Chapter 7, Rising Fame

Xiang Shaolong reached out to touch her face and smiled, saying, "I just want you to rest well now; tonight I will make you the happiest woman in this world." He couldn't help but think of Tingfang, and his heart ached.

Waking up lying on the floor mat in the bedroom, sunlight streams in through the window

In the midst of laughter and conversation, Handan is in sight

Youthful vitality, rising high when it should, and low when it should, the beautiful scenery of rolling peaks immediately unfolds before the eyes, with the delicate and smooth long legs and the rounded beauty subtly revealing traces of fallen petals on the ground beneath.

Xiang Shaolong could not help but kiss her passionately once more, and he reached his hand inside, delicately caressing her lower body and jade-like legs, leaving her in a state of springtime intoxication before he proceeded to the hall

Throughout this journey, his mind was completely immersed in the swordsmanship taught by the Yuan Zong, which originated from the great master Mozi. He also integrated the most formidable combat techniques derived from modern human anatomy and mechanics into his swordsmanship. With this focus, he lost track of time, sometimes spending over ten days in the wilderness, relying on self-made bows and arrows to hunt wild beasts for sustenance

Compared to Wu'an, Handan is at least three to four times larger, with a moat that is both deep and wide, and walls that are high and thick, presenting a formidable defense that one man can hold against a thousand. Outside the city, there are two camps of Zhao soldiers, with military encampments stretching endlessly and banners resembling a sea, creating a rather intimidating presence. The city towers are filled with sentinels, swords drawn and bows taut, creating a tense atmosphere

Xiang Shaolong, with his heart hanging in suspense over the beautiful women behind him, smiled and said: "As long as I have seen the two sisters even once, I will never forget them for the rest of my life"

Yuan Zong smiled slightly and said, "Shiao Long, do you know why your elder brother wants to pass on to you the unparalleled swordsmanship of the Mo family?"

Is she currently enduring humiliation under the thighs of other men

The young officer scrutinized him for a few moments and then asked, "What is your name?"

Xiang Shaolong regained some consciousness and walked onto the street, where he saw pedestrians and carriages hurriedly moving aside to allow a luxurious carriage, flanked by more than twenty cavalrymen both in front and behind, to pass.

Shu Er cast a charming glance at him, panting as she said: "No! Shu Er wishes to serve the young master"

That night, Xiang Shaolong, filled with sorrow and frustration, climbed over the city wall to escape from Wuan, faintly aware that he would never see Yuan Zong again

Xiang Shaolong's excitement had nearly vanished, as he rode through the spacious streets of the city like a soulless corpse, completely oblivious to the magnificent residences around him, his mood at an all-time low

The officer named Ning Xin rode alongside him and said: "Wu Ye is one of the most respected individuals in Handan. If it were not for his efforts in procuring warhorses and his occasional donations to the national treasury, our Zhao State might have been destroyed long ago. Now that the Yan people are attacking us, we are fortunate that our two great generals, Lian Po and Le Cheng, have annihilated the Yan soldiers and launched a counterattack back into Yan territory, which is truly a great relief to the people."

Tao Fangxin was greatly astonished, unable to believe that a man as handsome and charming as he would be so affectionate towards a woman he had purchased. He sighed, "I am sorry, I cannot tell you, Shaolong"

Xiang Shaolong hurriedly said to the two maidservants: "Wait a moment!"

Xiang Shaolong looked as if he had been punched in the chest, his face turning pale. After a long while, he finally asked: "Who was it sent to?"

The beautiful woman, who had just been possessed of her maiden body, sat up, the blanket sliding down to her slender waist, revealing her delicate and graceful upper body. She lowered her head shyly, not daring to look at his face, and spoke in a voice as light and sweet as a mosquito's buzz: "I, your humble servant Shu'er, greet you, my lord"

Her bright and captivating big eyes met his gaze, causing her to immediately lower her head, her heart racing like a startled deer, a beautiful mix of shyness and joy, embodying the charm of a young girl, leaving others dazzled and entranced.

Xiang Shaolong was startled and put down the quilt

He originally intended to sneak into Handan, but upon seeing the strict border defenses, he had no choice but to obediently walk to the checkpoint and report the name of Tao Fang's boss, the "King of Animal Husbandry," Wu Shixian.

Tao Fang's expression darkened as he said apologetically, "I am sorry! I thought that Shaolong had perished at the hands of the thief. After waiting for three months, I followed the master's orders and sent her to become a dancer for someone else." He then smiled and added, "However, Shaolong, rest assured, I will specially select two even more enchanting beauties to serve you."

Xiang Shaolong stood up, walked to the window, and looked outside. He saw two beautiful maids in the garden watering and pruning the plants. Upon noticing Xiang Shaolong at the window, they shyly greeted him, unable to resist stealing glances at his magnificent figure

Xiang Shaolong knew that she could not withstand a second storm at this moment, so he gently kissed her cherry lips, lightly sipping on her little tongue, then kissed her eyes and face, followed by her delicate neck and jade-like breasts. Only when she trembled all over did he let her go, smiling as he said: "There is no need to be afraid, last night I was confused due to alcohol, I will not be so rough in the future, just sleep well again!"

Xiang Shaolong shook his head in confusion

Yuan Zong smiled and said: "Do not be so pessimistic, it is not that easy for them to kill me. Perhaps we will have a day to meet again! I still have a pair of boots in my bag; since you are not one of my guild, there is no need for you to go barefoot. It would be unfortunate if you accidentally stepped on something like chicken droppings or dog feces"

His physical fitness has become stronger and more robust in such a rigorous environment

In a moment of deep sorrow, Tao Fang pushed him aside, guiding him to take refuge with them.

Xiang Shaolong could affirm without hesitation that she was the most enchanting beauty he had encountered among all the women so far. He secretly sighed at Tao Fang's prowess for sending such a delightful person to him, and how could he not dedicate himself to Tao Fang? He gently asked, "Does it still hurt?"

Tao Fangcheng's demeanor was extremely composed, showing no signs of displeasure. He said: "Shaolong should first go to the guesthouse to rest and bathe, allowing me to think of a solution for you. The master will personally meet with you tomorrow; this is the greatest honor for the warriors of my residence. Do not miss this opportunity."

The four maidservants approached, attending to him with great care. The tallest among them, Chunying, said: "Master Tao has arrived and is waiting for you in the main hall"

As the crowd was astonished, a guard rode in swiftly and invited Tao Fang over. Tao Fang, taken by surprise, quickly dismounted and approached the lowered curtain of the carriage. After exchanging a few words with Lady Ya inside, the carriage drove away. Tao Fang bowed to see her off before returning, casting a mysterious smile at Xiang Shaolong without revealing the content of their conversation

The text appears to be a series of symbols or placeholders and does not contain any translatable content.

The charming maid, understanding and perceptive, smiled and said: "If the young master wishes for me to serve, please feel free to call upon me at any time, hehe! My name is Chunying, and she is Xiaying, while the other two are Qiuying and Dongying. It's so easy to remember; the young master won't forget, will he?"

Turn around

Xiang Shaolong sighed inwardly, knowing that indeed someone had unified the world, and that was Qin Shi Huang. As for him, Xiang Shaolong, he was merely a sycophant, only wishing to find the weak Qin Emperor and share in the spoils during his rise, hoping to enjoy the wealth and glory. This thought made him feel a sense of shame.

A stir in my heart compelled me to gently lift the blanket.

The officer and the more than ten Zhao soldiers around him were all moved.

Shu Er exerted all her strength to hold onto him, her gaze bravely meeting his, and she said with deep emotion: "Last night, Shu Er became the happiest and most joyful woman. The concubine will never forget that joyful pain."

Xiang Shaolong exclaimed inwardly, my heavens, what on earth did I do to this girl, whose beauty surpasses that of Tingfang and Meican, last night?

The sun sets and the moon rises, the stars shift and the Big Dipper moves; it is hard to tell how many days have passed, but he finally arrived at the outer satellite fortress of Handan, which is garrisoned with heavy troops

Xiang Shaolong was very curious as to why the Zhao state, which was already experiencing a decline in male vitality and an increase in female prominence, still sought to gather beautiful women from various places, but he refrained from asking out of concern for the other party's embarrassment

At this moment, someone took out the dagger that Tao Fang had given him from his arms. Upon seeing it, the officer had no further doubts, his attitude changed dramatically. He inquired about the events of that day and simultaneously sent a messenger to report to Tao Fang in Handan, and personally escorted him to the capital of the Zhao state

Upon meeting, there was indeed a delightful surprise, as Tao Fang and a group of warriors joyfully escorted him into the city

The carriage slowly approached and suddenly came to a stop in front of them

This wise individual, who harbored grand ambitions and was a master of swordsmanship, witnessed the fragmentation of his guild and the transformation of the ink practitioners into power-hungry individuals. Consequently, his heart, once filled with a fervent desire to save the world, had long since perished. He resolved to martyr himself, hoping that his death would ignite the passionate blood of Xiang Shaolong, enabling him to achieve the greater good of the world in another form

The officer announced a name, and Xiang Shaolong hurriedly described the person's height and appearance.

The tears on her face must be related to this. Last night, in a drunken stupor, and having not been with a woman for nearly six months, I mistakenly took her for Miss Tingfang and treated her harshly. How could such a delicate girl, who has not been subjected to such treatment, endure it? No wonder she cried in pain, and I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of guilt, yet it was too late for regret.

Xiang Shaolong could not help but laugh, and tears simultaneously streamed down his cheeks

Xiang Shaolong was also taken aback, not expecting to have become so famous. He allowed the Zhao soldiers who pounced on him to capture him without resistance, and smiled as he asked, "What is the name of your master’s friend?"

Xiang Shaolong could not help but ask Tao Fang: "How is Tingfang?"

Without her own protection, is this unfortunate woman merely falling from one evil hand into another

The guard immediately stood at attention and found an official to meet him

Xiang Shaolong angrily said: "Do not speak any further, it has not yet been proven that I am truly dead, you should not give her to anyone."

The enchanting sound of the beauty's startled moan came from behind.

Xiang Shaolong reached out to take the Great Seal, only to feel an icy chill upon contact, indicating it was far from ordinary brass. No wonder Yan Ping could not replicate one; he sighed and said, "Great kindness needs no words of thanks, I truly have nothing more to say"

Xiang Shaolong, accustomed to a life of indulgence, could not resist the temptation of her enchanting beauty. After he carelessly caressed her soft bosom, he pressed her back onto the mat, covered her with a blanket, and was about to leave the room when he was suddenly pulled back by Shu Er, who grasped his large hand.

The beauty still lies in the spring slumber of the begonia, her charming face faintly revealing traces of tears, yet it is filled with the satisfaction and tranquility that follows a tempest, radiating an enchanting brilliance that captivates the soul

Her exquisitely delicate face, resembling a melon seed, possesses not a single flaw to criticize. The contours are distinct as if deliberately sculpted, strikingly beautiful, and she appears no older than eighteen. Her lustrous black hair lazily cascades over the pillow, accentuating her jade-like face and ruby lips that are exposed outside the blanket. Her snow-white arms, akin to pink lotus roots, are even more captivating.

Yuan Wan saw him hanging his head in silence and thought he was deeply moved. He placed a hand on his shoulder and said, "If you truly appreciate me, then act according to my words! Yan Ping has brought skilled swordsmen; although their numbers are only in the hundreds, they are beyond what the two of us can handle. I have tools for climbing the city, and I will divert their attention. You can take the opportunity to escape. A person who aims for great achievements should not be concerned with trivial matters. If you continue to hesitate, we will die in vain together, and the Great Son's order will still fall into the hands of treacherous people. I, Yuan Zong, will never rest in peace even in death."

Xiang Shaolong affectionately asked: "Can you stand up?"

Shu Er shook her head, then shyly nodded. The rosy clouds immediately spread, even her earlobes and jade-like neck turned crimson.

Beside me lies a stunningly beautiful naked maiden, yet she is not any of the four beautiful maidservants.

Shu Er gently placed her delicate hand on his broad shoulder, attempting to use his strength to rise to her knees. However, she furrowed her brows and sat back down, her jade-like cheeks flushed with embarrassment

Xiang Shaolong, filled with affection, sat back beside her, gently holding her delicate chin, causing her to lift her charming face.

Xiang Shaolong was deeply moved and resolutely said: "No! If we are to leave, let us leave together!"

Xiang Shaolong immediately had the most primal reaction, and Shu Er's lowered gaze happened to meet his directly, causing her delicate body to tremble in fright as she stammered, "Young Master—"

Xiang Shaolong arrived at the guesthouse and settled into an independent residence. Tao Fang specially sent four beautiful maidservants to assist him with bathing and changing clothes. That evening, a banquet was held in the main hall of the guesthouse with twenty-one tables set up. In addition to the warriors who had shared hardships that day, there were also other capable assistants of the Wu family, along with performers of song and dance to entertain the guests, creating a lively atmosphere

Is the change a blessing or a curse for China?

Xiang Shaolong looked at her in surprise

The humble individual is named Xiang Shaolong

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However, Xiang Shaolong recalled Tingfang and the long-lost Meican Niang, and thought of the possibility of never seeing his friends from that era again. The only solace he found was in drowning his sorrows in alcohol, drinking to the point of complete intoxication, and before the banquet was over, he had already lost consciousness. In his daze, it seemed as if Tingfang had returned to his side, and they were together embarking on a journey through the clouds and rain of Wushan.

The officer shouted: "Bold rogue, how dare you impersonate the hero Xiang! He sacrificed himself heroically six months ago in a battle against bandits to save his comrades. A friend of mine witnessed him single-handedly holding off the pursuers."

But with his pair of hands, how could Xie Xiang Shaolong change the course of Chinese history? He is not Qin Shi Huang. However, could he influence Ying Wang Zheng, just as Yuan Zong influenced him?

Tao Fang said to him, "This is the carriage of Lady Ya, the youngest sister of our King Xiaocheng. She was a renowned beauty from Handan who married Zhao Kuo, but unfortunately, she died in the Battle of Changping."

A thought arose in my mind that even I found frightening

Yuan Zongdao: "I have traveled through various countries, observing the sentiments of the people, and ultimately changed my mind. If we desire peace throughout the world, the only method is to eliminate the distinctions between nations and place everyone under the rule of a single monarch. Only in this way, and with this unified ruler, can the ideals of my Mo School be realized, achieving great benefits for the world. And that person is you, which is why I am sharing all that I have learned with you."

One of the maids said: "Young master has awakened, I will immediately come to assist you with your washing and dressing"

Before entering the city, a group of knights emerged, with the leader being the long-lost Tao Fang, accompanied by comrades who had fought alongside him through thick and thin, including Li Shan.

If the tyrant Qin Shi Huang Ying Zheng were killed, how would history change

Shu'er shyly asked: "Does the young master wish for Shu'er now?"