Chapter 8: Rules for the Return Journey
Zhang Tao’s question struck at the heart of the matter—not only was it what they were concerned about, but also what Jiang Ye cared deeply about.
“Chief Tong, do we need to return to the landing site to head back?” Jiang Ye asked the system anxiously.
[No need.]
[Return Instructions: After the SUV is unlocked, passengers must return to the vehicle within five minutes. The host may activate the ‘Return Key’ at any time. If, after five minutes, any tourists remain stranded in the dimensional world, they will be erased by the system.]
[Host must ensure proper guidance to prevent any tourists from being left behind.]
“What punishment will I face if tourists are stranded in the dimensional world?”
[It depends on the nature of the stranding. If the host maliciously leaves tourists behind, corresponding penalties to lifespan and skills will be imposed. If tourists fail to return due to their own actions, they bear the consequences themselves.]
Having understood the rules, Jiang Ye exhaled deeply. They could return safely, provided everyone stayed by his side within five minutes after the SUV was unlocked—otherwise, disaster would strike.
Seeing Jiang Ye silent, Zhang Tao grew anxious. “Guide Jiang, don’t tell me we have to return all the way to the landing point before we can go back?”
The other four’s expressions shifted sharply at his words.
After finishing his communication with the system, Jiang Ye noticed their anxious faces and quickly shook his head to clarify, “No, that’s not required. But there is one rule for the return.”
“What rule?”
Jiang Ye repeated the return rule to the five, emphasizing again and again the critical point that if anyone fails to get back into the vehicle within five minutes, they will be erased.
“Damn!” Zhang Tao exclaimed in shock.
Zhang Minghui asked, “How much longer until we leave?”
“Five hours.”
They had arrived in the Qin dynasty at 8:30 in the morning, so their return was scheduled for 8:30 at night.
Zhang Tao clasped his hands together, muttering prayers, “Hopefully, no one remembers us during these five hours.”
Wang Haifeng furrowed his brow. “What if they hand the treasures over and Emperor Qin Shi Huang summons us? What then?”
Before Jiang Ye could reply, Zhang Minghui said, “That won’t happen so soon. We’re insignificant little pawns. Once those two items are handed in, they’ll undergo thorough inspections and pass through many hands. By the time they reach the emperor’s trusted aides, it will likely be quite late. At that hour, no one below dares disturb the emperor’s rest.”
Jiang Ye added, “Even if Emperor Qin summons us, it won’t matter. As long as the six of us stay together, we won’t have to worry about being unable to return.”
Zhang Tao’s face lit up with a mischievous grin as he whispered, “If we perform a disappearing act right in front of Emperor Qin, do you think he might believe we’re divine beings?”
The others’ eyes sparkled at the thought.
“That’s not impossible!”
---
Zhang Tao couldn’t help but begin to look forward to pulling off a feat that would astonish the greatest emperor in history.
As Zhang Minghui had predicted, delivering the items to Emperor Qin was no easy task. After all, many sought to assassinate Ying Zheng. No one below would risk their neck without absolute certainty of safety.
Time trickled by, and Zhang Tao’s hope for a summons grew dimmer.
“Guide Jiang, how much longer until we leave?” Li Jianguo asked.
Jiang Ye glanced at the control panel. “Five minutes left. After that, we can return to the modern era.”
Zhang Tao approached the prison door, peered out, and then turned back with regret. “Alas, it’s destined that we won’t see Emperor Qin.”
Meanwhile, the treasures they had presented were meticulously inspected and finally placed on Meng Yi’s desk.
“Those six people seen on the street today were the ones bringing treasures to His Majesty?” Meng Yi looked at his subordinate.
“Yes,” the subordinate nodded confidently, handing over the mobile phone and bottled water.
Meng Yi examined the two items, unfamiliar with both, especially the rectangular one. Touching the metallic-feeling object, his eyes revealed curiosity. “What are these?”
“Your Excellency, this is called a mobile phone. It provides illumination without lamp oil, shining as bright as daylight. Moreover, it can capture images that are indistinguishable from reality.”
“Oh? Such a divine object! Let me take a closer look.” Meng Yi’s interest was piqued.
Following Li Jianguo’s instructions, the subordinate quickly pressed the volume keys twice, activating the camera function.
He carefully took a photo of a potted plant in the room.
“Click!” A flash accompanied the shutter sound, and the image froze on the screen.
The subordinate handed the phone to Meng Yi. “Your Excellency, look.”
Meng Yi stared at the screen, then at the potted plant in the room, and back at the photo, his eyes shining. “Such an incredible object, truly indistinguishable from reality.”
“The illumination function is equally remarkable.”
“Show me more,” Meng Yi said.
The subordinate continued to demonstrate how to use the lighting feature.
Meng Yi watched as the subordinate tapped and swiped on the screen, and suddenly the object emitted light. (This function resembled the quick flashlight feature on my personal phone, accessible without unlocking the screen—the same as the camera function.)
“This light is even brighter than an oil lamp, and the color is pure white.”
Meng Yi marveled at the phone, turning it left and right.
---
“A fine object.”
The subordinate spoke in time. “Your Excellency, please also examine this.”
Meng Yi shifted his gaze from the phone to the bottled water.
“This resembles a water pouch but is lighter and allows real-time observation of the water inside.”
The subordinate demonstrated how to open and close it.
Meng Yi explored the bottle with his hands. “Not bad. It is indeed light, but rather fragile.”
He squeezed it lightly, almost crushing it, sensing the bottle’s resilience. “So thin, yet completely leak-proof—clearly a clever design.”
“These treasures are presented to His Majesty. He will surely be pleased,” the subordinate smiled.
Meng Yi nodded. “Good items.”
He looked up at his subordinate. “Where are those people now?”
“They are still locked inside the prison cell.”
“Let’s go. I want to meet them first.”
The items were impressive, but who knew if these people were simply using the gift as a pretext for assassination? Caution was necessary.
Meng Yi headed toward the prison in Langya Commandery. Meanwhile, the six captives inside the cell all looked toward Jiang Ye.
“Time’s up,” Jiang Ye said to the five, “Everyone, stand aside.”
He assessed the size of the cell; it was spacious enough to hold the vehicle according to his estimate.
If it couldn’t fit…
They were doomed.
As the five pressed against the wall, a burst of white light filled the cell, instantly drawing the attention of prisoners in nearby cells.
Startled by the sudden light, the inmates in the third cell witnessed an enormous, unprecedented apparition—one neither heard of nor seen before—leaving them dumbfounded.