Growing intrigued, Qin Sang summoned the Ice Silkworm Armor, drew a sharp sword from his side, and thrust forward with all his strength.
Unexpectedly, the moment the sword's tip brushed against the armor, it slid aside on its own. It did so several times in succession, leaving not a single mark upon the armor.
A fine treasure indeed!
Pleased beyond measure, Qin Sang studied it for quite a while. He discovered that when he wore the Ice Silkworm Armor and channeled spiritual power into it with all his might, a thin, mist-like layer of frost crystals appeared outside his body, shrouding him completely and seemingly enhancing its defensive prowess even further.
Moreover, the Ice Silkworm Armor's drain on his spiritual power was far less dreadful than that of the Purple Soul Bell; Qin Sang could sustain it for a long time.
This delighted him immensely. With this armor protecting him, he would not have to fear being caught off guard even if he ran into a Xiantian master like Master Yuanjue in the future.
***
"Reporting, General! A man claiming to be an envoy from the Princess has arrived with a confidential letter, requesting to see you in person!"
Qin Sang was in the middle of cultivating when he was startled awake by his personal guard outside. Frowning, he pushed the door open and stepped out.
The morning sun was just rising, casting a dazzling glare over the far reaches of the Lingshui River. Within the town of Duyakou, the smell of scorched earth hung thick in the air, lingering stubbornly.
After encountering the young man surnamed Han, ten more days had passed before they finally cleared the ancient path, only to discover that the garrison defending Duyakou was extraordinarily weak. Knowing that opportunity waited for no one, Qin Sang allowed his troops a brief respite before immediately leading the three battalions in a direct strike on Duyakou.
The defenders at Duyakou had never expected an enemy to appear from behind them. In their panic, they surrendered completely after offering only meager resistance.
Yet the false emperor's troops responded with shocking speed. On the third day after Qin Sang took Duyakou, they rallied their forces and arrived by boat to attack. With General Feng's main army yet to arrive, Qin Sang had no choice; after holding out for several days, he burned all the granaries and retreated into the mountains.
Even so, this did not alter the final outcome. The defenders at Guling Pass, starved of grain with their retreat cut off, soon mutinied from within, and one of their generals willingly served as an inside agent, throwing open the gates to surrender.
With the greater situation decided, Qin Sang joined forces with General Feng, rounding up the scattered remnants of the false emperor's defeated army and restoring order to the region. Their combined military strength was now greater than that of the Xuanwei and Xiaoyong Battalions combined.
The news of their victory had already been dispatched half a month ago, leaving Qin Sang wondering what the Princess's confidential letter could be about.
Meeting the messenger, Qin Sang took the letter, read it carefully, and fell into deep contemplation.
According to the letter, Prince Dongyang had been overjoyed upon hearing of the great victory.
The Xuanwei Battalion was to be renamed the Desheng Battalion, with Vice General Feng promoted to Left General Commander of the Desheng Battalion, while Qin Sang was promoted to Right General Commander of the Xiaoyong Battalion, taking over the post previously held by General Commander Mu. Those listed on the victory dispatch as having distinguished themselves all received handsome rewards as well.
In addition, the Prince regarded Qin Sang with great favor, and the heir apparent had spoken many flattering words on Qin Sang's behalf before his father. The Prince wished to grant Qin Sang an audience in Zhaoyang Commandery, and the Princess instructed him to travel there for the audience before assuming his new command.
Though the letter merely laid out the facts, Qin Sang could read much between the lines.
Would the heir apparent be so kind-hearted as to speak well of him?
Qin Sang sneered internally. The news of his encounter with an immortal had spread through the camp long ago, spawning all manner of rumors. But regarding the detail that the Immortal Master had bestowed a treasure upon him, every voice was in unanimous agreement, spinning tales filled with vivid, elaborate details.
He refused to believe the heir apparent lacked spies in the Xuanwei Battalion.
Yet with the Ice Silkworm Armor shielding him, Qin Sang naturally had no fear of any conspiracies or schemes. If the man dared extend his claws, Qin Sang would lop them off and teach him what true pain felt like!
"Chuanzong, prepare the horses!"
Qin Sang summoned Wu Chuanzong, Water Monkey, and the other officers who would accompany him to take up their posts in the Xiaoyong Battalion. After bidding farewell to General Commander Feng, they rode first on a detour back toward Pingshan Commandery, then made straight for Zhaoyang Commandery.
Prince Dongyang's temporary palace was built in Ming City, located on the border between Zhaoyang Commandery and Xitai Commandery. Riding without pause, it took Qin Sang ten days to reach Ming City.
However, upon entering Ming City, Qin Sang was in no hurry to see the Prince. Instead, he instructed Water Monkey to report to the Princess first while he found lodging, bolted the heavy doors, and went into seclusion to break through.
With no lack of Soul Pills and cultivating ceaselessly, he had finally sensed the bottleneck of the fourth layer of the *Nether Scripture*. Unsure how difficult this breakthrough would be, Qin Sang felt a trace of apprehension.
To his surprise, he met with almost no resistance this time, breaking through to the next realm in just two days. The capricious temperament of the *Nether Scripture* left him secretly puzzled.
***
"Qin Sang pays respects to the Prince and the Young Prince."
After his breakthrough, Qin Sang went to meet the Princess, who then escorted him into the palace.
Prince Dongyang had not yet claimed the imperial throne, so he was still addressed as Prince.
"I hear that General Qin entered Ming City three days ago, yet has come to see Father only today. Did you run into some trouble?" the heir apparent asked with a veneer of concern.
"May Your Highness forgive me," Qin Sang said impassively. "Having received Your Highness's summons, I rode day and night without stopping, leaving myself caked in dust and looking thoroughly disheveled. Fearing I would offend Your Highness, I took time to rest and refresh myself before coming to pay my respects."
The Prince was in his fifties, with a wisp of a goatee and the scholarly features of a man of letters. Hearing this, he burst into laughter. "I too am a rough soldier accustomed to riding and fighting. Did you think you would frighten me? Guards, quickly bring General Qin a seat and serve tea! General Qin possesses both wisdom and valor, having performed countless remarkable deeds. With General Qin aiding me, why should I worry about my grand cause going unfulfilled?"
Qin Sang bowed slightly. "This humble officer dares not accept such praise! That a commoner like me could reach this day is entirely due to the guidance and care of Your Highness and the Princess. I dare not claim any merit for myself."
When Qin Sang finished, he caught a fleeting trace of displeasure flash across the heir apparent's face, though he feigned ignorance.
Prince Dongyang smiled gently and patted the hand of Princess Dongyang beside him, speaking dotingly, "Anning truly has an eye for talent. Even so, General Qin, do not belittle yourself."
"Indeed," the heir apparent chimed in abruptly. "Even the Immortal Master thought highly of General Qin, which proves General Qin is truly an exceptional talent! I hear that before the Immortal Master departed, he bestowed a treasure upon General Qin. Would it be possible to bring it out so that Father and I might broaden our horizons?"
*Here it comes!*
Sensing the greed in the heir apparent's eyes, Qin Sang let out a cold snort in his heart.
As long as his spiritual sense covered the Ice Silkworm Armor, a mere thought could recall it, so letting them look at it would do no harm. Still, he could hardly just hand it over the moment the heir apparent opened his mouth.
Qin Sang glanced sideways toward the Princess, only to see her lean closely against Prince Dongyang, speaking in a coy voice, "Father, with every treasure you bestow upon me, Anning cherishes it dearly and would never dare bring it out for display lightly, terrified of chipping or bumping it and incurring your displeasure. I hear those Immortal Masters are all terribly eccentric, shouting for blood at the slightest disagreement. If taking it out should anger him and bring his wrath down upon us, wouldn't the loss outweigh the gain?"
Prince Dongyang hesitated for a moment, then laughed heartily. "Since those things were given to you, Anning, you may dispose of them as you please. After all, they are mere worldly possessions; why would your father blame you? Still, Anning speaks the truth. Since it was bestowed upon General Qin by the Immortal Master, General Qin must take good care of it and never treat it lightly."
"This subordinate obeys!"
After remaining for a banquet at Prince Dongyang's temporary palace, Qin Sang held a private discussion at the Princess's estate that night. The next morning, carrying his tally of authority and credentials, he rode out of the city to take up his command in the Xiaoyong Battalion of Guize Commandery.
Galloping at full speed for an entire day, they pressed on through the starry night. As they rode into a mountain forest, Qin Sang suddenly heard a sharp, whistling shriek. He abruptly yanked on the reins and called out in a frosty voice, "Careful, assassins!"
Chapter 46