Royal Palace of Qin, meeting hall.
There was one thing Jun had learned while carefully organizing the memories stored in his mind. And that was none other than how to make people wield their power against him.
"I forced my opponent to act."
Clearly, the key was that he imposed restrictions on himself and his opponents simultaneously, creating a strategy to achieve victory effortlessly.
He had done this countless times and had always won—at least until now, with few exceptions.
But now was different. This was not a minor complication; he was about to embark on what was possibly the largest war in China's history.
The deal with Qin operated within that dynamic, just like the promise he had made to the King when he was still in the city of Wei.
And what Jun was about to do now was no different.
"Everyone here knows my talent, my power, and my skill—both in military strategy and in efficient elimination." Jun drew his pure white sword and thrust it into the table.
A dry gulp could be heard somewhere in the room.
It was a reaction born of the knowledge that this sword had killed the God of Martial Arts.
Although there had been no official proclamation, those aware of the truth knew this sword was legendary, having ended the lives of countless powerful men.
"My power governs all promises, oaths, and vows of those who do not know how to wield a weapon—or who simply cannot. That is why I intend to use this power to bring an end to this negotiation." Jun scanned the reactions of the people around the table.
Some appeared relieved, while others looked dissatisfied, as if they had ulterior motives tied to this military maneuver. However, it was of no consequence.
"The current issue is the disruption that military movements and mutual distrust will create. But that will no longer be a concern."
Jun placed a wooden token he held in his hand in front of the King of Qin, who had remained silent until then.
"I will have each and every one of you in this room swear an oath in my name. And I am confident that none of you would dare break an oath made in the name of a God of Martial Arts, would you?"
Though posed as a question, its meaning was unequivocal.
Don't even think about breaking it.
It was a threat, not unlike others Jun had made before.
Naturally, the response was the same as always.
"You wish to establish a holy land for assassins, who will become agents of peace for the King, with the authority to dispense justice using the laws of an antiquated book you wrote yourself."
In addition to securing territory, Jun was creating a haven for assassins, allowing them to live self-sufficiently without harming anyone else.
What he offered the King, beyond a desire, was his absolute loyalty if the unified armies of other nations breached the wall and Qin faced imminent danger.
It should be noted that no one expected the mountain tribes to come to their aid, as all communication attempts had been blocked.
In this way, Jun had become the only light in the eyes of the King of Qin, Ei Sei, who, in Jun's view, still had much to prove.
Meanwhile, still debating whether to take Jun's words as facts, Kyou Kai and Shen stood behind him.
These individuals had no means to stop Jun's actions, only to support him.
Ei Sei understood this too.
He spoke for the first time: "I see. It is a fair deal. You have promised to be the last sword standing within Qin, and I believe that with all sincerity."
"Your Majesty!"
Jun then stood, glanced at the king's council, and smiled faintly.
"Since you have said so, sign the documents and prepare my people."
By "his people," Jun referred to the tens of thousands of assassins under his command.
The deal was more than fair, and, like any civilized man, the King valued written agreements more than mere spoken oaths.
Of course, everyone knew what would happen if the terms of this treaty were broken.
"We shall meet again." Jun rose to his feet.
He was not fighting for a purpose; he was fighting for the people who bore his banner and followed his principles. He was ensuring that every member of his army secured a safe future.
A prosperous world awaited them—a world without so many wars that harmed the people rather than defending them.