With Ope Ope no Mi in Hunter x Hunter

"Han Qiancheng, although Han Yu isn't the most upstanding person, one must admit that he's more suited to be king than Han Fei. The only issue is that his vision is somewhat shortsighted."

After Daniel Davis had scoured the General's Mansion with Mo Ya and Bai Feng, Han Qiancheng appeared at the gates of the mansion, leading a group of Korean soldiers. Seeing Han Qiancheng with a bow on his back, Daniel couldn't help but think of Han Yu.

Daniel had never met Han Yu, but he did receive an invitation from him a few days after the opening of the Qiwu Hall. The invitation was delivered by Han Qiancheng, asking him to visit for a discussion. However, Daniel declined, and he never heard from Han Yu again, not knowing whether he had forgotten about the matter or simply didn't have the time to cause him trouble.

Han Yu and the current King of Han, strictly speaking, aren't much different. In fact, this reflects the general mindset of all the current kings of the Six States of Shandong. They believe that the situation among the Seven Warring States will remain as it is. Even though Han State has repeatedly lost battles against Qin, they never imagined that Qin would one day destroy Han. They rely on the notion that if Qin attacks Han, it will only lead to another coalition against Qin.

At the beginning of the Warring States period, Wei State was the most qualified to unify the land. At that time, Wei was truly unmatched, with abundant talent and a powerful army. The Wei Wuzu soldiers were at their peak then. Unfortunately, the Wei King was content with being a hegemon like the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn period.

If the Wei King had possessed the ambition of Ying Zheng, Han Fei, and others, the Central Plains might have been unified long ago. Wei was truly brimming with talent at the time. Great figures like Pang Juan, Sun Bin, Shang Yang, Zhang Yi, and Wei Liao all initially sought to serve Wei. However, these talents ended up serving other states.

Take Shang Yang, for example. He wasn't valued in Wei but brought about a significant reform in Qin, transforming it from a state on the brink of destruction into the most powerful one.

The decline of Wei mirrors that of Qi. Qi once gathered great talent through the Jixia Academy and Xiaoshengxianzhuang, but the Qi King didn't utilize this talent, instead treating the academy as a place to earn a good reputation.

Over time, the Jixia Academy, once comparable to Xiaoshengxianzhuang, has fallen into obscurity. Though it hasn't disappeared completely, it survives only thanks to the efforts of the Logicians, who keep it from vanishing entirely.

During this time, Daniel also gained a general understanding of the various schools of thought in this world. The Daoists remain aloof, unaffiliated with any state, while the other schools seem to have divided territories among themselves, though these are just rough boundaries.

It's not difficult to gather intelligence on the various schools, as they don't need to hide like an organization such as Luowang. They are prestigious schools of thought and have no reason to conceal themselves. Even the Yin-Yang School openly operates in Qin.

Of course, only the top-ranking schools have their own territories. Those lower in the rankings do not enjoy such privileges.

"Let's go." With that, Daniel and the others scaled the wall and quickly left the General's Mansion.

"It's all yours now." After stopping, Daniel tossed two small embroidered pouches to Mo Ya. These pouches contained the treasures and food he had stored using the extraordinary, convenient large bundle cloth.

Mo Ya took the pouches, looking puzzled.

"Be careful not to untie the threads too casually. Once untied, you'll need to find a place to set things down. Also, you'd better leave quickly afterward." Daniel warned Mo Ya directly. The convenient large bundle cloth could be used by others as long as they sealed the pouches with thread.

"Alright, you're free now. You can do whatever you want. If you wish to work for me, you can find me later in Xianyang, Qin. Don't worry, this time it won't be as an assassin." Daniel said, turning to leave without waiting for Mo Ya's response.

Although Daniel wanted to recruit Mo Ya and Bai Feng under his command, he didn't plan to force them. It would be up to Mo Ya to decide. As for the Hundred Birds that followed Mo Ya, Daniel wasn't too impressed with them.

If he wished, he could return to Xianyang with Ying Zheng and take the leadership of Luowang, forcing Zhao Gao and Hu Hai to step down prematurely.

"What now?" After Daniel disappeared, Bai Feng finally spoke up.

"You're free." After a moment of silence, Mo Ya put away the pouches and looked up at the cold, bright moon, speaking softly.

"Huh?" Bai Feng looked at Mo Ya in confusion, not understanding what he meant.

"Now that the General is dead, there's no need for the Hundred Birds to exist anymore. You don't need to stay here; you can pursue your own dreams." Mo Ya continued.

"And what about you?" Bai Feng asked.

"I'm different. I have my own responsibilities." As Mo Ya spoke, his figure suddenly dissolved into a dozen crows, flying into the darkness.

"Wait!" Bai Feng immediately transformed into a white shadow and chased after him.

"Why are you heading back now that the General is dead?" Outside Xinzheng City, Bai Feng asked, puzzled, after catching up with Mo Ya.

"I already told you, I have my own responsibilities." Mo Ya replied, speeding up. Bai Feng quickly followed suit.

Guishan, located to the east of Xinzheng, is a desolate area starkly contrasting with the lush greenery of the surrounding mountains.

"Master Mo Ya." As Mo Ya entered a hidden location within Guishan, four shadowy figures emerged, kneeling a short distance from him.

"What brings you here, Master Mo Ya?" One of them asked after raising his head.

"The General asked me to take care of something." Mo Ya said as a short sword slid out from his wrist. Before the man could react, Mo Ya slit his throat. The other three noticed something was wrong, but before they could respond, Mo Ya swiftly pierced their throats with the short sword.

After Mo Ya dealt with the four, Bai Feng emerged from the side, looking at Mo Ya in confusion.

"Since you've followed me, don't just stand there. Kill everyone here." Mo Ya said, charging ahead without waiting for Bai Feng's response. Bai Feng quickly drew his silver spikes and followed.

It wasn't long before Mo Ya and Bai Feng walked out together.

"Next."

In Lanshou Villa, Feihu trembled as he pointed at Wei Zhuang and Zinu, who stood before him. Several corpses of his guards lay beside him. He never expected Wei Zhuang to dare attack him directly.

Just moments ago, he had been enjoying music, dance, and wine in the main hall, but now everything had changed drastically.

"Ji Wuye is dead." Wei Zhuang sheathed his shark-toothed sword and coldly declared.

"General, that's impossible!" Feihu instinctively refuted, but the next moment, his body began to tremble violently. It was clear that he realized why Wei Zhuang and Zinu dared to attack.

"Enough talk. Hand over all the wealth you've amassed over the years." Zinu said, wrapping her soft snake sword around Feihu's thick neck.

"I'll give it up! I'll give it up!" Faced with a life-or-death situation, Feihu had no choice but to surrender all his wealth. Without Ji Wuye's protection, Feihu was just a small, insignificant figure.

"It seems you were expecting me." As Daniel left Xinzheng and entered a small path, he unexpectedly encountered five familiar faces: the Hundred Yue Sky Group.

"Who would have thought you'd choose Qin." Tian Ze sat cross-legged on a rectangular stone, arms crossed, while Yan Lingji and the others stood behind him.

"It doesn't matter where I go. But you, I'm curious whether you only want to become the king of Baiyue again or if you want to give its people a stable and peaceful life."

"What are you trying to say?"

"It's simple. Your dream is destined to be unfulfilled. Han and Chu won't allow Baiyue to unify again. Moreover, the current people of Baiyue won't want a king who can only lead them into endless wars without bringing them a stable life."

"Do you want to die?" Tian Ze's chains floated into the air, and the vicious snake-headed chains began to sway, like snakes flicking their tongues.

"Angry because I hit the mark, huh?" Daniel seemed unfazed by Tian Ze's anger. "I can tell you one thing. Within ten years, the Central Plains will fall under Qin's control. By then, Han and Chu will cease to exist. Even if you succeed in restoring your kingdom now, you'll only be king for less than ten years."

"Qin unifying the world within ten years? That's a ridiculous joke." Tian Ze sneered at Daniel's words. Not only Tian Ze, but even Han Fei wouldn't believe it.

"Whether it's a joke or not, you'll see for yourself." Daniel said as he walked past Tian Ze, glanced at Yan Lingji, shook his head, and disappeared from their sight.

At dawn, outside Xinzheng, about three miles away, in a pavilion, Lord Shang met Han Fei and Zinu again. They could have left earlier, but Lord Shang wanted to recruit Han Fei once more, so they waited.

As expected, Lord Shang's attempt to recruit Han Fei failed. He wasn't too disappointed, as he had already anticipated the outcome. However, Li Si, who stood quietly to the side, breathed a sigh of relief. Given Han Fei's talents, his arrival in Qin would have put Li Si in a difficult position. Serving under Han Fei was something Li Si would never want to do.

"Farewell." Lord Shang shook his head regretfully before boarding his carriage and leaving. Li Si also bid Han Fei farewell before joining Lord Shang in the carriage.

"I wonder when we will meet again," Han Fei said with a touch of melancholy as he bid farewell to Daniel.

"There's no need to worry, Ninth Prince. I believe we'll meet again soon. Time waits for no one," Daniel said, leaving this cryptic remark before turning to wave at Han Fei and walking toward Gai Nie and the others.

Daniel's words caused Han Fei's expression to change instantly. Smart as he was, Han Fei quickly guessed a possible outcome. Zinu, observing Han Fei's expression and then glancing at Daniel's departing figure, remained silent, staying by Han Fei's side.

"Let's go back." After a long while, Han Fei sighed softly and turned back toward Xinzheng.

"Even though I warned you, it seems unlikely you'll be able to break the current situation." Daniel turned back to watch Han Fei and Zinu's receding figures and shook his head gently.

Strength ultimately overwhelms strategy. The power gap between Qin and Han is too vast. No matter how brilliant Han Fei's intellect may be, he stands no chance of overcoming it unless he becomes the King of Han himself. Otherwise, there's no way for him to break free from this predicament.

"What's wrong, Brother Han?" In the Zilan Xuan, seeing Han Fei's unusual demeanor, Zhang Liang couldn't help but ask Zinu with his eyes. It was the first time Zhang Liang had seen Han Fei like this.

"This is what happened," Zinu softly explained the situation to Zhang Liang.

"Is that so?" After hearing Zinu's explanation, Zhang Liang lowered his head in deep thought. At this time, Zhang Liang was still far from becoming the revered strategist known as Saint Zhang Liang in later generations.

"Brother Wei Zhuang, do you remember what I mentioned to you before? Now that Ji Wuye is dead, you can make your move," Han Fei said after having a few drinks alone. His demeanor seemed to have returned to normal, so much so that neither Zhang Liang nor Wei Zhuang noticed any difference in Han Fei. Only Zinu noticed the subtle change.

"Your fourth brother won't easily give up his position." Wei Zhuang remarked coolly.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure he agrees. By the way, after this, I'll be counting on you to take care of Honglian." Han Fei's words caught Wei Zhuang off guard. Though his expression didn't change, the wine in his cup spilled. For someone of Wei Zhuang's caliber to spill wine, it was clear how affected he was by Han Fei's request.

In one night, the death of Korea's Grand General sent shockwaves through the nation. The King of Han was furious, but no matter how angry he was, Ji Wuye was dead, and the next issue was finding a successor.

While Wei Zhuang didn't instantly rise to the position of Grand General, he did secure a very important military post. Given time, he could indeed become Grand General.

The fall of the Four Fiends of Ye Ming—Blood-Clothed Marquis and Feihu—led to the disbandment of their organization. Suoyi Ke vanished without a trace, and Chao Nüyao, despite being known to Han Fei, remained untouchable due to her powerful position within the palace.

"You're making arrangements for your departure because of that statement, aren't you?" On the observation deck of Lanshou Villa, Zinu stood beside Han Fei, overlooking the entire Xinzheng.

Wei Zhuang and Zhang Liang had already assumed their new positions and were busy with their tasks. Neither had noticed the changes in Han Fei, but Zinu quickly realized what was happening.

"It seems I can't hide it from you. If my guess is correct, after Ying Zheng returns to Qin, I will likely be sent to Qin as a hostage on behalf of Han."

"A hostage?" Zinu's delicate fingers involuntarily covered her small mouth in shock after hearing Han Fei's words.

"Yes, that's what he was warning me about. Unfortunately..." Han Fei sighed deeply.

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