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

Chapter 526, Special Mission, Departure for Yongcheng
“Excellent! When you assume full power, we will definitely take Xianyang and then support Yongcheng. For now, please keep the Empress Dowager calm to avoid revealing any weaknesses,” Ling Qi said.

“Alright, then I will wait for your good news in Yongcheng,” Lao Ai said.

"Then congratulations in advance to the Marquis on becoming the new master of Qin."

Ling Qi, accompanied by dozens of his retainers, offered his congratulations to Lao Ai.

"Hahaha, you will all be my meritorious officials who helped me rise to power. When I am granted titles and honors, I will not treat you unfairly."

Lao Ai laughed loudly, as if he could already see the day when he would kill Ying Zheng, lead his troops back to Xianyang, and sit on the throne.

"Thank you, Lord Marquis!" the retainers shouted.

Yan Ri silently watched Lao Ai, a barely perceptible glint of cold light flashing in his eyes. Want to become the new king of Qin? Utterly laughable.

After arranging everything, Ling Qi led his retainers away to carry out the plan.

After everyone left, Yan Ri emerged from the corner, his Qin army armor making a slight clinking sound with each step.

"My lord, the people from the Luo Wang organization have already infiltrated Qinian Palace. At that time, I will open the gates of Qinian Palace and coordinate with you from the inside," Yan Ri said, bowing.

"You've worked hard. If I succeed in my uprising in three days, you, Yan Ri, will be credited with the greatest merit. You won't have to be an assassin anymore. I will make you the most illustrious marquis in Qin."

Lao Ai looked at Yan Ri with an air of arrogance and generously promised Yan Ri a future together.

Yan Ri sneered inwardly. Lao Ai's arrogant demeanor made him seem like a ridiculous clown. However, the other party wouldn't be able to keep up the act for long; Lao Ai's death would be in three days.

"Thank you, Your Excellency. I will certainly do my utmost to serve you," Yan Ri said, bowing.

"I'll leave the affairs of Qinian Palace to you," Lao Ai said, helping Yan Ri to her feet.

Compared to his retainers and servants, Lao Ai trusted the assassins from the Luo Wang organization, such as Yan Ri and Hei Bai Xuan Jian, the most. This was not only because he had been in the Luo Wang organization for a period of time, but more importantly, because he believed that the Luo Wang assassins were far more powerful than the army.

“Yes, but I have another request, and I hope Your Excellency will grant it,” Yan Ri said.

"What request?" Lao Ai asked, puzzled.

“On the day of the King of Qin’s coronation, besides Xu Qing, there will also be Gai Nie, one of the masters of the Ghost Valley School, by his side. I am worried that I cannot take down both of them with just the Kill-level assassins, so I ask you to transfer Hei Bai Xuan Jian to help me.” Yan Ri said in a hoarse voice with a calm gaze.

Xu Qing had previously sent him intelligence, instructing him to keep track of Hei Bai Xuan Jian's movements to prevent him from escaping during the suppression of the rebellion.

However, Hei Bai Xuan Jian had always maintained direct contact with Lao Ai, so even Lao Ai couldn't keep track of Hei Bai Xuan Jian's movements. In order to find out the other party's whereabouts, he could only use this method to inquire.

Upon learning of Yan Ri's request, Lao Ai glanced at Yan Ri hesitantly and asked somewhat tentatively.

"Do you really need Hei Bai Xuan Jian's support? Can't someone else do it? Xuan Jian has his own mission."

As expected, Hei Bai Xuan Jian had a special mission. Yan Ri's heart stirred slightly, but he maintained his composure and continued speaking.
"Among the members of the Luo Wang organization, only my subordinates and Hei Bai Xuan Jian have the ability to capture Xu Qing and Gai Nie; the rest of us don't have that skill."

Lao Ai hesitated. Xu Qing was one of his targets. He had consulted many doctors, all of whom said that his impotence was not a disease, but rather caused by psychological trauma.

The only way to restore humanity is to address this shadow.

Therefore, Xu Qing must die, and he must die in front of him.

However, Hei Bai Xuan Jian's mission was also extremely important, no less so than killing Xu Qing, and perhaps even more so. This caused Lao Ai to hesitate. Yan Ri, seeing Lao Ai's indecisiveness, understood that the mission Hei Bai Xuan Jian was carrying out was certainly not a simple matter; otherwise, Lao Ai wouldn't be so hesitant.

"My lord, this matter concerns the greater good. I urge you to prioritize the overall situation. Only by killing Xu Qing and Gai Nie can we truly subdue Ying Zheng. Otherwise, Ying Zheng may very well escape under their cover," Yan Ri said solemnly.

Lao Ai glanced at Yan Ri, looked at the other's bronze beast mask, hesitated for a long time, and then shook his head and said...
"Hei Bai Xuan Jian cannot move; he has a more important mission. Don't worry, I will arrange for others to assist you. As for Ying Zheng, he can't escape; he will surely die this time."

Seeing that Lao Ai insisted, Yan Ri did not ask any further questions and cupped his hands in greeting.
"My subordinate understands."

"Go back and prepare well. I will arrange for others to help you, so don't worry," Lao Ai said, patting Yan Ri on the shoulder.

"promise."

Yan Ri said no more, got up and walked outside.

After watching Yan Ri leave, Lao Ai looked around the empty hall, tucked his sword into his waistband, coughed twice, spread his arms and shook his sleeves, smoothed his hair, put on a pretentious and dignified expression, and strode toward his seat.

As he approached his seat, Lao Ai, recalling how Ying Zheng held court, flicked his sleeves in imitation of Ying Zheng's mannerisms and sat down.

"In three days, I will be the new King of Qin, not the new King Lao. The Qin Kingdom should be renamed the Lao Kingdom!"

"Ha ha ha ha."

Lao Ai burst into laughter, his body swaying as he laughed so hard, his face full of smugness.

Time flies, and a night passes in the blink of an eye.

Early the next morning, Ying Zheng's carriage, accompanied by guards and eunuchs, drove out of Zhangtai Palace. Outside the palace, Qin ministers had been waiting for a long time.

Ying Zheng's coming-of-age ceremony is the day after tomorrow, so we must go to Yongcheng today to prepare. Once Ying Zheng leaves, and with Lü Buwei staying at home, Xianyang will fall into a leaderless situation, which could easily lead to chaos.

As Ying Zheng's carriage slowly drove out of the city, the courtiers showed expressions of worry, anticipation, or calmness, but what they were really thinking remained a mystery.

"Sir, besides those on the list, could there be other people who haven't come forward yet?"

Ying Zheng lifted the curtain, looked at the officials who were getting further and further away, and asked in a low voice.

Sitting to the side, Xu Qing glanced out the window and said calmly.

"Xianyang is vulnerable. Once internal strife begins, those with ulterior motives will certainly not miss this opportunity."

"I am very much looking forward to them stepping forward. The Lulu Sword has not drunk blood for a long time since the Four Nobles."

Ying Zheng closed the window and looked down at the sword at his waist. This was the personal sword of the Qin kings throughout history and one of the symbols of Qin kings' power—the Lulu Sword.

Xu Qing remained silent upon hearing this; he couldn't get a word in edgewise on such a topic.

Seeing that Xu Qing remained silent with his eyes down, Ying Zheng did not ask any further questions. He closed his eyes and began to adjust his mindset, preparing to deal with what was to come.

As the carriage drove out of Xianyang City, Xu Qing, who had been resting, suddenly opened his eyes. A ball of light flashed in his mind, and three fortune slips flew out from it.

(End of this chapter)