Chapter 25

Chun Tao, in terms of height, figure, face shape, and even gait, was extremely similar to the Lady of Dongyang. There was a slight difference in temperament, but unless the two stood together for comparison, outsiders could hardly tell the difference.

Old Lady Li said, "Miss, this old woman and Chun Tao will return to Kuncheng first. After you finish your business, we will meet up in Kuncheng."

With that, Old Lady Li took Chun Tao, who had been disguised, and left.

Unexpectedly, as they passed by Qin Sang, Chun Tao suddenly stopped, looked at Qin Sang, and smiled, "Young Master Qin, I wonder what kind of wood your staff is made of, as it shines so brightly? My little brother at home also likes to play with staffs, but unfortunately, he has been weak and sickly since childhood, and our parents do not allow it. This time when I return, I was thinking of bringing one back as a gift for him."

Qin Sang was taken aback, not knowing why Chun Tao suddenly asked these questions.

Noticing the old woman's disapproving look and the Lady of Dongyang not stopping her, he replied, "In response to Miss Chun Tao, this staff is made from the core of ironwood, which grows in the southern country of Muzi. Miss Chun Tao can find merchants from Muzi to buy it."

"My little brother will definitely like it. I will thank Young Master Qin on his behalf."

Chun Tao's eyes twinkled, and she covered her mouth with a smile before following Old Lady Li out.

When getting into the carriage, Chun Tao almost slipped and was quickly steadied by Old Lady Li.

After sending her into the carriage, Old Lady Li called out, "Miss has ordered that we not go to the Three Witches City. Everyone, turn back and return to Kuncheng immediately."

The guards immediately mounted their horses, not asking for reasons, and silently turned back.

The carriage was silent. Chun Tao tightly covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face.

...

After Old Lady Li and the others had gone far, everyone came out of the forest, looking at the empty road ahead. The Lady of Dongyang was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked an old guard, "Old Yue, is what Chun Tao said true?"

Old Yue replied, "Miss, Chun Tao does indeed have a younger brother who has been sickly for a long time, nearly dying several times, and has been kept alive with medicine. Chun Tao's monthly allowance is all given to her family to buy medicine for her younger brother."

The Lady of Dongyang was puzzled, "What illness is it? Can't Imperial Physician Li treat it?"

"This..."

Old Yue hesitated for a moment and said, "Chun Tao seems to have asked... However, the imperial physicians in the mansion rarely leave the palace. Outside the mansion, only a few officials like the governor can afford to invite them, and ordinary families would need to spend a large sum of money to do so."

The Lady of Dongyang nodded, "After we return to the mansion, Old Yue, remember to take my order and invite an imperial physician to treat Chun Tao's younger brother. The consultation and medicine fees will be paid by the mansion... Then find a job for him in the mansion."

Old Yue said, "Thank you, Miss."

The Lady of Dongyang looked around and asked, "Commander Bai, is there a way out to the north from here?"

Bai Jianglan thought for a moment and nodded, "There is a small path through the mountains that leads to Linwu City. We can also bypass the city and gallop through to Yingsouth County in four days."

The Lady of Dongyang immediately decided, "Then let's go north. On the way, Old Yue, send a message to have my father send people to Yingsouth County to meet us."

...

Bai Jianglan led the way, and Qin Sang and Shuimoni followed silently. The group galloped along the small path.

It was clear that Bai Jianglan was very familiar with the area, constantly changing directions and paths, making it dizzying. That night, they passed by Linwu City without entering.

Late at night, Bai Jianglan chose a mountain hollow to rest.

They were all skilled, quickly bringing back game and roasting it by the fire. Old Yue personally fetched mountain spring water and ate dry, hard biscuits to fill their stomachs. The Lady of Dongyang swallowed with difficulty but still finished her meal bite by bite.

They had been fleeing all day and had not seen anyone chasing them. Qin Sang guessed that even if the Jiangshan Tower had not given up the assassination, they might have been lured away by the decoys.

He wondered how many of the decoys would survive.

That day, Chun Tao's last smile kept replaying in Qin Sang's mind, making him sigh inwardly. The cruelty of this world was more naked than in his previous life.

Forced to spend the night in the mountains, Qin Sang had no guard duty and casually found a tree to lean against and rest.

By the campfire, the Lady of Dongyang lay on her side, covered with clothes, not moving for a long time, seemingly asleep. Old Yue sat beside her.

Bai Jianglan and Shuimoni set up some simple traps.

Qin Sang couldn't sleep and couldn't practice with so many people around, so he sank his mind into his body and visualized his soul.

Since the jade Buddha drove away the evil spirit, Qin Sang almost always came in to ponder after practicing every night, but no matter how he tried, the jade Buddha never appeared again, only the faint yellow light remained.

After the jade Buddha appeared, Qin Sang didn't feel any changes in his practice of the "Yuming Sutra." It seemed that the jade Buddha only acted to save him when he was in danger, otherwise, it didn't even bother to look.

Full of hope, Qin Sang gradually accepted reality, attributing it to his low cultivation level.

The night was cold.

Qin Sang wrapped himself tightly in his clothes, closed his eyes, and pretended to sleep. He heard footsteps and opened his eyes to see Shuimoni Zhou Ning walking over.

"Brother Qin, have a drink," Shuimoni handed him a small gourd and winked.

Qin Sang uncapped it, and a strong aroma of alcohol filled the air. Seeing no one was paying attention, he quickly took a big gulp. Although his body was very strong and not afraid of the cold, the fiery liquor still felt comforting as it went down his throat.

"Thank you, Brother Zhou!"

Qin Sang handed the gourd back and smiled, "Brother Zhou, you'll be able to catch river fish for us in the future."

Shuimoni chuckled and stood beside Qin Sang. He was not as talkative as usual and had not said much on the journey. He looked up at the night sky and suddenly asked in a low voice, "Brother Qin, why haven't you returned home for a year? Don't you miss your parents?"

Qin Sang sighed, "What's the point of missing them? Returning to the village means a hard life. Coming out might lead to success and allow them to enjoy wealth and honor."

Shuimoni looked unconvinced, "Brother Qin, you are wrong. What parents care about most is you. Reuniting with your family is the right thing to do. Wealth and honor mean nothing..."

As they were talking, Qin Sang's eyes suddenly changed. He straightened up and looked up at the dense branches overhead, shouting, "Someone! Be careful!"

Before he finished speaking, the shadow beside the Lady of Dongyang twisted, and a black figure lunged at her.

Fortunately, Old Yue was right beside the Lady of Dongyang. The moment the assassin appeared, Old Yue drew the sword lying across his knees, leaped into the air like a hawk, and blocked the assassin's path. The sword glinted like a dragon, aiming for the assassin's vital points.

Unexpectedly, the assassin did not dodge but instead sped up even more.

"Thud!"

The sword easily pierced the assassin's waist, but the assassin's speed did not slow down. It rushed straight to Old Yue, opened its mouth, and a cold light shot toward Old Yue's face.

The assassin seemed to feel no pain.

Staring into a pair of lifeless eyes, Old Yue felt a chill and quickly dodged the hidden arrow. He tried to pull back the sword but was pinned by the assassin's bones.