With Ope Ope no Mi in Hunter x Hunter

"You want to cooperate with me?" Daniel sat in the hall of his estate, looking at the fat man across from him with a hint of a cold smile. 

The fat man, of course, was none other than Jade Tiger, one of the Four Fiends of Nightfall. Perhaps due to Bai Niao's failure, Ji Wuye had changed his plans and sent Jade Tiger to negotiate cooperation.

In fact, Jade Tiger wasn't the first to come forward with a proposal. Xinzheng, as a crucial transportation hub, housed merchants from various nations, and these merchants had quickly recognized the immense popularity of Daniel's glass products. If they could acquire a batch to sell in their own countries, they'd surely make a fortune. Even if they didn't sell them, just using the items as gifts could open doors that had previously been closed to them.

In this era, merchants had a low social status. Most were mere servants of noble families, and even Han Fei himself had labeled merchants as one of the Five Vermin in his writings. Han Fei's classification of the Five Vermin was indeed sharp but had also offended many—Confucians, strategists, knights-errant, retainers, and merchants alike.

Even though Han Fei's intent was to target the corrupt elements within these five groups, most people misunderstood his message. Not everyone was as insightful as he was. Even Gai Nie had expressed concerns when he first encountered Han Fei, specifically about the implications of the Five Vermin concept.

According to Han Fei's categorization, disciples of the Ghost Valley Sect, including both strategists and knights-errant, were implicated under two of the vermin categories. As for Confucianism, it was fortunate that Xunzi was a man of great wisdom and wasn't bothered by this.

In Daniel's view, Xunzi was quite lenient. If Han Fei's writings had been authored by Li Si, the treatment would have been entirely different.

As for merchants, this was an agrarian society, so their status was predictably low. In Qin, during Shang Yang's reforms, laws had been enacted to reward agriculture and restrict commerce. Any significant commercial ventures had to cooperate with the state. 

Lu Buwei's "strange goods can be cherished" philosophy thrived because he had Yiren's support. Similarly, Jade Tiger relied on Ji Wuye. When Han Fei targeted the Four Fiends of Nightfall, he started with Jade Tiger not just for financial reasons but also because Jade Tiger was the easiest to deal with. Once he lost his value, Ji Wuye would abandon him without hesitation. The other three Fiends weren't as easy to handle.

"How amusing. Ji Wuye thinks he can cooperate after failing to take what he wanted by force. He's delusional." Daniel's words left Jade Tiger wide-eyed in disbelief. As a man of considerable experience, Jade Tiger had never encountered anyone who so blatantly dismissed Ji Wuye.

"You... do you even know what you're saying?" Jade Tiger's expression was a mix of disbelief and shock. The anger he had felt earlier, when Daniel had not even offered him a drink, was now replaced by bewilderment.

"Of course, I know. The Great General of Korea, right?" Daniel chuckled. "Korea is the weakest of the Seven States. Ji Wuye might throw his weight around here, but he's just a small-time player. Does he really think that establishing the Four Fiends of Nightfall makes him a major figure across the Seven States? He's nothing more than a petty clown."

"Now, get out of here. Tell Ji Wuye that if he tries to mess with me again, it won't end so simply."

"I didn't expect the Agricultural School to be interested in this as well. Cooperation isn't out of the question, but what can your school offer me in return?" After driving Jade Tiger away, Daniel found himself hosting Si Tu Wanli from the Agricultural School.

"The Agricultural School has influence in both Qi and Chu. We can provide that," Si Tu Wanli began, launching into his pitch. Si Tu Wanli wasn't one of the Six Masters of the Agricultural School yet, but he was certainly skilled, especially in negotiations. His eloquence would have made him a top talent in the modern world.

Had Daniel been interested in wealth alone, Si Tu Wanli might have convinced him. Even the best glass products needed the backing of a powerful force to enter a nation's market in this era. Otherwise, it would be nearly impossible.

Ji Wuye's attempt to seize the glass wasn't an isolated incident. Even in Qin, there were those who would be tempted by such wealth, though their methods varied. For example, Fourth Prince Han Yu's approach was far more subtle.

"The terms are good, but I'm not interested. If the Agricultural School truly wishes to cooperate with me, it's not impossible, but I want your school's martial arts techniques."

Daniel's request immediately caused Si Tu Wanli's expression to change. The martial arts techniques of the Hundred Schools of Thought were closely guarded and rarely shared with outsiders.

"That's impossible." Si Tu Wanli rejected the offer outright. If this had been Chu, the Agricultural School might have stormed Daniel's residence just for making such a demand.

"Nothing is impossible. Martial arts techniques from the Agricultural School have leaked before, and in exchange for the benefits I can offer, they're a small price to pay. If you handle this well, you might even become one of the Six Masters of the Agricultural School."

While the martial arts techniques of the Hundred Schools were precious to ordinary people, they weren't unattainable for those with the right connections. Han Fei and Zhang Liang practiced the Confucian School's martial arts, and later on, Gai Nie would teach Tianming the Ghost Valley Sect's breathing techniques.

The techniques weren't Si Tu Wanli's to begin with, so what harm was there in leaking them? As long as neither Daniel nor Si Tu Wanli admitted it, who would know? After all, many of the Agricultural School's techniques had already been leaked.

"I agree, but you mustn't let this get out," Si Tu Wanli finally conceded, driven by his own ambitions.

"Of course. But let me warn you—don't try anything sneaky, or I won't show mercy." Daniel's gaze turned cold, and an intense aura enveloped Si Tu Wanli—the aura of nen.

Under the pressure of Daniel's life force, Si Tu Wanli trembled, breaking out in a cold sweat. His entire back was soaked.

Si Tu Wanli's martial arts were decent by common standards, but to true masters, he was nothing. Even Liu Ji's skills paled in comparison. Si Tu Wanli later became one of the Four Chiefs of the Agricultural School, likely due to his talent for accumulating wealth.

"If I want to kill someone, no one in this world can stop me. Even if you flee to the Flame Emperor's Six Sages Tomb and beg those six old codgers for help, they wouldn't be able to save you." Daniel then retracted his aura.

"I understand." Si Tu Wanli, still trembling, nodded, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief. He had met top-tier experts before. Although not yet one of the Six Masters, he had good relations with the Zhu family, head of the Shen Nong Hall. But even Zhu's presence didn't feel as overwhelming as Daniel's.

The Zhu family was one of the top-tier experts in the world.

The Agricultural School was known for its mastery of herbs and medicine, but even they lacked the ability to create pills like the Spirit Cultivating Pill. Only the Taoists had such deep knowledge in this world.

"Good. Don't worry, you'll gain far more from working with me than you ever have before." Daniel then dismissed Si Tu Wanli, instructing him to retrieve the martial arts techniques—and the Earth Veins Twenty-Four Formation.

Si Tu Wanli was just a pawn, useful in the future, perhaps, or maybe not.

"Right Sima Li Kai, I didn't expect you to still be alive." While Daniel was busy dealing with various parties vying for his secrets, Han Fei at Zilan Xuan received an unexpected guest—Right Sima Li Kai, who was supposed to be dead.

The premature downfall of the Scorpion Gang had altered Li Kai's fate, as well as that of Bai Niao's Vulture. Vulture's attempt to assassinate Nongyu backfired because he underestimated her, leading to his downfall at Zilan Xuan, where Zinu finished him off.

Nongyu's martial arts skills were inferior to Vulture's, but taking her down would have taken him at least ten to twenty moves. Among the women of Zilan Xuan, Nongyu's skills were second only to Zinu's, surpassing even those of Red Lotus.

Greed got Vulture killed—a fitting end, considering the bird he was named after.

"What a lively night... Looks like the Hundred Yue Heavenly Group has been released." Standing on the roof of his estate, Daniel surveyed the fires around Xinzheng and the Korean troops searching the streets. He quickly pieced together what had happened.

No one else but Tianze and the Hundred Yue Heavenly Group could have caused such chaos. He even spotted the Unrivaled Ghost smashing through a squad of Korean soldiers at the gates of the Crown Prince's Mansion.

With his iron body, ordinary soldiers' attacks were nothing more than an itch to the Unrivaled Ghost. On the battlefield, he'd be an unstoppable force.

Just like Wei's famous warrior Dian Qing, the Wei soldiers had once been feared across the land. But due to the Wei king's paranoia, they had been destroyed—a laughable decision.

Although Wei still had soldiers, their numbers

 were far too diminished from the days when they ruled the battlefield. Without enough soldiers, Wei could only barely defend itself.

The Wei king's decisions were disastrous, as were those of Zhao. Zhao had two of the Four Great Generals of the Warring States, just like Qin, but their battles had been frustratingly restricted.

They had great generals but were forced to sit on the sidelines.

As for Korea, there was nothing much to say. Ji Wuye was hailed as Korea's greatest general in a century, and the Blood-Clothed Marquis was as arrogant as the wind, yet they couldn't even handle the Hundred Yue rebels—even with Korean-Chu allied forces.

These people could be summed up in eight words: skilled in internal conflict, inept in external wars.

The same words applied to Korea's Crown Prince, who was haughty before Korean soldiers but knelt before Tianze—a disgrace to his nation.

With the Crown Prince captured, the Korean government was in an uproar. No one wanted to be blamed—Han Yu, Zhang Kaidi, Ji Wuye—all tried to push the responsibility onto Ninth Prince Han Fei.

"Poor Unrivaled Ghost. Twice he's chosen the wrong master." Watching the Unrivaled Ghost's knee get shattered by Wei Zhuang, and hearing Wei Zhuang's words, Daniel couldn't help but shake his head. Tianze might not be the best leader, but Wei Zhuang was no better. In the end, the Unrivaled Ghost would end up as Tianming's mount.

"Time to head back." After witnessing the live-action events of *The Legend of Nine Songs*, Daniel decided it was time to leave.

"It's a pity the Reverse Scale didn't appear. Is the spirit of the Reverse Scale really Han Fei?" The identity of the Reverse Scale's sword spirit was a topic of much debate, with no clear answer. Thanks to Wei Zhuang's timely intervention, the Reverse Scale didn't have a chance to be revealed.

Not only did the Reverse Scale not appear, but Red Lotus wasn't captured either. The butterfly's wings were already stirring.

"What a surprise. You've come to see me." Back at his estate, ready to rest, Daniel suddenly sensed someone entering. When he went out to check, he found two unexpected visitors—Yan Lingji and a blue-haired young man bound in chains, Tianze.

Daniel paid little attention to Tianze and instead greeted Yan Lingji.

"Coming to see me at this time, it must not be just for a social call."

"Someone is after your new glass formula," Tianze spoke, his gaze fixed on Daniel.

"So, you're interested too. Makes sense—you need funds if you want to revive your nation."

"Exactly. So, it's not just them who are interested—I am too." Tianze didn't hide his intentions. Yan Lingji opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

"But I'm not interested," Daniel replied bluntly. He had no interest in Tianze's attempt to restore his nation. It would all be part of the Qin Empire in the end.

"That's not up to you." Tianze's chains floated into the air behind him, the six snake-like heads poised to strike.

"Poisoned as you are, how much of your strength can you really use?" The Hundred Yue Heavenly Group couldn't even defeat the Blood-Clothed Marquis Bai Yifei. How did they expect to restore their nation? It was laughable.

"You know a lot, don't you?"

"I know more than you think." As Daniel spoke, he moved in a blur, appearing next to Tianze in an instant. Before Tianze could react, Daniel had already placed his right hand on Tianze's shoulder. The youth attempted to manipulate the chains to attack, but it was too late.

"Let my master go!" Yan Lingji's hands ignited with fierce flames as she stared intently at Daniel. Perhaps because Tianze was restrained, she didn't immediately attack.

"Don't worry, I won't kill him. In fact, I'm helping him." As Daniel spoke, his left hand suddenly plunged into Tianze's heart, causing Yan Lingji to gasp in shock. Flames shot toward Daniel from her hands.

"How troublesome." Without much effort, Daniel dispelled the flames mid-air. His left hand then withdrew from Tianze's chest, holding a wriggling little creature between his fingers.

"So, this is the poison worm."

"Master!" Yan Lingji rushed to Tianze, staring in disbelief at his unblemished chest. Even with the strange and mysterious arts of Baiyue, this was beyond her understanding.

Tianze himself was equally baffled, his left hand repeatedly checking his chest.

"I told you, I wouldn't kill him. This is the poison worm that was in his body. You can have it back."

___________________

Read Ahead

[email protected]/Mutter