Chapter 50: A Night Visit
A man from the Ning Kingdom had become the Marquis of Jiangzhou in the Great Sui.
Even after five years in the Great Sui, Qin Sang still didn’t feel very familiar with it, he reflected with a heart full of emotions.
Returning to his own residence, Qin Sang entered the study.
He was alone, with nothing much to carry except for his ebony sword and a few other belongings.
After breaking through to the fifth stage of the Netherworld Scripture, his consumption of Soul Pills had increased. A few days of intense cultivation would deplete one pill. Without the assistance of Soul Pills, the pace of his cultivation advancement was despairingly slow.
Fortunately, he had anticipated this and had stored some Soul Pills before the war ended. Additionally, King Yan had recovered to peak strength, and if he fully exerted himself, he could sustain Qin Sang's cultivation for quite some time.
As for money, Qin Sang didn’t carry much. After all, an immortal cultivator wouldn’t be constrained by a lack of funds; he could always find a way to gather what he needed.
However, he couldn’t leave just yet—there were still mundane matters to arrange. Qin Sang sent his personal guard to wait at Wu Chuanzong’s residence, instructing him to come and meet after court.
After packing, including his clothes, he only had a small bundle.
If only I could master the Object Manipulation Technique, then I could use a Mustard Seed Pouch. Qin Sang thought wistfully.
From the introduction given by a young man surnamed Han, the immortal cultivation market was like a marketplace for the cultivation world, where cultivators traded, bought, or exchanged the items they needed.
In a large immortal cultivation market, one could encounter disciples of prominent sects, demonic cultivators, and even rogue cultivators. Given its location near the border between righteous and demonic sects, one could easily run into demonic sect cultivators, which was why Qin Sang had gone to try his luck.
However, what Qin Sang was most eager to achieve was not joining a sect, but rather finding a way to access the world of immortal cultivators.
Object Manipulation Technique, Mustard Seed Pouches, artifacts, Qi Refining Realm, Foundation Building Realm, malevolent yin qi...
These were common knowledge to immortal cultivators, yet Qin Sang knew nothing about them. Only by understanding these basics could he determine his path forward.
The key to the market would also open the door to the world of immortal cultivation for him. This was why Qin Sang hadn’t quarreled with the young man surnamed Han.
Even if no sect accepted him, he could always become a rogue cultivator. According to the young man, rogue cultivators were not uncommon among immortal cultivators.
Once he reached the market, he planned to first obtain the Object Manipulation Technique, retrieve the items inside the seven-colored pouch, and then ask about how to find malevolent yin qi so as not to delay his cultivation.
He also needed to figure out the secrets surrounding him—the ebony sword, the Jade Buddha, the sheepskin... What were these items, and why could he cultivate despite lacking a spiritual root?
And then there was the Netherworld Scripture.
After breaking through to the fifth stage, Qin Sang had a vague feeling that the Netherworld Scripture might have more than six stages. It seemed this art was incomplete.
Later, the information he gathered from Zhen Ming about the Qi Refining Realm further confirmed Qin Sang’s suspicions.
He wondered if he could find a complete version of the Netherworld Scripture in the market.
Are the immortal cultivation arts expensive?
What can I trade with immortal cultivators?
The more Qin Sang thought about it, the more his head ached. He was practically a pauper. If it came to it, he could only sell his artifacts or that mysterious talisman in exchange for a cultivation art, as the Netherworld Scripture was the foundation of his practice.
With these thoughts, Qin Sang took out the jade disk to inspect it. Though called a disk, it had a round hole in the middle, resembling a jade ring.
The jade disk was only palm-sized, very thin, and entirely translucent without any impurities or patterns, which made Qin Sang worry that it might be too fragile and shatter at the slightest touch.
After hesitating for a moment, Qin Sang cautiously infused his spiritual consciousness and power into the jade disk. Immediately, a halo of light appeared, and the four characters for Youshan Market emerged. Aside from this, there were no other reactions.
It seemed he really needed to go to the Biyun Kingdom.
Qin Sang carefully put away the jade disk. Shortly after, he heard footsteps in the courtyard, knowing that Wu Chuanzong had arrived.
"This is the address of my hometown, Wang Village in Ning Kingdom. Apart from you, I haven’t mentioned this to anyone else," Qin Sang said, handing a hand-drawn map to Wu Chuanzong. "If nothing unexpected happens, my parents should still be alive, and I have two elder brothers... I am determined to pursue the path of immortality and can no longer concern myself with worldly affairs. These relatives, I entrust to you. Just tell them I have died."
After taking over Qin Sanwa's body, Qin Sang had been avoiding the familial ties of this body, and hadn’t returned home even once in the past five years.
Wu Chuanzong solemnly put the map away, tears in his eyes as he said, "Sir, rest assured. Without you, I wouldn't be where I am today. I will definitely treat them as if they were my own family…"
Qin Sang waved his hand dismissively. "That’s not necessary. For my parents and my elder brother and sister-in-law, you only need to ensure they are well provided for. If any of the younger generation show promise, you may help them out as you see fit. Beyond that, you don’t need to intervene. Let them rely on their own fate."
Wu Chuanzong was clever and talented, with outstanding military achievements. Despite his young age, he already held a high position and had a bright future ahead of him.
Even in ordinary families, wealth rarely lasted beyond three generations. With this arrangement, Qin Sang felt he had done right by Qin Sanwa.
Beyond that, there were only some minor affairs to attend to. Once Qin Sang left, his subordinates would be without a patron for a while. Fortunately, the grand princess and others would look after them.
The two talked in private for a while when suddenly, urgent footsteps sounded from outside. A personal guard lowered his voice and said, "My lord, the grand princess has come in secret."
Qin Sang frowned, puzzled as to why the grand princess would visit so late at night. He had planned to bid farewell to her tomorrow.
"You should go," Qin Sang said as he rose to see Wu Chuanzong out. He personally went to the gate to greet the grand princess, only to find her lightly dressed, accompanied by Bai Jianglan and two guards, riding over on horseback.
"Let’s talk inside."
The grand princess flicked her whip and led the way into the residence as if it were her own, heading straight for Qin Sang’s study.
Qin Sang could only nod to Bai Jianglan and follow silently. Once inside, he saw the grand princess standing still, her tall, graceful figure poised, hands clasped behind her back.
"Marquis of Jiangzhou!"
The grand princess suddenly spoke, her voice cool and clear.
Qin Sang replied, "I am here."
The grand princess abruptly turned, her eyes as sharp as autumn waters in the candlelight, and stared at Qin Sang, questioning, "Have I ever treated you unfairly?"
Qin Sang sighed inwardly. "What do you mean by this, Your Highness…"
"Then why are you so determined to leave?"
The grand princess stepped forward, her gaze intense, not allowing Qin Sang to interrupt. "What is so good about immortal cultivation? Look at how many seekers of immortality live lonely lives, dying in the deep mountains and wild forests, their bodies devoured by tigers and leopards, ending up with no one to mourn them, achieving nothing. Now look over there!"
The grand princess raised her hand, pointing in the direction of the Jade Palace, her words growing more rapid. "Over there, in those towers and palaces, lies supreme power, countless beauties, the finest wines and delicacies, luxurious clothing and sumptuous food, indulgence in every pleasure… Everything you desire can be easily attained! Why are you so stubborn?"
Qin Sang remained silent and then said, "Your Highness, please follow me."
He led the grand princess out of the study, then softly said, "Forgive my rudeness," before taking her hand, and with a light step, leaped onto the roof. Gazing in the direction of the Jade Palace, the grandeur and beauty were indeed breathtaking.
The grand princess tilted her head slightly, her expression puzzled, not knowing what Qin Sang was up to.
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