Yan-Zhao Border
At the Qin-Yan border, over a thousand Yan soldiers were already stationed, waiting for their moment. On the Qin side, Zhao Feng personally led his guards, with Yan Dan placed in a war chariot.
"Get out and walk back yourself," Zhao Feng said as he turned to Yan Dan, who was seated in the chariot.
"You're just letting me go like that?" Yan Dan frowned deeply, evidently puzzled.
Not being escorted to Xianyang left him utterly confused. He had even contemplated facing Ying Zheng directly to demand an explanation. However, it was clear that Ying Zheng wouldn't grant him such an opportunity.
"Consider it a gesture of goodwill because of the alliance between Qin and Yan and the price your kingdom has paid. Otherwise, do you think you'd still be going back?" Zhao Feng said indifferently, glancing at Yan Dan.
To Zhao Feng, Yan Dan was nothing more than a foolish man.
The historical Jing Ke may have been a tragic hero with his famed poem, "The wind whistles cold; the waters of the Yi River run icy," but in the end, it was Yan Dan's ignorance and manipulation that pushed him to act. Yan Dan believed assassinating the King of Qin would solve Yan's impending doom, but it was merely wishful thinking. Qin's conquest of Yan was inevitable, and if Ying Zheng had been assassinated, another capable successor would have risen to continue the mission.
After all, Qin's strength had been cultivated over six generations, with each ruler proving their merit through sheer ability and determination.
"What price did my kingdom pay?" Yan Dan's face changed drastically.
"Ask your father when you get back," Zhao Feng said dismissively, clearly unwilling to waste words.
Thinking of his father, Yan Dan's heart sank.
When he entered Qin, Yan Dan had resolved to die with honor, but the fact that he was now being sent back alive unsettled him. Recalling his father's likely furious expression, Yan Dan began to tremble with dread.
Seeing Yan Dan sitting frozen in the chariot, Zhao Feng immediately understood the reason for his hesitation.
"Men!" Zhao Feng commanded.
"Escort the Crown Prince of Yan back," Zhao Feng gestured.
"Yes, sir!"
Several guards immediately stepped forward, pulled Yan Dan out of the chariot, and began escorting him toward Yan's territory.
Yan Border
Le Cheng, standing on the Yan side of the border, sneered coldly as he observed the dejected figure of Yan Dan.
"He's here. Take your Crown Prince back," one of Zhao Feng's guards announced, tossing Yan Dan onto Yan's soil before swiftly turning around and departing.
"Crown Prince," Le Cheng said emotionlessly. "The King has decreed that you return to Ji City immediately for an audience."
Yan Dan looked up at Le Cheng but remained silent.
If he were a victor, he might have had the arrogance to hold his head high, but now, as a prisoner returned through ransom at great cost to Yan, he had no dignity to spare.
Seeing Yan Dan's silence, Le Cheng stepped forward, crouched beside him, and whispered coldly, "Didn't you once call me a cowardly, selfish man afraid of death?
"And now? You, too, have been reduced to a prisoner.
"A Crown Prince, humiliated by captivity in another nation how disgraceful.
"And yet, you couldn't even bring yourself to end your own life?"
At this moment, Le Cheng showed no restraint, mocking Yan Dan openly.
After today, Yan Dan's influence would wane, and though he remained the Crown Prince for now, that future was no longer guaranteed.
Yan Dan's eyes burned with hatred, but he found no retort.
"Enough, Crown Prince," Le Cheng said coldly, lifting Yan Dan to his feet. "There's no use lingering here. Brace yourself to face the King."
Yan Dan clenched his fists tightly, his heart consumed by hatred.
"Qin," he growled under his breath. "Ying Zheng… Zhao Feng…
"I, Yan Dan, swear that I will not forgive this humiliation. One day, I will make you both taste the agony of disgrace!"
Back to Zhao Feng
"Master," Zhang Ming said, smiling. "In less than a month, Zhao territory will be pacified. Shall we prepare to march north?"
"After securing Dai territory, Zhao's fate will be sealed," Zhao Feng replied calmly.
Over the past year, the core military forces and elites of Zhao had been annihilated by Qin. Even their skilled generals were dead.
Zhao Yi had fled to Dai territory, rallying a substantial number of troops. Yet, without capable leadership, the scattered Zhao forces lacked morale and would pose no significant threat.
Of course, much of this success was thanks to Zhao Yan. Had he not forced Lian Po to his death and disposed of Li Mu, Qin's campaign wouldn't have been this smooth.
"Master," Zhang Ming said with excitement, "rumors are circulating that after Zhao's defeat, you may be promoted to Supreme General. Is it true?"
"Rumors are just rumors," Zhao Feng replied with a calm smile. "The decision lies with Xianyang."
"But if anyone deserves the promotion, it's you," Zhang Ming said earnestly. "No one else could command the respect of the army."
Zhao Feng smiled faintly but said nothing.
Just then, a messenger arrived, saluting respectfully.
"Master, General Zhang Han's forces have reached Beidi City."
"Well done, Master!" Zhang Ming exclaimed. "Securing the advance to Dai territory will be credited to you once again."
Zhao Feng, however, remained composed. He turned to the messenger and asked, "Han Chenyan?"
Hearing his name, the messenger froze momentarily, then became visibly moved.
"Master remembers my name?" Han Chenyan asked, his voice trembling with emotion.
"I remember every one of my guards," Zhao Feng said with a smile. "You've been with my guard for over a year now. How do you find it?"
"It is my greatest honor to serve you, Master. You've given us a new life, and I swear to repay you with my own," Han Chenyan said solemnly.
Zhao Feng nodded, satisfied.
"I hear your battlefield achievements are enough to earn you the title of military marquis. Why did you choose to join the personal guard?" Zhao Feng asked.
"To serve you, Master, even unto death," Han Chenyan answered firmly.
"Well said," Zhao Feng replied, smiling. "After Zhao's fall, you'll have permission to return home to visit your family."
"Thank you, Master!" Han Chenyan bowed deeply, his voice trembling with gratitude.
As Han Chenyan departed, Zhang Ming commented, "Han Chenyan is a brave warrior with excellent martial talent. He's already reached the fourth level of the Post-Heaven Realm and works harder than most."
"If I'm truly promoted to Supreme General one day, with the authority to command a thousand personal guards, he shall be a captain," Zhao Feng said with a nod.
"Yes, Master," Zhang Ming replied.
As Zhao Feng's chariot sped northward, he thought to himself:
"Han Chenyan… Han Xin's father.
"This is an unexpected fortune.
"'Are kings and generals born to greatness?' Han Xin's talent for commanding troops will be mine to command when the time comes."
A faint smile spread across Zhao Feng's face.
Han Chenyan.
Mentioned in history only briefly.
And not because of anything he accomplished, but because he fathered someone whose name would echo throughout history: the "God of War," Han Xin.
Historical records state that Han Xin's father was a member of the collateral royal family of Han, who died on the battlefield during Qin's conquest of Han. As a result, Han Xin was forced to wander and eventually ended up in Chu.
However, due to Zhao Feng's intervention, history deviated from its original path.
Han Chenyan survived and even became one of Zhao Feng's guards. With this, Han Xin wouldn't lose his father and would inevitably serve Zhao Feng in the future.
Returning to his thoughts.
"Settle the kill count and collect the attributes," Zhao Feng commanded.
This time.
The Yan army was repelled, and his troops advanced to Beidi City, a frontier city marking the edge of Zhao's territory near Dai.
The war in Zhao was nearly over.
"Host's troops killed 24,563 enemies, earning 8,187 attribute points."
"Gained 897 points of True Qi."
"Gained 1,205 points of Strength."
"Gained 1,231 points of Speed."
"Gained 898 points of Constitution."
"Gained 989 points of Spirit."
"Gained 2,967 days of Lifespan."
The system notification appeared.
"Not bad," Zhao Feng smiled to himself.
"Most of it came from the Yan army."
In Zhao's territory, there weren't many Zhao soldiers left. When Qin invaded, the Zhao army retreated.
Host: Zhao Feng
Age: 19
True Qi: 7,972 (The stronger the True Qi, the more abundant it is in the dantian, and the more explosive the power.)
Strength: 13,341 (The higher the number, the more forceful the strength.)
Speed: 12,532 (The higher the number, the faster the speed.)
Constitution: 11,023 (The stronger the constitution, the faster the recovery from injuries, the more abundant the stamina, and the quicker True Qi regenerates.)
Spirit: 10,134 (Spiritual power can extend a hundred meters, absorbing the surrounding spiritual energy for cultivation.)
Lifespan: 155 years + 15,340 days
Merit: 989 (Can be converted into free attribute points or skill points.)
Portable Space: 79 cubic meters
Cultivation Technique: Dragon Elephant Art
Martial Skills: Dragon Subduing Palm, Explosive Fist...
"I'm only a few points away from another breakthrough in all attributes."
"With my current stats, I could kill a Grandmaster at their peak with a single punch."
"I'm invincible in the mortal realm."
"Plus, my lifespan has increased by 42 years."
"With my original lifespan of 155 years, I'm close to 200 years now."
"Who in the mortal realm can live longer than me? As long as I continue down this path, leveraging Qin's wars to conquer other states, once the Central Plains is unified, my lifespan might even exceed 400 years," Zhao Feng thought with satisfaction.
But then, his excitement gave way to realization.
"Wait."
"The last time I broke through 4,000 in all attributes, my lifespan was already 155 years. Now that all my attributes are close to 8,000, why is my lifespan still 155 years?" Zhao Feng's once-joyous mood quickly calmed.
This was indeed peculiar.
Despite his breakthroughs in attributes, his lifespan hadn't increased.
Judging by his level, Zhao Feng had already stepped into the Grandmaster realm. Grandmasters were said to have lifespans exceeding 300 years, yet his hadn't changed.
"It seems this world isn't as simple as it appears."
"Could it be that the limit of mortal lifespans is 155 years? Or is it some kind of imposed rule?"
"The Heavenly Law?"
"Mortals forbidden from cultivation?"
At this moment.
Various speculations surfaced in Zhao Feng's mind.
With memories of his previous life, Zhao Feng had read plenty of novels and historical tales about fantastical worlds. Stories of demons, spirits, immortals, and gods weren't foreign to him.
Now, stepping into the realm of cultivation and finding his lifespan capped, Zhao Feng naturally had his guesses.
"Let's take it one step at a time."
"Even if lifespan growth is currently restricted by my level, I've gained enough through battles to sustain myself for a long time."
"Maybe everything will become clear after Qin unites the land." Zhao Feng decided not to dwell on the matter for now.
Time passed.
For the world at large, all attention was on the ongoing war between Qin and Zhao.
The war had reached a stalemate, and it would only end with the fall of Zhao.
The other states Qi, Chu, Yan, and Wei were closely monitoring the situation, particularly Wei. Wei understood that if Zhao fell, its destruction wouldn't be far behind.
During this time, Wei repeatedly sent envoys to Qin, seeking an audience to smooth over past conflicts when Wei had allied with Zhao against Qin. They hoped Qin would not use this as justification for future aggression. However, Qin rejected every delegation, refusing to meet.
This made it clear to Wei's court that Qin harbored no goodwill toward them and would inevitably invade.
As a result.
Many merchants and nobles in Wei began transferring their wealth to other states, weakening Wei's national strength significantly.
Despite the efforts of Wei's king and general Wei Wuji, nothing could change the inevitable.
Meanwhile, Chu, after Wei Wuji's visit, sent its envoy to Qin under the direction of Huang Xie, the powerful Chancellor of Chu. They too sought to mitigate Qin's animosity toward Wei, but these efforts were equally fruitless.
When envoys from Qi arrived, Qin met with them but remained vague and noncommittal, ignoring their pleas on Wei's behalf.
Qin continued its strategy of "allying with distant states while attacking nearby ones."
It maintained friendly ties with Chu, Qi, and Yan while aggressively targeting the three Jin states Zhao, Wei, and Han.
Once the three Jin states fell, Qin would turn its focus on the remaining states.
In the village.
"Mother, no need to see us off."
"The war in Zhao has been going on for so long it should be ending soon. When Zhao Feng returns, I'll come back to serve you," said Wang Yan.
Outside the village, a group of Zhao family guards stood watch.
The Zhao family matron and her daughters stood at the village entrance, bidding farewell to Wang Yan and her two children.
More than a year had passed.
The two infants who had once been swaddled in blankets were now toddlers. They could walk and even speak a few words.
The elder son wore a princely robe, and the younger daughter donned a small dress, looking like a pair of golden children adorable and radiant.
Looking at the Zhao matron, her daughters, and Wang Yan.
Particularly the Zhao matron, who had undergone a noticeable transformation. Once pale and frail, she now had a healthy, rosy complexion, no longer exuding an air of sickness.
This was the result of consuming the blood ginseng.
Wang Yan, too, had recovered. Though her physical constitution was stronger due to her noble lineage, childbirth had still taken its toll. After taking the blood ginseng, her body had been replenished.
"Yan'er, take care of yourself when you return to Xianyang."
"This time, when Feng'er comes back, I'll make sure he marries you properly and gives you the grand wedding you deserve," the Zhao matron said with a reluctant smile, clearly saddened by the farewell.
"Mother, farewell."
"Dabao, Erbao, say goodbye to your grandmother."
Wang Yan turned to her children.
"Goodbye, Grandmother."
The two toddlers bowed respectfully.
Their practiced motions revealed that Wang Yan had taught them well.
"Off you go, off you go."
"When your father returns, you can come back to Grandmother," the matron said, her eyes filled with longing as they lingered on her two grandchildren.
Over more than a year, watching them grow from being swaddled in blankets to learning how to walk and talk felt like reliving the days when she had raised Zhao Feng and his sister herself.
Why is it that in Chinese culture, there has always been a saying about the special affection between grandparents and grandchildren? Perhaps it's because grandparents see reflections of their own children's younger selves in their grandchildren. For Zhao Shi, this was certainly the case.
The year with these two little ones had been the happiest time for Zhao Shi.
"Mother, Sister, farewell for now," Wang Yan said, bowing deeply. She then held the hands of her two children and walked toward the carriage.
Under Zhao Shi's and her daughter's reluctant gazes, Wang Yan's carriage, guarded by over a hundred soldiers, began its journey toward Xianyang.
"I wonder when your brother will return," Zhao Shi said with sadness in her voice. "With the two grandchildren gone, I feel as if something's missing from my heart."
"Mother," Zhao Ying said with a smile, "they've only just left. Don't worry, once Brother returns and marries Sister-in-law, the two little ones will be officially part of our family."
Zhao Shi nodded and then turned to Zhao Ying. "Once your brother is married, it'll be your turn next. He's already twenty this year, and you've stayed by my side long enough. It's time for you to get married too. If you wait any longer, you'll become an old maid no one wants."
"Mother!" Zhao Ying's face immediately changed, the topic of marriage flustering her.
Marriage... She hadn't even considered it!
Especially here in this remote village there wasn't a single man who caught her eye.
"When your brother gets back, I'll have him help you find someone suitable," Zhao Shi continued, showing no intention of indulging her daughter this time. After all, this was for her good.
In an era where girls were often married off as young as thirteen or fourteen, Zhao Ying was indeed considered an old maid.
Although she was beautiful, her standards were extraordinarily high.
Ever since Zhao Feng's rise to prominence as a general of Qin, many wealthy and influential families from the Shacheng region had visited their homes, with many specifically coming to propose marriage.
But Zhao Ying had rejected every single one of them.
Scene Shift: Dai City
Dai City is the capital of the Dai region.
Now, the Qin army of over 200,000 soldiers had surrounded the city and was rapidly consolidating forces, ready to launch an attack at any moment.
Inside the city's royal palace:
"Your Majesty!"
"The Qin army has already encircled Dai City and could attack at any moment. Please, make a decision!"
A panicked Zhao general hurried into the hall, loudly reporting the grim situation.
On the throne, Zhao Yi's expression was grim and heavy.
For months, Zhao Yi had been fleeing. Since the Qin army had fully occupied Zhao territory, they had steadily advanced into Dai. Each day, Zhao Yi received reports of lost cities.
Even though the Dai region still had over 200,000 soldiers including local garrison troops and those who had fled from Zhao territory morale was low due to the influx of defeated soldiers, and supplies were critically short. Desertions had become increasingly common.
Zhao Yi was utterly powerless to turn the tide.
"Zhao Yan," he muttered bitterly, his heart seething with hatred.
"It's all your fault."
"If you hadn't forced General Lian Po to his death if you hadn't assassinated General Li Mu, how could our Zhao state have fallen to such ruin?"
"Even in death, my father would never forgive you."
The hatred in Zhao Yi's heart was palpable.
Once, the Zhao state had been blessed with talented ministers and generals. Now, under his rule, there was no one left to rely on.
All because Zhao Yan had destroyed it all.
"Your Majesty…"
The Zhao general in the hall called out again, seeing that Zhao Yi remained silent.
At this moment, Zhao Yi slowly stood up. His royal robes gave him an air of kingly authority.
He gazed at the dozens of ministers in the hall.
With a sharp clang, Zhao Yi drew the sword at his waist.
"Zhao Yan was incompetent and brought disaster upon our Zhao state."
"Because of him, our Zhao state has fallen to such a pitiful state. He was unworthy as a son, unworthy as a subject, and most of all, unworthy as a king!"
"I, Zhao Yi, crown prince of Zhao, entrusted with the late king's will, swear to live and die with Zhao!"
"Today, I will not flee. I will lead the Zhao forces to fight the Qin army to the death!"
"Ministers of Zhao, will you stand and fight with me?" Zhao Yi declared with resolute determination, his sword pointed forward.
The difference between Zhao Yi and Zhao Yan was evident.
And the brilliance of Ying Zheng's schemes became clear.
Had Zhao Yi ascended the throne instead of Zhao Yan, the fall of the Zhao state would not have been so swift.
Under Zhao Yi's leadership, with generals like Lian Po and Li Mu, the Zhao state would have put up a fierce resistance.
"We swear to follow His Majesty to the death!"
The ministers in the hall responded in unison, though their thoughts varied.
"There are still 100,000 soldiers in the city."
"I will lead them to fight the Qin army to the death!" Zhao Yi declared loudly.
He then strode out of the hall with determination.
Outside Dai City
The Qin army had already assembled.
In the central command, Wang Jian stood tall, his gaze fixed on Dai City. The fall of this city would mark the end of the Zhao state, and the remaining Zhao territories would crumble within a month.
"Where are the elite soldiers of Great Qin?"
Wang Jian raised his sword, pointing it directly at Dai City.
"Wind! Wind! Wind!"
The soldiers roared in unison, their cries resounding through the heavens.
"Today's battle will mark the final annihilation of Zhao!"
"Once the city falls, Zhao will cease to exist!"
"Pass down my orders!"
"Attack!"
"Destroy Zhao!"
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