Qin Shi Ambitious

Page 292

None of the original prisoners who entered through the back gate of the prison escaped, but most of them were killed due to the combined sword energy and the cold water from the Yi River.

Outside the prison's main gate, the Golden Fire Cavalry and Dragon Tiger Cavalry arrived and charged, inflicting heavy casualties on the rebels. Only key members managed to escape thanks to the desperate rearguard action of a Mohist leader known as "Big Iron Hammer," who was riddled with thorns by the Golden Fire Cavalry's spears...

While this well-designed encirclement and suppression operation was not without merit, the results were certainly far below expectations.

"Xiaoyaozi..." Zhang Han calmly wanted to inquire about the battle situation between the two leaders of the Daoist Heavenly Man Sect, but as soon as he asked the question, a sharp killing intent suddenly appeared in the side room.

Zhang Han's expression changed, and he was about to draw his sword when blood appeared on his neck, along with that of his adjutant and the army doctor...

Ji Yan smiled and sheathed her sword. Although things had gone wrong at the beginning, the outcome was just as Brother Lu had planned.

She turned to leave, and just as she stepped out the door, she bumped into Xiaomeng, whose face was cold and aloof, walking towards her with Qiuli in her hand...

Two women of similar age faced each other, a dangerous glint flashing in their eyes simultaneously...

Chapter 349 The Product of Flirting

As dawn approached, the entire city was once again placed under martial law due to the heinous assassination attempt on Prince Fusu that occurred in Sanghai last night.

It was on the day martial law was declared that Lu Wei, Fu Nian, and Zhang Liang, from Xiaoshengxianzhuang on the mountain, saw the mirage arrive at its starting point in the morning light.

"It seems that Qin's arrangements are going smoothly. Prince Fusu will deal with the mirage first, and will definitely visit the Confucian school in a couple of days."

Having not slept all night, Lu Wei casually poured the remaining wine from his glass onto the grass beside him.

After several hours of contemplation, he was able to accept any outcome regarding the shipyard prison: whether the anti-Qin alliance was wiped out in Zhang Han's plan or Zhang Han still suffered a loss despite his careful consideration.

The mirage has arrived, and the entire plan has reached its penultimate step: hunting down the Eastern Emperor!

Lu Wei originally planned to have the anti-Qin alliance preserve its strength and use them to activate the Azure Dragon Plan while he was dealing with the Mirage, thus diverting Qin's attention to Mount Tai. However, this task is not only something that the Mohists can do now; Xiaoyaozi, Chisongzi, and Tian Guang, who represent the identity of Yan Ri, can also cooperate.

Chisongzi's only wish was to preserve the Daoist school. Tian Guang was one of his own. As for Xiaoyaozi... while he was controlling the identity of Yanri, he was also being controlled by that identity. He had no ability to refuse Lu Wei's reasonable proposal.

He was forced to infiltrate Taoism in his twenties due to the orders of the Luo Wang organization, and now, in his sixties, he is being driven by the prevailing trend again.

"The Confucian school is ready." After saying this in a deep voice, Fu Nian stood up and asked Zhang Liang to clean up the banquet. He then led Lu Wei to the main road down the mountain, where the carriages of Xiaoshengxianzhuang were already waiting.

"Martial law is in effect in the city. I will personally escort you back and also take the opportunity to pay my respects to that young master Fusu."

"Thank you for your trouble, Brother Fu Nian." Lu Wei did not refuse; he did need to return to the stronghold in a reasonable way as soon as possible.

“Why be so polite? The interests of Confucian scholars and farmers are already intertwined. This time, the Empire’s intentions are not good. After Prince Fusu, there is also His Majesty the First Emperor. Xiaoshengxianzhuang may not even be able to maintain lasting peace in the years to come.” Fu Nian sighed for the first time in front of Lu Wei: “If Xiaoshengxianzhuang is in trouble in the future, I’m afraid the Confucian disciples will have to ask Brother Lu to take care of it.”

Fu Nian had long been worried about the attacks on Legalism by the Confucian scholars in the court. Whether out of justice or personal motives, he needed to find a way out for his students.

"Brother Fu Nian, rest assured, when the time comes, farmers will not only pick up hoes."

This statement was extremely rebellious, and Fu Nian, who practiced the Holy King Sword Technique, should have reprimanded him for it, but he didn't. Instead, he personally parted the carriage curtain for Lu Wei, inviting him to go first...

The convoy from Xiaoshengxianzhuang could still move freely in the city under martial law after registering. Therefore, after sending Lu Xiaokui to the farmhouse stronghold, Fu Nian did visit the eldest son's residence as he had said. However, he did not see the eldest son himself. The young master was too frightened to receive guests, so Fu Nian expressed his greetings and did not insist on keeping him. He then circled back to Xiaoshengxianzhuang.

On the side of the mountain, the wine party that Fu Nian had instructed Zhang Liang to clean up before leaving was not taken down, but instead set up again. Zhang Liang and Yan Lu sat upright, as if they were waiting for his return.

Fu Nian was not surprised and calmly sat down with his two junior brothers: "Zifang, are you going to discuss the stance of Xiaoshengxianzhuang?"

"Yes." Zhang Liang cupped his hands in greeting: "The anti-Qin alliance has probably suffered heavy losses in last night's unauthorized operation. Even with the Guigu School's support, they are very likely to be completely wiped out."

"The anti-Qin alliance led by the Mohists has collapsed, but the overall situation of the world has not changed. Qin's enemies are definitely not those few dozen or a hundred people."

"Now, the real enemy has entered the fray. The Qin state may seem powerful, but in the face of its enemy, it can only follow the same path of destruction as the already extinct states of Han, Zhao, Wei, Chu, Yan, and Qi."

“Zifang is exaggerating a bit. The empire has just quelled the rebellion and is currently enjoying a golden age.” Fu Nian squinted and shook his head in opposition.

"It is precisely this kind of thinking that is the root cause of Qin's downfall." Zhang Liang did not back down from his senior brother's rebuttal. Fu Nian did not refuse to discuss the topic, but his light-hearted objection made his attitude clear: "The country is in its prime. What's wrong with some construction projects? What's wrong with indulging in luxury? What's wrong with exploiting the people?"

Yan Lu watched as his junior brother brazenly refuted his senior brother's arguments again and again, and silently lowered his head, lost in thought... Confucianism is a worldly school of thought, and this kind of thing was bound to happen sooner or later.

He personally... also had some grudges against the Qin state, but he had put those grudges behind him.

The final decision on which side the Confucianists should take rests with Fu Nian, and how he will choose will only be known after Prince Fusu's visit: 'Zifang is arguing with his senior brother now because he has something to do himself...'

Before Lu Wei stepped into the room, he sensed two extremely quiet auras inside. One was Ji Yan, and the other... was very similar to Chi Songzi, whom he had met just a few days ago.

Having prepared himself, Lu Wei pushed open the door and entered. The two young women sitting at the table, staring at each other, immediately turned their heads and glared at him: it was indeed Xiao Yan'er and Xiao Meng, whom he had deliberately saved ten years ago.

However, Xiaomeng now is completely different from the dirty little girl she was back then. Her light green halter-neck dress is fresh and natural, and her silver-gray updo has a deep side-swept dye color. Lu Wei remembers that it should have originally been light blue.

In terms of temperament, Xiaomeng is different from the aloofness that is sometimes rumored in the martial arts world; she is more casual.

'It seems Xiao Yan'er's mission has encountered some minor trouble.'

After exchanging glances with Ji Yan, Lu Wei stepped forward with a faint smile: "Master Xiaomengzi, you must have come here for me."

“You didn’t hide it, that’s good.” Xiaomeng had already confirmed from his face that Lu Wei was indeed her savior from ten years ago. After glancing at the Sea-Swallowing Sword at his waist, she felt that her behavior was somewhat unnecessary.

"Since you haven't forgotten me, there's no need for me to introduce myself again."

Xiaomeng casually glossed over their past, and suddenly felt that Ji Yan was somewhat superfluous. However, having traveled with this woman all the way, she knew that she was not easy to deal with, so she simply ignored her out of sight.

The young sect leader of Tianzong held out his palm and took out a pottery flute: This was an instrument that Lu Wei practiced in his spare time after arriving in Sanghai. It should have been placed on the windowsill next to the flowerpot. He was not surprised that Xiaomeng would hold it in her hand and play with it.

It could even be said that this was actually something Lu Wei deliberately prepared when he learned that Fu Su was coming. His purpose was to hope that he could use this song, "Dreaming of My Hometown," to remind Fu Su of the help he had given him in the past, and that Fu Su would choose to do things for him at this crucial moment.

He acts and bestows favors only in order to expect something in return.

When Xiaomeng was just an ordinary little girl, she often heard her father play the Wei tune "Zhihu" on a pottery ocarina. After she became a Taoist, although she still remembered the tune, she never heard anyone play it in real life again.

Lu Wei was unaware of the details of her time on Mount Taiyi, but ten years ago he learned from the disciple who was monitoring Xiaomeng that this piece of music held special significance for her.

"this is yours?"

“I sometimes play music to relax.” Sitting down between Ji Yan and Xiao Meng, Lu Wei took the ocarina from her hand and said with a smile, “I’m a beginner, not an expert yet, just playing around.”

"Can...play it for me?" Xiaomeng asked earnestly. If she had just come out of seclusion at Mount Taiyi, she would have immediately said, "Play it for me."

"Heh~" Lu Wei didn't say much, but the act of placing the ocarina to his lips was enough to show his agreement, and the primitive, ancient sound gently emanated from it...

He was playing "Zhihu" of course, since it was the only ocarina piece he was proficient in. Just like he only learned a few simple routines in Go, as long as he could achieve his goal, he didn't need to spend too much time on these arts.

Ji Yan sat to one side. She knew roughly what Lu Wei and Xiao Meng's story was like, but not the specific details.

However, in the shipyard prison, Xiaomeng discovered that she had killed Zhang Han. At that time, she could not kill Xiaomeng as quickly as she had killed the relaxed Zhang Han. And once a fight broke out, she would not be able to take down the number one person of the Heavenly Sect in a short time. Just as Ji Yan was considering what to do, Xiaomeng took the initiative to suppress her inner energy and asked her if she was from the Farmer's Clan.

Why would the sect leader of Tianzong guess that she was from a farming family? Ji Yan didn't have time to think about it. At that time, the Qin army could arrive at any time in the shipyard prison, so she nodded and tried to get information out of Xiaomeng.

After receiving Ji Yan's affirmative answer, Xiao Meng's next sentence immediately revealed why she knew Ji Yan's background: "Sure enough, you have his aura and internal energy attributes on you."

'Him?' Xiao Yan'er suddenly realized: 'Is this also a product of Brother Lu's womanizing ways... the head of the Taoist Heavenly Sect...'

“Take me to see him... Lu Wei, right?”

But Xiaomeng's casual second question gave Ji Yan a new set of doubts...

Chapter 350 The Moon Goddess Joins

The timbre of the xun has always been praised by Taoists as the instrument closest to the sounds of nature. However, at this moment, Xiaomeng was not thinking about the issue of cultivating Taoism, but about her memories from ten years ago.

The Heavenly Sect emphasizes non-action, believing that any emotion is but a tiny, insignificant part in the long river of time, and this applies to individuals, organizations, and nations alike.

Under Bei Mingzi's guidance, Xiaomeng thus came to understand that being ruthless allowed her to get closest to the Dao, and that being ruthless meant she didn't care about other people's opinions and could do whatever she wanted.

Her master, Bei Mingzi, did not comment much on this: Under the framework of the Dao, different people can have different understandings. Xiaomeng's understanding is still within the boundaries of the Heavenly Sect Dao. Whether it is correct or wrong depends only on Xiaomeng herself.

Hearing "Climbing the Hill," a song her father often played, from her hometown again after ten years, Xiaomeng, who had never been one for 'like' or 'dislike,' understood that her current emotion was definitely what they called 'like'...

Her belief that Tianzong's detachment from emotions was tinged with ruthlessness was shaken: whether it was her gratitude for being saved before her seclusion or her longing for her father and hometown now, it showed that Xiaomeng had never been truly ruthless from the beginning.

After the song ended, Lu Wei put down the ocarina, but Xiao Meng remained with her eyes closed, lost in thought, seemingly contemplating the music.

He didn't disturb her, but just as Lu Wei lightly and silently put down the ocarina, Xiao Meng suddenly spoke up: "This piece is very good. Because of it, I will not reveal the cause of Zhang Han's death."

"Is Zhang Han still dead?" Lu Wei heard Xiaomeng's words before she opened her eyes. He was generally satisfied with the battle at the shipyard prison, and only lacked intelligence from the anti-Qin alliance.

Nodding to Ji Yan, Xiao Yan'er went to the corner desk and picked up a brush to write down the entire process of the shipyard battle.

The entire room fell silent instantly, with only the faint sounds of writing and breathing.

'Xiaomeng was likely taken to the shipyard prison by Zhang Han to deal with the strategists. Judging from the dialogue, she witnessed Ji Yan's murder, making her a potential threat.'

'However, the fact that she brought up Zhang Han's death shows that Xiaomeng doesn't care about it, but that's not enough. Zhang Han's death is a major case, and she has two choices...'

"Fortunately, the xun music he learned had a significant impact on him, and the props he prepared himself came in handy."

The silence lasted for a full half hour. Such a long period of peace could have lasted even longer, but the arrival of another woman broke the atmosphere.

The Moon Goddess pushed open the door to the stronghold and saw Lu Wei, who was 'embracing two women', reading something. She also sensed two unfamiliar auras instantly locking onto her. She calmly closed the door behind her.

Ji Yan? I know this girl.

Xiaomeng? What's the Heavenly Sect Leader doing here?

Leaving aside her doubts for the moment, the Moon Goddess released a slight Yin-Yang technique, pushing back the auras of the two 'little girls'. The whole room creaked, and the three people's inner energy fiercely battled within the room. However, it was clear that Ji Yan and Xiao Meng were suppressed by the Moon Goddess.

The two were, after all, young.

Although Ji Yan's expression was not good, he remained seated. Xiao Meng, who had been in temporary seclusion, snorted coldly, stood up, and decisively drew her Qiu Li sword.

“We’re all on the same side, why be so tense?” With a sigh, Lu Wei finally stepped forward: He shook his head and gently pressed down with his palm. A more concentrated internal energy swept across everything in an instant, pressing the internal energy of the three women back into their respective bodies equally. Yue Shen, Ji Yan, and Xiao Meng all felt a tightness in their chests. Even Xiao Yan’er, who was most familiar with Lord Xia Kui, was surprised by this terrifying power.

The window, which was originally open for ventilation, closed automatically, and the light inside the room immediately dimmed.

"Please sit down," Lu Wei said with a smile as he stood up, and the pressure he felt on everyone instantly dissipated.

He personally lit the candles and brewed a pot of hot tea, then naturally invited the three women to sit down under their watchful eyes.

Ji Yan obediently had no objections.

The Moon Goddess's initial reaction was merely to warn the two 'little girls' to recognize their place.

Xiaomeng had only been there for one day, and her initial goal was simply to see her former savior. She didn't say much about being called "one of our own," and she didn't think she needed to explain anything to Ji Yan and the Moon Goddess.

I was a little unhappy that my comprehension was interrupted.

"The effects of the battle at the shipyard prison are still unfolding. How are Luna and Star Soul doing?"

Now that the mirage had arrived, it was only natural that the Moon Goddess would follow. Lu Wei didn't ask any further questions, as some private matters should be discussed privately. Therefore, he asked questions that were not related to the core issues.

“He is not you. He took the combined attack of Guigu Zongheng head-on, and his injuries were very serious. However, Shao Siming gave him your healing pills immediately, so it did not get too bad.”

The Moon Goddess did not explain her itinerary after returning to Xianyang. She raised her head and answered calmly.

"It was indeed impulsive, but it also created an opportunity for Zongheng to escape. Apart from the cost of injury, it can be considered a win-win situation." Lu Wei knew Wei Zhuang's strength and roughly understood Gai Nie's strength. He knew that even if the Star Soul with ten levels of internal energy gathered into a blade with both hands could not withstand the combined attack of the two, the latter would not be instantly killed by this move.

Moreover, in order to have enough strength to attack the two mechanical beasts a second time, they would definitely hold back their strength the first time.