People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 357, Luo Jing: May Heaven discern the loyal from the treacherous!

"It's a good plan, but it's a bit rough around the edges. If possible, you can give it a shot. When do you plan to join Lao Ai?"

A glint flashed in Xu Qing's eyes. Ying Yu's plan was similar to his own, only more conservative.

However, Ying Yu's self-perception coincided with his own. He also wanted Ying Yu to infiltrate Lao Ai's side, not to collect evidence of his rebellion, but to add fuel to the fire of Lao Ai's rebellion plan.

“If you choose to cooperate with me, I will side with Lao Ai in the next two days,” Ying Yu said.

"Are you confident you can convince Lao Ai? Although he's stupid, he has many retainers, and it's inevitable that some people will see through his facade," Xu Qing said hesitantly.

“Originally, I wasn’t very confident, but after Your Majesty received the support of the military, Lao Ai clearly panicked and is constantly accumulating power. I had previously made a move to side with Lao Ai, and Lao Ai is also trying to win me over in order to gain more power over the Luo Wang.”

"In the afternoon, news spread from the palace that the King was reluctant to severely punish Lao Ai because of the Empress Dowager. After this incident, Lao Ai will surely become even more arrogant. It is perfectly reasonable for me to side with him at this time," Ying Yu said confidently.

Having gotten away scot-free after beating a member of the royal family, Lao Ai's power and arrogance would greatly increase afterward. Given his opportunistic nature within the organization, he believed Lao Ai would not suspect him.

Ying Yu now feels like his luck has turned around and the heavens are on his side. As long as this plan is executed perfectly, Lü Buwei, Lao Ai, and Zhao Ji will all be eliminated.

When his identity is revealed by the old clan leader, he will be a great contributor to Ying Zheng's rule, and he will have no shortage of opportunities to rise to prominence.

"This matter spread so quickly?" Xu Qing frowned slightly and asked with a serious expression.

When he left the palace, Ying Zheng had just gone to discuss the matter of Lao Ai with Zhao Ji. As a result, less than half a day later, news of Lao Ai's safety had already spread. The secrecy of the royal palace was truly not something to be complimented.

"The royal palace has long been infiltrated. The Black Ice Guard is the palace's secret protector. Since Zhang Yi established the Black Ice Guard, it has become a hidden blade in the hands of the King of Qin."

“Now that the Empress Dowager holds the Qin King’s seal, she has used the King’s name to send the Black Ice Guard to carry out the order to infiltrate the six states, leaving the palace vulnerable. As a result, the Net of Intrigue has easily infiltrated the palace, so it is not difficult for me to know these things,” Ying Yu explained.

Although both the Black Ice Platform and the Net served the Qin state and were assassination organizations, they were ultimately enemies.

The Luo Wang (Net of Heaven) was established during the reign of King Zhaoxiang of Qin. At that time, in order to consolidate his power and rule personally, King Zhaoxiang secretly trained many spies to gather information and thus gain knowledge of the secrets of his ministers. The Black Ice Guard, however, was carrying out infiltration missions into the six states and was under the control of the Dowager Queen Xuan, so it was not trusted.

When King Zhaoxiang of Qin assumed personal rule, the highly valued Luo Wang, under the leadership of Fan Sui, gradually replaced the Black Ice Guard in infiltrating the six states. The opportunities to make contributions were given to Luo Wang, which greatly increased its strength and soon became a notorious assassin organization in the martial arts world.

In order to counterbalance the Luo Wang (a powerful military organization), the Black Ice Platform focused on internal affairs of the Qin state, creating a system of checks and balances between the internal and external forces.

“In that case, let’s proceed as planned. I will cooperate with you,” Xu Qing nodded and said.

Ying Yu glanced at Xu Qing, then put the mask back on, transforming once more into the Heavenly-level assassin, Yan Ri. His eyes returned to their cold, ruthless state, and his voice was hoarse and icy as he spoke.
"I hope our plan will go smoothly."

"Hopefully."

Xu Qing chuckled softly, watching Ying Yu disappear into the shadows of the woods.

Looking at the still-dark night, Xu Qing sighed with emotion. He had gained a lot tonight, not only resolving his doubts but also gaining another helper.

However, although Ying Yu's plan was good, it was still too rough. But in order to infiltrate Lao Ai's side, they had no choice but to follow the other party's plan for the time being.

When the other party has completely proven himself and there is no turning back, that will be the time to carry out the plan he and Ying Zheng made.

"Since you have Qin in your heart, I hope you can stick to it as always," Xu Qing thought to himself.

After regaining his senses, Xu Qing used his lightness skill to leave Shanglin Garden, evaded the patrolling soldiers, and returned home.

As soon as Xu Qing landed in the courtyard, Jing Ni's figure emerged from behind a pillar.

"How's it going?"

Jingni looked at Xu Qing in front of her and saw that his breathing was steady and there were no injuries or signs of fighting on his body. Only then did she feel a little relieved.

Xu Qing looked at Jing Ni, who was still awake, and knew that she must be worried about him, so she was waiting for him here.

"It went very smoothly, and we even made quite a few gains. You probably can't guess what Yan Ri's identity is."

Xu Qing smiled and walked towards Jing Ni, saying as he went.

"He told you?" Jingni asked, somewhat surprised, a hint of curiosity flashing through her mind.

Yan Ri's identity has always been a mystery within the Luo Wang organization, and there have been many speculations about his identity, the most common being that he is related to the military, but this has never been confirmed.

"That's natural, do you want to know?"

Xu Qing leaned against a pillar, moved slightly closer to Jing Ni, and asked with a light laugh.

Jing Ni looked at Xu Qing, who was only half a palm's distance away from her. Facing the other's gentle gaze, she couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed and didn't dare to look Xu Qing in the eye.

"Luo Jing, this is the time to discuss serious matters, don't cause trouble." Jing Ni's voice rang in her mind. Luo Jing suddenly widened her eyes, reached up and picked at her ear, somewhat unable to believe what she had heard.

Heaven, judge the loyal from the treacherous! She really did nothing!

Since Jing Ni wronged her last time, she hasn't bothered the other party anymore, for fear that the other party would pin all the blame on her, and she has completely acted as a bystander.

And this is how it turned out? They still won't let her go? They're treating her like an honest person, aren't they?

"I didn't!" Luo Jing shouted, puffing out her cheeks.

"Who else could it be but you? Don't interrupt my business."

After leaving a message, Jing Ni came to her senses and looked at Xu Qing, her expression still cold and stern. She slightly stepped aside and said in a cold voice...
"Do not want to know."

Seeing Jingni slightly move away, Xu Qing straightened up and continued speaking.
"Don't you really want to know? Although he told me not to tell outsiders, you are not an outsider. However, I have one condition. If you agree, I will tell you."

"What are the conditions?" Jing Ni asked in return.

"Whatever the conditions, it's definitely that you have to warm his bed. That little vixen Yan Lingji isn't very strong, how could she possibly withstand him?"

Luo Jing complained bitterly, but her resentment was directed at Jing Ni, not Xu Qing.

Upon hearing Luo Jing's words, Jing Ni felt a surge of tension and gripped her sword tightly, somewhat at a loss.

What should she do if Xu Qing really makes this demand? Should she firmly refuse, or just turn around and leave? Would doing so make the other person overthink things?
But she couldn't agree to it now. She couldn't even handle her own feelings, so how could she accept Xu Qing's feelings?
Logically, this kind of thing should be left to Luo Jing to handle, but since she has repeatedly wronged Luo Jing, the other party certainly won't help her.

Xu Qing noticed Jing Ni's helplessness and couldn't help but have a teasing thought. A frivolous smile appeared on his face as he reached out to Jing Ni and said...
"Actually, my condition is very simple: I just want you to be with me."

However, before Xu Qing could finish speaking, he saw Jing Ni's beautiful leg suddenly lift up, and her black pointed high heel kicked towards his lower abdomen.

Startled, Xu Qing quickly raised his hand to block Jing Ni's leg, and crossed his hands to hold Jing Ni's smooth, beautiful leg.

The metal fishnet stockings, far from affecting the smoothness of her skin, actually gave Xu Qing a unique tactile sensation, making her want to gently pinch and play with them.

But Xu Qing suppressed his thoughts, fearing that the moment he held it, the next thing he would do was use the Jingni Sword.

"What are you doing? I just want you to practice swordsmanship with me. I'm about to participate in the Covenant of Heaven and Man, and I need to find someone to hone my swordsmanship." Xu Qing looked into Jing Ni's beautiful eyes and quickly explained.

Upon hearing Xu Qing's words, Jing Ni realized that she had misunderstood. She lowered her head slightly, feeling a little embarrassed, and a hint of apology flashed in her beautiful eyes.

"Sorry, I misunderstood. When are we going to practice swordsmanship? Now?" Jing Ni changed the subject.

She acted completely subconsciously just now. It was all Luo Jing's fault for influencing her, causing her to misunderstand and not know what to do. In her panic, she acted impulsively.

After sensing Jing Ni's thoughts, Luo Jing's pretty face turned red with anger, her fists clenched tightly, and her eyes widened in fury.

"Fine, fine, so good people are always bullied? Since you've wronged me, don't blame me."

Luo Jing revealed a sinister smile. Since Jing Ni had wronged her, how could she let herself be wronged for nothing?
Anyway, she can't hold on for much longer. Wouldn't it be too regrettable if she didn't do what she wanted to do most before she disappeared?
“It’s late now. I’ll come to see you when I have some free time after the morning court session tomorrow,” Xu Qing said.

"Okay, but shouldn't you let go of my legs now?"

Jing Ni looked at Xu Qing, then shifted her gaze to Xu Qing's hands, and said in a deep voice.

Xu Qing also looked at Jing Ni's long and shapely legs. Due to the movement, the purple skirt fell down completely, revealing Jing Ni's thighs. Xu Qing could even vaguely see a thin layer of black underwear.

Jingni's skin was as white as jade, more beautiful than peach blossoms, with a rosy glow, and her skin was crystal clear, like the bright moon in the sky, forming a stark contrast with the patch of black that was exposed.

Oh, so this is the color. And it's triangular in shape. Was it made to make it easier to kill someone?

Xu Qing looked at Jing Ni's thighs and thought to himself.

Jing Ni also noticed Xu Qing's gaze, her eyes turning slightly cold as she spoke in a chilling voice.
"Have you seen enough?"

Xu Qing felt a chill run down her spine and quickly released Jing Ni's beautiful legs, saying awkwardly...

"Don't look at what you shouldn't see, but I didn't mean to, it was just a misunderstanding."

"I'll be waiting for you to practice your sword tomorrow."

After leaving a message, Jingni turned and left. She knew it was a misunderstanding, otherwise she would have drawn her sword immediately.

Looking at Jing Ni's cold back, Xu Qing sighed helplessly, turned around and walked towards his study, preparing to practice his skills properly and see if he could break through to the Celestial Realm and enter the ranks of Grandmasters before the Celestial Pact.

(End of this chapter)