In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

Although she had schemed against Ren Woxing in the past, she had the moral high ground.

At the time, Ren Woxing was in a state of demonic possession, and she did not kill him for twelve years afterward.

Therefore, even though Ren Woxing wished he could tear her to pieces, Dongfang Bubai still retained a shred of benevolence.

Now, Ren Woxing has gone mad, leading the Sun Moon Cult directly down the path of destruction.

Even Dongfang Bubai could foresee the ending: his strength couldn't support his ambition, and ultimately, he would only face destruction.

Turning around, Dongfang Bubai went to Jiangnan again.

After breaking through to the Grandmaster level, she realized that some things are better left unseen and unexplained.

As for matters of the martial arts world, she didn't need to plan them out.

She knew perfectly well where the Sun Moon Cult's foundation lay.

As for preserving strength? A bunch of roughnecks from the martial world, how can you expect them to know how to be patient? I'm afraid that within two days of her persuasion, the news that she was still alive would have reached Ren Woxing's ears.

A group of people who are not up to the task are not as good as her own group of experts.

Where is the easiest place to recruit top talents?

Ghost Street!

Ghost Street is a place teeming with all sorts of monsters and outlaws, and the Zhang family doesn't accept just anyone.

But the Sun Moon Cult is different; it is a demonic cult, so it doesn't care about your evil ways.

Therefore, the wandering, treasure-hunting demons in Ghost Street are her best targets for recruitment.

As for loyalty? Does the Demonic Cult need that?

Upon returning to Jiangnan, she remained the renowned courtesan and courtesan of the region—Dongfang Xueqing.

This is the best way for her to conceal her identity.

As for the month that disappeared, whether it was seeking medical treatment or searching for relatives, the Hong family could easily cover it up with any excuse.

After all, the Hong family is not a human trafficker.

Even if those courtesans leave the Red Mansion, the Zhang family will not stop them.

They wanted to get out, but countless other courtesans wanted to get in. This wasn't a siege, but rather the Zhang family was offering far too many benefits.

The Zhang family can't save most people, but they can at least save those within their reach.

···

"This is the secret box that preserves the meteorite?"

The Forbidden City of the Later Zhou Dynasty, a black hall!

Black, also known as mysterious!

During the Later Zhou Dynasty, the prohibition of clothing and daily necessities was extremely popular, and they mostly inherited the style of ancient times, which was grand and solemn.

Different systems foster different cultures.

The Jiangnan region was prosperous and culturally rich, with the Ming and Song dynasties characterized by extravagance, elegance, and classicism.

During the Wu Tang Dynasty, society was open and aristocratic families were respected. The buildings were mostly magnificent and there was a clear class distinction.

Qin Shi Huang, dressed in a black dragon robe, looked at the box in his hand. There was not a single gap between the top and bottom, and it seemed that there was no seam.

Below them stood Zhao Gao, the guardian deity of the Yin-Yang School and the chief of the Imperial Carriage Office, respectfully to one side.

They paid a huge price for this deal!

Qin Shi Huang began collecting treasures and books from all over the world ten years ago, and also kept five hundred sorcerers.

These alchemists were Taoist alchemists, led by Xu Fu, one of the five elders of the Yin-Yang School, who devoted themselves to the study of immortality day and night.

Among the resources collected for the elixir of immortality, the Crimson Dragon Turtle ranks fourth in value.

Not bad, only fourth!

The first is the ancient sacred tree—Fusang, the ancient sacred tree where, according to legend, the three-legged golden crow dwelled.

The second is the ancient artifact—the Nine Provinces Cauldron!

This is not the Nine Tripods. The Nine Tripods were cast by Yu the Great, while these Nine Tripods were made by the Yellow Emperor using copper from the Shou Mountain in Jing Mountain.

The Nine Cauldrons were not the original name; they were originally called the Yellow Emperor's Cauldron or the Qibo Cauldron...

Because the Nine Tripods were scattered and disappeared when the Great Zhou Dynasty was destroyed, and because the Yellow Emperor's Tripod was also an ancient divine artifact, Qin Shi Huang named it the Nine Provinces Tripod, symbolizing his ambition for hegemony.

Third is Dragon Ball!

This is one of the three Dragon Balls that Zhang Xiaoshan has been searching for, which were lost to the outside world. He never expected that it was already in the hands of Qin Shi Huang Zheng.

However, once this item entered the Forbidden City, only a very few people knew about it.

Even Zhao Gao didn't know!

"Your Majesty, this is the key!"

Zhao Gao respectfully took out an extremely fine silver needle, nothing special about it, just an ordinary silver needle.

Qin Shi Huang stared at the treasure box in his hand and indeed found an extremely fine needle eye. As the silver needle was inserted, a gap appeared around the box, and it was opened.

Even Qin Shi Huang was puzzled by this design.

This is a sealed system; once you click on it, you break the sealed space inside.

Sure enough, inside was a seemingly unremarkable piece of copper.

"Zhao Gao, is this meteorite bronze?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

This meteorite was personally verified by the servant. By activating both the meteorite and the Dragon Ball, the power of the Dragon Ball can be activated.

Then he personally sealed it inside this treasure box, without the slightest mistake.

Upon hearing Zhao Gao's words, Qin Shi Huang nodded.

As long as the product is correct, that's fine. As for the rest, everyone has their own area of ​​expertise; it's not his responsibility.

"Is this meteorite really so miraculous?"

"Your Majesty, the Moon Goddess also tried it in Ghost Street, and this meteorite is the key to unlocking the Dragon Ball."

Through meteorite copper, the hidden power of the Dragon Balls can be activated, and the power of heaven and earth can be mobilized, making it a supreme treasure of the world.

"Is the legend of Dragon Ball true?"

Zhao Gao and the Moon Goddess both said so, and even Qin Shi Huang couldn't help but reveal a hint of mystery.

He had obtained the Dragon Balls for two years. Several grandmasters could sense the immense terror contained within the Dragon Balls, but they could not activate their power. He never expected that this was actually true.

"His Excellency Donghuang said that only the legendary chosen one can wield the Dragon Pearl."

For mortals to control the Dragon Balls, they need a medium, and this meteorite is that medium.

During her time in Lin'an Prefecture, the Moon Goddess encountered two other destined individuals: the young master of the Zhang family, whose martial arts skills improved rapidly after a series of extraordinary encounters; and Linglong, the mysterious witch from Chiyou Village, both of whom could directly manipulate the Dragon Pearl.

"A person destined for greatness? What is destiny?"

"A person favored by Heaven!"

Those who speak of destiny before an emperor are practically implying that the emperor might rebel in the future.

Zhao Gao looked at the Moon Goddess, clearly indicating that he wanted Qin Shi Huang to be wary of the Zhang family, as the Yin-Yang School saw the Zhang family as a huge threat.

"Zhao Gao, what do you have to say?"

"A person of extraordinary talent!"

"profound?"

Qin Shi Huang looked at Zhao Gao with curiosity, not expecting Zhao Gao to give such an evaluation.

As the saying goes: "The Mohist mechanism can make wood and stone walk; the bronze can open its mouth, so ask Gongshu!"

"This servant has never witnessed the wonders of these mechanisms before, but on Ghost Street I have seen something novel that surpasses even the mechanisms of the Mohists and the Gongshu Ban family!"

Having received the Emperor's order, Zhao Gao turned and had a large cart brought out...

With its many steps and a high threshold, it's impossible to drive in.

"Your Majesty, these are the little trinkets that the Zhang family gave to this servant, as well as the blueprints and other small items that we are presenting to Your Majesty."

"Is it?"

Qin Shi Huang naturally understood that Zhao Gao had no absolute reason and would not speak without cause.

She then had a guard pull a carriage around the hall, and as the carriage turned, the Moon Goddess and the guard's expressions were extremely solemn.

However, Qin Shi Huang's location was too high to see anything clearly.

But just from the guard's expression, he knew that this thing was not simple.

"Your Majesty, this carriage has saved at least 90% of its effort!"

The main hall was flat, without even any bumps or dips, so the friction was minimal, just like walking on a road in later times.

"Nine percent!"

Not to mention Qin Shi Huang, even the Moon Goddess, who had noticed something amiss, found it hard to believe.

"Your Majesty, these are the blueprints that the Zhang family presented to you."

On the way here, I saw it once, and it was truly stunning. It is said that it was designed by the young master of the Zhang family over several months.

Unfortunately, this young master Zhang seems to only have a superficial understanding of everything he learns, without delving into anything in depth.

"Is the stuff good?"

"The complexity of its craftsmanship far surpasses that of His Majesty's imperial carriage, but this is merely a civilian item."

Your Majesty can have the Ministry of Works design it, and the Gongshu family can modify it. Gongshu is particularly fond of the core structure inside.

Moreover, this servant also brought some axle bearings, rubber mats, and some local specialties from the Zhang family!

"interesting?"

The Shadow Guard handed a palm-sized rolling bearing to Qin Huangzheng.

With just a little effort, that rapidly spinning phantom is far more complex than 90%.

Moreover, this thing isn't just for cars; if...

Considering its various applications, Qin Shi Huang suddenly understood why Zhao Gao 2.0 was described as having extraordinary talent.

"Take it and let the Gongshu family try it. If they can mass-produce it, give me a sample."

If that's not possible, then we'll order from the Zhang family. I think that's what the Zhang family's purpose is!

"And those blueprints you have, hand them over to the Nine Ministers for research and development. I want to see the new imperial carriage in a month."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Qin Huangzheng could not possibly be unaware of the hidden meaning; the Zhang family was promoting their products to them.

Once they place the order, the first step is complete.

These bearings are not weapons, contraband salt, or contraband iron... therefore they are not among the prohibited goods.

However, he was not optimistic about the Zhang family. The Zhang family had already dominated the Song Dynasty. If they were to expand their business further and spread it across the four kingdoms, they might offend some people.

Moreover, the existence of the Zhang family has already threatened the interests of certain people, and they are very likely to become pigs raised in captivity.

However, he was full of anticipation, wondering whether the Zhang family were pigs or hidden dragons.

After all, the Zhang family was capable, and he greatly admired them, making them a perfect tool for him to unify the Central Plains.

Conversely, if the Zhang family were to actually join a particular faction, it would be a major problem.

Chapter 296 The Persian Envoy Returns in Disarray

Bang!

Sparks flew, and another cylinder broke.

At this moment, Gongshu Chou stared intently at the discarded cylindrical shaft with resentment. It was such a simple little thing, but why was it so difficult?