Qin Dynasty: Ying Zheng is my brother, I am the Bad Commander

Han Fei was stunned for a moment, and then a bitter smile appeared on his slightly decadent yet heroic face.

He took the wine jar without hesitation, tilted his head back and took a big gulp. The spicy liquid slid down his throat, prompting him to exclaim, "Good wine! Compared to the nobility of this gold, I find the chivalrous spirit in this wine more to my liking."

He put down the wine jar, his clear eyes looking at Ying Chen, a hint of teasing in his tone: "Brother, since you know I'm that down-on-his-luck Ninth Young Master, you still dare to invite me for a drink? Aren't you afraid that drinking this wine will taint you with the bad luck of Korea?"

Ying Chen chuckled lightly, his fingers rhythmically tapping the wooden table: "This world is vast, and as long as I can walk, I can sit as well. Whether you are the Ninth Prince of Han or a Confucian disciple studying in Sanghai, in my eyes you are nothing more than a scene along this long road. If the scenery is beautiful, naturally I will stop to take a look and have a drink."

A hint of admiration flashed in Han Fei's eyes. He looked at the five hundred iron cavalrymen behind Ying Chen, who were arrayed in a solemn formation, and then at the two stunning beauties who were faintly visible beside the carriage. He said leisurely, "Brother, the scenery here is far more magnificent than that of this down-on-his-luck young master. Ying Chen, the second young master of Qin, is indeed as rumored...a remarkable person."

"Whether it's good or not depends on who you compare it to." Ying Chen stood up, patting off imaginary dust from his clothes. "The wine has been served, and the guests have been met. Han Fei, although the wine in Xinzheng is fragrant, it can become bitter if you drink it alone for too long. If you ever want to try something different, I'll provide plenty of wine from Xianyang."

Han Fei laughed heartily and raised his wine jar towards Ying Chen's retreating figure: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness! However, Han Fei is a homebody, and I'm afraid I'll have to drink this bitter wine of Xinzheng for a few more years."

Ying Chen didn't turn around, but simply waved his hand and climbed back into the carriage.

Five hundred iron cavalrymen let out a low shout in unison, their hooves thundering and dust billowing.

Han Fei sat there, watching the black torrent gradually recede into the distance, his smile slowly fading.

He touched the jade pendant in his pocket that had almost been pawned, and murmured, "Ying Chen... can Korea really stop the flood?"

……

The Qin Dynasty, Xianyang, the Qin King's Palace.

The entire palace resembled a colossal beast lurking in the darkness, exuding a suffocating majesty.

Inside the sleeping quarters, the air was filled with the fragrance of incense.

Ying Zheng, dressed in a black dragon robe, sat upright in front of the chessboard. He had sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, and exuded an aura of domineering power that commanded respect without anger.

Behind him, Gai Nie, holding a long sword, stood quietly waiting, seemingly blending into the shadows.

At the other end of the chessboard sat a mysterious woman dressed in a light purple dress and with her eyes covered by a thin veil.

She was surrounded by a faint starlight, making her appear ethereal and profound. She was the left protector of the Yin-Yang School—the Moon Goddess.

"Moon Goddess, you seem distracted in this game of chess." Ying Zheng placed a piece, his voice calm yet carrying an inexplicable pressure.

The Moon Goddess lightly picked up a chess piece with her jade-like fingers, her voice like a secluded echo in a valley: "Your Majesty's chess skills are profound, and the Moon Goddess's divination of celestial phenomena is also quite capable, but this game within such a small space is indeed a bit challenging."

"Is that so?" Ying Zheng slightly raised his eyes, his gaze sharp. "I've heard that Lord Dongjun of the Yin-Yang School has been staying at the Yan Kingdom's hostage residence for quite some time recently. Yan Dan, though a hostage, harbors ulterior motives. Does the Yin-Yang School's contact with him mean they believe that my Qin Dynasty cannot tolerate you all?"

The Moon Goddess's heart sank slightly.

"Your Majesty has misunderstood," the Moon Goddess said calmly. "The actions of the Eastern Lord were all his own private matters. The loyalty of the Yin-Yang School to Your Majesty can be witnessed by the stars."

"Loyalty?" Ying Zheng sneered, leaning forward slightly. A terrifying imperial aura instantly enveloped the entire chessboard. "I don't believe it."

The moon goddess fell silent.

Before coming, Donghuang Taiyi had given instructions: whatever Ying Zheng asked for, as long as it did not touch the core bottom line of the Yin Yang School, it could be granted.

"How can Your Majesty trust the loyalty of the Yin-Yang School?" the Moon Goddess asked softly, already prepared to relinquish some of her benefits.

Ying Zheng withdrew his gaze, his fingers tracing the chess pieces, and spoke calmly, "My second younger brother, Ying Chen, is eighteen years old and still unmarried. I believe that Dongjun Yanfei of the Yin-Yang School, in terms of both status and cultivation, is a suitable match for the prince of Qin. I wish to facilitate this marriage between Qin and Qin. What does the Moon Goddess think?"

The moon goddess's hand gripping the chess piece tightened suddenly, her eyes beneath the thin veil filled with shock.

She originally thought that Ying Zheng would ask for some secret techniques or more political support, but she never expected that he would directly target Dongjun Yanfei!

Yan Fei is the Eastern Lord of the Yin-Yang School, holding an extremely revered position.

Marrying her to Ying Chen was tantamount to completely binding the Yin-Yang School to the Qin Dynasty's war machine.

"This...the Moon Goddess dares not presume to arrange Lord Dongjun's marriage," the Moon Goddess said hesitantly.

"I have already sent a message to Donghuang Taiyi." Ying Zheng's words completely dashed Yue Shen's hopes. "His reply should be on its way by now. Lady Yue Shen, what decision do you think he will make?"

Just then, a servant hurried in, holding a secret letter bearing the unique markings of the Yin-Yang School.

The Moon Goddess took the letter, and after reading it, her body trembled slightly.

The letter contained only four words: "At all costs."

The Moon Goddess took a deep breath, calming the turmoil in her heart, and bowed slightly to Ying Zheng: "Since Your Majesty has such refined tastes, and His Excellency the Eastern Emperor also believes this is a fitting match. The Yin-Yang School... obeys."

Ying Zheng laughed heartily, his laughter filled with the confidence of being in complete control.

"Very well! Convey my decree: the day my second brother returns from Korea will be the day of his wedding!"

……

Xinzheng, South Korea.

In the imperial court, King Han An's corpulent body sank into the throne, looking at the assembled ministers below with a worried expression.

"My esteemed ministers, the second prince of Qin, Ying Chen, has led five hundred cavalry into our Han territory. This young man has come with great force, claiming to be on a tour, but who knows what his true intentions are? Who is willing to go to the city gate to greet him on my behalf, thus demonstrating the hospitality of our Great Han?"

After he finished speaking, the court fell silent.

Everyone knows that the Qin state is now a hungry tiger, and Ying Chen is its henchman. Going to greet him—if they do it well, they'll get no credit; if they do it poorly, they might lose their heads.

Zhang Kaidi, shrewd and calculating, stepped forward first, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, this old minister is old and frail, and I fear I may be impolite. General Ji Wuye is renowned throughout the land and has many dealings with Qin generals. With the General in charge, we can surely deter the Qin people and protect the face of our Great Han."

Ji Wuye cursed "old fox" in his heart, but he couldn't refuse at this moment.

He was looking forward to observing the second prince of Qin, so he snorted coldly and strode forward: "Since Prime Minister Zhang has declined, then I will reluctantly go. I want to see just how many heads this Ying Chen has, daring to lead troops into my Xinzheng!"

……

Outside Xinzheng City.

The setting sun, as red as blood, cast long, long shadows of the five hundred Qin cavalrymen.

Ying Chen's carriage slowly came to a stop at the city gate. The five hundred iron cavalry did not enter the city, but quickly set up camp a mile outside the city.

The disciplined and menacing military bearing of the soldiers guarding the city turned the South Korean soldiers pale.

Ji Wuye led a group of personal guards and swaggered to the front of the carriage.

He wore an exaggerated suit of heavy armor, with a huge battle sword hanging at his waist, and a hypocritical and arrogant smile on his face.

"General Ji Wuye of the Great Han Dynasty respectfully welcomes His Highness the Second Prince of Qin!"

Ji Wuye's voice was as loud as a bell, making the ears of those around him ring.

The carriage curtain was slowly lifted.

With Jing Ni's help, Ying Chen slowly walked out.

He glanced at Ji Wuye in front of him, then at the somewhat dilapidated Xinzheng City not far away, and a playful smile appeared on his lips.

"So you are Ji Wuye?" Ying Chen's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears. "I've heard that the General holds absolute power in Xinzheng, wielding immense influence over the court. Seeing you today... this demeanor is indeed even more imposing than that of the King of Han."

The atmosphere around them froze instantly upon hearing this.

Ji Wuye's smile froze on his face, a fierce killing intent flashing in his eyes.

He never expected that Ying Chen would stab him in the heart the moment they met.

"Your Highness is too kind," Ji Wuye said, suppressing his anger with a forced smile. "I am utterly loyal to the King; these titles are merely empty honors. Your Highness has come from afar; I have prepared a banquet at my residence. Please!"

Ying Chen laughed heartily, patted Ji Wuye on the shoulder, and said with a smile, "Of course, of course. I came here this time to experience the local customs and culture of Xinzheng. General, lead the way."