People in the Qin Dynasty, entertained during the Warring States period

Han An was stunned: "Break with the Qin state?"

He had gone to great lengths to compromise under the power of Qin, how could he just break with them like that? Wouldn't that put Han on the hot seat?

Han Fei said, "Not now, but after the four kingdoms form an alliance."

King An of Han frowned, deep in thought, caught in a dilemma.

As Cao Ze said, if five cities are ceded today and ten more are ceded tomorrow, and the State of Han continues to be subjugated by the State of Qin, its destruction is only a matter of time.

Han Fei looked quietly at his father, the King of Zhao, who did not mention the matter of Han breaking ties with Qin.

He said this for two reasons: first, to divert his father's attention and prevent him from focusing on his suspicions about him and his four elder brothers; second, to urge his father to make a decision sooner and recognize the situation. Time was of the essence.

Only by facing death could South Korea carve out a path to survival amidst the encirclement of Qin and other states.

King An of Han waved his hand with a headache, "Let's leave it at that for now, I'll think about it some more."

Han Fei bowed and withdrew.

"and many more!"

King An of Han spoke up to stop Han Fei from leaving.

Han Fei turned around and asked, "Father, is there anything else?"

Han Wang An said in a low voice, "Ninth Prince, it's just the two of us here, father and son. I'm asking you, do you want to be the Crown Prince?"

Was he being tested? Han Fei's mind raced with thoughts.

“Father, I have no such intention.”

Han Fei could only speak the truth, even if that truth was somewhat pale.

Han Wang An remained silent for a long while, then said, "You may leave."

……

Han Fei stepped out of his study, glanced at the bright sunshine, and felt a little heavy-hearted.

The situation in South Korea is a hundred times more complex than that in Yan.

Nightfall is not Yan Chunjun; Nightfall truly has the power to drag Korea toward destruction.

The only good news now is that Shanxi, Shanxi, and Henan provinces may form an alliance.

As for addressing the persistent problem of nighttime darkness in China, we can only proceed gradually and wait for the right opportunity.

Han Fei rubbed his temples, took a deep breath, and strode out of the palace.

Now, we need to deal with that guy first!

Zilan Pavilion.

Honglian and Zinu looked at Han Fei and Cao Ze, who were sitting opposite each other, their swords drawn, and both felt bewildered.

Han Fei's eyes were like cold swords, piercing Cao Ze.

Cao Ze smiled faintly, nonchalant and unconcerned.

"Hiss~ This guy has such a thick skin!" Han Fei said with a serious expression, "Brother Cao has been in Xinzheng for a long time, staying at Zilan Pavilion, but he has not yet enjoyed the scenery of Xinzheng. Isn't that a pity?"

Was he being threatened? Cao Ze asked, "What does Brother Han mean?"

"On my way back to Xinzheng from Handan, I passed by Shizu Mountain. Most of the snow on the mountain had melted, and spring was in full bloom. Brother Cao, haven't you always wanted to climb the mountain and enjoy the view? Why don't we choose a day to go?"

Holy crap! Is my brother-in-law planning to kill me to cover it up?

Cao Ze nodded with a smile: "I had this idea long ago. Very good. Why don't we invite Zifang to go together?"

Han Fei narrowed his eyes: "Excellent."

Honglian and Zinu were completely bewildered. The two women exchanged a glance, and Honglian raised her hand, saying, "I want to go too!"

Zi Nu took a sip of tea. "If you don't mind, I'd also like to see the scenery of Ancestral Mountain."

Han Fei quickly objected, saying, "With the winter snow melting and the cold increasing, it's not suitable for girls to climb mountains at this time!"

Zifang was quite skilled; he even wanted to drag Cao Ze to a dark place and beat him up.

Honglian raised her delicate fist and sneered, "Brother, do you look down on your sister? Want to try your sister's fist again?"

Han Fei subconsciously touched his dark circles, which had just healed. He never expected that as one of the most outstanding students of Xiaoshengxianzhuang, and a master of the Six Arts of a Gentleman, he would be completely defeated by his younger sister after only three days at home, to the point that he almost doubted his existence.

Is this the miraculous effect of cultivation?

Han Fei chuckled and said, "Little sister, it's cold up in the mountains, remember to wear a few more layers."

Cao Ze and Zi Nu resisted the urge to burst out laughing and picked up their teacups, pretending to drink tea.

After deciding to go to the Ancestral Mountain, Han Fei began to drink alone in silence.

As for what happened during the ceremony in Zhao, Han Fei only mentioned some trivial matters.

It makes no mention of the secret alliance secretly plotted by the states of Yan, Zhao, Han, and Wei.

This is a matter of great importance; every day that Qin is delayed in learning about it will be advantageous to Han.

Five days later.

Cao Ze massaged Lady Mingzhu's shoulders, back, legs, and feet in the palace.

After he finished applying oil to Madam Mingzhu's back, Cao Ze began to massage her, asking, "Madam, how's the pressure?"

"very nice."

Lady Mingzhu lay on the couch, her narrow phoenix eyes half-closed, thoroughly enjoying the spa-like massage that made her feel weak and numb, as if she were floating on air.

How could it not be good? He's even using his cheat-like abilities... Arcs of electricity occasionally flickered on Cao Ze's fingers.

If it weren't for the fact that the cheat ability is greatly reduced for those with internal strength, he would have wanted to let Madam Mingzhu experience what an incontinence plan is like.

“Madam, I have discovered that Zilanxuan has an inextricable connection with the Guigu School.”

While giving Madam Mingzhu a massage, Cao Ze reported on the work he was currently working on.

Madam Mingzhu hummed in agreement: "Very good. Have you found out who this Ghost Valley disciple is?"

"No, this person is secretive, observant, and hard to fathom. He must be a master above the first-class level."

Madam Mingzhu turned slightly and glanced at Cao Ze: "Just investigate, don't expose yourself. That person is likely very strong, and you are no match for him."

According to the information from the Straw-Cloaked Guest, the person behind Zilan Pavilion is very likely the newly broken sword master, and Cao Ze is simply not a match for him.

Cao Ze kneaded Madam Mingzhu's soft waist and respectfully said, "Understood."

After an incense stick has burned.

Lady Mingzhu rose comfortably and, with the help of her maids, put on her phoenix robe.

"Thank you for your help today, sir."

Cao Ze humbly replied, "It is only right that I take care of my wife."

It has to be said that the Great White Shark has a really amazing physique and feels amazing to the touch, which is why he loves it so much.

"Sir, please take this. This is the antidote for next month."

Madam Mingzhu's personal maid trembled slightly; she too had Gu worms on her body.

"Madam Xie."

Cao Ze took the small porcelain bottle containing the antidote, which had Baiyue characteristics, and muttered to himself, "They really treat him like a servant. Sooner or later they'll strike hard."

After leaving the palace, Cao Ze walked towards the city gates at a pace that was neither too fast nor too slow.

At the pavilion outside the city, Zi Nu Hong Lian, Zhang Liang, and Han Fei all stood up when they saw Cao Ze arrive.

Han Fei, the brother-in-law, still harbored resentment towards Cao Ze for leading his younger sister astray.

"Brother Cao is really slow."

"Giving your stepmother a massage, how can it not be slow..." Cao Ze automatically ignored his brother-in-law's sarcastic remarks.

"Let's go to the Ancestral Mountain!"

Honglian excitedly rode her beloved little red horse.

Zhang Liang led over two large horses. "Brother, Brother Cao, please mount your horses."

Han Fei laughed heartily, leaped onto his horse, and said, "Zifang's horsemanship skills have always been superb. Brother Cao, would you be interested in a contest?"

He refused to believe that, with his mastery of the Six Arts of a Gentleman, he could possibly lose to Cao Ze in the art of horsemanship.

Cao Ze and Zi Nu mounted their horses at the same time, laughing, "Why not?"

Honglian, holding a leather whip, said crisply, "I want to compete too."

Zi Nu smiled and said, "Then I'll join in the fun too."

The winter snow has melted, and the ground is somewhat muddy.

Five fast horses galloped along the official road, splashing up mud and water every now and then.

Han Fei poured a pot of fine wine into his white horse and drove it in a very flamboyant manner, his movements fluid and graceful, as if man and horse were one.

Following closely behind was Zhang Liang, whose skill in horsemanship, one of the six arts of a gentleman, was not much weaker than that of Han Fei.

Next up were Cao Ze and the two women, Honglian and Zinu. None of the three had specialized in horse riding, and they were seven or eight body lengths behind.

Honglian swung her whip with all her might, unwilling to be outdone.

Cao Ze didn't care. His brother-in-law won the competition, and he won the girl. A win-win situation is the real win.

Honglian bit her lip lightly and said to Cao Ze, "Think of a way, we're almost at Ancestral Mountain!"

The ancestral mountain is only thirty miles from Xinzheng, and can be reached in less than 45 minutes by fast horse.

Seeing that Honglian was getting competitive, Cao Ze coughed lightly and said, "Isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

"What's wrong with that! My brother even fed the horses wine, that's cheating!"

"Ok."

Honglian beamed: "It seems you really have a way, hurry up!"

Cao Ze thought to himself, "Brother-in-law, your sister has begged me, so don't blame me for taking action."

Without making a sound, he flicked out a wisp of internal energy imbued with the power of a cheat code, striking Han Fei's drunken white horse, causing the horse to sway and stagger like a real drunkard, unable to run fast.