Upon hearing this, everyone started discussing fervently.
"That Qin Zhaoxiang King is really unreasonable. He agreed to exchange cities, but in the end he didn’t. Isn’t this bullying?"
"Of course it’s bullying. After all, Great Qin was the strongest at the ti, and Zhao State had no power to resist. Besides, we’re talking about fifteen cities. If you ask , no jade is worth fifteen cities. Qin Zhaoxiang King was obviously just bluffing. I don’t even believe it, let alone King Huiwen of Zhao."
"So they say, ’A gentleman is innocent, but possessing jade causes his downfall...’
At this mont, Wang Yuyan’s voice rang out again beside everyone’s ears.
"Later, when Qin Shi Huang unified the six states, the He Shi Bi fell into his hands. He ordered Li Si to engrave ’Mandated by Heaven, may it last forever’ on the Bi, turning it into the Jade Seal. Later, when Han Gaozu Liu Bang overthrew Great Qin, Prince Ziying of Qin presented the He Shi Bi to Liu Bang, and Liu Bang called it the ’Imperial Jade Seal.’ Since then, the He Shi Bi beca a national symbol. Later, when Wang Mang usurped the throne, he asked Empress Dowager Xiao Yuan for the He Shi Bi, but she threw it to the ground in anger, chipping a corner. Wang Mang then had it repaired with gold, giving it the exquisite na ’Jade Body, Golden Corner.’"
By now, the entire Peony Building had quieted down. Everyone was eagerly listening to Wang Yuyan’s narration. After all, the most popular topic now was the news about the He Shi Bi, and learning about its backstory was quite an interesting matter.
"After Wang Mang’s death, up until the Late Han and Han Shaodi, the He Shi Bi vanished. Until the Three Kingdoms period when Sun Jian, the Governor of Changhe, was patrolling Luoyang City and saw dazzling light from a well. He ordered it to be dredged, and they fished out the corpse of a palace concubine, with a red box tied around her neck. Upon opening it, it turned out to be the He Shi Bi. Later, Sun Jian died in battle, the He Shi Bi fell into Cao Cao’s hands, then during the Sui’s destruction of Southern Chen, Yang Jian searched all of Chen Palace but couldn’t find the He Shi Bi, and then it was declared missing."
"Hmm, did you hear that?"
It was only then that Duanmu Huai started to speak. Hearing his rude question, everyone looked at each other in confusion, not knowing what he was talking about.
"May I ask what this has to do with what you said earlier?"
"Isn’t it simple? If the He Shi Bi really could stabilize the nation, then the Zhao State, which originally held it, wouldn’t have been destroyed. And Qin Shi Huang took the He Shi Bi and his empire fell after two generations. If the tale about Sun Jian is true, wasn’t he the chosen one for the He Shi Bi and ended up dead by Cao Cao’s hand? Cao Cao took the He Shi Bi and didn’t end well. His sons all died, and later the nation was usurped by Sima Yi. If this He Shi Bi was beneficial, it wouldn’t cause those who have it to lose heirs and destroy kingdoms."
Saying this, Duanmu Huai laughed heartily.
"This thing seems more like an evil object. Cihang Jingzhai actually presents it as so treasure, saying those who attain the He Shi Bi get the world? How are they so sure that the one who gets the He Shi Bi is a wise ruler for all ti? Couldn’t it also end up in the hands of unfortunate ones like Hu Hai, Sun Jian, or Cao Cao? Even Ying Zheng and Liu Bang didn’t get it until they unified the world, it wasn’t the He Shi Bi that allowed them to do so. Looking at it this way, this thing is only known by na; practically, it’s quite useless, causing the deaths of quite a few."
Upon hearing this, the entire Peony Building was instantly abuzz. Previously, everyone subconsciously believed in Cihang Jingzhai’s claim that whoever held the He Shi Bi would gain the world, but with Duanmu Huai providing a new perspective, they realized that the He Shi Bi seed to have caused more deaths than successes!
Moreover, it seems no one gained the world after obtaining the He Shi Bi; rather, they attained it first and then got the He Shi Bi!
Hearing the commotion in the tavern, Duanmu Huai coldly laughed. Such a play on concepts wasn’t common in this era, but in Duanmu Huai’s ti it was already a cliché. It’s like saying only countries taking the Western democratic path can beco developed countries, so to live well you must reform the system. But if you ask them which country beca developed after adopting Western democracy, they’d be speechless.
"Utter nonsense!"
However, soone quickly spoke up in reproach.
"Cihang Jingzhai cares for the world, seeking a wise ruler to enter society, striving for the welfare of the people......"
"Isn’t that nonsense!"
Before the other could finish, Duanmu Huai coldly interrupted.
"Even when visiting a brothel, the won there will praise you, calling you handso and generous, rather than asking directly for money... that’s robbery!"
Hearing this, the entire Peony Building paused, then erupted in laughter.
After all, though Duanmu Huai’s words were crude, they were logical. Everyone understood, not even the Demon Sect would claim they’d kill all opposition after gaining power... that’d be creating unnecessary trouble for themselves.
"Besides, if Cihang Jingzhai really has the world in mind and works for the people’s welfare, where were they when Yang Guang was tyrannizing? Why were they hiding in the mountains? Now that Yang Guang is dead, and the world is in chaos, whom are they pretending to care for with their rciful act? Does it an only those dying during chaos matter, but those killed by Yang Guang aren’t humans?"
"Well said!"
Upon hearing these words, voices of agreent echoed in Peony Building. Yang Guang’s tyranny and the resulting loss of lives were undeniable, yet Cihang Jingzhai had been silent back then, now suddenly stepping out to choose the benevolent ruler?
Not everyone admired Cihang Jingzhai. Though their apparent position was intimidating, not many dared to confront them. Yet now, seeing soone stand up, others quickly cheered along.
However, apparently, not everyone was pleased with this situation. Suddenly, a figure dashed out from the tavern.
"Outrageous, which brazen fool is speaking, dare to co down and let , Wang Bao, et you!"
Seeing the elderly speaker announce his na, the entire tavern went silent. No one expected the so-called Liao Dong’s top expert Wang Bao to face them personally, both shocking and silencing everyone. It was one thing to squabble, but none wished to cross a grandmaster-level expert, filling the audience with both curiosity and tension, eager to see how the person upstairs would respond.
Yet the next mont, they saw a shadow descend from the sky, crashing heavily to the ground.
"Bang!"
Duanmu Huai landed like a teor, the shockwave forcing Wang Bao to step back. Standing up, he coldly stared at Wang Bao.
"Let , Duanmu Huai, see what you’re capable of!"
Hearing Duanmu Huai announce his na, the entire tavern fell into silence before erupting into chaos!
The Undying Slaughter God, Duanmu Huai.
His na had long been circulating through the Four Great Martial States, and in South Martial State, one of his most famous feats was assassinating the Tyrant Yang Guang. It could be said that the current situation of Southern State owes much to Duanmu Huai. Instantly, everyone rushed to the railings, peering into the courtyard to catch a glimpse of the man who personally ended the tyrant Yang Guang.
anwhile, Wang Bao, though outwardly calm, was sweating profusely inside. Being an old hand in Jianghu, he assud anyone would give him face, but didn’t expect to provoke this ominous star before him——-as if joking, the man even dared to kill an Emperor, who would he not dare kill?
Could he possibly compare with an Emperor?
"What’s the matter? Not speaking?"
Duanmu Huai folded his arms, coldly staring at Wang Bao, whose almost palpable killing intent weighed down heavily on him, making it hard to breathe. Wang Bao bowed his head, fists clenching, unable even to muster a thought of resistance. It was then he truly understood the Undying Slaughter God’s reputation wasn’t unfounded.
"Get lost, or die, your choice!"
Duanmu Huai showed no intention of giving face to this so-called Liao Dong’s top expert. Even if Shi Feixuan was present, he’d still slap if necessary, thus he stared directly at Wang Bao, presenting the choice.
Faced with such a predicant, Wang Bao clenched his teeth, caught in a dilemma. He initially stepped forward rely to favor Cihang Jingzhai, but man proposes and god disposes, finding himself suddenly facing a life-or-death decision.
Ultimately, Wang Bao determinedly gritted his teeth, clenching his fist, then saluted!
"Farewell!"
The next mont, Wang Bao didn’t look back as he turned into a blur, executing the swiftest Qinggong of his life, dashing into Peony Building, vanishing from sight.
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