Chapter 41: Mutation

**The Mortal World**

Qin Sang lightly kicked off, soaring onto a treetop, and then descended to meet him.

"Old Zhou, what's going on?"

"General Qin!"

Water Monkey's face brightened with joy upon seeing Qin Sang. He exclaimed, "I just received a message via carrier pigeon. The Governor-General has ordered General Qin to immediately evacuate Guling Mountain with his men, returning to the main camp within three days."

Qin Sang frowned upon hearing this. "What's the reason? Am I to return alone, or is everyone required to evacuate?"

Water Monkey closed the distance in a few bounds, pulling a letter wrapped in oiled paper from his tunic. "The letter instructs the general to withdraw everyone. It doesn't state a reason."

Qin Sang took the letter and read it thoroughly. It was indeed an order for him to withdraw all scouts from Guling Mountain within two days. The phrasing was considerably more stringent than Water Monkey had conveyed.

Holding the letter, Qin Sang surveyed the desolate mountains around him, his mind filled with questions.

Currently, Prince Dongyang had already captured Xitai Commandery. All major armies were mobilizing, heading directly for the three commanderies surrounding the imperial capital. The Xuanwei Army had been in Guize Commandery for two months, conquering several cities consecutively. Their current target was Duya Crossing.

Duya Crossing was actually a considerable city, originally a ferry crossing on the Ling River, which had gradually developed over time.

The Ling River was the largest river in Guize Commandery, running diagonally through the entire commandery from northwest to southeast. Although not as wide as the Wuling River, it flowed continuously year-round and had never dried up. Both troop movements and logistical supplies relied on the Ling River.

Due to the convenience of the crossing, the defenders' largest granary was now situated at Duya Crossing.

Capturing Duya Crossing and cutting off the Ling River would isolate the seven cities downstream, effectively severing their lifelines and leaving them no option but surrender.

Originally, it would have been impossible for the Xuanwei Army to attack Duya Crossing directly, as a massive mountain range called Guling Mountain lay to its south.

To attack Duya Crossing, they would have to traverse Guling Mountain.

Guling Mountain was rugged and densely forested, utterly desolate. Legend had it that even birds could not fly over it.

Aside from hunters venturing into the mountains, ordinary people who entered would surely become lost and never emerge alive, let alone an entire army.

According to the original plan, they were to advance hundreds of miles eastward, detour around Guling Pass, and then attack the seven cities downstream of the Ling River, one by one.

At this time, Guling Pass was heavily fortified and prepared for battle. Such an assault would not only be time-consuming but also incur heavy casualties.

A few days prior, when the Xuanwei Army captured the small town at the foot of Guling Mountain, Qin Sang learned from an old man, a former Guling Mountain hunter, that an ancient path once existed within the mountain. Local legend claimed it was carved by the founding emperor of the previous dynasty during his military campaigns, later falling into disuse and remaining largely unknown for nearly a thousand years.

Qin Sang reported the information about the ancient path and was subsequently ordered to lead scouts into Guling Mountain to investigate. He had only just entered and deployed his scouts when he received the order to return.

The letter bore the commander's seal, confirming it as a legitimate military order.

Wu Chuanzong, who had remained at the main camp, had not sent word in advance. This suggested it was a sudden decision made by the Xuanwei Army's high command.

Seeing Qin Sang's troubled expression, Water Monkey, knowing that gathering all the dispersed scouts would take more than a day or two, asked, "General, what should we do now?"

Qin Sang pondered for a moment before saying, "Old Zhou, send word to Zheng Kun and Zhang Wenku immediately. All personnel are to be placed under their command; they will remain in Guling Mountain and continue the search for the ancient path. You will accompany me back to the main camp."

"Understood!"

Under a torrential downpour, they rode through the night without rest. Leaving Guling Mountain, they didn't reach the main camp until Chenshi (7-9 AM) the next day.

Outside the main camp, Qin Sang immediately sensed that something was amiss. An unusually grim atmosphere permeated the military camp, and patrols were significantly stricter than usual.

Both were dusty from their journey. After changing into his armor, Qin Sang was about to seek out Wu Chuanzong in the camp when he found Wu Chuanzong already waiting for him outside.

"Sir! Deputy General Feng personally came to me and instructed that you report to him immediately upon your return to the main camp."

Qin Sang nodded and asked, "Have you found out what happened?"

Wu Chuanzong said with shame, "I am incompetent. The central army camp was suddenly sealed off late the day before yesterday, and has been heavily guarded for twelve hours. No one is permitted to approach without orders, under pain of death. I have inquired everywhere but have been unable to obtain any accurate information."

Qin Sang noticed Wu Chuanzong's haggard face and dark circles under his eyes. He knew Wu had done his utmost and that any upheaval in the central army camp would be beyond his knowledge. Patting his shoulder, he reassured him, "This is not your fault. Go get some rest first. I'll go see Deputy General Feng."

As he walked through the camp, Qin Sang observed the endless lines of soldiers, feeling a quiet sense of unease and a touch of hesitation.

He hadn't received any message from the Princess, so the issue was likely not with the rear defenses.

Nevertheless, even if a mutiny were to erupt in the central army camp, the danger would be considerable.

Qin Sang considered himself no longer a mere mortal, yet against hundreds of powerful crossbows, he could only close his eyes and face a gruesome end.

As he neared the central army camp, Qin Sang hesitated briefly. He secretly summoned Yama, covering the entity with a wisp of his spiritual sense, and sent it to infiltrate the camp.

Yama silently swept through the camp. There was no scene of hidden dangers as he had imagined. He then guided Yama towards Deputy General Feng's tent.

Deputy General Feng was inside his tent, with no hidden guards or assassins lurking nearby. Only then did Qin Sang feel reassured.

By this time, he had reached the central army camp gate. He presented his waist token, and despite his rank as a Brigade General, he was still required to be announced to Deputy General Feng before being granted entry.

"Your humble subordinate salutes General Feng!"

Spotting Deputy General Feng approaching from a distance, Qin Sang immediately saluted.

"Brother Qin!"

Deputy General Feng quickly took a few steps, grasping Qin Sang's arm, his expression urgent. "You're finally back! Come with me quickly!"

The two entered Deputy General Feng's tent, arm in arm. Deputy General Feng cautiously glanced outside before lowering his voice to reveal a shocking piece of news: "The Governor-General has suddenly fallen gravely ill and is in a coma. He is now on the brink of death and may not last more than a few days!"

Qin Sang gasped in surprise. The Xuanwei Army had two Governor-Generals: Wang Liu, the Right Governor-General, and the Left Governor-General, who was the true commander. This man was renowned for his military strategy, skillful troop movements, and strict discipline.

The Left Governor-General was Prince Dongyang's confidant, loyal only to the Prince. Before him, discussions were limited strictly to matters of military importance. He maintained a neutral stance regarding the rivalry between the Crown Prince and the Princess.

With his restraint, Wang Liu dared not act recklessly or resort to schemes against Qin Sang.

Qin Sang took out the military order. "I only received this letter yesterday. Who is using the commander's seal?"

Deputy General Feng's face contorted with anger. "Before the Governor-General fell into a coma, he entrusted all military matters to Wang Liu, including the commander's seal and the tiger tally... he gave them all to him!"

Qin Sang was silent.

The current situation was now quite clear: Prince Dongyang's ascension to the throne was merely a matter of time. Even within the provisional court, discussions about the Crown Prince's succession had begun.

For the position of Crown Prince, apart from the Crown Prince himself, only the Princess was eligible to contend.

However, since the founding of the Great Sui dynasty, there had never been a precedent of a "hen crowing at dawn"—a woman holding ultimate power. It was therefore obvious which side these individuals would favor.

When in Hening County, True Master Black Crane had secretly allied himself with the Crown Prince.

At the Left Governor-General's dying moments, it was only natural for him to transfer military authority to Wang Liu, thereby currying favor with the Crown Prince and securing a favorable future for his descendants.