Chapter 42

"Would Commander Wang dare to change the military strategy agreed upon by all the generals based on personal likes and dislikes without any reason?"

If they could find the ancient path and capture Raven’s Mouth, and then take seven cities in succession, it would certainly be a remarkable achievement. With this merit, Qin Sang could be directly promoted to Commander, and no one would dare to object.

Qin Sang knew that Wang Liu looked at him unfavorably and definitely did not want him to achieve any merit.

"It’s not without reason," Deputy Commander Feng sighed lightly. "The day before yesterday, the soldiers caught a herbalist who had gone into the mountains to gather medicine. He said that a few days ago, there was a great earthquake in the depths of Guling Mountain, causing the mountains to shake and beasts to flee. It lasted for half a day. This became Wang Liu’s excuse. Wang Liu claimed that even if there is an ancient path in Guling Mountain, it has been buried by rocks and is useless. Investigating it would only waste military time."

"Was it a dragon stirring underground?" Qin Sang frowned, as he had just entered Guling Mountain and had just begun his mission, so he did not know about this.

"It wasn’t..."

Deputy Commander Feng’s tone was somewhat strange. "The herbalist swore he saw two immortals flying overhead, and that the immortals were battling in Guling Mountain, causing the earthquake."

"Did he really see the immortals?"

Qin Sang’s eyes suddenly lit up.

Deputy Commander Feng sneered, "Little Brother Qin, don’t listen to the herbalist’s nonsense. My wife is from the nearby area, and there has never been any legend of immortals in Guling Mountain. This herbalist originally had several companions, all of whom were killed by tigers and wolves. Only he managed to escape, his face full of terror. He must have been scared out of his wits. Wang Liu isn’t stupid; he’s just using this as an excuse to target you and me."

Qin Sang did not comment, thinking for a moment before saying, "Can I see that herbalist?"

Deputy Commander Feng misunderstood, "You want to use him as a breakthrough? He’s currently being held by Wang Liu’s men, so it might not be easy..."

Before he could finish, footsteps were heard outside. A voice said, "General Feng, is it General Qin who has returned? I am ordered by the Commander to invite General Qin to the main tent for a meeting."

Qin Sang and Deputy Commander Feng exchanged a glance, realizing that Wang Liu was already impatient.

Following Wang Liu’s personal guard, Qin Sang entered the main tent. The first thing he heard was a burst of laughter. Looking up, he saw Wang Liu sitting behind the desk, flanked by two women.

Wang Liu was behaving frivolously, his hands in unknown places, with two beautiful maidservants clinging to him. One was pouring wine, the other was serving food, and he was enjoying himself immensely.

"Your subordinate greets the Commander."

Qin Sang bowed, but Wang Liu seemed not to hear, continuing to play with the maidservants, his lewd words and obscene language unbearable to hear.

Qin Sang stood silently, his face expressionless.

"Oh! It’s General Qin!"

After ignoring Qin Sang for a while, Wang Liu seemed to notice him, feigning surprise with a sarcastic tone, "General Qin is a dragon among men, already a Commander before the age of twenty. You should all try to befriend him. If you can become sworn siblings, or even husband and wife, you will rise to prominence and won’t have to flatter me anymore! Isn’t that right, General Qin!"

The two women giggled and protested.

These two women had a strong air of the underworld. Wang Liu’s suggestion to form a sworn relationship was a deliberate insult to Qin Sang.

Qin Sang’s face remained calm, "Commander, you jest. Qin Sang dares not."

"Dares not? Why wouldn’t you dare?"

Wang Liu smiled with a playful look, "If General Qin achieves another great feat like in Hening County, I would have to step down and let you take my place. What would you be afraid of then? Unfortunately, those so-called immortals, who are usually elusive, just happened to fight at this time, ruining General Qin’s plans. Isn’t that disappointing? Ha ha..."

Qin Sang adopted an indifferent attitude, and after a while, Wang Liu found his taunts uninteresting. His expression changed, and he said sternly, "No more talk about the ancient path. Don’t try to fool me with such intelligence in the future! I now order you to infiltrate Guling Pass to gather intelligence. If you fail, you will be executed without mercy!"

Qin Sang’s eyes flickered. Guling Pass was heavily guarded, and entering to gather intelligence was akin to a death sentence.

"Your subordinate obeys!"

Qin Sang accepted the order and left the tent, glancing back deeply.

After walking around the camp for a while, Qin Sang returned to his own tent and whispered a few words to Water Monkey. Water Monkey left on his mission, and Qin Sang sat in the tent, deep in thought, before focusing on cultivating the *Yinming Scripture*.

A whole day passed, the clouds cleared, and dusk fell.

Water Monkey hurried back to the tent, holding a piece of paper and whispering, "General Qin, Zheng Kun has sent a message. Three days ago, there was indeed a tremor in Guling Mountain, but they did not find anyone who saw the immortals. Additionally, a group of scouts discovered a location that might be the ancient path, and Zhang Wenkui is personally investigating it."

Qin Sang took the paper, glanced at it, and burned it on the candle stand. He waved his hand, "I know. You may go."

Night.

Outside the tent, only the footsteps of the patrolling soldiers could be heard. Qin Sang stopped his cultivation, and the firelight outside illuminated his unusually bright eyes.

Qin Sang took out the Yama Banner, attaching his consciousness to Yama. Closing his eyes slightly, he commanded Yama to sneak into Wang Liu’s tent, as if his eyes were on Yama’s body, a very peculiar feeling.

The central camp was not large, and it was easy to find Wang Liu’s tent. The guards outside never suspected that a malevolent spirit was sneaking in right under their noses.

Seeing the scene inside the tent, Qin Sang’s brows furrowed deeply.

There were now three people in the tent, but the two women from earlier were gone, replaced by a young girl and a young woman. The girl was tied up, her face full of fear and even despair.

Wang Liu held a wine cup, leering as he forced her to drink.

The young woman was fierce, shaking her head and refusing to drink. She bit her lip until it bled, and after being forced to drink a few sips, she spat at Wang Liu, earning herself a harsh slap.

"Filthy bitch, you refuse the wine and drink the punishment!"

Wang Liu flew into a rage. The young woman, like a snake, clung to Wang Liu, her voice seductive, "General, please calm down. The girl is ignorant and has offended you. I will help you calm down..."

Wang Liu took a large gulp of the medicinal wine on the table, pinching the young woman hard, "You know your place. Make me comfortable first. If you serve me well, I will release your dead husband after the mission is complete, so you can be reunited. Ha ha..."

The young woman nodded repeatedly, serving him willingly, tears in her eyes.

Qin Sang watched coldly, recognizing the young woman’s identity.

Recently, the Xuanwei Camp had captured a small city before Guling Mountain. The county magistrate, after being captured, refused to surrender and was dragged to death behind a horse. The young woman was the magistrate’s wife.

In an instant, Wang Liu grunted, trembling. Yama seized the opportunity and pounced.

...

At midnight, the Xuanwei Camp was brightly lit, and all the generals, including Qin Sang, gathered in front of the main tent.

Wang Liu’s body was covered with a white cloth, and his personal guards knelt on the ground, trembling with fear, some even wetting their pants.