Qin Shi: I went astray in the Heavenly Sect

Chapter 140 Cultivation's Scheme, The Door-to-Door Advocate

"Sir, what's wrong with you?"

At the Prime Minister's residence, the steward saw Guo Kai return with a gloomy expression and couldn't help but ask.

Guo Kai waved his hand without answering.

Recalling what had happened in the palace, Guo Kai couldn't help but curse under his breath.

The top courtesans in the three major brothels and dance halls in Handan City are all beauties. He originally wanted to draw the King of Zhao's attention to the Jade Flower Pavilion, but unexpectedly, Gongzi Jia went all out and dragged the Drunken Dream Pavilion into the mix as well.

Although Zuimenglou was his territory, the courtesan was not someone he could control. That girl was a member of Luowang, and even he wouldn't dare to provoke her easily.

Handing over this girl now would be like dancing with swords to him, especially now that the three top masters who had covered the sun had died in battle. He didn't want to face that top-tier assassin from the Luo Wang organization alone.

While Guo was having a headache, Gongzi Jia on the other side was also in a dilemma.

The top courtesan at Jade Flower Pavilion is Snow Maiden. Handing her over wouldn't be difficult, but how would he approach the other girl?

Are you suggesting he go and tell the other party, "The King has taken a liking to you and wants you to enter the palace"? Young Master Jia is still a man of pride; he could never bring himself to say such a thing.

Upon returning to his residence, Young Master Jia's complexion was far from pleasant. The advisor who had been in his study earlier, upon seeing his expression, couldn't help but ask, "Young Master, what's wrong?"

Gongzi Jia slammed his fist on the door frame and said viciously, "That old bastard tricked me."

The staff member was taken aback.

"Old man?" Seeing the young master Jia's furious expression, he guessed who those three words referred to.

He then followed up by asking, "Is it Guo Kai?"

Gongzi Jia nodded, then sighed softly.

"Guo Kai said that the top courtesan of Yuhua Pavilion is a beauty of unparalleled grace. Although Father did not say it explicitly, the meaning was crystal clear."

Upon hearing this, the advisor's face darkened. As Gongzi Jia's confidant, he knew Gongzi Jia's thoughts well; the other party had already regarded the girl in Yuhua Pavilion as his own possession.

Now that Guo Kai has ruined his plans, how could he not be angry?

"What did the young master say?"

Gongzi Jia gave a cold laugh.

"That old scoundrel made me lose face, and I didn't make him feel comfortable either. Jade Flower Pavilion has its top courtesan, doesn't Drunken Dream Pavilion have one too?"

Upon hearing this answer, the aide's lips twitched. In that case, it was indeed true, but such an outcome could be considered a lose-lose situation for both of them.

At this point, Gongzi Jia changed the subject and started talking about something else.

"He originally wanted to take this opportunity to control the Imperial Guard, but I stopped him. With all the experts gone from the Dark Sky and the Green Dragon Gang destroyed, it is also an opportunity for us."

Upon hearing this, the aide nodded.

“What you say is right, young master. The matter of Zuimenglou harboring Qin spies last time has not yet been resolved. Perhaps we can take this opportunity to wipe out Guo Kai’s businesses in Handan in one fell swoop.”

Gongzi Jia nodded.

"However, we need to be careful about the courtesan at Zui Meng Lou. After all, she is someone that Father personally selected to pay attention to. If this matter backfires, it will not be good."

Upon hearing Gongzi Jia's reminder, the advisor's eyes flickered. The King of Zhao had a bad temper, especially when it came to women. If things were handled improperly, he might really end up shooting himself in the foot.

"This matter is not urgent. We will make our move after Guo Kai presents this woman to us."

The advisor nodded; this matter was indeed not something to be rushed.

"Your insight is excellent, young master."

"There's something else that's giving me quite a headache."

Prince Jia sat back down in his chair, a hint of difficulty appearing on his face. His advisor, seeing this, immediately understood and softly advised, "There are priorities in everything, and the same applies to people. She's just a young woman; how can she be compared to the throne?"

"Furthermore, Prince Qian is nothing but a mediocre talent, utterly useless. If such a person were to succeed to the throne and become the ruler of Zhao, it would be a disaster for the state of Zhao."

Seeing that Prince Jia remained silent, the advisor guessed his thoughts and continued, "Offering this woman is not only a matter for you, but also for the entire state of Zhao. If you can seize power in Zhao, it will be a great deed for all the people of Zhao. If it is inconvenient for you to come forward, I am willing to go and persuade the girl."

Upon hearing his advisor's words, Prince Jia nodded in satisfaction.

A strategist who can assess the situation and share the burdens of his lord is someone that any master would appreciate.

After sitting in the chair for a while, Gongzi Jia spoke again, saying, "Then I'll trouble you, sir, to make the trip for me."

The advisor nodded slightly, then added after a moment's thought, "We also need a token from you, young master, to gain your trust."

At noon, on the fifth floor of Zuimeng Tower, Hongxiu brought in something, and Nishang was somewhat surprised when she saw it.

The object before her was a small, exquisitely crafted box, which looked like a trinket given by a young master from a noble family. However, Ni Chang knew in her heart that this was not one of those trinkets, but rather the Linglong Box used by the Luo Wang (Net of Heaven) to transmit intelligence.

Then she pointed her finger at each face of the box in sequence. After a while, with a "click", the box slowly opened and a secret letter appeared in front of her. Without hesitation, Ni Chang picked up the letter and went to the side to read it.

The next moment her face darkened.

Xiu Yuan, who was still in Ni Chang's room, saw this and asked softly, "What's wrong?"

Ni Chang's eyes flashed with a cold light, and her tone was icy.

"Those two scoundrels, Gongzi Jia and Guo Kai, recommended me and Miss Xue Nu to King Zhao."

Xiu Yuan was taken aback upon hearing this answer.

His memories of the Zhao state were actually quite limited, and most of them revolved around Zhao's general, Li Mu, and Xue Nu. Other matters concerning Handan were hardly mentioned.

"Does Guo Kai dare to offend the Luo Wang (Net of Heaven)?"

Xiu Yuan seemed somewhat curious. To be honest, he had only met Guo Kai once, on the street outside the Jade Flower Pavilion. He wasn't very familiar with this favored minister of the Zhao Kingdom.

Ni Chang stood by the window, her gaze flickering uncertainly.

Whether Guo Kai dares to offend Luo Wang is hard to say, but if Luo Wang finds out about this, they probably won't be angry; in fact, they'll be happy! So Ni Chang is also having a bit of a headache.

"The main pressure doesn't lie with Guo Kai and King Zhao, but with the Luo Wang (a powerful organization)."

Xiu Yuan shook his head.

Ni Chang has multiple identities, and although she can switch between them with ease, her identity as Jing Ni alone means she doesn't have many choices.

"How long will it take for this message to get back to Luo Wang?"

A moment later, Xiu Yuan asked a question.

Upon hearing this, Ni Chang turned around and looked over. Seeing the other person's calm and tranquil eyes, her tense mood miraculously calmed down, just as a smile can be contagious and a calm mind can be too.

"The Luo Wang (Net of Heaven) has its own channels for transmitting messages, and the message will be sent back to Xianyang in no more than ten days."

Ten days.

Upon hearing this answer, Xiu Yuan frowned. For him, this was an unexpected length of time. Of course, this did not mean that ten days was a short time, but rather a very long time.

Since ancient times, there has been a saying that speed is of the essence in war. The faster the news is transmitted, the better. And since the tentacles of the Net cover the seven kingdoms, the news should be transmitted very quickly.

"Does the Net not train any special intelligence-carrying birds or falcons?"

Ni Chang shook her head. These things were naturally trained by the Net, but some intelligence was not suitable to be transmitted through them.

“These things are highly uncertain. Some organizations in the martial arts world may use them, but the Luo Wang is different. The transmission of information must be accurate, so most of the time we don’t use the Spy Wing Bird to transmit intelligence.”

Upon hearing the explanation, Xiu Yuan nodded thoughtfully.

That's not surprising, since the Luo Wang is not an ordinary Jianghu organization, but an assassin organization that serves the Qin court.

Their different natures also determine that they will not use the same methods when dealing with intelligence.

For the Qin state as a whole, special attention needs to be paid to intelligence. If an intelligence leak leads to the other six states forming an alliance again, such a mistake would be fatal.

But for the current situation, this is good news. After a moment of silence, Xiu Yuan nodded and said, "Ten days is enough."

Upon hearing this, Ni Chang then asked, "What does the young master mean?"

"Ten days is the time it takes for Luo Wang to receive the message. After Luo Wang makes a decision, it will take at least ten days to send the message back. In other words, this round trip will take at least twenty days."

At this point, a glint of light flashed deep in Xiu Yuan's eyes.

"A lot can happen in twenty days."

Xiu Yuan got up and went to the window. Looking out at the street, he saw not only a bustling crowd but also many Imperial Guards. He knew that some people would be restless after what happened last night.

"How long does it take to travel from the northern border of Zhao to Handan at the fastest speed?"

Ni Chang's eyes lit up, as if she had guessed something.

"Young master, are you referring to Li Mu?"

Xiu Yuan nodded.

Ni Chang withdrew her gaze, pinched her chin, and then continued, "Li Mu was ordered to guard the northern border and drive out the Xiongnu. Without the King of Zhao's decree, he would not be able to return at all. If he were to return in secret, he would not bring many people with him, and it is even possible that he would return alone."

Hearing Ni Chang's words, Xiu Yuan's eyes flickered slightly. This girl's analysis was quite good. For Li Mu, perhaps going it alone would be more suitable. A Grandmaster would be more flexible and adaptable whether he stayed or left if he was alone.

Ni Chang then continued, "With his Grandmaster-level strength, he will most likely choose to return alone. If so, he will be very fast, and he will be able to return to Handan in three to five days at most."

A master's speed is even greater than that of a horse, and if Li Mu disregards the cost, this time might be even shorter.

Xiu Yuan nodded slightly. This prediction was about the same as his estimate. Then he said again, "Delay your entry into the palace. Tell the outside world that you are suffering from a cold and cannot receive guests. After Li Mu returns to Handan, you can use his help to completely get rid of your identity as Jing Ni."

Upon hearing this, Ni Chang's eyes lit up, but then her gaze became somewhat strange. Suffering from a cold was clearly a deliberate excuse, and King Zhao was no fool; how could he possibly believe it?

Would the King of Zhao believe such a reason?

Xiu Yuan looked in one direction from Handan City. He had heard Ni Chang say that the place was the residence of the Prime Minister of Zhao.

After a moment of silence, he said softly, "This is Guo Kai's business."

Hearing this, Ni Chang couldn't help but smile strangely. How should I put it? Her master... was quite wicked!
If Guo Kai knew that Xiu Yuan had schemed against him like this, he would probably be so angry that his teeth would itch.

Seeing this, Xiu Yuan seemed to have guessed something, but he shook his head indifferently. He didn't care what Guo Kai thought of him, and he didn't care so much about how others viewed him.

The process of spiritual cultivation lies in understanding one's true nature and seeing one's true self, not in seeing others.

However, regarding entering the palace, Ni Chang actually has more room to maneuver, after all, she has another identity, and Guo Kai doesn't dare to go too far. But for the other girl, perhaps she won't be so lucky. "Is Young Master worried about Miss Xue Nu?"

Ni Chang seemed to have seen through Xiu Yuan's thoughts and asked softly.

Xiu Yuan's gaze shifted slightly as he looked at another pavilion on the long street, where the Jade Flower Pavilion was located.

"Everyone has their own path, and so does the Snow Woman."

With her graceful steps, Ni Chang moved to Xiu Yuan's side. With a beauty by her side, she couldn't believe that this young man wouldn't be moved. Even though she was a girl, she couldn't help but feel a bit of pity for Xue Nu after seeing her.

"Really?"

"If possible, I still hope that you can help her."

Speaking of that girl, Ni Chang's tone became more sorrowful. Perhaps it was because they shared the same fate, or perhaps it was because of that dance. In the end, she still did not want such a beautiful woman to die so tragically.

"Oh??"

Hearing Ni Chang's words, Xiu Yuan was quite surprised. Don't be fooled by the girl's seemingly harmless appearance. In reality, she is a top-tier assassin from the Luo Wang organization, a ruthless killer.

"That's not like you at all."

Two jade-like arms passed through, and Ni Chang embraced the young man again. In fact, every girl wants someone to rely on, but many people never find such a person in their entire lives.

"There are some things that you, young master, will never understand. Just consider it a case of us sharing the same plight!"

After a moment of silence, Xiu Yuan sighed softly.

"Then we'll see if this girl can hold on until that day."

Upon hearing this, Ni Chang was suddenly puzzled. Saving a girl was nothing to this young man.

After a short while, the young man spoke again: "If we want Li Mu to take action, we still need an opportunity. I think Jade Flower Pavilion is a good choice."

Ni Chang seemed to have thought of something, and her eyes lit up.

"What does the young master intend?"

"I will present the Jade Flower Pavilion as a formal invitation to request this General Zhao to take action!!"

In the afternoon, Guo Kai sent his steward, who, upon meeting Bi Ji, explained his purpose.

But Brigitte gently shook her head.

"My lord, Ni Chang caught a cold yesterday and only saw a doctor and got medicine this morning. I'm afraid she won't be able to see you right now."

Upon hearing this, the butler was taken aback.

"Wind chill?"

When did this happen?

A cold is a common ailment among the common people, but isn't it too much of a coincidence that the girl caught a cold this time? This morning, the Prime Minister entered the palace and just mentioned the courtesan, and this girl has already caught a cold.

"What happened last night."

The butler stood still, his eyes filled with a gloomy and uncertain expression.

Then he heard Biji explain, "So many things happened in the city last night that even I didn't sleep well. I got up several times during the night and I'm not feeling well. I drank some ginger soup this morning and sweated it out, which made me feel a little better. Miss Nishang is more delicate, which is why she fell ill and can't get out of bed."

Upon hearing this, the steward frowned. What Biji said was true. Many important things had indeed happened in Handan last night, and even the Imperial Guards were mobilized in the latter half of the night.

"What did the doctor say?"

Brigitte shook her head with a wry smile.

"It might not get better for another three to five days."

The steward stood still, looked up at the fifth floor, and, remembering Guo Kai's instructions, did not go to confirm it himself. Instead, he instructed, "Take good care of her. Once Miss Ni Chang has fully recovered, send someone to the Prime Minister's residence to inform them that the Prime Minister wishes to see her."

Upon hearing this, Brigitte quickly nodded.

After seeing the butler off, she turned around and looked at the fifth floor, then shook her head. The girl here was aloof! Even though the Snow Maiden of Jade Flower Pavilion performed a dance every month, Ni Chang only received those young masters and princes; she didn't see anyone else. These past few days had been even worse; she hid in her room and wouldn't see anyone.

But the owner behind Zuimenglou, Prime Minister Guo Kai, was surprisingly magnanimous towards this girl, which even she found somewhat perplexing.

"What a little tyrant~~"

On the other side, in the Jade Flower Pavilion, Chunniang, accompanied by a man, knocked on the door of Xue Nu's room.

Upon seeing that it was Chunniang, Yao Yi turned around and replied.

"Miss, Chunniang has arrived."

Upon hearing that it was Chunniang, Xue Nu was somewhat surprised, as this person would not normally come to the fifth floor to disturb her.

"Invite her in!"

Then Xue Nu's voice came from inside the house, and Chun Niang walked in with the people around her.

After the two entered the room, Chunniang greeted Xue Nu first, and then introduced, "This is Mr. Li, a staff member under the young master."

Upon hearing Chunniang's introduction, a hint of suspicion flashed across Xue Nu's eyes. "A staff member under the young master's tutelage," Chunniang meant, "a disciple of Young Master Jia."

Gongzi Jia was considered a powerful backer of this Jade Flower Pavilion, so Xue Nu did not treat him coldly, and then bowed in greeting.

"Greetings, Mr. Li!"

Upon seeing the Snow Maiden, the newcomer couldn't help but show a hint of amazement in his eyes. It had long been rumored that this young lady from Jade Flower Pavilion was a beauty of unparalleled grace and charm, but seeing her in person still exceeded his expectations. He thought to himself, no wonder Young Master Jia had that kind of expression before.

"I have met the Snow Woman."

After thinking for a moment, the old man surnamed Li turned to Chunniang and said, "Chunniang, I still have some things to discuss with Miss Xuenu. You may leave now!"

Upon hearing this, Chunniang was taken aback. Her eyes flickered for a moment, but she didn't insist. She nodded and turned to leave.

After Chunniang left, the old man surnamed Li lifted his robe and knelt down as if he were pushing a mountain of gold and overturning a jade pillar.

Upon seeing this, Xue Nu and Yao Yi in the room were taken aback.

"What are you doing, sir?"

The old man, with a look of shame, said in a deep voice, "What I said later was truly untrue; I have no face to see you, young lady."

Upon hearing this, Xue Nu and Yao Yi's expressions darkened, and a bad premonition inexplicably rose in their hearts.

"."

Time flew by, and looking at the people in front of them, Xue Nu and Yao Yi's expressions grew increasingly grim.

"Yao Yi, see the guests out!"

"Snow Maiden".

"go out!!"

The elderly man surnamed Li gently shook his head.

"Miss Xue Nu, the Zhao Kingdom has suffered under the tyrant Guo for too long. Now, with the Yuan Dynasty's strength greatly weakened and the Qinglong Gang destroyed, this is a golden opportunity. If Miss Xue Nu could enter the palace, she could work with the young master from within and without to restore order and remove this cancer from the Zhao Kingdom's court. Wouldn't that be a legendary tale for all time?"

Hearing the other person's words, Yao Yi seemed to have finally lost her temper and angrily cursed, "You old bastard, you talk a good game, why don't you go yourself? We girls can't afford to take on such a good opportunity!!"

"Shameless! What a great thing! You make it sound like we're getting the best deal!"

Upon hearing this, the Snow Maiden earnestly advised, "Xiao Yi..."

Yao Yi was indignant.

"girl."

The Snow Woman then looked at this person with a deep, enigmatic gaze.

"Mr. Li, please leave!!"

The old man looked at the girl in front of him and wanted to say something more, but when he noticed the coldness in her eyes, he stopped talking awkwardly.

Persuasion doesn't necessarily have to be successful the first time. If it really offends the other party, it will be a loss. So the old man didn't waste his breath.

"I hope Miss Snow Maiden will give this matter much consideration."

Watching the other person's departing figure, Yao Yi couldn't help but spit twice.

Xue Nu didn't say much. She turned around and sat down at the table. In Handan City, Gongzi Jia was able to contend with Guo Kai, so his power was not as simple as imagined. This time, the people who came were here to persuade him, but who knows what the people who come next will do.

But she was naturally unwilling to enter the palace.

"Girl~~"

Seeing that the Snow Woman remained silent, Yao Yi was still somewhat indignant, and she called out softly.

"What's wrong??"

The snow woman raised her head and looked over.

Yao Yi pouted.

"Let's just stall for time. I don't believe that Young Master Jia would abandon all sense of shame. If he dares to force himself on the girl, I'll make a scene in the streets and see how he handles it!"

Hearing these angry words, the Snow Woman burst out laughing.

The girl was like a mother hen protecting her chicks, but she knew it was just said in anger. She still had no idea how to resolve the matter.

"girl!!"

"You can still laugh now? You're about to be thrown out!!"

The Snow Woman sighed softly. Even if she disagreed, what could she do? Could she possibly fight city hall?

"Xiao Yi, let's take it one step at a time!"

Seeing Xue Nu's expression, Yao Yi felt a bit disappointed. She wasn't the kind of person who would accept her fate, otherwise she wouldn't have written to Xiu Yuan. Remembering what Xue Nu had said before, she planned to tell her benefactor about Xue Nu when he came next time, even if it meant serving him like a slave.

"You"

(End of this chapter)