will be back in Dongyang Commandery."
Princess Dongyang knit her delicate brows slightly. "Granny, you are not coming with me?"
Granny Li's gaze turned slightly chilly as she glanced outside. "Though these guards are death-sworn soldiers raised by the Prince, there will inevitably be cowards among them who fear death or lack loyalty. I must remain behind to oversee them; only if they dare not harbor treacherous thoughts can we prevent Jiangshan Tower from noticing anything amiss. Rest assured, young mistress, this old woman will act according to circumstances."
Princess Dongyang knew there was no better alternative. In a solemn voice, she said, "Granny, you must take care... I trouble you to call Chuntao in. Commander Bai, go with Granny, select several guards, and bring the horses over. We will travel light."
"As you command."
Qin Sang followed them out to retrieve his horse as well. He bound the Yanluo Banner to his ironwood staff; only with it close at hand could he feel at ease.
Leading the horse back into the woods, Qin Sang saw that Bai Jianglan had brought Water Monkey along, as well as six unfamiliar guards, among whom was a ruddy-faced old man.
Granny Li then led Chuntao into the grove.
Qin Sang still vividly remembered Chuntao's biting, scornful demeanor, but she merely cast a glance at him before walking past expressionlessly.
Granny Li took out a human skin mask as thin as a cicada's wing and applied it to Chuntao's face, then had her change into an outer robe identical to Princess Dongyang's.
With the mask affixed to her face, not a trace of a seam could be seen.
Qin Sang marveled inwardly. Once the princess removed her ornaments and placed them on Chuntao, the disguised Chuntao looked completely like the princess, an exact replica.
Chapter 24