20 Deadpools

Qin Yi retrieved a few pills emitting a faint, ethereal glow from his sleeve and handed them to Zhang Han. His tone was gentle yet carried an undeniable authority.

"These are cultivation pills that can greatly enhance your cultivation speed without any side effects. Take them."

Zhang Han accepted the pills, unable to hide his elation. Although he was a general in Qin's army, his personal cultivation was far from exceptional. Now, Qin Yi not only imparted advanced techniques but also bestowed these precious pills upon him. Such benevolence filled Zhang Han's heart with profound gratitude, surging like an unstoppable tide.

Meanwhile, Xuan Jian couldn't resist flipping through the cultivation manual they had just received. With only a cursory glance at a few pages, his expression changed drastically.

Xuan Jian had his own set of cultivation techniques, which, though not top-tier, were formidable in their own right. Yet compared to the manual in his hands, his former techniques were akin to crude clay beside polished jade, utterly unremarkable. This wondrous technique, if placed in any sect, would undoubtedly be hailed as a sacred treasure and guarded zealously. Yet Qin Yi, without hesitation, was willing to share it with the two of them. It was evident he regarded them as trusted confidants.

Closing the manual with reverence, Xuan Jian dropped to his knees to express his respect. His gaze burned with resolve as he declared, "The technique you've granted us, my lord, is unparalleled in its brilliance! I swear to abandon my previous cultivation and dedicate myself wholeheartedly to mastering this art so I may better serve you!"

Qin Yi nodded slightly, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. Turning toward a figure standing silently nearby, he gestured toward a high-ranking soldier and posed a question to Xuan Jian. "Tell me, Xuan Jian, what do you think of this subordinate of mine?"

Xuan Jian followed his gaze, scrutinizing the soldier carefully before offering his assessment. "My lord, this individual's strength, though slightly inferior to mine, is remarkable. He appears to be at the half-step innate realm, a level just below the innate stage but above the pinnacle of excellence."

Qin Yi was momentarily surprised. He hadn't expected the soldier to possess such prowess. Previously, Xuan Jian had explained to him the divisions of martial realms:

Third-tier practitioners were akin to fledgling wanderers, their moves clumsy and weapons unrefined. They were the floating reeds of the martial world, easily crushed by those more powerful.

Second-tier practitioners had begun to glimpse the path of martial mastery, honing their skills through countless battles and forging a solid foundation. They could establish themselves within the martial world, carving out a modest space amidst its vast chaos.

First-tier practitioners stood at the threshold of true mastery. Their techniques exuded maturity, and the cold gleam of their blades was enough to instill fear. They had earned renown and the title of "heroes."

Peak practitioners, or absolute experts, were like masterpieces polished to perfection. Their every move was refined, precise, and devastating. With unmatched skill, they occupied pivotal positions within major forces.

Innate realm masters transcended the limitations of the mortal body, attaining harmony with the natural world. Their qi seamlessly fused with the environment, granting them unparalleled strength. Such figures were prized by every sect, vying for their allegiance.

Grandmasters were the epitome of martial arts, capable of commanding legions and holding dominion over entire regions. Their techniques defied conventional boundaries, embodying the essence of power and strategy.

Supreme Grandmasters, on the other hand, transcended the confines of traditional martial arts. They soared above worldly constraints like mighty eagles, forging entirely new paths. These legends stood among the rarest of the rare, their existence shaping the very fabric of history.

From the third tier to the realm of Supreme Grandmasters, each step was a monumental leap, a transformative journey akin to scaling the heights of ever-loftier peaks. For those devoted to martial arts, it was the ultimate pursuit and an eternal aspiration, dazzling and awe-inspiring.

Whether a level beyond Supreme Grandmaster existed was a question left unanswered by the martial world. Yet, its practitioners clung to the belief that such a realm was real, though none had yet to reach it.

Xuan Jian himself was an innate realm master, though Qin Yi could not ascertain his exact standing within the realm. Qin Yi estimated his strength to be at the peak practitioner level, while the assassin agents of the Luo Network he had previously encountered were mostly second-tier, with their leaders barely reaching the first.

The soldier before him, despite not having reached the innate stage, was undoubtedly an exceptional talent. In any other faction, he would have been a prized asset. Yet here, Qin Yi had twenty such elite soldiers under his command. This realization filled Qin Yi with an exhilaration he could barely contain.

Suppressing his excitement, he turned back to Xuan Jian, his tone tinged with profound intent. "Xuan Jian, I have a task for you."

Xuan Jian bowed deeply, his gaze steady. "I await your orders, my lord."

Qin Yi nodded approvingly. Pointing to the soldier, he declared, "These men are my elite forces. Like him, there are nineteen others, making twenty in total. They specialize in assassination and intelligence. I intend to form an organization with them as its foundation."

After a thoughtful pause, he continued, "This organization will focus on assassination and intelligence-gathering. It shall be named the Shadow Veil. Shadow operatives will handle assassinations, while Veil operatives specialize in intelligence. For now, I appoint you as the commander of both divisions. Xuan Jian, will you take on this responsibility?"

The weight of the revelation startled Xuan Jian. Never had he imagined that Qin Yi commanded such a formidable force of half-step innate masters. This enigmatic young lord clearly harbored depths unfathomable to ordinary men.

Yet Xuan Jian did not hesitate. Dropping to one knee, his eyes shone with fervor. "I pledge to fulfill your trust, my lord, and to build the Shadow Veil into a mighty force!"

"Excellent!" Qin Yi's laughter rang out, bold and resounding.

His gaze shifted to Zhang Han, who wore a trace of melancholy on his face. Qin Yi chuckled softly and reassured him, "Zhang Han, do not lose heart. In time, the Shadow Veil will have two commanders. Xuan Jian, skilled in assassination, is suited to lead the Shadow division. The Veil division, however, is reserved for you."

Zhang Han's eyes lit up. Qin Yi continued, "With diligent cultivation, when your strength is sufficient to command respect, I will appoint you as the Veil Commander. You shall become the backbone of the entire Shadow Veil."

Buoyed by these words, Zhang Han saluted fervently. "My lord, I will devote myself entirely to cultivation and will not disappoint your expectations!"

Qin Yi nodded in satisfaction, laughter echoing with unrestrained ambition. His plans had taken root; all that remained was to await the movements from Xianyang.

Xianyang, the Capital of Qin.

Xianyang, the cradle of China's first centralized empire, stood as a beacon of history. This was the birthplace of the First Emperor, the heart of a dynasty destined to change the world.

At this moment, within the palace's grand hall, ministers debated matters of state. Yet, the so-called discussion was dominated by one voice—Prime Minister Lü Buwei's.

The most powerful man in Qin, the mentor and political father of its king, stood at the center of the chamber, berating an elderly official with icy precision. The hall was deathly silent, no one daring to utter a word.

Even the young King Ying Zheng, seated atop the dais, remained quiet, observing from the shadows. Though yet to reach adulthood, the boy king exuded a calm maturity beyond his years.

His eyes betrayed little emotion, though deep within them flickered a spark of ambition—a slumbering tiger biding its time.

At this juncture, Ying Zheng was a silent observer. But one day, he would rise as the immortal First Emperor, carving an indelible legacy across the pages of history.