Chapter 59 Very Simple

"Lü Buwei pays his respects to Master Xuanqing!"

"Master, coming to my humble estate in the middle of the night, surely you are not here solely to kill them, are you?"

Dazzling torchlight paved the way, and martial artists of the Mixed Origin Xiantian realm stood guard in the front, filing out in an orderly fashion to form an impenetrable defense. Accompanied by the resonant and deep voice echoing from the core area of the residence, a series of light yet uneven footsteps gradually drew closer.

Cradled in the silver moonlight and set against the shimmering glow of fires, looking down from above, deep within the field of vision appeared a thin, gaunt elder dressed in light silk garments. He still wore his tall official cap, though his graying hair was slightly disheveled.

His slightly wrinkled face was remarkably calm, bearing no trace of anger. He seemed completely unconcerned about the God-Realm martial artists slain by Zhou Qing. As he walked into the courtyard where Zhou Qing stood, the commotion subsided even further.

At this moment, the previous sounds of zither music, singing, dancing, merriment, and the clinking of wine cups were completely gone. A few bolder figures began to hurry toward this direction; among the three thousand retainers, there was no shortage of the fierce and valiant.

Lifting his chin slightly, Lü Buwei gazed at the petite figure standing upon the corner of the eaves not far away. Although young in years, the figure radiated an incomparable deterrent force at this moment, and the four longswords hovering around the youth's sides had all been acquired at a great cost.

The wielders of those swords were all top-tier experts, holding the rank of Heaven-Grade Class One top assassins within the Luo Wang network. Yet in the hands of the Daoist Tianzong's Xuanqingzi, they had not even managed to emit the slightest commotion.

He truly lived up to his reputation as the Daoist Xuanqingzi who could suppress the two great Protectors of the Yin-Yang Family, the true heir of the Tianzong, and even more so, the author of *The Creation of Heaven and Earth* and *The Dragon-Han Calamity*.

Yet, no matter how Lü Buwei pondered, he could not recall any connection between himself and the other party. However, for the man to slaughter so many people in his estate in succession without offering a plausible reason was completely unacceptable.

Could he have been sent by King Zheng of Qin?

Highly unlikely. Lü Buwei had managed the Black Ice Terrace for many years and, using it as a foundation, had established the Luo Wang network. Although he had broken free from King Zheng's direct control, even if he were to fall at this moment, it would yield no benefit to the state of Qin as a whole.

Or perhaps Lord Changping and his faction?

As maternal relatives of the state of Chu, they remembered that not long ago, the various states had united to attack Qin, with Chu as the instigator. Later on, Lord Chunshen Huang Xie had fled without a fight. Could it be that they feared Lü Buwei would persuade the King to press troops upon Chu?

Upon closer reflection, however, given the capabilities of Lord Changping and his associates, they likely lacked the clout to enlist a high master of the Daoist Tianzong. If that were not the case, Lü Buwei truly could not fathom why the other party had acted this way tonight.

"Prime Minister, you worry too much. My sole purpose for this trip is indeed to kill them!"

"A few days ago, three disciples of my Daoist Tianzong perished at the hands of the Luo Wang network. As their junior grand-uncle, it is only right that I resolve this karma for them. What does the Prime Minister think?"

With a wave of his hand, Zhou Qing manipulated the four supreme swords of slaughter—Zhengang, Duanshui, Chi, and Mei—turning them into four dazzling streams of light that plummeted from the sky and pierced straight into the dense crowd surrounding Lü Buwei.

Hum! Hum! Hum!

In an instant, primordial energy vibrated throughout the lower courtyard, and streams of condensed protective mysterious light blossomed. Figures stepped forward, attempting to shield Lü Buwei at the very core, yet their movement techniques were still not fast enough.

The four longswords of vastly differing designs pierced through the void, accompanied by an endless, ear-splitting sonic boom. Trembling audibly, the longswords landed precisely three meters in front of Lü Buwei, embedding themselves a full foot deep into the hard stone bricks.

This sudden display caused Black-and-White Xuanjian and the sword masters of Turning Soul and Destruction, standing not far away in the void, to stir. With a single leap, they transformed into streaks of light and appeared directly in front of Lü Buwei.

"So that is how it is. These past few days, Buwei has been entirely occupied with the affairs of attacking Zhao, and truly knew nothing of this. However, the Daoist Tianzong is transcendent and aloof from worldly affairs, and logically should not become entangled with the interests of Qin. I presume someone's eyes were clouded for a moment and inadvertently offended the Tianzong disciples."

"I wonder how the Master wishes to settle this?"

Upon hearing this, Lü Buwei narrowed his eyes slightly. His expression remained unchanged, still revealing nothing of his inner thoughts. Not only that, a trace of startled shock appeared on his face as he glanced left and right.

Immediately afterward, he stepped forward, bowed once more to Zhou Qing above, and spoke in a slow, unhurried tone. His words carried a strange sense of calmness amidst the astonishment. Behind him, Black-and-White Xuanjian and the other sword master also stepped forward.

"It is very simple!"

"I know the capabilities of the Luo Wang network under your command, and I am well aware of their utility to Qin in unifying the six states. However, from this day forth, whatever actions my Daoist Tianzong disciples undertake, the Luo Wang network shall not interfere."

"If this is violated, this sword will wander the lands of Huaxia and slit the throat of every single member of Luo Wang. Does the Prime Minister agree?"

The Luo Wang organization was indeed formidable and oppressive, yet its true strength did not lie in the individual power of its members, but rather in the intricate, intersecting web woven by its internal personnel.

Spanning across Huaxia and perceiving all manner of secrets, it resembled a dark world entirely distinct from the bright world above. Yet, strong as Luo Wang was, in Zhou Qing's eyes, it was nothing much. Before absolute strength, all obstacles were merely illusions.

The crisp voice echoed, its words laced with inner qi, lingering exclusively within the area below where Lü Buwei stood, bound by an invisible force so it did not spill outward. As the words fell, the eagle-shaped sword hovering beside him let out an involuntary cry. In an instant, sword qi surged in all directions, and a vast, towering pressure vanished in a flash.

"What if Tianzong disciples commit acts of rebellion and transgression?"

Before Lü Buwei could speak, the two top-tier swordsmen behind him could no longer restrain themselves. Luo Wang operated without needing to give an account to anyone; so what if they were disciples of the Daoist Tianzong? If they provoked Luo Wang, they would meet the exact same fate.

Although this Xuanqingzi from the Tianzong possessed high cultivation, they could sense that he had not yet reached another realm entirely. Given that, with the methods of the Luo Wang network, there were hundreds of ways to execute him. Why should they fear him?

However, just as they were about to move, Lü Buwei raised a single hand to stop them. Hearing Zhou Qing's words, Lü Buwei chuckled softly, seemingly unperturbed, and merely posed a simple counter-question.

"The affairs of the Daoist Tianzong require no interference from anyone. Should any disciple commit transgression, I shall personally execute them!"

With a light snort, the words finished falling. Zhou Qing did not linger in Lü Buwei's estate; with a light tap of his feet, he melted into the gentle breeze and vanished within a breath. His lingering voice echoed in the courtyard below for a long time.

"My Lord, although this person's cultivation is high, with Luo Wang's capabilities, as long as we pay a certain price, he can still be killed!"

Sensing Zhou Qing's departure, Black-and-White Xuanjian and the other sword master surged with spiritual perception. After several breaths, they stepped up to Lü Buwei and said in deep, solemn voices, their faces quite unsightly. Today, they had first been invaded by an outsider and then threatened by an outsider.

As Heaven-Grade Class One assassins of Luo Wang, this was the utmost humiliation, an absolute slight and contempt. Fury blazed in their hearts; as long as Lü Buwei gave the order, they were confident they could successfully carry out the mission.

"Killing him is easy, but once he is killed, your lives and mine will likely cease to exist very soon. To my knowledge, the foundation of the Daoist Tianzong is not something ordinary hundred schools of thought can compare to."

"Furthermore, the other party is currently the King's Right Palace Protector, and the King has already begun to suppress me. Otherwise, two years ago, Xiong Qi of Chu would never have been able to attain the position of Prime Minister."