Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield Chapter 709 Chapter 290: Xiang Yu! Zhang Liang! The Unification of the World!

Provided Zhao Feng avoids any misconceptions, all remains well.

Hou Sheng genuinely fears Zhao Feng could mistake these killers for Qi's handiwork. Were that to happen, no defense would suffice.

"Your Majesty."

"Every assassin has been wiped out."

"The Personal Guard Army took zero losses."

Zhang Ming spurred his horse ahead and reported with utmost respect.

Zhao Feng gave a faint nod.

His gaze then swept over the frightened commoners clustered along both sides of the official road.

"I stand right here, you survivors from fallen states. If killing me is your aim, grasp this moment. After today passes, no further shots will come."

Having scanned the crowd, Zhao Feng bellowed his challenge.

In the lurking shadows.

Those remnants yet to strike felt rage and loathing surge in their hearts at Zhao Feng's declaration.

Ever since Han's downfall.

During Qin's conquest of nations, Zhao Feng played a key role.

Countless aristocratic houses from vanquished lands fell to Zhao Feng's command. To these survivors, he owed rivers of blood; they despised him utterly, yearning to shred him apart.

Within a humble dwelling.

"That scum."

"This cursed Qin thief."

"He's utterly arrogant."

"I swear I'll slay him."

A youthful lad spat curses in fury and lunged for the door, sword in hand.

"Yu'er, hold your tongue."

"Stay put."

"Charging out now means certain death." The man, just past thirty, rebuked the boy sharply.

"Uncle."

"Grandpa fell to his blade, and half our Xiang clan was butchered by the Qin forces—all thanks to that vile Zhao Feng."

"If I don't strike now, returning to the Qin capital leaves us scant hope." Yu'er spat with seething hatred.

"Zhao Feng seeks to lure us out with taunts, straight to our doom."

"True, he lacks a full camp's might, but his loyal guards are seasoned killers, far beyond common folk. Even your courage, Yu'er, can't stand against such elites."

"Endure it."

"Qin won't dominate eternally. We just bide our time for the perfect strike." Xiang Liang sighed deeply.

Right then.

This boy's identity becomes clear.

The legendary Overlord of Western Chu, Xiang Yu.

Xiang Liang served as his uncle indeed.

Back when Zhao Feng's forces crushed Chu, myriad Chu souls perished under his orders; the three great Chu clans, Xiang Yan's included, vanished by one decree from Zhao Feng.

"Brother Xiang."

"Your uncle speaks true."

"Revenge or revival—this isn't the hour."

"Qin stands mighty now, its sovereign brilliant, backed by formidable officials and generals."

"Our homeland couldn't rival Qin in its prime; destroyed, our scattered few would crumble beneath them effortlessly."

"We're mere rats in the dark—hidden, we survive; exposed, we perish."

"Lurk and await the chance."

A youthful figure addressed Xiang Yu as well.

"Zi Fang."

"With Qi's king choosing submission, what's our path?"

"Qi alone lingers; its fall turns Qi lands to Qin soil, tightening the noose on us." Xiang Liang eyed the youth in despair.

"Qin may rule the realm with boundless lands, yet it can't watch every corner. Holding Qi folk registry, we stay concealed henceforth, building power till the moment ripens."

"More than that."

"Across our lost homeland, anti-Qin loyalists can quietly thrive, poised to surge when Qin's grip falters." The youth declared resolutely.

"Qin's peak is so immense—when might it crumble?"

"Ying Zheng's merely in his thirties."

"Should he reign as long as ancient King Zhaoxiang, must we suffer decades?"

"By then, our fire might long extinguish." Xiang Liang wore a pained grimace.

"Brother Xiang."

"Such thoughts err."

The youth shook his head firmly.

"Zi Fang, share your deeper wisdom?" Xiang Liang pressed at once.

"Post-unification, Qin's strength may wane."

"Qin harbors fatal cracks."

The youth proclaimed assuredly, laced with scorn for Qin.

"What cracks?"

All eyes in the room fixed on the youth.

"Qin's reforms forged its rise from frailty to dominance via the military merit system, letting lowborn rise high—like Zhao Feng, a prime case."

"In a mere decade."

"From foot soldier to Qin's Grand Commandant, proving the system's might."

"Merit earned rank and title."

"Yet..."

The youth sneered: "Circumstances shift—peace reigns, Qin's million troops lack battles for glory, no strife to ascend. Thus, that million-strong force loses purpose."

"Qin's lifeline, the merit system, crumbles."

"Merit-forged nobility and lands vanish too."

"Qin's core erodes away."

"Short term, in years ahead, it spares Qin; but five years on? Ten? Chaos from this merit flaw will engulf it."

"That's our opening."

"Indeed."

"Beyond the merit system's weakness."

"Another looms." The youth exuded tactical confidence.