Chapter 948

Gai Nie offered a modest bow of acknowledgment.

The eunuch said nothing more, but led the way forward, bringing Gai Nie to a pavilion at the edge of the imperial garden.

At this time Ying Zheng had already changed into casual clothes, and was standing at the edge of the pavilion holding a handful of fish food, feeding the fish.

Gai Nie stepped forward but did not dare to disturb him; he merely offered a salute, then waited quietly.

After a long while, once Ying Zheng had finished feeding the fish in his hand, he clapped his hands, turned his head, and said with a smile to Gai Nie,

"In all of Xianyanggong, only Mr. Gai can be so unhurried and unperturbed.

Everyone else who sees Us is in a frantic rush."

"Your Majesty overstates it."

Gai Nie said,

"Those who can see Your Majesty are either ministers and high officials, or the central pillars of the state.

They all have matters of national importance, and cannot afford the slightest delay.

Gai Nie is merely a swordsman; how could I dare to be mentioned in the same breath as my lords."

"You are simply too modest."

Ying Zheng said,

"When Guigu emerges, the feudal lords fear; when the School of Vertical and Horizontal brings peace, the world rests.

Mr. Gai is the contemporary heir of Guigu Sect, a rare talent unseen in ages, and far more than just an extraordinary swordsman.

If you were willing to plan strategy for Great Qin, to orchestrate affairs from behind the scenes,

I fear Li Si, Zhao Gao and the others could hardly compare."

These words directly elevated Gai Nie to the same rank as Li Si and Zhao Gao.

One could say he valued Gai Nie extremely highly.

Hearing Ying Zheng's words, Gai Nie remained unmoved by favor or disgrace, and said calmly,

"Your Majesty overpraises me.

Apart from a bit of swordsmanship, Gai Nie understands nothing else, knows nothing else."

"Haha! Enough, enough!"

Seeing Gai Nie like this, Ying Zheng knew he truly only wished to be a swordsman.

He felt quite a bit of regret in his heart.

In truth, he knew well that Gai Nie's talent was not merely in swordsmanship, but in the arts of vertical and horizontal maneuvering.

Only Gai Nie, unlike those previous Guigu Sect heirs, had always kept a low profile and bided his time.

Over these years, Ying Zheng had repeatedly urged Gai Nie to set aside his reserve and aid him with all his strength.

But Gai Nie had always kept to his proper place, serving only as Great Qin's chief court swordsman.

Though regretful, Ying Zheng gradually grew accustomed to it.

"I called you here today; you should know what We wish to say to you, yes?"

Ying Zheng spoke no further on other matters, and brought up the matter at hand.

"What Your Majesty wishes, Gai Nie cannot comply with."

Gai Nie suddenly cupped his fist in salute, and without waiting for Ying Zheng to say anything, directly refused.

This startled the nearby young eunuchs and palace ladies, their faces draining of color.

In all of Great Qin, no one had ever dared to refuse Qin Huang.

Let alone when Qin Huang hadn't even said anything yet.

"Gai Nie, you have quite the nerve!"

At this moment Zhang Han, who was attending at the side, immediately leapt out and rebuked him.

"Step back!"

Ying Zheng was not angered; instead, he rebuked Zhang Han and the other attendants.

"Your Majesty…"

Zhang Han was greatly shocked; he had never expected Ying Zheng to be so tolerant of Gai Nie.

But before he could say anything, he saw Ying Zheng glare at him.

Though Ying Zheng was not a martial expert, that single look made Zhang Han's heart tremble with fear more than even the supreme Mythical Realm.

"Yes, Your subject takes his leave."

How would Zhang Han dare to insist? He immediately led a group of guards, palace ladies, and eunuchs back several hundred feet away.

In an instant, the great pavilion held only Ying Zheng and Gai Nie.

No one else could hear what they said.

"Now there is no Qin Huang and his retainer swordsman, only Ying Zheng and Gai Nie."

Ying Zheng looked at Gai Nie, and what he said was quite unexpected,

"You should know, I am doing this for your own good."

"But doing so would be unfair to her…"

Gai Nie was also slightly moved; he knew Ying Zheng was considering his interests.

But thinking that this would require sacrificing that person, he could not bear it in his heart.

Even if he could no longer advance further himself, he absolutely did not wish to hurt her.

"Then how do you know this would be unfair to her?"

Ying Zheng did not give up, and instead continued to ask.

"This…"

Gai Nie was caught off guard by this question and didn't know how to answer.

After a long pause, he said,

"I only met her once, and she even saved my life.

If I were to break through my shackles by relying on her, whether she was willing or not, I could never accept it."

"You! Sometimes you don't seem like one of the Guigu Sect at all, more like those stuffy old scholars with their mouths full of benevolence and morality."

"..."

Gai Nie was left speechless at this.

"Fine, regardless of whether you're willing or not, you should at least go and thank her for saving your life, right?"

Ying Zheng knew Gai Nie couldn't be forced, so he immediately changed his approach.

"But she..."

Gai Nie started to speak, then hesitated.

"I know, you want to say she dislikes the Great Qin court, and she also dislikes people who use swords, right?"

Ying Zheng smiled faintly and said,

"Leave this matter to me.

From tomorrow on, you will no longer be the Chief Swordsman of Great Qin, but Great Qin's number one wanted criminal!"

"Your Majesty..."

Gai Nie's whole body shook at this, staring at Ying Zheng in disbelief.

"What? Don't dare?"

Ying Zheng resorted to provocation.

743 Hermits?

"Fine!"

After hesitating for a long time, Gai Nie finally uttered that word of agreement.

"Haha! That's the Gai Nie I know."

Seeing Gai Nie agree, Ying Zheng was overjoyed. He patted Gai Nie on the shoulder and said,

"Now that this age of great contention has arrived, not to mention the Qinglong Society, even the other major powers across the Nine Provinces have countless strong experts.

I know well that you have a heart to grow stronger, but because of that matter back then, you've been wasting your years until today.

Now that the opportunity has come, do this for me, and for yourself as well—go through with it!

If you can break through your shackles and ascend into the ranks of the strong,

then we shall fight side by side once more."