Wind! Wind! Great Wind!

The lively atmosphere in the little courtyard fell silent in an instant.

Verdant Green Maiden stopped chewing, her cheeks still full of meat. She lifted her eyes toward the Black Armored Qin Army at the entrance. After a moment of silence, she set down her chopsticks and walked over.

When the Qin soldier saw her coming, he tried to speak, but she grabbed him by his armor and dragged him outside.

No matter how he struggled, he couldn't get free.

"Hey... Brother Verdant Green!"

Liu Ji stared in astonishment.

That was the Qin Army!

"Go ahead and get married. Don't worry about it."

With those words, Verdant Green Maiden went out through the courtyard gate, leaving behind a yard full of people staring at one another in silence, at a loss for what to do.

Only Liu Ji reacted quickly. He waved a hand and called out, "Eat, drink, everyone! I won't hide it from you: my friend Verdant Green is an Immortal Aunt, and she's got plenty of power! Don't worry. She'll handle this, so there's no need to fret."

But despite what he said, after calming everyone down, he still followed her outside.

He saw Verdant Green Maiden drag the Qin soldier over beneath a tree and say, "If you dare disturb this family, I'll make you just like this tree!"

As she spoke, she smashed the tree apart with one punch.

It was a great tree that would have taken two people joining hands to encircle. She'd broken it with a single punch?

Liu Ji, watching from the entrance, drew a sharp breath and retreated into the courtyard.

Good heavens!

Thank goodness he hadn't offended Verdant Green much in the past.

"Hey, Liu Ji, didn't you go out to see what was happening?"

In the courtyard, Xiao He saw Liu Ji return and glanced toward the entrance in confusion. "That's the Qin Army out there. Can she handle them? Should I go take a look?"

After all, he was the chief clerk of Pei County. In a situation like this, he ought to go out and see what was happening.

But Liu Ji held Xiao He back, saying, "Oh, Lord Xiao, don't worry. With my friend Verdant Green there, everything will be fine."

"You rascal..."

Seeing Liu Ji grinning, Xiao He could only look at him helplessly.

He couldn't get past Liu Ji, so he stayed behind.

Outside, the Qin soldier had already been persuaded by the sincerity of Verdant Green Maiden's punch.

After sending him away, Verdant Green Maiden stood where she was, silent for a long time. Gradually, the courtyard filled with laughter and chatter once more. Verdant Green Maiden looked up at the setting sun. In the distant sky, flocks of birds wheeled together and apart.

Kunpeng, Kunpeng: Kun was a multitude of fish; Peng was a profusion of feathers! Beneath the setting sun, the birds flew together, gathering into a shape just like a Great Peng.

After the Qin soldier left, Verdant Green Maiden disappeared.

Later, Liu Ji searched for her everywhere he went but couldn't find her. Though he believed that, as an Immortal Aunt, Verdant Green would never come to harm, she had stood up for him in this matter. He couldn't simply ignore it!

So Liu Ji set everyone he knew who might be able to help looking for information.

On the Chidao leading to Xianyang, a woman walked with light steps, covering a thousand li in a day. In just a few days, she passed through Hangu Pass and arrived in Xianyang City.

Throughout Xianyang City, everyone was dressed in mourning white.

Verdant Green Maiden made her way to the Qin Palace as if she knew the route by heart. She entered the hall, but the one kneeling in the seat belonging to the emperor was no longer Ying Zheng. It was Fusu, whose heroic bearing could not hide his grief.

"Is he dead?"

Verdant Green Maiden asked.

Fusu's gaze turned cold as he looked up. When he saw Verdant Green Maiden, he froze in place.

"Master..."

Verdant Green Maiden saw what Fusu looked like now, too.

He was haggard, the corners of his eyes bloodshot.

Verdant Green Maiden repeated her question. "Is he really dead?"

Grief filled Fusu's face. He drew a deep breath and gave a slight nod. "I wouldn't dare deceive you, Master. Father Emperor has indeed passed away. In a few days, his coffin will be taken into the Mount Li Imperial Mausoleum."

"How could this be..."

Confusion showed in Verdant Green Maiden's eyes. She stepped closer, fixing her gaze on Fusu. "He wasn't taking medicine, and he was in good health! I've been away from Xianyang for only two years. How could he have died? How could he die!"

"Fusu, what exactly happened?"

Fusu answered Verdant Green Maiden's questions truthfully.

After she left, Ying Zheng's health had suddenly collapsed. Even the imperial physicians couldn't diagnose the problem. After holding on for two years, nothing could save him.

After hearing all this, Verdant Green Maiden fell silent for a long time.

The procession escorting the coffin set out from the palace for the First Emperor's Mausoleum. The Great Qin Black Armored Army marched in perfect formation, its long banners snapping in the wind.

The procession stretched for more than ten li, like a black serpent.

Verdant Green Maiden gently raised her right hand and moved her fingers.

High above, Hong Luan beat her wings and soared, her clear cry resounding between Heaven and Earth.

On the Xianyang Plain.

The First Emperor's Mausoleum.

The grand ranks of terracotta warriors stretched beyond sight. Their black-and-red Qin armor, painted in brilliant color, lent these lifeless figures the oppressive presence of living men.

Qin swords, Crossbow Beds, weapons, and War Chariots!

The things carried by the terracotta warriors to be buried here alone could arm a fearsome army!

"Wind! Wind! Wind!"

"Great Wind!!"

The living Qin soldiers launched one final charge for their dead ruler! The Qin Army drawn from the Lantian Great Camp was the finest of the finest. Tens of thousands of soldiers raised their weapons high, their banners snapping in the wind!

"Boom—!!"

"Boom—!!"

"Boom—!!"

Bells and drums sounded.

This was a ceremony even grander than the Coronation Ceremony.

As the Qin Army escorted Ying Zheng's coffin into the First Emperor's Mausoleum, Afang came to Verdant Green Maiden's side, carrying a Silk Book. She knelt on both knees and presented it to her.

"Master! His Majesty left this for you."

Verdant Green Maiden froze, then took the Silk Book from Afang.

It held a message from Ying Zheng. It wasn't long, just one sentence.

"Master, Master, live well."

Verdant Green Maiden stared blankly for a moment, then turned to look at the coffin being escorted into the mausoleum. Suddenly, she tore the Silk Book to shreds. She raised her eyes to the sky, her pupils narrowed to slits, and ground out, "You did this!"

Damn Heaven!

Ying Zheng had been in good health, yet as soon as she left, he'd taken a sudden turn for the worse and passed away in a mere two years. Even Ji Fa hadn't died that fast!

Only Heaven could do something like this!

What kind of fate was this? Wasn't this cheating?

From the moment the mausoleum was sealed with earth until she returned to the Qin Palace, Verdant Green Maiden remained silent, not saying a word. Afang had thoroughly purged the people in the Qin Palace. No one knew who Verdant Green Maiden was.

Verdant Green Maiden warned Fusu in the hall.

"Fusu, remember! Don't conscript laborers from across the land to continue building the mausoleum. Have Li Si revise the Qin Law, ease the punishments, declare a General Amnesty, and Renew with the People. Understand?"

If fate truly couldn't be changed, she would accept it.

But she had clearly plucked the strings of fate, and still Heaven had dragged her into the ending it had already decreed!

Damn Heaven—she'd defy it all the more!

Verdant Green Maiden refused to bow to Heaven.

It was the first time Fusu had ever seen Verdant Green Maiden so stern.

"Master... I... understand!"

Verdant Green Maiden narrowed her eyes and studied him for a long while. Then she raised a hand and said, "Hong Luan, let's go!"

With a beat of her wings, Hong Luan flew to Verdant Green Maiden's shoulder.

One snake and one bird left the Qin Palace and hurried toward Pei County.

But when she hurried back to Pei County, she saw Liu Ji and Xiao He counting the laborers there, preparing to set out for Mount Li and build the imperial mausoleum.

"Stop!"

Verdant Green Maiden roared.

"Brother Verdant Green, you're back...?"

When Liu Ji saw Verdant Green Maiden, he jogged over to her. But when he saw the anger on her face, he gradually slowed to a stop. He gave an awkward smile and asked, "Why are you so angry? Who's upset you? Tell me, and I'll go beat him up!"