Qin Shi Ambitious

Page 198

Let's take advantage of this banquet to get rid of all the troublemakers!

Two hours later.

The brightly lit banquet hall of Chen Ying was deathly silent.

Apart from the head of the table, everyone's table was littered with cups and plates. The Qin officials, dressed in neat uniforms, were lying in their seats in various poses. Only one person was lying face down in the middle aisle, pointing his index finger at Lord Changping with a ferocious expression, but he himself had already stopped breathing.

After the banquet entered its second half, Lord Changping specially instructed that several more Qin officials who were not of the required rank be invited to join the final banquet.

In the end, they lay down together, and no one else would have doubted the amber-like clear light wine provided by the Right Chancellor Changpyeong-kun before the first person to show signs of poisoning collapsed.

The entire city of Chenying was thus completely under Xiong Qi's control.

Now he can act decisively and can raise an army at any time, but for now, he can keep the news under wraps for another half month.

...

In Shouchun City, Han Xin, who was only twelve years old, brought along Zhongli Mo, who was the same age as him, as a free gift, which can be described as giving one away for the price of one.

Of course, Han Xin is now studying under Chu Nan Gong, while Zhongli Mo is much less talented. Although he is Han Xin's friend, his family has fallen on hard times, and in order to survive, he has to follow his elders to hunt in the mountains and forests every day.

It's quite rare that the powerful and wealthy in Shouchun City would loosen their control over the mountains and forests and allow ordinary people to make a living there.

Zhongli Mo's relationship with Chu Nan Gong was far less than that with Han Xin, yet he was still granted a copy of the "Chasing Wind Arrow" martial arts manual. The old man was so dedicated to arranging military training for the two children, and the hall master was very grateful to him for cultivating talent for his Gonggong Hall.

Although Chu Nan Gong was more likely cultivating future elites for the people of Chu and showed an attitude of 'protecting' Han Xin and preventing him from getting too close to Lu Wei, people still have legs after all.

Whether these two choose Chu or Nong in the future is their own decision.

If you're really undecided, the Master can help you make a rational choice.

For now, let's leave the two children with Chu Nan Gong. They are both true talents. Once they have forged their own paths, Lu Wei can come and reap the rewards.

Nan Gong and Xiang Yan were not directly connected, so he did not know the details of the Mohists' invitation to Lu Wei to join the anti-Qin plan at Daze Mountain. However, based on the signs that the peasant disciples in Shouchun City first prospered and then decreased, he had already guessed that the peasants were preparing to "be pragmatic".

According to his understanding, the farmers should retreat to the Daze Mountains, but Lu Wei actually came to the State of Chu.

This man was no ordinary person who would just wander around aimlessly. Chu Nan Gong, curious, asked him directly about this, and the Hall Master answered readily: He saw that the State of Chu was in turmoil and in a dangerous situation, so he was worried about the safety of Nan Gong and came here specifically to take Nan Gong to Daze Mountain to enjoy a life of leisure!

The old man chuckled, praised Lu Wei for his respect for elders, and then left the bustling city with Han Xin without looking back...

With Lu Wei's current strength, catching up would be a piece of cake.

However, there was no need for that. Master Lu was always kind and benevolent and never forced anyone. Besides, Nan Gong and Han Xin were an old man and a young man, and it would be unethical to bully them.

He decided to continue discussing Mount Shu with Yu Ziqi.

In addition, Lu Wei was mingling in Shouchun City as a musician this time, and occasionally he had to do things that were in line with his identity.

Although his musical talent was average, he could easily replicate the Snow Woman's performance techniques thanks to his martial arts skills.

As for the argument that one cannot be considered a true musician if one cannot infuse emotion into their music, that doesn't matter. Ordinary people just want it to sound good and have a good feel for it; they can figure out the emotions for themselves.

------

As time went by, the forces that had infiltrated Shouchun City were gradually exposed. But the one group that least wanted to reveal their identities was Zhang Han's Shadow Guard.

As the personal guards of the King of Qin, the expansion of the Shadow Guard was imperative, and their training could not be limited to just Xianyang City. Fighting against the forces of the six states was the only rigorous way for them to grow and mature.

During the reign of King Wen of Wei, Wang Ben attacked too quickly. After besieging the city, he immediately launched a flood attack on Daliang, destroying the country in just a few months.

The Shadow Guard's operation had barely begun when it was all over.

After the state of Wei, Zhang Han, who was in Wei, received a new order from King Zheng of Qin: to go south to Chu.

There were still no specific instructions; what to do and how to do it was entirely up to Zhang Han.

Whether done well or poorly, it will affect the Shadow Guard organization and Zhang Han's own standing in the king's eyes.

The combined effect of twenty subordinates and myself on the front lines is very limited. Only by penetrating deep behind enemy lines and operating in Shouchun City can we possibly deliver a fatal blow to the enemy's heart!

Admittedly, this is an extremely risky decision, but the rewards are just as plentiful.

The Qin court was full of famous generals and capable ministers, but those who dared not do great things were able to stand out!

Ten years ago, Zhang Han, as an envoy of Qin, visited the city of Shouchun and paid close attention to its layout.

The city hadn't changed much in the past ten years. Using old memories and a little money, the Shadow Guard successfully infiltrated Shouchun.

What they do next in the city is crucial.

Regardless of the difficulty, sneaking into the Chu royal palace and capturing King Fuchu would undoubtedly be the greatest achievement.

Although it is indeed a bit far-fetched, preparations are not impossible.

If King Fuchu of Chu were to make a mistake and give the Shadow Guards an opportunity, he would suffer greatly if he were caught off guard and missed the chance to escape.

However, the capture of King Fuchu of Chu can only be regarded as a pleasant surprise; it would be meaningless to wholeheartedly carry out this far-fetched idea.

Moreover, in Zhang Han's view, the unification of the world by the Qin Dynasty was inevitable, and attacking the world was neither the purpose of the Shadow Guard nor its original intention.

Investigating the list of forces within Shouchun City that harbor rebellious intentions towards the Qin Dynasty is what the Shadow Guard should truly be doing...

Zhang Han acted very cautiously, and because the Shadow Guard was far less famous than the Net, no one would associate this group with the Qin state's power, even though their actions were not foolproof.

Unless, of course, the other party knows Zhang Han's true identity and is familiar with the Shadow Guard organization... such as a certain Hall Master Lu.

In a large tavern in the Yunmeng Market, Lu Wei, imitating the behavior of Gao Jianli of the Yan Kingdom in the past, was performing as a musician. He subtly glanced at Zhang Han, who was dressed as a rough and rugged knight.

He had met this Qin general not long ago in Wei territory.

To meet again in Shouchun so quickly, the other party is practically a worthless bounty for the Hall Master.

Now that the war between Qin and Chu has begun, if King Ying Zheng's personal guards are captured in Shouchun, and then the rebellion of Lord Changping leads to Li Xin's great defeat, Qin will lose face big time.

Whether Zhang Han's value can be utilized, and how to utilize it, is a matter of choice...

The tavern was filled with the melodious sound of flutes and the boisterous chatter of the patrons. Zhang Han, disguised as a man, was trying to extract information from the other patrons, while Lu Wei, also disguised as a man, was observing the leader of the Shadow Guard. Meanwhile, higher up, someone else was also observing the two of them.

"A Qin King's bodyguard and a farmer's sect leader, one posing as a wandering knight and the other as a musician in this kind of place—this is the world of martial arts!"

The Left Protector of the Yin-Yang School, Xinghun, with his eccentric and sarcastic manner, looked out from the railing and uttered a mocking voice: "The State of Chu is not a place for them to stay."

The disguised Moon Goddess's cold gaze flickered between the two targets indicated by the Star Soul, but she remained silent.

She never expected to meet someone in Shouchun.

"General Zhang Han is in danger, but even more dangerous is this Hall Master Lu, what does Lord Moon Goddess think?"

Yan Fei stood up abruptly, leaned against the railing, stuck her head out, and after Xing Hun spoke, turned to the Right Protector, who was calmly sipping his tea, and asked him a question.

This is the second time that Lord Dongjun of the Yin-Yang School has seen Lu Wei. The first time was in Dao Zhi's dream in Ji City.

She remembered that Lu Wei in the thief's dream was very weak and was easily defeated by the dream's owner in just a few moves.

Now that Yanfei has learned more about the head of Gonggong Hall, she naturally wouldn't believe the reality of the scene in the dream. But no matter how strong Lu is, the three members of the Yin Yang School, Sun, Moon and Star, are all here now.

"What does Lord Dongjun mean?"

Despite the gaze of her 'good older sister,' the Moon Goddess remained calm and composed, even raising the corners of her mouth slightly as she continued to hold the small teacup with both hands.

"This Lu Wei is the target that His Majesty the Eastern Emperor assigned to Lady Moon Goddess, but Lady Moon Goddess's progress has been slow..."

Yan Fei turned her head with interest to look at the 'delicate' musician on the first floor: "Our mission in Shouchun this time is to obtain the Azure Dragon Bronze Box from the State of Chu, but we will also capture this person and bring him back to the Yin Yang School. I'm sure His Majesty the Eastern Emperor will be pleased."

"What does the Moon Goddess think?"

"What do you think, Lord Xinghun?" The Moon Goddess glanced at Yan Fei's smiling face, then half-closed her eyes and tossed the question to Xinghun.

“That’s quite an interesting suggestion!” Xinghun’s eyes swept over his two companions with a strange look. Yanfei sensed the suspense in his gaze. “Let’s get it done as soon as this tavern closes!”

"However—" Xinghun suddenly changed the subject, lowering his eyes and no longer looking at the first floor: "Lord Dongjun, have you thought about how to end this matter?"

What a strange question. Is she playing along with me, mocking the Moon Goddess?

Yan Fei chuckled softly at this thought:

"What's the point of ending this? Just capture him and seal his acupoints. It won't stop us from taking the Azure Dragon Bronze Box."

"Since you both think it's a good idea, then let's do it."

The moon goddess's tranquility made Yan Fei feel a sudden chill, yet she didn't know where this chill came from.

At her level, any abnormality has a reason, and Yanfei did not ignore this 'cold shiver'.

But after thinking it over, she couldn't see any problem with the arrest plan.

Although Yanfei didn't initially intend to truly capture Lu Wei, since he was, after all, one of Yue Shen's people, she brought it up only to wait for Yue Shen to explicitly oppose it before resolving the issue.

The fact that it was unanimously approved... gave rise to a strange feeling.

With the sun, moon, and stars all attacking together, the mere head of the Farmer's Hall is no match for them. Even if they take a toy approach, they can defeat them in three rounds at most. Could the Moon Goddess possibly turn against them then?

This is obviously impossible.

So where exactly does the problem lie?

Lu Wei had a way to suppress his own strength, but the gaze from the second floor had lingered for too long, forcing him to stare back.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a table of three wandering knights, one of whom was leaning against the railing, scrutinizing himself with great interest.

He didn't recognize the man himself, but the two wandering knights behind him looked somewhat familiar.

Chapter 222 You are now surrounded.

People who look familiar to the Hall Master are mostly friends he has known before.

He rarely engaged in combat, and when he did, he would kill them on the spot. Some of them managed to escape, but not many.

Lu Wei didn't recognize any of the three wandering knights on the second floor, but he was very familiar with the eyes of one of them.

Lu Wei had seen that clear, cold gaze many times. Even though this person was completely different from the Moon Goddess in terms of gender, appearance, and eye shape, the feeling of that undisguised gaze was a deliberate hint.

Of the three, one is the Moon Goddess, and the other is the Star Soul.

As for the third person who was perched on the railing, exuding a strong sense of danger, and who also showed the most intense interest in himself, his expression and actions suggested that he was of equal status to the two left and right protectors of the Yin-Yang School.

Is this person Dongjun Yanfei?

Turning our attention back, the Yin-Yang School actually sent three of these people to the Chu Kingdom on business... This will cause a huge shift in the power dynamics of the martial arts world in Shouchun City...

Despite his shock, the sect leader wasn't worried; they were probably unrelated to him. The Shadow Guards and the Yin-Yang School likely had different goals. If one were to pinpoint where their attention would converge, it would probably be the Mohist School facing another severe blow.

In recent days, Lu Wei has not found any trace of Yan Dan in the Yunmeng Market, but since Dao Zhi, the king of thieves, is in the city, Gao Jianli, who went to Daze Mountain with him, should also be there.

Although they held considerable positions in the martial arts world, they were hardly qualified to be involved in the Qin-Chu war.