Chapter 271: Chapter 269:
"Is Ji Wuye really this brazen? And what's with King Han's weak control over his own capital?" After capturing two members of Bai Niao, Daniel didn't immediately return. Instead, he followed the personal cavalry sent out by Ji Wuye. He watched them enter a secluded estate, and soon after, Wei Zhuang appeared, killing nearly forty of Ji Wuye's elite guards with a single sword.
Those forty guards died rather unjustly. Had they been in an open field and properly formed a defensive stance, it wouldn't have been so easy for Wei Zhuang to take them all down, despite his skill.
These were Ji Wuye's personal guards, equipped with the best armor, the best training, and the highest pay. In this era, personal guards were the most elite soldiers, as they were tasked with protecting their general—a principle common to all generals across the Warring States.
But unfortunately, they engaged Wei Zhuang in a street fight. Even with twice their number, they would still be no match for Wei Zhuang in such close quarters.
Take the Battle of Remnant Moon Valley as an example. If it had been a street fight, Gai Nie wouldn't have been so gravely injured.
"Ten thousand taels of military pay. If I were to take this, I wonder if Han Fei would cry." While Wei Zhuang was fighting, Daniel ventured into the estate's basement, where he found piles of gleaming gold coins.
Ten thousand taels of military pay could support tens of thousands of ordinary soldiers for a year, or about ten thousand elite soldiers like Ji Wuye's guards. That's a considerable amount of money—equivalent to the entire wealth of Jade Tiger, one of the Four Evil Generals of Nightfall.
Ten thousand taels of military pay was equivalent to forty-eight million zhu.
With a single embezzlement, Ji Wuye could acquire almost as much wealth as Jade Tiger's entire fortune. It was no wonder he was unwilling to give it up. After all, maintaining his forces, especially Bai Niao, was expensive.
Even Han Fei's Quicksand would struggle without the support of Zinu and Wei Zhuang. Zinu relied on the profits from Zilan Xuan, while Wei Zhuang extorted protection money.
It wasn't until Han Fei later orchestrated Jade Tiger's downfall that Quicksand became financially stable.
Of course, Daniel didn't take the military pay. Seeing Wei Zhuang and the members of the Seven Assassins Hall arrive to transport the gold, Daniel quietly left.
"So this is internal energy." Back at home, Daniel interrogated the two captured Bai Niao members and extracted their internal cultivation techniques.
"It looks like I need to do some research." Even though Daniel had obtained the Bai Niao's cultivation technique, he didn't start practicing right away. He wanted to thoroughly understand internal energy before proceeding.
Xinzheng, the capital of Korea, was geographically disadvantaged for national defense, sandwiched between Qin, Chu, and Wei. However, it was a great location for commerce, attracting many merchants traveling to and from the three states.
Although Qin had emphasized agriculture over commerce since Shang Yang's reforms, merchants couldn't be completely eradicated. Moreover, with Lü Buwei, a former merchant, as Qin's Chancellor, Qin now had plenty of merchants.
Where there were merchants, there were also wandering swordsmen. Korea's underground factions, such as the Seven Assassins Hall, the Scorpion Gate, and the Green Bamboo Gang, were numerous.
It didn't take Daniel long to find several people skilled in internal energy. After gathering information from them, he gained a general understanding of internal energy.
Unlike Nen in the Hunter world, which had a unified method of training where power depended entirely on individual talent, internal energy varied greatly depending on both talent and the cultivation technique used. For example, Bai Niao members practiced the same cultivation technique, yet their strength varied widely. Some, like Moya and Baifeng, could hold their own against Wei Zhuang for several moves and even escape unscathed. Others were easily killed by Wei Zhuang.
This difference was due to varying levels of innate talent.
As for the cultivation technique, members of the Hundred Schools of Thought generally had stronger martial arts than ordinary martial artists because of their complete lineages. For instance, Wei Zhuang's strength was due not only to his innate talent but also to the powerful martial arts of the Ghost Valley.
Different cultivation techniques produced different results. For example, Bai Niao's technique focused on lightness skills, so most Bai Niao members excelled in this area. Meanwhile, Pi Jia Gong emphasized defense. The famous Wei Wu army, which once shook the world, relied on this technique. Pi Jia Gong, when mastered, could even defend against famous swords. Dian Qing used it to withstand the attacks of the legendary Gan Jiang and Mo Ye.
Daniel acquired several cultivation techniques, the best of which was Bai Niao's. The others were more basic. But even the best technique from Bai Niao didn't particularly interest Daniel.
His goal was never just Bai Niao—it was the stars and the sea. How could Bai Niao compare to the Daoist and Yin-Yang Schools, which were essentially one and the same?
While the Confucian, Mohist, and Farmer Schools had top-tier martial arts, Daniel found the Daoist and Yin-Yang Schools more aligned with his goals.
The Confucian, Mohist, and Farmer Schools focused on martial arts, while the Daoist and Yin-Yang Schools combined martial arts with magic.
Wushu and magic were different disciplines.
"Ten Thousand Leaves Flying Blossoms." Daniel was particularly interested in the Yin-Yang School's Ten Thousand Leaves Flying Blossoms technique, not because of Shao Siming but because the technique was extremely powerful.
The Blood-Clothed Marquis had formidable and strange martial arts, but compared to Yin-Yang techniques, he was like a child. Once Wei Zhuang matured a few more years, he would be invincible against the Blood-Clothed Marquis.
Although Daniel didn't want to admit it, the current Wei Zhuang might not be a match for the Blood-Clothed Marquis. However, there was a way for Wei Zhuang to defeat him: by obtaining a Gathering Immortal Pill.
The Yin-Yang School was not only known for its powerful martial arts but also for its alchemy. Pills like the True Person Pill and the Gathering Immortal Pill could greatly enhance a person's strength.
One of Daniel's goals in learning the Yin-Yang School's martial arts was to acquire their alchemy techniques. With his powers from the Ope Ope no Mi and the resources from multiple worlds, he could potentially produce Gathering Immortal Pills like candy in the future.
"So the next step is figuring out how to learn from the Yin-Yang School. Joining them directly is an option, but the Yin-Yang School has its own agenda, so that's out. Forcing them by strength is also not ideal." As he pondered, Daniel suddenly paused.
"That leaves only one option: trading with Ying Zheng." Ying Zheng had authority over the Yin-Yang School. With the things Daniel had, he could trade for what he wanted from Ying Zheng.
For instance, paper, or modern crops like potatoes and corn. In this era, crop yields were low, and ordinary people toiled day and night just to get by—barely getting by on two meals a day.
"Should I give Ying Zheng a globe and a history book covering five thousand years? No, that's too far off. I'll wait until Ying Zheng unifies the Central Plains. He seems to be coming here to see Han Fei anyway. I'll just wait for him in Xinzheng."
Thinking about Ying Zheng's upcoming visit to see Han Fei and the events surrounding the Eight-sided Exquisite Plan, Daniel decided not to rush to Xianyang. He could take this time to explore the dimensional spaces of this world. Once he had visited every corner of the Central Plains, he could travel anywhere at will.
"Opening a secret portal for Qin's army could allow them to appear behind enemy lines."
"Damn Han Fei!" In the General's Mansion, Ji Wuye, who had just returned from the royal palace, kicked a bronze table out of frustration.
Since Han Fei had recovered the ten thousand taels of military pay using his schemes, Ji Wuye had experienced nothing but setbacks. On the surface, many officials, including Zhang Kaidi and Han Yu, congratulated Ji Wuye for retrieving the military pay from the ghost soldiers and receiving a thousand gold as a reward from the king. But in reality, Zhang Kaidi and Han Yu were mocking him.
Although King Han might not know the full story behind the missing military pay, Zhang Kaidi and Han Yu certainly did. Ji Wuye was in real trouble this time, as they might not have concrete evidence, but his days were numbered.
"General, the message has been delivered." Suddenly, a shadow appeared before Ji Wuye, kneeling with utmost respect.
"Have you found Yan Lingji's whereabouts?" Ji Wuye's anger subsided slightly as he remembered something and immediately asked.
"Not yet." The shadow, Moya, lowered his head as he replied.
"Useless! Deploy more men, and strengthen the defenses around that place."
"Understood." Although Ji Wuye didn't specify the location, Moya clearly knew what he was referring to. Among Ji Wuye's many subordinates, Moya was the most capable, but ironically, this capable subordinate would later nearly kill Ji Wuye.
In the dead of night, eerie bells rang out at the edge of an abandoned village in Xinzheng, Korea. As the bells grew closer, a strange sedan chair appeared, carried by corpses.
"You've arrived." A seductive voice echoed from the front of the village. As the voice appeared
, flames ignited around the area, revealing Yan Lingji as she emerged from the fire.
"Yan Lingji, you've escaped. What about the master?" An old voice called out from another direction, and an elderly man with white hair and a white beard, leaning on a cane, stepped forward.
"The master is still imprisoned," Yan Lingji replied softly.
"How did you escape?" This time, the question came from the person in the sedan chair, who jumped down as he spoke.
"I was rescued by someone. I called you all here to find the master's whereabouts and rescue him. You're better at that than I am." After being saved by Daniel, Yan Lingji didn't recklessly attempt to rescue Tian Ze. Even if she wanted to, she wouldn't know where to start, so she called on the Corpse Manipulator and the Poison King for help.
During the Baiyue rebellion, Prince Tian Ze was the first to be captured. Yan Lingji was caught later while attempting to rescue him.
"Understood. Let's begin."
"I never imagined there would be a better wine glass than my Coral of the Blue Sea for enjoying Orchid Brew." At Zilan Xuan, Han Fei held a glass cup, gently swirling it as he admired the crystal-clear liquid inside, his tone tinged with admiration.
Zilan Xuan's Orchid Brew was a wine similar to grape wine. Paired with the pure and transparent glass goblet, if Han Fei had been dressed in modern clothes, no one would have guessed this was the Warring States period.
The goblet, made through alchemy, was equivalent to a high-end modern wine glass. Since he needed the help of Zinu's staff, Daniel hadn't hidden its creation from her. He even gave Zinu several sets of goblets and a bottle of high-end grape wine.
This wasn't just any grape wine. In the Marvel world, Daniel had only given a bottle to Stark because it was his own brew, made from ingredients sourced from the One Piece world.
Daniel wasn't constantly training to the exclusion of all else. He believed in balancing work and leisure, and winemaking was one of the hobbies he picked up in his spare time. Even though his wine lacked the depth of age, the quality of the ingredients made it superior to most wines.
Han Fei's Quicksand was one of the few groups worthy of receiving such a gift.
Han Fei and the others quickly adapted to using the new glass goblets.
"Indeed, it's a perfect match. It seems they've mastered the technique of making this kind of glass. This could be an enormous fortune." Wei Zhuang, like Han Fei, gently swirled his glass.
In this era, glass was known as "liuli." Due to the limitations of the manufacturing process, pure, transparent liuli was extremely rare and as valuable as jade artifacts on the market.
"This new type of liuli is called glass," Zinu explained as she refilled Han Fei's goblet. This was a privilege only Han Fei enjoyed. Wei Zhuang and Zhang Liang didn't receive such treatment.
"Money is a powerful motivator. I expect some people will soon be unable to resist," Zhang Liang said slowly.
Daniel's gifts weren't limited to Zilan Xuan; he had also given presents to Zhang Liang and Princess Honglian. Of course, what he gave Princess Honglian wasn't a goblet but something similar to what he had given Zinu: a high-end mirror.
When Qiwutang opens, mirrors alone will bring in a substantial profit. Who would use a bronze mirror when a better glass mirror is available? Even if Princess Honglian uses a liuli mirror, she'll still want a glass one.
"Anyone who dares to bring these out must have a plan to deal with the consequences. It's a rare opportunity; we should go see for ourselves, to witness the value of this glass." Han Fei said, standing up.
Wei Zhuang and Zhang Liang immediately followed. For most matters, they wouldn't personally visit, given their status. But for this new glass, even Wei Zhuang felt a twinge of curiosity.
"He really trusts you, using only people from Zilan Xuan." Standing outside the entrance to Qiwutang, Han Fei couldn't help but smile as he noticed the figures around them.
Not only were the servants inside from Zilan Xuan, but many members of the Seven Assassins Hall were also hidden nearby.
"His offer was very generous," Zinu replied with a smile, leading the group inside.
"This is..." Upon entering, even Han Fei, Zhang Liang, and Wei Zhuang, with their usual composure, couldn't help but take a deep breath. The interior was simply stunning.
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