Chapter 7
Book 1 Chapter 7 – Rising Reputation
Xiang Shaolong was extremely touched and he said determinedly, "No! We’ll leave together!"
Yuan Zong smiled slightly and said, "Does Shaolong knows why I wanted to teach you Mohism’s unparalleled swordplay?"
Xiang Shaolong shook his head at a loss.
Yuan Zong explained, "I have traveled the various states and observed the people and in the end I changed my thinking. If we want the world to be at peace, the only way is to eliminate the separation of the states, and let one ruler govern everyone. Only this and a person capable enough to unify the world can fulfill the idealism of Mohism and accomplish the greatest benefit to the world. And this person is you, that’s why I taught you all I know."
Xiang Shaolong secretly sighed to himself, he knows that indeed there will be one person who will unify the world, and that is Emperor Qin. While he, Xiang Shaolong is just someone who ingratiates powerful people, hoping to find the young Emperor Qin and fight with him so that he can enjoy fame and riches. He secretly felt guilty once he thought of this.
Yuan Zong saw him lowering his head and not talking, and thought that he has been deeply moved. He patted his shoulder and said, "If you’re really grateful to me, then do as I say! All the men Yan Ping brought are expert swordsman, and even if there’s only a hundred odd of them, the two of us will not be able to handle them. I have tools for climbing the walls, I’ll lure them away and you’ll take the opportunity to escape. A man must not be hindered by small details if he wants to do something great. If you continue to be wishy-washy, both of us will lose our lives in vain. If the Juzi Token ends up in the hands of evil, I will not die in peace."
Xiang Shaolong reached out and took the Juzi Token, and it felt icy to the touch, obviously it’s not made from ordinary bra.s.s. No wonder Yan Ping could not make a fake one. He sighed and said, "I really do not know what to say."
Yuan Zong laughed, "There’s no need to be so pessimistic, it’s not so easy for them to kill me. We may still have a chance to meet in future! There’s a pair of shoes in the temple. Since you’re not part of our clan, you need not walk barefooted. It’ll be terrible if you step onto dog p.o.o.p or something similar."
Xiang Shaolong can’t help but burst out laughing, his tears rolling down his cheeks uncontrollably.
Suddenly a frightening thought crept into his mind.
If the despotic Emperor Qin, Ying Zheng was killed, how would history be changed?
That night Xiang Shaolong scaled past the city walls feeling grief and indignation as he left Wu An, knowing that he will never see Yuan Zong again.
This intelligent man with superb sword skill and lofty aspirations, after witnessing the disintegration of his own sect and how the Mohists became power hungry people, his motivation for saving the world died. He decided to sacrifice himself, hoping that his death can stir up Xiang Shaolong’s blood so that he can use another method to fulfill his wish of accomplis.h.i.+ng the greatest benefit to the world.
But how can Xiang Shaolong change China’s history on his own? He’s not Emperor Qin. But can he influence Yin Zheng, like how Yuan Zong influenced him?
Will the change be a bane or bonus to China?
The sun set and the moon rose, the stars changed. Without knowing how many days has pa.s.sed, he finally reached the heavily guarded walls of the outskirts of Handan.
During this journey, he was totally immersed in the sword play that Yuan Zong taught him, which originated from one of the best master of the time, Mo Zhai. He also included modern society’s most horrible a.s.sault tactics from somatic psychology and mechanics into the sword play. With such a task at hand, he forgot about time. Sometimes he’ll stay more than a dozen days in the wilderness, staving his hunger by hunting wild beasts with the bow and arrows he made.
His physique became even stronger under such harsh conditions.
He had wanted to steal into Handan, but once he saw the tight security, he has no choice but to walk obediently to the pa.s.s and told the guards the great name of Tao Fang’s boss, ‘King of Livestock’ Master Wu.
The guard stood immediately at attention and went to look for an officer to see him.
After the young officer eyed him for a moment, he asked, "What is your name?"
Xiang Shaolong replied truthfully, "I’m Xiang Shaolong."
The expressions on the officer as well as the 10 odd Zhao soldiers surrounding them changed.
The officer barked, "Bold miscreant, how dare you impersonate a hero. He has already perished heroically half a year ago while saving his comrades in the battle with the horse thieves. I have a friend who saw with his own eyes that he blocked the pursuing men on his own."
Xiang Shaolong was shocked, he did not expect that he’d become so famous. He let the Zhao soldiers apprehend him without a struggle, and said with a laugh, "What is the name of your friend?"
The officer said a name, and Xiang Shaolong hurriedly gave a description of that person’s looks and build.
By now someone took out from his clothes the dagger Tao Fang gave him. The officer no longer has any doubts once he saw it, and his att.i.tude changed immediately. After asking what happened that day, and at the same time sent a man to report this matter to Tao Fang, who is in Handan immediately, he personally escorted him to the capital of Zhao.
That officer is called Ning Xin, and as he rode next to him, he said, "Master Wu is one of the most respected men in Handan. If not for him going around
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Shu’er looked at him invitingly and said breathlessly, "No! Shu’er wants to serve Master."
Xiang Shaolong asked with concern, "Can you stand up?"
Shu’er’s slender hand pressed down on his broad shoulder, thinking of using him as support to kneel up first, but her dainty brows rose and she sat back down again, her cheeks burning.
Xiang Shaolong is used to being flirtatious, and on seeing such alluring movements from her, can’t help but reach out and fondle her chests before laying her back on the carpet and covering her with the blanket. Just as he was about to leave, Shu’er suddenly pulled his hand.
Xiang Shaolong looked at her in surprise.
Shu’er asked shyly, "Does Master still want Shu’er now?"
Xiang Shaolong reached out and caressed her face, saying with a smile, "I only want you to take a good rest now. Tonight I’ll let you become the happiest and luckiest woman in the world." And he suddenly remembered Ting Fangs.h.i.+ and felt a tightness in his chest.