allendalepharm Chapter 154 Nine Discourses on Governing Qin
Chapter 154 Nine Discourses on Governing Qin
The courtyard gate burst open, sending wood chips flying everywhere.
Two rows of Xuanjia Imperial Guards burst through the door, their long halberds gleaming coldly, and locked Lin Tian and the others in a tight encirclement.
With his blood-stained robe billowing, Bai Yifei stepped through the door. He had been indifferent at first, but the moment his gaze met Lin Tian's, his expression changed several times in an instant, revealing surprise, doubt, fear, and panic.
Long time no see, but your complexion is noticeably healthier. This setup... seems familiar. Oh? Perhaps you're trying to emulate Ji Wuye's tactics? Lin Tian's lips curled into a slight smile.
Bai Yifei's pupils contracted, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. He quickly bowed and said, "Please forgive me, sir! This humble general was unaware that you were here!"
He immediately shouted at his men, "Get out! All of you, get out!"
"No need." Lin Tian's voice turned cold.
The moment the words left his mouth—the domain opened!
The intent of death, like ink splashed across the ground, instantly engulfed the entire courtyard. The air suddenly froze, the chill biting to the bone, as if one had stepped into a deep, icy abyss.
The sword intent arrived silently, like double blades moving through one's veins. Anyone who held a weapon and aimed it at Lin Tian would catch their breath and instantly freeze to death.
Lin Tian withdrew his attack, and the courtyard returned to its deathly silence.
Thump, thump, thump...
Dozens of bodies fell one after another, like autumn leaves swept away by the wind.
Everyone's face was ashen, and their backs were chilled—this was not murder, but the erasure of a living being.
Especially Wei Zhuang, Gai Nie, and Bai Yifei, all of whom are top-tier masters who have reached the peak of their innate abilities, are at the initial stage of their artistic conception, and are only a thin veil away from the legendary realm. They know better than anyone else that Lin Tian's move has already transcended common sense.
Indeed. Even a legendary fourth-realm expert could not achieve such effortless control and mastery. This is the divine power that only exists at the threshold of the mythical realm, a product of the complete fusion of divine will and martial will—Lin Tian has already stepped into that door.
Seeing Lin Tian slaughter all his personal guards without batting an eye, Bai Yifei's face turned ashen, his knuckles clenching white. This was no mercy; it was a public humiliation, a stripping of his authority, and a complete blockade of his path.
Lin Tian's lips curled slightly, his gaze narrowed, and he stared at Bai Yifei with a half-smile: "Oh? Does the Marquis have a grudge against me for dealing with them? If so, just say so, I'm listening."
Bai Yifei's smile tightened, almost cracking: "Sir, you flatter me. They are forcing their way at you with halberds; they are courting their own destruction. Today, rebels are rampant in Xinzheng City, and His Majesty has ordered a thorough investigation. I dare not delay and must take my leave now—I will visit Zilan Pavilion another day to apologize." Before he finished speaking, he had already turned to leave. He dared not linger, fearing that if he stood there any longer, he would lose control of his anger; even more so, he feared that Lin Tian could turn him into a cold corpse with a flick of his wrist.
"Wait." Lin Tian's voice wasn't loud, but it was like an iron gate falling, cutting off their path.
"Does the sir have any further instructions?" Bai Yifei's back stiffened, his feet planted firmly on the ground, and he even softened his breathing.
"Stop acting. The person you're looking for is right here—King Ying Zheng of Qin."
Lin Tian pointed sideways, and Ying Zheng stood in the lamplight, his robes fluttering slightly. His gaze was sharp as a blade, piercing Bai Yifei: "Tell me, how did Nightfall get involved with the Net?!"
If it is said that the night falls under the jurisdiction of the net, Lin Tianning believes that pigs can climb trees.
If Qin's spider web truly possessed extraordinary abilities, capable of recruiting the commander of the Han army as a henchman, the seven states would have long ago belonged to the Qin dynasty.
Bai Yifei lowered his eyes and remained silent, but when Lin Tian's gaze darkened and his face turned icy cold, his Adam's apple bobbed, and he finally spoke: "Nightfall and Net are an alliance where each gets what they need. The Straw-Cloaked Men are Net's moles. We use them to gather intelligence from all over the world; when they go to Korea, Nightfall must do everything in its power to cover them up and leave no trace."
"I see," Lin Tian murmured, suddenly realizing.
No wonder the man in the straw raincoat could deliver such trivial matters as whispers in the courts of the seven kingdoms and Li Si's secret meeting with the state of Zheng to his desk at the exact time.
"Go." Lin Tian waved his hand casually, but the gesture carried an undeniable weight.
"Starting today, the doors will be closed to visitors." Bai Yifei answered decisively. He knew all too well that if he hesitated even slightly, this door might be the last door frame he ever saw in his life.
The door closed, and Ying Zheng looked at Lin Tian, laughing loudly: "I didn't expect that the famous Blood-Clad Marquis of Han would be so wary of you, sir."
Lin Tian glanced at him sideways and scoffed, "What he's afraid of isn't me—it's the feeling of being on the verge of death."
Ying Zheng's gaze sharpened as he re-examined Lin Tian, his tone now tinged with a hint of probing: "Calm in the face of danger, with such strategic foresight... May I ask who your teacher is?"
These words were also a mystery that had lingered in the minds of everyone in the room for a long time.
Lin Tian is like a pine tree in the mist or a crane in the clouds; you can see his outline but can't grasp his essence. The more unpredictable he is, the more people want to investigate him.
Lin Tian's gaze swept towards Han Fei, who immediately understood and summoned armored soldiers to carry out all the corpses on the ground.
As for Ying Zheng's question, Lin Tian simply let it pass by. Even if you are the monarch who rules a country and the future emperor who commands the world, in his eyes you are nothing more than a young man who still needs to be trained.
Seeing that Ying Zheng's brows were slightly furrowed, he immediately straightened his clothes and clasped his hands in greeting: "Please forgive my abruptness! It is because you, sir, possess an extraordinary demeanor, far beyond that of an ordinary hermit. If my words have offended you, I am willing to bear the consequences of my rudeness—I will certainly hold a grand banquet at Xianyang Palace in the future and invite you to attend, as a sign of my sincerity."
The words had a double meaning; they were both humble and an invitation—the gates of Qin had quietly been opened a crack for him.
Han Fei nodded in agreement and sighed sincerely, "The King of Qin has inherited the style of Duke Xiao: he is tireless in seeking out talented people and is very respectful in his manners. He has the gentle and refined demeanor of a Confucian gentleman."
Ying Zheng said solemnly, "Although I am not as good as my ancestors, I long day and night to have a loyal minister like Shang Yang was to Duke Xiao." As he spoke, his gaze swept over Lin Tian and Han Fei, his expression meaningful.
"When Duke Xiao received Shang Yang's 'Nine Discourses on Governing Qin,' he was able to implement reforms to strengthen the state. But without Duke Xiao's sincere advice, how could Shang Yang have dared to lay bare his heart and soul, risking his life in return? A ruler who does not abandon his minister, and a minister who does not betray his ruler—this is the very foundation of Qin's rise to power." Lin Tian's tone was calm, yet every word was forceful. "Today, the King of Qin has traveled a thousand miles to Han, probably not only to seek out wise men, but also for that military confrontation beyond Hangu Pass, isn't he?"
Ying Zheng shuddered, muttering repeatedly, "A ruler who does not abandon his ministers, a minister who does not betray his ruler... Nine Discourses on Governing Qin!"
When he looked up again, his eyes held no more probing, only burning respect. He bowed deeply and said, "Sir, you are truly a prime minister of unparalleled talent! I was blind to your abilities! Your words have cut to the chase; you are truly a divine being!"
Han Fei was also startled—this was the first time he had seen Lin Tian display his literary talent. In his astonishment, he couldn't help but wonder: How could he be so sure that the Qin army would march out of Hangu Pass? Could he really be a perfect man who could govern the country with his literary skills and conquer with his martial prowess, who could even arrange thousands of troops in his mind and make no one within ten steps live?
Lin Tian chuckled inwardly. Fortunately, he came from the future and was intimately familiar with the plot of "Nine Songs of the Sky"—wasn't Qin King Ying Zheng's entire life about conquering the world and sweeping away all obstacles? His long march to Han was not for sightseeing; it was clearly a calculated move to unify the world and subjugate all under heaven. In his eyes, Han Fei was probably just a casual pawn; what was truly important was to ascertain the true strength of Han, such as the many secrets hidden behind Ji Wuye's sudden death.
Lin Tian didn't waste any words. His gaze swept over Ying Zheng with sharp intensity, and he emphasized in a deep voice, "I'll say it one last time—on the day you trample the six kingdoms with your iron hooves, especially on the day you conquer Han, if you harm even the slightest person in Zi Lan Xuan, don't blame me for turning my back on you without mercy."
How could Ying Zheng refuse? He already harbored the intention of winning over Lin Tian, and his mind was racing.