The Great Qin Dynasty: The egg of the Black Bird was revered as a national guardian beast.

Zhao Gao followed behind him as the First Emperor emerged.

At the palace gate, there were guards led by the Imperial Physician, and the commander of the Black Bird Guard stood outside.

They witnessed the arrival of the First Emperor.

He quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

"No need," the First Emperor said, waving his hand. Then he looked at him and asked, "What is it?"

"Your Majesty."

After thinking for a moment, he lowered his head slightly and said, "Just now, the Heavenly Fate Mystic Bird let out a long cry, and its voice sounded mournful."

"None of us know what happened."

"But this matter concerns the Mandate of Heaven and the Black Bird, so I dare not be negligent and have come to report to Your Majesty immediately."

"I see." The First Emperor frowned slightly, turned his head, and glanced at Zhao Gao.

"I will personally go to inspect it and prepare horses."

Soon, Zhao Gao turned and gave an order, and someone led the horses over.

The First Emperor immediately mounted his horse.

Riding on horseback, they galloped through the Lin Guang Palace, heading towards the palace where the Heavenly Fate Mystic Bird resided.

Zhao Gao and the commander of the Black Bird Guard hurriedly chased after them.

Not long after, the First Emperor tightened the reins, and the horse's hooves pounded as it came to a stop in front of a palace.

Zhao Gao and his men arrived shortly afterward.

The First Emperor casually tossed the reins to the Black Bird Guard beside him, then, supporting himself with his sword, slowly walked inside.

Zhao Gao followed silently behind with his head down.

In this context

One of the Black Bird Guards quietly looked up.

The First Emperor seemed to sense something, and turned his head to look through the beaded pendant.

He was so frightened that he immediately lowered his head.

Only after the First Emperor had walked away did he breathe a long sigh of relief, looking at that departing figure with lingering fear.

"Phew, so that's... His Majesty the First Emperor?"

"What's the big deal?" The old guard rolled his eyes. "Back in Xianyang, I saw His Majesty the First Emperor quite often."

As he spoke, his tone carried a hint of pride.

Then he patted him on the shoulder and looked at him.

He said earnestly, "But remember this: never again look up at me like you did today."

"Otherwise, it would be suspected of assassinating the king."

"Your Majesty may forgive this, but it must not be repeated."

After saying that, she looked him in the eyes and asked, "Do you understand?"

"Yes, yes, I understand."

.........

The First Emperor, leaning on his sword, his brow slightly furrowed, slowly walked into the palace where Xuan Ye resided.

As he walked, the crown on his head fluttered.

After glancing around, Zhao Gao lowered his head and followed closely behind the First Emperor, not daring to make a move.

Inside the palace, the candlelight flickered in the bronze lamps.

A faint glimmer of light cast a hazy glow over the entire massive palace, obscuring everything.

The next moment, the First Emperor stopped in his tracks.

Fortunately, Zhao Gao kept a close eye on the First Emperor, otherwise he might have fallen headlong into trouble.

He raised his hand and lifted the beaded pendant in front of him.

Then, on the floor in the distance of the main hall, there lay countless feathers.

The candlelight flickered inside the bronze lamp.

One moment it shines brightly, the next it sinks into darkness.

"Bang!"

Zhao Gao's eyes were filled with horror, and he felt a chill run through his body. He involuntarily knelt down.

It took him a long time to swallow.

I wanted to speak, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't make a sound.

After a long while, he finally let out a hoarse call.

"His Majesty."

But all he got in response was...

Quiet!

Deathly silence!

Zhao Gao dared not speak, lowered his head deeply, and then lay prostrate on the ground.

The First Emperor stood there, dazzled for a long time.

After a long while, he finally came to his senses, closed his eyes slightly, and his voice was filled with a chilling coldness.

"Go check!"

"Anyone appearing around the palace is to be arrested. Those guarded by the Black Bird Guards who fail in their duties will be executed along with their entire families!"

After speaking, the First Emperor looked around and was dazzled for a long time.

But suddenly, a thumping sound came from the dimly lit palace, as if something was moving.

The First Emperor was startled and reached for the Tai'a sword.

Behind the scattered beads were a pair of cold eyes, filled with murderous intent.

"His Majesty!"

Zhao Gao raised his head and shouted.

But the First Emperor ignored him, drew his sword, and walked forward slowly.

But when they got closer...

Looking around, I found nothing.

"Hey!"

A long cry suddenly rang out behind the First Emperor, who, holding his sword, hurriedly turned around.

The candlelight inside the hall flickered.

A giant, jet-black bird suddenly appeared from the darkness.

This giant bird had sharp claws and was covered in jet-black, iron-like feathers that gleamed coldly in the candlelight.

Above the bird's head, the crest feathers stand upright like a long ribbon.

Each tail feather behind it is long and flowing, like tassels hanging down and trailing behind.

"The Celestial Bird?"

The First Emperor spoke, his tone tinged with uncertainty.

Because the giant bird in front of them looked completely different from the Heavenly Fate Mystic Bird.

It's not just about getting bigger.

The feathers on its body were also quite different from before.

Nodding, the giant bird walked up to the First Emperor and then lowered its head to nuzzle against him.

The First Emperor smiled and said.

"Zhao Gao, the Heavenly Mandate Black Bird is unharmed; you may leave."

"Yes." Zhao Gao lowered his head, responded, and then walked out.

After Zhao Gao left,

The First Emperor raised his head again and looked at Xuan Ye.

"Heavenly Fate Mystic Bird, what happened? Why have you become like this?"

As he spoke, he looked down at the feathers on the ground.

"And this is it again?"

Xuan Ye paused for a moment.

Then, with his head down, he said nonchalantly, "It's just molting, it's not a big deal."

"Yeah?"

The First Emperor's expression relaxed somewhat.

He gave a faint smile: "That's good. I thought the Heavenly Fate Mystic Bird had met with misfortune again."

"What did you say?"

After a moment of surprise, Xuan Ye realized that the First Emperor was worried that the old story of Hu Hai would repeat itself.

It's kind of funny.

The First Emperor must have been very worried about his children.

He shook his head. "Your Majesty, please don't worry. I just didn't expect it before, but it won't be like this now."

The First Emperor looked at Xuan Ye and smiled.

"Let's make this clear first: if this happens in the future, don't blame me for not standing up for you."

"Fine, fine, fine," Xuan Ye said helplessly.

Then, glancing at the feathers on the floor, he thought for a moment, then looked at the First Emperor and said...

"The feathers I took off are for you."

These shed feathers, though not as valuable as the newly grown ones on his body, are still priceless treasures.

It appears soft, but it is actually very hard.

The First Emperor smiled and did not refuse, "Since it is a gift from the Heavenly Mandate Black Bird, I cannot refuse it."

He also possessed a feather from the Heavenly Bird of Destiny.

Naturally, they knew how precious and unique the feathers of the Celestial Mystic Bird were.

It may appear soft, but no matter what method you use, you cannot damage it in the slightest.

He was thinking about it all.

How should we use these feathers?

Should it be used to reward the ministers, or as a special gift to the sons who achieved outstanding results in this year's winter hunt?

No, no, no.

Soon, the First Emperor changed his mind. This was a gift from the Heavenly Mandate Black Bird; how could he allow others to touch it?

He intended to embellish his robes with these feathers.

This makes it both beautiful and practical.

If he had worn such clothes back then, even if he stood still and let Jing Ke stab him, he wouldn't have been able to get a hold of it. Why would he have needed to walk around the pillar?