People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 257, Night Falls
Yan Lingji's icy blue eyes were filled with complex emotions.

She couldn't be sure if Xu Qing was telling the truth, but she always felt that this jerk might actually do it, but why bother?
For her? Are you kidding me?
After much thought, Yan Lingji still couldn't figure it out. After giving Xu Qing a deep look, she released his collar.

"The master has agreed to your deal, but you will only make a move against Han Yu after you have truly proven that you can solve the Hua Ku Gu," Yan Ling Ji said.

Xu Qing didn't speak, but instead took out the temporary antidote she had prepared the night before from her sleeve.

He had long anticipated that Tianze wouldn't easily trust him; necessary sincerity was essential, as it was the cornerstone of cooperation.

"This is a temporary antidote I made. You can give it to Tianze, and he will naturally be able to tell if it's genuine or fake," Xu Qing said calmly.

Yan Lingji glanced at the medicine bottle, then at Xu Qing, and nodded slightly.
"I believe you. I will take you to meet the master later tonight."

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing put away the medicine bottle in his hand. Faced with such a powerful attack from Wei Zhuang, Mo Ya, and others, the Crown Prince's residence would certainly not be able to hold out.

Moreover, in the original novel, Tianze's capture of Crown Prince Han was merely a cover; his real purpose was the Han Palace, where he wanted to kill King Han An and find the Seven Azure Dragons in the Cold Palace.

“Alright, but I must remind you, you are now my maid, so you need to change how you address me,” Xu Qing said.

A sly glint flashed in Yan Lingji's eyes as she looked at Xu Qing with interest, speaking in a seductive, mature voice.
"Are you jealous? You've actually liked me for a long time, haven't you?"

As she spoke, Yan Lingji tucked her hair behind her ear, looked at Xu Qing with a smile, and ran her small hand over his clothes.

"Yes, I fell in love with you at first sight the moment I saw you. Now, will you accept my feelings? Will you run away with me and wander the world together?"

Xu Qing extended her hand, making an inviting gesture.

"So, is this journey away just between the two of us, or are there other people involved?" Yan Lingji whispered in Xu Qing's ear.

Warm, fragrant orchids wafted out, and plump, soft balls pressed gently against Xu Qing's body. A flame ignited in Yan Lingji's right hand.

"One yard owned by a yard."

Xu Qing, without changing his expression, grasped Yan Lingji's hand and extinguished the flames in her hand.

It couldn't just be the two of them, of course. There was also his Zi Nu, his sister-in-law Nong Yu, Lady Mingzhu, Chao Nu Yao, and Hu Meiren. And who knows, there might be others in the future.

Thinking of this, Xu Qing felt that he had a long way to go and a heavy responsibility to bear. If he didn't have a strong family fortune, he probably wouldn't be able to support these beloved women.

However, Xu Qing felt it necessary to reiterate that he was not a womanizer; it was just that the winds of change were too strong, which blinded him on his life's journey and caused him to have a few people in his heart.

"You filthy man~ Let me go~"

Yan Lingji felt a little uncomfortable and glared fiercely at Xu Qing, then tried to shake off his hand.

However, Xu Qing grabbed Yan Lingji's waist, pulled her into his arms, and turned around to hide her away.

"Stop fooling around, someone's coming," Xu Qing said in a low voice.

As soon as Xu Qing finished speaking, a series of orderly footsteps sounded at the alley entrance. Yan Lingji lowered her raised leg and leaned on Xu Qing's shoulder to watch the situation on the street.

Squads of armored soldiers, armed with shields and weapons, marched toward the Crown Prince's residence. These soldiers were menacing and menacing, clearly not ordinary troops.

Especially the armored soldier in the middle, holding a crossbow and a sword hanging at his waist.

"Does South Korea still have an army like this?" Yan Lingji asked in confusion.

Xu Qing turned slightly to the side, looking at the armored soldiers flashing past the alley entrance, and said thoughtfully.
"They are the crossbowmen, the true elite force of Korea. They usually only sit in the royal palace, guarding it together with the royal guards." For hundreds of years during the Spring and Autumn Period, the states were constantly at war. Under the tempering of iron and blood, each state had a truly elite force that was different from ordinary armies.

The Iron Eagle Warriors after Shang Yang's reforms in Qin, the Wuling Iron Cavalry after Zhao adopted the Hu-style riding and archery, and the Wei Wu Soldiers trained by Wu Qi in Wei.

The Qi state had a skilled cavalry that had been maintained since the time of Duke Huan of Qi, and the Yan state had captured the Liaodong strongmen from the Central Plains and the mixed lands of the Hu people.

The Chu army, led by Shenxi, and the Han army, which relied on powerful bows, crossbows, and sharp swords to create the Jisha crossbowmen.

This was the most powerful army of the seven kingdoms. However, nowadays, apart from the Qin Kingdom's Iron Eagle Warriors, which remain strong, the elite troops of the other six kingdoms are no longer what they used to be.

"Stop looking. If you're exposed, Tianze's Gu poison will never be cured in this lifetime."

As Xu Qing spoke, he prepared to leave with Yan Lingji.

"it is good."

Yan Lingji glanced deeply at the army at the alley entrance, then let Xu Qing lead her away.

She had naturally heard of the Korean crossbowmen, and Ji Wuye's decision to mobilize them and all the imperial guards to the Crown Prince's residence clearly indicated that he had agreed to their conditions.

With the Han royal palace vulnerable, Tianze and the Corpse-Driving Demon were able to launch a sneak attack on King An of Han, making the biggest murderer who annihilated the Baiyue pay the price.

After Xu Qing pulled Yan Lingji away, Han Fei outside the Crown Prince's residence also realized that something was wrong.

Zhang Liang glanced at the armored soldiers behind him, walked to Han Fei's side, and whispered...
"Brother Han, be careful of these armored soldiers; something seems amiss."

Han Fei glanced at the armored soldiers out of the corner of his eye, and his pupils suddenly widened. Although these people wore ordinary armor, the weapons and shields in their hands were of the Imperial Guard standard.

Before Han Fei and Zhang Liang could recover from their surprise, they heard footsteps behind them.

"They are crossbowmen!"

Following the sound, Han Fei and Zhang Liang immediately recognized the special army, and a bad feeling arose in their hearts.

"Brother Han, I'm afraid something bad is about to happen," Zhang Liang said in a low voice.

"Don't panic."

Han Fei comforted Zhang Liang, glanced at Han Qianqiu and the armored soldiers behind him whose expressions remained unchanged, and took out a wine flask from his bosom.

After opening the wine pot, Han Fei raised it to drink, but only two or three drops flowed out of the empty pot.

"Brother Wei Zhuang and Mo Ya have entered the Crown Prince's residence, so there shouldn't be any problems from now on. I'll leave things here to you, Zifang. I'm going to find Brother Xu for a drink."

Han Fei, feigning confidence, tossed the wine jug to Zhang Liang and headed towards the exit where the imperial guards had blocked the way.

"Ninth Young Master, this doesn't seem appropriate," Han Qianqiu said hesitantly, watching Han Fei about to leave.

“That’s just how our Ninth Young Master is. His secret to solving cases is fine wine. Let him go.” Zhang Liang smiled and covered for Han Fei, stopping Han Qianqiu.

Seeing this, Han Qianqiu didn't say anything more. It was good that Han Fei left; otherwise, with Han Fei present, he wouldn't have been able to openly attack the Crown Prince.

(End of this chapter)