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Chapter 25: Part 4 Toward the Final Gambit
Wei Zhuang stabbed Shark Tooth into the ground, "Women's compassion."
"Fires can be fought three ways: when they rise, when they're weak, when they're fading. Farm School's trouble has only begun we can act in time. Don't stop me."
"You mean well, but who will thank you? You're just rushing into trouble. The schemer behind hasn't moved; if you jump first, you land in their net."
"Net you mean the Empire..."
"Ying Zheng already ordered the extermination of the surrounding people, Farm School included."
Gai Nie gripped his sword. Wei Zhuang said, "King Li commands, 30,000 troops. You know him."
"Man makes the outcome..."
"Brother, I respect and loathe you for that our teachings say leverage: minimal effort for maximum gain. You never do that."
Gai Nie fell silent, looking at a ring: "Is Master well?"
"Missing," said Wei Zhuang. "He left the master's ring and all the teachings you know what that means."
"Of course. I've betrayed Gui Gu, all's left to you."
"Gui Gu always transfers by single lineage only by killing the other do you get full inheritance. You're alive, but Master left me the complete legacy. Was he telling me to spare you?"
"My sword no longer follows Gui Gu's way."
Wei Zhuang sneered. Gai Nie ignored him, glancing at Chilian: "When will you give Princess Honglian her place? Girls can't wait forever."
Wei Zhuang smirked, "You enjoy Mohist life must be nice with a goddess doctor to keep you company."
Others settled in.
Farm School: Mei San Niang came to find Tian Yan she's Tian Meng's daughter, young mistress of Lieshan Hall. Tian Yan, as always, was tranquil nothing seemed to shake her.
Seeing Tian Yan, Mei San Niang's anxiety melted away; Tian Yan's calm gaze soothed all fear more than even Hall Master Tian Meng.
Tian Yan watched her brother Tian Ci train born while his mother lay gravely injured, he's only at ease with sister or Mei San Niang.
Tian Ci's a martial prodigy perhaps due to his innocence, he's now the top Farm School martial artist despite his youth.
"Mistress, the Mohists have arrived Gao Jianli, Snow Girl, Big Hammer."
"They think of us, even now. Anyone else?"
"A beautiful woman and two kids; why bring women and children here?"
"If I'm not wrong, one child is their Juzi; other, Xiang clan's heir. As for the woman..." Tian Yan gave a knowing smile. "You should ask around. After Sword Saint fled Qin, he's stayed with Mohists; he didn't come?"
"Our people didn't see him..."
"I've heard Sword Saint is warm-hearted no way he'd miss this."
"Don't give him so much credit; Mohists held Machine City for centuries, lost as soon as he got there who knows what was inside?"
"Don't talk nonsense."
"Mistress, the masters are fighting hard; won't you advise them?"
"Father and Uncle Zhu are wise; Farm School won't fall. Don't worry."
"I'm scared they'll really fight."
"The hero's order pits us against each other; obvious trap, but they're just showing off to outsiders."
"Poor leader we hoped so long, now Qin ruined it. But with the leader's death, the others fight aren't you worried they'll mean it?"
"Out of our hands; it's up to them. Now with enemies all around, they must first unite."
Mei San Niang chatted a bit longer, then left.
Later, Tian Meng arrived. He watched Tian Ci, then faced Tian Yan, a world of feeling in his eyes.
"Father, I disagree with your plan!"
"Oh? I haven't even said it yet, and you know?"
"Our six halls four follow you, while the fourth is a fence-sitter; if you kill Uncle Zhu, you take the leadership."
"And yet you oppose?"
"And after? Where do you lead Farm School?"
"Afterward doesn't matter. Without the leader, we'll be picked off. Right now, we must choose."
"How did the leader die? Who betrayed him? Unless you solve this, being leader means repeating the last leader's fate. Are you sure you wouldn't?"
"You suspect me?" Tian Meng roared.
"Suspicion is pointless Empire's pressure, so many ready to betray. Brothers become enemies under threat; anyone could stab you. Father, kill Uncle Zhu and you're still caught in the net."
"If I control Farm School, I'll break out. Yan, you're my daughter you ought to help me."
"Father, you haven't called me your daughter since Mom died." She raised her head, pain in her eyes. "Even if I'm not yours, even a dog raised all these years gets feeling. You only call me daughter when you want something?"
A slap her face visibly swelled.
"Sis?"
"Ci stay back." Tian Ci stopped, dazed.
"Let me guess, Father: You kill Uncle Zhu, become leader, turn us over to the empire; how many dissent? What then? You'll kill those who disagree. Lifting the knife against brothers isn't easy you'll need to show loyalty, purge Farm School with their help. Who better to sacrifice than a traitor? Mom's gone, but she left you a daughter the empire will be satisfied. Me? I'm just a bastard in your eyes."
"Who says I'll betray Farm School? When I'm leader, I'll keep it safe."
Tian Yan's eyes scorned, "Father, your panic is laughable. Are you fit to lead? To save Farm School?"
"Did you join Uncle Zhu? What did he offer you? Yan, I tell you you mustn't betray me." He gripped her tight.
She looked at him sadly, "Father, do you love me?" He recoiled.
She continued: "You don't dare you're my father. You can't allow yourself. Since the leader died, pressed by the empire, you're only surviving with my help; so you're ashamed, can't show your feelings. Once a hero, now wracked by doubt it's pathetic."
"What? You dare look down on me?"
"I've looked down on you a long time since you hurt Mom, locked her away. A man who can't protect his own woman..."
"She wasn't my woman..." Tian Meng shouted.
"Not your woman? Just because she bore someone else's daughter? What about Ci? Isn't he also not yours? When you took her in, didn't you know she was pregnant?"
"While she was locked up, she begged daily for your forgiveness and urged me never to hate you..."
Tian Yan turned away.
"Stop where are you going?"
"I'm going to Uncle Zhu to discuss saving Farm School."
"You can't you aren't going anywhere..." She ignored him.
"I said, you can't go. Go to Uncle Zhu and I'll kill you..." Tian Meng moved to block her, furious.
She pushed past, his hand trembling as it rose, "Go further and I'll kill you..."
She laughed contemptuously, "That might make me respect you..."
A fierce palm struck Tian Yan in the back, sending her flying.
"Sis..." rang Ci's frightened voice, "Don't hit sister..."
Tian Meng turned, and fought Tian Ci.
A sword's tip suddenly pierced Tian Meng's heart. He turned, saw Tian Yan's tearful face...
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