Brothers

In height, build, facial shape, and even gait, Chuntao bore an uncanny resemblance to Princess Dongyang. Though there was a slight difference in their bearing, outsiders would never tell them apart unless the two stood side by side. Granny Li said, "Young Mistress, this old woman and Chuntao shall head back to Kun City first. Once you have settled your business, we will rendezvous there." With that, Granny Li turned to lead the disguised Chuntao back. Unexpectedly, as she walked past Qin Sang, Chuntao came to a halt. Looking at him with a blossoming smile, she asked, "Young Master Qin, may I ask what wood your staff is crafted from? Its luster is so bright. My younger brother at home also loves playing with staffs and cudgels, though he has been frail and sickly since childhood, so our parents never allowed it. On my return this time, I was thinking of bringing him one as a gift." Qin Sang was taken aback, having no idea why Chuntao was suddenly asking about this. Glancing at the old woman, who looked displeased, and seeing that Princess Dongyang herself did not intervene, he replied, "To answer Miss Chuntao, this staff is fashioned from the heart of ironwood. This ironwood grows in the southern kingdom of Muzi State. If you seek out merchants hailing from Muzi State, you should be able to purchase some." "My little brother will surely love it. Allow me to thank Young Master Qin on his behalf." Chuntao's eyes glinted with emotion. Covering her mouth with a light chuckle, she finally followed Granny Li out. As she stepped onto the carriage, Chuntao nearly slipped, but Granny Li reacted quickly and caught her by the arm. Once she had escorted her into the cabin, Granny Li called out, "By the Young Mistress's order, we will not proceed to Sanwu City this time! Everyone, turn back immediately and return to Kun City!" The guards immediately mounted their horses without asking for reasons, quietly turning back. Inside the carriage, all was silent. Chuntao clamped her hands tightly over her mouth, tears falling like rain. *** After Granny Li and the others departed into the distance, the group emerged from the woods. Looking at the empty road ahead, Princess Dongyang remained silent for a moment before suddenly asking an elderly guard, "Elder Yue, was what Chuntao said true?" Elder Yue answered, "Replying to Young Mistress: Miss Chuntao indeed has a younger brother who has been sickly all year round. He nearly died several times in infancy and has survived only by taking continuous medicine. Miss Chuntao sends all of her monthly stipend home, which is barely enough to buy medicine for his treatment." Princess Dongyang asked in puzzlement, "What kind of affliction is it? Could even Imperial Physician Li not treat it?" "This..." Elder Yue hesitated for a moment before saying, "It seems Chuntao did beg before... However, the imperial physicians in the prince's manor rarely step outside. Beyond a few high officials like the prefect, ordinary households could hardly move them without spending exorbitant sums." Princess Dongyang gave an acknowledging hum. "Once we return to the manor, Elder Yue, remember to take my written order and fetch an imperial physician to treat Chuntao's younger brother. The consultation and medicine fees will all be drawn from the Prince's Manor... and find him an errand to do in the manor afterward." Elder Yue bowed. "Young Mistress is benevolent." Princess Dongyang glanced around and asked again, "Commander Bai, is there a way out to the north of here?" Bai Jianglan pondered for a moment and nodded. "Cutting through the mountains, there is a path that leads to Linwu City. We can also skirt around the city. Spurring our horses at full gallop, we can weave through to Yingnan Commandery in four days." Princess Dongyang made an immediate decision. "Then we head north. Elder Yue, send word along the way so Father can dispatch men to Yingnan Commandery to receive us." *** With Bai Jianglan taking the lead to scout the path, Qin Sang and Water Monkey quietly followed beside him as the group galloped swiftly along the trail. It was evident that Bai Jianglan knew the terrain intimately. He switched directions and roads in dizzying succession, passing through the jurisdiction of Linwu City that evening without entering its gates. Late at night, Bai Jianglan chose a mountain hollow for them to rest. All of them were seasoned hands. Game was quickly hunted, and over the roasting fire, Elder Yue personally brought mountain spring water. They filled their bellies with hard, dry flatbread. Princess Dongyang swallowed with difficulty, yet she ate every bite without complaint. They had fled the entire day without seeing any pursuers. Qin Sang surmised that even if Jiangshan Tower had not abandoned the assassination, they had likely been drawn away by the decoy. He wondered how many of the decoys would survive. Throughout the day, Chuntao's final smile resurfaced repeatedly in Qin Sang's mind, making him sigh inwardly: the cruelty of this world was far more bare and brutal than that of his previous life. Forced to spend the night in the mountains, Qin Sang had no guard duties, so he casually found a tree to lean against and rest. By the campfire, Princess Dongyang lay on her side under draped clothing. For a long time, she did not shift at all, seemingly sound asleep, while Elder Yue sat cross-legged right beside her. Bai Jianglan took Water Monkey and a few others to set up some simple tripwires and traps. Qin Sang could not sleep, nor could he cultivate with so many people around, so he sank his mind into inner vision, returning his consciousness to his soul. Ever since the jade Buddha drove away the evil ghost, Qin Sang had entered to study it almost every night after cultivating. Yet no matter how much he fussed about, the jade Buddha never reappeared, leaving only that faint, inextinguishable yellowish glow. After the jade Buddha's appearance, Qin Sang had felt no change while cultivating the Nether Scripture. It seemed that only when he was in grave peril would the jade Buddha step in to save his life; at all other times, it could not be bothered to cast a glance his way. Full of anticipation at first, Qin Sang had gradually resigned himself to reality, attributing it to his cultivation realm being too meager. The night was cold. Qin Sang wrapped his clothes tighter and closed his eyes to doze lightly. Hearing footsteps, he opened his eyes to see Water Monkey, Zhou Ning, walking over. "Have a swig, Brother Qin." Water Monkey handed him a small gourd with a sly wink. Qin Sang uncorked it, and the aroma of liquor rushed into his nostrils. Seeing no one paying attention to them, he quickly took a deep swig. Though his physique was superb and had no fear of the chill, the potent liquor felt like a line of fire sliding down into his stomach, bringing a pleasant warmth. "Thanks, Brother Zhou!" Qin Sang handed the gourd back and chuckled. "Brother Zhou, soon I'll get to taste the river fish you catch again." Water Monkey gave a low chuckle and stood beside Qin Sang. He was not as talkative as usual today, having barely spoken along the road. He looked up at the night sky and suddenly asked in a subdued tone, "Brother Qin, how come you haven't gone home for a whole year? Don't you miss your parents?" Qin Sang gave a soft sigh. "Even if I do, what of it? Going back to the village only means a life of hardship. If I venture out, maybe I can make a name for myself and let them enjoy wealth and honor." Water Monkey wore an expression of clear disagreement. "Brother Qin, you're wrong about that. What parents care about most is you. Reuniting with family is what truly matters—what do wealth and honor count for..." As they spoke, Qin Sang's gaze abruptly shifted. He snapped upright, staring into the dense canopy above that blotted out the sky, and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Someone's here! Look out!" Before his voice even faded, the tree shadows beside Princess Dongyang contorted, and a dark silhouette pounced straight at her. Fortunately, Elder Yue was right beside Princess Dongyang. The instant the assassin appeared, Elder Yue drew the sword resting across his knees. Soaring into the air like a falcon, he blocked the assassin's path, his swordlight swirling like a swimming dragon straight toward the assassin's vital points in the chest and abdomen. Unexpectedly, the assassin did not dodge or parry at all. Meeting the blade head-on, his speed surged even faster. *Thwack!* The longsword easily pierced through the assassin's waist and belly, yet the assassin's momentum did not flag in the slightest. Lunging directly in front of Elder Yue, he snapped his mouth open, and a streak of cold light shot straight for Elder Yue's face. It was as though this assassin knew no pain. Pinned under the gaze of a pair of deathly still eyes, a chill ran through Elder Yue's heart. He hastily twisted aside to dodge the hidden projectile and jerked his hand back, attempting to wrench his sword free, only for the assassin to twist his body, locking the blade firmly in place with his bones.