Capítulo 778: Chapter 778: Ying and Zhong Shan
"The Emperor is waiting inside. You can go in and meet him," Lü Buwei said.
Zhong Shan nodded and stepped into the grand hall.
Upon entering, Zhong Shan immediately saw Ying. Dressed in his usual black dragon robe, Ying appeared more casual this time, not wearing the imperial crown, giving a less formal impression.
Ying stood with his hands behind his back, facing a wall in the center of the hall. This wall was made of white jade, covered in strange tadpole-like characters that seemed to be moving in a mysterious pattern.
Following Ying's gaze, Zhong Shan felt himself drawn into the endless dance of these tadpole characters, losing himself in their enigmatic movement. It took a sudden jolt of awareness, honed from his experiences in the Hundred Lives Cave, for Zhong Shan to snap back to reality. He looked at the jade wall with lingering apprehension. What was this jade wall?
When Zhong Shan regained his senses, he noticed Ying had already turned to face him, a look of satisfaction in his eyes.
"Zhong Shan?" Ying called.
"Ying," Zhong Shan responded with a nod, still uneasy about the jade wall from a moment ago.
"What did you make of that jade wall?" Ying asked with a slight smile.
"Strange and unpredictable, ever-changing. I could only see chaos," Zhong Shan replied, shaking his head.
"This jade wall is called the 'Heavenly Secrets Diagram.' In ancient times, two saints entered this small thousand-world and used it as a chessboard for their duel. This is the compensation left behind by one of the saints," Ying explained, gesturing for Zhong Shan to sit.
On one side of the hall, there was a set of red jade tables and chairs, with a beautiful maid standing nearby.
Zhong Shan sat down, and Ying also took a seat. The maid poured fragrant tea filled with spiritual energy for both of them.
"Compensation? For whom?" Zhong Shan asked, puzzled.
"Who do you think?" Ying asked, scrutinizing Zhong Shan.
"The Heavenly Dao?"
"Not quite, but close. The two saints disrupted the small thousand-world and had to leave compensations to nullify their karmic debts. One saint left behind a self-created cultivation method said to allow rapid improvement without harming one's foundation, while also tempering the body. The other saint left this Heavenly Secrets Diagram," Ying explained.
"Oh?" Zhong Shan's eyes widened.
"The Heavenly Secrets Diagram?" Zhong Shan inquired further.
"What the saints left behind is naturally miraculous," Ying said with a faint smile.
"What's so miraculous about it?"
"Are you puzzled about how Guiguzi calculated the danger to Changjing in the netherworld and your arrival date in Xianyang?" Ying asked.
"Indeed, Zhong Shan is very curious. If it's not too much trouble, could you explain it?" Zhong Shan asked, frowning.
Looking at Zhong Shan, Ying shook his head. "Such methods of calculation are something you'll have to discover on your own; I won't reveal them. However, the Heavenly Secrets Diagram can help you 'disrupt heavenly secrets.'"
"Disrupt heavenly secrets?" Zhong Shan echoed, confused.
"Yes. By learning the techniques of this diagram, you may not be able to calculate others, but you'll be able to sense if someone is calculating against you and disrupt the surrounding heavenly secrets, making it impossible for them to read you," Ying explained.
"Sense calculations? Disrupt heavenly secrets?" Zhong Shan asked, astonished.
Ying nodded. "Exactly. It's a way to shield oneself from those who might try to manipulate or foresee your fate."
Zhong Shan absorbed this information, understanding the profound implications of such an ability. The Heavenly Secrets Diagram offered a formidable defense against those who sought to pry into one's destiny, providing an edge in a world where knowledge of the future could mean the difference between life and death.
"Indeed, at its highest level, it can even deceive saints. Not even they can calculate through it," Ying affirmed, his tone filled with temptation.
Zhong Shan stopped looking at the 'Heavenly Secrets Diagram' and took a deep breath, turning his gaze to Ying.
"Why are you telling me this?" Zhong Shan asked with a frown.
"We'll discuss that later. Let's talk about you first," Ying replied, looking at Zhong Shan.
"Me?"
"Yes, you. An outsider from beyond this world?" Ying said with certainty.
"Oh? What makes you say that?" Zhong Shan's expression remained unchanged.
"I have calculated about you, but it wasn't certain. Guiguzi also calculated about you, and the results were the same—you come from outside this world," Ying said solemnly.
Seeing Ying's sharp eyes, Zhong Shan gave a wry smile. "Calculations? Quite a skill!"
With Zhong Shan's admission, Ying's expression gradually softened.
"You've had some encounter that erased your past, so I won't ask about your origins. From your attitude towards Great Qin, it seems you have heard of me before?" Ying asked.
"Perhaps. I've heard of a Great Qin before, but that Great Qin is not this Great Qin. Some of your ministers have names that coincide with the Great Qin I heard of," Zhong Shan said.
"I think you know in your heart that that Great Qin is indeed this Great Qin," Ying said calmly.
Zhong Shan looked at Ying.
"Eight thousand years ago, I used the divine ability 'Dream into Heavenly Secrets,' leading my ministers and armies with virtual and real bodies to travel through numerous small and large thousand-worlds. Training my ministers, roaming the world! Can you guess?" Ying said.
"Soul Return!" Zhong Shan nodded.
"Exactly!" A hint of pride flashed in Ying's eyes.
Zhong Shan felt no joy at this revelation, only a deepening sense of gravity. What was Ying's intention in telling him this?
"What do you want from me?" Zhong Shan asked directly.
"I want to trade for the Jingbo Pond," Ying replied just as directly.
"Jingbo Pond? It's not in my possession. What do you mean?" Zhong Shan's eyebrows raised.
Ying did not rush, sipping his tea calmly. "The Jingbo Pond belongs to the Tian family. The only heir of the Tian family is your wife. Her words are your words. The Jingbo Pond is a great treasure, but you cannot control it now. It wasn't originally a Tian family treasure; it was acquired later, so it doesn't affect Tian Ling'er's growth."
"So?"
"The Jingbo Pond is useful to me. Although it is in the hands of the Tian family in the netherworld, it has restrictions set by the ancestors of the Tian family. If it leaves this small thousand-world, the direct descendants of the Tian family will sense it and can instantly retrieve it with their bloodline. While I do not fear the gods of the Heavenly Peak, I prefer not to antagonize them for now. If you agree to have Tian Ling'er relinquish the Jingbo Pond, that will suffice," Ying said with a faint smile.
Zhong Shan stared deeply at Ying for a while.
"The Jingbo Pond? A supreme treasure?" Zhong Shan asked seriously.
Ying took another sip of tea, waiting patiently for Zhong Shan's response.
Suddenly, Zhong Shan's eyes flashed with surprise as he looked at Ying. "Leave this world? Ling'er will sense it? Are you planning to leave this world?"
"All of Great Qin's ministers have returned to their souls; there are no more concerns. There's nothing left to wait for," Ying replied.
"You don't want to create a new world? You don't want to open this small thousand-world?" Zhong Shan's eyebrows raised.
Ying looked at Zhong Shan and shook his head slightly. "Creating a new world, opening the heavens and the earth—such endeavors are bound by this world's limitations. The potential for growth and true dominion lies beyond this world. This small thousand-world is too restrictive for Great Qin's ambitions."
Zhong Shan nodded, understanding the implications of Ying's words. Great Qin's sights were set on a grander stage, one where their power and influence could expand without the constraints of a smaller world. The trade for the Jingbo Pond was a step in their larger strategy, one that Zhong Shan needed to consider carefully.
"And if I refuse?" Zhong Shan asked, testing Ying's resolve.
Ying's expression remained calm. "Then I will seek other means. But know that cooperation can yield mutual benefits. The path to greater power often involves strategic alliances."
Zhong Shan pondered this, realizing the gravity of the decision before him. The offer from Ying was not just about the Jingbo Pond but a potential alliance with a powerful force, one that could shape the future of many worlds.
"Create a new world? I won't be doing that," Ying said with a faint smile.
Zhong Shan kept his eyes on Ying. When Ying mentioned 'creating a new world,' Zhong Shan noticed there wasn't eagerness in Ying's eyes, but rather a subtle disdain. Disdain? Zhong Shan doubted his own perception for a moment.
Isn't the ultimate goal of everyone in the small thousand-world to create a new world? Why would Ying show disdain for it? That fleeting disdain seemed to deeply embed itself in Zhong Shan's mind.
What does Ying really want?
For some reason, Zhong Shan felt a small sense of relief, though it was quickly followed by a surge of anger at himself for feeling relieved.
Ying? The Emperor of Great Qin? So what? One day, I will be stronger than him!
Seeing the determination in Zhong Shan's eyes, Ying seemed to notice and smiled with satisfaction.
"But the Jingbo Pond is with the Tian family in the netherworld, not with me," Zhong Shan said.
"Don't worry about that. I'll retrieve it myself," Ying replied.
Zhong Shan considered this for a moment. Ying waited patiently.
"How do you want to trade?" Zhong Shan resolutely decided to give up the Jingbo Pond.
A treasure? So what if it's a treasure? If it cannot be controlled or protected, it will always be a curse. Zhong Shan believed that when he could control such treasures, he would have more than one.
"A true man knows when to give up. I knew I didn't misjudge you," Ying said with a smile.
"To gain something, you must give something," Zhong Shan replied calmly.
"Good. In exchange for the Jingbo Pond, I'll give you what you want."
Zhong Shan looked at Ying, waiting for him to continue.
"The first item is this 'Heavenly Secrets Diagram,'" Ying said.
Zhong Shan's eyelid twitched.
"The second item is some information about the Longevity World, information that I know."
Zhong Shan's pupils contracted.
"As for the third item, you'll find out in a few days. Although it may not be as valuable as the first two, it will be a nice addition," Ying added.
Zhong Shan and Ying talked for an entire day and night.
The next day, Zhong Shan left the hall alone and met up with Yi Yan.
"Your Majesty, Guiguzi is not receiving guests. I couldn't meet him, but I did find out that he seems to be setting up a very large formation. I'll assign more people to investigate," Yi Yan said with a frown.
"No need to investigate further. Withdraw all our people from Xianyang," Zhong Shan ordered firmly.
"Uh? Withdraw everyone? For what purpose?"
"Prepare for war!" Zhong Shan said.
"Prepare for war? Against whom?"
"To unify the world!" Zhong Shan said with determination.
At the same time, Lü Buwei reported back to Ying.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty. Zhong Shan intends to unify the world, and he will certainly stand against the Kong family. The Kong family now has a powerful new enemy," Lü Buwei said with a smile.
"What is the biggest obstacle for Zhong Shan in unifying the world?"
"The old monsters of the Longevity World! For any ordinary dynasty, they are an insurmountable challenge. I hope Zhong Shan can get through it. I look forward to seeing his brilliant commercial strategies in the Grand Thousand World!"
"He will make it," Ying said, frowning slightly.
Ying seemed to have a trace of worry. After all, the old monsters of the Longevity World were a concern even for Ying.
"Even if Zhong Shan gets past this hurdle, what about after he opens the heavens? There are countless strong practitioners outside, all focused on this new world creation. Can Zhong Shan survive this second major challenge? This one is even more dangerous," Lü Buwei said, frowning.
"He will get through it. If he can't, then he doesn't deserve my attention," Ying said with a flash of fierceness in his eyes.
Lü Buwei nodded and said no more.
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