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

The moon is exceptionally round and bright tonight; you can see clearly within a radius of ten feet without a torch!

Because they drank the nourishing soup, both Meng Yi and Zhang Xiaoshan were full of energy, except for Murong Jiu who was taking a beauty nap on Zhang Xiaoshan's lap.

Instead of engaging in theoretical discussions, Meng Yi developed a deep respect for Zhang Xiaoshan's various insights.

Whether it's insights on national affairs, guidance on martial arts, or difficulties in people's livelihoods, Zhang Xiaoshan handles them all with ease, giving Meng Yi a sudden enlightenment.

Chapter 566 A Flawless Defense and a Fizzly Plan

"Are you coming?"

Zhang Xiaoshan suddenly looked outside, a look of surprise on his face.

It was a whooshing sound, clearly the sound of a huge bird of prey soaring through the air, not some mechanical beast.

That's why Zhang Xiaoshan was surprised and curious.

"Quicksand - White Phoenix!"

Within the Nine Provinces, there are quite a few people who possess giant flying mounts.

But at this moment, the only person Zhang Xiaoshan could think of when he came to Xianyang Palace to investigate was Liu Sha Bai Feng.

Of course, they could also be spies from other forces, after all, this world is not just a single martial arts world.

For example, Guo Jing's white eagle, in the later stages of the Divine Condor, could carry Guo Xiang from the abyss and fly up.

"quicksand?"

Upon hearing this, Meng Yi quickly went out of the attic.

He knew Zhang Xiaoshan's level of cultivation and couldn't be mistaken; he was probably being targeted by Liu Sha.

Bai Feng's abilities, in particular, while not the strongest among the quicksand, are definitely the most troublesome.

A superior advantage in the skies, unmatched by others!

After Meng Yi went out, with his inner strength at the 19th level of the Peerless Realm, he indeed saw a huge flying bird hovering in the sky under the stars.

Because it is at least 300 feet high, even if an ordinary person sees the bird above, they would not think that it is a huge bird that can carry people.

Meng Yi took out his telescope and sure enough, he saw a faint figure on it. Who else could it be but Liu Sha Bai Feng?

"Young master, it really is quicksand!"

"Dr. Meng, there's no need to worry. Although Quicksand is an assassin organization, they don't engage in this kind of companionship business. At most, they only gather intelligence."

"What if imperial rebels paid them to carry out the assassination?"

Meng Yi realized that assassins would do anything for money.

If Bai Feng had followed Zhang Xiaoshan's advice during the day, they might have been fine, but Qin Huangzheng might have been completely destroyed.

Especially when thrown from the sky, even 100,000 imperial guards would be lambs to the slaughter.

The advantage in the sky is too obvious.

Even the three-bow crossbows he set up during the day could only defend against drops of thirty or forty feet, but they were already enough to hunt the Mo family's mechanical beast—the Vermilion Bird!

After all, the nearest mountain peak is ten miles away, and even if the Vermilion Bird were to glide, it could not possibly exceed a height of fifty feet.

"The common people are in turmoil, and the world is in chaos; of all the schools of thought, only I am the most unparalleled!"

A descendant of the School of Diplomacy wouldn't be so petty. Murder is murder, but regicide is different; otherwise, I, Zhang, would already have three rulers under my command!

Hiss... He's a madman!

Hearing Zhang Xiaoshan so disregard the emperor's life, even if it wasn't Qin Shi Huang, Meng Yi was still deeply shocked.

That was an attitude that completely disregarded emperors, and the reason they weren't killed was simply because of their special status, not out of respect or fear for emperors.

Otherwise, Zhang Xiaoshan wouldn't have directly slaughtered the Wu family and plotted against the Ming Dynasty's imperial family.

Moreover, according to Zhang Xiaoshan, in addition to the Song Dynasty and the Tang Dynasty, he has also schemed against the Ming Dynasty!

As for the week after next?

Meng Yi knew Zhang Xiaoshan's attitude and there shouldn't be any conflict of interest.

···

"The entire palace square is guarded by 100,000 royal guards, divided into seven outer and three inner sections, with no superfluous buildings around it."

Furthermore, the city walls and garrison towers were densely packed with at least ten triple-bow crossbows and thousands of archers. Even the Mo family's mechanical beast, the Vermilion Bird, would not return alive!

Bai Feng told Wei Zhuang about the layout of the palace he had discovered, his expression extremely serious.

It can be said that the defense of the entire palace was impossible to break through from the outside. Even if he flew from the sky, those three-bow crossbows and Qin crossbows would be riddled with holes as soon as he flew at low altitude.

After all, the accuracy of those sharpshooters is no joke.

Even though Bai Feng's lightness skill was extremely high, his mount, 'White Phoenix,' was still just a beast and didn't understand that the power of these crossbows was far beyond that of ordinary bows.

"To retreat into seclusion atop an isolated city tower?"

"Interesting. It seems that the Mohist and Taoist schools' backup plans have become useless this time."

One hundred thousand imperial guards blocked everything, coupled with the force of the attack from the sky, and this was only the outer defense.

Qin Huangzheng went into seclusion with Zhang Xiaoshan.

Therefore, in order to break through the outer perimeter and enter the palace to assassinate the emperor, one must also overcome the expert guards inside, the empire's hidden grandmaster, and the final super BOSS—Zhang Xiaoshan.

"Tell the Mohists this information so they can prepare themselves and perhaps back down."

The Zhang family member who came the night before to make arrangements had considered all sorts of situations. They were able to divert all attention, but Qin Huangzheng's safety was absolutely the top priority.

Given the strength of the Mohist and Taoist families, they would all die no matter how many they sent.

And then there are the lurking forces, like venomous snakes, watching them closely. If they dare to make a move, none of them will leave the capital alive!

"Tell the traitors of the Empire?"

Although Bai Feng was puzzled, he still leaped up, jumped onto the 'White Phoenix', and soared into the sky.

Wei Zhuang narrowed his eyes, having no doubt about Zhang Xiaoshan's 'rejuvenation technique'.

However, the Zhang family's actions can be described as defying the will of the world.

After all, the longer Qin Shi Huang lived and the more energetic he became, the more intense the final war would inevitably be—a war that would slaughter countless lives.

It's truly perplexing that business people like the Zhang family don't choose to hoard rare goods.

As a result, the Zhang family's reputation throughout the land became a mixed bag.

"Did Wei Zhuang ask you to tell us this?"

The leader of the Mohist school, the sect leader of the Taoist sect, and dozens of imperial rebels all stared intently at the elegant and composed Bai Feng. When did Wei Zhuang become so kind?

"Yes, the master did indeed tell me to tell you this news."

As for whether you believe it or not? That's up to you.

However, the master said that your strength is insufficient to assassinate Qin Shi Huang Zheng; it would be like throwing an egg against a rock. With the Zhang family allied with Qin Shi Huang Zheng, you are no match for them.

"You bastard, don't look down on me!"

"Get back, Big Hammer!"

Upon hearing this, the leader of the Mohist school's eyes flashed with divine light, and he bowed with his hands clasped in gratitude, saying:

"Thank you for the information, Commander Wei Zhuang. I would like to convey my regards to Commander Wei Zhuang on behalf of Yan."

"it is good!

Now that you all know, I'll take my leave!

Watching Bai Feng leap several meters, followed by a magnificent white bird resembling a phoenix soaring through the air and carrying Bai Feng away, filled everyone with envy.

"Master, the Quicksand are cunning, or perhaps they have already joined the Empire and are using this opportunity to sow discord among us!"

"Alright, big iron hammer."

I've already guessed what Liu Sha meant. Brother Xiaoyao, what do you think?

Should we continue, or retreat?

"Let's leave."

Chapter 567 Initial Differences and Chengjiao's Rebellion

"I disagree!"

A loud shout refuted the suggestion of Xiaoyaozi of the Human Sect, and at the same time, more than a dozen figures stepped forward.

Looking at these righteous men who stepped forward with disdain in their eyes, both the leader of the Mohist school and the Xiaoyaozi of the Human Sect could only manage a bitter smile.

Once a stubborn ox gets going, there's no way to pull it back.

In their eyes, Xiaoyaozi's attitude just now was a sign of cowardice and fear of death.

Furthermore, they had no faith in Quicksand, an organization filled with evil.

However, both the leader of the Mohist school and the Xiaoyaozi of the Human Sect were unparalleled masters. How could they really abandon their long-planned scheme simply because they were afraid of death?

It's true that they have a bad relationship with Quicksand, but Quicksand could never be a member of the Empire.

Wei Zhuang reminded them because he was worried that they would all be wiped out at once. As a descendant of the School of Diplomacy, how could Wei Zhuang not understand the principle of "if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold"?

"Gentlemen, I know that retreating may seem cowardly."

However, Wei Zhuang, as a successor of the School of Diplomacy, and Gai Nie, the sword saint beside Qin Shi Huang, are the long-standing rivals of the Ghost Valley School, and he is definitely not a member of the Empire.

His purpose in notifying us was to prevent us from going to our deaths.

"If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold; once we are gone, the quicksand will inevitably be exposed directly to the Empire."

"No wonder Wei Zhuang was so kind!"

Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly realized that they were worried that if they died, the Empire would directly deal with the Quicksand.

Moreover, the various schools of thought were well aware of the grudges and conflicts between Guiguzi and the strategists, so they naturally had no doubts.

So what?

The empire has lost its ruler, and those ambitious individuals within it will certainly not let this opportunity pass. Once we incite those rebels, what chance will Qin Shi Huang have when he awakens?

"Qin Shi Huang's prestige is not as simple as you imagine!"

As rebels against the empire, they considered themselves righteous men, believing that their rule under the brutal Qin Emperor was unpopular.

Once the tide turns, even if Qin Shi Huang were to wake up, it would be too late to reverse the situation.

But the leader of the Mohist school and Xiaoyaozi knew:

Once Qin Shi Huang wakes up, this so-called grand strategy will crumble on its own.

Their original plan was simply to incite those ambitious individuals and cause internal strife in Xianyang.

This would inevitably disperse most of the empire's power, and when their defenses around Qin Shi Huang were at their weakest, they could seize the opportunity to assassinate him, thus completely dismantling the powerful empire at its root.

However, the news brought by Wei Zhuang indicates that the defenses of the 100,000 Imperial Guards are so formidable that they are virtually impenetrable, both inside and out.

Even after breaching the external defenses, there's still a terrifying super boss inside—

Which member of the Zhang family?

"Hmph, it's because we overestimated the Mohists and Taoists."

Looking at the 'righteous men' who had led the crowd out, both the leader of the Mohist school and Xiaoyaozi showed expressions of helplessness.

"Master, we..."

"Brother Xiaoyao and I will stay behind; you all retreat."

This time, the city will surely be shrouded in a dense web of traps. Brother Xiaoyao and I cannot stand idly by and watch them perish, but the foundation of the Mohist school must be preserved.

"Master, how could we be..."

"As the Grand Master, I command you all to depart, preserving the strength of the Mohist School!"

Upon hearing this, everyone, though unwilling, understood the leader's good intentions.

So he bowed deeply and slowly withdrew from Xianyang.