People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 71, Jing Ni: A New Mission, Getting Closer to Xu Qing?
After leaving the teahouse, Xu Qing glanced back at the room where He Guanzi was.

"He Guanzi? Are you a Taoist master or someone with ulterior motives?"

"But in any case, he pointed out the flaws in his technique, and ultimately he meant no harm to me."

Xu Qing snapped out of his thoughts and stopped thinking about those things. He still needed to completely cure the Soul-Eating Gu for Six-Fingered Black Knight today, and he also needed to go back and prepare some things.

As for He Guanzi's origins, we can simply ask Six-Fingered Black Knight, the Grand Master of the Mohist School, and we'll find out. As the Grand Master of the Mohist School, he should be familiar with the names of Daoist masters.

Xu Qing cleared her mind of all unnecessary thoughts and headed home.

After Xu Qing returned home, not long after, Six-Fingered Black Knight arrived with Han Shen and several Mo Family disciples carrying a box.

"Imperial Physician." Six-Fingered Black Knight and the others bowed to Xu Qing.

“Master, Commander Han Shen, gentlemen, let’s sit down and talk,” Xu Qing returned the greeting.

"it is good."

"Imperial Physician, I am truly sorry. Because of me, you were attacked by the Yin-Yang School. This is our matter, and we ask for your understanding," said Six-Fingered Black Knight with an apologetic expression.

He entrusted Xu Qing to Tianzong, but he did not expect that the people of Tianzong would ignore Xu Qing and not care at all that Liezi's relics might fall into the hands of the Yin Yang School.

"No problem, no problem. With the esteemed guest here today, I presume the medicinal herbs are all prepared?" Xu Qing said bluntly.

"Everything is ready. All that's missing is your potent medicine and the skill to save him," said Six-Fingered Black Knight.

"Let's not delay, let's begin now. However, Master, you may need to bring in more Mohist disciples to guard against an attack from the Yin-Yang School."

Last night's attack by the Yin Yang School failed, and Xu Qing doesn't believe they will give up so easily.

"Imperial Physician, you can rest assured about this. The Yin-Yang School has completely evacuated from Xinzheng last night. My Mohist School..." Six-Fingered Black Knight told Xu Qing about what happened last night.

Xu Qing felt relieved upon hearing this. It was good that the Yin Yang School had left; at least he wouldn't have to live in fear for the next few days.

"That would be best. Let's begin. First, I'll brew the medicine. After the Grand Master takes it, I'll dissipate the internal energy within his body to awaken the Soul-Devouring Gu. Finally, with the help of the medicine, I'll force out the Soul-Devouring Gu."

"The process will be extremely painful, and the tycoon must endure it."

"The imperial physician commands you to proceed with your medical treatment."

Seeing this, Xu Qing said no more and began to instruct Han Shen to prepare the medicinal materials and brew the medicine.

While Xu Qing was busy treating the Six-Fingered Black Knight, little did he know that people in Xianyang, the capital of Qin, had already set their sights on him.

Xianyang, Xiong Qi's residence.

"My lord, the chief of the knights has sent word that the matter of the Hidden Dragon Hall has been settled, and efforts to win over Xu Qing, the Imperial Physician of Korea, are underway," said Xiong Qi's advisor.

"Tell Tian Guang to proceed according to plan and to avoid any mishaps," Xiong Qi said in a deep voice.

"Yes." The advisor glanced at Xiong Qi, then hesitated several times before speaking.

Xiong Qi looked at his advisors and asked...
"Anything else?"

"No, my lord, it's just that I don't understand why you're trying to pin the matter of the Hidden Dragon Hall on the Net. If the Net finds out, they might retaliate," the advisor asked, puzzled.

"Retaliation? The internal strife within the Luo Wang organization has already begun; they don't have the energy for retaliation," Xiong Qi said calmly.

The aide suddenly realized and said
"You mean Marquis Changxin, Lao Ai?"

"Lu Buwei underestimated Lao Ai's ambition. The net was just the beginning. Lao Ai was a wild dog, but once he tasted power, he would turn into a mad dog for power."

A strange light flashed in Xiong Qi's eyes.

"My lord is wise; now we need not worry about the threat of the Net."

The staff member bowed to Xiong Qi and took his leave.

Xiong Qi put down the bamboo slips in his hand and looked in the direction of the Qin King's Palace.

In the Qin King's Palace, in the Empress Dowager's Palace.

Lao Ai, who was granted the title of Marquis of Changxin, did not return to the palace in Yongcheng with Zhao Ji, who was the Queen Dowager of Qin, but stayed in Xianyang.

Lao Ai, dressed in the robes of the Marquis of Changxin, stood in front of the bronze mirror, carefully examining himself.

Looking at his imposing reflection in the bronze mirror, Lao Ai's eyes revealed a satisfied expression.

"Who could have imagined that someone who was once a lowly retainer in the Wenxin Marquis's household would one day become the Changxin Marquis, who was on par with the Wenxin Marquis?"

Just as Lao Ai was basking in the joy of being ennobled, one of his retainers strode into the palace. "My lord," the retainer said, "Marquis Wenxin has mobilized the Luo Wang (a secret police organization) to send men to monitor Xu Qing, the chief physician of the Han court."

"The Imperial Physician of Korea? Why would Marquis Wenxin send someone to keep an eye on such a minor figure?" Lao Ai turned around and looked at his retainer with a puzzled expression.

"This Imperial Physician is no ordinary person."

The retainer recounted Xu Qing's information in detail, leaving Lao Ai somewhat stunned.

"Providing free medical care to the people? With superb medical skills and a great reputation, this is certainly something Luo Wang should keep an eye on," Lao Ai chuckled.

As an assassin group supported by the Qin state, Luo Wang had another duty besides assassinating political figures of various states and gathering intelligence: to monitor people of prestige or talent among the six states.

For the Qin state to unify the world, it needed not only to strengthen itself but also to weaken the other six states.

Monitor these talented or prestigious individuals, and if there is an opportunity, win them over to the Qin state; if not, eliminate them directly to prevent the six states from growing stronger.

"Since Marquis Wenxin wants to mobilize the Net, then let Jingni go." Lao Ai's eyes flashed with a cold light.

The retainer was taken aback upon hearing this, and asked hesitantly.
"My lord, Jing Ni has already been sent by Marquis Wenxin to assassinate Lord Xinling. This is a mission that Marquis Wenxin attaches great importance to. If we were to transfer Jing Ni to the State of Han now, I'm afraid Marquis Wenxin would not allow it."

"If he allows it, I still won't let Jingni go," Lao Ai sneered.

Seeing the coldness on Lao Ai's face, the retainer lowered his head slightly. He understood that his master was testing the bottom line of Marquis Wenxin, Lü Buwei.

"But my lord, Marquis Wenxin holds a high position and wields great power. What if he were to reprimand us?"

Before the retainer could finish speaking, Lao Ai interrupted him.

"He is Marquis Wenxin, and I am Marquis Changxin. He holds a high position and wields great power, but does that mean my power is less? Don't forget, I am now the commander of the Luo Wang!" Lao Ai said angrily.

After being granted the title of Marquis of Changxin, Lao Ai wanted to emulate Ji Wuye of the state of Han and create a night sky that belonged to the state of Qin.

However, he came from a humble background, and although he was granted the title of marquis, he did not have any power of his own.

So he used Zhao Ji to seize command of the Luo Wang organization from Lü Buwei. However, Lü Buwei had controlled the Luo Wang organization for many years, and within the organization, Lü Buwei's orders still carried more weight than Lü Buwei's.

In order to completely control the Luo Wang and turn it into his own private force, Lao Ai had been seeking a plan to take control of the Luo Wang. Now, Xu Qing's matter just happened to give him an opportunity.

By disobeying Lü Buwei's orders, he could express his attitude, weaken Lü Buwei's influence, and test Lü Buwei's bottom line. This was a golden opportunity for him.

"What about Lord Xinling? Lord Xinling is a great enemy of our Qin state," the retainer asked.

Lao Ai revealed a ferocious smile, his eyes flashing with cold light.
"Let Hei Bai Xuan Jian go. Wei Yong is dead, but he still has many old friends in Daliang."

"Tell him that once Lord Xinling is dead, he can do whatever he wants in Wei, and I will have the people of Wei's Net support him unconditionally!"

The retainer looked surprised upon hearing this. He hadn't expected that his uneducated and talentless lord would actually use his brain. However, this was a good thing for him.

The more intelligent Lao Ai was, the more status and power he could acquire, and the more benefits he could gain as a retainer.

"Killing four birds with one stone, Your Excellency is truly brilliant," the retainer complimented.

A cold glint flashed in Lao Ai's eyes. As the number one assassin of the Heavenly Rank in the Luo Wang, Hei Bai Xuan Jian wielded immense influence within the Luo Wang organization.

It was common knowledge throughout Luo Wang that Hei Bai Xuan Jian and the State of Wei were enemies.

Lü Buwei had his own plans in Wei, and he would never allow Hei Bai Xuan Jian, who was merely a tool, to disrupt his plans for personal revenge.

If he allows Hei Bai Xuan Jian to seek revenge, he can win over this top-tier assassin, which will make it easier for him to control the Luo Wang organization.

As for Lü Buwei's plans in Wei? He didn't care about those; he only cared about the power in his own hands.

Even if he really disrupted Wei's plans and affected Qin, he wasn't worried, because Empress Dowager Zhao Ji would help him clear his name.

"I will go and inform Jing Ni and Hei Bai Xuan Jian immediately."

Outside Xianyang City, at one of the strongholds of the Luo Wang organization.

Jingni coldly looked at the re-sent mission. She had originally been preparing to go to the Wei Kingdom, but she received an order to change the mission objective.

"Get close to Xu Qing, the Imperial Physician of Korea? Gather information about him before I arrive in Korea," Jing Ni said coldly.

"Yes."

After confirming the direction of South Korea, Jing Ni stepped onto the tree trunk with her black high heels and leaped up, making a crisp sound as she clashed against the purple and white striped fitted metal combat suit she was wearing.

(End of this chapter)