blueteamnovel Chapter 7 - A Thunderbolt from the Heavens! A Heavenly Pit!
Chapter 7 - A Thunderbolt from the Heavens! A Heavenly Pit!
Chapter 7: A Thunderbolt from the Heavens! A Heavenly Pit!
Qin Dynasty, Shaqiu.
Dozens of carriages rolled steadily forward, escorted by tens of thousands of armoured soldiers. These elite troops of Qin were tasked with safeguarding the First Emperor, Ying Zheng, during his inspection tour of the realm.
[Shaqiu (沙丘, Shā Qiū): A historical location in ancient China, often associated with the later years of Ying Zheng’s life.].
“Still no results?” Ying Zheng muttered to himself, his expression tinged with despondency as he sat in his carriage.
Having swept through the Six Kingdoms to unify Dongzhou (东洲, “Eastern Continent”), Ying Zheng had ascended to the pinnacle of power and prestige. Yet even as the ruler of Qin, he was not without his troubles.
Though he loathed to admit it, none of his numerous heirs were fit to succeed him. This bitter truth drove his relentless search for the elixir of immortality.
Ying Zheng did not fear death, but he could not bear the thought of his great Qin collapsing after his demise. Only by extending his life could he ensure the empire’s enduring stability.
Years of searching, however, had yielded nothing. Ying Zheng could keenly feel his body’s growing frailty. This tour of Dongzhou was his final hope. If he failed to find a means to prolong his life, all would be lost.
“Boom!”
“Boom!”
Suddenly, thunderous crashes shook the earth.
“Enemy attack!”
“Assassins! Protect His Majesty!”
“Show yourselves, cowards!”
The frantic shouts of soldiers reached Ying Zheng’s ears.
“Zhao Gao; Wang Ben” Ying Zheng’s calm voice emerged from the carriage, carrying neither fear nor panic.
“Your servant is here!”
“Your servant is here!”
Two figures entered the carriage, kneeling before Ying Zheng with utmost deference.
“It seems I was too merciful back then,” he muttered regretfully. Had he eradicated the Six Kingdoms’ aristocrats during the unification, such problems would not have existed. But now, with his years waning, he lacked the strength to rectify past leniency.
Before long, the clamour of battle subsided.
“Your Majesty,” Zhao Gao reported as he reappeared, “all assassins have been executed.”
“Good.”
Ying Zheng stepped out of the carriage, pulling back the curtain. Zhao Gao followed closely, with reverence.
“Salutations to Your Majesty!” Wang Ben knelt immediately, his voice resounding.
“Salutations to Your Majesty!”
“Salutations to Your Majesty!”
The assembled Qin soldiers echoed his cry, their expressions alight with fervent devotion. To them, Ying Zheng was more than an emperor—he was their eternal faith.
“Boom!”
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning split the sky, striking the earth in the distance.
“Boom! Rumble!”
The ground quaked violently as a massive chasm opened, revealing an enormous pit.
Ying Zheng froze. Wang Ben, Zhao Gao, and the soldiers all stared in stunned silence.
“What is happening?” Wang Ben exclaimed, his voice trembling with shock. “How could a lightning strike wield such destructive power?”
“Investigate,” Ying Zheng commanded, his brow furrowed.
In his mind, the lightning’s appearance was far too sudden. He doubted its power alone could have caused the pit. The only explanation was that the strike had triggered a latent secret hidden beneath the ground.
“As you command, Your Majesty!” Zhao Gao responded, vanishing instantly to obey.
Moments later, he returned, his face etched with disbelief.
“Your Majesty,” Zhao Gao reported, his voice heavy with awe, “there is something extraordinary beneath the pit!”