Chinese animation: Starting with Bad Guys

That "My lord" and that respectful posture were like a heavy hammer, completely confirming Han Fei's suspicions, and also causing Zhang Kaidi and Zhang Liang's pupils to shrink sharply!

The mastermind behind Zilan Pavilion could actually make Wei Zhuang, a disciple of Guigu, submit?!

"Young Master Han has distinguished guests to see, so we will not disturb him any longer."

Qin Chuan spoke calmly and offered to leave.

Han Fei gazed thoughtfully at the departing figures of Qin Chuan and Wei Zhuang.

Honglian watched the tall figure disappear through the door, then suddenly tugged at Han Fei's sleeve: "Brother, he..."

"Shh." Han Fei pressed down on his sister's hand, the smile in his eyes long gone. "This Young Master Qin is much more interesting than we thought."

Chapter 19 A High-Stakes Gamble with Han Fei

The meeting between Han Fei and Zhang Kaidi was brief and direct. In the delicate atmosphere of Zilan Pavilion, the two sides quickly reached a deal:

Han Fei was tasked with thoroughly investigating the case of the ghost soldiers robbing the soldiers' pay, while Zhang Kaidi promised to recommend him for the position of Minister of Justice in the State of Han.

The figures of Zhang Kaidi and his grandson disappeared outside the door. The heavy wooden door shut out the noise from the outside world, and also shut out Honglian's last bit of composure.

She whirled around, her large, watery eyes fixed on Han Fei, her voice trembling with suppressed grievance:

Honglian grabbed Han Fei's sleeve, her fingertips turning white from the force:

"Did you see that? Did you hear what Wei Zhuang called him? 'My lord'! And Sister Zi Nu... she... she actually offered him a seat and tea so respectfully! Sister Nong Yu even stopped playing her zither! He... he's actually the 'master' here!"

Her voice grew increasingly urgent, filled with a mixture of betrayed anger and girlish shame: "And I... I thought he was a gentleman! Turns out he's also... also a..."

She stammered for a long time, the obscene words she'd heard from the palace maids about the owners of brothels stuck in her throat, making her both angry and ashamed. Finally, it turned into a low growl, tinged with tears:

"He's a villain who persecutes women! He's no different from those powerful and wealthy people who bully men and women!"

Han Fei looked at his sister's agitated yet hurt expression and understood.

Having lived in the deep palace for a long time, Honglian was simple-minded and naturally harbored prejudice and misunderstanding towards places like Zilan Pavilion.

The vague goodwill she felt for Qin Chuan last night was completely shattered by the overwhelming evidence before her, naturally leading her to categorize him as the most despicable person.

He sighed softly, helped Honglian sit down by the shoulder, and then squatted down in front of her, his gaze gentle yet earnest: "Honglian, calm down. You can't just look at things on the surface."

“On the surface? Isn’t that clear enough?” Honglian pointed to the empty main seat and then to the door. “Even someone as fierce as Wei Zhuang is like…like a guard in front of him! Sister Zinu and the others are so afraid of him! If they weren’t being coerced by him, what else could it be?”

“Fear comes in many forms,” Han Fei patiently explained. “When Ji Wuye’s men come to Zilan Pavilion, Miss Zi will smile, but that smile is feigned; her eyes hide disgust and fear. But just now, look at Miss Zi’s attitude towards Qin Chuan.”

Han Fei paused, recalling Zi Nu's subconscious act of rising to offer her seat, her smooth serving of tea, and the complex reverence deep in her eyes:

"That wasn't fear of power, but more like... awe of the true controller, even mixed with a hint of... indescribable relief?"

"Thank goodness?" Honglian repeated, puzzled.

"Yes, thankfully. Qin Chuan only checked into Zi Lan Xuan last night."

Han Fei's gaze deepened:

"And just last night, in a very short time, he made Wei Zhuang, a proud and arrogant disciple of Guigu, submit to him, and made Zi Nu, a clever and resourceful woman, willingly relinquish control."

He looked into his sister's eyes and said, word by word:

“He is not the original owner of this place. He just took control of this place with swift and decisive means. Miss Zi Nu and the others are afraid of him, respect him, and perhaps even… are grateful to him.”

"Grateful?" Honglian was even more confused. "Grateful for what? Grateful that he took away Zilan Pavilion?"

"Perhaps, they are grateful to him for driving away an even more terrifying existence for them. Ji Wuye's 'Nightfall' is like a leech, and the fact that Zilanxuan was able to establish itself in Xinzheng and become an intelligence center is itself a thorn in the side of Nightfall. Miss Zinu and the others live in Ji Wuye's shadow all the time."

Han Fei's voice lowered:

"Qin Chuan's sudden appearance and forceful control may be a sharper knife to them, cutting off the shackles hanging over their heads and bringing a different kind of order... which may be safer, but also more unknown."

He gently patted Honglian's hand:

"Therefore, he is not a persecutor. At least, for now, he seems more like... someone who suddenly broke into the game and changed all the rules. The attitude of Zi Nu and the others is one of submission to power and a choice of a new form of protection."

As Honglian listened to Han Fei's analysis, the anger and grievance in her eyes were gradually replaced by surprise and uncertainty.

She recalled Zi Nu's gaze just now, which did not seem to show the deep fear she had when facing Ji Wuye's henchmen. Instead, it was a kind of... complicated relief?

And then there's Wei Zhuang. His fierce aura, which keeps strangers at bay, is still there, but behind Qin Chuan, it has been tempered into a silent, protective stance.

"But...but why would he take control of this place?" Honglian was still unable to let it go, her voice lowering, "He...he doesn't seem like that kind of person..."

"That's the mystery of him. A man who can make Wei Zhuang submit and Zi Nu revere him chose Zi Lan Xuan as his base."

Han Fei stood up and looked out the window towards the private room where Qin Chuan was, his eyes gleaming with a probing light:

"His purpose is far more than just seeking pleasure. Honglian, when judging people and things, don't rush to conclusions. This young master Qin is much more complex than we imagine, and also... much more interesting."

Honglian fell silent. Looking into Han Fei's eyes, which held the light of a wise man, her anger gradually subsided, replaced by a deeper sense of bewilderment and curiosity.

What Ninth Brother said seems to make sense... What kind of person is Qin Chuan, really?

Having taken control of Zilan Pavilion and subdued Wei Zhuang, what exactly does he want to do?

Was my previous criticism of him really too arbitrary and harsh?

She subconsciously touched her slightly flushed cheeks, feeling a mix of emotions.

“Let’s go,” Han Fei said, turning his gaze away and giving Honglian a reassuring smile. “We should visit this ‘new master’ and ask him for a… big favor.”

Han Fei led her to Zi Nu: "Please, Miss Zi Nu, lead me to see Brother Qin."

Led by Zi Nu, Han Fei and Hong Lian arrived at a more secluded and heavily guarded private room on the second floor.

Qin Chuan stood by the window, gazing at the myriad lights of Xinzheng, with Wei Zhuang standing behind him like a shadow.

"Brother Qin, the Ghost Soldiers' robbery of the funds case involves a wide range of people, and there must be someone behind it who can control everything. Although we have the clue of 'water dissolving gold,' we are weak and powerless."

Han Fei got straight to the point, solemnly cupping his hands in greeting:

"Now that Brother Qin has taken control of Zilan Pavilion, I earnestly request your assistance in solving this mystery, eliminating the evil spirits, and restoring a bright and just world to Xinzheng!"

Qin Chuan slowly turned around, his gaze calmly falling on Han Fei's face: "Whether you want to investigate the case or eliminate the evil spirits, you can't avoid one person in the end."

"Who?" Han Fei's eyes sharpened.

"Ji Wuye." Qin Chuan's voice was calm, yet it was like a boulder thrown into stagnant water.

Wei Zhuang's lips curled into a cold smile. Zi Nu and Nong Yu looked grave. Hong Lian also subconsciously held her breath.

"The Great General of Korea, 'the strongest general in a century'," Qin Chuan said calmly, yet each word carried immense weight. "He wielded immense power, was tyrannical and domineering, cunning and treacherous, greedy and lustful, and obsessed with power. The 'Nightfall' he controlled was the shadow that shrouded Korea."

His gaze swept over Han Fei, and he continued:

“Under the cover of night, four fierce generals are entrenched in the lifeline of South Korea.”

"Bai Yifei, the Blood-Clad Marquis, holds military power and is stationed at Snow-Clad Fortress. His strength is unfathomable, and he is ruthless and bloodthirsty."

"Jade Tiger is incredibly wealthy, controlling most of South Korea's financial resources. He uses the guise of a merchant to exploit others."

"The enchanting beauty, Lady Mingzhu, resides deep within the Han King's palace. She uses her beauty to bewitch the king, controls the palace's secrets, and is the eyes and ears of the night."

"The man in the straw raincoat, whose identity is shrouded in mystery and whose whereabouts are elusive, controls a vast intelligence network spanning seven kingdoms."

"Below them are the 'Hundred Birds,' led by Mo Ya. They are all assassins with superb lightness skills and ruthless hearts, specializing in eliminating dissidents and carrying out assassinations. The ghost soldiers robbing the money is just a common trick to amass wealth and eliminate dissidents under the cover of night."

Han Fei's eyes were as sharp as a hawk's; Qin Chuan's words were exactly what he was thinking!

He said in a deep voice, "Brother Qin, your insight is astute! If Ji Wuye is not eliminated, the state of Han will never have peace! This case is the first step in taking down his henchmen and shaking his foundation!"

Qin Chuan nodded slightly: "I can get Wei Zhuang to help you, and you can also use Zi Lan Xuan's intelligence network, and even..."

He paused, his gaze as deep and cold as a still pool, "I can help you completely eliminate Ji Wuye."

"Really?!" Han Fei's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible excitement.

"Really?" Qin Chuan replied decisively, "but there's one condition."

"Brother Qin, please speak! As long as it is within my power, I will not refuse!" Han Fei said without hesitation.

Qin Chuan walked up to Han Fei, and their eyes met, as if invisible sparks were colliding in the air.

"Han Fei, do you know why I said Han is too small?" Qin Chuan slowly spoke, "You want to strengthen Han with the law, eliminate Ji Wuye, reform the bureaucracy, and restore the glory of Shen Buhai's reforms, so that Han can dominate the seven states. This ambition is commendable."

Han Fei stood tall, his eyes gleaming with the light of idealism:

"Exactly! The weakness of the state lies not in its poor military, but in its weak laws and the power of corrupt officials! As long as we remove Ji Wuye, this cancer, and use the law as our sword to rectify the court, the state will surely be able to rise again and regain its former glory!"

"Your legal principles cannot save South Korea. The roots of South Korea have long been gnawed out. In the halls of power, rotten wood holds office; in the palace, beasts feast on the rich."

Qin Chuan listened quietly, and only after Han Fei finished speaking did he slowly shake his head, his voice carrying an almost compassionate insight:

"Even if you eliminate one Ji Wuye, new 'Ji Wuyes' will spring up from this rotten soil. And the Qin state, with its fierce army and Shang Yang's laws, has already become a force to be reckoned with."

His gaze was piercing, meeting directly in Han Fei's eyes the burning flame of idealism deep within them:

"Your dream of using the law to strengthen Han is nothing but a mantis trying to stop a chariot in the face of Qin's military might. Han is destined to be the first stepping stone for Qin's eastward expansion."

A defiant flame ignited in Han Fei's eyes: "Brother Qin, you are being too arbitrary! Han is not without the foundation to become a strong nation! As long as..."

"No need to argue." Qin Chuan interrupted him, his tone decisive and leaving no room for doubt. "We have different paths, but a bet can determine the winner. These are my conditions, a wager."

"A bet?" Han Fei frowned.

Qin Chuan stood with his hands behind his back, his imposing presence as deep and majestic as a mountain.

"You bet that your legal system can strengthen Han and make it the most powerful of the seven states, or at least allow it to stand independently from Qin's military might. I bet that Han will be destroyed by Qin, and no matter how much effort you put in, it will all be in vain."

He stretched out his long, slender finger and pointed it towards the deep night sky of Xinzheng:

"The stakes are between the two of us. If you win, it proves that the state of Han can prosper under your rule and achieve your ambitions. I, Qin Chuan, will then accept your offer, stay in Xinzheng, serve you, and help you build the hegemony of Han."

"What if I lose?" Han Fei asked in a deep voice, his heart pounding uncontrollably.

"If I win."

Qin Chuan's gaze was as deep as the starry sky, carrying a kind of fated attraction:

"The fall of Han to Qin proves that your path of strengthening Han through law is doomed to failure. So, Han Fei, abandon your doomed dream of a Han, join my 'Bad Guys,' and come with me to see how the true chessboard of the world should be played!"

Han Fei's eyes shone brightly, and a surge of heroic spirit welled up within him.

He never believed he would lose! He believed in his legal principles and in South Korea's potential!

"Very well! Brother Qin, I, Han Fei, accept this bet!" Han Fei declared loudly, with unwavering determination. "I will show you how the State of Han can rise from the ashes in my hands!"

Qin Chuan's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile, not as a mockery, but more as a scrutiny of the unknown fate: "Let's wait and see."