198: Chapter 196 Qin Zhao

The Third Prince had captured another city.

This was the thirty-seventh city he had taken since raising his army, pushing the boundaries of Fengyin Province another three hundred miles to the east.

When the Third Prince's great banner was raised atop the city walls, the commoners in the city knelt on both sides of the streets; some were terrified, some were numb, and some secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

The Third Prince did not enter the city. He remained on horseback, took a single look from outside the city gates, and then turned his horse around to return to the main camp.

The victory banquet was held in the main tent. The generals sat in a circle, drinking from large bowls and eating large chunks of meat, their laughter so loud the tent shook.

Qin Zhao sat at the very front, her armor still on, her longsword resting across her knees; she hadn't touched a drop of the wine before her.

She didn't like victory banquets, feeling they were a waste of time. She felt that time would be better spent out on patrol.

But she knew she had to be present for such occasions. She was the Third Prince's trusted top general; if she were absent, the army's morale would be unstable.

The Third Prince sat in the seat of honor, wine cup in hand and a smile on his face, but there was a hint of exhaustion in his eyes.

After consecutive days of campaigning, his spiritual energy consumption was immense. Although the recovery power of the Late Nascent Soul Stage kept him from collapsing, mental fatigue was inevitable.

He took a sip of wine, set down the cup, and let his gaze sweep over the assembled generals.

Shen Yizhi sat to his left, his folding fan closed on the table. He hadn't touched his wine either.

His gaze frequently drifted toward Qin Zhao before pulling back, as if he were preoccupied with something.

After three rounds of drinks, the Third Prince made an excuse to clear his head and rose to leave the tent.

Shen Yizhi followed him out. The two stood in the open space outside the camp as the night wind blew past, carrying the scorched scent of the distant city and a faint smell of blood.

The moon was obscured by clouds, and the campfires cast long shadows of the two men.

“Your Highness,” Shen Yizhi spoke in a low voice, “I have just received word that the Second Prince has sent people to Qingyao City.”

The Third Prince's footsteps faltered for a moment.

He turned his head and looked at Shen Yizhi. “Is the news reliable?”

“Reliable,” Shen Yizhi nodded. “They sent hidden guards. We don't know exactly who yet, but the target is clear: it's Yun Ming.”

The Third Prince fell silent for a moment.

He knew the Second Prince would eventually track things back to Yun Ming, but he hadn't expected it to be this fast.

He had originally thought he could keep it hidden for at least a few more months until he had completely stabilized Fengyin Province and squeezed every bit of value out of Yun Ming before considering protection.

It was too late for that now.

“Your Highness,” Shen Yizhi said, “Yun Ming is currently in Qingyao City. Although it is heavily guarded and Feng Boyong is stationed there, the people the Second Prince sent are no ordinary hidden guards. I worry they mean to do Yun Ming harm.”

The Third Prince nodded.

He knew Shen Yizhi was right.

Yun Ming was too important to him; there couldn't be any mishaps.

A Fourth-Rank Alchemist who could produce nine successful batches out of ten for the Heavenly Dew Spirit Nourishing Pill and two or three out of five for the Xuan Ying Pill—in terms of value alone, he was worth more than all the other Alchemists under his command combined.

Without Yun Ming, at least half of the Medicinal Pill supply for the front lines would be cut off.

“We should indeed send someone to protect him,” the Third Prince said. “But who?”

Shen Yizhi didn't speak, simply looking at the Third Prince.

The Third Prince met his gaze for a moment and suddenly smiled. “Since you're asking me, you must already have someone in mind. Speak, who is it?”

Shen Yizhi was silent for a moment before uttering two words: “Qin Zhao.”

The Third Prince was stunned for a moment, then his smile deepened.

He had long known of Shen Yizhi's feelings for Qin Zhao. The Third Prince had observed it but never pointed it out.

Now that Shen Yizhi had proactively suggested it, on the surface it was for Yun Ming's sake, but in reality, he didn't want Qin Zhao to remain on the front lines.

The battlefield was ever-changing and blades had no eyes. Although Qin Zhao had a high cultivation level and strong combat power, no one could guarantee she wouldn't be injured.

Transferring her to the rear was undoubtedly the safest option.

He nodded. “Qin Zhao is indeed suitable. High cultivation, strong combat power, and she's my confidante. I would be at ease sending her. But will you go tell her yourself?”

Shen Yizhi shook his head. “If I go, she won't agree.”

The Third Prince knew Shen Yizhi was telling the truth.

Qin Zhao was the type of person who hated being protected most of all.

To send her to the rear to protect an Alchemist—she would surely feel it was a waste of her talents and refuse no matter what was said.

Unless—the Third Prince thought for a moment and smiled. “I'll be the one to tell her.”

He turned and walked back into the tent, with Shen Yizhi following behind.

Inside the tent, the generals were still drinking. Qin Zhao was still sitting there, armor on, sword across her knees, her wine still untouched.

The Third Prince walked up to her and stood still.

Qin Zhao looked up at the Third Prince, waiting for him to speak.

The Third Prince didn't beat around the bush, saying directly, “Qin Zhao, I have a mission to entrust to you.”

Qin Zhao's eyes lit up.

Thinking there was a new battle to be fought, she stood up and cupped her fists. “Please speak, Your Highness.”

“Go to Qingyao City and protect someone.”

Qin Zhao's expression changed.

Protect someone?

Not fighting a war, not charging into battle, but going to the rear to protect a person?

Her brow furrowed, and just as she was about to refuse, the Third Prince raised a hand to stop her.

“I know what you want to say.” The Third Prince's voice wasn't loud, but it was serious. “You feel this is a waste of your talents, you feel this is letting you hide in the rear, you feel this is looking down on you. But I tell you, this mission is much harder than killing on the battlefield.”

Qin Zhao looked at him without speaking.

The Third Prince continued, “The person I want you to protect is Yun Ming. You are likely aware of his value. I need someone I can absolutely trust to protect him.”

He paused, looking into Qin Zhao's eyes. “This person must have a high cultivation level, strong combat power, and be able to protect him under any circumstances. This person must be fiercely loyal and not easily swayed by external things. This person must also be meticulous, unable to alert the enemy or cause too much of a stir. I've thought it over, and only you are suitable.”

Qin Zhao fell silent. It wasn't that she didn't know of Yun Ming. The Third Prince had mentioned the name more than once during meetings, saying how many fewer soldiers had died on the front lines because of his pills, how high his success rate was, and that he alone was worth three or four Fourth-Rank Alchemists. She knew he was important, but she hadn't expected the Third Prince to send her to protect him.

“Your Highness,” Qin Zhao spoke, her voice somewhat dry, “it's not that I'm unwilling to go, it's just—”

“It's just that you feel this mission isn't as satisfying as being on the battlefield?” The Third Prince finished her sentence and smiled. “Qin Zhao, how many years have you been with me?”

Qin Zhao said, “Three hundred years.”

“Three hundred years.” The Third Prince nodded. “In those three hundred years, do you even remember how many battles you've fought for me, or how many wounds you've suffered?”

Qin Zhao did not answer.

The Third Prince said, “I remember. You have more scars on your body than anyone else here. Your contributions are greater than anyone else here. I'm not sending you to Qingyao City to hide in the back and enjoy a comfortable life; I'm putting you where you are needed most. That Yun Ming—his life is worth more than a single city. Protecting him is a greater contribution than capturing ten cities.”

Qin Zhao looked at him and was silent for a long time. Then she cupped her fists and knelt on one knee. “I accept the command.”

The Third Prince reached out to help her up and patted her shoulder. “Go. Once you reach Qingyao City, find that Yun Ming and protect him without leaving his side. Anyone who approaches him must have your permission.”

Qin Zhao nodded, turned, and walked out of the tent.

Shen Yizhi stood to the side, watching her departing back. His lips moved slightly, but no sound came out.

Qin Zhao left the camp, took a jade whistle from her robes, and blew once.

The whistle was sharp, piercing the night sky.

A moment later, a horse's neigh echoed from afar, and a pitch-black stallion galloped out of the night.

The horse was eight feet tall with a mane like ink, four white hooves like snow, and blood-red eyes. Its entire body emitted a faint spiritual glow.

This was a descendant of an ancient Spirit Beast with a thin trace of Dragon-Horse Bloodline, gifted to her by the current Emperor when she reached adulthood.

In the entire Zifu Immortal Dynasty, there were no more than five such horses.

Qin Zhao flipped onto the horse and squeezed her legs.

The stallion gave a long neigh and its four hooves left the ground, turning into a bolt of black lightning that vanished into the horizon.

In the camp, the Third Prince and Shen Yizhi stood outside the tent, gazing at the distant black shadow. Neither of them spoke.

The night wind blew, carrying the smell of smoke from afar.

The Third Prince turned to glance at Shen Yizhi. Shen Yizhi's gaze remained fixed on the horizon, not pulling back for a long time.

The Third Prince smiled, said nothing, and turned back into the tent.

Shen Yizhi stood there for a long while longer before turning to follow him inside.