Chapter 18: Requesting an Audience with Emperor Qin Shi Huang

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At the mention of something important, the eight finally snapped back to full awareness. They still had to meet Emperor Qin Shi Huang shortly, and carrying straw sandals over there looked completely out of place. Jiang Kai had initially hoped to buy more “specialties,” but for now, that idea had to be abandoned.

Following the system’s guidance, Jiang Ye led the group forward. The closer they got to the temporary residence of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the more they noticed numerous covert agents lurking, all intently watching the passersby on the street.

Their appearance naturally caught the attention of the hidden guards, but no immediate action was taken. When they approached close enough to the temporary residence, a squad of patrolling soldiers intercepted the group.

“Stop!”

A unit clad in black armor wielding long halberds surrounded the nine of them in an instant. The sharp tips of the halberds hovered just inches from their throats, gleaming with a deadly cold light under the sun.

Fang Gaochang trembled so much that the bag holding his straw sandals nearly slipped from his hands. Shi Xiaoyu’s face drained of color as she gripped Li Lin’s sleeve tightly. Jiang Kai’s legs went weak as he stammered, “B-brothers, please, we have something to explain.”

The leader of the imperial guards swept his gaze like a blade across the group. “Who are you? Why are you loitering near the palace?”

Jiang Ye, having faced such situations before, remained much calmer than the others. He stepped forward smoothly, shielding the trembling Fang Gaochang and the rest behind him.

Jiang Ye bowed with composure and said firmly, “General, we are foreign alchemists, here to present immortal artifacts to His Majesty.”

The guard captain frowned, about to rebuke them, but Jiang Ye turned to Jiang Kai and gave a subtle signal: “Show the treasures.”

Jiang Kai hurriedly pulled out an iPhone from his pocket. The screen reflected an unusual shine in the sunlight.

The guards immediately stirred, some gasping in shock. That sleek, mirror-like surface was none other than the rumored “immortal artifact” recently spoken of.

“This device can capture souls and spirits; its light shines as bright as day,” Jiang Ye said solemnly, holding the phone with both hands. “We ask the general to kindly pass this message along.”

The guard captain stared at the metallic gleam of the “immortal artifact,” his expression flickering uncertainly.

After a moment, he suddenly waved his hand sharply. “Take them away! Should you dare to deceive the sovereign…”

His halberd traced a chilling arc in the air. “Watch your heads!”

The captain clasped the iPhone carefully and swiftly made his way through the layers of palace guards to the side hall where Meng Yi was stationed.

He knelt on one knee and presented the phone. “While patrolling the outer perimeter of the palace, I discovered nine suspicious individuals. They claim to be foreign alchemists bearing this immortal artifact as tribute for His Majesty.”

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Meng Yi had been examining bamboo slips when he suddenly looked up sharply at the report.

When he saw the coldly gleaming “immortal artifact” in the captain’s hand, his pupils constricted abruptly.

He knew that item all too well!

Half a month ago, the six mysterious “immortals” who vanished at Langya Terrace had offered a similar divine object.

Though the current item differed slightly, it was fundamentally the same.

“Nine people?” Meng Yi sprang up, his dark cloak brushing away the inkstone on the table. “Are you certain it was nine? There were only six at Langya!”

The captain was startled by Meng Yi’s reaction and hurried to clarify, “Reporting to Your Excellency, it is indeed nine. One claimed to be the leader, while the others all called him ‘Director Jiang.’”

Meng Yi grabbed the bronze sword from the table, his voice trembling with suppressed excitement. “Lead the way! I want to interrogate them personally!”

If these were truly the same group, the mystery of those “immortals” vanishing and reappearing might finally be solved today.

Outside the hall, a sudden fierce wind blew, making the copper bells at the eaves ring loudly.

Meng Yi strode swiftly down the corridor; his dark robes shimmered faintly in the sunlight like a drawn sword.

He approached the door lightly, paused to straighten his robes, and listened carefully—but inside, all was silent.

His heart tightened, recalling how those six had disappeared without a sound last time.

This was bad.

He pushed the door open forcefully; the wooden door slammed against the wall with a loud bang.

Inside, the nine sat around a table, each leisurely sipping tea from ceramic bowls.

Fang Gaochang even crossed his legs, chewing on a piece of candied fruit.

The sudden noise startled Jiang Kai so much he sprayed tea from his mouth; Shi Xiaoyu nearly dropped her bowl with a trembling hand.

Li Jun choked red-faced on his tea.

Meng Yi froze at the doorway, realizing he had been abrupt, but his eyes flickered with surprise at the scene before him.

He had imagined the “immortals” would be soaring on clouds or chanting spells—but here was a motley crew with no trace of grandeur. Beside them, bags holding straw sandals lay carelessly, one sandal poking out conspicuously.

Among the nine, only Jiang Ye calmly set down his tea bowl, a slight smile on his lips. “I am Jiang Ye. Greetings, Your Excellency Meng.”

Meng Yi recognized Jiang Ye immediately.

No doubt it was him. Of the six who came before, Jiang Ye was the only familiar face; the others were strangers.

Upon hearing Jiang Ye mention “Meng,” Fang Gaochang and the others immediately thought of someone: Meng Yi.

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Their eyes widened in astonishment.

“Meng Yi?!” Jiang Kai suddenly jumped up, eyes bulging. “The famous Meng Yi?!”

Fang Gaochang tossed his candied fruit onto the table and rushed forward, so excited he lost his words. “M-Master Meng! I am your fan!”

The eight all swarmed forward at once, their eyes sparkling like starry-eyed idol worshipers.

Shi Xiaoyu instinctively reached for her pocket to pull out a phone for a photo, but Li Lin quickly grabbed her wrist.

“Sir, you look so handsome in person!”

“Your command in the War to Annihilate Qi was brilliant!”

“Could I get your autograph—or better yet, shake your hand?”

Meng Yi took a half-step back, overwhelmed by their sudden enthusiasm. Their calling him “Master” felt utterly strange.

Their fervent gazes seemed as if they could burn holes right through him.

He had seen all kinds of people but never such an intense reception.

“You all…” Meng Yi struggled to find the right questions to ask under their zeal.

Jiang Ye interrupted, “Hey, hey, enough already.”

With Jiang Ye’s intervention, the excited group was temporarily calmed.

Jiang Ye stepped forward solemnly. “Your Excellency Meng, we truly have urgent matters requiring an audience with His Majesty. This concerns the Emperor’s safety.”

Jiang Kai immediately chimed in, “Yes, very important indeed!”

Fang Gaochang and the others nodded like little chicks pecking at grain, their eight pairs of eyes fixed eagerly on Meng Yi.

Meng Yi furrowed his brow, fingers unconsciously stroking the sword hilt.

Seeing this, Jiang Ye gave a subtle signal to Fang Gaochang and Li Jun.

They understood and quickly produced two more phones from their pockets, presenting them respectfully.

“These are two additional immortal artifacts,” Jiang Ye lowered his voice. “Should His Majesty grant us an audience, we have even greater treasures to offer.”