"Wang Liu dares to disregard everyone’s opinions and arbitrarily change the military strategy decided by the generals?"
If they could find the ancient path and capture Raven's Mouth, taking all seven cities in a row, it would be a significant achievement. With such a merit, Qin Sang could be promoted directly to military commander, and no one would dare to question it.
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.
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.