LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 19 - Turmoil in Qin
Chapter 19: Turmoil in Qin
“Impossible! Ying Zheng… How could he revert to his youth?”
Xu Fu’s voice trembled with disbelief, his face contorted with shock. As one of the senior members of the Yin-Yang Clan, Xu Fu had long prided himself on his alchemical skills.
[Yin-Yang Clan (Yīnyáng Jiā, 阴阳家): A mystical organization specializing in alchemy, divination, and manipulation of natural forces. Historically, Xu Fu was a famed alchemist associated with this group.]
It was precisely because of his expertise that he was so certain—there was no elixir in this world capable of reversing age so drastically.
For years, Xu Fu had supplied Ying Zheng with experimental pills under the guise of life-extending elixirs. Yet, Ying Zheng’s apparent youthfulness now left him shaken.
“Believe it or not, it is real,” said the Moon Goddess (Yuèshén, 月神), her voice calm but resolute.
“I saw Ying Zheng with my own eyes. He not only looks decades younger, but his aura is unfathomable—perhaps even beyond a Heavenly Master’s.”
The room grew tense as the other members of the Yin-Yang Clan exchanged uneasy glances.
“Ying Zheng’s transformation threatens us all,” someone muttered.
The clan had long manipulated the Qin emperor for their own ends, promising eternal life while covertly pursuing their agenda. Now that Ying Zheng no longer needed them, would he exact revenge?
“Silence!”
A cold, commanding voice cut through the murmurs.
From the shadows emerged Donghuang Taiyi, the enigmatic leader of the Yin-Yang Clan.
[Donghuang Taiyi (Dōnghuáng Tàiyī, 东皇太一): The leader of the Yin-Yang Clan, often portrayed as a mysterious and powerful figure.]
“Moon Goddess, return to Xianyang immediately. Find out what Ying Zheng encountered during his travels,” Donghuang Taiyi ordered, his masked visage concealing any emotion.
“Yes, Honored Lord,” the Moon Goddess replied before vanishing into the night.
In a secluded valley, the enigmatic Ghost Valley Master sat atop a massive stone.
“This cannot be!”
The old man’s eyes gleamed with curiosity and frustration. As a master of divination, he had once foreseen Ying Zheng’s demise. Yet now, the emperor’s fate seemed shrouded in mystery.
No matter how hard he tried, Ghost Valley could not unravel the threads of Ying Zheng’s extended lifespan.
“A force is obscuring the truth,” he muttered. “I must see for myself what has changed!”
With that, the Ghost Valley Master vanished, intent on uncovering the secret behind Ying Zheng’s transformation.
At Little Sage Village (Xiǎoshèngzhuāng, 小圣贤庄), the Confucians were in uproar as well.
[Little Sage Village (Xiǎoshèngzhuāng, 小圣贤庄): A central hub for Confucian scholars, symbolizing their dedication to moral philosophy and governance.]
“Ridiculous! Ying Zheng is a tyrant. How could he achieve such a feat?”
“This must be some deceitful propaganda to consolidate his rule!”
Others were not so sure.
“Do not underestimate the power of the emperor,” one argued. “If anyone could obtain such a miraculous elixir, it would be him.”
In the midst of the chaos, Zhang Liang (Zhāng Liáng, 张良) sat silently, deep in thought.
[Zhang Liang (Zhāng Liáng, 张良): A historical strategist and adviser, known for his opposition to the Qin dynasty and his role in establishing the Han dynasty.]
Unlike his fellow Confucians, Zhang Liang did not dismiss the reports outright.
“Ying Zheng has no need for deceit,” he murmured. “His ambition is unparalleled, and his actions have always been direct.”
Rising from his seat, Zhang Liang resolved to witness the truth for himself. “Until I see it with my own eyes, I cannot believe it.”
With that, he set off for Xianyang.