Chapter 18: The Coming of Evil

  Qin Shi Huang said he collected books from all over the world, and it's naturally impossible that he was just boasting.

  When Yao Guang personally came to the outside of "Cloud Pavilion", pushed open the door, she also couldn't help but widen her eyes, only then did she understand what "Gathering all the books in the world" meant.

  The hall was filled with books, as far as the eye could see, it was a sea of books, and one couldn't even see the end. The entire palace was so vast, it was unknown how many scrolls were stored inside.

  Ying Zheng dismissed his attendants and proudly walked into the Yunjing Pavilion, pointing to a bookshelf and saying: "This place collects books from the former Zhao state."

  Yao Guang walked over, casually picked up a bamboo scroll, opened it and took a glance, indeed it was not the script she was familiar with.

  "The characters written by Zhao Guo, was this book originally stored in Zhao?"

  "It is. After I destroyed Zhao, I searched for and collected the books hidden within the borders of Zhao and had them transported to Xianyang. This is the original text. I have already ordered people to transcribe it in small seal script. The transcription is in the inner chamber. You may read it at your leisure."

  Yao Guang glanced at the dimly lit inner hall with her extraordinary eyesight, and couldn't help but sigh in amazement at the rows of shelves filled with bamboo slips.

  "It seems I thought of finishing it all in a few days, doesn't seem too possible... Guess I was being a bit too arrogant."

  Ying Zheng saw a hint of shyness on Yao Guang's face and couldn't help but smile.

  "Sir, you are free to come and browse at your leisure. If you'd like to take a book away with you, that's also fine. There's no need to rush over the next few days."

  "...The world is changing rapidly, and time will not wait for me. If I don't finish quickly, it won't have much significance." Yao Guang smiled and clenched his fist, "I dare not delay Your Majesty any further, I will arrange the time properly. By the way, I also want to borrow some craftsmen from Your Majesty, if they have experience in making mechanical armor that would be best, if not, I hope to find some experienced and skilled carpenters, I want to make something."

  Qin Shi Huang slightly furrowed his brow, "Carpentry? Are you thinking of making a mechanical beast?" He quickly brushed away the hint of displeasure and smiled, saying, "In the past, Lord Xiao didn't want to bother learning Mohist mechanics, but instead it was you who learned a thing or two from eavesdropping. I'd also like to see your work on Mohist machinery, with wooden and stone parts that can move."

  Xie Taifu, Mohist mechanical engineering?

  Yao Guang originally wanted to refute that she learned the mechanical skills of Wanhuagu, but then she remembered that this was a thousand years before the Tang Dynasty, and she wasn't clear about Gong Sheng's lineage. Maybe Seng Yihang really did have some connection with Mohism, so she swallowed her words and tacitly agreed.

  Yao Guang smiled and replied: "Once the Tian Gong Ji Jia Niao is completed, I will definitely let Your Majesty see it. However, I still need to trouble Your Majesty for some materials. I will make a copy of the material list."

  The mechanical bird of the Valley of All Flowers, though not as agile as an eagle or a hawk, can still soar through the skies and is even more efficient than a fine steed for long-distance travel. However, its materials are hard to come by and it's difficult to make, so even in the Valley of All Flowers, it's not something that everyone possesses. Now, with Qin Shi Huang's favor, which is almost as good as having everything at her fingertips, gathering materials for production is undoubtedly much easier than searching for them herself over mountains and rivers. If she doesn't seize this opportunity now, that would be foolish - heaven offers a gift, but if you don't accept it, you'll suffer the consequences.

  Ying Zheng nodded in delight.

  "If you don't mind, sir, there is someone from the Gongshu family in Xianyang who can come to assist you. I'm sure it will be a great help."

  Yao Guang thought for a moment, recalling that Ge Nie had once told her that there might be people from the Gong Shu family among those attacking the Organ City, otherwise it wouldn't have been so easy for them to find its weakness.

  "Is the Gongshu family, the one from 'Mohist mechanisms, wooden and stone roads, bronze mouths, ask Gongshu' that Gongshu family? Each profession has its own specialization, I myself am not a master of mechanism techniques either. If we have the help of the Gongshu family, it would be even better."

  Ying Zheng thought that Yao Guang would have some resentment towards Gong Shu's family for participating in the attack on the Jade Gate, so he proposed it with a hint of probing. Unexpectedly, Yao Guang agreed so readily that Ying Zheng was taken aback and couldn't help but ask: "Sir, don't you mind that Gong Shu once attacked the Jade Gate?"

  Yao Guang Qi said, "At that time, we stood on different ground, each serving our own master. What's the need to mind? I didn't think highly of the Mohist school either. Back then, I was in the city only because I owed a favor to someone from the Mohist school. Now it's all cleared up, what does the Mohist school have to do with me?"

  Qin Zheng was stunned for a moment before bursting out laughing uncontrollably.

  "So it was..."

  Yao Guang looked at Ying Zheng with a puzzled expression for a while before walking away, frowning silently.

  What's so funny about what she just said? Is it because of the different era that caused a communication barrier?

  It's been over a thousand years, so it's inevitable that there will be some differences. It mustn't be that I said something wrong.

  It's definitely not.

  Yao Guang comforted herself like this and then buried her head to look for what she wanted.

  Ying Zheng got the answer from Yao Guang, feeling great, and after gathering the swordsmiths, he began to gather carpenters. The Gong Shu family was naturally invited as well. Soon, everything on Yao Guang's list was prepared in a satisfactory manner. If Ying Zheng hadn't ordered that idle people were not allowed to approach Yun Jing Pavilion, Gong Chou would have liked to ask Yao Guang immediately what the "Tian Gong Ji Jia Niao" was.

  Yao Guang was reading in the Yun Jing Pavilion, almost to the point of neglecting sleep and food. During this time, she discovered something that surprised her greatly.

  Her memory seems to have improved a lot compared to before. Although it's not to the point of being able to memorize everything at a glance, she can recall about 60-70% of what she has read after just one look without any difficulty.

  Thanks to her exceptional memory, Yao Guang finally managed to roughly finish translating what she wanted within seven days. She didn't have time to read the rest and made a mark on the bookshelf before leaving. As soon as she stepped out, she bumped into Gong Shu Chou who had been waiting for a long time.

  Facing Gongshu's continuous questioning, Yao Guang, who was not very familiar with the official techniques of learning, decisively drew out the Tian Gong Tu diagram and gave it to Gongshu.

  Gongshu Qi was shocked and blurted out: "Does a true master worry about petty people stealing his skills?"

  Yao Guang blinked her eyes, slightly puzzled.

  "Why must you sneak around to learn? If you're willing to learn, just do it openly. Making mechanical birds is already a lot of trouble."

  Gongsun Zidu was shocked and moved to tears, then bowed deeply until his head touched the ground.

  "A gentleman will never betray the trust of another."

  Then Gong Shu Chou carefully and reverently held the chart, walked away with a satisfied expression. Yao Guang scratched her cheek, not understanding what was going on.

  This chart has been widely circulated and many people have copied it by hand, why should one "steal" a copy?

  If Yao Guang were born a thousand years earlier, perhaps she would have understood why Gong Shu was shocked and amazed, and why he was deeply moved.

  Yao Guang was born in the Tang Dynasty and grew up during its heyday, having long been accustomed to the open academic atmosphere of the Tang Dynasty which absorbed and gathered all kinds of knowledge.

  It's just like the pure Yang Palace gate's Yao Guang can go to Wanhua Valley to study, get the guidance of the seven saints in Wanhua Valley, learn poetry and books, Qi Huang, roughly understand the art of machinery, and also went to Xixi Lake's Cangjian Mountain Villa to learn sword casting, thanks to Ye family young master's careful teaching, this has the ability to cast the Upper Clear Sky Sword.

  In this sense, it is not an exaggeration to say that Yao Guang's body encompasses the strengths of several schools.

  During the heyday of Tang Dynasty, various schools and factions had a lot of exchanges. Except for their own secret teachings, they would teach everything else to students who came from afar with a sincere desire to learn and good conduct.

  It was precisely because Yao Guang had such an experience that she could hardly imagine how difficult it was to obtain "knowledge" in this era, and how hard it was to ask for learning.

  Poor families had no conditions or opportunities to go to school, and it was precisely because of this that people who could read and write were highly respected in this era. If someone had a good background and had the opportunity to pursue knowledge, each school would only teach their own disciples and would never pass on what they had learned to outsiders. In such a world, there was a saying "teach apprentices, starve the master", many people were unwilling to teach others, and many things were hidden and lost, the more this happened, the more people treasured their "unique skills" and refused to pass them on to others. Under these circumstances, how many people would be willing to hand over their production diagrams to others without any hesitation?

  This kind of ideological dislocation caused by the difference in era produced a wonderful effect, and the direct impact was that Yao Guang waited for a day with her hands in her sleeves, and the Tian Gong Ji Jia Niao she had been eyeing for a long time was assembled, and it was even modified on the original version to become safer and more aggressive.

  Gong Shu's face was flushed with excitement as he enthusiastically introduced the functions of this modified Tian Gong Ji Jue Niao in detail.

  Yao Guang lavished praise without restraint, then stepped onto the bird's back and activated the mechanism. The Tian Gong Ji Jia Niao flapped its wings several times before finally taking to the air. She manipulated the mechanical bird to circle in mid-air not far from the ground several times, confirming that she was operating it with ease. Only then did she wave her hand at the people on the ground once more and drive the Tian Gong Ji Jia Niao straight into the clouds.

  Ying Zheng watched as Yao Guang walked away, smiling and whispering: "May you have a smooth journey, sir."

  Gong Shu Chou then followed Yao Guang, boasting that he had finished him off. He began to foolishly smile, but Yao Guang was already far away and he was still smiling foolishly.

  The people around all silently twitched at the corner of their mouths.

  Gong Sun Chu isn't always walking on the road of tyranny and despotism, so why has he suddenly become like this?

  There were also people from the Yin-Yang family who came to see him off.

  In the past, the two guardians of the Yin-Yang family held a transcendent position in the Great Qin Empire. Now, suddenly, a Daoist "Imperial Master" has emerged and is highly valued by Your Majesty. The Yin-Yang family is also discussing this matter extensively, fearing that if Your Majesty favors Daoism, they will gradually be alienated. The Eastern Emperor Taizong has strictly ordered everyone to investigate the origin of "Jade Light", instructing the Moon God and Star Soul to set up a method to solidify their position.

  The moon god's face was calm and cold, pinching the handprint in front of him, saying softly: "Your Majesty, the emperor's star is broken by the military, it is a ominous star, wherever it is, there must be war."

  Ying Zheng's smile faded away as he coldly glanced at Yue Shen.

  The Son of Heaven's anger, a hundred million corpses laid low, blood flowing like rivers.

  The moon goddess was startled by the killing intent that had almost solidified in that icy gaze, and her pupils involuntarily constricted slightly.

  Is she... mistaken about something...

  That Taoist maiden... Could it be that she is not actually a member of the Taoist sect sent to curry favor with the King of Qin?

  The stifling atmosphere was broken after a few gasps.

  Ying Zheng said in a low voice: "The Moon God has this energy, it's not bad to use it to take a look at those things that harm the empire."

  The Moon Goddess's heart skipped a beat.

  So you're saying she shouldn't focus on "Yao Guang" anymore?

  The Moon God immediately swallowed other sharp words and changed his tone: "Your Majesty, the Mirage has been largely completed and can be launched in no time."

  Qin Zheng hesitated for a moment.

  "Mirage... is also in Sanghai. Make some preparations, I will personally go to Sanghai after a while."

  "Sang Hai is located in the east, bordering the sea... it should be a pretty good place."

  Yao Guang stood on the back of the Tian Gong Ji Jia bird with his hands behind him, occasionally pinching his fingers to release "Sitting Forgetfulness" and using the primordial energy to protect himself.

  Sit and forget, meditate and forget, without blemish or harm - this is the basic method of Qianyangmen's breath control, which can protect oneself in battle and also achieve a clear and calm state of mind in daily life, reflecting on one's true self.

  With this barrier of air blocking the way, Yao Guang calmly rode the wind, her long hair and clothes fluttering slightly from time to time, as if she was not in the nine heavens, but standing among the lush green grass feeling the gentle breeze on her face.

  From Xianyang to Sanghai, the road is rugged and bumpy, with many mountain roads. If you take a horse-drawn carriage, it will be too time-consuming. Even if you ride a horse at full gallop, it may still take ten days or half a month.

  Yao Guang didn't want to waste this time, now passing through the air, at most no more than two or three days, she would arrive at her destination after a brief rest.

  At this moment, Xiaoshengyuan has lost its usual tranquility due to a letter from Xianyang.

  That letter, which was delivered by a swift horse, had only a few words, but it made the three masters unable to ignore it.

  I heard that Confucian scholar Fu Da has a sword named Tai E, I want to obtain it and present it to Your Majesty. I will come visit soon.

  If such an impolite visiting card came from a nobody, the three masters would probably just laugh it off. However, this visiting card was delivered by fast horse from the official post station, indicating that the sender is of noble status. The name at the end of the visiting card reads "Yao Guang" - after the incident of the thunderstorm on the night of the full moon in Xianyang, who in all of Qin would not know who Yao Guang is?

  Today's emperor's teacher, honor and wealth are unmatched.

  "Big Brother, this might not be what Yao Guang... or True Person had in mind."

  He nodded with his head down.

  "The Emperor's Teacher... A Name That Is Not Empty."

  "The Emperor's teacher has come, it must be because Your Majesty has doubts about the Confucian scholars... Brother Shi should be careful..."

  Yan Lu gave Zhang Liang a meaningful glance.

  Zhang Liang had secretly left Sang Hai some time ago, and Yan Lu was not unaware of this matter.

  Zhang Liang returned with a calm and clear gaze.

  "We should all be more careful."

  Xiao Shengxian Zhuang waited in this tense atmosphere until one day, a disciple suddenly pointed to the sky and exclaimed: "Something is falling down!"

  Everyone put down their bows and arrows, looked up at the sky, and was stunned for a moment.

  A white shadow fell rapidly from the sky, and as it approached, a faint white dot gradually became clear.

  The blue and white Taoist robe matches the clear blue sky perfectly, with long sleeves catching the wind, the hem fluttering, and a majestic posture, as if a white crane in the clouds.

  The girl's expression was calm as water from start to finish, and just before landing, she took a virtual step in the air. Her body, which had been falling rapidly, immediately slowed down and floated gently to the ground. Her flying black hair fell slowly back onto her shoulders, and the lotus flower crown on her hair reflected the sunlight, sometimes reflecting a dizzying light.

  The maiden-like Taoist landed and looked around at the crowd, finally fixing her gaze on a certain person who was different from the others in terms of their demeanor. She smiled slightly and bowed her hands in greeting.

  "Mr. Zhang, nice to see you again."