Qin Shi Ambitious

Page 296

Those gray-white pupils closed instantly. Xiaomeng turned her back to Lu Wei, her tone changing from cold to indifferent: "Such worldly views, would they also be mainstream in your eyes?"

"Such ignorant prejudice is truly laughable."

People with different principles cannot work together; Xiaomeng's attitude had clearly changed. However, Lu Wei didn't care at all, and instead laughed, "Is the distinction between men and women wrong in Master Xiaomeng's eyes?"

“Everyone seeks the Dao, so why should there be a distinction between men and women?” Xiaomeng was extremely disappointed, but thinking of their past relationship, she still tried to pull Lu Wei back to the Dao: “All things under heaven are born from existence, and existence is born from non-existence. When names were first created, they were already established. Now, one should know when to stop. Knowing when to stop can prevent danger.”

"All living beings under heaven are equal. They are only different in name. It is the difference in name that makes them different in function. They have only tools but no true meaning. In essence, all living beings are no different. This applies not only to men and women, but also to all things seeking the Dao."

Xiaomeng used Taoist theory to persuade him, but although Lu Wei had studied Taoist theory, it was certainly not as profound as Xiaomeng's ten years of seclusion. Of course, he would not use his weakness to attack the enemy's strength, so he adopted a different argumentative approach that avoided the main issue: "Then what is the pursuit of Tao in all things in Master Xiaomeng's eyes?"

"Humans seek the way of Heaven, and all things seek survival." Xiaomeng hesitated. She didn't know much about all living things, but she thought that 'seeking survival' must be a good answer!

In fact, people are the same. Only a minority are willing to risk their lives to pursue their ideals and goals. Most ordinary people can endure all kinds of oppression as long as they can live.

"Is that really so?" Lu Wei smiled. "In Zhuangzi's 'Free and Easy Wandering,' it says, 'The cicada does not know spring and autumn.' I wonder if Master Xiaomeng knows anything about this creature, the cicada?"

After saying that, without waiting for Xiaomeng to speak, Lu Wei asked and answered himself: "Cicadas are summer cicadas. After their larvae are born, they are buried deep in the soil and endure three years of darkness before crawling out and metamorphosing in the height of summer. Their life after metamorphosis lasts only one summer, and the cycle repeats itself. If such creatures are only trying to survive, why would they leave their most glorious time for the end of their lives?"

"And then there are praying mantises. Most male praying mantises are eaten by the female after mating. If it's just for survival, why would they choose to walk towards death?"

"The cicada and mantis you mentioned have reached another level of the pursuit of Tao: inheritance," Xiaomeng calmly replied. "The concept of inheritance exists between humans and creatures like cicadas and mantises. Doesn't this further demonstrate the equality of all things?"

"Is that so?" Lu Wei brought the question back to its core: "But if there is no distinction between men and women, wouldn't the lineage be cut off?"

Xiaomeng entered the Taoist sect at the age of eight. All her ideas were learned from observing the Taoist teachings. Since the sect's lineage did not require consideration of personal reproduction, it is not surprising that the concept of no distinction between men and women arose in the Tianzong sect.

However, once the scope of observation is expanded to the entire society, men and women must be distinguished.

However, the original meaning of "differences between men and women" refers to differences in etiquette rather than physiology. It comes from the Book of Rites and is a Confucian doctrine. Xiaomeng dislikes Confucianism, which is one of the main reasons why she doesn't like people talking about "differences between men and women". But Lu Wei forced her to talk about physiology, so she couldn't refute it.

Moreover, the difference between men and women is a reality of the world. Forcibly pulling it out of etiquette and into reality, reality is the best point of refutation. This is especially useful for Taoism.

Xiaomeng fell silent. Once again, she realized that her original understanding of the "path" had deviated slightly from Lu Wei's...

“If you still have concerns, I can let you truly experience the difference between men and women,” Lu said in a serious tone.

"How do you feel?" This was the first time Xiaomeng had ever heard someone speak to her like this. She opened her eyes, raised her gaze beneath her thick eyelashes, and turned back to look coldly at Lu Wei.

"Still only sixty breaths..." Lu Wei approached, inhaling the fresh, virginal scent. Undeterred by the cold gaze, he boldly lowered his head to press his lips against the soft, moist pink cherry blossom...

Although the Heavenly Sect Leader spoke in a cold and indifferent tone, his cherry lips were not without warmth.

Xiaomeng's pupils trembled. Stubbornly refusing to close her eyes as instinct dictated, she met his suddenly aggressive gaze while silently counting the time in her mind... a mere sixty breaths...

------

"The First Emperor's eastern tour has been scheduled and he will set off next month. Including the time spent worshipping other famous mountains along the way, we have less than half a year at most."

In the mirage-like moon palace, the moon goddess listened to the familiar footsteps approaching from behind and slowly murmured.

"I heard that Xinghun was injured?" Yanfei said calmly after hearing her explanation.

Lady Dongjun had a very good grasp of timing; she arrived at Sanghai from the ruins of the Mechanical City just as the Mirage was landing.

Having completed the final stage of the Yin-Yang Technique of Cleansing Hatred, Yan Fei's Yin-Yang Technique was further enhanced, but when she looked at the Moon Goddess, she found that she was still lagging behind.

Just how much of the Five Virtues Internal Energy did this woman obtain from Lu Wei...?

"After his strength improved, he became arrogant and wanted to challenge the combined forces of the Vertical and Horizontal Alliance. The result was predictable," the Moon Goddess said meaningfully.

"Guigu, it's just a small, declining sect." Yan Fei didn't dwell on this topic. "Since the First Emperor is preparing to travel east, is the Eastern Emperor still in Xianyang?"

"Perhaps they are currently within Sanghai City," the Moon Goddess replied in a deep voice.

“I think so too.” Yan Fei walked to the side of the Moon Goddess, looked at the several Azure Dragon Bronze Boxes and Moonlight Treasure Boxes on the table in front of her, and said knowingly, “If we want to lure him out in advance, we can only start with these things.”

"This is the way we can take the initiative." The Moon Goddess didn't say another thing: Perhaps the Eastern Emperor might reveal himself early because of someone...

Yan Fei shook her head upon hearing this: "I'll go for a stroll in Sanghai City tomorrow."

"The safest approach is to remain unchanged amidst all changes. Are you sure you want to take the risk?" the Moon Goddess said, emphasizing her words.

“I have a young disciple who should be with those anti-Qin rebels. Now I just want to bring her back.”

After speaking, Yanfei left the Moon Palace, leaving the Moon Goddess alone to continue studying the unfathomable secrets of the Seven Constellations of the Azure Dragon...

Chapter 356 First Encounter with the Eastern Emperor

Sixty breaths isn't a very long time.

At the last breath, he precisely retracted his tongue and straightened his back. Although he was bitten when he retracted it, Lu was experienced enough to remain calm and showed no signs of distress.

"Nothing special." Xiaomeng opened her eyes, which she had closed at some point, turned to face his broad chest, suppressed her slightly agitated aura, and gave a very ordinary evaluation.

Lu Wei politely took a step back, keeping the distance within a reasonable range, and pretended not to see her sticking out her tongue to lick away the lingering breath from her lips after she finished speaking.

Instead of running away, Xiaomeng carefully savored the wonderful heartbeat she was experiencing for the first time. She suddenly realized that she had been a little hypocritical, so she simply raised her head and walked towards the house: "It's not bad, you can go now."

Watching her unhurried back, Lu Wei smiled softly. Although his voice was not loud, his laughter was particularly clear in the quiet bamboo grove courtyard.

Annoyed, he realized that by the time the sect leader turned around again, the chivalrous leader had already vanished without a trace.

After waiting with her eyes closed for a long time, and when she felt the afterglow had completely dissipated, Xiaomeng coldly summoned the female disciple who served her in her residence.

"What are your orders, Master?"

The woman named Yue'er was a disciple that Xiaomeng had taken in during her seclusion. She was actually a year or two older than Xiaomeng. They had gotten along quite well over the years, so she took Yue'er with her when she went down the mountain.

Yue'er's natural talent is average, and she is probably not good enough to inherit the Daoist tradition, but as a maid, she can solve a lot of trivial troubles for Xiaomeng.

Looking at her disciple's delicate face and small lips, Xiaomeng's heart stirred. She stepped forward, lifted her obedient face from a distance, and stared at her expressionlessly.

Yue'er was puzzled but impressed, but since her master didn't speak, she had no choice but to let him do as he pleased.

After a few breaths, Xiaomeng raised an eyebrow, closed her eyes, shook her head, and disappointedly released her disciple, turning around: "Tomorrow, Lu Wei, the leader of the Farmer's School of Heroes, will visit me. If he arrives, you can welcome him in."

"Yes." Yue'er bowed and, seeing that her master had no further instructions, quietly withdrew.

'Yue'er has been with me for so many years, yet she can never bring that kind of aura,' Xiaomeng lowered her gaze: 'Vulgar...'

...

After leaving the bamboo forest, Lu Wei was in a good mood, but when he returned to the farmhouse settlement in Sanghai City, he suddenly felt a pang of heart palpitation.

With a cold expression, he stopped and stood on the roof of a residential building, surveying the dark alleys around him with sharp eyes, not missing any details: he was certain that a master of unparalleled skill was hiding in one of the nearby alleys.

The goal is directly aimed at myself!

Lu Wei had felt this kind of heart palpitation nearly twenty years ago... It was New Year's Eve in Jicheng, and the person watching him that time was the Moon Goddess.

This time, with a similar feeling and his sensitivity to Yin-Yang techniques, Lu Wei was certain that there was only one target: Donghuang Taiyi!

"Since our distinguished guest has arrived, why not show yourself?"

With a faint chuckle, Lu completely concealed his murderous intent, only showing a hospitable and harmless side.

The night was as dark as ink, and the deep alleys of Sanghai were even darker than the sky. An inexplicably eerie silence began to dissipate as he spoke...

He focused his mind and expanded his inner energy in an attempt to find the source of this strange phenomenon. However, the emergence of his inner energy accelerated the retreat of the unfamiliar aura. By the time Lu Wei had just grasped a clue, only the empty night wind was blowing towards him.

The sound of birdsong indicated that the eerie atmosphere from before had completely dissipated.

With a swift wave of his hand, he unleashed the swift sword technique of a farmer. The seemingly ordinary breeze was sliced ​​open, revealing the hidden Yin-Yang magic within, its attributes as a forbidden Yin-Yang spell were quite evident.

'The curse on me is the same as the one on the Moon Goddess and the others; the Eastern Emperor wants to control me,'

With a wave of his hand, Lu Wei used his inner energy to completely crush the forbidden spell of the Eastern Emperor. After waiting for about half an incense stick's time, he lowered his eyes and returned to the farmhouse stronghold without saying a word.

Although Lu Wei had already guessed that Donghuang would come to Sanghai, he was still somewhat surprised that Donghuang would directly take action against him.

Moreover, Lu Wei was certain that although Donghuang had withdrawn his aura and used underhanded tactics, the true form of this Yin-Yang School leader must still be hidden in those alleys or houses and had not left!

The reason is simple: no one can escape silently from his sight, this chivalrous peasant leader, at this distance!

Even if this person is the mysterious and extraordinary Donghuang Taiyi.

If Donghuang had dared to show himself just now, Lu Wei would definitely not have said a word to him and would have immediately unleashed his full power to kill him.

But this Yin-Yang Master was certainly not stupid. After sensing Lu Wei's powerful internal energy, he was not confident of victory and decisively hid.

Even with his superior skill, Donghuang's experience in direct combat was far less than that of Lu Wei, who had been through countless battles in the martial world. Furthermore, one was over eighty years old while the other was only in his early thirties, resulting in a significant difference in their physical abilities.

The characteristic of Yin-Yang magic is its unpredictability. If the opponent's internal strength is lower than his own, Donghuang will not mind showing himself directly to suppress them forcefully. However, when fighting against an opponent of the same level, Donghuang is more adept at using incantations to solve problems than engaging in hand-to-hand combat with a palm strike or a punch.

In theory, if Lu Wei were to search the nearby houses and alleys under the cover of night, Donghuang would not be able to hide. However, this is not Daze Mountain, but Sanghai City where the Mirage is located.

We can only let this old guy off the hook for now.

This time, he exposed his strength, which made Donghuang wary. Donghuang also left his aura behind. When they meet again, Lord Xia Kui will be able to strike first!

------

"You make me very disappointed."

Zhao Gao stared at the Qin soldier Yan Ri standing in front of him with his narrow eyes, who was playing with a black spider in his hand. His dissatisfaction was evident in his tone.

The newly arrived Chief of the Imperial Carriage Office, after reporting to his nominal superior Li Si, sent someone to summon Xiaoyaozi, who was playing the role of Yan Ri, without even paying his respects to Fusu.

Looking at Zhao Gao's tall hat brim through the Qin army mask, Xiaoyaozi said in an aged voice, "Zhang Han's abilities have indeed exceeded my expectations, but I have not come away empty-handed."

Under the cold gaze, Xiaoyaozi felt a chill run down his spine... It was the Six Sword Slaves!

"Oh? What did you find?" Zhao Gao chuckled, propping his cheek with one fist.

"The anti-Qin alliance lost most of its forces in the shipyard prison, but their Azure Dragon Plan has not been destroyed. This assassination plan based on the Azure Dragon mechanical beast can still be used by us."

During his speech, Xiaoyaozi removed his mask, revealing a clear and vigorous face, and looked directly at Zhao Gao to increase the credibility of his words: "In addition, within the Taoist community, the forces I have deployed can continue to lie dormant after my identity was abolished, and the Human Sect has not yet broken free from my control."

"Is that all?" Zhao Gao smiled mysteriously, and with his movement, the killing intent of the six sword slaves behind Xiaoyaozi was revealed.

"There's another piece of news, but whether we can use it is hard to say." The old man from the Net didn't increase the pressure on his hand holding the Sun-Covering Sword under such pressure, which pleased Zhao Gao: "Lu Wei of the Farmer's School and Xiao Meng of the Heavenly Sect of the Daoist School have known each other for a long time. They seem to have some plans for the Mirage."

“Tianzong Xiaomeng?” Upon hearing the name Lu Wei, Zhao Gao slowly raised his head, which had been propped up on the side, showing a hint of interest: “I remember she joined Tianzong at the age of eight and never left the mountain after that?”

The six sword slaves had a deep memory of the peasant family. When they heard Lu Wei's name, they exchanged knowing glances and cruel smiles appeared on their lips.

“Exactly.” Xiaoyaozi said with a serious face, “I am also quite curious about why they know each other, but I can’t find any clues.”

"Tell me your guess~" Zhao Gao lowered his eyes and pondered for a while, and had a guess in his mind, but he needed Xiaoyaozi to say it.

"Beimingzi!"

“Xiaomeng is Beimingzi’s last disciple. If Beimingzi had some plan from the beginning, then everything makes sense… I once saw this Lu Wei in Daze Mountain. There are indeed traces of Taoist magic on this peasant hero.”

Xiaoyaozi brought out the only highly skilled Daoist figure worthy of the Luo Wang's (the organization's) apprehension...