Chapter 1

Shao Liang Mountain.

The world was a vast expanse of desolation, and among a pile of corpses, one figure struggled to open his eyes. The intense smell of blood assaulted him, making him feel the urge to vomit.

Just this action brought a pain that tore at his heart and lungs. Looking down, he saw corpses everywhere, and his body was covered in blood.

"The Battle of Shao Liang, Qin and Wei..."

"Fourteen years old, from Lintao in the State of Qin, a soldier, with parents and younger siblings at home..."

Huang struggled to get up from where he was. He knew that staying here was not safe.

His wounds had healed, and although walking still caused pain, he would not bleed to death in Shao Liang.

Half an hour later, Huang arrived at the Shao Liang River. He took off all his clothes and, enduring the pain, washed the blood off his body.

Finally, he washed his inner robe.

After hanging the inner robe to dry, Huang lay on the shore, sorting through his memories. In his previous life, he had read extensively about the State of Qin and had even visited its tombs.

He had pursued the highest realms of martial arts.

"In this life, I am a Qin person, Huang!" At this moment, a smile appeared on Huang's lips. After all, exchanging an old, decaying body for a young one was something no one would be unhappy about.

This was like living a second life.

Now that Qin and Wei had withdrawn their troops, Huang knew the general situation of the battle. Duke Xian of Qin was severely injured, and the Wei Chancellor, Gongsun Cuo, was captured.

Next, the State of Qin ceded the Hangu Pass, and Ying Quliang ascended the throne, issuing the Edict Seeking Talents. Shang Yang entered Qin, and the state began its reforms.

Suppressing his thoughts, Huang put on his half-dry inner robe and returned to the battlefield. Both sides had already withdrawn, and the battlefield had not been cleaned up.

The dead soldiers and horses still lay on the battlefield. Huang found a sword and cut a large piece of meat from a dead horse, cleaned it, and gathered dry wood to skewer and roast it.

He needed to leave this place and must have food to eat; otherwise, he would surely die in these desolate mountains.

"Brother, can you share some horse meat with me?" A young man in white approached from a distance, a smile on his face.

"Sure!"

Huang did not refuse.

Because the young man was carrying a sword and leading a horse.

The young man sat calmly on a large rock opposite, always with a faint smile, exuding a special scholarly air.

His eyes were very bright.

Handing a piece of roasted meat to the young man, Huang said, "There's no salt or other seasonings, so you'll have to make do."

Taking the roasted meat from Huang, the young man in white smiled and said, "Thank you."

For a while, there was no talk.

The young man in white chewed slowly, while Huang ate heartily. After eating, he continued to roast more meat, drying the cooked meat on a clean rock.

"May I ask your name, brother?" The young man in white finished eating, washed his hands, and wiped the oil from the corners of his mouth with a handkerchief.

"Qin person, Huang."

Huang looked at the young man in white, his smile becoming even brighter: "I'm younger than you, so just call me by my name!"

"Sure!"

Nodding, the young man in white said solemnly, "I am from the State of Wei, and my name is Yang."

Hearing this, Huang's heart stirred. He remembered clearly that Shang Yang was from the State of Wei, but was later enfeoffed in Shang, and was known as Shang Yang by later generations.

So, Shang Yang was also known as Wei Yang.

Wei Yang was the core figure who made the State of Qin strong and laid the foundation for its prosperity. Throughout the history of Qin, there were four crucial emperors and three crucial ministers.

Duke Xiao of Qin, Ying Quliang.

King Huiwen of Qin, Ying Si.

King Zhaoxiang of Qin, Ying Ji.

Emperor Qin Shi Huang, Ying Zheng.

Minister Shang Yang.

General Bai Qi.

Prime Minister Li Si.

A series of thoughts flashed through his mind, causing a storm of emotions. However, his experience in his previous life kept his face calm, and the surprise in his eyes quickly disappeared.

"This place is remote, and with the Qin-Wei war, it's dangerous. Why did Brother Yang come here?" Huang smiled and looked at Wei Yang.

In his view, Wei Yang was a powerful ally, especially since he was a Qin person and a Qin soldier. To change the situation, the Edict Seeking Talents was an opportunity, and Wei Yang was also an opportunity.

Wei Yang did not notice Huang's emotional changes. Looking at the young man in only an inner robe, he knew this was a surviving soldier.

He did not look down on Huang.

When he came over, he had examined the wounds of the Qin and Wei soldiers and knew that all the Qin soldiers had fallen while charging.

All with arrows in their chests.

These were brave warriors who died for their country.

"I came here to study, to see the battlefield, understand the world, and find a place to go." At this moment, Wei Yang's confidence was more radiant than the sun.

It was the pursuit of faith, the pursuit of the Way, and the expectation of putting his knowledge to use. He believed he could become famous and be a renowned scholar of his time.

"The Warring States period is a time of great contention. I believe Brother Yang has a deep understanding of the current situation."

Huang's young face showed a serious expression as he bowed to Wei Yang: "What does Brother Yang think of our great Qin?"

"A perilous state!"

Huang was not surprised by Wei Yang's words. The truth was that after the Battle of Shao Liang, the State of Qin was indeed at a critical juncture.

Duke Xian of Qin had fought all his life, gaining fame but also leaving the State of Qin impoverished and with a declining population.

"Sir, with your extraordinary talent, why not come to Qin and achieve great things?"

After a long silence, Huang drank some water from his water bag and said with enthusiasm, "Although the current State of Qin is poor and surrounded by enemies, it is like a clean canvas."

"It can be shaped according to the will of the strong, something no other state in the world can offer."

Smiling, Huang continued, "Moreover, the trend of the world is that after a long period of unity, there must be division, and after a long period of division, there must be unity. Qin, rising in the west, will surely inherit the mandate of Zhou and rise to prominence in the world."

At this moment, Huang's words were astonishing.

Since he and Wei Yang had only met by chance, he needed to leave a deep impression on him, and such astonishing words were necessary.

Since he had come to this era, Huang did not want to spend his life as an anonymous Qin soldier, dying on the battlefield without a trace.

He wanted to compete with the scholars and philosophers of the time, leaving a name that would never fade in this brilliant era, and to pursue his previous life's obsession, seeking martial arts in the Warring States period.

Listening to Huang's eloquent speech, Wei Yang was moved. He did not expect a common Qin soldier to have such insight.

This young man has great talent!

This was Wei Yang's only thought at the moment.

Huang's initial invitation could be seen as a love for his country, but the phrase "after a long period of unity, there must be division, and after a long period of division, there must be unity" left Wei Yang deeply unsettled.

A single phrase revealed the ultimate trend of the world. Such great talent might not be inferior to his own.

Looking deeply at Huang, Wei Yang's expression became even more serious. He decided to form a bond with him.