Kong Chan finally relented. Taoists are generally easygoing, but they just couldn't control themselves when they encountered Guiguzi.
"Zhang Liang, why haven't you become my disciple yet?"
Xiao Zhangliang was clearly not in a hurry to react until Lu Li reminded him. He then woke up, quickly knelt on the ground, and kowtowed three times to Kong Chan.
Then he turned to Guiguzi and said, "Disciple Zhang Liang greets Master!"
Guiguzi was overjoyed. First Lu Li, and now Zhang Liang. His Guigu lineage had produced two more unparalleled talents.
"Alright, alright! Get up quickly."
Guiguzi raised his hand, signaling Zhang Liang to stand up.
“Old Kong, I will not treat you unfairly. When Zhang Liang completes his training, I will send him back to your Wangwu Mountain to continue cultivating his mind and character with you.”
Guiguzi was confident that he could train Zhang Liang within five years.
Kong Chan didn't care that much anymore, because he knew that Zhang Liangzhi wasn't there; he was just interested in Huang-Lao philosophy.
Whether or not he joined Taoism was actually irrelevant to him; he just couldn't resist arguing with Guiguzi.
"It's alright, Zhang Liang. If you are still interested in Huang-Lao philosophy, you are welcome to come to my Wangwu Mountain at any time."
"Thank you, Master!" Zhang Liang bowed again and said.
This matter has been temporarily resolved, and everyone is happy.
The next day, people from all the families began to leave Yunmeng Mountain one after another, but the old man from the medical family, Qingshan, did not leave.
He planned to stay in Yunmeng Mountain for a while, since it was usually difficult to meet Guiguzi. At their age, he wondered if this would be the last time they saw each other.
"Master, I must return to Xianyang. Please take care!"
There are still a lot of things to deal with in Qin. Now that Lao Ai has been captured, he also has to help Ying Zheng take back power from Lü Buwei.
"Go, be careful." Guiguzi disliked sentimental confessions, so he simply waved his hand and stopped looking at Lu Li.
Lu Li understood, took a deep breath and said to Xiao Zhangliang, "Junior brother, take good care of Master."
Young Zhang Liang nodded and replied, "Don't worry, Senior Brother."
After saying that, Lu Li left Yunmeng Mountain with Cangwu.
...
The Qin state, Xianyang Palace.
Ying Zheng sat upright in the main hall, while Lü Buwei had been claiming illness for three days and had not attended court.
When Xianyang Palace was besieged, he knew that Lü Buwei had led his retainers to provide support, but before they even reached Xianyang Palace, he had already captured Lao Ai.
Later, when resisting Cheng Jiao's rebel army, he went straight back to his residence. Ying Zheng understood that Lü Buwei might have already guessed something.
"Your Majesty, the crimes Lao Ai has committed over the years are countless. We beg Your Majesty to sentence Lao Ai to death! To be torn apart by five horses!!!"
Ying Xi was the first to stand up and accuse Lao Ai; his hatred for Lao Ai was truly deep-seated.
"I second that proposal."
The court officials echoed this sentiment, all believing that such a person deserved the most severe punishment. They argued that he was a scourge to the state and that keeping him around would only bring more trouble.
Ying Zheng waved his hand, signaling everyone to quiet down, and said, "Alright, as Uncle Wang said, grant Lao Ai the punishment of being torn apart by five horses, and let Uncle Wang supervise the execution."
He gave Ying Xi the opportunity to oversee the execution of Lao Ai, also so that Ying Xi could vent his anger.
With Lü Buwei absent from the court, no one dared to voice any dissent.
However, what Ying Zheng is troubled about now is Empress Dowager Zhao Ji. He never expected that Zhao Ji would agree to Lao Ai's actions.
He is also Zhao Ji's son, and they have a mother-son bond that has gone through life and death together. Is that not as good as a lover?
After the court session ended, a young eunuch came to report that Mr. Lu had returned. Ying Zheng didn't even rest before rushing to see Lu Li.
"Sir, you're finally back."
Although Lu Li had arranged everything before leaving, Ying Zheng was always uneasy without Lu Li around. He only breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Wang Jian's army arrive.
"His Majesty doesn't look well. Has something happened?" Lu Li asked.
Ying Zheng sighed; he didn't know how to describe his current feelings.
"Mr. Lu, why does my mother want her lover and not me?"
After pondering for a long time, Ying Zheng finally asked the question.
Lu Li sighed. Only Lu Li dared to hear such words; anyone else would probably be terrified.
"Your Majesty, this is the price of becoming king."
"Think back, after you became the King of Qin, did you communicate with the Empress Dowager less and less?"
Lu Li's words silenced Ying Zheng. What Lu Li said was indeed true. Since he became King of Qin, Zhao Ji and Lü Buwei had joined forces to control the government, which made him increasingly distant from Zhao Ji.
"But I am still his son!"
Ying Zheng was extremely unwilling; he did not want to accept the fact that his mother no longer loved him.
"But he has more than one son now."
Lu Li's words struck Ying Zheng's heart like a heavy hammer!
His mother had two children with Lao Ai; he was not her only son.
"I'm going to see Lao Ai!" Ying Zheng's eyes revealed a ruthless glint.
Lu Li followed Ying Zheng to the Heavenly Prison, where Lao Ai was tortured and covered in wounds, on the verge of death.
"Lao Ai, the King is here!" the jailer shouted sternly.
He slowly raised his head and looked at Ying Zheng, his eyes already dull and lifeless.
Seeing Lao Ai's appearance, Ying Zheng asked, "How was your time in the Heavenly Prison?"
To everyone's surprise, Lao Ai forced a smile and said in a hoarse voice, "Ying Zheng, do you think... you've won?"
Ying Zheng stood outside the imperial prison, one hand on the sword at his waist, and said with great arrogance, "Otherwise what?"
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