And just as Lin Qi was getting familiar with his home environment,
a huge commotion was stirred up across the various time nodes of the Myriad Worlds.
A colossal sky screen appeared from an unknown source, obscuring the entire sky.
Although this screen seemed to connect heaven and earth, it had no impact on people's lives; anyone only needed to slightly look up, and the sky screen would appear as if right before their eyes.
It caused some initial unrest, but after it was discovered that the sky screen seemed to pose no harm, and subsequently brought under government control, the commotion gradually subsided.
This massive sky screen hung in the sky for three months, and people went from initial curiosity to eventually getting used to it.
After three months, because the sky screen had remained completely still, not many Common People paid attention to it anymore.
Only the governments of various dynasties continued to send people to observe and study it closely.
And on this very day, the sky screen finally lit up!
The 26th year of The First Emperor's reign.
In this year, with the surrender of Qi, the last of the six states, the fifteen-year war finally came to an end.
Ying Zheng was thirty-nine years old this year!
He inherited the legacy of six generations and unified the six states; he, Ying Zheng, had achieved it!
Inside Xianyang Palace, Ying Zheng ascended the steps one by one until he reached the very top.
In the eyes of the civil and military officials, and the remnants of the six states below—some admiring, some reverent, some resentful, some fearful—Ying Zheng slowly turned around, holding a jade seal in his hand.
Engraved upon the jade seal were eight seal characters:
“Received Mandate from Heaven, Longevity and Eternal Prosperity!”
“From today onwards, I am The First Emperor!”
“The mandate of one generation is the mandate of ten thousand generations!”
“Great Qin has received the Mandate from Heaven, Longevity and Eternal Prosperity!”
At this moment, regardless of their inner feelings, everyone below the steps knelt before that incomparably domineering figure on the platform.
A chorus of cheers—
“May he live for ten thousand years!”
Ying Zheng silently watched everything before him.
Was he excited?
Was he thrilled?
Among the crowd before him were subjects of Great Qin, as well as princes and nobles of the six states.
At this moment, all were prostrate before him.
But he didn't seem as happy as he had imagined.
Perhaps when he received news of Chu's defeat, his heart had indeed been stirred.
But now he understood more clearly.
This seemingly vast empire before him was not as stable as one might imagine.
In the shadows, undercurrents lurked.
There were still too many problems waiting for him to solve.
If only… Ying Zheng's gaze turned towards the sky screen.
If there truly was a miracle that could grant him eternal life, that would be wonderful.
And it was at this moment that the sky screen, which had remained completely still for three whole months, finally lit up.
Exclamations of surprise and panic arose.
Li Si stepped out from the crowd, bowed, and loudly declared, “At this grand ceremony, the sky screen, dormant for three months, has revived. This must be the Heavens moved by His Majesty's magnificent achievements, bestowing this great power.”
“Your subject congratulates Your Majesty!”
“Flatterer!”
After silently cursing in their hearts, the other civil and military officials below immediately proclaimed loudly,
“Your subjects congratulate Your Majesty!”
The princes and nobles of the six states were even more unwilling to fall behind, spouting all sorts of praises as if they were free.
At a time like this, His Majesty might not know who spoke well, but whoever didn't speak up might just lose their life!
...The Han Dynasty, during the reign of Gaozu.
Inside Weiyang Palace.
“Your Majesty, the sky screen is active!”
“Oh?!”
Liu Bang, upon receiving the guard's report, his eyes lit up. Without even putting on his shoes, he pushed away the woman in his arms and ran out, disheveled.
“Three months, is it finally active?”
Liu Bang gazed at the sky screen, a playful smile on his face, seemingly not overly concerned about this suddenly appearing sky screen.
“Naigong wants to see what kind of trickery this is.”
...During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han.
“There are no constant strategies in war, just as water has no constant form. If you, Huo Qubing, were to read more of Sun Tzu's and Wu Qi's art of war, your battles would be even more splendid.”
On this day, Liu Che was inspecting the troops led by Huo Qubing. After observing them, he was very satisfied and said to Huo Qubing.
Huo Qubing replied without hesitation, “Your Majesty, this humble general believes that in warfare, one must be adept at adapting to local conditions and leveraging advantages and disadvantages. Of course, one must read military texts.”
“But battles cannot be fought solely by military texts.”
“Don't you agree, Your Majesty?”
Emperor Wu of Han turned his head and gave Huo Qubing a deep look. He looked at this spirited young man, whom he had personally mentored, and couldn't hide the smile on his lips.
“Only you, Huo Qubing, dare to speak to Naigong like this.”
“You are very much like Naigong.”
“In your very bones!”
At this, the smile on his lips became even more unconcealed, curving upwards wildly.
The year before last, Huo Qubing, as the Piao Yao Commandant, went on his first military campaign. He personally led 800 light cavalry, galloped hundreds of miles deep into enemy territory, and directly raided the Xiongnu's stronghold.
In this battle, Huo Qubing captured and beheaded 2,028 enemies, including the Xiongnu Chanyu's chancellor, as well as his grandfather and uncles.
Huo Qubing's first battle in his life earned him the highest military merit, and he was enfeoffed as the Champion Marquis!
It can be said that this battle not only brought him glory but also greatly honored the Han Dynasty!
Initially, Emperor Wu of Han had intended for the then 18-year-old Huo Qubing to gain some experience, but unexpectedly, he ended up showing everyone a new way of fighting.
They learned that battles could be fought in such a manner.
Facing such praise from Emperor Wu of Han, Huo Qubing raised an eyebrow, smiled freely, and offered no rebuttal.
At this moment, the other accompanying officials were already numb to this scene.
By today, who didn't know how much Huo Qubing was favored by His Majesty?
This favor was something others dared not even dream of and could not envy.
How could this Huo Qubing be His Majesty's subject?
He was clearly His Majesty's son!
No, not even a son was as favored as Huo Qubing.
It could even be said that Huo Qubing was Emperor Wu of Han's other self, whom he had cultivated!
And Huo Qubing, who received this favor, indeed lived up to expectations, achieving immense military merit in his first battle.
“Your Majesty, the sky screen has lit up!”
It was at this moment that someone finally noticed the activity in the sky and exclaimed.
In fact, there was no need for others to remind him; the moment the sky screen lit up, Emperor Wu of Han had already noticed it.
“All preparations for the Battle of Longxi are complete. This divine sign reviving at this time, I wonder if it is a blessing or a curse.”
Liu Che looked up slightly, and the sky screen clearly appeared in his sight.
At this moment, Emperor Wu of Han frowned slightly. He himself deeply believed in these methods of witchcraft and spirits.
For these three months, he had continuously sent people to study the sky screen that hung high in the sky.
But he had always found nothing.
And now, with the Battle of Longxi approaching, the sky screen showed activity, casting a slight shadow over his heart.
“Your Majesty, why worry?”
“Use me in this battle, and I will surely win!”
“No matter what demons or monsters block the way ahead, your subject will use this sword that Your Majesty bestowed upon me to cut through everything before me!”
Huo Qubing looked towards the sky, his eyes like burning torches, full of vigor.
Emperor Wu of Han suddenly turned his head, looking at this young man who seemed to know no fear, and his heart was also greatly stirred.
The gloom in his heart was swept away...
