Chapter 693: Ying Zheng: Watch Me Dig Up the First Emperor's Foundation

Martial arts plane, Old Han region.

Because the seven kingdoms have been at war for years, the people are living in misery; especially in a small state like Old Han, outside of the capital Xinzheng, the towns are basically ruins, littered with white bones.

At this moment, on a small mountain path in the wilderness dozens of miles from Xinzheng.

Ying Zheng, Gai Nie, Yan Fei, and Yan Lingji are traveling together.

Because they previously dealt with the Net's killers and assassins together, they are walking together, and now they happen to be heading to Old Han.

Yan Fei was originally here for the Azure Dragon Seven Constellations, but after advancing to a Land Immortal, and even now having surpassed a Land Immortal, her strength is already above the Eastern Emperor of the Yin-Yang School, so she simply decided not to return.

If Donghuang Taiyi tries to stir up trouble, she, Yan Fei, would not mind donning the Golden Crow Phoenix Robe and becoming the new boss of the Yin-Yang School.

As for Yan Lingji, she seems to have become Yan Fei's little sidekick, and the two sisters have a very good relationship.

Plus, Yan Lingji is gifted with extraordinary talent, having fused with the Phoenix Bloodline, and her strength is improving by leaps and bounds.

And with the occasional benefits from the Chat Group, Yan Lingji's strength has also surpassed the Martial Peak, and cannot be measured by conventional logic.

Compared to Yan Fei, the two of them are sightseeing along the way; Gai Nie acts as a bodyguard with an expressionless face, while Ying Zheng's psychological shadow has not yet dissipated.

If it weren't for the virtual platform, he would very likely have already died.

That Evil Keyboard Immortal was truly strong; with one move, he killed his God Body, leaving him without a shred of power to resist.

Although Gai Nie has a cold personality, he values Ying Zheng and Ying Zheng's potential highly, and rarely takes the initiative to ask:

"Young Master, what is wrong? You look troubled."

"I... I am fine."

Ying Zheng turned his head to look at Gai Nie, but in the end, he did not say it; besides, even if he said it, Gai Nie would not understand.

He did not say it, but someone else did.

"What else could it be? Your Young Master was beaten to a pulp by someone," Yan Fei teased.

"??"

Hearing this, Gai Nie was even more bewildered.

Beaten to a pulp? Ying Zheng has been by his side these past few days; who could be beating Ying Zheng?

Moreover, in his eyes, Ying Zheng has already obtained Immortal Fate, and his strength is now unfathomable, no longer below his own.

Could it be in a dream?

Gai Nie comes from Ghost Valley, has read widely, and knows many strange things.

For example, Zhuang Zhou dreaming of a butterfly, dreaming for a thousand years, while reality is but an instant.

"Lady Yan Fei is joking. That kind of opponent—let alone me, even you would likely be killed in an instant," Ying Zheng said.

"On this point, this palace admits it," Yan Fei nodded.

Yan Lingji said softly: "That just means Brother Ying Zheng, your strength is not enough. If it were Brother Xuanzang, he could definitely defeat the opponent easily."

Mentioning Xuanzang, a blush appeared on Yan Lingji's exquisite face.

Which young girl does not dream of love, and does not have someone she admires?

Especially those as handsome and extraordinary in temperament as Xuanzang and the readers present, they pull at the heartstrings of innocent young girls even more.

If it comes to beauty, Yan Lingji is confident she is not weaker than any girl.

It is just that there are too many excellent girls in the group, such as Sister Yan Fei, Sister Yun Yun, Aunt Bai Qian, and the noble Houtu Dalao, and Brother Xuanzang is not the type of man who focuses on appearances.

So she works hard, cultivates diligently, and improves constantly, hoping that sooner or later she can gain Brother Xuanzang's attention.

Thinking of this, Yan Lingji feels immense pressure.

"The Holy Monk is an Immortal, I am just a mortal; I certainly cannot compare," Ying Zheng said.

"Ying Zheng, what you say is correct, but no one is strong from the beginning. Just like when the Chat Group first started, everyone's strength was not high; after experiencing more, one becomes stronger step by step," Yan Fei said.

"I understand," Ying Zheng said.

The group walked along, chatting, their relationship harmonious.

Gai Nie listened in total confusion, completely unable to say anything, feeling as if they were not living in the same world.

The current Ying Zheng is not yet the First Emperor who swept across the six kingdoms; he is still a youth, and a youth naturally has the vigorous spirit of youth.

And with the conversation opened up, Ying Zheng was not so restrained, and suddenly brought something up, saying:

"Lady Yan Fei, I don't know if it's an illusion, but do you have special feelings for the Holy Monk Xuanzang?"

Yan Fei is sharp-minded; how could she not know the implication of Ying Zheng's words? She said frankly:

"Nonsense, how could I not have feelings for a man as excellent as Xuanzang? It's just a pity that there are too many girls in the group, the pressure is too high, the competition is too fierce, and the Holy Monk Xuanzang is already a legendary Great Luo Immortal; the gap is getting wider and wider, and this palace is already feeling inferior, sigh."

"So that's how it is," Ying Zheng smiled.

"Sister Yan Fei, no need to be discouraged; let us work hard together and chase after Brother Xuanzang's footsteps together," Yan Lingji said.

"Sister Yan, are you the same?" Ying Zheng asked.

"Of course," Yan Lingji said proudly.

"But it is also truly strange; the Holy Monk Xuanzang is already a Great Luo Immortal, why does he still need to be a monk? Why not return to secular life? That way, he wouldn't have to follow any strict precepts, and could even take a few more wives," Ying Zheng said.

Yan Fei and Yan Lingji both gave Ying Zheng a Byakugan, saying in unison:

"Vulgar!"

"Sure enough, you are far behind Brother Xuanzang."

"Ying Zheng, when you become Emperor in the future, won't you take three thousand beauties into your harem?"

Ying Zheng hurriedly shook his head, saying righteously:

"How could that be!"

"Without sweeping across the six kingdoms, how could I indulge in a land of gentleness? And even if I become Emperor in the future, I will not take a harem; women will only affect the speed at which I conquer the stars and the sea."

"Gai Nie, don't you agree?"

"???"

Gai Nie was silent; he did not even know what Ying Zheng was talking about.

Asking him now, how was he supposed to answer?

"Is that so?" Gai Nie said with an expressionless face.

"..." Ying Zheng.

"Heh."

Seeing the future Sword Saint Gai Nie looking so dazed and cute, Yan Fei and Yan Lingji could not help but cover their mouths and laugh.

The beauty of the two women was absolute!

It also added much charm to the gradually darkening twilight sky, a sight of incomparable beauty.

"It seems there is someone over there?"

Yan Lingji pointed toward the direction of a valley not far ahead, where green grass covered the ground and a babbling brook flowed with a splashing sound.

Such a purely natural place was very rare in these chaotic times.

Ying Zheng, Yan Fei, Gai Nie, and Yan Lingji walked over.

They saw a young man in white and blue robes catching fish by the stream; however, he had not caught any fish, but was instead led around in circles by one, eventually stumbling into the stream and getting soaked all over.

For this, the young gentleman was not angry, only smiling awkwardly.

Perhaps because of heaven's pity, a clumsy fish swam into his wide sleeve on its own.

The young gentleman seized the opportunity and grabbed the foolish fish that had delivered itself to his door.

"Dinner is settled now, it's just a pity the wine is finished," the young gentleman muttered to himself.

"Sister Yan Fei, this person is so silly," Yan Lingji could not help but say.

"Mm, indeed silly," Yan Fei nodded solemnly.

A broken long sword on the bank, resembling dragon scales but covered in rust, vibrated; the young gentleman turned his head to look, only to see two peerlessly beautiful and moving women standing there, and for a moment he was so attracted that he lost his focus, but upon reacting, he hurriedly said:

"Do not look at what is improper, do not look at what is improper."

"Two young ladies, I was just being reckless."

"Since you know you were reckless, why not use that fish as an apology, how about it?" Yan Fei said.

"??"

The young gentleman revealed a questioning face.

But he still handed the fish over immediately; a gentleman could go hungry for a meal, but he could not lose his composure in front of beauties.

At the same time, the sound of the Chat Group reached Ying Zheng's ears.

"Ding, Private Task triggered: detected one of the protagonists of Qi Luck, Han Fei; subdue him to obtain 3,000 points."

"Subdue Han Fei? This young man is Han Fei, the great master of Legalism?"

Ying Zheng thought his eyes had deceived him; this young man looked unkempt and unrestrained, how could he have anything to do with the law?

Ying Zheng immediately sent a voice transmission to Yan Fei and Yan Lingji.

"You're quite something, triggering a task just like that," Yan Fei replied.

"A bit envious," Yan Lingji said.

"Just luck, just luck," Ying Zheng said modestly, though he was actually overjoyed inside.

"But that this is Han Fei is something I didn't expect. By the way, wasn't the Han Fei in history killed by you?" Yan Fei said.

"..., it wasn't me, that was Li Si. I value talent very much," Ying Zheng explained.

"Alright, then the rest is up to you to perform," Yan Fei shrugged.

At this time, the young gentleman, who was Han Fei, had already climbed onto the bank and offered the plump fish to Yan Fei.

Yan Fei did not want it and said, "Eating such a stupid fish will make one silly, better leave it for yourself."

"... Alright."

Han Fei could not refute this, because what Yan Fei said seemed to make sense.

He tidied his clothes; because he had just fallen into the water, his long hair was disheveled, but coupled with his handsome features and sparkling eyes, he was quite the dashing young man.

Han Fei bowed and said gently:

"I am Han Fei, greetings to the two young ladies."

"You only see us, and not them?" Yan Fei pointed to Ying Zheng and Gai Nie beside her.

Han Fei smiled awkwardly; he studied under Xunzi of Confucianism, and although he did not practice martial arts, those of Confucianism were most skilled in the Qi Observation Technique, and at a glance, he saw purple Qi coming from the east above Ying Zheng's head, ready to transform into a True Dragon soaring into the nine heavens at any moment.

Such an omen was clearly something only a ruler of the world would possess.

It was just that, currently, the dragon was still swimming in shallow waters, and whether it could truly transform into a dragon was not yet certain.

To be honest, for such a person with this identity to come to Old Han at this time—

For Old Han, that was very ominous.

If it were not necessary, Han Fei actually did not want to provoke such an existence.

Furthermore, he had great ambitions and also wanted to end the chaotic Warring States; he was destined to be an opponent of Ying Zheng.

"Two gentlemen, one a dragon among men, the other a genius of Sword Dao; I am just an ordinary person, I dare not climb high to associate with you," Han Fei said.

Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng understood in his heart that this Han Fei really had something to him; it seemed he did not want to get involved with him, and he must have guessed or seen something.

However, since he was someone he had taken a fancy to, it would not be so easy to run away.

Just as he was about to speak, Gai Nie opened his mouth:

"You have a good sword, perhaps the most formidable sword I have ever seen. To have such a formidable sword, yet be a total novice yourself, this is something I did not expect."

Clearly, Gai Nie also had his own thoughts and was taking a jab at Han Fei.

"Who says that holding a sword means one must use it? In my view, a sword can also be an ornament.

Besides, among the Six Arts of a Gentleman, swordsmanship is one of them; I am just not as specialized as you, sir," Han Fei said.

He had no need to practice swordsmanship at all, because Reverse Scale had a sword spirit; the sword spirit fought on its own, so it had no need for him either.

"Decoration? Heh."

As a swordsman, these words were undoubtedly a slight against Sword Dao.

"What do you think a sword is, sir?" Han Fei asked.

"A sharp tool for killing," Gai Nie said directly.

In his youth, Gai Nie was decisive in killing, even more fierce than Wei Zhuang, and his attainments in Sword Dao were also extremely high.

Because of this, his insight into Sword Dao remained at the level of killing.

Later, when he was older, having experienced much, he gradually realized the Guardian Sword, as well as the Wooden Sword and No Sword.

Hearing this, Han Fei smiled and said: "What you say is right, but also not right; all things are relative. Although I do not cultivate the sword, I know that a sword can kill, but it can also save."

"As for killing or saving, it all depends on how the heart of the swordsman leans."

"Killing, saving!"

Just from these few words, Gai Nie suddenly felt a sense of sudden enlightenment.

He suddenly understood why his master Guiguzi let them descend the mountain; it was not just to choose an enlightened lord, but more to see the masses and realize the red dust.

"Many thanks for the instruction."

Gai Nie realized this and bowed to Han Fei.

"I dare not claim to instruct you; you would have understood this sooner or later, and since you are of the Ghost Valley Sect, I would not dare to instruct you," Han Fei said.

"Understand sooner or later, but unfortunately, time waits for no one. As the saying goes, 'If one hears the Tao in the morning, one can die in the evening without regret'; perhaps for some, understanding takes a lifetime, and others may never break through in a lifetime," Gai Nie said.

Sword technique is sword technique, and Sword Dao is Sword Dao.

No matter how Gaoming or exquisite a swordsman's technique is, if they do not have their own Sword Dao, then their sword has no soul; even if it is sharp, it is very easy to break.

Gai Nie was exactly like this; his previous sword always pursued killing and sharpness, but now he had realized.

Ying Zheng admired Han Fei's eloquence; originally he was the one poaching talent, and according to this trend, if not for him, Gai Nie would likely have been poached by Han Fei.

In the evening, dusk fell, the stars twinkled, and night descended.

Ying Zheng, Han Fei, Gai Nie, and Yan Fei sat around a campfire, and in the fire, the Reverse Scale sword was used to skewer seven or eight plump little carp, which were constantly roasting and emitting waves of fragrance.

Han Fei's one clumsy fish was definitely not enough to eat, so Yan Fei simply used the Yin-Yang School's techniques to blast many fish out.

This made Han Fei exclaim in wonder, what a miraculous skill!

It was just that Reverse Scale refused to come out, otherwise he wouldn't have had to catch fish himself and even be slapped by a fish.

Han Fei drank the wine from Ying Zheng's person; it was a strong liquor from later generations, very spicy, so spicy that his chest felt like a ball of fire was burning, and he felt as if he had endless strength throughout his whole body.

Taking advantage of the beautiful moonlight, Han Fei suddenly said:

"Everyone, I have a dream that requires some like-minded friends; are you interested?"

Ying Zheng and Yan Fei smiled without speaking.

Yan Lingji said: "Please state your dream?"

"Hahaha!"

"That would naturally be to end this messed-up chaotic world and return peace to this world," Han Fei said loudly.

"And then? After ending the chaotic world, how do you ensure there will be no more war?" Yan Lingji asked.

"Use law as the sword, supplemented by Confucianism. Be strict with the laws, let everyone obey them, and stop acting recklessly; then peace can be attained," Han Fei said.

Ying Zheng shook his head and said: "This method is not wrong, but unfortunately it treats the symptoms but not the root cause. What about ten years from now, a hundred years from now?"

"Exactly, this method won't work," Yan Lingji said.

"Why? Forget it, you don't understand," Han Fei shook his head.

Ying Zheng, however, said seriously: "They don't not understand; it is you who have not yet understood what the essence of the problem is."

"A single piece of land, with seven countries existing on it—do you think this is reasonable?"

……