The warhorses following behind were relatively normal, with over ten thousand soldiers surrounding them in the rear. However, unlike Eastern Qi’s Qi’an who arrived swiftly like thunder, they moved slowly because ahead were over a hundred musicians proceeding leisurely while beating and playing instruments. Everyone wore colorful robes and ornate crowns, appearing joyful like a wedding procession.

Without needing to be told, Qing Xia knew whose grand procession had arrived. A black line immediately flashed through her mind as she saw all the surrounding people gaping with wide eyes, staring in disbelief at this Xichuan authority figure who had come from afar to celebrate the birthday. Even the Great Qin civil and military officials who were well aware of what kind of person Yan Hui was showed expressions of unbearable dismay. Who could have imagined this fellow would have such a whimsical and stunning opening at this critical moment? One wondered whether the Great Emperor of Xichuan would faint from excitement upon learning of this.

They had seen this group’s extravagant display long ago, but by the time they slowly made their way over, more than half an hour had passed. The pearl curtains slowly opened, and several guards who had been riding alongside the carriage dismounted. Their figures were graceful and full of coquettish charm. Though dressed in military uniforms, one could tell at a glance they were women in disguise. Two women stepped forward, extending their slender white hands. With a creaking sound, rich fragrance wafted over. Even from several hundred steps away, one could still smell that pungent aroma.

Yan Hui wore a tender green brocade robe with small butterflies embroidered between the sleeves in bright colors. The collar was artistically designed with fine colorful threads woven into a row of auspicious cloud patterns extending diagonally to the lower back. He wore matching brocade boots that were eye-catchingly brilliant. At his waist hung five or six brightly colored sachets, even more than before. With bright brows and white teeth, his fox-like peach blossom eyes slightly narrowed, his face full of spring breeze and smiles, he strode down with large steps, smiling at Qin Zhiyan and saying, “Finally meeting Prince Xuan again—Hui is truly overjoyed.”

Qin Zhiyan smiled warmly, completely unaffected by his fragrance, saying gently, “Every time I see General Yan, he brings surprises. The General’s grace surpasses that of yesterday.”

“Really? You think so too?” Yan Hui was delighted, his narrow fox eyes lifting as he said, “I recently obtained an ancient formula for preserving youth, and after trying it, it’s indeed quite effective.”

As soon as he finished speaking, this attention-seeker suddenly seemed to remember something and exclaimed, “Oh right, since all the princes and lords are present, Hui specially prepared gifts for everyone—everyone present gets a share.”

Just as people were curious about what gifts he would give, Yan Hui smiled smugly and clapped his hands. Suddenly, the doors on all four sides—front, back, left, and right—of the carriage opened simultaneously. In an instant, it was like a profusion of flowers, clusters of blooms. People could hardly believe their eyes as hundreds of gorgeously dressed women continuously emerged from the carriage. Each had a snake-like slender waist, bee waist and plump hips, faces full of spring allure. Before people could react, they each sought out men they fancied and swarmed forward.

In an instant, the solemn and dignified feeling of the welcoming ceremony vanished completely. The younger princes and ministers were somewhat better off, but some of the older ones nearly had their hearts give out from the shock. Elder Fang Jingye, a veteran of two dynasties in the Qin court, was grabbed around the waist by two women, making him blow his beard and glare with eyes wide, his face flushed red. The watching people burst into laughter. This elderly gentleman who had devoted his life to righteousness, filial piety, moral principles, and ritual propriety became so agitated that he pointed at Yan Hui stammering “You, you…” for a long while before finally rolling his eyes back and fainting.

The Yan Character Battalion had no choice but to step forward to maintain order. Yan Hui showed not the slightest remorse for any impropriety, laughing heartily and saying, “I saw everyone had been waiting too long, so I thought I’d liven up the atmosphere. Prince Xuan, quite creative, right?”

Qin Zhiyan indeed had excellent composure, actually nodding and smiling, “General Yan is truly original and ingenious.”

Just then, sudden chaos erupted in the crowd. Qing Xia in the crowd reacted first, immediately rushing swiftly toward the disturbance. She knew those people finally couldn’t restrain themselves and wanted to use Yan Hui’s chaos to muddy the waters.

Yan Hui, fearing the world wasn’t chaotic enough, exclaimed delightedly, “What’s happening? Assassins, right?”

Qin Zhiyan remained calm as a mountain, his expression unchanged as he said, “Just some petty thieves, nothing to fear. General needn’t worry.”

Yan Hui shook his head dismissively, saying, “Often it’s precisely these supposedly insignificant petty thieves who can make a big impact. Generally, the more you look down on someone, the more they become your greatest threat. Crown Prince An, don’t you think I’m right?”

He directed these words at Qi’an, naturally referring to Southern Chu’s Crown Prince Chu Li, who hadn’t been valued in Qi back then. Qi’an felt slightly angry but didn’t speak, only letting out a cold laugh as his response.

Qing Xia’s defenses were almost seamless, and the disturbance would soon be controlled. Qing Xia stood behind the crowd, Yan Character Battalion personal guards surrounding her, looking at the men on the ground either dead or severely wounded. Qing Xia snorted coldly—whoever it was had really spent a fortune. She stepped forward and yanked off the man’s black face covering, grabbed his hair, and yanked him up harshly, angrily shouting, “Who sent you?”

The big man snorted angrily and spat a mouthful of bloody saliva at Qing Xia. With her keen alertness, Qing Xia dodged by turning her body. She saw the man’s face was iron-blue, his eye sockets bloodshot, and his mouth corners red and swollen—he had clearly suffered. But Qing Xia frowned, feeling this person looked very familiar. Her thoughts raced, and she suddenly shouted, “It’s you?”

The big man was startled by her words and immediately widened his eyes. But after looking at Qing Xia carefully twice, he said gravely, “Kill me if you want—no need to trick me. I’ve never seen you before.”

“Of course you haven’t seen me,” Qing Xia snorted coldly. “But I’ve seen you. Is Old Yun’s health still good? Your master sending you here is simply seeking death!”

The man’s face instantly changed dramatically, filled with terror.

Qing Xia’s expression was cold and indifferent, appearing unfathomably deep, the corners of her mouth slightly smiling as if she had everything figured out. That’s right—this was one of the mysterious group she had encountered in the small alley of Southern Chu’s imperial city before Chu Li’s coronation. She had worn a veil then and fought with this man. She didn’t know who the opponents were but could be certain they weren’t from Southern Chu. At the time, she heard someone in the sedan chair call the old man “Old Yun,” so she said this to trick the big man.

Sure enough, the big man’s face showed terror, and he suddenly opened his mouth with a resolute expression. Qing Xia was alarmed and shouted, “He’s going to bite his tongue and commit suicide!”

The Yan Character Battalion personal guards holding him reacted quickly, gripping the man’s mouth. But just then, a Xichuan dancing girl somehow ran behind the crowd, seeming drunk as she rushed into the crowd and crashed into a Yan Character Battalion guard with a bang. In that instant, unexpected change occurred—the big man suddenly slipped away like a loach, breaking free from restraints, leaping up, drawing a soldier’s long sword, and chopping at the shoulder of someone facing him. The blade was stained with blood, screams arose, and that person, like a crazed tiger, summoned divine strength, actually breaking through the crowd in a few moves, climbing onto a warhorse and galloping toward the empty street.

Qing Xia was furious, leading several people to mount horses and whip toward the West City Gate.

The crowd behind remained immersed in celebratory joy, completely unaware of the bloody disturbance behind them.

Qin Zhiyan stood with Great Qin’s civil and military ministers before the East City Gate, waiting for the last distinguished guest to arrive. Who would have known that after a long while, a scout returned on horseback, shouting loudly, “Your Highness, the Southern Chu envoys declare that the Chu Emperor, coming to celebrate the birthday as ruler of a nation, should rightfully receive the respect and ceremony due to a sovereign. Without His Majesty’s personal welcome, the Chu people will not step foot in Xianyang City!”

Everyone was startled to hear this. Only Qi’an snorted coldly, appearing very disdainful. Without even waiting, he entered Xianyang’s city gates first under the escort of Great Qin protocol officials. Qin Zhiying and other Great Qin princes quickly assigned several to accompany him into the city.

Qin Zhicheng and Qin Zhimin exchanged glances, both sneering inwardly. Qin Zhiyan bore responsibility for welcoming distinguished guests from all nations—if he couldn’t complete this properly and had to go back to request Prince Qin, it would show incompetence.

Indeed, Qin Zhiyan’s eyes turned slightly as he said calmly, “If the mountain won’t come to me, I’ll go to the mountain. Father Emperor is advanced in years and rarely leaves the palace. It’s natural for this son to serve. Where is the Chu Emperor now? I’ll personally go to welcome him.”

The scout announced loudly, “Three li west of the city.”

Qin Zhiyan leaped onto his warhorse and said to the Great Qin court ministers, “Please wait here for a moment. Brothers, come with me to welcome the Great Emperor of Southern Chu.” Then, smiling at Yan Hui, he said, “The night wind is cool—perhaps General should return to your quarters first. Tonight there will be a grand banquet to welcome and cleanse the dust for everyone.”

Yan Hui smiled and said, “Never mind that. I’ve been sitting in a carriage all day and could use some exercise. I’ll go with Your Highness to meet the Chu Emperor and join the excitement.”

“In that case, thank you for the trouble.”

“No problem,” Yan Hui smiled brilliantly, his peach blossom eyes narrowing with deep meaning, “I’m naturally fond of joining excitement.”

Qin Zhiyan smiled and led the way, bringing the Great Qin princes and ten thousand Yan Character Battalion troops galloping toward the western direction.

After years of training, Qing Xia’s horsemanship had become quite accomplished. She pursued closely behind the big man while the Yan Character Battalion guards gradually fell behind. She drew the iron arrows and longbow from her waist, controlling the horse purely with her legs, nocking an arrow and shooting. With a bang, the man’s shoulder was bloodied and he fell from his horse. Qing Xia laughed coldly, dismounted in a flying leap, drew her dagger, and charged forward like a tigress. She grabbed the arrow in the man’s shoulder and twisted it forcefully. The man groaned miserably, his eyes flashing with cold killing intent as he swung his hand to strike. In that life-or-death moment, he summoned tremendous brute strength, ignoring his injuries, and gripped Qing Xia’s neck tightly.

Qing Xia was startled, turned her neck to escape the man’s grip, and swung her dagger fiercely. With a dull thud, the dagger pierced flesh, opening a large gash in the big man’s thigh.