Chapter 46

Qin Sang, in high spirits, summoned the Ice Silk Armor and drew a sharp sword from the side, thrusting it out with all his might.

Unexpectedly, as the tip of the sword just touched the armor, it automatically swerved to one side. This happened several times, and the armor showed not a single scratch.

Indeed, a fine treasure!

Qin Sang, unable to put it down, studied it for a long time and discovered that when he wore the Ice Silk Armor and used his full spiritual energy to activate it, a layer of ice-like mist would envelop his body, enhancing his defensive capabilities even further.

Moreover, the Ice Silk Armor consumed much less spiritual energy than the Purple Soul Bell, allowing Qin Sang to sustain it for a long time.

This greatly delighted Qin Sang. With this armor, he would no longer fear being caught off guard by先天 experts like Master Yuanjue in the future.

...

"General, a man claims to be a messenger from the princess, bearing a secret letter and requesting an audience with you!"

Qin Sang was in the middle of cultivation when he was awakened by the guard outside the door. He frowned and went out.

The morning sun was just rising, and the end of the Ling River was shining brilliantly. The air in the city of Deya Kou was filled with a burnt smell that lingered for a long time.

After meeting the young man surnamed Han, it took them ten more days to clear the ancient path. They found the garrison at Deya Kou unusually sparse. Seizing the opportunity, Qin Sang took a brief rest and immediately led three battalions of soldiers to attack Deya Kou.

The garrison at Deya Kou did not expect the enemy to appear from behind. In a panic, they put up a brief resistance before surrendering entirely.

However, the false emperor's garrison reacted very quickly. On the third day after Qin Sang occupied Deya Kou, they gathered their forces and attacked by boat. At this time, General Feng's main army had not yet arrived. Qin Sang, with no choice, held out for several days and then burned all the grain stores before retreating into the mountains.

Even so, it did not affect the final outcome. The garrison at Guling Pass, lacking food and with their supply lines cut, soon experienced internal unrest, and a general defected and opened the city to surrender.

With the situation under control, Qin Sang and General Feng combined their forces, gathered the remnants of the false emperor's army, and pacified the region. Their combined forces were even stronger than the combined forces of the Xuanwei and Xiaoyong battalions.

The news of victory had been sent back half a month ago, but Qin Sang did not know why the princess had sent a messenger with a secret letter.

Upon meeting the messenger, Qin Sang read the letter carefully and pondered for a long time.

The letter stated that the Prince of Dongyang, upon hearing of the great victory, was greatly pleased.

The Xuanwei Battalion would be renamed the Desheng Battalion, and Deputy General Feng would be promoted to the Left Commander of the Desheng Battalion. Qin Sang would be promoted to the Right Commander of the Xiaoyong Battalion, taking over the position of the original Commander Mu. The officers mentioned in the victory report would also receive substantial rewards.

Additionally, the prince highly regarded Qin Sang, and the crown prince had spoken well of him to the prince. The prince wished to meet Qin Sang in Zhaoyang County before he took up his new post.

The letter stated the facts, but Qin Sang could read many unspoken implications.

Would the crown prince be so kind as to speak well of him?

Qin Sang sneered inwardly. The news of his encounter with a immortal had already spread in the camp, with various rumors circulating. However, the story of the immortal master bestowing him a treasure was the most consistent and vivid.

Qin Sang did not believe the crown prince had no spies in the Xuanwei Battalion.

With the Ice Silk Armor protecting him, Qin Sang was not afraid of any plots or tricks. If anyone dared to extend a hand, he would cut it off and show them what pain truly was.

"Chuanzong, prepare the horses!"

Qin Sang selected Wu Chuanzong, Shui Houzi, and other officers to accompany him to the Xiaoyong Battalion. After bidding farewell to Commander Feng, he rode back to Pingshan County and then headed straight for Zhaoyang County.

The Prince of Dongyang's palace was located in Mingcheng, at the border between Zhaoyang County and Xitai County. Qin Sang rode without stopping and reached Mingcheng in ten days.

However, after entering Mingcheng, Qin Sang did not rush to meet the prince. Instead, he instructed Shui Houzi to report to the princess first, while he found a place to stay, locked the door, and entered a closed cultivation session.

He had enough soul pills and had been cultivating non-stop, finally feeling the bottleneck of the fourth level of the "Yuming Scripture." He was somewhat anxious about the difficulty of this breakthrough.

Unexpectedly, this time Qin Sang did not feel much difficulty. He successfully broke through in just two days. The unpredictable nature of the "Yuming Scripture" made Qin Sang secretly wonder.

...

"Qin Sang pays respects to the prince and the crown prince."

After breaking through, Qin Sang went to meet the princess, who then led him into the palace.

The Prince of Dongyang had not yet declared himself emperor and was still referred to as the prince.

"Qin General, I heard you arrived in Mingcheng three days ago but only came to see me now. Did you encounter any trouble?" the crown prince asked, feigning concern.

"Please forgive me, Your Highness," Qin Sang replied calmly, "I was summoned and rode day and night, covered in dust and looking quite disheveled. I feared disturbing Your Highness, so I waited until I had recovered before coming to pay my respects."

The prince, who was about fifty years old with a goatee and a scholarly appearance, laughed heartily. "I am also a rough man who rides horses and fights battles. Would I be scared by you? Come, give Qin General a seat and some tea. Qin General is both wise and brave, having achieved many remarkable feats. With Qin General's assistance, how can I fail to achieve my great cause?"

Qin Sang bowed slightly. "I dare not! I am a commoner who has achieved what I have today only because of the guidance and care of Your Highness and the princess. I do not dare to claim credit."

After speaking, Qin Sang noticed a fleeting look of displeasure on the crown prince's face but pretended not to see it.

The Prince of Dongyang smiled and patted the hand of the Princess of Dongyang, saying affectionately, "Anning indeed has a keen eye, but Qin General should not undervalue yourself."

"Indeed," the crown prince suddenly interjected, "Even the immortal master values Qin General, showing that he is truly a remarkable talent! I heard that before leaving, the immortal master bestowed a treasure upon Qin General. Could you show it to us, so that Your Highness and I can have a look?"

Here it comes!

Feeling the greed in the crown prince's gaze, Qin Sang inwardly sneered.

As long as his divine sense covered the Ice Silk Armor, he could recall it with a thought. Even if he took it out for viewing, it would be fine, but he couldn't just hand it over at the crown prince's request.

Qin Sang glanced at the princess and saw her lean against the Prince of Dongyang, saying in a soft voice, "Father, every treasure you bestow upon Anning, she cherishes greatly and dares not take out for viewing, for fear of damaging it and incurring your wrath. I've heard that the immortal masters have peculiar temperaments and can easily become angry, which could lead to our misfortune. Wouldn't that be a loss?"

The Prince of Dongyang hesitated for a moment, then laughed heartily. "Since I have bestowed these treasures upon Anning, you may do as you please with them. They are just external objects, and I would not blame you. However, Anning is right. Since the immortal master bestowed it upon Qin General, he must take good care of it and not neglect it."

"Understood, Your Highness!"

After dining at the Prince of Dongyang's palace, Qin Sang had a secret meeting at the princess's residence that night. The next day, he left the city with the tiger talisman and other items, heading to Guize County to take up his new post in the Xiaoyong Battalion.

He rode hard all day and continued through the night. When he reached a forest, Qin Sang suddenly heard a sharp whistle. He yanked the reins and said coldly, "Be on guard, there are assassins!"