Chapter 52: We-O Romance dos Tempos Qin(Macarrão de arroz ocasional)

"How dare Fan Yuqi defy and deceive Us like this!"

"We treated Lord Chang'an with utmost generosity. When the late King passed away, he left Us and Chengjiao behind. We bestowed upon Chengjiao all the power, status, and glory that could possibly be given. Why, then, has Chengjiao also turned against Us?"

Inside the spacious and brightly lit Xingle Palace, an angry voice echoed, followed by the sound of various objects being shattered. A clear and resonant voice mixed within the fury, while the attendants and courtiers inside trembled with fear, not daring to utter a single word.

Spanning hundreds of square meters, the vast palace was built from the finest, rarest timbers and crafted by master artisans. Carved beams and painted rafters rose to support black pillars of towering height. Delicate and elegant designs lined the palace's exterior perimeter, while its inner sanctum guarded the core of absolute majesty.

Entering directly through the main gate, one was greeted by a bright grand hall. Dark, glossy floorboards spoke of solemn stillness, flanked on both sides by dark, polished low tables. Along the outer edges stood several attendants and maidservants, while figures knelt in submission before the dais.

Climbing the steps to the throne of nine-tiered distinction, an even more magnificent low table stood proudly. Behind it quietly stood a young man clad in dark brocade robes. His eyes were refined and elongated, carrying the majestic air of a phoenix. His dark brows were pressed low, and his rising anger naturally inspired a deep sense of dread.

His face was as flawless as carved jade, radiating a calm and imposing presence. The bridge of his nose was slightly prominent, and his lips were somewhat thin. Upon closer inspection, an air of innate nobility circulated around him, accompanied by a subtle, overwhelming aura of dominance.

He wore an imperial crown adorned with dark patterns, from which nine strings of pearls dangled. A dark sash was bound around his waist, and tiny, colorful jade beads trembled continuously, reflecting the extreme turmoil within the heart of the crown's master.

"Lord Chang'an is young and cannot be behind this; it is undoubtedly the doing of Fan Yuqi. Though that man possesses some fierce valor, he lacks strategic depth. Dispatch another force of troops, and he shall be captured with ease. Your Majesty need not worry!"

Among the figures kneeling before the dais, a man with slightly graying hair stepped forward to speak. Around fifty years of age, he wore a lavish green robe, a towering scholar's cap, a dark jade belt around his waist, and fine silk shoes. A hint of murderous intent flashed across his brow.

His face was somewhat lean, but his eyes were exceptionally bright. Staring directly at the King of Qin on the upper seat, he spoke in a resonant voice, swiftly setting the strategy: Fan Yuqi was not worth worrying about and should be suppressed immediately.

"Order Wang Jian to act as supreme general at once, with Huan Yi and Wang Ben as left and right vanguards. Lead an army of one hundred thousand to punish Lord Chang'an!"

Without the slightest hesitation, a command was issued straight from Xingle Palace, flying directly toward the military encampment outside Xianyang City. This campaign would surely execute Fan Yuqi, and even if Lord Chang'an had been misled, he too would bear a grave crime.

"Your Majesty, Lord Changping requests an audience, stating that the recruitment of palace protectors and palace swordsmen has been completed, and he has come to report back!"

As the words fell, the young King of Qin on the upper seat waved a single hand. The kneeling courtiers below stood up and took their places on either side. Soon after, a palace servant to the left of the upper table stepped forward and spoke quietly to the King.

Although this palace servant's attire was plain, he possessed clear, bright eyes, a slender physique, and stood with his hands folded. He moved with agility and grace, bowing low as he spoke in a deep, steady voice. His eyes were full of spirit, and a faint mystic glow shimmered around him—he was clearly a martial artist as well.

"Summon him!"

Hearing this, the King of Qin, whose anger had not yet subsided, slightly adjusted his imperial crown. Then, kneeling back behind the low table, he gave the order to the servant beside him.

"Summon Lord Changping into the hall!"

Immediately, the palace servant bowed and retreated, returning to his original post beside the low table. Standing tall with chest out and brimming with internal energy, he delivered the proclamation in a crisp voice. In an instant, the sound traveled outside Xingle Palace, echoing in the ears of Lord Changping, Zhou Qing, and the others.

Within the massive Xingle Palace, though the voice was loud, it was not harsh. Yet, it traveled dozens of meters outside the hall in a single instant, demonstrating the servant's profound cultivation. Having finished speaking, he resumed his posture with hands folded, remaining as silent and motionless as a stone statue.

Receiving the command, Lord Changping, Xiong Qi, bowed to the group behind him outside the hall and stepped inside. Immediately, a faint, scholarly fragrance drifted through the air, invigorating the spirit of anyone who breathed it in.

Accompanying Lord Changping Xiong Qi were a total of seven individuals: the Left and Right Protectors of the Yin-Yang School, Master Xuanqingzi and Zongqiong of the Taoist Tianzong (Heavenly Clan), Ganie of the Guiguji (Ghost Valley) School, along with Xin Sheng and Li Xin of the Strategists (Military School).

They stood in separate groups—a corner for the Yin-Yang School, a corner for the Taoist School, a corner for the Strategists, and a corner for the Ghost Valley School. Following closely behind Lord Changping into the hall, they drew the collective gaze of everyone present, their expressions unwavering as they advanced to within three meters of the dais.

"This humble subject pays respects to Your Majesty!"

Bowing slightly, he paid homage to the King of Qin seated behind the nine-tiered table on the upper seat.

"Greetings, King of Qin!"

"..."

Following him, Zhou Qing and the other six individuals each offered a brief bow and spoke in low voices without further elaboration. Zhou Qing's spiritual perception sensed that there was actually a presence at the peak of the Hunyuan Xiantian realm within the hall, willingly acting merely as a palace servant. This was truly extraordinary.

"Lord Changping, rise. Are the people behind you the palace protectors and palace swordsmen recruited for this trip?"

Seeing Lord Changping, the King of Qin sitting on the upper seat shifted his expression slightly. A trace of a smile spread across his face as he nodded to Lord Changping. Then, he stood up, walked slowly from behind the low table, and descended step by step to the front of the lower hall.

"Indeed. Aside from the two major protectors of the Yin-Yang School who have already won Your Majesty's favor, there is also Master Xuanqingzi of the Taoist School. Although only eight years of age, he surpassed the two major protectors of the Yin-Yang School, and this subject recommends him as the Right Protector."

"This is Master Ganie of the Ghost Valley School. Having recently descended the mountain, he came directly to the State of Qin and subdued everyone here. This subject recommends him as the Chief Palace Swordsman of Qin. These two are Xin Sheng and Li Xin, descendants of the Strategists."

"They previously served in our Great Qin military, having been specifically nurtured for Your Majesty by Marquis Ying and Lord Changwen as junior officers of the army. This subject recommends them as palace swordsmen!"

Meeting the gaze of King Zheng of Qin, Lord Changping nodded in acknowledgment. Seeing the King step down from the dais, he quickly retreated to the left side, extending a single hand to introduce the people one by one to the King, who had now reached the lower hall.

Each of them could be called an elite representative of the contemporary Hundred Schools of Thought. The Yin-Yang School had clearly pledged its allegiance to Qin. Master Xuanqingzi of the Taoist Tianzong, despite his youth, boasted a Senior Brother Chisongzi and a Master Beimingzi—both preeminent masters among the various schools.

Then there was Ganie of the Ghost Valley, whose lineage had always produced peerless talents fiercely contested by various states. The descendants of the Strategists were no different; to triumph in every battle and seize every objective was the creed of the military tacticians.

"Haha, excellent! Excellent! Excellent!"

"We can rest easy with Lord Changping handling matters. We already know the formidable power of the two protectors of the Yin-Yang School. To think that Master Xuanqingzi of the Taoist School could surpass Lord Dongjun and Lord Yue Shen—he must be even more extraordinary."

"Furthermore, We have thoroughly enjoyed reading *Opening Heaven and Earth* and *The Tribulation of Longhan*, which have spread across the states in recent years, and Our heart has yearned for them. The struggles of the divine clans within those works bear such a striking resemblance to the current strife among the states. Master Xuanqingzi truly carries the lingering charm of Zhuang Zhou, the ancient sage of Taoism!"

King Zheng of Qin laughed heartily, his crisp voice echoing through the spacious Xingle Palace. His phoenix-like eyes swept across the people before him, causing the nine-stringed crown to sway. Stepping forward, he did not look down upon Zhou Qing despite his young age.

For hundreds of years, the various states had been locked in endless conflict, and brilliant talents of the Hundred Schools had emerged generation after generation. Among them, there was no shortage of prodigies endowed with profound wisdom—much like Xiang Tuo of old, who, at merely seven years of age, became the teacher of Confucius of the Confucian School. This was a testament to such exceptional brilliance.