Qin Shi Ambitious

Page 120

Zhang Liang nodded, looking at the flowers and plants in the courtyard that had been damaged by the sword energy he had unintentionally controlled: "My old friends have passed away, my country has perished, but I am not a heartless person."

"Once old feelings are stirred up, it is always difficult to calm the mind."

"I am not as composed or as peaceful as my senior brother, when it comes to matters of family and national heritage..."

He paused here and looked at Yan Lu: "Senior brother, you always manage to settle things with Ruoyi, so why are you so restless today?"

“Everyone has their own past stories; the key is how to face them.” Yan Lu stood up, his voice gentle and soothing, and took out a jade handle from his long sleeve, displaying it to Zhang Liang.

"This is...Han Guang?"

The latter had a keen eye and accurately pronounced the sword's name...

------

As the climate in Yan region gradually warms up, summers here are later and shorter than in other countries.

The Crown Prince's residence has recently been renovated and has become much more luxurious.

This is a symbol of power, the strength that Yan Dan tore away little by little from his father, King Xi of Yan.

His alliance with Yan Yi was of great help to him.

Leaving aside the Crown Prince's infiltration of the army, let's just talk about that woman who was arranged to marry him.

His Crown Princess, Yan Yun, successfully gave birth to a princess for the country. Taking advantage of the celebration, the Crown Prince's guests held a joyous gathering.

Although it is a pity that he was the eldest son of the legitimate wife and the heir to the crown prince was established early, Yan Dan had not yet taken power at this time. He spent most of his attention on the struggle for power and did not even take a concubine. It is clear that he was not very concerned about this matter.

Originally, the main concern among the officials of Yan was that the crown prince was getting old and still had no heir. Now that he has a daughter, people are much more at ease.

It is very important that the next King of Yan has no hidden illness.

After spending some time with his wife and daughter, Yan Dan hurried to the main hall.

Jing Ke and Tian Guang were waiting for him there.

"Your Highness, everything is ready."

"The map of Dukang, Fan Yuqi's head..." Tian Guang stood up and his words were picked up by Jing Ke, who said resolutely, "And the Dragon-Slaying Sword, for me!"

Judging by the estimated due date, this should be the day his child was born...

"The stalemate between Qin and Zhao continues, and Zhao Cong is not entirely incompetent."

Yan Dan read the Zhao war report with a serious expression. He looked at the peasant chivalrous leader, whose status in the martial arts world was equal to his own: "Brother Tian Guang, should we wait until Zhao is defeated and then pretend to be afraid to send the map of ceding territory, or should we set off immediately!"

He was asking Changping Jun, who was behind Tian Guang, more so than Tian Guang himself.

There are still many arrangements that Lord Changping needs to make in advance regarding Jing Ke's journey to Qin.

"Set off immediately!" Tian Guang's voice boomed. "If the assassination succeeds, the Qin army's morale will be thrown into chaos. While the Zhao army is still undefeated, the Yan army can cross the Yi River and join the battle, pushing the flames of war back into Qin territory!"

"Even if we fail..." Jing Ke was now very calm. He knew that whether he succeeded or failed, his fate was sealed: "The severing of relations between Yan and Qin can also be used to coerce the king into sending troops to aid Zhao!"

"If the State of Zhao is also destroyed, then it will truly be too late..."

"Brother Jing Ke!" Yan Dan stepped forward and patted Jing Ke on the shoulder: "You're going to Qin..."

"Your Highness, there's no need for further words." Jing Ke, one hand gripping the broken rainbow at his waist, the other taking out his gourd wine jug, biting off the stopper, taking a large gulp, and then laughing heartily: "This matter of making a name for myself in history is surely mine, Jing Ke's, to claim!"

"I will attend court tomorrow morning and then petition my father to send an envoy from Qin. They will depart in seven days. In these seven days... please make the arrangements, Brother Jing Ke!"

...

"His daughter has been born. When do you plan to make your move?"

The Moon Goddess and Yan Fei returned to the peach blossom forest where they fought last year.

Last year, after her defeat, the Moon Goddess destroyed all the peach blossoms in the entire forest in her anger. This year, when she revisited the same place, her emotions remained unchanged.

This made Yan Fei glance at Yue Shen a few more times: "That Yan Yun is often left alone in the mansion by Yan Dan. I have observed her carefully for a long time and found that this woman is no ordinary person."

'Could someone who could replace you be an ordinary person?'

Now, unwilling to argue with Yan Fei, the Moon Goddess rationally keeps many things to herself and only tells them to herself.

"This woman doesn't love Yan Dan, but she hopes to use Yan Dan to kill her adoptive father, Yan Yi!"

Yan Fei's tone changed slightly: "She was willing to give anything to kill Yan Yi, even her own daughter."

"It seems you've contacted her."

“That’s right, so from the very beginning I was confident that I could use his daughter to kill him.”

"Now you've decided to do as I suggest?"

"No, he will still be killed by his daughter... but it is worth trying to let him destroy the Yan Kingdom and the Mo family with his own hands before he dies."

Yanfei plucked a peach blossom, glancing at her 'good sister,' only to find that the girl paid no attention to her actions.

With a guess in mind, Consort Yan turned her palm over and let the peach blossoms fall to the ground: "In addition, a crown prince who murdered his father will surely be remembered in history."

"I will cooperate with whatever revenge you desire." The Moon Goddess closed her eyes. "But you should know why His Majesty the Eastern Emperor allows you to act so recklessly."

"The Seven Constellations of the Azure Dragon, I will let you take them back."

Yan Fei turned around, her voice haughty.

"That would be perfect." The Moon Goddess turned away from her, her thoughts contradicting her words: she increasingly felt that her 'good older sister' was rather meaningless.

'This foolish woman's vision is limited to this, but I am different. I will make the title of Moon Goddess replace the Eastern Emperor's position in the Yin-Yang School!'

Chapter 142 Zhang Liang's Chamber

"Composed and majestic, skillful yet unpretentious."

Inside the reception hall of Xiaoshengxianzhuang, between two rows of elegantly dressed guests, an elderly man in gray robes stroked a broadsword with his hands, rough and calloused like old tree roots, praising it endlessly.

"As expected of the majestic sword jointly crafted by Master Ou Yezi and Master Gan Jiang, its sword aura already exists between heaven and earth even before the sword itself exists."

The old man performed a set of ancient sword techniques with agility that belied his appearance, leaving everyone present in awe.

Even if some people in the crowd couldn't understand the power of this slow sword technique, as long as they thought that it was Master Feng Hu Zi wielding the Tai'a sword, they knew that it must be a sword move with extraordinary skill.

At the final moment of sheathing his sword, Feng Hu Zi tossed it from his hand, and the imposing man opposite him solemnly received it, bowing respectfully while holding the sword.

"Master Feng Hu Zi's sword techniques have greatly inspired my Holy King Sword Technique."

This man was none other than Fu Nian. The soon-to-be successor to the position of Confucian sect leader was dressed in a green and brown formal suit, exuding an elegant and extraordinary aura, and displaying the righteousness of a prestigious sect in every gesture.

Beneath his long, low-set eyebrows were a pair of firm and stern eyes.

Lu Wei, who later arrived here and mingled in the crowd, had seen this look on Yan Dan's face. But unlike Yan Dan, the Crown Prince of Yan had too many worries and anxieties, and his brows inevitably concealed some troubles and calculations.

As for Fu Nian's face, the Hall Master didn't see the arrogance that Li Shiqi had mentioned; perhaps more detailed contact would reveal it. At this moment, Fu Nian only exuded a magnanimous air and self-confidence.

Among the leaders of the various sects, Lu Wei had met Tian Guang, the Six-Fingered Black Knight, and perhaps Yan Dan as well. Each of these three had their own unique characteristics, but judging solely from appearance, Fu Nian was the most upright.

It's likely that only in front of the next leader of the peasant clan will he be relegated to second place.

"The sword of might can only unleash the power of the sword if the swordsman possesses inner might."

"The Tai'a Sword ranks among the top ten in my sword manual."

In Feng Hu Zi’s eyes, Fu Nian and Tai A are the mutual enhancement of swordsmen and swords, which is undoubtedly a great bonus when he arranges the score.

"Caw!" The onlookers made a commotion upon hearing this, but upon reflection, it wasn't surprising: the Tai'a Sword had been perfectly aligned with the right timing, location, and people from the moment it was forged, astonishing the world. Now, it was wielded by Fu Nian, the leader of the Confucian school, making its entry into the top ten of any sword manual a matter of course.

However, Master Feng Hu Zi has been traveling the world for many years and has probably appraised more than a thousand swords. Today is the first time he has directly stated that a sword can reliably enter the top ten of his sword manual.

Ignoring the noisy guests, some of whom were swordsmen holding their swords and itching to fight, no one in the hall dared to embarrass themselves with the Tai'a Sword before them.

Because Feng Hu Zi would genuinely hurl insults at any ordinary sword that didn't meet his standards.

This old man was fair in his assessment of the swords he liked, but he would also grant the wish of unsuspecting swordsmen who only wanted fame... only the fame he granted was often not the fame those swordsmen desired...

"The master is in a hurry."

Fu Nian accompanied Feng Hu Zi. The selection of the Tai'a Sword had already taken place, but the succession ceremony for the Confucian sect leader was still some time away. He had already arranged accommodations for Master Feng Hu Zi at the Little Sage Manor, and it was his duty to personally escort him there.

The pillars in the Confucian hall were inlaid with verses from Confucian classics in bright gold bars. When the two walked to the pillar with the inscription "I examine myself three times a day," Feng Hu Zi suddenly stopped and looked at the handsome young man standing next to the pillar with a bright light in his eyes.

As one of the two main characters in the entire hall, Feng Hu Zi's actions naturally attracted the attention of the other main character, Fu Nian, and all the guests present.

Everyone's gaze immediately turned to Lu Wei.

Staring at the dark blue, ancient sword hilt at Lu Wei's waist, Feng Hu Zi turned halfway and strode up to the hall master:

"May I ask which sect you belong to?"

Feng Hu Zi actually took the initiative to bow, and his tone of inquiry was very polite.

Lu Wei paid no attention to the reactions of the guests and Fu Nian. He smiled and replied politely, "I am Lu Wei, a disciple of the Farmer's School."

“Lu Wei!” Fu Nian, who was waiting to the side, had a sudden thought.

The guests present may not be very familiar with this name. After all, unless one pays special attention, given the speed at which rumors spread, much information cannot be widely disseminated.

Sanghai City is located in the Qi region, and most of its guests are from Qi. Although farming families have a great influence in Qi, they are not very associated with farming for learned and refined people.

Fu Nian was different. He was about to become the leader of the Confucian school and had a deep understanding of the various schools of thought, including many minor sects. Naturally, he knew the name of Lu Wei, the rising star of the peasant school.

Although I don't know much about him, the identity of the head of the Gonggong Hall of the Farmers means that he is no longer an ordinary guest and requires more attention in his hospitality.

Despite his extensive travels, Feng Huzi was the one among those present who knew the most about Lu Wei's personal history.

"So it was Hall Master Lu. I didn't expect that in addition to doing great good deeds, Hall Master Lu also has a unique mastery of swordsmanship."

The old man's gaze kept shifting back and forth between Lu Wei and the Devouring Sea Sword:

"Many righteous people live among farmers. After my trip to Sanghai, I, an old man, also wish to visit Dazeshan."

Upon hearing this, the headmaster readily agreed: "The disciples of the Farmer School will certainly welcome you with utmost sincerity!"

"Thank you!" Feng Hu Zi suppressed his urgency, glanced at the Devouring Sea Sword a few more times, turned back to Fu Nian's side, and continued walking outside.

Fu Nian nodded to Lu Wei from a distance, then gave a look to the Confucian disciple who was watching from a short distance away, who understood and ran away.

After the two main characters left the hall, Lu Wei, who had become the third main character at the last moment, became a hot commodity.

Because of Feng Hu Zi's approval and the title "Master Lu," anyone in the martial arts world who knew the structure of the Farmer's Clan immediately understood Lu Wei's identity.

Even those refined gentlemen who spent their days immersed in books were willing to step forward and exchange a few words with the respectful man with the beard, and to introduce themselves.

The sect leader welcomes all comers. More friends mean more opportunities; perhaps some of these people are capable enough to be recruited as subordinates or used in the future.