Qin Shi Ambitious

Page 269

"Therefore, the purpose of this performance is that Yan Dan wants to appear as the hero who saves everyone in the most critical moment, in his true identity, so as to completely establish his prestige as the number one anti-Qin leader and the anti-Qin banner!"

The clues were very clear, and Xiao Yan'er suddenly realized and analyzed the whole picture of the game in the mechanical city.

The plan to simultaneously use the Mechanized City to resolve Yanfei's hatred was just a small part of the scheme.

Chapter 316 The Forbidden Land of the Mo Family

What Yan Dan wanted to do was very similar to what Lu Wei wanted to do: both of them used Qin's coercion of the remaining forces of the six states to confirm their position in the anti-Qin camp.

However, the two are fundamentally different:

Yan Dan wanted to become the 'leader,' that is, the leader of the six states. His ultimate goal was still the common thinking during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods: to make Yan the hegemon among the seven states rather than to unify the world.

This idea was also closely related to the strength of the Yan state. Even if the Yan state were to be restored, it would not have the strength to unify the world like the Qin state in a short period of time.

Therefore, influenced by reality, even if Yan Dan dreamed, at most he could only fantasize about realizing the achievements of the former King Zhao of Yan.

By taking advantage of the meeting at the Mechanized City, the anti-Qin forces will be united. Through cooperation with the Quicksand, Yan Dan will turn the Mechanized City, which was originally impregnable and regarded as the only way out for the anti-Qin forces, into a dead end!

In the final critical moment, he will return from outside to activate the Azure Dragon and save everyone. At that time, Yan Dan, as the hero, will receive everything he designed.

Therefore, in Liu Sha and Yan Dan's design, this plan will be a heroic tale with thrills but no real danger. The only ones who will die in this story are the low-level Mohist disciples, the lackeys of the six states, and the mechanical city itself.

These are mostly insignificant costs; even if the precious mechanical city is destroyed, it will still have value.

But Lu Wei's initial thought was to inherit the cause of unification. He didn't need allies of high status and great power; he only needed a group of pitiful yes-men to cheer him on.

Therefore, these Jianghu forces and remnants of the six kingdoms must bear even greater losses in this battle. Sheng Qi and Wu Kuang have already set a good example by killing a group of top nobles from the Zhao Kingdom.

If Lu Wei's plan succeeds, Yan Dan's plan will fail, and vice versa; the two sides are destined not to win together.

After reporting, Yan Yun was busy with Mo family affairs and did not stay with Lu Wei for long.

The people in the city of mechanisms thought they would only begin the anti-Qin uprising when the final Grand Master returned, little did they know that the real drama had already begun after the forces of the six states gathered...

"The key to Yan Dan's plan lies in Quicksand." Ji Yan took the Jing Ni sword down from the wall after it had been hanging for several days, and the familiar feel of it was not unfamiliar at all. "But this also exposes too many of his secrets to Quicksand. If Quicksand turns against him, he will not only not become a hero, but will be regarded as a conspirator despised by everyone. This kind of gamble is too extreme."

For Xiao Yan'er, the cooperation between the Mohists and the Quicksand Sect seems to put the Quicksand Sect at a disadvantage in the short term. However, if Yan Dan's plan succeeds, he will be forced to submit to the Quicksand Sect, which would be unwise.

“Since it’s a collaboration, of course everyone will have to make sacrifices.” Lu Wei shook his head indifferently, not dwelling on the issue too much: “The Mo family’s plan on Mount Tai is something even they themselves don’t know when it will be launched. Therefore, for Yan Dan, he needs to obtain the power to lead the six states as soon as possible, lest it be too late.”

"As for what happens after success, we can recalculate it after success. After all, everything ultimately depends on strength. The Yan Kingdom and the Han Kingdom do not share a border, and both were the weakest countries before they were destroyed. There may even be more areas for cooperation between the two sides in the future."

"We're heading to the forbidden area of ​​the Mo family now."

...

"Let's go to the covered bridge now!"

After a seemingly serious analysis, Tianming, Shaoyu, and Gaoyue concluded that it would be too arrogant for the three of them to knock out the two Mohist disciples guarding them head-on. They decided that everything should be done covertly.

Moreover, the bronze door outside the room where Gai Nie was imprisoned was several inches thick. Even if the guards were dealt with, the three of them alone, even if Shao Yu was strong enough to lift a cauldron, would not be able to open the door without the key.

Tianming's reason for saving Gai Nie needs no explanation, and Shaoyu is also willing to step forward because Gai Nie once saved his life. As for Gao Yue, she is on the surface more influenced by her two companions, but the real reason is something only she knows.

Unable to break down the door from the front, Gao Yue proposed an alternative method: to make the move from the cell window facing the cliff outside.

This idea is extremely dangerous. They need to first reach the covered bridge connecting the mountain outside the accommodation area, and then climb up the mountain from there to the window of Gai Nie's room. Only then can they at least successfully see Gai Nie.

As for the subsequent rescue efforts, we can discuss it with Gai Nie and come up with another solution.

Upon hearing the suggestion, Tianming agreed without hesitation and was eager to take immediate action. This impulsive act was immediately stopped by Shaoyu: "Hey, don't you pay any attention to timing? This kind of thing should be done when it's quiet at night. It's still broad daylight."

"Hehe, I forgot..."

Inside his room, Gai Nie was not worried about his situation. The fact that the Mo family had not taken away his Yuanhong meant that they had not yet completely regarded him as a criminal.

With Yuanhong in hand, he might have to expend a lot of effort to break open the specially made metal door of this room, but breaking open the iron window used for ventilation would be a piece of cake.

He wouldn't be trapped in such a room, but he couldn't leave until he proved his innocence.

Meanwhile, within the forbidden area of ​​the Mo Clan in the Mechanized City, Dongjun Yanfei of the Yin-Yang School was in a much worse situation than Gai Nie, a consequence of her own carelessness...

More than a decade ago, Yan Fei used the bandit Zhi she had captured to successfully force the Six-Fingered Black Knight, then the leader of the Mohist School, into the hut where she had set up a Yin-Yang curse trap. In the end, she successfully outmaneuvered him, causing the Six-Fingered Black Knight to die from the explosion of the curse within him.

However, this time in the Mechanized City, she was outmaneuvered by Yan Dan using similar tactics...

Looking at the Illusionary Sound Box embedded in the wall not far away, Yan Fei was too weak to reach it. She weakly maintained her meditation posture, using all her Yin-Yang techniques to suppress the toxins in her body.

Around Yanfei was a broken mechanical doll. Judging from the remaining black fabric on its body, it should have originally been wearing a black cloak and a bamboo hat.

The dark environment did not frighten Yanfei. In fact, this space, which was sealed off by metal plates on all six sides, even had a vent so that she wouldn't suffocate.

But this well-intentioned design is clearly not truly well-intentioned.

He made sure he lived only for greater humiliation.

The death of the former leader, Six-Fingered Black Knight, has always been a regret for many disciples of the Mohist school. Now, if the murderer is caught and successfully identified by Dao Zhi, Yan Dan will undoubtedly gain even greater prestige within the Mohist school!

'Could my failure really become a stepping stone for him to reach the top...?'

The foolish Lord Dongjun finally guessed the reason why Yan Dan had designed this. When she thought of this, she couldn't help but press her palm against her heart meridian.

With a single strike of her palm, she could end her life here.

However, after hesitating for a long time, with her eyes darting around, Yan Fei finally lowered her hand and continued to close her eyes to suppress the poisonous mist she was inhaling.

Death is not difficult, but the time is not yet right.

There is still a glimmer of hope that they can turn the tables and defeat Yan Dan!

------

Through the Heavenly Lock and various complex mechanisms, Lu Wei and Ji Yan traveled all the way to the dividing line between the chivalrous and the kingly paths.

The forbidden area of ​​the Mechanical City is a place to test the successive leaders of the Mohist School, but the current arrangement of the mechanisms here is a bit too simple.

If it were Tianming, Shaoyu, and Gaoyue, these three little ones, it might be considered somewhat difficult, but for normal martial arts experts, this place is not even a dead end, let alone for Lu and Xiaoyan together.

However, the two estimated that they had only covered less than a third of the distance according to the circles marked on the Mo family map, and the most dangerous traps were always at the end.

For example, the Azure Dragon mechanism.

"The four divine beasts created by Mozi are said to have magical abilities. Most people have seen the Vermilion Bird and the White Tiger, but there are very few clues about the Black Tortoise and the Azure Dragon."

Ji Yan sighed, "Even Yan Yun, as the leader of the Mo family, doesn't know anything about these two mechanical beasts. We also found nothing during our visit to the Mechanical City. The secrets of the Mo family are truly unfathomable."

"Although I haven't seen it, I can guess." Without hesitation, Lu Wei pulled Ji Yan into the Heroic Path passage and said calmly, "The Mechanized City is built by the water, and Xuanwu is one of the four divine beasts that is directly related to water. Its location is obvious; it is underwater in the Mechanized City."

"The entire internal mechanism of such a giant mechanical city is powered by water. Although water is inexhaustible, it is also ever-changing. Maintaining the stability of the water should be what Xuanwu is doing now."

"As for the Azure Dragon, we will see him later."

Although he followed the path of chivalry, Lu Wei chose it purely because he guessed that the Mohists would place their most treasured mechanisms and tools on this path, and that this path would bring the greatest benefits.

There is no inherent superiority or inferiority between a knight-errant and a king, but there is a difference in interests.

"The martial arts test has been broken into! Go and inform Master Ban immediately!"

Inside the Mo Core Chamber, Mo family disciples are on duty day and night in shifts to monitor the operation of the mechanical city's mechanisms. The forbidden area is of great importance, and the detection mechanisms inside are even more complex.

Although Lu Wei and Ji Yan avoided the traps at the initial entrance, they did not need to trigger them during the chivalrous test; an alarm would sound as soon as someone entered.

Therefore, when the button on the wall lit up, the monitoring disciple immediately exclaimed in surprise.

Master Ban, who had rushed over, watched as each button's mechanism was quickly bypassed. He glared and yelled, "Find out where Tianming and Shaoyu are! Immediately send disciples to guard the Absolute Heaven Lock and close the 'Azure Dragon' lock!"

"This speed is probably beyond what Tianming and his group can achieve."

Dao Zhi, who was on patrol tonight, came over after learning that there was movement in the Ink Core Chamber. He was looking forward to seeing some fun. After listening to Master Ban's arrangements, he stroked his chin and said, "It must be the Ink Jade Qilin!"

As he finished speaking, an ordinary Mo family disciple operating other mechanisms in the corner of the Ink Core paused in his movements, and a flash of black energy passed through his eyes, but it did not attract the attention of others.

"I'm going in to catch him!"

After saying this, Dao Zhi left swiftly. Master Ban sensed the seriousness of the situation and ordered his disciples to summon the commanders.

Chapter 317 The Broken Mechanical City

"Entering the forbidden area will turn it into a death trap for the Black Qilin."

Gao Jianli was the first to arrive. In the past few days, even outside of his regular patrols, he would patrol the city to ensure that the Black Qilin would not dare to make a move again.

After hearing the details of what happened in the forbidden area from Master Ban, Gao Jianli finished speaking sternly and then decided to follow Dao Zhi.

Ordinary Mohist disciples are not allowed to enter the forbidden area under normal circumstances. Only the Grand Master and Master Ban occasionally go there to maintain the mechanisms.

Later, when the Mount Tai Project was implemented, due to the debugging issues of the 'Azure Dragon', more elite disciples from the Department of Mechanics were able to enter the deepest part under the guidance of Master Ban, but the number of approved personnel was still limited.

During this gathering in the Mechanized City, the Grand Master completely lifted the restrictions. Before heading north, he specifically instructed Gao Jianli and Master Ban: "If things cannot be done, you may enter the forbidden area to hide and evacuate."

Although it is not yet time to make a decision, how can the Mohist school maintain its dignity if an outsider is allowed to freely enter and exit this important forbidden area?

"Xiao Gao, don't rush. Dao Zhi ran too fast just now. I didn't have time to call him back, but I had already put down the Absolute Lock. He didn't enter the forbidden area."

Master Ban stroked his beard, smiling without showing any sign of urgency: "Now all the exits of the forbidden area are sealed off, and I have also activated the defensive mode of the internal mechanisms. Black Qilin will surely die inside, so there is no need for us to take action ourselves."

"Also, the special trap set by the Grandmaster was triggered earlier, which is why two enemies were trapped in the forbidden area this time."

"If they are still alive when the Grand Master returns, they will be exhausted, or even half-dead. Then we can hand them over to the Grand Master for judgment."

Master Ban sought stability; he was confident that the Mo family's forbidden area was not something anyone could easily trespass upon.

"Since Master Ban has already made his decision, what is the purpose of summoning the leaders tonight?"

Gao Jianli straightened up again, his expression unchanged, but his eyes subtly swept over the other Mo family disciples in the Ink Core Chamber.

"These people are all apprentices in mechanical arts whom I personally trained, and they are absolutely no problem." Master Ban smiled to reassure Gao Jianli, but his expression gradually became serious: "The number of Qin soldiers outside the city is far from enough to break through the mechanical city, which is exactly what the Grand Master said before he left."

"This means that Quicksand will also take on the main target of our hostility. Among the characters of Quicksand that have not yet been revealed, there are still Chi Lian and Wei Zhuang himself."

"No matter how strong Wei Zhuang is, he can't hold up the battle alone, but we must be wary of Chi Lian's poison."

Gao Jianli calmly added information, confirming that the capable individuals in the quicksand were indeed highly functional.

Unlike in the original story, the Mo family no longer has Duanmu Rong, so their ability to deal with poisoning and injury is greatly reduced. However, because of this, the Mo family has a strong defense against the enemy using poison in advance.

In this respect, it actually did a better job than the original work.

"The central pool is of utmost importance. I have already taken precautions there. After the blueprints were stolen, I immediately reinforced the central pool with an additional layer of trap walls. Even though the Black Qilin can transform into countless forms, its ultimate form is still that of a human."

Master Ban continued, "But the exposed location of the mechanical city still cannot withstand the continuous stream of the empire's army. We must convene a conference as soon as possible according to the Grand Master's plan, so that everyone can see the empire's cruelty and power. Only in this way will they stop clinging to wishful thinking."

"Is this our paradise, or must we have to sacrifice it..." Gao Jianli sighed, then said, "I will give orders to Xiao Zhi and Da Tiechui to perform their duties once they arrive."