Section 151

Zhao Gao was stunned. "Your Excellency means..."

"In tomorrow's court session, Li Chengping will surely launch an attack," Donghuang Taiyi's voice carried a hint of profound mystery. "If he wants to settle accounts, let him. If he wants part of Luo Wang's power, give it to him. Only by enduring what ordinary people cannot endure can one achieve what ordinary people cannot achieve."

"This..." Zhao Gao hesitated. To make him bow his head to Li Chengping and hand over the power of Luo Wang was more painful than killing him!

"This is your only chance," Donghuang Taiyi's tone brooked no doubt. "Lie low for now and preserve your useful self. When the time is ripe and the stars reverse, there will naturally be a day for your resurgence."

He extended a finger, its tip swirling with a faint purple glow, and tapped Zhao Gao's brow. "This is the 'Calamity-Crossing Purple Qi.' It will ensure that at a critical moment, you can withstand part of an impact and not have your soul and form completely destroyed. Go, and remember your promise."

Zhao Gao felt a gentle yet supremely majestic power surge into his body, and his spirit was instantly invigorated. His original fear and despair seemed to be suppressed significantly. He knew this was the life-saving talisman Donghuang Taiyi had given him, but also... a shackle.

"Zhao Gao... obeys Your Excellency's decree!" He kowtowed deeply once more. Although his eyes still held resentment, they were filled more with the relief of surviving a disaster and the forbearance for the future.

As long as I can live, there is a chance! Li Chengping, Ximen Chuixue—today's humiliation, I, Zhao Gao, will surely repay it a hundredfold in the future!

Chapter 120: Zhao Gao, Like a Dog! Fishing!

Xianyang Guesthouse.

The lights were bright, but the atmosphere was completely different from the residence of the Director of the Middle Carriage Office.

Li Chengping sipped his tea leisurely, as if the thrilling assassination attempt he had just experienced was not a life-or-death struggle, but merely a boring farce.

Tian Ze stood to the side, his heart unable to settle for a long time. Ximen Chuixue's earth-shattering sword strike had completely overturned his understanding and deepened his awe of Li Chengping by another level.

Just how many terrifying existences are still hidden around this Highness?

"Your Highness, the bodies of the Six Sword Slaves have been dealt with and can be presented to His Majesty tomorrow," Yingge reported. "The remaining Luo Wang assassins have also scattered and fled, not daring to approach again."

"Mhm." Li Chengping nodded. "What's the movement on Zhao Gao's side?"

"The lights in his residence have not been extinguished all night, but the specific situation is unknown. However, our people discovered that he seemed to have gone to a place in secret, but they lost him," Yingge said with some shame.

"Lost him?" Li Chengping was not surprised; instead, he smiled. "In Xianyang City, there is likely only one place where a venomous snake like Zhao Gao would go for help when he is at his wits' end."

He set down his teacup, a flash of realization in his eyes. "The Yin Yang School... Donghuang Taiyi. It seems Zhao Gao went to seek help from his old master."

Both Tian Ze and Yingge were startled. The Yin Yang School? That mysterious and unpredictable sect among the Hundred Schools of Thought that was rumored to communicate with ghosts and gods and predict the future?

"Your Highness, then tomorrow..." Yingge was somewhat worried. The Yin Yang School's influence was vast and their methods were eerie; if they intervened...

"It's no matter." Li Chengping waved his hand, his expression relaxed. "Donghuang Taiyi is a smart man; he knows what to do and when. Zhao Gao is still a useful chess piece, so he won't discard him easily, but he won't completely fall out with us right now just to protect him."

"Tomorrow's court will be a good show," Li Chengping's lips curled slightly. "Zhao Gao will bow his head and cut his own flesh, but he won't die. However, the blade that is Luo Wang should have a new master."

He stood up and stretched. "Alright, everyone go and rest. Gather your strength; tomorrow, we go to the Qin Palace to harvest the fruits of victory."

As the night deepened, Xianyang City fell back into silence after the brief disturbance. But everyone knew this was merely the calm before the storm. Tomorrow's court would surely be turbulent!

The next day, Xianyang Palace, Zhangtai Palace.

The morning sun filtered through the high windows, casting mottled light and shadows, yet it could not dispel the heavy and murderous atmosphere within the hall. The civil and military officials were lined up on both sides in dead silence, their gazes occasionally darting toward the key figures at the front of the queue; the air was thick with the oppression of an impending storm.

Upon the throne, Ying Zheng's Face was as calm as water. His gaze beneath the twelve-tasseled crown was deep and unfathomable, showing not a hint of emotion. The assassination attempt that occurred on the streets of Xianyang yesterday had already reached his ears at the first opportunity.

Li Si stood at the head of the officials, his expression calm, but his slightly furrowed brows revealed his inner lack of peace.

On the other side, slightly behind, stood the Director of the Middle Carriage Office, Zhao Gao. His Face was pale and his eyes were sunken; though he tried his best to maintain composure, his slightly trembling fingertips betrayed his inner terror. He could feel the gazes coming from all directions, filled with suspicion, scrutiny, and even schadenfreude.

Following the high-pitched cry of an attendant, "Announcing Prince Xia, Li Chengping, for an audience—" all eyes snapped toward the palace gates.

Li Chengping, dressed in a Black Brocade Robe, walked into the hall with a composed pace. Behind him followed the cold-faced Tian Ze. Ximen Chuixue did not come; to that sword fanatic, the imperial court was far less important than his sword.

Li Chengping walked to the center of the hall and nodded slightly toward Ying Zheng on the throne, neither humble nor arrogant. "Li Chengping greets the King of Qin."

"Prince Xia may dispense with formalities." Ying Zheng's voice was low, carrying a trace of imperceptible coldness. "I heard that Prince Xia encountered some... trouble in Xianyang City last night?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became tense to the extreme. Everyone's gaze focused on Li Chengping, waiting for his answer and for the coming storm.

Li Chengping's expression remained unchanged, and his tone was flat, yet every word was clear. "It can't be called trouble. I just encountered a few mad dogs who didn't know whether they were dead or alive blocking my way, so I cleared them out at my convenience."

He paused, his gaze turning toward the increasingly pale Zhao Gao, his voice suddenly becoming sharp. "However, I am quite curious—who is so audacious as to openly raise mad dogs under the King of Qin's rule, at the foot of the Son of Heaven, with the intent to assassinate an ally and sabotage the Great Qin-Xia grand plan?!"

His words were like a clap of thunder, exploding in the hall!

All the officials gasped, their gazes shooting toward Zhao Gao in unison. Although no names were mentioned, it was crystal clear who the spearhead was pointed at!

Zhao Gao's body shuddered violently, and he nearly lost his footing. Forcing down his inner fear and humiliation, and following Donghuang Taiyi's instructions, he took a deep breath, stepped forward abruptly, and knelt on the ground with a thud, his voice filled with 'grief' and 'terror':

"Your Majesty! This servant is guilty! This servant has been negligent!"

He struck his head against the ground, tears streaming down his Face. "Regarding last night's matter, this servant has only just learned the details through investigation! I never expected that within Luo Wang, there would be such audacious and lawless individuals who, either seduced by villains or in a moment of confusion, would commit such a treasonous act that endangers our alliance! This is the fault of this servant's poor management and lack of discernment! I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"

He lowered his posture to the extreme, taking initiative to admit to the 'crime of negligence,' yet he never mentioned that he had personally given the order. Instead, he tried to push the responsibility onto subordinates who were 'seduced by villains' or 'confused for a moment.'

This performance could not be said to be anything but exquisite. If Li Chengping hadn't already seen through everything, he might truly have been deceived by this 'heartbroken' appearance.

The hall was in an uproar. The Director of the Middle Carriage Office, Zhao Gao, had actually confessed his guilt in public! Although it was only 'negligence,' for someone who had always held high power and deep trust from His Majesty, this was already an unprecedented and great humiliation!

Li Chengping watched Zhao Gao's performance with cold eyes, sneering in his heart. Cutting flesh to survive? That certainly fits the character of this venomous snake.

Ying Zheng looked at Zhao Gao kneeling on the ground, his Face expressionless, making it impossible to guess his thoughts. He certainly didn't believe Zhao Gao was completely unaware, but Zhao Gao's proactive confession and shifting of responsibility to 'negligence' gave him a way out and room to handle the matter.

"Zhao Gao," Ying Zheng spoke slowly, his voice majestic. "Luo Wang is a Sharp Weapon of the state and should be used to monitor illegality and eliminate the treacherous. Now that such an evil event has occurred, nearly harming an ally and shaking the foundation of the state, you, as the leader of Luo Wang, cannot escape blame!"

Zhao Gao kowtowed repeatedly. "This servant deserves ten thousand deaths! I beg Your Majesty's punishment!"

Ying Zheng's gaze swept over Li Chengping and fell back onto Zhao Gao.

"The death penalty may be avoided, but living punishment is hard to escape. Zhao Gao, Director of the Middle Carriage Office, for dereliction of duty and poor management, shall be stripped of his post as Director of the Middle Carriage Office from this day forward and demoted to Palace Attendant, to reflect on his errors behind closed doors for three months! Luo Wang's affairs shall be temporarily handed over to..."

Everyone held their breath, waiting for Ying Zheng to announce the new ownership of Luo Wang. This was the key to the entire matter!

Ying Zheng's gaze narrowed slightly, and he said in a heavy voice, "The Luo Wang organization is vast and a mixed bag; it indeed requires vigorous rectification. Let it be this: the part of Luo Wang responsible for the security of Xianyang Palace and the royal family will still be handled by Zhao Gao... oh no, Palace Attendant Zhao Gao, to atone for his crimes through service."

---Requesting flowers

Zhao Gao's heart relaxed; at least he had preserved a portion of his power within the inner court.

"As for the part of Luo Wang responsible for external monitoring, gathering intelligence on the Six Kingdoms, and hunting down the remnants of the Six Kingdoms,"

Ying Zheng changed the subject, his gaze shifting to Li Chengping. "It shall be supervised by Prince Xia in assistance to myself! Since Prince Xia has an alliance with me to clear the world together, he surely has unique insights into dealing with those enemies hidden in the shadows. Chancellor Li, draft the specific regulations to ensure that the blade of Luo Wang is used against the true enemies!"

Boom!

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire court completely erupted!

His Majesty actually... actually let Prince Xia, Li Chengping, interfere with Luo Wang?! This was the most secret and powerful intelligence agency of Great Qin! This was equivalent to handing over control of a part of the state's violent machinery to an outsider! Although nominally it was 'assisting in supervision,' everyone understood that with Prince Xia's methods and strength, how much weight those two words 'assisting' carried!

Li Si's heart was also greatly shaken, but his Face remained impassive as he bowed and accepted the order. "This servant obeys the decree."

He understood that this was a decision made by His Majesty after weighing the pros and cons. It both knocked Zhao Gao down a peg and appeased Prince Xia, while also attempting to use Prince Xia's strength to better control and utilize the double-edged sword that was Luo Wang.

...

Zhao Gao knelt on the ground, his body trembling violently. Although he had kept his life and even retained a portion of his power, the core of Luo Wang—the external intelligence and operations departments—had been forcibly stripped away and handed to his greatest enemy! This was a heart-wrenching pain! He gritted his teeth hard, burying his head even lower to conceal the venomous resentment and hatred in his eyes that seemed ready to devour someone.

Li Chengping wore a perfectly timed expression of 'being put in a difficult position' and cupped his hands to Ying Zheng. "Since the King of Qin trusts me, I, Chengping, shall naturally do my best to share the King of Qin's burdens and clear the obstacles for the alliance between my Great Xia and Great Qin."

He did not appear overly excited; instead, he pointed out that this was for the 'alliance,' giving Ying Zheng plenty of Face.

Ying Zheng nodded slightly, appearing quite satisfied with Li Chengping's attitude. "Very well. The matter is settled as such."

His majestic gaze swept over the officials below. "The Qin-Xia alliance is a grand plan for the state and must not fail! If any petty person dares to sabotage it in secret again, do not blame my laws for being merciless!"

"We obey the decree!" The officials responded in unison, each with their own thoughts.

The assassination storm targeting Prince Xia ultimately ended with Zhao Gao being demoted and Li Chengping rightfully interfering in the core power of Luo Wang.

The court session adjourned.

Li Chengping and Li Si walked out of Zhangtai Palace side by side.

"Prince Xia, quite the method," Li Si said meaningfully.

Li Chengping smiled indifferently. "Chancellor Li overpraises me. It is merely setting things right and making certain people who do not follow the rules pay the price."

Li Si looked at Li Chengping's young yet profound profile and sighed inwardly: This young man is definitely not a simple character. Whether cooperating with him is a blessing or a curse is yet to be known.

On the other side, Zhao Gao left in a daze, supported by several attendants.

When he reached the shadows of the palace gate, he suddenly turned back, his venomous gaze fixed on Li Chengping's departing back. That look was as if he wanted to swallow him alive.

As if he had eyes in the back of his head, Li Chengping's pace paused slightly. He turned back and gave Zhao Gao a bright yet cold smile.

Zhao Gao felt as if bitten by a snake; he abruptly withdrew his gaze and fled in panic.

Lie low, endure... His Excellency Donghuang was right. As long as I'm alive, there's a chance!

The sky of Xianyang quietly changed color because of this court session. And Li Chengping successfully extended his hand toward the darkest and sharpest blade of Qin—Luo Wang.

Chapter 121: Taking Over Luo Wang! Quicksand's Wei Zhuang!

The court storm had settled, but beneath the surface of Xianyang City, the undercurrents grew even more turbulent.

Li Chengping did not immediately take over Luo Wang's external affairs with great fanfare.

He knew well that the Luo Wang organization was deeply entrenched and that Zhao Gao had operated it for many years; it was not something that could be easily controlled with a single decree. Acting rashly would only cause a violent backlash or even cause this sharp blade to spiral completely out of control.

He chose a more stable method—infiltration and integration.

An inconspicuous pawnshop located in a remote corner of Xianyang City. This was an important stronghold for Luo Wang's external intelligence summary and mission assignment.

The atmosphere in the backyard of the pawnshop was oppressive. Over a dozen core members of Luo Wang, dressed in black and possessing fierce auras, were lined up on both sides, looking at the three people seated in the hall with complex gazes.

In the main seat, naturally, was Li Chengping. He was composed, as if he were in his own backyard. On his left was Tian Ze, whose cold gaze swept over the crowd; his invisible pressure caused these unruly assassins and spies to feel a tremor in their hearts. On his right was Yingge, representing the Eastern Depot, the force Li Chengping truly trusted.

"Everyone," Li Chengping toyed with a Luo Wang token, his voice calm. "I presume you are all clear on His Majesty's decree. From this day forward, all external affairs of Luo Wang will be supervised by myself in assistance."

There was silence below. Most of these Luo Wang members were personally promoted by Zhao Gao and were either loyal to him or accustomed to his style of rule. Now that the master had suddenly changed to such a young 'outsider,' their hearts were naturally filled with doubt, resentment, and even hostility.

A burly man with a scar on his Face couldn't help but speak up, his voice hoarse. "Prince Xia, we only listen to the orders of the Mid... Palace Attendant. Although His Majesty has a decree, the rules of Luo Wang..."

Before he could finish his words, a gust of wind rushed toward him!

Tian Ze had moved!

His figure flickered, closing in like a ghost. His fingers bunched into a claw and accurately gripped the scarred man's throat! The speed was so fast and the power so strong that the man didn't even have a chance to react; his Face instantly flushed red, his breathing became difficult, and his eyes were filled with horror.

"Rules?" Tian Ze's voice was ice-cold. "Now, His Highness's words are the rules!"

He casually tossed the scarred man aside, throwing him heavily against the wall with a dull thud. The man slumped to the ground, his fate unknown.

This clean and decisive suppression instantly silenced all the Luo Wang members present. They were all people who lived on the edge of a blade; naturally, they could see that Tian Ze's strength far exceeded their imagination. Moreover, the white-clad swordsman rumored to have killed the Six Sword Slaves in an instant was also one of this Prince Xia's men!

Li Chengping acted as if he hadn't seen the bloody scene just now and continued, "I know that some of you might not be convinced. It doesn't matter; I will give you a chance."

He looked toward Yingge.