Chapter 118: Wei Zhuang

After some time spent getting acquainted, Wei Zhuang could no longer resist making his move.

Han Fei, now in control of twenty thousand militia and over a hundred thousand refugees, was no longer the man he once was; he had become a prince with real power.

After a few sips of wine, Zi Nu suddenly turned serious. "Ninth Prince, there is a friend who is very interested in meeting you. Do you dare to see them?"

Han Fei pondered. Who could it be? "A friend of Zi Nu's is naturally someone I would not dare refuse."

Just then, Zhang Liang’s voice drifted from outside the room, causing Lin Shu, who had been planning to sleep, to stop in his tracks.

"Fourth Mother, is that person a sister or a brother?" Little Yan, feeling jealous that her father and Third Mother were practically inseparable, could only run into the arms of Fourth Mother.

Shaosiming looked carefully for a moment before replying, "I believe it is a man."

"That is Zhang Liang, the grandson of Chancellor Zhang and a devoted fan of Han Fei. He is not a cross-dresser." Seeing the effeminate young Zhang Liang, Lin Shu could not help but shake his head.

"Hehe, what a handsome young brother!" Concubine Yan watched the scene as if it were an idol drama.

Shaosiming shook her head. "This scion of the Chancellor's house is far too delicate!"

Zhang Liang’s voice was soft and gentle; he had no idea he had already been relegated to a supporting character in a television drama. "I have been searching for the Ninth Prince, may I have a moment to speak with you?"

Zi Nu frowned; why did he have to arrive at such an inconvenient time?

"So it is virtuous brother Zi Liang. It has been many days since we last met!" Han Fei opened the door to welcome him personally.

Seeing the mature woman in the room, Zhang Liang seemed to realize his timing was poor. "Am I intruding?"

Zi Nu shook her head. "Why not join us? Zhang Liang of the Chancellor’s house possesses wisdom like a demon; that friend of mine has long wished to make your acquaintance."

If Wei Zhuang wanted to change Han, he had to enter the center of power. For now, he could only befriend the influential step by step.

"That would be excellent. Brother Liang, please come with me."

Zhang Liang smiled and nodded. "I shall follow you, brother."

As the sound of footsteps approached the doorway, Wei Zhuang, who had been sitting with his eyes closed to maintain a cool facade, felt a flicker of annoyance. Zi Nu was not only late, but she had also brought an outsider along.

The moment the three reached the door, a chilling sword intent shot from Wei Zhuang’s eyes. With a casual flick of his wrist, the sharp Shark-Tooth sword instantly floated back into its scabbard.

"This is a powerful swordsman!" Han Fei was moved. He lacked neither soldiers nor scholars, but he lacked a true expert.

Wei Zhuang was satisfied with their expressions of awe; it was worth the effort he had spent channeling his energy to make the Shark-Tooth revolve around him.

"Hmph, flashy and superficial!" Concubine Yan chuckled. With her current strength at the mid-to-late stage of the Grandmaster realm, she looked down upon Wei Zhuang’s display. Even Xuan Jian, who had killed hundreds, could not compare to her. The martial arts practiced by the Dongjun of the Yin-Yang School focused on destruction, which was why the Moon Goddess would always be inferior to her own elder sister.

Shaosiming nodded faintly; this white-haired young man was not even worth one of her hands. Wei Zhuang’s combat power was currently reaching the peak of the Xiantian realm; while powerful, he was still no match for a Grandmaster.

"That is Wei Zhuang, the second disciple of Guiguzi. He is incredibly arrogant!" Lin Shu was contemplating whether he should imprison or kill the two from Guiguzi if he ever encountered them. Sensing the commander's thoughts, Xinying immediately warned: [Commander, both possess great fortune; it is best not to make contact lightly.]

Currently, the carriage and Lin Shu were still under the observation of the world's consciousness—the Heavenly Dao—and Lin Shu had no desire to interfere with the plot of *The Legend of Qin* prematurely.

"That white hair! I hate it when I see it!" Young Wei Zhuang was handsome and aloof, but the more Little Yan looked at him, the more she disliked him. Lin Shu recalled how, in the original history, Wei Zhuang had intimidated Tian Yan. "Hmph! If I get the chance, I must teach Wei Zhuang a lesson!"

Slowly收起 (withdrawing) his killing intent, Wei Zhuang stood up. "The Ninth Prince is benevolent and virtuous, exhausting your wealth and grain to save the refugees from fire and water. Wei Zhuang respects you."

Wei Zhuang bowed sincerely. Han Fei had become the greatest philanthropist in Han. Han Fei smiled bitterly and shook his head; he had no real merit to claim, as even the silver and grain were private assets of the royal family. "Securing the people of Han is the responsibility of the Han royal family. I am unworthy of Brother Zhuang’s respect!"

Zi Nu smiled and stepped forward. "This is Wei Zhuang, disciple of Guiguzi. Mr. Wei has just returned to his old home to pay his respects."

So he was a master from Guiguzi! Han Fei was even more delighted. "When you are at peace, the world is at rest; when you are angry, the feudal lords tremble! Brother Zhuang is worthy of the spirit of Guiguzi!"

Wei Zhuang nodded with a faint smile, saying no more; he had never been one for many words.

"Mr. Wei, this is Zhang Liang, the grandson of the Chancellor and the most talented young man in Xinzheng," Zi Nu introduced.

Zhang Liang blushed. "In the presence of the Ninth Prince and a high disciple of Guiguzi, I dare not claim any talent. I have met Mr. Wei." The mere mention of Guiguzi was enough to make Zhang Liang feel awe; even the King of Han would address him as 'Master.'

Perhaps it was fate.

The four chatted with increasing rapport, and Wei Zhuang and Han Fei found their ideals and goals to be identical.

"I have heard it said by the Ninth Prince: 'To exhaust the ninety-nine of the world,' yet look at the current situation in Han!" Could he succeed? Wei Zhuang was not confident. Moreover, there was a new variable in the North!

*Sigh.* Thinking of his own wild claims, Han Fei felt powerless. He had already glimpsed a secret of the Seven Luminaries of the Azure Dragon, yet he would be forced to leave in a year!

Wei Zhuang did not hold high hopes for Han, and Zhang Liang disagreed. "Brother Wei Zhuang, Han has now joined the Northern Alliance. Even powerful Qin cannot ignore such a significant enemy at its rear."

Wei Zhuang smiled faintly. "Relying on the Northern Alliance may buy Han a moment of respite, but the Northern army cannot quench a fire nearby. I see this alliance as nothing but a hollow shell."

What of the Northern Alliance? History was full of alliances and political maneuvering, yet in the end, they all crumbled!

"Han grows more precarious by the day, yet it has you, Brother Wei Zhuang, and the Ninth Prince. Timing is not as good as geographic advantage, and geographic advantage is not as good as the unity of people!" One breath of time was enough. Zhang Liang believed that in the future, they would find a way to resolve this.

"Indeed! It must be so!" Wei Zhuang looked at Han Fei with fervor; his goal required this man’s full cooperation.

After some probing, Wei Zhuang knew Han Fei was no mere drunkard.

*Sigh.* Han Fei sighed again. He possessed no martial arts, but he had the wisdom to see through the fog. This was one of the reasons he could activate the Reverse Scale Sword. Han Fei could sense that the three would not harm him; instead, they would become close comrades-in-arms. Especially Zi Nu—she looked very much like his mother, whose image was becoming increasingly blurred in his mind.

"Ninth Prince, why the sigh?" Zi Nu could not help but look at Han Fei, taking the opportunity to gaze at him openly.

Watching Han Fei and Zi Nu exchange tender glances, the faint interest Lin Shu had felt for Zi Nu vanished. He was truly not a scoundrel; he did not enjoy things that belonged to others.

Sensing that there was nothing amiss in the surroundings, Han Fei spoke softly. "In one year, I must leave Han! Even with all my abilities, I cannot control the chaos!"

If the lands of the East were truly as good as they said, King An of Han would leave as well; he had had enough of living in constant fear.

"Why is that?" Wei Zhuang frowned. Had his calculations failed completely?

So it was true! Zhang Liang nodded gently. This was why he had sought out Han Fei.

"Unless the Ninth Prince has already resigned yourself to fate, and no longer cares for the rise and fall of the Han royal house!" Zi Nu hoped for the collapse of Han so that her homeland could be restored, yet she could not bear to lose this gentle, handsome, and intimate Ninth Prince!

Han Fei looked at Zi Nu with tenderness in his eyes, trusting that this woman would never wish him harm.