Great Qin, Little Sage Manor.
Fu Nian, Yan Lu, and Zhang Liang, known as the Three Talents of Qilu, looked up at the sky. Their eyes shifted slightly when they saw Xiang Shaoyu's name appear on the ranking.
"Senior Brother, Xiang Shaoyu is the young master of the Xiang Clan and a firm anti-Qin figure. Should we lend them a helping hand in secret?" Zhang Liang said gently.
"No. The Qin Emperor will definitely send troops to eliminate them. If we get involved, the entire Little Sage Manor could be destroyed," Fu Nian replied firmly, prioritizing the safety of the manor.
Though he disliked Qin, he would never act recklessly.
"Senior Brother, if Ying Zheng kills Xiang Shaoyu, the momentum of the six anti-Qin forces will be heavily suppressed."
"On the contrary, if Xiang Shaoyu grows stronger, he'll become a major threat to Ying Zheng."
"This would give the six states more time to develop."
"Even for the sake of the Little Sage Manor, we should lend a discreet hand."
Zhang Liang grew a little agitated.
His homeland, Han, had been destroyed by Qin. Zhang Liang thought daily of ways to bring Qin down.
With Xiang Shaoyu's potential and destiny, he was a rare ally.
Such an ideal candidate had to be drawn in.
"No more. The Little Sage Manor will not involve itself in this matter," Fu Nian said decisively.
Zhang Liang's eyes gleamed.
If the manor wouldn't act, then he, Zhang Liang, could still do so in his personal capacity.
As long as the Confucian School wasn't implicated, his senior brother would turn a blind eye.
Not just Zhang Liang, within Great Qin, the Agricultural School, Human Sect of Dao School, and remnants of the six fallen states were all stirring with thought.
Orders began flying out from hidden places.
In an instant, undercurrents surged across both the imperial court and the martial world of Great Qin.
———
Sui Dynasty Imperial Palace.
"Hahaha, interesting!"
Yang Guang burst out laughing.
"Ying Zheng, you dared to threaten me and even ordered me to hand over the twin dragons. Do you think I don't exist?"
"My Sui Dynasty may not rival your Qin, but we are not to be bullied."
"Since you gave me no respect, I won't let you have peace either."
"If your Qin falls into chaos and breaks apart, that would be most delightful."
As an emperor, Yang Guang had been blatantly threatened by agents of Ying Zheng.
To him, it was a disgrace.
Though he couldn't confront Qin openly, stirring trouble for Ying Zheng from the shadows was a fine alternative.
He immediately issued orders.
Agents within Qin were to activate, ramping up efforts to sow discord between the Qin and the rebel factions.
———
Tang Dynasty Imperial Palace.
Taiji Hall.
"Master Yuan, do you know who this Xiang Shaoyu is?" Emperor Li Shimin asked curiously.
"Grandson of Xiang Yan, general of Chu, which was destroyed by Qin."
"He is part of a strong anti-Qin force."
"Unfortunately, had this happened earlier, Ying Zheng would not have cared. But now that the Nine Provinces all know, he will certainly send troops to eliminate them at once."
Yuan Tiangang was intimately familiar with the world's powers and could recite them as if they were family.
"Ying Zheng is far too domineering. He doesn't acknowledge the legitimacy of any other emperor in the realm."
"Liu Hong of Han, Yang Guang of Sui, Zhao Ji and Zhao Gou of the Southern and Northern Song, Zhu Houzhao of Ming, even I, are all seen by him as nothing more than rotting corpses in their graves."
"To him, there should only be one true emperor."
Li Shimin spoke in a calm tone, but a flash of cold light flickered in his eyes.
"What does Your Majesty intend to do?" Yuan Tiangang asked gravely.
"The Qin borders the Sui. Once I conquer the Sui, I'll border the Qin. There's no chance of lasting peace."
"In that case, why not use this moment to cause internal strife within Qin?"
"Let them turn on each other and weaken their strength."
"This will also buy us more time to grow."
Ambition burned in Li Shimin's eyes.
In his heart, he held a dream no less than Ying Zheng's.
To unify the world of the Nine Provinces.
To him, every other dynasty and kingdom was an enemy.
And he wouldn't let any opportunity slip by.
"Understood, Your Majesty. I know what to do."
Yuan Tiangang gave a formal bow, then quietly retreated into the shadows.
—
Ming Dynasty Imperial Palace
"Your Majesty, should we take action?" the empress asked Zhu Houzhao as she picked up a secret memorial and read it carefully.
"With Sword Saint Ge Nie defecting and rebel forces stirring within Qin, this is a rare opportunity. Shouldn't our Ming Dynasty give them a push?"
Zhu Houzhao calmly shook his head.
"Qin is too far from Ming. For now, we'll watch how things unfold. Yang Guang and Li Shimin won't just sit idle."
"Right now, our greatest threats are Yuan and Qing."
"But before we deal with them, we must stabilize the realm."
"A recent report says that some of my royal uncles are getting restless."
A mocking smile appeared at the corner of Zhu Houzhao's mouth.
"Do you have a plan, Your Majesty?"
The empress showed no sign of concern.
Over the years, although she didn't know the full extent of her husband's capabilities, she knew that a few spoiled princes were hardly a threat.
Though his fame was not widespread…
Those who truly understood him would never dare underestimate him.
Like Cao Zhengchun, who was renowned and feared everywhere, even daring to stand up to Zhu Wushi.
But in front of the emperor, he acted like a tamed bird, not daring to show a hint of disrespect.
Thinking of this, the empress looked at Zhu Houzhao with admiration and reverence.
"Your Majesty, then this time, your target is…"
"Prince Ning."
Zhu Houzhao suddenly tossed the secret report aside.
The name "Prince Ning" had been slashed through with a big red X by his imperial brush.
———
Within the Borders of Great Qin.
A graceful, noble, and dignified figure streaked through the sky.
Her speed was astonishing.
A mere afterimage flashed by.
Like a gentle breeze, none could perceive her presence.
Her destination was the southern land known as Baiyue.
"Yue'er, I can finally see you again."
"I wonder where that heartless man is. Why hasn't he shown any sign all these years?"
"Could he have met with disaster?"
"No, impossible. Bad things happen to good people, but scoundrels live a thousand years."
"With how much of a menace he is, not even the heavens could harm him. How could anything happen to him?"
"He must be hiding somewhere in the Nine Provinces, living a carefree life."
"Probably long forgotten about us."
"No, wait. That heartless man probably doesn't even know I gave birth to his daughter."
At that thought, a trace of sorrow quietly surfaced on the noble woman's face.