Gateway of Immortality

Qin Sang knew that Wang Liu disliked him and definitely didn’t want him to earn any credit.

"It’s not entirely without reason." Deputy Commander Feng sighed. "A few days ago, a soldier captured a local herb gatherer in the mountains. The medicine gatherer claimed that there was a massive earthquake deep within Guling Mountain a few days ago, shaking the entire range and causing all the animals to flee. The tremors lasted for most of the day, and this became Wang Liu’s excuse. Wang Liu declared that even if there was an ancient path in Guling Mountain, it must have been buried under the rubble, making it useless and only delaying military operations."

"Was it an earthquake?" Qin Sang frowned, realizing that he had only just entered Guling Mountain and wasn’t aware of this event.

"No, not exactly..."

Deputy Commander Feng’s tone became somewhat peculiar. "The herb gatherer swore that he saw two immortals flying overhead, claiming that it was their battle that caused the earthquake in Guling Mountain."

"Did he really see immortals?"

Qin Sang’s eyes suddenly lit up.

Deputy Commander Feng sneered. "Brother Qin, don’t listen to that herb gatherer’s nonsense. My wife’s family is from the nearby area, and there have never been any legends of immortals in Guling Mountain. This herb gatherer had a few companions, but they all perished at the mouths of tigers and wolves, leaving him as the sole survivor. He escaped with a terrified expression, likely driven mad by fear. Wang Liu isn’t stupid; he might be using this tale to target us."

Qin Sang didn’t comment but instead pondered for a moment. "Can I meet this herb gatherer?"

Deputy Commander Feng misunderstood his intent. "You want to use him as a breakthrough point? He’s currently being held by Wang Liu’s men, so it might be difficult..."

Before he could finish speaking, footsteps approached from outside. Someone called out, "General Feng, is General Qin back? I am here on orders from the military commander to request General Qin’s presence in the central tent for a meeting."

Qin Sang exchanged a glance with Deputy Commander Feng, realizing that Wang Liu couldn’t wait any longer.

Following Wang Liu’s personal guards, Qin Sang entered the central tent. As he stepped inside, the first thing he heard was a burst of coquettish laughter. Looking up, he saw Wang Liu seated behind the commander’s desk, with a woman in each arm.

Wang Liu, in a debauched state, had his hands wandering in unknown places. Two beautiful maids clung to him, one pouring wine, the other feeding him, and he was enjoying himself immensely.

"Greetings, Commander."

Qin Sang cupped his fist in salute. Wang Liu acted as though he hadn’t heard anything, continuing to play with the maids, his lewd words unfit for ears.

Qin Sang stood silently in place, his expression unchanged, showing neither joy nor sorrow.

"Oh! It’s General Qin!"

After letting Qin Sang stand for a while, Wang Liu finally pretended to notice him, feigning surprise with a mocking tone. "General Qin, you’re truly exceptional, becoming a staff general before the age of twenty. You should all befriend him well. If any of you could become sworn siblings, like brother and sister or husband and wife, you’d soar to great heights and no longer have to serve me! Don’t you agree, General Qin?"

The two women giggled and playfully refused.

These women had a heavy air of vulgarity about them, and Wang Liu’s suggestion of becoming sworn siblings was clearly intended as an insult to Qin Sang.

Qin Sang’s expression remained as calm as a still lake. "Commander, you must be joking. I wouldn’t dare."

"Wouldn’t dare? Why not?"

Wang Liu smirked. "If General Qin accomplishes another great feat, like the one in Hening County, I’d have to step down and let you take my place. What would you have to fear then? But what a shame, what a shame! Those damned immortals, who usually stay hidden, had to come out and fight right when you were about to achieve something great. Isn’t that just disappointing? Haha..."

Qin Sang maintained a passive stance, letting the mockery wash over him. After a while, Wang Liu grew bored of taunting him and his expression changed to one of severity. "Do not mention the ancient path again. Stop wasting the military’s time with such nonsense! I’m ordering you now to go to Guling Pass and gather intelligence. If you delay the military’s operations, you will be executed without mercy!" ṛ

Qin Sang’s eyes flickered. Guling Pass was heavily fortified and well-defended, with everything in the surrounding area cleared of resources. Trying to gather intelligence there would be as good as a death sentence.

"Yes sir!"

Qin Sang accepted the order, then exited the tent, casting a deep look back as he left.

After walking around the camp a few times, Qin Sang returned to his own tent. He whispered a few instructions to Water Monkey, who nodded and left. Qin Sang then sat quietly in his tent, lost in thought for a while before calming his mind to cultivate the Netherworld Scripture.

The entire day passed, and as the clouds dispersed and the rain ceased, dusk settled in.

Water Monkey hurried back to the tent, holding a small note in his hand. In a low voice, he said, "General Qin, Zheng Kun has sent a message. Three days ago, there was indeed a tremor in Guling Mountain, but they didn’t find anyone who saw the immortals. Additionally, a team of scouts has discovered a location that might be the ancient path. Zhang Wenkui is personally going to investigate it."

Qin Sang took the note, glanced at it, then burned it to ashes over the candle. He waved his hand and said, "I got it. You may go."

Late at night.

Outside the tent, only the sound of patrolling soldiers\' footsteps could be heard. Qin Sang paused his cultivation. The firelight from outside flickered into the tent, and Qin Sang\'s eyes shone brightly.

Qin Sang took out the Yan Luo Banner, attaching his spiritual consciousness to King Yan. With his eyes half-closed, he commanded King Yan to sneak into Wang Liu’s tent, as if his own eyes were on King Yan. This sensation was extraordinary.

The central camp wasn’t large, so it was easy to locate Wang Liu’s tent. The guards outside never imagined that an evil spirit would sneak into the tent right under their noses.

When Qin Sang saw the scene inside the tent, his brow furrowed deeply.

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

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

The girl, with a fiery temperament, shook her head and refused to drink, biting her lip so hard that it bled. She was forced to swallow two sips of wine, but then she spat it all over Wang Liu, who slapped her twice, hard.

"You little bitch! You refuse a toast, so now you’ll drink in punishment!"

Wang Liu flew into a rage, while the young woman clung to him like a snake, her voice seductive, "General, please calm down. The girl is young and ignorant; if she’s upset you, let me soothe your anger first..."

Wang Liu took a large gulp of medicinal wine, squeezed the woman’s chest hard, and sneered. "You know how to please me. Serve me well, and once I’ve claimed my merits, I’ll release your dead husband so you can be reunited. Haha..."

The young woman repeatedly agreed, taking the initiative to please him, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes.

Qin Sang watched coldly; he recognized the woman’s identity.

Some time ago, before the Might Regiment captured the small town near Guling Mountain, the county magistrate had been captured but refused to surrender. Wang Liu had him tied behind a horse and dragged to death. The young woman was the county magistrate’s wife.

In an instant, Wang Liu let out a muffled grunt, trembling. At that moment, King Yan seized the opportunity to strike.

…

At midnight, the Might Regiment’s camp was brightly lit with torches as the generals gathered in front of the command tent, including Qin Sang.

Wang Liu\'s body was covered with a white cloth, and his personal guards knelt on the ground, trembling with fear. Some of them were so frightened that they had wet their pants.