Chapter 46: Great Victory, Summoning, Murder and Robbery

## The Human World

## The Human World

Qin Sang, in high spirits, summoned the Ice Silkworm Armor, drew a sharp sword from his side, and thrust it forward with all his might.

To his surprise, as soon as the sword tip touched the armor, it automatically slid to the side. This happened repeatedly, and the armor remained completely unmarked.

What a treasure!

Qin Sang couldn't put it down. After studying it for a long time, he discovered that when he wore the Ice Silkworm Armor and fully activated it with spiritual energy, a thin, ice-crystal-like mist would appear around his body, enveloping him completely. Its defensive capabilities seemed even more remarkable this way.

Furthermore, this Ice Silkworm Armor consumed far less spiritual energy than the Purple Soul Bell, allowing Qin Sang to sustain its effects for a long time.

This greatly delighted Qin Sang. With this armor, he wouldn't fear capsizing even if he encountered a Xiantian master like Reverend Yuanjue in the future.

"Reporting to the General, someone claiming to be the Princess's messenger has arrived with a secret letter and requests an audience with you!"

Qin Sang, who had been cultivating, was awakened by the personal guards outside the door. He frowned and pushed the door open.

The morning sun was just rising, casting dazzling light at the end of Ling Shui River. A lingering burnt smell permeated the air within Raven's Mouth City.

Ten days after encountering the young man named Han, they finally cleared the ancient path. Discovering Raven's Mouth's defenses were unexpectedly weak, Qin Sang seized the opportunity. After a brief rest, he immediately led three battalions of soldiers directly to Raven's Mouth.

The Raven's Mouth defenders, unprepared for an enemy attack from the rear, panicked and surrendered after minimal resistance.

Unexpectedly, the usurper emperor's forces reacted swiftly. Just three days after Qin Sang occupied Raven's Mouth, they amassed troops and launched a naval assault. Since General Feng's main army had not yet arrived, Qin Sang, with no other choice, held out for several days before burning all the granaries and retreating into the mountains.

Even so, this did not affect the final outcome. The Ancient Spirit Pass defenders, lacking provisions and with their supply lines cut off, soon mutinied internally. A high-ranking general willingly became an inside informant and opened the city gates to surrender.

With the overall situation decided, Qin Sang and General Feng combined their forces, gathered the scattered troops of the usurper emperor, and pacified the region. Their combined military strength was now greater than the combined might of the former Xuanwei and Xiaoyong battalions.

The victory report had been sent back half a month ago. He wondered why the Princess had sent a messenger with a secret letter.

Meeting the messenger, Qin Sang took the secret letter, read it carefully, and pondered for a long time.

The letter stated that King Dongyang was greatly pleased upon hearing of the major victory.

The Xuanwei Battalion would be renamed the Victorious Battalion, Deputy General Feng would be promoted to Left Commandant of the Victorious Battalion, and Qin Sang would be promoted to Right Commandant of the Valiant Battalion, succeeding the former Commandant Mu. All meritorious officials mentioned in the victory report would also receive substantial rewards.

Additionally, the King greatly valued Qin Sang, and the Crown Prince had also spoken many good words on Qin Sang's behalf before the King. The King intended to summon Qin Sang in Zhaoyang Prefecture, and the Princess instructed him to meet the King in Zhaoyang Prefecture before taking up his new post.

Although the letter simply stated facts, Qin Sang could discern many unspoken implications.

Would the Crown Prince really be so kind as to speak well of him?

Qin Sang scoffed inwardly. News of his encounter with an immortal had long spread throughout the camp. There were all sorts of rumors, but the story about the immortal master bestowing a treasure upon him was remarkably consistent and widely believed.

He doubted the Crown Prince had no secret agents in the Xuanwei Battalion.

With the Ice Silkworm Armor protecting him, Qin Sang naturally wasn't afraid of any schemes. If anyone dared to make a move, he'd cut off their claws and show them what pain truly was!

"Chuanzong, prepare the horses!"

Qin Sang selected Wu Chuanzong, Shui Houzi, and other generals who were to accompany him to the Valiant Battalion. After bidding farewell to Commandant Feng, he first rode back to Pingshan Prefecture before heading directly to Zhaoyang Prefecture.

King Dongyang's temporary palace was located in Ming City, which bordered Zhaoyang and Xitai Prefectures. Qin Sang rode tirelessly, arriving in Ming City after ten days.

However, upon entering Ming City, Qin Sang did not rush to meet the King. Instead, he instructed Shui Houzi to report to the Princess first, while he found lodging, locked the doors, and entered seclusion to break through his cultivation bottleneck.

He had no shortage of Soul Pills and cultivated relentlessly. He finally felt the bottleneck of the fourth layer of the *Underworld Scripture*. Unsure how difficult this breakthrough would be, Qin Sang felt a little anxious.

Unexpectedly, Qin Sang encountered little difficulty this time, successfully breaking through in just two days. The *Underworld Scripture*'s erratic behavior secretly puzzled Qin Sang.

"Qin Sang greets the King and the Crown Prince."

After his breakthrough, Qin Sang went to meet the Princess, who then led him into the temporary palace.

King Dongyang had not yet claimed the imperial title, so he was still addressed as "King."

"I heard General Qin entered Ming City three days ago, yet only now comes to see my royal father. Has something troublesome occurred?" the Crown Prince asked, feigning concern.

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty," Qin Sang replied calmly. "After receiving your summons, I rode day and night. Covered in dust and looking quite disheveled, I feared disturbing Your Majesty. I came to pay my respects only after resting and recovering."

The King, around fifty years old with a wisp of a goatee and the appearance of a scholar, laughed heartily upon hearing this. "This King is also a rough man who fights on horseback; why would I be startled by you? Come, offer General Qin a seat and tea. General Qin is wise and brave, repeatedly achieving extraordinary merits. With General Qin's assistance, what great endeavor could this King not accomplish?"

Qin Sang bowed slightly. "I dare not! For a humble commoner like me to reach this position today is entirely due to the King's and Princess's guidance and care. I dare not claim any credit."

As Qin Sang finished speaking, he noticed a fleeting expression of displeasure on the Crown Prince's face but pretended not to see it.

King Dongyang smiled faintly, patted Princess Dongyang's hand beside him, and said affectionately, "Anning indeed has unique discernment, but General Qin, you should not undervalue yourself either."

"Exactly," the Crown Prince suddenly interjected. "Even an immortal master values General Qin; it's clear he is a true prodigy! I heard that before the immortal master departed, he bestowed a treasure upon General Qin. Would it be possible to bring it out and allow my royal father and I to feast our eyes upon it?"

Here it comes!

Sensing the greed in the Crown Prince's gaze, Qin Sang inwardly scoffed.

As long as his spiritual sense enveloped the Ice Silkworm Armor, he could retract it with a thought, so bringing it out for viewing was not a problem. However, he couldn't simply hand it over the moment the Crown Prince asked.

Qin Sang glanced at the Princess, who snuggled against King Dongyang and said sweetly, "Royal Father, Anning cherishes every treasure you bestow and rarely takes them out to admire, for fear of damaging them and incurring your displeasure. I've heard that those immortal masters are all eccentric and prone to anger, ready to strike or kill at the slightest disagreement. If they were to get angry because of this and vent their wrath on us, wouldn't it be a loss outweighing the gain?"

King Dongyang hesitated for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Since those items were given to Anning, you may dispose of them as you wish. They are merely external objects; how could I blame you? However, Anning is right. Since it was bestowed upon General Qin by an immortal master, General Qin must take good care of it and not treat it lightly."

"Your subordinate obeys!"

After dining at King Dongyang's temporary palace, he had a secret discussion at the Princess's residence that night. The next day, Qin Sang took his tiger tally and other items, rode out of the city, and headed to Guize Prefecture to take up his new post at the Valiant Battalion.

He galloped on horseback for an entire day, continuing his journey through the night. As he rode into a mountain forest, Qin Sang suddenly heard a sharp whistle. He sharply reined in his horse and said coldly, "Beware, assassins!"