Chapter 4: The City of Three Witches
"My name is Qin Sang. I work as an assistant for a merchant. This time, while out collecting goods, I was captured by a group of bandits. Yesterday, those bandits encountered their archenemies, and in the chaos, I managed to escape but got lost. My leg was injured, and I had no choice but to use a raft to drift down the river. I never expected to drift into the great river while asleep. Fortunately, you all saved me..."
Qin Sang sat on the deck, surrounded by burly men with swords and sabers at their waists. He was wrapped in an old cotton coat, which restored some warmth to his body, and he spoke softly, explaining his situation.
The man who had rescued Qin Sang from the river stood right in front of him. This man appeared to be around forty years old, with a lean face that gave him the look of a scholar. He was dressed similarly to the other burly men, wearing cloud-patterned boots, a tight-fitting azure outfit, and a treasured sword hanging from his waist. His posture was upright, giving him a very capable and efficient appearance.
Despite having walked on water for a long time, the man’s entire body remained clean and dry, with only the soles of his shoes showing a few traces of water.
The other men showed great respect towards him, addressing him as "Boss Bai," indicating that he was their leader.
Such a person couldn’t possibly be a pirate, and from their conversation, they seemed more like guards for some household. This realization allowed Qin Sang to relax slightly.
As he explained his situation, Qin Sang instinctively omitted the part about encountering the immortal master. Now that he had calmed down, he realized that while this Boss Bai was no ordinary person, he was still far from the level of an immortal master who could fly with a sword.
"Meeting in the middle of the river is fate, and extending a helping hand is only right. There's no need to mention any debt of gratitude! My name is Bai Jianglan, and I'm a few years older than you, Brother Qin. If you don't mind, just call me Brother Bai..."
Bai Jianglan’s words carried a touch of chivalry. He crouched down, his gaze sweeping over the large bloodstain on Qin Sang's chest, and smiled, saying, "When we first saw you lying motionless on the raft, we thought it was a corpse. Luckily, you sat up on your own... Now, let me take a look at your leg injury."