Chapter 27: Return

The Human World

It was still deep into the night, but sleep was out of the question.

Old Yue said, "Princess, the false emperor's henchmen are in hot pursuit. This place is not suitable for a long stay. Why don't we travel through the night? We can reach Yinghsui Commandery sooner and rendezvous with our reinforcements."

Princess Dongyang lowered her head and pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked Qin Sang, "Young Master Qin, according to your understanding, how many assassins has Jiangshan Tower gathered in Sanwu City?"

Qin Sang replied cautiously, "As far as I know, there are nearly thirty."

Princess Dongyang nodded. "Assuming thirty assassins in total, with two killed by Young Master Qin, and only ten appearing this time, this suggests our whereabouts haven't been completely exposed. The Jiangshan Tower assassins either split their forces, or most of them were fought to the death by Grandma Li and the others. Old Yue, what if we return to Sanwu City tonight?"

Old Yue was greatly alarmed upon hearing this. "Princess, absolutely not! Sanwu City is already a den of wolves and tigers, and the King of Zhenshui has likely pledged allegiance to the false emperor. All the other guards have been assassinated, leaving only a few of us. If we encounter an ambush, even if we fight to the death, it would be difficult to guarantee your safety. We would not be able to account to the King!"

Princess Dongyang smiled slightly. "How can one cherish their life when aspiring to great things? Even you, Old Yue, are afraid to let me return to Sanwu City, so the false emperor's henchmen certainly won't expect it. As for the King of Zhenshui, I believe he hasn't necessarily pledged allegiance to the false emperor; otherwise, the false emperor wouldn't need to resort to such underhanded tricks."

Before Old Yue could speak again, Princess Dongyang shook her head. "Old Yue, there's no need to persuade me further; my mind is made up. Commander Bai, you and Guard Zhou will share a horse. Take the severed arm and return quickly to Sanwu City. There's an imperial physician in the King of Zhenshui's mansion; perhaps he can reattach the limb."

Bai Jianglan quickly responded, "Understood!"

The horses were still there. Princess Dongyang, despite being a woman, showed no weakness. She mounted her horse and rode without stopping. By dawn, they saw the North Gate of Sanwu City.

Indeed, they did not encounter any Jiangshan Tower assassins on the way.

Like the South Gate, the North Gate also had a side entrance open. Qin Sang, being familiar with the area, helped Princess Dongyang and the others split up and blend into a merchant caravan. Only Water Monkey's injuries were too conspicuous, so Qin Sang found a secluded courtyard outside the city and stayed behind to care for him. Princess Dongyang, Old Yue, and Bai Jianglan went to meet the King of Zhenshui.

Exhausted and heavily wounded, Water Monkey fell into a deep sleep.

Qin Sang sat in the courtyard, waiting for news from the Princess. He kept a watchful eye on the movements outside, always ready to flee.

From the scattered remarks of Princess Dongyang and Old Yue, Qin Sang could roughly discern some connections. The "false emperor" they spoke of was likely the current Emperor of Great Sui, and Jiangshan Tower was originally the Emperor's organization. No wonder they dared to assassinate the governor in broad daylight.

It was said that King Dongyang and the current Emperor were born of the same mother. Furthermore, King Dongyang was the elder brother. Yet, after the previous emperor's demise, it was the younger brother who ascended the throne, and the elder brother was relegated to a mere King of a Commandery, which went against proper moral order.

There were likely many disagreements within this, but outsiders found it difficult to know the inside story.

Nowadays, the Great Sui suffered from continuous natural disasters. In the four northern commanderies, countless people raised banners of rebellion, and weapons were drawn everywhere, leading to widespread chaos.

Seeing the Great Sui tottering precariously and its foundations unstable, with widespread rumors among the common folk that the new emperor was unjust, it was likely that King Dongyang also saw an opportunity and could no longer remain silent. The fact that Princess Dongyang, Grandma Li, and Old Yue always referred to Jiangshan Tower as the "false emperor's henchmen" when discussing it was clear evidence.

If King Dongyang were to raise the banner of rebellion against the false emperor, his primary task would be to win over the King of Zhenshui.

Zhenshui Commandery and Dongyang Commandery were as interdependent as lips and teeth, standing as pillars in the south of Great Sui, one to the west and one to the east. If the King of Zhenshui wasn't brought on board, King Dongyang's rear would be unstable, making any talk of sending troops to quell the rebels futile.

Princess Dongyang risked her life, coming alone to Sanwu City. She probably came to persuade the King of Zhenshui, but unexpectedly, word leaked out midway. Jiangshan Tower found out and ordered an interception and assassination.

In the Great Sui of today, countless undercurrents were stirring.

Qin Sang initially didn't know the inside story. He had also inadvertently boarded King Dongyang's "pirate ship." There weren't no opportunities to escape during that time, but he still chose to stay.

His goal had never changed. He didn't care at all whether the Emperor of Great Sui was King Dongyang or the current Emperor. What he wanted was to find a shortcut to connect with an immortal master.

As the saying goes, "heroes emerge in troubled times." Following King Dongyang's rebellion was undoubtedly an excellent opportunity.

Now, it was up to Princess Dongyang to see if she could persuade the King of Zhenshui.

If she couldn't, Princess Dongyang would face a dead end. He wouldn't stay and die with her; at worst, he would go on a rampage and flee to another country.

By noon, Qin Sang suddenly heard footsteps heading directly towards the small courtyard. He stood up alertly, listening intently.

Someone was talking, and it didn't sound like a tense or hostile situation.

Qin Sang set Yan Wang aside. Soon, the courtyard gate was pushed open inwards. The first to enter were Bai Jianglan and an old man carrying a medicine chest. Princess Dongyang walked alongside a luxuriously dressed middle-aged man, speaking cordially, their expressions normal.

Only then did Qin Sang let out a sigh of relief. He called Yan Wang back and stepped forward to greet them.

The person speaking with Princess Dongyang was none other than the King of Zhenshui himself. The one beside Bai Jianglan was the imperial physician from the King of Zhenshui's mansion. After examining Water Monkey's wounds, the imperial physician stroked his long beard, held the severed arm, and examined it for a long while. Then he shook his head and said, "Reporting to Your Highness and the Princess, this severed arm is severely damaged, all life force is gone, and too much time has elapsed. I'm afraid it cannot be reattached."

Bai Jianglan's eyes suddenly dimmed.

Princess Dongyang said, "Then I would trouble the imperial physician to stop the bleeding for Guard Zhou and treat his wound properly, so it doesn't endanger his life."

"As you command!"

The imperial physician opened his medicine chest and treated the wound.

The King of Zhenshui said from the side, "Niece Anning, rest assured. Imperial Physician Wang's medical skills are divine; he will surely save this brave man's life. I have already prepared fine wine and a grand feast. Why don't you come with me to the mansion for a meal and some rest first?"

"Thank you, Uncle," Princess Dongyang curtsied, her voice betraying a deep weariness. "Anning came secretly to visit you, Uncle, so there's no need for excessive fanfare. Now that Anning's task is complete, I would trouble you, Uncle, to send people to escort me back to Dongyang Commandery. Lest my father worry about Anning's safety and become anxious waiting, that would be unfilial of Anning."

The King of Zhenshui said angrily, "I can't believe a mere mercenary assassin organization dared to stir up trouble in Zhenshui Commandery and assassinate royal nobility. I have already ordered a full search and suppression throughout the entire commandery; I will ensure not a single one of them remains, to give my elder brother and Niece Anning an explanation! Since Anning insists on returning... Guards, prepare a large ship and arrange a banquet table on board. And send word to General Zhao Xiang: dispatch his most elite troops to escort the Princess back to Dongyang Commandery. If even a single hair on the Princess's head is harmed on the way, I will hold him accountable!"

Qin Sang, Bai Jianglan, and Water Monkey shared a carriage, guarded by elite soldiers both in front and behind. As they passed Cuiming Mountain, Qin Sang lifted the carriage curtain and glanced outside.

His own future was uncertain, so he did not go to disturb them.

They boarded the ship and traveled along the river. Three days later, they arrived at Chuncheng, the capital of Dongyang Commandery.

Qin Sang followed Princess Dongyang. They were closely escorted back to the royal mansion by the King's guards. Along the way, he merely took a cursory look, only feeling that the customs and scenery of Chuncheng were quite different from those of Sanwu City.