The wave of frigid energy was so powerful that even top experts like Tian Hu and Wu Kuang couldn't escape its effects. In an instant, everyone on the battlefield, except Tian Yan's group, was transformed into lifelike ice sculptures.
"Who's there?"
Tian Hu, channeling his inner energy to break free from the ice, swung the Tiger Soul Sword toward the source of the frost, his voice thundering. Wu Kuang followed shortly, wielding the Cold Cicada Sword, but all other Farmer Clan disciples, including Bone Demon and Mute Slave, remained frozen, unable to escape their icy prisons.
"Are you looking for me?" A calm voice whispered into Tian Hu's ear, so close that it made him pale. The Tiger Soul Sword trembled violently, roaring like a tiger as Tian Hu swung it fiercely behind him, the blade slicing through the air like an unstoppable force.
"An impressive sword technique, but where are you aiming?" The voice spoke again, now behind Tian Hu. The place he had just attacked was empty.
"Watch out!" Wu Kuang shouted, seeing the figure clearly. He immediately unleashed a powerful blue sword aura with the Cold Cicada Sword toward the figure behind Tian Hu.
It was Daniel Davis, the National Master of Qin.
"You are loyal to the Farmer Clan to a fault," Daniel said as he dodged Wu Kuang's sword aura with ease, appearing in front of Wu Kuang in an instant. Placing a palm on Wu Kuang's chest, he vanished again, reappearing beside Tian Yan before the Cold Cicada Sword could strike.
"Greetings, National Master." Tian Yan and Sima Wanli greeted Daniel in unison, bowing respectfully. Tian Zhong and Tian Mi hurried to follow suit.
"I feel like a stereotypical villain boss right now," Daniel mused, glancing at Sima Wanli, Tian Zhong, and Tian Mi. Despite his disdain for their characters, he acknowledged their loyalty—those who surrendered were allies, while those who resisted, no matter their virtues, were enemies. It was a matter of allegiance.
Wu Kuang's loyalty to the Farmer Clan was undeniable. On his wedding night, he was manipulated into killing his brother. Yet, for the sake of righteousness, he remained steadfast in his support of the Farmer Clan, making him an enemy of the Qin Empire. Daniel had no mercy for such enemies. The icy strike he had delivered earlier had already penetrated Wu Kuang's meridians and organs, leaving him beyond saving.
"You've made a wise choice to switch allegiance. Rest assured, the empire will not treat you unfairly," Daniel promised Sima Wanli and the others to placate them.
The unification of the Six States by Qin presented significant governance challenges. Historically, the Qin Dynasty's fall during its second emperor's reign was due in large part to such issues. Though Daniel's martial prowess was unparalleled, even he couldn't resolve these problems overnight; it would require time and systematic reform.
"National Master, you are truly awe-inspiring," Tian Mi said, stepping forward with a seductive sway, her tone filled with flattery. She hoped to secure her position by catching Daniel's attention, confident in her beauty and charm. Her every movement exuded allure, a skill that had ensnared even Wu Kuang and Tian Zhong in the past.
But this time, Tian Mi miscalculated. While her beauty was indeed captivating—perhaps even surpassing Snow Maiden and Nongyu in allure—it failed to sway Daniel. He acknowledged her beauty as any man might, but that was the extent of his interest.
"Enough of this pitiful act," Tian Yan said coldly, intercepting Tian Mi before she could reach Daniel. Her icy gaze and barely restrained killing intent froze Tian Mi in her tracks. She dared not provoke Tian Yan, whose demeanor had transformed entirely.
"Second Uncle, it's just you now," Tian Yan said, stepping toward Tian Hu. Meanwhile, Wu Kuang, incapacitated by Daniel's frosty strike, glared at Tian Mi in silent fury, unable to speak. His strong inner energy allowed him to cling to life, but only barely.
"You think I'd ever submit to you? Tian Yan, let's settle this once and for all. Show me your strength," Tian Hu declared, his expression suddenly calm. He had accepted his fate but resolved to go down fighting.
If Tian Yan had been fighting for the Farmer Clan's interests, Tian Hu might have considered surrender. But to him, serving the Qin Empire was unthinkable. The anti-Qin forces, despite their infighting, had always been united against Qin.
"Very well, Second Uncle. Let me send you off," Tian Yan said, gathering her inner energy into the Jingni Sword.
"Come!" Tian Hu roared, channeling his energy into the Tiger Soul Sword.
With a deafening clash, their swords met midair, unleashing a shockwave that shattered the frozen sculptures of the Farmer Clan disciples. The two combatants were locked in a fierce exchange, their movements so swift that their figures blurred. Sword clashes rang out as they exchanged more than a dozen blows in moments.
"Impressive, Tian Yan," Daniel observed.
Tian Hu's Tiger Soul Sword Technique, known for its dominance, found no opportunity to shine against Tian Yan's precision. Every strike of hers targeted its weaknesses. As a first-class assassin of the Luo Network, Tian Yan's attacks were deadly, with no wasted movements. Even Tian Hu's attempts to overwhelm her with brute strength failed, as her inner energy surpassed his.
After several rounds, Tian Hu, already weakened from Tian Zhong's earlier ambush, found himself unable to keep up. Realizing this, he unleashed his ultimate move, a desperate all-or-nothing attack. A massive tiger head materialized behind him, roaring thunderously as it charged at Tian Yan.
However, Tian Yan remained unfazed. Her Jingni Sword emitted a powerful energy wave that not only shattered the tiger head but also pierced Tian Hu's body multiple times.
"Impressive," Daniel remarked, now genuinely impressed by Tian Yan. Her skill in that final strike could rival even the famed Zongheng duo.
"Return to Daze Mountain and notify me when the time comes. I'll deal with the Six Elders," Daniel instructed Tian Yan before disappearing. With the deaths of Tian Guang, Tian Meng, Tian Hu, and Wu Kuang, it would be easy for Tian Yan to take control of the Farmer Clan. While she could handle the Six Elders herself, Daniel intended to eliminate them preemptively to avoid any potential threats to Qin.
"Shadow Guard Han Xin greets the National Master."
"Oh, so you're Han Xin," Daniel said, his interest piqued. The man before him was unassuming, dressed in plain robes, but carried the Qianjiao Sword on his back—a symbol of his latent potential.
"You've heard of me, National Master?" Han Xin asked, his calm expression betraying a flicker of surprise.
"Of course. A disciple of Wei Liaozi? How could I not?" Daniel replied with a meaningful smile.
Han Xin was a man of both talent and ambition, the type who thrived in times of chaos. Daniel gave him a message for the Shadow Guard: "Tell Zhang Han the Farmer Clan is under my control now. There's no need for the Shadow Guard to focus on it anymore."
With that, Daniel departed. Resolving the issues surrounding Liu Ji and the Farmer Clan left only the Xiang Clan to deal with. Once they were neutralized, the anti-Qin forces would crumble entirely.
Later, Daniel visited Zhao Gao, the leader of the Luo Network, in Shouchun.
"The Farmer Clan is now under my jurisdiction. Tian Yan works for me. Do you understand, Lord Chancellor?"
"Zhao Gao understands," he replied deferentially. With the fall of Chu, the last obstacle to Qin's unification, Zhao Gao and others had grown more compliant. The Seven Warring States had officially ended, and Qin now ruled all under heaven.
Rejecting the title of "Son of Heaven," Ying Zheng, following Li Si's counsel, adopted the title First Emperor—Qin Shi Huang.
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