Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield Chapter 714 Chapter 292: The Ministers Are Shocked! Zhao Feng Returns to Court! (Part 2)

"Indeed."

"Lord Wu'an's capabilities require no additional proof."

"His command over armies showcases not just expertise but also innate cleverness. On governance issues, should the Great King offer some direct guidance, Lord Wu'an will grasp them without fail." Yu Liao chimed in smilingly.

"Yu Qing."

"You mentioned before that post-world unification, you'd withdraw to Guiguzi."

"I'm asking you once more now."

"Should Feng'er ascend as Qin's Crown Prince, will you choose to remain?" Ying Zheng gazed fixedly at Yu Liao, brimming with hope.

Should Yu Liao depart for real, Ying Zheng would forfeit a prized advisor.

"Great King."

"Upon departing Guiguzi, I vowed to my master to return there upon Qin's unification."

"That vow binds me." Yu Liao uttered reluctantly.

"Suppose I reveal this."

"Your master will descend the mountain to join Qin later—would you trust my words?" Ying Zheng grinned.

"What?"

Yu Liao's eyes bulged in disbelief.

"Feng'er himself confirmed it." Ying Zheng grinned anew.

"I'll pick a day to visit Guiguzi. Should my master truly come down, I'll gladly remain in Qin." Yu Liao answered smilingly.

"Agreed then." Ying Zheng grinned too.

Should his son's words hold true and Guiguzi join forces, Qin's fortunes would soar immensely.

Naturally.

Zhao Feng hadn't shared this secret; his own Efang had.

Without Efang's insight.

Ying Zheng would never have realized the depths of his son's concealment.

"Lord Feng remains unaware of his true status?" Yu Liao inquired smilingly.

"His mother recognizes me already."

"Yet Feng'er and siblings stay in the dark."

"This secret."

"Keep it close, gentlemen; I'll proclaim it worldwide at the right juncture."

"Furthermore."

"I eagerly await Feng'er's reaction upon discovering his heritage."

"Gentlemen."

"This lad defies understanding."

"Post-Chu conquest, he proposed conquering Baiyue and then holding it."

"Isn't he exasperating?" Ying Zheng remarked smilingly.

Memories flooded back of Zhao Feng's arduous trek to Baiyue, as if fleeing Xianyang's intrigues and looming succession strife.

Thus, he departed cautiously.

Truly, it marked a quiet retreat.

Hence, Ying Zheng anticipated.

The instant of revealing his lineage, naming him Great Qin's Crown Prince, curious about Zhao Feng's face.

...

Time sped by!

En route to Xianyang via carriage.

Zhao Feng opted for the carriage over horseback.

The entourage included the King of Qi plus kin and retainers.

Everyone abandoned Linzi this time.

Eyes shut in the carriage, Zhao Feng's Divine Sense probed his Minor World.

"Unclear what triggers the Minor World's next evolution."

"Spirit Stones? Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures? Maybe a Spirit Vein?"

Observing Minor World progress.

Zhao Feng brimmed with anticipation.

Tens of thousands populated it.

Creatures soared overhead.

Beasts dashed across land.

Fish glided through waters.

All thrived now.

The Minor World increasingly mirrored reality.

"Never mind."

"Puzzled as I am, allow the Minor World gradual growth."

"Within years or a decade, its populace will explode."

Lately, beyond cultivation, Zhao Feng tracked Minor World changes relentlessly, hoping for advancement, yet none came.

Maybe.

A destined chance awaits.

Westward from Qi nonstop.

Vast crowds.

Numerous carriages.

A full month elapsed before reaching Xianyang.

"Hail the Capital's return, Lord Wu'an."

Zhao Feng's carriage neared Xianyang's gates.

As before on returns.

Multitudes packed Xianyang streets, surging forth unbidden to greet Zhao Feng's homecoming.

Zhao Feng.

Within Great Qin, prestige trailed only Ying Zheng's; militarily, it eclipsed him.

World unification, nations toppled—all owed to Zhao Feng.

Undoubtedly.

Zhao Feng stands as Qin unification's paramount hero.

Smooth passage en route.

Unobstructed.

Zhao Feng's and King of Qi's carriages pressed to Qin Palace.

At Palace Square's edge.

Zhao Feng alighted.

King of Qi fidgeted nervously.

"Lord Wu'an."

"Might the King of Qin harm me?"

Right then.

King of Qi fretted intensely.

"King of Qi worries needlessly."

"Enter the hall with me."

"Great King's pledges weigh like nine tripods—unbreakable."

Zhao Feng smiled.

He strode leisurely to Morning Discussion Hall.

King of Qi trailed Zhao Feng anxiously.

In Linzi of Qi, security lingered; yet in Qin's heartland, forces and officials yielded to Qin.

Solely personal riches remained to King of Qi.

"Welcome, Lord Wu'an."

Hall entrance reached.

Ren Xiao commanded Imperial Guard to salute Zhao Feng.

"Rise, no ceremony needed."

Zhao Feng smiled.

Boots on, sword at side, he strode inside.

Eyeing King of Qi shadowing Zhao Feng.

Guards held back.

"Lord Wu'an escorts King of Qi," Ren Xiao announced inward.

Abruptly.

Hall occupants fixed stares on the entrance.

Notably, post-Zhangtai incident insiders privy to Zhao Feng's secret.

Beholding Zhao Feng's valiant return, his imposing heroism.

Unwittingly merging with elevated Ying Zheng.

"Never spotted Lord Wu'an's striking likeness to Great King earlier."

"Now clear: father and son beyond doubt."

"Blind eyes missed it once."

"With Lord Wu'an as Eldest Imperial Son, Great Qin transforms ahead."

...

Zhao Feng's form drew eyes.

Han Fei, Yu Liao, others stared oddly.

Yet.

Silence prevailed now.

Great King's directive stood firm.

Zhao Feng's heritage unveiled solely by him.

Zhao Feng crossed the threshold.

Ying Zheng beamed, gesturing welcomingly.

"Lord Wu'an, triumphant capital return hailed."

Officials grasped intent, saluting Zhao Feng en masse for victory.

"Minister Zhao Feng."

"Troops marched into Qi, mission fulfilled honorably."

"Presently."

"Qi lands fully ceded to Qin, forces integrated post-review, elites retained."

Zhao Feng advanced, proclaiming resoundingly.

"Excellent!"

Ying Zheng boomed laughter.

"Lord Wu'an's feats tower."

"World unification aided profoundly."

"Rewards await you."

"Yet Lord Wu'an crests martial and noble peaks."

"Rewards elude me seemingly."

"Still."

"Soon enough."

"Lord Wu'an gains unforeseen boon," Ying Zheng grinned, eyes twinkling mischievously at Zhao Feng.

"Qin service is duty; rewards uncraved."

Zhao Feng responded politely.

Per Ying Zheng.

Pinnacle martial nobility attained.

No further honors possible.

Thus Zhao Feng shrugged it off.

"Tian Jian."

"Bows before King of Qin."

"Wishes King of Qin eternal reign."

Precisely then!

King of Qi Tian Jian prostrated to Ying Zheng.

Spotting Tian Jian.

Ying Zheng faintly smiled: "King of Qi, dispense with rites."

"Your surrender showcased wisdom, averting war's woes for nations."

"Merit immense, virtue grander."

"Logically, great service rendered Qin."

"Name desires, King of Qi."

"All granted."

Ying Zheng declared, eyeing Tian Jian.

Upon hearing.

Tian Jian exhaled deeply.

Respectfully: "Modest wishes only—mercy for my clan, a dwelling secured, lineage preserved."

...