Chapter 5

After finally coaxing Chun Tao back, Bai Jianglan ordered someone to help Qin Sang up.

"Brother Qin, Miss Chun Tao was just worried about the young lady's safety. It was a last resort, so don't take it to heart. I'll have you rest in the aft cabin for the night. I'll send some food over later, and when we reach the Three Witches City dock, I'll have you disembark. Three Witches City is a major thoroughfare, a place where merchants must pass through. Perhaps you'll find a fellow townsman there..."

Qin Sang was deeply grateful. He remembered the two money pouches he had and took them out, saying, "Brother Bai, I owe you my life, and I have nothing to repay you with. This gold and silver is from the two bandits I killed. I hope you won't mind the dirt..."

"Oh!"

Bai Jianglan's face showed displeasure as he pushed Qin Sang's hand back.

"In the past, my martial arts were weak, and I relied on the help of righteous people to survive. Now, I'm just following the example of the sages. Don't mention money again, or I'll throw you off the ship!"

Qin Sang's face turned awkward as he supported himself with his hand.

The person helping him laughed, "Old Bai's annual salary is over a thousand taels of silver. Do you think he would covet your money? You earned it with your life, so keep it to marry a wife when you get home."

The aft cabin was divided into several rooms, originally for the crew to rest. Now, it was filled with miscellaneous items. They found a relatively clean room, which was piled with hay. A bedroll was sent down, and although it was simple, it was something Qin Sang hadn't dared to dream of for months.

After settling Qin Sang, Bai Jianglan returned to the ship. Soon, someone brought down a set of old clothes and hot food. Qin Sang devoured the food, but didn't really taste it.

After changing into the clothes and wrapping himself in the bedroll, Qin Sang spent a long time lost in thought before finally falling into a deep sleep.

Before falling asleep, he touched the blackwood sword and a few items in his chest, resisting the urge to take them out and look.

...

He had a dreamless night.

Qin Sang opened his eyes, feeling the swaying of the cabin, and his spirit was more refreshed than ever.

His stomach growled, and he didn't know what time it was.

Qin Sang sat up, found a stick, and slowly stood up, using the stick to support himself. He was able to walk slowly, marveling at the power of his inner strength.

Step by step, he made his way to the ladder at the aft cabin. He heard a series of shouts from above, and a head appeared—it was the person who had helped him yesterday.

"Brother Qin is awake!"

The person jumped down and scolded, "Your leg isn't fully healed yet. Why did you get up by yourself? I was watching from above. If you called, I would have come down. Come, it's stuffy down here. Let me help you up. It's still early, and it's not time for breakfast yet. Chief Bai is teaching the brothers martial arts. We've already passed the Nine-Fold Gorge, and it's not far to Three Witches City. After breakfast, we can send you off..."

Qin Sang quietly observed this person, who was about his age, lively, and talkative.

"What should I call you, Brother?"

"My name is Zhou Ning. I'm a good swimmer, so they call me Water Monkey. After Three Witches City, the water slows down. Unfortunately, you'll have to disembark soon and won't get to taste the river fish I catch. Let me tell you, the Nine-Whisker Fish in the Wuling River is the freshest, but it doesn't take bait and can't be caught in nets. Only a few people, including me, can catch it..."

"Brother Zhou," Qin Sang quickly interrupted, seeing Zhou Ning's eyes light up as he talked about fishing, "I'm new to Three Witches City. Could you give me some pointers?"

"Of course!"

As they spoke, they climbed up to the deck.

It was dawn, and a thick fog had risen over the river, obscuring the green mountains on the shore. The deck was shrouded in white mist, and the river wind was cold.

On the deck, the strong men from yesterday were wearing standardized short jackets with a white 'Dong' character painted on their backs. They were not afraid of the cold and were practicing martial arts in formation, their heads steaming with sweat that mixed into the fog.

"Ninth Form: Angry Dragon Destroys the Mountain!"

Bai Jianglan held a short stick, his expression stern. If anyone made a mistake, they would receive a blow on their back, but no one cried out or resisted.

"Three Witches City controls the Wuling River system. Because of its location, people from the southwestern countries must pass through Three Witches City to reach the Great Sui. There are countless merchants, and all kinds of people. The first ferry is the most chaotic. Brother Qin, you don't have martial arts skills, so be careful when you disembark. Hide your money pouch well and don't show it. If you don't, you'll surely run into trouble. Find a fellow townsman and go home as soon as possible..."

Under Qin Sang's subtle guidance, Zhou Ning became even more enthusiastic and continued talking, and Qin Sang listened carefully.

It was then that Qin Sang realized this was no longer his hometown in Ning Country.

The Great Sui and Ning Country were neighbors, with the Great Sui located northeast of Ning Country. They were separated by several treacherous mountain ranges and the Wuling River, which had always been relatively peaceful.

The bandits had crossed the mountains and traveled north, but for unknown reasons.

The Wuling River branched out into several tributaries at Three Witches City, all of which were mighty. The entire Wuling River system flowed through several countries, making Three Witches City particularly unique.

Additionally, there was a royal palace in Three Witches City, where one of the eight princes of the Great Sui, the Water Governor Prince, resided.

With the Water Governor Prince's army, the city was stable, and merchants from various countries were willing to trade there.

The first ferry was the largest in Three Witches City. If Qin Sang wanted to return home, he could easily find fellow townspeople there.

While listening to Zhou Ning's chatter, Qin Sang's gaze kept returning to Bai Jianglan and his men. He gradually noticed something. The strict discipline reminded him of soldiers. Combined with what Chun Tao had mentioned last night about them being sent by a prince to protect the young lady, could these men be the prince's guards?

Qin Sang glanced at the flower hall. Zhou Ning had mentioned that the Great Sui had thirteen counties and eight princes, who were highly respected, second only to the emperor. He wondered what the young lady's status was, to warrant such protection from a prince.

"Zhou Ning!"

Zhou Ning snapped to attention, "Here!"

"Fall in!"

"Yes!"

Zhou Ning ran to his position, and Bai Jianglan walked over. Qin Sang struggled to stand and greet him, "Brother Bai..."

Bai Jianglan waved for Qin Sang to relax, "Did you sleep well? My brothers' basic skills might seem crude, but I hope Brother Qin doesn't mind."

"Those brothers are all heroes! I envy them so much! Brother Bai, if I start learning martial arts now, can I become as strong as you?"

Qin Sang said earnestly, as he truly admired and wanted to learn.

Bai Jianglan chuckled, "What am I? In the martial world, there are先天高手 (先天高手 means 'innate experts' or 'natural-born experts') who can project their true qi and generate sword beams with their inner strength. There's even a legend of an innate expert who killed a sage. That's what real strength is."

"Can a sage be killed by a martial artist?" Qin Sang was stunned and eagerly asked, "Brother Bai, have you seen a sage?"

Bai Jianglan shook his head, seeing through Qin Sang's intentions, and advised, "Sages are like dragons, seen but not fully revealed. How many have truly seen one? Countless people seek immortality, but most end up wasting their lives in the mountains, achieving nothing. Don't get obsessed and waste your youth."