allendalepharm Chapter 187 A Heroic Deed!
Chapter 187 A Heroic Deed!
The team then set off again.
That minor setback didn't slow them down at all; on the contrary, Lin Tian urged them on even faster—the warhorses reared up, the wheels rolled, and dust rose again before it even settled, making the marching pace even faster than before.
The following afternoon, when they were only a day and a half away from Xianyang, a dark figure once again stood in the road, sword drawn.
The voice was different, but the black clothes and the cold, hard-edged demeanor were exactly the same as yesterday.
This time, Lin Tian received not only a verbal message, but also a yellowed sheepskin with several lines of writing densely on it using charcoal sticks. The characters were fine and sharp, as if they had been carved with a knife.
As usual, he stuffed a bag of Qin coins into the bag. Once the man disappeared at the end of the official road, Lin Tian immediately ordered the entire team to stop and rest.
He must gather everyone together immediately and lay the matter out in the open.
If it were up to his nature, he wouldn't care about any storms. With his skills, he could walk sideways and no one would dare to stop him.
But this matter involves too many people—especially since Han Fei is right here and is directly involved. Not explaining it to him face-to-face would be playing with his trust.
Lin Tian had a premonition: he had almost predicted all the people and situations Han Fei would encounter in Qin's current game. The only thing he hadn't expected was Bai Yifei's ruthless actions and her quick change of heart; he also hadn't expected that stepping into Qin would be like pouring a bucket of cold water into boiling oil—the entire game suddenly accelerated, and the lines that should have unfolded slowly were suddenly taut.
He immediately summoned everyone together, including King Ying Zheng of Qin. This was their territory; no matter how important the matter, he had to be informed.
As his gaze swept over the towering figure of the peerless ghost, and past the row of solemnly standing soldiers, Lin Tian suddenly felt a warmth in his chest—it turned out that settling down in this world was nothing more than a period of time, a few moments of camaraderie, and a few names. Some faces were already as familiar as the gates of his own courtyard.
He stared intently at Han Fei and cut to the chase: "Bai Yifei has pinned the blood debt of 100,000 Han soldiers entirely on the Qin state. The King of Han has already proclaimed to the other states that you are a 'traitor who colludes with the enemy'—claiming that you colluded with Qin to ambush your former country's troops. From now on, the gates of Han will never open for you again."
Han Fei's face remained expressionless, only a faint weariness appeared in his eyes, and he said softly, "Fei... expected this."
Lin Tian inwardly praised them. This reaction was more composed than he had expected. Although the others were slightly taken aback, upon reflection, it didn't seem abrupt—the outcome had been implied all along, just waiting for the inevitable.
Then, Lin Tian revealed the secret alliance between the six kingdoms; he even openly disclosed the secret that he carried the "Seven Constellations of the Azure Dragon".
But he didn't mention a word about the intricate connections between Lü Buwei and Li Si, nor did he let Ying Zheng hear a single word.
Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng frowned and warned in a deep voice, "Sir, the Marquis of Blood Robe is using this opportunity to push you into the limelight. Now, the entire Seven Kingdoms and the Hundred Schools of Thought are probably eyeing your face—you are like someone carrying a luminous pearl in a bustling market, everyone can see the light, and everyone wants to snatch it."
"A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime. If you want to condemn someone, you can always find a pretext." Lin Tian laughed loudly, "If one comes, I'll chop one down; if two come, I'll cut them both down."
He wasn't worried about himself at all, but instead turned his gaze to Ying Zheng and Han Fei, his tone turning serious: "Since you have become sworn brothers, Han Fei's desire to protect the people of your homeland has been revealed to both of you; Ying Zheng, you have also personally promised Han Fei that you should both be clear about how to proceed in the future, and not let today's words become tomorrow's empty promises."
Ying Zheng is a king, and his word is his bond; Lin Tian trusts him. What truly makes him frown is Han Fei's inherent indecisiveness—he's always afraid that Han Fei might soften his heart and get himself into trouble again… Fortunately, Zi Lan Xuan has the support of Liu Sha, and Ying Zheng's promises are also solid. At this moment, Lin Tian is mostly at ease.
As for Han Fei? What he feared most was not others harming him, but rather that he himself would throw away his life.
"Brother Lin, rest assured." Han Fei raised his eyes, his gaze clear and bright. "From the moment I bowed under the peach tree, I vowed to serve the King of Qin to the death."
Ying Zheng solemnly replied, "Sir, you can rest assured. The people of Liusha, the staff of Zilanxuan, and even Mr. Han Fei—all are my closest friends and brothers."
He knew exactly what he had to do.
Lin Tian's gaze swept over the two men, a slight smile playing on his lips as he nodded gently. He then turned to Ying Zheng, his expression stern, his voice like metal on stone: "Ying Zheng, I have other important matters to attend to while accompanying Han Fei to Qin—and I will now tell you frankly. Regardless of your thoughts, this matter is imperative. You only need to secretly plan and wait for the opportune moment. I will take Lü Buwei's life; anyone who obstructs you from wielding power, whether inside or outside the court, or a member of the imperial family or nobility, I will eliminate them one by one, leaving no future trouble."
As soon as the words were spoken, all around fell silent; even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
Ying Zheng immediately knelt down and bowed deeply: "I am deeply grateful for your great kindness in restoring our nation! When the world is unified and the land is at peace, I will personally go to Mount Tai to burn incense and thank Heaven for your monumental contribution!"
Han Fei stared at Lin Tian for a long time, his fingertips trembling slightly, and finally whispered, "Lin Kuang... those three agreements from back then were actually foreshadowing today!"—He finally understood.
Zhang Liang suddenly bowed deeply, his forehead touching the dust, and said in a clear and resolute voice, "I earnestly request that you, sir, accept Zifang as your disciple!"
Wei Zhuang's right hand rested on the hilt of his Shark Tooth sword, his knuckles turning white. His gaze pierced Lin Tian like a blade: "You went all the way to Han and then to Xianyang, all you plotted was to help Qin unify the world?!"
In an instant, Lin Tian in everyone's eyes was no longer the unapproachable and unpredictable swordsman who stood alone on a precipice, but a strategist who could plan and manage the world—a man of unparalleled wisdom and courage.
Lin Tian lowered his eyes, looking at Ying Zheng and Zhang Liang prostrate before him, and suddenly sighed softly: "There's no need for such formality. I am neither a sage nor a loyal minister; all I'm doing is fulfilling my own wish."
He turned to Zhang Liang, his tone gentle yet authoritative: "I am not worthy to be your master. Your teacher is waiting at a bridge ahead—an old man with white hair."
"Zifang will remember this forever and expresses his deepest gratitude to you for guiding me," Zhang Liang replied, bowing his head.
Today's Xianyang is the very foundation of Xi'an a thousand years later. Having just climbed the dark green hill on the outskirts of the city, Lin Tian stopped and gazed into the distance, remaining silent for a long time.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief—their bodies were sore and aching from days of travel; only Lin Tian frowned slightly, his mind heavy.
From this point on, every step had to be taken with utmost care. In his eyes, Xianyang City had no trace of the grandeur of an ancient capital; instead, it resembled a bowstring taut, concealing deadly dangers at every turn.
The two secret reports sent by Xuan Jian further confirmed this: he had become the target of everyone's criticism, and the so-called "possessing a treasure is a crime" was exactly like this; while Lü Buwei and Li Si had long regarded Han Fei as a thorn in their side.
He didn't mention a word of these things to Ying Zheng, nor did he reveal a single word to Han Fei.
He has said everything that needed to be said; as for the undercurrents that shouldn't be stirred up, he will block, suppress, and cut them off himself.
So that during those lost ten years, everyone in Zilan Pavilion could live peacefully and undisturbed amidst the chaos of the world. For this reason, not a single thorn that should be removed could be left.