Spies from the State of Qi

A man cannot survive without food.

Back in Ghost Valley, Qingnu would hunt a wild boar every few days for Sun Boling and Pang Juan to improve their diet.

One person she raised was now being humiliated by another she had raised!

Humans truly were despicable creatures!

"You brat, why didn't you listen to me?"

Qingnu scolded as she supported Sun Boling.

Sun Boling said nothing. From the moment Qingnu helped him up, he hadn't made a single sound. He kept his head down, his filthy hair hanging low to hide his face, allowing Qingnu to lead him wherever she wished.

The restaurants on the street did not dare to seat the pair. It was only after Qingnu smashed half of a shop that the owner finally recognized the reality of the situation and, with a forced smile, invited them to a table.

Qingnu immediately produced a large bag of coins.

"Don't go bad-mouthing me later. Take these coins, serve some good food that's easy on the stomach, and use the rest to fix your shop."

The shopkeeper, whose expression had previously looked like he was mourning his father, instantly beamed with joy. He clutched the coins and thanked Qingnu profusely before scurrying off to prepare the meal.

"Pah—how pathetic."

Hongluan looked at the shopkeeper's slithering, sycophantic movements with utter disdain.

Qingnu brushed aside Sun Boling’s messy, matted hair. The once-elegant youth now looked like a candle flickering in the wind. His face was covered in a thick crust of filth and chapped skin, and his beard was a tangled mess. Most jarring of all was the brand on his forehead.

It was the mark of ink branding.

"Mas... Master..."

Sun Boling's voice was raspy.

"Don't call me that!"

Qingnu's nose twitched in disgust. "I've never seen a disciple as stupid as you."

Hearing this, Sun Boling gave a self-deprecating smile.

The soldiers Qingnu had beaten away rushed back to Pang Juan's manor to report the incident.

Upon learning that someone dared to associate with Sun Boling, Pang Juan was consumed by rage. He shoved aside the table in front of him and roared, "There are actually people who dare to approach him? Are they from outside Daliang?"

"Yes, Great General!"

The soldiers clutched their injured limbs, describing the situation in pained voices.

Pang Juan was incensed. With his current power in the State of Wei, who besides the King of Wei and the Crown Prince would dare to ignore the laws he had established?

They even dared to strike his men!

In his fury, he personally gathered his troops and left the manor, heading toward the street.

The shopkeeper served the food—mostly soups and light vegetable dishes.

Given Sun Boling's current condition, he wouldn't be able to swallow even if a plate of roasted meat were placed before him.

However, even when the food was ready, Sun Boling hesitated to pick up his utensils. It was then that Qingnu realized he couldn't even grip the chopsticks.

Those hands, which had once pointed out military strategies with such command, were now covered in cracks and thick, numb callouses.

"Just pick up the bowl and drink. I'm not going to steal it from you,"

Qingnu said, seeing his unease. She turned back to the shopkeeper and tossed another bag of coins. "Bring some roasted meat. For me!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

The shopkeeper was overjoyed.

Roasted meat didn't cost nearly that much.

If the concept of a God of Wealth existed yet, the shopkeeper would have certainly hailed her as one. This wasn't a villain; this was a divine benefactor!

When Pang Juan arrived, he saw Qingnu and Sun Boling sitting opposite each other, with Qingnu gnawing on a leg of lamb.

"Great General, that's her!"

One of the men beside him pointed at Qingnu.

Pang Juan's face turned pale instantly. He drew his sword and chopped off the man's pointing hand, roaring, "Insolence!"

The sudden turn of events caught everyone off guard. No one understood why Pang Juan would suddenly turn on his own man. Shouldn't he have immediately ordered the arrest of Sun Boling and the woman in green?

The man who lost his hand stared in shock before the intense pain caused him to faint!

Pang Juan dropped his sword and knelt on one knee. "This disciple greets Master!"

Master?

Master!

This woman in green was actually Pang Juan's teacher?

The legendary Master of Ghost Valley?

But how could the Master of Ghost Valley be such a young and beautiful girl?

Under the stunned gazes of the crowd, Qingnu remained oblivious to the outside world, focusing entirely on her roasted lamb leg. Pang Juan did not get angry, nor did he stand up; he simply remained kneeling. Passersby were struck with absolute astonishment to see the Great General kneeling there.

Among the crowd were the actual spies from the State of Qi!

After finishing her meal, Qingnu wiped her hands and tossed the bone in front of Pang Juan. She stood up and signaled for Hongluan to take flight.

"Are you here to arrest me?"

Pang Juan lowered his head even further and whispered, "This disciple would not dare."

"I think you have plenty of nerve!"

Qingnu gave a cold snort and glanced back at Sun Boling.

Sun Boling was staring intently at Pang Juan. His eyes were devoid of joy or sorrow, but beneath that calm surface, a tide of hatred was surging!

Over a year of humiliation had taught him how to completely hide his true emotions.

Had Qingnu not seen countless people in her life, she might not have noticed it.

Pang Juan opened his mouth. "Disciple..."

Qingnu coughed lightly. "Stop! I don't want to hear any nonsense."

At these words, the expression on Pang Juan's face faltered. He gave a forced laugh and said, "Master is as blunt as ever."

"To be even blunter, I'm taking him with me."

Qingnu looked down at Pang Juan.

Pang Juan fell silent for a long moment before smiling. "Master has traveled from afar. Why not stay in Daliang first..."

"I said I don't want to hear nonsense. Are you deaf?"

Qingnu repeated herself, staring directly at him.

Pang Juan's expression shifted repeatedly. His hands, hidden within his wide sleeves, clenched and unclenched. Only after several attempts did he calm himself. He looked up at Qingnu with a smile. "Since Master wishes to take my junior disciple, I naturally agree!"

"Go prepare a carriage. Don't try any tricks, or I'll come back and put a fist through your head!"

As Qingnu spoke, she shook her fist.

She had once punched a hole through a wild boar's skull right in front of Pang Juan and Sun Boling. Pang Juan had no intention of testing whether his head was harder than the boar's, and he hastily complied.

Only after Qingnu drove the carriage away with Sun Boling did Pang Juan vent his fury.

"Damn it! Why couldn't he just die! To think Master would run into him! And you, shopkeeper, why didn't you poison his food!"

The shopkeeper, facing this sudden disaster, was on the verge of tears. He hurriedly knelt to plead his case. "Great General, I am innocent!"

When Pang Juan was enraged, he cared for nothing.

"I see that you are surely a spy from the State of Qi! Men, seize him!"

"Yes, sir!"

However, Hongluan swooped down from the sky, its wings flapping as it pecked Pang Juan hard on the head!

Pang Juan snapped back to his senses and shouted, "Stop!"

The soldiers who had just stepped forward looked at him in confusion. Pang Juan glanced at Hongluan circling above with lingering fear, then waved his hand at the soldiers. "Forget it, leave it be!"

"Yes, Great General."

Though the soldiers were baffled, they did not dare disobey Pang Juan's orders.

Pang Juan took a deep breath and turned back toward his manor, muttering incessantly, "Sun Bin... Sun Bin... In the future, I fear you will become my greatest threat! Master, why do you favor him alone? Am I, Pang Juan, not also your disciple?"

Leaving Daliang, they headed straight east.

As they passed a riverbank, Qingnu brought the carriage to a halt.