Chapter 295: Chapter 292: Overpowering the Yin-Yang School
"Why don't you both take a break?" Zinu suggested, pouring a drink for Han Fei and Wei Zhuang. She placed the glasses in front of them and filled them with wine.
"What kind of person is that National Teacher?" Wei Zhuang asked after downing his drink in one go, turning his gaze towards Zinu.
"A mysterious figure who is impossible to fully understand," Zinu replied after a moment of silence. "But one thing is certain: Ying Zheng trusts him deeply. His policies, if implemented, will greatly improve the lives of the common people."
Unlike Han Fei and Wei Zhuang, who were entrenched in their beliefs, Zinu empathized with the struggles of the lower classes. She could see the positive impact of Daniel's reforms, which was something Han Fei, Wei Zhuang, and Zhang Liang couldn't fully grasp due to their privileged backgrounds.
"It seems you have a good impression of him," Wei Zhuang remarked, pulling his gaze away from Zinu.
"If it weren't for our differing positions, he could have been a good friend," Han Fei mused, lifting his glass to inspect the red liquid inside.
"Enough of this," Han Fei said, changing the topic. "What's the situation with my fourth brother?"
"Han Yu is quite pleased with himself right now," Wei Zhuang said with a mocking smile. "Your brother is arrogant. All the arrangements you made before leaving Korea have been overturned. He even tried to surround and kill Master. Master asked me to inquire if this is your idea of cooperation."
Han Fei turned his gaze to Wei Zhuang, searching for confirmation. Wei Zhuang nodded slightly.
"Instead of relying on your brother, you should think about how to escape Xianyang."
"I can't leave Xianyang for now," Han Fei said after a moment's thought. A hostage escaping could easily lead to war between two nations.
If Korea were a strong country, it wouldn't matter if a hostage escaped, just as Ying Zheng had done when he fled from Handan in Zhao. Although Zhao was displeased, they couldn't act because of Qin's strength.
But if the country was weak, the situation would be different. Although Qin was temporarily unable to launch a large-scale war due to Han Fei's fatigue tactics and Daniel's actions, they could still threaten Korea with military force.
Han Fei's personality wouldn't allow him to abandon Korea.
"Master anticipated this," Yan Lingji said as she turned to leave. "You can be too indecisive sometimes, Nine Young Master. If that's the case, it seems I'll have to speak with the National Teacher."
"Young Master," Zinu said softly, sensing Han Fei's turmoil.
"I'm fine. If my brother has changed his plans, then mine must change too. I will leave Xianyang, but not yet," Han Fei said, sighing.
"Han Yu must have completely overturned Han Fei's arrangements before leaving," Daniel said, laughing as he read the latest developments in Korea from Ying Ge's report.
Although Han Fei's plans might not have made much difference in Daniel's eyes, Han Yu's complete overhaul saved Qin a lot of trouble in the future.
Daniel understood Han Yu's actions. If everything followed Han Fei's plans, it would suggest that Han Yu was incompetent. Furthermore, there were historical examples of hostages returning to power, like Ying Zheng and Yan Dan. If Han Fei returned to Korea, it would seem as if Han Yu had prepared everything for him.
Moreover, Han Yu didn't believe that Qin would conquer Korea.
Daniel had to admit that Ying Zheng was lucky. None of the current rulers of the Shandong Six Kingdoms were particularly impressive. It wasn't that they lacked skill in internal power struggles, but they were better at fighting among themselves than against external threats.
Many in the Warring States period believed that Qin, no matter how powerful, couldn't unify the world. They saw Qin as a hegemon, like the Spring and Autumn Five Hegemons, who would eventually be appeased by the other states.
"A true example of 'it's not the godlike opponent you fear, but the pig-headed ally,'" Daniel chuckled, thinking of how Han Yu had played the role of the pig-headed ally perfectly.
Although most of the Baichao members had been brought to Xianyang by Mo Ya and Ying Ge, their intelligence network in Korea hadn't completely collapsed. With Daniel's financial and resource support, these networks were reactivated.
"I'm surprised you came to see me," Daniel remarked when he saw Yan Lingji in the garden pavilion. He had known she was in Xianyang, thanks to Ying Ge's reports, but her visit was unexpected.
"It's been a while, National Teacher," Yan Lingji said with her usual seductive charm.
"Indeed, it has. What brings you here?"
"Can't I visit without a reason?"
"Of course, you're always welcome," Daniel replied, his mind briefly entertaining the idea of being with such a beautiful woman. However, he quickly brushed it off.
"Thank you, National Teacher."
Yan Lingji stayed at the Moon and Sun Manor for a while, but Daniel didn't pry into her motives. He left her in Ying Ge's care. Interestingly, Ying Ge and Yan Lingji were like fire and water—one wielded fire, the other ice.
"Combining qi, nen, taijutsu, and the magic of Kamar-Taj is no easy feat," Daniel mused. After Yan Lingji settled in, Daniel didn't see much of her. He wasn't like Han Fei, who idled around all day drinking. He had his training to focus on.
As time passed, Daniel finally had the opportunity to meet the most mysterious figure of the Yin-Yang School: Donghuang Taiyi.
"Greetings, Lord Donghuang," Daniel said as he stood in the grand hall of the Yin-Yang School. Donghuang Taiyi, dressed in a magnificent black robe, stood on a high platform at the front.
"No need for formalities, National Teacher. What brings you to see me?" Donghuang Taiyi's voice was calm and even.
"I just wanted to give you a heads-up about something," Daniel replied with a smile.
"Oh? Please, go on."
"I know the Yin-Yang School's goal is the Azure Dragon Seven Lodgings," Daniel said, pausing as he mentioned the name. Seeing no reaction from Donghuang Taiyi, he continued, "I won't interfere with your plans, but there are two people whose lives I must protect: Han Fei and Zinu. Whatever you intend to do with them, they must not die."
"Oh? And if they do die?" Donghuang Taiyi asked slowly.
"If they die, I'll be very upset. And when I'm upset, I can't predict what I might do," Daniel said, bringing his hands together. Instantly, a ten-meter-tall golden giant with multiple arms appeared around him—the Thousand-Armed Guanyin.
Unlike Netero's Hyakushiki Kannon, Daniel's Thousand-Armed Guanyin was nearly complete and manifested around him, providing both offense and defense.
The grand hall was tall enough that the golden giant barely touched the ceiling.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The Thousand-Armed Guanyin's arms moved, tearing down half of the grand hall. The commotion immediately drew the attention of the Yin-Yang School members. Moments later, Moon God, Star Soul, Great Commander, Cloud Lord, and several Yin-Yang disciples arrived.
Seeing the scene, they quickly moved to protect Donghuang Taiyi.
"Everyone, stand down," Donghuang Taiyi ordered. The room cleared, leaving only Great Commander, Cloud Lord, Moon God, and Star Soul.
"Who are you really?" Donghuang Taiyi asked once they were alone.
"You don't need to know, just as I haven't asked about your true identity or the real identities of the Yin-Yang School's Water and Earth Elders. It's better if we keep some secrets."
"It seems you know a lot," Donghuang Taiyi remarked.
"Not more than you, Lord Donghuang. I'm just privy to a few pieces of information," Daniel said, his gaze shifting to Star Soul, who seemed eager to fight. "Star Soul, it looks like you want to test your skills. Go ahead."
"Then I'll make my move, National Teacher," Star Soul said, bringing his hands together. A powerful surge of qi gathered in his palms, forming a purple blade of energy—Concentrated Qi into a Blade.
The air around Star Soul trembled as he unleashed a full-powered attack.
With a swift motion, Star Soul sent a several-meter-long crescent-shaped blade of energy hurtling toward Daniel's Thousand-Armed Guanyin.
Thud!
Star Soul's full-power attack hit the golden giant without causing a ripple, disintegrating upon impact. Daniel didn't even need to block it.
Seeing this, Star Soul's eyes narrowed. He had known Daniel was strong, but to see his full-powered attack fail completely was a blow to his pride. As one of the Yin-Yang School's top protectors, he was used to being among the best.
Though Star Soul appeared youthful, his appearance was frozen due to his deep practice of the Yin-Yang arts.
"You can all attack together," Daniel suggested with a smile, lifting one of the Thousand-Armed Guanyin's arms in a gesture of invitation.
Star Soul glanced at Donghuang Taiyi before nodding to Great Commander. After a brief rest, Star Soul prepared another Concentrated Qi into a Blade. Meanwhile, Great Commander and Cloud Lord each used their respective Yin-Yang techniques—Yin-Yang Hand Seal and Ten Thousand Leaves in Full Bloom.
Great Commander conjured a blood-red, rotating Taiji symbol in her hand, while Cloud Lord's Taiji symbol was green, formed from leaves.
"Attack!" Star Soul commanded. The
three combined their powers into a single massive Taiji symbol, split down the middle by Star Soul's purple energy—Three Extremes of Annihilation.
This combined technique of the Yin-Yang School's three top masters was incredibly powerful. But it wasn't the most formidable. That would be the Five Extremes of Annihilation, which added Water and Earth techniques—White Dew Deceives Frost and Emperor Heaven and Queen Earth—as the Taiji symbol's yin-yang fish.
Even so, the Three Extremes of Annihilation was a force to be reckoned with. Only a handful of people in this world could withstand it, as it combined the strength of the Yin-Yang School's three greatest masters.
In the original story, the Three Extremes of Annihilation almost defeated Sword Saint Gai Nie and Xiaoyao Zi's Three Talents Sword Formation. If not for Star Soul's arrogance, the technique would have succeeded.
Thud!
But despite the power of the combined attack, the result was the same as before. The golden giant stood firm, unaffected by the overwhelming energy, while the surrounding area suffered from the residual force.
"Lord Donghuang, care to join in?" Daniel asked, turning his gaze to Donghuang Taiyi. He was curious to see the true strength of this most mysterious figure.
"No need. I'll consider your request," Donghuang Taiyi replied, showing no intention of fighting. Daniel could hardly force the issue, especially since he had learned the Yin-Yang techniques from the Yin-Yang School and still needed more training there.
The Yin-Yang School's Five Departments had their unique techniques, but the most intriguing was the Soul Xi Long You, a technique only those who had reached a deep understanding of Yin-Yang arts could learn.
"Thank you, Lord Donghuang," Daniel said, retracting the Thousand-Armed Guanyin. Donghuang Taiyi's offer to "consider" his request was merely a way to save face. "Apologies for the disturbance today."
Daniel pulled out a wand, waved it in the air, and the hall, which had been reduced to rubble moments before, began to repair itself. The scattered debris reversed its trajectory, and within moments, the grand hall was restored to its former glory.
*Restoration Spell: Reparo.*
___________________
Read Ahead
[email protected]/Mutter
_________________________
Get 33% off all subscription levels from March 8–11! Use code: DBD62