Qin Shi Ambitious

Page 137

After dissecting the problem layer by layer, the difficult task now becomes how to make the raw materials stored by the Yin-Yang School work in our favor.

Isn't this exactly the time for the Moon Goddess, the Right Protector of the Yin-Yang School, to prove her worth?

In fact, aside from the Right Protector Moon Goddess, the Left Protector Star Soul might be more reliable in some aspects.

This child, who never grew taller, harbored deep hatred for the Qin state and the Yin-Yang School.

The seeds of hatred, once they feel even a little bit of sunlight, will quickly sprout and grow, tightly binding and killing the object of their hatred!

Therefore, Lord Yun Zhongjun, the personal hall master, doesn't need special attention. He can even manipulate the left and right protectors of the Yin-Yang School to his own ends; what about Elder Jin of the Yin-Yang School? Just a tool for alchemy.

The Shu Mountains are still worth a special trip. In the future, when Qin loses its power and the world is vying for control, an uprising in Shu could also be part of the plan.

"Shushan?" Chu Nan Gong stroked his long beard and sighed, "You really treat this old man like a tool."

“Master Nan is my teacher of all knowledge~” Lu Wei said with a pure and innocent face.

"Fine, fine, come again tomorrow night."

Chu Nan Gong waved his hand and started walking again. This time, the hall master did not follow, because unlike before, Nan Gong had now deactivated the 'Hidden in the City' effect.

The wise man from Chu had done him a lot of favors; the short old man was like the Xu family of Ji City in the past, investing in him.

However, the Xu family is investing in subordinates, while Chu Nan Gong is investing in the future leader of the Farmer's School of Chivalry. The two have different expectations for Lu Wei, and therefore hope to receive very different returns in the future.

The metaphor that Master Nan used with his old walking stick today is quite clear: he hopes that Master Lu can bring the farmers to join Lord Changping's plan.

"Of course I must oppose Qin, but the value of the nobles of the six states is decreasing to me, and they will eventually become my enemies."

"What era are we living in? It's time for these old nobles to make room for each other!"

Back at Xiang Bo's residence, he took out the cane that Chu Nan Gong had given him, and with a few simple spins, a scroll of finely written instructions describing the "Hidden in the City" martial arts technique fell out from the hollow cane.

First, carefully restore the broken cane to its original state and place it aside; it might come in handy someday.

Further, when Lu Wei, who had a background in Yin-Yang philosophy, read the text, he could see some traces of Yin-Yang techniques. However, upon closer analysis, it was found to be superficially similar to Yin-Yang techniques but actually quite similar. This skill should belong to a Taoist practice.

Judging from my own martial arts foundation, this "Hidden in the City" technique is not easy to master. It requires practitioners to have a certain foundation in Taoist classics, or at least to understand the word "hidden" through Taoist texts.

Shaking his head, the Hall Master carefully put away the "Hidden in the City" manual, intending to read some Laozi and Zhuangzi's books on his way to Mount Shu before focusing on his cultivation techniques upon returning to Mount Daze.

This is true of most profound martial arts in this world. Regardless of whether it is Confucianism, Taoism, Mohism, or Yin-Yang, one must first thoroughly study and understand the doctrines of their respective school as a foundation in order to make smooth progress in cultivation.

The same applies to the Farmer's School. However, due to its unique characteristics, the advanced martial arts techniques within the Six Sages' Tomb require disciples to have a relatively deep life experience rather than relying on scriptures.

The next day, I accompanied Xiang Bo out of the city and watched the soldiers compete in martial arts in Xiang's army all day, which was quite interesting.

However, the interesting part was not the soldiers, but that Xiang Liang, who was traveling with them, brought along the five-year-old young master of the Xiang clan: Xiang Yu.

As the direct grandson of the Xiang clan, it was not unusual for Xiang Yu to be involved in the army at his age. In fact, according to Xiang Liang, Xiang Yan personally carried the young Xiang Yu to participate in a military hunting activity last year.

The little guy is exceptionally talented. At such a young age, he can wield a sword and even a spear. Even though the size of the person and the weapon are very disproportionate, Xiang Yu can still perform quite well.

Young Xiang Yu formally began learning martial arts two years earlier than the gifted Xiao Yan'er. Logically speaking, pushing one's physical potential too early is detrimental to growth, but considering Xiang Yu's unparalleled bravery throughout history, and Xiang Yan's approval for him to start learning martial arts ahead of time, Lu Wei naturally wouldn't meddle and would simply remain a spectator.

Accompanying the head of the hall as an observer was another unexpected name: Ji Bu.

Lu Wei and Ji Bu had no enmity, but having just gone through that competition a few days ago, the latter's pride should have made him somewhat embarrassed.

However, to everyone's surprise, Ji Bu took the initiative to come to Lu Wei's side, and even put aside his pride and suppressed his awkwardness to speak first:

"Is Hall Master Lu the Hall Master of Gonggong Hall?"

"..." Even Tian Hu, the most straightforward person Lu Wei knew, wouldn't say such nonsense: "Yes, Commander Ji Bu, do you have any doubts?"

But upon reflection, the sect leader wasn't surprised by Ji Bu's performance today; he could easily guess what Ji Bu would focus on next.

"Hmm...I heard that there's a branch in the farmhouse called Drunken Dream Pavilion?"

Ji Bu pretended to look at the two soldiers embracing each other in the center of the field, but his mind was actually wandering.

His elder sister was sent to a farm by the family a few years ago. Although the two of them correspond frequently now, Ji Bu would like to find out about his sister's current situation from a third party.

“Yes, Zui Meng Lou belongs to Shennong Hall.” Lu Wei chuckled. “The top courtesan of Zui Meng Lou, Hua Ying, is deeply trusted by the Zhu family hall master and is also considered a high-ranking disciple in Shennong Hall.”

The layout of Zuimenglou is currently just a side move by Changping Jun. Huaying is indeed the nominal leader of Zuimenglou, but she has never even been to Dazeshan. As for how important she is to Shennongtang, she certainly can't be said to be.

However, after offering a few words of comfort to Ji Bu, the two became much closer, which meant that he had been playing a casual game.

After returning from the military camp, he went to Yunmeng again. After meeting with Chu Nan Gong, the short old man only threw him a scroll of bamboo slips, and then quickly disappeared into the crowd, not even giving Lu Wei a chance to say another word.

"Take care, Mr. Nan."

He called out to Chu Nan Gong's retreating figure, then turned around and returned directly to Xiang Bo's residence without stopping. The bamboo scroll he had obtained was named: Shu Road.

The road to Shu is more difficult than ascending to heaven.

This refers not only to the actual difficulty of traversing the mountain roads into Sichuan, but also to a maze-like network within the Sichuan mountains, known as the Shu Road.

Shushan has two methods to defend against external enemies: one is to rely on Gu worms, and the other is to rely on illusions.

Their illusionary skills were, in some respects, comparable to those of the Yin-Yang School. Among them, the "One Leaf Blocks the View" technique, known as "Blinding the World with a Leaf," was recorded in the middle section of Chu Nan Gong's bamboo scroll.

The Shu Road Maze is a large-scale layout designed to trap people. It is based on the Five Elements and will automatically change the Five Elements over time within the same area, causing drastic changes in the environment and bewitching the mind.

To escape the Shu Road, the key lies in understanding the 'rotation of the five elements and the principle of mutual generation and mutual restraint'.

This once again makes one think of the Yin-Yang School; such similar illusions are clearly not a coincidence.

After reading the introduction to the Gu and Illusion techniques of Mount Shu, Lu Wei made thorough preparations for his trip to Mount Shu. In the following days, he even found a merchant from Shu in the Yunmeng Market and bought a set of Shu-style clothing, intending to do as the Romans do.

Everything was ready, however, an urgent report from A Yu in Daliang City prevented the Hall Master from completing his journey to Shu...

An important matter has occurred within the territory of the Zhao state that requires his personal attention and cannot be delayed in the slightest.

Because this involves human lives!

Nian Duan, the former head of a medical family who had been living in seclusion in the Taihang Mountains, was on the verge of collapse. Not long ago, the local authorities reported that Physician Nian Duan had suddenly collapsed and remained unconscious for seventeen hours, and was in critical condition.

In this time of crisis, what is needed is a person of great righteousness to offer timely assistance, and in doing so, to invite this master of medicine to join the Gonggong Hall...

Shushan is important, but Nianduan is even more urgent!

Chapter 158 Battle against the Giant Sword

The next afternoon, Lu Wei bid farewell to Xiang Bo and rode north to travel from Wei to Zhao, and then to Nian Duan's place of seclusion.

Aside from the three participating kingdoms, other forces in the Zhao region rarely received timely information about the battle situation. Upon entering Zhao, he also needed to avoid the battlefield and take an extra, long detour.

In my personal opinion, given Wang Jian's military style, his steadiness will not allow the Yan and Zhao armies to find any weaknesses. Rather, it is more worrying whether the generals of Yan and Zhao can remain calm and use troops effectively.

For Yan and Zhao, the best-case scenario is maintaining the current stalemate. However, the combined national strength drained by this stalemate is still insufficient to outlast Qin...

Without external support, the efforts of Yan and Zhao are merely a death throes.

This struggle was not without purpose; the Qin soldiers' losses in this war would increase significantly...

When Lu Wei met Nian Duan in Handan in the past, he had a rough judgment on her physical condition. The decline in her physical strength was a slow process. The Rejuvenating Qi-boosting method he gave her could alleviate the rate at which Nian Duan lost her essence.

Lu Wei originally estimated that it would take another year before Nian Duan would experience a prolonged coma due to lack of energy and vitality, and that the first coma should not last more than twelve hours.

But now the illness has broken out prematurely... It seems that even if he were to live in seclusion in the Taihang Mountains, this master physician would still disregard his own health and forcefully save lives.

This is why his trip to Mount Shu was canceled due to unforeseen circumstances, forcing Lu Wei to quickly stay by Nian Duan's side and prepare to rescue her.

However, sometimes, the more critical the moment, the more troubles and obstacles arise.

As soon as they entered Wei territory, the Hall Master's fast horse was stopped.

"You're Lu Wei?"

"I heard that your sword has won seventy-six matches."

Looking at the familiar, burly man carrying a giant sword in front of him, Lu Wei sighed slightly in his heart. However, his expression remained unchanged, and he even dismounted and tied his horse to the roadside.

Chen Sheng is now known as Sheng Liu. The inscriptions of the six states' crimes are printed on his face, chest, arms, and back, each character deeply and clearly visible.

All that's missing is a document detailing Qin's crimes.

The image of a death row inmate, paired with that massive broadsword, is awe-inspiring.

"You've come to challenge me to a sword duel, and I can accept."

"But after the competition, I will tell you how you found out about my itinerary."

Master Lu's words were even more concise than Chen Sheng's, and he immediately drew his sword. He knew that Chen Sheng wouldn't have the patience to listen to his long-winded explanation, so he decided to be direct.

This is very much in line with Chen Sheng's temperament:

"I promise you, as long as you can survive my sword!"

The Giant Sword was brandished and plunged into the ground, but it was the Sea Devouring Sword that launched the attack first.

Lu Weifei stepped forward and immediately used the fifth move of his most powerful Whale Drinking Sword Technique: Earth Bears the Sea.

Whether it's the Juque sword or Chen Sheng, what they both pursue is an exhilarating and unrestrained battle, and to grow stronger with each hard-fought fight!

He not only liked Master Lu's style of doing things, but he also liked the way he was fighting now.

With a grin, the powerful aura of the Giant Sword floated on its blade. He swung the sword from back to front, delivering a powerful vertical slash.

Faced with an attack like the Giant Sword, no one would normally choose to withstand it head-on.

However, Lu Wei was an exception. He took the initiative to draw his sword to block the sword momentum of the giant sword. The two collided, and the huge force produced a loud thud that knocked down a patch of grass. In the distance, the birds in the forest were startled and took to the air to cry out. The horses not far away had their manes standing on end and their eyes showing fear.

The Devouring Sea Sword is also a broadsword, but compared to the Giant Sword, it is less than half the width of the Giant Sword, and its thickness is incomparable. When these two swords clash, Lu Wei will naturally be at a disadvantage.

But at the very beginning of the battle, the Hall Master used seventy percent of his inner strength. With the support of his powerful inner energy, it was the Giant Sword that was deflected and the Devouring Sea Sword that pierced straight toward Chen Sheng's throat.

This is the first time I've lost to my opponent in terms of strength!

Despite the immense shock in Chen Sheng's heart, his fighting instincts remained unaffected. Facing the sharp sword thrusting towards him, he gripped the black iron chain connected to the guard of the Giant Sword with his left hand and gave it a shake. The thick chain spiraled and blocked the advancing Tunhai.

At the same time, he forcefully controlled the slightly weightless Juque sword and slammed it down again, the steel-like sword energy on the thick, blunt blade aimed straight for Lu Wei's neck...

Chen Sheng and his brother Wu Kuang were considered by Tian Guang as key candidates to counter the infiltration network after the Kuiwei Hall scandal broke out seven years ago.

Therefore, when Chen Sheng was sentenced to be drowned, Tian Guang secretly assisted the Zhu family in rescuing him and returning the Juque sword to him.

Tian Guang also revealed a very important part of the Azure Dragon Plan, an anti-Qin plan, to Chen Sheng.

This burly man was an undercover agent planted by the peasant family, but the control of this undercover agent was solely with the chivalrous leader Tian Guang.

After Lu Wei received the Shennong Order in Jicheng last year, he also learned how to secretly contact Chen Sheng and Wu Kuang.

However, he had no intention of immediately using these two men, even though he had important business to attend to today but was stopped by Chen Sheng in the wilderness.