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

Chapter 364, Donghuang Taiyi: Go and summon Dongjun and the Moon Goddess! (Seeking monthly votes!)

The residence of Marquis Wenxin.

Lu Buwei sat at his desk, looking at the bamboo slips he had revised, his eyes full of smiles.

The door was suddenly opened, and a man wearing a mask and carrying a strange longsword on his back walked in.

This man is Zhen Gang, one of Lü Buwei's bodyguards and a top-tier assassin of the Luo Wang organization. He is also the future leader of the Six Sword Slaves.

"My lord, after the court meeting, thirteen officials have gathered in private. These thirteen people have colluded with the states of Zhao, Wei, and Han respectively. We have intercepted the letter sent to Wei. Please take a look."

Zhen Gang respectfully presented a silk scroll to Lü Buwei.

Lü Buwei put down his brush, casually opened the silk scroll and glanced at it. It recorded the events of the day's court meeting, and the words were full of praise for Lao Ai's power.

"Heh~ Some people who will amount to nothing." Lü Buwei sneered and casually tossed the cloth onto the table.

“According to our surveillance, Lao Ai is also secretly in contact with the Three Jin states, but the specifics have not yet been investigated. He also seems to have some connection with Prince Ji Dan of the Yan state,” Zhen Gang continued.

Lü Buwei was not surprised that Lao Ai was secretly colluding with the three Jin states, since Lao Ai was originally from the Zhao state and only came to Xianyang after the Qin state conquered Shangdang.

However, the fact that Lao Ai had secret connections with the Yan state surprised Lü Buwei.

Although Yan was the second to last among the seven states, only slightly stronger than Han, it was a key state in Qin's strategy of befriending distant states while attacking nearby ones. Unlike Qi, which had completely lost faith in the five states east of the mountains, Yan was a state that needed to be won over and befriended.

Within Yan, King Yan indulged in pleasure and neglected state affairs, leaving Lord Yanchun in complete control of the court. Crown Prince Ji Dan, though renowned for his virtue and possessing numerous retainers, was able to barely contend with Lord Yanchun.

"Yan State? Crown Prince Ji Dan? I remember that Ji Dan was a hostage in Zhao State along with Your Majesty. The two should be friends, right?" Lü Buwei stroked his beard and said thoughtfully.

“That’s right. The Yan Kingdom sent a message earlier, saying that Lord Yanchun strongly supports Crown Prince Ji Dan’s decision to go to Qin as a hostage. However, some people are against it, believing that the Crown Prince going to another country as a hostage is an insult to the Yan Kingdom,” Zhen Gang said coldly.

The Luo Wang organization was ordered to infiltrate six kingdoms, and the best way to do so was to befriend and win over the powerful ministers of each kingdom.

Guo Kai of Zhao, Ji Wuye of Han, Wei Yong, the former Grand Minister of Works of Wei who died, and Wei Lan, the current Minister of Works of Wei, Hou Sheng, the Prime Minister of Qi, Yan Chunjun of Yan, and some powerful figures of Chu—all of these people, bribed by Qin, had already turned their hearts toward Qin.

"Since His Majesty wants him to come to Qin, then put some pressure on Lord Yanchun and make sure he sends Ji Dan to Qin as a hostage this year. As for those people in the country who are keeping an eye on them, intercept their letters and examine them. If they do not reveal any core secrets, then release them."

A glint of light flashed in Lü Buwei's eyes as he tossed the cloth to Zhen Gang. If he hadn't known Xu Qing's plan, he would have definitely stopped these people.

These people betrayed Qin's interests, and in Lü Buwei's mind, they were no different from the dead. However, considering that these people could embolden Lao Ai, he planned to squeeze out their last bit of value before killing them.

"Besides these things, news came from the palace that the king's swordsmanship instructor, Gai Nie, has been checking for spies in Zhangtai Palace these past two days and is getting close to the people left behind by the Black Ice Platform."

"Issan Tsuyoshi continued."

Upon hearing this, Lü Buwei's lips curled up slightly, clearly indicating that he had guessed what Ying Zheng and Gai Nie were planning to do, and thus prepared to lend them a hand.

"Have your men cover for Gai Nie and get him in touch with the Black Ice Guard. From now on, there's no need to send anyone to the King's side. Send all your men to monitor the Empress Dowager, Lao Ai, and his retainers," Lü Buwei said slowly.

When Zhao Ji and Lao Ai transferred the Black Ice Guards away from Xianyang Palace, he guessed what they were up to. So he secretly protected some of them and helped them infiltrate Xianyang Palace, leaving them as a gift for Ying Zheng.

However, it has been so many years since Ying Zheng last remembered the Black Ice Platform, but it is not too late.

“Yes,” Zhen Gang said.

"Is there anything else?" Lü Buwei asked, looking at Zhengang.

"There's another matter. According to reports from spies near Jiugong Shendu Mountain, the former Shangqing Ganluo did not die, but became the left protector Xinghun of the Yin Yang School. However, the person who discovered this is uncertain, and we are conducting further investigations."

As soon as he finished speaking, he couldn't help but feel nervous. He was the one who led the assassination attempt against Gan Luo. At that time, he had clearly confirmed Gan Luo's death, but for some reason, Gan Luo reappeared in the Yin-Yang School and became the left protector of the Yin-Yang School.

Upon hearing Gan Luo's name, even the usually composed Lü Buwei couldn't help but show a hint of surprise.

Gan Luo's name is truly legendary in the Qin state. He was the only direct descendant of the Gan clan, an old clan in Qin, a descendant of Gan Long, a senior official during the reign of Duke Xiao, and the grandson of Gan Mao, the left prime minister during the reigns of King Huiwen and King Wu.

Because Gan Mao was falsely accused and fled to the State of Qi, the Gan clan suffered a complete downfall.

Gan Luo was known for his exceptional talent from a young age, and he joined his entourage as a young man.

He valued Gan Luo's talent and intelligence, and thus appointed him as Junior Attendant. At the age of twelve, Gan Luo was sent as an envoy to the State of Zhao. Using strategies, he helped the State of Qin acquire more than a dozen cities. For his meritorious service, he was rewarded by Ying Zheng, who appointed him as a high-ranking official and granted him land and a house.

At that time, Ying Zheng wanted to rule personally, but he felt that Ying Zheng was too young to control the ministers. As a result, the relationship between the two began to deteriorate. In order to divide his power, Ying Zheng appointed Gan Luo as Shangqing, which was equivalent to prime minister, in an attempt to get the local clans of Qin to oppose him.

In order to ensure the smooth implementation of his Qin state development plan, he orchestrated the assassination of Gan Luo.

"Gan Luo, there's no need to worry about him. It turns out that the Yin Yang School secretly saved him."

Lu Buwei narrowed his eyes, a cold glint in them, and spoke in a chilling voice.

Killing Gan Luo was a last resort, and he had felt regret and remorse for it for a long time. Gan Luo's talent and ability were unparalleled in his life. Now it was time for him to let go. Upon learning that Gan Luo was still alive, he didn't care much. The other party's survival wouldn't affect anything. Out of regret for the loss of such a remarkable person, letting him go wouldn't be a big deal.

However, the fact that the Yin-Yang School dared to save Gan Luo behind his back made Lü Buwei somewhat displeased.

He could let Gan Luo go on his own initiative, but he absolutely could not be deceived by outsiders, as that would be provoking him.

He's old and the fire has died down, but the furnace hasn't been extinguished.

"Keep an eye on the Yin-Yang School for now. If they make any big moves, let me know. Also, have the Mohists be on their toes and obey my orders at any time," Lü Buwei said coldly.

"promise."

Zhen Gang glanced at Lü Buwei, who then waved his hand and turned to leave.

"The Yin-Yang School, huh? Consider it a small gift from this old man to Xu Qing, hehe~" Lü Buwei said with a cold laugh.

The Yin-Yang School originated from a split of the Daoist School. As far as he knew, the Yin-Yang School and the Tianzong School had a very unpleasant falling out over certain matters.

The Mohists and the Yin-Yang School have always been enemies, and Xu Qing has a close relationship with the Mohists.

Xu Qing helped him resolve his emotional distress, so he would repay Xu Qing by taking the Yin-Yang School. Although he couldn't say he could destroy the Yin-Yang School, it would be enough for them to pay the price for their actions.

"You want to enter Qin? Then let me see if you can still enter Qin when I'm here," Lü Buwei thought to himself.

Although the Yin-Yang School had always remained secluded, their covert infiltration of the Qin state over the years could not escape his notice. He had initially tacitly approved of, or even supported, this, given the Qin state's lack of talented individuals and the overt support of other schools of thought.

If the Yin-Yang School could enter Qin, it would be beneficial to the Qin state. However, for the Yin-Yang School to enter Qin now, it depends on their own abilities.

Just as Lü Buwei was preparing to plot against the Yin Yang School, Donghuang Taiyi, who lived in the Nine Palaces Divine Capital Mountain, also learned of Xinghun's descent from the mountain.

Jiugong Shendu Mountain, Donghuang Pavilion.

Upon hearing the report from his disciples, Donghuang Taiyi's face behind the mask grew more serious.

"O soul, return! The scourge of the West has spread like sand for thousands of miles; go and summon back the star soul."

Donghuang Taiyi's voice was ethereal and profound, as if it came from the heavens above, inspiring awe in people.

"Yes."

The disciple who was kneeling below got up and walked outside.

As the gates of the Donghuang Pavilion closed, Donghuang Taiyi looked up at the swirling stars in the sky, his eyes reflecting their brilliance.

The previously orderly stars began to change, and countless stars began to move in a certain order. However, just as Donghuang Taiyi was about to divine the impact of the Star Soul's unauthorized descent from the mountain, the moving stars suddenly became chaotic and began to move irregularly.

Seeing this, Donghuang Taiyi had no choice but to stop using the astrological laws, his eyes filled with solemnity.

The astrological laws of the Yin-Yang School can predict the future, and they rely on the stars in the sky. However, with the current chaotic celestial phenomena, their astrological laws can no longer yield accurate results.

"The plan has changed," Donghuang Taiyi thought to himself.

If Xinghun is discovered by the Luo Wang for leaving the mountain without permission, this matter will certainly be reported to Lü Buwei. Once Lü Buwei learns that Xinghun is Gan Luo, he will definitely become hostile towards the Yin Yang School.

Now, the struggle in the Qin state is intensifying because Ying Zheng is about to come of age.

The revelation that Gan Luo was not dead and that it was Lü Buwei who sent people to assassinate him will undoubtedly push this struggle to a more intense level.

Although he knew that Qin would ultimately prevail under Ying Zheng, Lü Buwei still controlled Qin. His dying counterattack was enough to inflict heavy losses on the Yin Yang School, and might even ruin their plans to gradually infiltrate Qin over the years.

Donghuang Taiyi looked at the star that belonged to Lü Buwei. The star, which was originally dim, gradually regained some brightness.

"Alas, life is unpredictable, and fate is ultimately unknowable," Donghuang Taiyi sighed.

Since the deed has already happened and cannot be changed, the only option is to try to salvage it.

Donghuang Taiyi looked westward again, gazing at the star next to the brightest Ziwei star. Although the star was bright, it was shrouded in a layer of mist, making it impossible to see through.

Those stars represent Xu Qing.

Donghuang Taiyi's expression turned extremely solemn, a resolute glint flashing in his eyes, and he spoke.

"Go and summon the Lord of the East and the Goddess of the Moon!"

(End of this chapter)