Qin Shi Huang's fifth tour of the realm had begun.
Setting out alongside Qin Shi Huang were Xu Fu's ships.
This was her second voyage eastward, in search of immortal relics that might exist on the sacred mountain of Penglai.
The entire realm was serving Qin Shi Huang.
Qin Shi Huang's carriage rolled onward at a leisurely pace.
It departed Xianyang toward the southeast, turned due south upon reaching Nanyang Commandery, passed through South Commandery and Changsha Commandery, and went straight to Nine Doubts Mountain in the far south.
Afterward, it turned back north, traveling along the river, passing through Hengshan Commandery and Lujiang Commandery until it reached Danyang.
After heading south to admire the scenery of Taihu Lake and then visiting Kuaiji Mountain to pay respects to Yu the Great, it would head north to Kuaiji Commandery.
When Qin Shi Huang arrived in Kuaiji Commandery and saw the beautiful eastern shore of Taihu Lake, he decided to spend a few days there.
Naturally, the people lined the streets to welcome Qin Shi Huang on his tour. The fervent atmosphere within Kuaiji City shook the heavens; everyone wished to glimpse the imperial countenance.
Yet amid the roaring crowd, an incongruous voice arose.
A tall young man stood among the crowd watching Qin Shi Huang's procession. With his arms crossed and a casual expression, he watched the imposing convoy carrying Qin Shi Huang, yet his eyes betrayed utter indifference.
Qin Shi Huang's mighty procession passed through Kuaiji City and headed toward Taihu Lake. Pointing at the rear of the imperial convoy, the young man muttered to himself.
"He could be replaced."
Though the crowd was gradually dispersing, quite a few people still heard the young man's words.
They looked up at him in terror, quickly backing away to put distance between