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"If neither you nor I can decipher this secret language, then perhaps only Zifang could."
Gai Nie calmly said that Wei Zhuang agreed with this point of view, but still said a few more words: "The timing of the appearance of the Black Dragon Scroll this time is too clever. It coincides with the time when Zhang Han arrived. If we count the schedule, it was even on its way before the Shadow Guard came to Sanghai."
"Moreover, the Black Dragon Scroll itself, the new secret language spells within it, and Meng Tian's reaction in Sanghai City all fit our expectations too well."
The two rarely encountered an operation that perfectly aligned with the initial plan.
“Xiao Zhuang, if it’s a trap, then there must be a place to lure us in. It shouldn’t be long.” Gai Nie was silent for a while before slowly expressing his opinion.
Bai Feng entered Xiaoshengxianzhuang overnight and returned that same evening with Zhang Liang's reply:
"It's a secret technique, requiring the Thousand-Mechanism Copper Plate in the General's Mansion to decipher. Relying on external forces, only someone with a certain understanding of Yin-Yang arts could find the answer in the starry sky."
Time flew by too quickly; it seemed as if Zhang Liang had known about the existence of this secret technique beforehand.
How long did he spend reviewing the content?
Wei Zhuang coldly inquired of Bai Feng about the details of his handover with Zhang Liang.
"Half an hour," Bai Feng said. "He knew you would ask this question, so he specifically instructed me to pass on the message to you."
"'The existence of the Thousand Secret Language Technique was told to me in advance by a friend, and his information is absolutely reliable.' That's all."
"You may leave." Upon hearing this, Wei Zhuang closed his eyes for a few breaths, then returned to the secret chamber with this message.
By this time, dawn was breaking. Gai Nie opened his eyes from his meditation posture. After listening to Xiao Zhuang recount Zhang Liang's reply, he remained silent for a few moments before saying, "The environment inside Sanghai City is more complicated than we imagined."
"Even I can't quite understand Zifang's secret. Is his friend that mysterious Taoist man in black robes, or Lu Wei of the Farmer's School?" In recent years, Wei Zhuang has increasingly realized that Zhang Liang seems to be playing other games besides the anti-Qin alliance.
“It’s possible that it’s both,” Gai Nie said calmly. “However, the next clue has already been given.”
"The Thousand Machine Tower of the General's Mansion is the core location for determining the contents of the Black Dragon Scroll."
Wei Zhuang stood there for a long time. He could make the same judgment as his senior brother, but the master of the quicksand was thinking about something else: "...We are the strongest Ghost Valley in the world, but now it seems we have no choice but to act according to other people's plans."
This "other person" is unclear; it could refer to Zhang Han, Zhang Liang, or...
“This is inevitable due to our lack of strength, so we must seize any opportunity to enhance our strength.” Gai Nie closed his eyes and sat down to meditate again, slowly saying, “The law of the jungle should be understood by you better than I am.”
"You actually said that word?" Wei Zhuang's lips curled up, and he said self-deprecatingly, "We are the weak ones now."
"No, we have always been the weaker party, but not the weak ones."
------
The Thousand Machine Tower was located in the center of the General's Mansion in Sanghai City, a location that made it impossible for the anti-Qin rebels to breach it through a direct assault.
He sent a message to Xiaoyaozi, who was in the martial arts world. The Taoists, like the Shushan, had a complicated relationship with the Yin-Yang School. He might be able to glean something from that incomprehensible coded message. However, Gai Nie, Wei Zhuang, and the Mohists could not wait for the other party to arrive. That could only be used as a last resort. Now they needed to take the initiative to test the defenses of Qianji Tower.
Due to the situation in Sanghai City, only a small number of elites could go into the city this time: Guigu Zongheng, Baifeng Daozhi Jibu, a total of five people.
The strength of Gao Jianli, the leader of the Mohist school, was far inferior to that of Guiguzi, and unlike the latter three, he did not possess superb lightness skills. Therefore, he could only stay outside the city as a precaution.
Gao Jianli did mention the idea of having the Mo family set fires all over the city to distract the Thousand Machine Tower, but Wei Zhuang rejected it on the spot.
This method might fool ordinary people, but in the eyes of Zhang Han and Meng Tian, it was undoubtedly a pre-announcement that they were going to take action against Qianji Tower!
Chapter 340 The Real and Fake Thousand-Machine Copper Plate
Although Bai Feng's giant white bird is a very agile means of transportation, its excessive size makes it too conspicuous and unsuitable as an infiltration tool during the attack on Qianji Tower; it can only be used as a means of evacuation.
"According to Zifang, the defenses of Qianji Tower have been strengthened to the extreme since the Black Dragon Scroll disappeared. The Shadow Guards are personally responsible for the inner patrols, and a sufficient number of elite Qin troops are stationed in the newly built military camps around the General's Mansion. Our margin for error will be very low."
The two, Guigu Zongheng and Wei Zhuang, hid in a small alleyway from which they could see Qianji Tower. They watched the building, which was still brightly lit in the dead of night, and Wei Zhuang said in a deep voice.
“This is a trap prepared by Zhang Han. It seems that the Black Dragon Scroll is both a crime and an opportunity for him.” Gai Nie knew that the existence of the Thousand Machine Tower was itself a trap, a fact that was common to both the Qin state and the anti-Qin side.
From the moment the Black Dragon Scrolls were stolen, both sides were fighting each other while fully aware of each other's intentions.
The core issue of the struggle lies in 'opposing Qin,' and both sides need to invest their resources in this matter.
If either side backs down at this point, they risk being kicked out of the table. Of course, from a strength perspective, one side has almost unlimited chips, while the other side has pitifully few.
The Qin state was not afraid to engage in a tit-for-tat battle with the rebels, while the remnants of the six states had no choice but to do everything in their power to narrow the gap in resources with Qin.
“Yes, but if the Thousand Machine Copper Plate is lost, Zhang Han and Meng Tian will both be severely punished.” Wei Zhuang withdrew his gaze from the Thousand Machine Tower. If there was an opportunity tonight, even if he knew the information on the Black Dragon Scroll was false, seizing the Thousand Machine Copper Plate would still be a profitable endeavor.
The Thousand Machines Copper Plate represents more than just cracking the Black Dragon Scroll; its underlying principles and encryption methods can also be applied to deciphering other Qin Dynasty codes. The potential gains could be zero or infinite.
“Dao Zhi and Ji Bu should have already made their move. If Bai Feng can provide timely support, we have a chance of success tonight.” Gai Nie peeked out with one eye to make sure no one was on the street, then swiftly moved from one alley to another, step by step approaching the General’s Mansion. Wei Zhuang followed closely behind his senior brother.
"Their strength is average, but with the King of Thieves and the Hidden Tiger among Flowers working together, the Thousand Machine Tower won't be a problem for them." Wei Zhuang rarely praised the members of the Mohist and Xiang families. "Bai Feng's arrival is just waiting for our signal."
Given the defenses of the Thousand Machine Tower, they can only obtain the Thousand Machine Copper Plate through trickery. With the two habitual thieves, Dao Zhi and Ji Bu, handling this shouldn't be a problem.
However, the difficulty lies in the fact that they will be exposed immediately after obtaining the Thousand Machine Copper Plate: according to Zhang Liang, the base of the Thousand Machine Copper Plate in the Thousand Machine Tower is specially made, and its shape and weight are standardized. This means that since they have never seen or touched the actual Thousand Machine Copper Plate, they cannot make an accurate fake model in advance to replace the original.
Once the standard Thousand-Machine Copper Plate supported by the base is removed, the mechanism alarm will be activated immediately, which means that the real crisis lies in the few dozen seconds after the Thousand-Machine Copper Plate is obtained.
Of course, another benefit of this is that, due to the difficulty in counterfeiting the Thousand Machines Copper Plate, if the copper plate can be found in the Thousand Machines Pavilion, the copper plate itself is very likely to be genuine.
After obtaining the genuine bronze plate, Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang devised a plan to deal with the Qin army's attack: to rely on their combined military strength to hold out until Bai Feng received the signal and arrived.
It was beyond the capabilities of one person to deal with the entire general's mansion and the continuous stream of Qin troops that followed, but it was highly likely that the strategists could assist Dao Zhi and Ji Bu in holding off the most crucial few minutes.
Qin has indeed produced many skilled warriors, but how much preparation can they possibly have in Sanghai City?
Once they were in the sky, they would be safe.
------
"Tonight will be very lively."
Lu Wei received information about the anti-Qin alliance's actions from Zhang Liang, and thus also came to the vicinity of the general's mansion.
He didn't need to participate in the struggle for the Thousand Machine Bronze Plate, so he naturally chose a position that was more advantageous for watching the show.
Although going out tonight is theoretically not a good choice.
"With the two of them working together, and with the Heavenly-level assassins of the Luo Wang not around, I'm afraid Zhang Han won't be able to stop them from escaping with their belongings. This is a plan to lure them out."
Ji Yan changed into an assassin's outfit today. Her long, black hair was like a curtain of night, and her dark uniform was as deep as the night sky. It clung tightly to her slender body, highlighting her beautiful figure, and shimmered with a cold radiance under the moonlight.
Her eyes were serene, her face was cool and smooth, and her small nose was straight, giving her a cold and aloof look.
This outfit is quite similar to Princess Xiao Yu's battle attire, but the former still looks somewhat immature, while Xiao Yan'er exudes a slightly naive maturity.
“Not necessarily~” Lu Wei made no attempt to hide his appreciation for Ji Yan’s outfit, which was different from her usual style: “Since Zhang Han designed the Black Dragon Scroll plan with the ultimate goal of wiping out the anti-Qin alliance, the most difficult part of doing so is how to make the anti-Qin side believe that the contents of the Black Dragon Scroll are true.”
"What would you do if you were in that situation?"
Upon hearing the question, Ji Yan pondered for a moment and then gave his answer: "The key point is not the Black Dragon Scroll itself, but the Qin army's movements after the Black Dragon Scroll was lost."
It's not difficult to come up with an idea; the difficulty lies in how to execute it. Lu Wei and Ji Yan, standing outside the game, could obtain information about the Qin state's actions during this period from the Yin-Yang School and the Mohist School's actions from Zhang Liang. Therefore, they had comprehensive information about this operation where both sides had revealed their cards and could easily predict each other's next move.
“Therefore, unlike ordinary luring tactics, for Zhang Han, not losing this Thousand Machines Bronze Plate is more beneficial to his next plan than losing it.” Ji Yan looked up at the Thousand Machines Tower again, his mood changing: “In that case, Zhang Han has prepared a backup plan in the Thousand Machines Tower that can deal a heavy blow to the anti-Qin alliance.”
"Indeed, that's one of the reasons we're here. This Shadow Guard leader will show us the new strength of the Qin Kingdom."
As soon as Lu Wei finished speaking, the sound of a bronze bell resounding through the night sky came from the direction of the tall pavilion, and the entire general's mansion instantly became agitated. The patrolling Qin soldiers and elite troops in the camp immediately surrounded the Thousand Machine Tower.
Just as their attention was completely focused on the General's Mansion, Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang suddenly attacked from outside. Yuan Hong and Shark Tooth joined forces to carve out a passage that would allow them to reach the high-rise building.
As Wei Zhuang advanced, he casually released a signal flare, and the bright fireworks brought smiles of satisfaction to Zhang Han and Meng Tian in the main hall of the general's mansion.
"These rebels acted swiftly indeed. Even the Thousand Machine Tower, with its tight defenses, couldn't warn them before they got their hands on the items?"
Meng Tian lamented that he was a pure soldier who had some understanding of the martial arts world, but not a deep one.
“From the time these rebellious traitors dared to organize the assassination attempt on Qin Shi Huang until the fall of the Mechanized City last year, these Mohist rebels have been able to hold out for ten years and still maintain a certain level of strength, which naturally means they have some methods.” Zhang Han, carrying the Dragon Soaring Sword bestowed by His Majesty the Emperor, waved away the deputy who was reporting on the situation of the Thousand Machine Tower, and said in a natural tone: “That is precisely why we have to organize such a plan to lure the enemy.”
“Yes.” Meng Tian took out a bronze plate from his bosom. Its style and design were exactly the same as the Thousand Machines Bronze Plate that should have been in the Thousand Machines Pavilion. “This is all thanks to General Zhang Han’s efforts in having skilled craftsmen in Xianyang make a replica that was identical to the original in style and weight. This made the plan foolproof.”
"But why didn't General Zhang Han bring this up in the meeting he discussed with the Prime Minister beforehand?"
“Zhang Han is not doubting the Prime Minister, but the Prime Minister has so many things to attend to. Suppressing the rebellion is our duty, there’s no need to trouble the Prime Minister with this, and besides…” Before Zhang Han could finish speaking, Meng Tian put away the real Thousand-Machine Bronze Plate, laughed, patted him on the shoulder, and took over the conversation:
"Moreover, General Zhang Han's suspicion that the two strategists from the Central Plains and the Central Plains have both joined forces to betray us is correct. The fact that the two strategists from the Central Plains and the Central Plains have joined forces means that their subsequent support forces include that White Phoenix. This time, we may not be able to keep the traitors. Therefore, concealing the existence of the fake copper plate can give you and me a chance to recover."
Meng Tian clearly knew why Zhang Han was hiding it. The reason he asked was simply to show that he would share the responsibilities with Zhang Han.
“Indeed, the Quicksand guild assisted the Empire in breaching the Mechanized City last year. Later rumors circulated that they were involved with rebels, which I initially disbelieved. However, after investigating out of duty, I discovered it was indeed possible. That's why I was extremely cautious this time in Sanghai.” Zhang Han nodded, half-jokingly, “After all, they are the Guigu School…”
"Even the most powerful forces have limited manpower. Let the Gongshu family take action. Even if we raze the Thousand Machine Tower to the ground, we should at least try to deal with this rebellious squad."
Meng Tian strode outside, gestured to his deputy, who understood and withdrew to relay the order.
Zhang Han watched Meng Tian's retreating figure and calmly sat down inside the room. In his plan, it would be better to discover the flaws after the fake Thousand Machine Copper Plate was taken away by Zongheng, which would be more advantageous for the plan.
But if we can kill Zongheng in the General's Mansion tonight, it won't be a loss.
In any case, these rebels were all going to be wiped out in my plan!
Chapter 341 Plotting Against Zhang Han?
With a whoosh, Dao Zhi unleashed two flying wheels, killing two Qin archers from a distance. Ji Bu, wielding the Hidden Tiger Sword, cut off the arrows shot from behind him.
The two stood back to back, so the pressure wasn't too great.
They were outside the Thousand Machine Tower, and all they needed to guard against were these stray arrows.
Inside the Thousand Machine Tower, Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang guarded the staircase leading to the top floor.
The stairs were not wide, and only a limited number of Qin soldiers could come up at a time, which Yuanhong and Shachi handled with ease.
Everything was progressing too fast. The ordinary soldiers were still unaware of what was happening or who their enemy was. Zhang Han and Meng Tian's plans were irrelevant to them, but there was one thing the soldiers understood: as guards of the general's mansion, if the enemy managed to break into the Thousand Machine Tower and let them escape, their fate would certainly be grim.
"Get out of the way, get out of the way!"
Just as the patrol commander was anxiously trying to break into the Thousand Machine Tower, the sound of wheels came from behind.
Dozens of robust soldiers clad in golden fire cavalry armor escorted ten strangely shaped dragon-headed carts to within tens of meters of the Thousand Machine Tower. Faced with this elite force belonging to Meng Tian, the patrol commander hastily relinquished command, allowing the deputy general of the golden fire cavalry to coordinate the overall situation.
The rain of arrows vanished instantly. At the same time, all the soldiers who had been attacking the Thousand Machine Tower retreated. For a moment, only a few dozen corpses and the four still alive—Gai Nie, Wei Zhuang, Dao Zhi, and Ji Bu—remained in the Thousand Machine Tower.
"Look what that is!" Dao Zhi lay on the roof, cautiously peeking out half his head to observe the Qin army's movements below. The dragon-headed waterwheels immediately caught his attention.
The two men leaped out of the hole in the roof, and those with exceptional skill and daring stood directly on the edge of the eaves, looking down at the buildings below.
“I don’t know about these tools either, but be careful, they should be new weapons made by the Gongshu family.” Gai Nie had excellent eyesight and could see the faces of the leading generals below clearly, but he did not see Meng Tian or Zhang Han.
Although they hadn't been inside the Thousand Machine Tower for long, based on his understanding of these two Qin generals, it shouldn't have taken so long...
"Rise Dragon!" With Qin Jiang's command downstairs, the dragon head of the dragon head cart slowly rose, and ten thick streams of black liquid gushed out. The pungent smell of tar instantly alarmed the four people on the Thousand Machine Tower.