Chu Nangong held an exalted position in Chu State, comparable to the venerated Confucius of later generations. Renowned for his expertise in astrology, he was the originator of the famous prophecy: "Even if Chu has only three households left, Qin will inevitably fall to Chu." Though he appeared frail and elderly, barely able to walk without trembling, in reality, he was a formidable master on par with figures like Beimingzi and Donghuang Taiyi.
Moreover, Chu Nangong possessed a remarkable artifact: the Yellowstone Heavenly Book, a divine relic said to have been bestowed by the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden. According to legend, when Emperor Xuanyuan battled Chiyou, the latter, armed with the Demon God of War, proved invincible. Only after Xuanyuan comprehended the teachings of the Yellowstone Heavenly Book did he gain the power to defeat Chiyou.
Following Xuanyuan, the Heavenly Book passed to Jiang Ziya, whose insights from it laid the foundation for the Zhou Dynasty's near-millennial reign. It eventually fell into the hands of Chu Nangong, later to be inherited by Tianming and subsequently Zhang Liang.
Daniel Davis was particularly intrigued by the Yellowstone Heavenly Book. During his previous visit to Chu State, he had been tempted to acquire it. Even if its mysteries were beyond his comprehension, the artifact, being linked to the legendary Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden, held immense allure.
In the current timeline of The Qin Era, the world might not stand a chance against the ninja world in a direct conflict. However, with a deity like the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden on their side, the balance would drastically shift. Even the Otsutsuki clan's power would pale before her might.
From what Daniel had learned, understanding the Heavenly Book required exceptional insight. While both Emperor Xuanyuan and Jiang Ziya had derived unique teachings from it, the possibility of future revelations was enough to make it worthwhile. Even if he could not immediately decipher its secrets, time was on his side. Who knew? He might one day enter a world of cultivation where the Heavenly Book's knowledge could prove invaluable.
---
When Daniel arrived in the city of Xinzheng in Yingchuan Commandery, a fierce battle was already underway in the eastern outskirts of the city. Dozens of combatants were locked in a deadly struggle.
"Your martial arts have improved significantly." Wei Zhuang, after forcing back Mo Ya with a single strike, refrained from pursuing and instead remarked coldly.
"Let's just say I've been fortunate. Following the Grandmaster has brought me opportunities. By now, the Empire's unification of the world is an unstoppable trend. As a descendant of Ghost Valley, Master Wei Zhuang, you should know this better than anyone. Why do you insist on standing in the way?"
Wei Zhuang did not respond immediately, and Mo Ya was content to avoid further confrontation. His primary objective was to delay Wei Zhuang. Although Mo Ya had also reached the level of a top-tier expert, he still fell short of Wei Zhuang. However, stalling him posed no difficulty.
The ongoing battle was between the Hundred Birds faction of Six Doors and the forces of Quicksand, bolstered by the Iron-Blood Alliance. Due to the butterfly effect caused by Daniel's actions, Quicksand's Four Heavenly Kings were no longer fully intact. Now, only core members like Wei Zhuang, Chi Lian, Bai Feng, and Hei Qilin remained. Other recruits were considered expendable.
As for Chi Lian and Bai Feng, their safety was not a major concern. Mo Ya and Ying Ge naturally held back against them. In the original story, Mo Ya was even willing to sacrifice himself for Bai Feng.
On the battlefield, the members of Hundred Birds held a clear advantage. While they lacked a significant number of top-tier experts, their numbers in the tiers below were bolstered by the copious use of the Genuine Person Pill. Combined with the coordination provided by the Twenty-Four Earth Array, even the formidable Iron-Blood Alliance was outmatched.
Arrays such as Two Elements, Three Talents, Four Symbols, Eight Yi, and the Twenty-Four Earth Array were prominent in the Qin Era. Among these, only the Twenty-Four Earth Array was universally applicable. Unlike the others, which required harmony of intent or similar techniques, the Twenty-Four Earth Array amplified strength through coordinated footwork alone. Though less powerful than the original agricultural variant, it sufficed for Six Doors' needs.
---
"The so-called unstoppable trend—there is no such thing in this world. Do you truly believe the Empire's victory is assured?" Wei Zhuang, surveying the battlefield, quickly issued a retreat order. The outskirts of Xinzheng were no place for prolonged combat. Even if Quicksand and the Iron-Blood Alliance had the upper hand, the proximity of Qin troops would necessitate withdrawal.
"Then we shall see," Mo Ya replied, watching Wei Zhuang and his allies retreat without pursuing them. Such skirmishes had become routine in Xinzheng as tensions between Qin and Chu escalated. Both sides' covert organizations were actively disrupting the other. Just as the Iron-Blood Alliance stirred chaos in Xinzheng, the Luo Net was similarly destabilizing Chu's internal affairs.
Espionage, bribery, and assassinations abounded, as both sides recognized that the Qin-Chu conflict would determine the future of the entire realm.
---
"Kill the tyrant Daniel Davis, accomplice to Qin's oppression!"
Not long after Daniel arrived in Xinzheng, assassins from the Iron-Blood Alliance launched an all-out assault on his residence, Lanshou Manor. Surprisingly, Quicksand was absent from this attack, which was clearly a decisive attempt to eliminate Daniel. Among the attackers were eight top-tier experts, with the weakest being first-class martial artists. This demonstrated the considerable strength of the Iron-Blood Alliance, whose number of top-tier experts even surpassed that of the Luo Net.
"No wonder the Iron-Blood Alliance could serve as guarantor for wagers across the Seven States. Their backing explains everything."
The sudden appearance of so many top-tier experts was no mystery. The only possible source was the aristocratic families. Just as Konoha in Naruto boasted elite jonin like Kakashi, Guy, and Asuma, it also had clan leaders such as Hiashi Hyuga and Inuzuka Claw. Similarly, the prominent families of Qin Era concealed even greater reserves of strength.
---
"You dare to attack here? Do you think yourselves invincible?"
Furious at the invasion of Lanshou Manor, Daniel sprang into action. While most individuals of his stature would have stayed behind the lines, akin to Sengoku of the Marine Headquarters, Daniel retained some habits from his civilian upbringing.
Lanshou Manor housed countless vulnerable individuals, including widows and orphans. It served as both a shelter and a community, complete with an orphanage and small workshops to provide employment. Daniel had repurposed the manor, which was far too large for his occasional visits, into a refuge for the needy.
This act of kindness turned the manor into a target. The Iron-Blood Alliance's assault threatened massive casualties among its residents, forcing Daniel to intervene. As he drew Luminescent Blade, one of the top-tier assassins barely had time to warn his comrades before feeling a sharp pain in his neck. Moments later, he was dead.
"You're courting death." No assassin, regardless of their rank, could withstand a single strike from Daniel. The elite force that could have destroyed a lesser school or family was obliterated in minutes.
Ironically, this squad had been intended to disrupt Qin's logistics or assassinate General Wang Jian, much like the historic attempt on Bai Qi. Yet before they could act, they fell to Daniel's blade.
---
"From the Chu-Han Divide to the Qin-Chu Divide."
With Yan State conquered, Qin began amassing troops along the Chu border. Wang Jian commanded a force of 600,000 troops. Opposing him, Chu mobilized its three great armies, totaling over 800,000 soldiers. Together, nearly 1.5 million soldiers prepared for a conflict unprecedented in scale.
Such a massive battle could not unfold in a single location. Following Wang Jian's orders, Qin's forces advanced on Chu from three directions, mirroring Chu's three-pronged defensive formation.
---
"Esteemed ministers, what shall we do about the envoys from Qin and Chu?"
In Qi State, across the Yellow River, King Jian of Qi sought his court's advice. Qi, protected by natural barriers and enriched by coastal trade and salt production, had historically suffered few invasions. Consequently, the kingdom's rulers, including King Jian, grew complacent, focusing on indulgence rather than expansion.
---
Divided opinions plagued the court. Some argued for aiding Chu, citing the danger Qin posed after its conquests. Others suggested neutrality, while a few advocated supporting Qin, either due to bribery or naive trust in Qin's overtures of friendship.
Faced with conflicting advice, King Jian postponed his decision, leaving Qi paralyzed in indecision. By the time Qi resolved its internal debates, the outcome of the Qin-Chu war might already be decided.
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