Qin Shi Ambitious

Page 222

In any case, surrendering now would result in the loss of the title of king, and being forced to surrender would also result in the loss of the title of king. The worst outcome would be the same, so why bother finding a master for yourself so early?

Minyue chose to let time decide everything. Before that, it neither sent troops to fight against the Qin people nor negotiated with Qin.

Jingxian and Fanxian did not interfere with Wuzhu's choice. Every choice produces a result, and for these proud Yue people, their fate should be respected.

Lu Wei in Daze Mountain had already learned of Hua Ying's departure and understood that she had returned to the State of Chu.

After sending out disciples to continue monitoring Zui Meng Lou and to report back immediately once Hua Ying reappears, no further attention is needed there.

The current situation in the world is very favorable for the Qin people, and it is also very favorable for Master Lu.

The biggest challenge now is that time is moving too slowly. For future plans, he only needs to wait for the right opportunity; the more he does, the more mistakes he makes.

The connections that needed to be made have been mostly made. The only one who slipped through the net is the Shu Mountain group, who are allies who will naturally form when the time comes.

In his spare time at Gonggong Hall, Lu Wei spends his days either checking on the hall's progress or practicing the secret techniques he obtained from the Tomb of the Six Sages. He then indulges in women at night, a far cry from his previous diligence, now appearing somewhat decadent...

He sat up, rubbing his forehead. The tightly closed window was covered with gauze, but the light was still bright. The experienced Master Lu knew that it was almost noon.

As he sat up, two soft, alluring hums sounded beside him.

Xue Nu and Duanmu Rong squeezed together on the inner side of the bed. One of her smooth arms weakly tugged at the quilt. Judging from the whiteness of her skin, it was Rong'er's. Xue Nu's skin was slightly whiter, while Xiao Yi Xian's skin looked healthier because she often went out to collect herbs.

I stayed up quite late last night, otherwise I wouldn't have forgotten to get up early.

As the frequency of open and honest conversations increases, the variety of ways to play also increases, making it easy to go too far if you're not careful.

This is something to reflect on: if we can waste a morning on alcohol and women now, I can't even imagine what we might waste in the future...

Looking at the wine jug lying on the floor, the master made a firm decision: From this day forward, I will abstain from alcohol!

After making the vow, I dressed with renewed energy, feeling guilty and determined to work even harder from now on!

Since it's already noon, let's go visit Li Mu's barracks and have a chat.

Before leaving, he tried to wake Xue and Rong, but the two women were too weak to speak and only hummed softly to indicate that they did not want to be disturbed.

He instructed the maid to prepare some mild food and to wake the two young ladies an hour later. Lu Wei shook his head and headed toward Yan Gui Ridge.

Meanwhile, in Shennong Hall, built diagonally opposite Gonggong Hall in the Daze Mountains with the Six Sages' Tomb as its center, the Zhu family is receiving a special guest.

The person for whom he had to meet in person must be of extraordinary status:

Master of the Flowing Sands, Wei Zhuang!

Chapter 250 Naive Infiltration

The connection between Shennongtang and Liusha can be traced back to Lord Changping.

It was under the guidance of Lord Changping, who was then the Right Chancellor of Qin, that Wei Zhuang, as an ally, began the deal with the Zhu family.

One is an assassin organization that needs intelligence. The other is a major martial arts sect with numerous disciples.

Both sides got what they wanted.

During the last rebellion in Xinzheng, Liu Sha received help from the disciples of Shennong Hall, which enabled him to quickly grasp the situation and connect with all parties.

The Zhu family is renowned for its chivalry in the martial arts world and is widely respected by the disciples of Shennong Hall. However, it would be naive to think that he is just a short, honest old man.

Without sufficient means and decisiveness, the Zhu family could neither succeed as the head of Shennong Hall nor lead Shennong Hall and Siyue Hall to resist the Tian family for many years without being at a disadvantage.

Even without Changping Jun's introduction, Shennong Hall would still cooperate with the notoriously bad-reputed Quicksand assassin organization in the righteous faction of the martial arts world if needed, as long as there was a need.

"The master of Liusha has personally come to Daze Mountain; he is truly a rare guest."

Zhu Jia switched from his mask to a smile and personally poured tea for the distinguished guest remotely using his internal energy. Although Wei Zhuang was not surprised by this display of profound internal strength, it slightly increased his respect for Shennong Hall.

Friends of quicksand must be strong!

Shennong Hall was large enough in the past, but if it were only about size, Wei Zhuang's attitude would be quite different.

"Since the incident in Xinzheng, Liusha and Shennong Hall have had several other collaborations. I wonder what needs Liusha's master has today?"

"Besides providing intelligence, does Shennong Hall have any other assistance to supply Liusha?" Wei Zhuang said coldly, not even bothering to glance at the tea that the Zhu family had poured.

"Hehe, the special nature of Quicksand is something its master clearly understands better than this old man like me." Zhu Jia chuckled, showing no awkwardness at all while conversing with the renowned disciple of Guiguzi: "I wonder what kind of news would require us to come all the way to the Shennong Hall headquarters to search for it?"

"Lord Changping, and the Mohists." Wei Zhuang's cold eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on the Zhu family's mask, which had transformed into one of astonishment.

"So that's what it was about~" Zhu Jia's tone lowered a bit: "Shouldn't quicksand also be part of the plan?"

“You know the situation in Chu better than I do. I need to know Changping Jun’s backup plan.”

Wei Zhuang's tone was firm.

Last year, he took his subordinates to Shouchun. His original plan to continue to lie low and accumulate strength was changed after he noticed the new activities of the Mohists and Shennong Hall.

Quicksand may not need many friends, but it cannot be completely ignorant of the current situation.

“Such intelligence is extremely valuable.” Zhu Jia stroked his beard, his tone surprised, and he emphasized the word ‘valuable’.

Wei Zhuang remained silent, only staring at the Zhu family. After pausing to take a sip of tea, the Zhu family slowly and proactively said, "Of course, with the strength of Liu Sha, they should be able to pay this considerable price."

Just as he just said, quicksand is part of the plan, and some information can indeed be provided.

However, although they had heard many rumors about Wei Zhuang, this disciple of Guigu, they had rarely met him. Since they didn't know him very well, the Zhu family intentionally tested his personality. After gaining a general impression, they immediately provided him with the information they had been given.

After all, we will continue to cooperate in the future, so getting to know each other now is beneficial for both sides.

Having obtained the answer he wanted, Wei Zhuang got up and prepared to leave without any hesitation. However, when he reached the door, he stopped and said, "The Farmer's sphere of influence has never included the Qin State. Now, the Qin State has taken the initiative to bring a large part of the Farmer's sphere of influence under its rule. In the future, Daze Mountain will be the same. How will Hall Master Zhu deal with this trend?"

"Farmers have their own survival rules, so don't worry, Master Liusha." Zhu Jia chuckled when he heard this question: "Shennong Hall's intelligence network will not be completely destroyed by the war. Shennong Hall can still do its best to provide the intelligence that Liusha needs in the future."

“Oh~ So, Master Zhu can now conduct investigations within the Qin state as well.” Wei Zhuang’s tone remained unchanged: “Then, help me investigate another person.”

"Who is the target? What intelligence do we need from him?"

“Gai Nie, I need all his information, anything at all! And every single piece of information will be at the highest price.”

So that's who it was.

Zhu Jia didn't ask any further questions and directly agreed to Wei Zhuang's request. Of course, he knew that Gai Nie was another disciple of Gui Gu.

They also knew that, according to the tradition of Guigu, one of the two had to compete to determine a winner.

This has nothing to do with Guigu family affairs or farming. But Shennong Hall does business by simply following standard business rules. Why let go of a money-making opportunity? There's no mention of any consequences for not being able to find out.

...

In the Qin state, Gai Nie is currently still King Ying Zheng's swordsmanship instructor and bodyguard, and is accompanying the king on his journey to the Chu state.

Compared to the close protection he needed before, Gai Nie now appears by Ying Zheng's side much less often in public.

The increasingly powerful King of Qin needed to be a solitary figure, without any other figures around him to share the homage.

Except when encountering potential assassins, Gai Nie doesn't need to show his face.

In recent years, Luo Wang has become increasingly useful, and with the establishment of the Shadow Guard, even among the guards, this disciple of Guigu has gradually become dispensable.

Gai Nie was well aware that his importance had diminished, but in his view, this was actually a good thing.

A well-functioning country or organization should not cease to operate simply because of the absence of a single individual. A higher tolerance for error in any person or thing often indicates greater success.

Gai Nie gradually began to consider leaving, but the time to leave could not be now.

He also needs to watch the country become unified, even though unification is not a good environment for the strategists of the Guigu School.

The disciples of Guiguzi are able to exert their ability to stir up the world and gain power, especially in times of chaos.

If a country's political situation is too stable and social classes become rigid, where would Guiguzi's chances of advancement come from?

However, as an idealist, this was Gai Nie's choice.

Besides this choice, there was another thing that mattered to him: his unwavering commitment to his only friend in life.

That child should be six years old this year.

Gai Nie has been secretly searching for him through various means over the years. Although there are some clues, finding this child in the Qin Kingdom is no easy task.

An orphan has been alone in a foreign land for so many years, and it's hard to say whether he's still alive. But as long as there's no accurate news, he'll keep searching.

The Qin soldiers stood in imposing ranks ahead, spears in hand; the recaptured walls of Chenying were now visible...

------

After the three members of the Sun, Moon, and Star Sect returned to the Yin-Yang School and handed over the Azure Dragon Copper Box, the Eastern Emperor calmly dismissed them.

The Yin-Yang School is the closest to understanding the secrets of the Azure Dragon's Seven Mansions.

However, one important item is still missing: the Illusionary Sound Box.

The loss of the Illusionary Sound Box was an accident, but the fact that it could never be found again was clearly not an accident: someone deliberately hid this treasure of the Yin-Yang School.

The other party's identity cannot be determined, but it is conceivable that there are only a few families in this world with this ability.

According to some prophecies, this box will always return to the hands of the Yin-Yang School.

However, to the surprise of even the Eastern Emperor, the opportunity for the appearance of the treasure box has yet to materialize.

He had thought that at the turn of the millennium of his family's history, a special event would redefine the laws governing the movement of the stars, but neither the most important millennium nor the 1001st year occurred.

In the year 1002, the Moon Goddess and the Eastern Lord brought back the Azure Dragon Bronze Box from the Yan Kingdom.

This result disappointed Donghuang; the Sun and Moon returned without completing their mission.

Nowadays, the vague guiding role of astrological laws is becoming increasingly obscure, and the influence of the Sun, Moon, and planets is becoming more prominent.

However, all three of them had their own ulterior motives, which Donghuang understood, but he did not believe that they would betray the Yin Yang School.

Within the framework of the Yin-Yang School, Donghuang could tacitly approve of people seeking personal gain.

But whether the sun, moon, and stars will betray you... that's an interesting question...

As they walked out of the giant bronze gate belonging to the Eastern Emperor, the three encountered the most hardworking elder in the corridor: Da Siming.

During the period when the sun, moon, and stars are away, only the Grand Master of Fate can handle matters large and small within the Yin-Yang family.

Although Da Siming enjoys killing and having fun, her lack of ability becomes glaringly obvious when all the affairs of the Yin-Yang School are placed on her shoulders.

Previously, these were the Moon Goddess's duties, but after the Star Soul grows up, it will also take on some tasks.

After the two protectors took care of most of the important matters, she could leisurely play around and take her time with the remaining minor tasks.

"Greetings, Lord Moon Goddess, Lord Star Soul, Lord Eastern Lord."

He hurriedly bowed to the three officials, and the High Priest immediately felt a sense of relief and ease.