The reaction from Ying Zheng stunned everyone; Lü Bu’s Heaven-Reliant Halberd wavered slightly as the God of War from the late Han Dynasty asked Xue Rengui, his lips twisted, in a low voice, "That reaction seems a bit odd?"

Xue Rengui nearby shared the same thought. Though his White Tiger Whip remained gripped tightly, the guarded tension from moments before had drastically shifted. His eyes were filled with suspicion as he scrutinized the First Emperor, moving his gaze up and down: "Could there be some hidden secret?"

Anyone seeing Ying Zheng's demeanor would have felt the same way, and the others were so preoccupied with this mystery that they barely noticed Bai Qi and Wang Jian arrive, leading several platoons of soldiers.

Or perhaps they noticed, but they were too preoccupied to pay any heed to the soldiers. The most significant reason was that no one present feared these troops, even though their formidable bows and crossbows looked quite intimidating.

Only Cangma and Huang Quan showed a slight sense of unease. As for Lei Chan? He was perfectly calm, idly flicking his sharp claws back and forth, as if warming up for the great battle that was about to ensue.

Ye Wen stood there, frowning in thought, ultimately deciding it was best to get a clear answer. Fighting a battle without understanding the context would be too frustrating!

"Your Majesty, the First Emperor, recognizes this Pomegranate Fairy?"

The question was, of course, redundant, but posing it this way was the best method to steer the conversation forward, so even knowing it was superfluous, he had to ask.

Upon hearing the name again, Qin Shi Huang shuddered once more, even retracting his neck. His already unobtrusive neck disappeared almost entirely when he pulled it in. At a quick glance, the Emperor looked like a large ball of flesh topped with a smaller one—a truly comical sight.

Yet, no one felt like laughing. All eyes were fixed on Qin Shi Huang, waiting to hear his response. Finally, Ying Zheng took several deep breaths, then slowly stated with a grave expression, "I know her!"

"Did Your Majesty, the First Emperor, perhaps incur a deep grudge against that Pomegranate Fairy back then?" The specifics were hard to broach, so Ye Wen kept the question vague. 'Grudge' covered a wide scope, and he wanted to hear Ying Zheng's version of events.

Ying Zheng seemed to have recovered from his initial shock. Hearing Ye Wen’s question, his usually genial, plump face twisted into a fiercely imposing expression: "Naturally, there was a great enmity! I have never forgotten the humiliation I suffered!"

The words were ground out between clenched teeth, radiating murderous intent. Ye Wen immediately raised a hand to cover his face, shaking his head repeatedly: "It seems this matter is indeed heading in the most utterly speechless direction!"

Ye Wen had already guessed, but the others were utterly shocked! They had generally assumed that the tyrant Qin Shi Huang had insulted a maidservant under the Goddess Xuannü, a situation that seemed obvious enough to require little deep inquiry.

What sort of man was Qin Shi Huang? A tyrannical figure who unified the realm through brute force. If such a man took a fancy to a woman, she likely had no choice but to comply!

And since the Pomegranate Fairy was a handmaiden to the Nine Heavens Goddess Xuannü, her appearance must have been flawless. The real question was how Qin Shi Huang encountered her—most likely during a shared journey to the Immortal Realm with Bai Qi. What followed… given their varied personalities, the subsequent events would have differed, but the outcome was universally understood: Ying Zheng had done something to the Pomegranate Fairy.

But now, it seemed… had the First Emperor been the one insulted?

Seeing the killing intent on Qin Shi Huang’s face and his burning anger, Ye Wen hesitated, unsure whether to press further. However, the situation could not be delayed, so he stiffened his resolve and pressed for details.

The others, eager to know the truth, remained silent, listening intently. Bai Qi and Wang Jian swiftly dismissed their soldiers and ordered the area within a hundred-meter radius cleared and cordoned off, allowing no entry. Wang Jian remained outside to patrol, while Bai Qi stayed close to Ying Zheng.

Once arrangements were made, Ying Zheng had finished recounting the tale. Everyone listened, their expressions growing stranger by the turn. No one had expected that Ying Zheng was the one who had been violated.

It turned out the Pomegranate Fairy's appearance was indeed exquisite; after all, being chosen by the Nine Heavens Goddess Xuannü meant she would possess immortal means to enhance her beauty, even if she started out merely ordinary.

However, while beauty can be changed, character is harder to alter. Life in the Immortal Realm, free from aging, death, and mundane worries, could grow tedious. The Pomegranate Fairy had been a mortal who was taken as a handmaiden by Goddess Xuannü before she could enter the cycle of reincarnation. Initially, she considered the transition from mortal to immortal a great fortune, but after a time, she began to yearn for her earthly days.

Coincidentally, Goddess Xuannü sent her out on an errand with an extremely generous deadline. The Pomegranate Fairy used the opportunity to wander down and have some fun.

It was then she unexpectedly encountered Qin Shi Huang Ying Zheng, who at that time was still "sagacious, mighty, and noble in bearing." She was instantly smitten and initially feigned the appearance of a fragile, pitiable woman, luring Ying Zheng into a trap. Then, on one dark and windy night, she brutally ravaged Ying Zheng…

Ying Zheng's cultivation was not particularly high then, and he was unfamiliar with much of the world. The Pomegranate Fairy also carried protective artifacts gifted by Goddess Xuannü. Once struck, Qin Shi Huang was paralyzed, forced to watch helplessly as the woman acted with complete impunity…

The precise details need not be elaborated, but after that incident, Qin Shi Huang refused to go near any female being for a full five hundred years, channeling all his energy into the grand task of rebuilding the Qin state.

It was during these five centuries, almost without sleep, that Qin Shi Huang carved out his own domain in this chaotic world. And during these five centuries, he physically transformed into his current shape. Only when his body had completely altered did he feel a shred of security again, gradually allowing himself to grow close to women once more—and the very first mortal woman of this realm he favored bore him Chonglou.

This tangent led to other matters. Ying Zheng summarized it briefly and said no more, though his gaze drifted towards Chonglou several times. Seeing his son still refusing to look him in the eye, and feeling somewhat displeased with his unexpectedly begotten son, the father and son held a silent stare before retracting their gazes.

Fortunately, this was not the time to discuss that. Ye Wen and Xue Rengui exchanged wry smiles upon learning the truth.

Turning back, Xue Rengui voiced the last of his confusion: "Then why did Goddess Xuannü claim Your Majesty insulted her handmaiden?"

Ying Zheng replied, "Later, that crazy woman demanded I run away with her, and naturally, I refused, having suffered such great physical and mental trauma!"

Recalling the First Emperor’s admission of being bedridden for half a month, the men present all shivered slightly, feeling a touch of sympathy for Ying Zheng and concluding that his initial response had been perfectly understandable.

"So that crazy woman started raising a ruckus, threatening to make me pay. Naturally, I ignored her and found an opportunity with Grand Commandant Bai to shake off that madwoman!"

With this statement, the entire affair became perfectly clear!

The Pomegranate Fairy, bored with her quiet life, sought excitement. After encountering the 'sagacious and mighty' First Emperor, she decided to go all in, attempting to make him her man so he would flee the realm with her! Unfortunately, she played her hand too roughly, causing psychological trauma to the Emperor, who wanted nothing more than to avoid her, let alone run away with her.

Rejected, the Pomegranate Fairy harbored resentment. Upon returning, she likely embellished the story to the Nine Heavens Goddess Xuannü. Xuannü, naturally, would never suspect that her own little maidservant had shamelessly assaulted the First Emperor; she would believe whatever her attendant said, assuming her maid had genuinely been wronged.

Although the Nine Heavens Goddess was a female immortal, she possessed a fiery temper. How could she tolerate a subordinate being bullied? She naturally sought retribution for her own. However, after a lengthy investigation, she learned the 'culprit' originated from that 'Different Grotto-Heaven,' leaving her somewhat helpless.

She would have liked to call upon divine generals for aid, but they were officials of the Heavenly Court, not easily deployed. If not for the massive troop replenishment required for this current war, and Xue Rengui’s tangential connection to her through certain legends, she might not have had a solution!

But today’s timing was fortuitous. Had Xue Rengui arrived alone, there would likely have been no discussion, only a fight. The result would have been Xue Rengui either severely wounded or killed, or perhaps he might have succeeded in killing Ying Zheng, but Xue Rengui himself would not have escaped unscathed. Even if he managed to evade pursuit and return to the Immortal Realm, he would require significant time to recover, ruling out participation in the Heavenly Court's expedition for a long while.

The unexpected arrival of Ye Wen, however, steered the situation toward 'peace.' Ultimately, this was because the power levels between the two sides were currently comparable. A fight would likely result in mutual devastation, which is why Qin Shi Huang was willing to reveal his past humiliation.

If Xue Rengui had come alone, there would have been no basis for a civilized discussion, as negotiation requires parity—negotiation under unequal terms is simply extortion!

It was only because Ye Wen accompanied him that the truth came to light. Having learned the full story, Xue Rengui naturally could not proceed with Goddess Xuannü’s order to take the 'evil person's' life. If anyone was to be truly held accountable, it was the one residing in the Palace of Xuannü.

An unsettling silence fell over the courtyard. Qin Shi Huang seemed to have sunk back into deep sorrow, standing with his head raised, gazing forty-five degrees toward the heavens. Ye Wen and Xue Rengui exchanged glances, finally sheathing their weapons, effectively deciding that under no circumstances could they trouble Qin Shi Huang.

Of course, relying solely on Ying Zheng's word was insufficient to make such a decision; what if Qin Shi Huang was lying? They had considered this possibility, but Ying Zheng’s identity suggested he had no compelling reason to tell such a lie! Furthermore, the matter was deeply embarrassing, revealing it was tantamount to self-slander, making it highly likely the story was true.

The silence lasted only a moment before Qin Shi Huang seemed to recover, his murderous aura somewhat dissipating. He smiled at the group: "So, you have come because of that Pomegranate Fairy?"

The matter ultimately concerned Xue Rengui. He stepped forward and explained how, upon achieving the rank of Divine General, he received orders from Goddess Xuannü to find an evil person, detailing her instructions, the reason for the search, and the command to execute the target.

Ying Zheng, hearing this, finally understood the purpose behind the group’s actions at the banquet—the true culprit was that madwoman.

"Vile hag! If I can unify this realm and march my armies to the Immortal Realm, I will surely flay this woman, drawing out her tendons over a thousand days!"

Qin Shi Huang now intensely despised the Pomegranate Fairy. He thought that after so many years, he would never again be entangled with that lunatic, only for her to instigate such a mess!

Ye Wen also held no favorable opinion of the Pomegranate Fairy now. Hearing Ying Zheng’s declaration, he found it perfectly reasonable, though the Emperor’s ambition to lead an army against the Immortal Realm struck him as immense.

Ye Wen offered no comment on this, while Lü Bu and Xue Rengui, though Heavenly Court Divine Generals, felt no current allegiance to it. Lü Bu cared only for finding Diaochan and dismissed the Heavenly Court entirely. At this moment, even the Jade Emperor himself couldn't command Lü Bu; only Ye Wen, who could help Lü Bu find Diaochan, held any sway.

Unintentionally, Ye Wen gained a readily available enforcer. However, he felt no pride in this. If Lü Bu truly followed him devotedly, Ye Wen, given his nature, would certainly not ignore his quest. In the end, the labor would fall on him—even if he couldn't find Diaochan, he would have to find someone similar to her to satisfy the great war god Lü Bu.

Because of this disruption, no one felt like sleeping or resting. Since none of those present required sleep for recovery, staying awake was fine.

Ying Zheng thought for a moment and ordered more food and wine brought out into the courtyard, intending to drink and enjoy himself until dawn. This was merely an excuse; the main reason was that since the misunderstanding was resolved, it was time to talk properly. Perhaps he could even recruit them to his banner to conquer the four directions!

After all, he was an emperor, a magnificent ruler with ambition for the world, and though the possibility was slim, he had to try.

More importantly, Qin Shi Huang also observed that Huang Quan, Lei Chan, and Cangma were natives of this world. Ye Wen and Xue Rengui might eventually return to the Immortal Realm, but these three likely would not leave! Therefore, absorbing them into his service would be beneficial.

Thus, throughout the banquet, Ying Zheng engaged primarily with those three, though he did not neglect Ye Wen and his companions. Recognizing Ye Wen as the one in charge among his guests, he would converse with him after every few exchanges with the others.

In truth, Ye Wen would not have been bored even if Ying Zheng hadn't done this. Artemis sat beside him, and the two could easily exchange private words, their combined strength ensuring no one else could overhear their whispers.

However, after Artemis spoke just one sentence, Ye Wen’s face turned green: "That Pomegranate Fairy’s method isn't bad. Perhaps I should try it. Then you would never think about other women again, right?"

"..."

After that remark, Ye Wen ceased conversing with Artemis and began frequently drinking with Ying Zheng, leading the Qin Emperor to mistakenly believe Ye Wen was seeking an alliance or some such thing!

They drank for several hours, reaching what should have been the early morning hours, when Ying Zheng finally turned his attention to Chonglou, who had been sitting silently in the corner all along.

Chonglou seemed to sense the gaze and turned to meet Ying Zheng's eyes: "What?"

Ying Zheng smiled: "I used to really dislike you. Do you know why?"

Chonglou did not answer, but his gaze became several degrees colder than before.

Ying Zheng, seemingly unconcerned, burst into loud laughter: "In the past, you were weak, timid, and though unwilling, you didn't know how to strive for yourself. That’s why I disliked you, my son!" He laughed again before continuing, "But since you resolved to leave, my opinion changed. Seeing you after these years, you’ve improved quite a bit—good! Very good!"

This was clearly intended as praise, but it made Chonglou’s face flush and pale in turns, his teeth grinding audibly, the muscles in his cheeks twitching violently. Ying Zheng’s words seemed to have hit him hard.

Ye Wen listened nearby, lowering his head to drink, but mused inwardly: It seems Ying Zheng isn't entirely unconcerned about his son! He didn't ostracize Chonglou just because he was born to a low-status concubine. It’s just that Chonglou’s past behavior displeased him, which is why he treated him that way… One could say Qin Shi Huang is a rather unconventional father!

Looking at Chonglou again, the youth's red hair floated wildly, like an ignited flame, caused by the tumultuous emotions causing his aura to surge erratically. It took a long while before he stabilized, then sat silently with his head bowed, lost in thought.

Ying Zheng said nothing further to his son, instead continuing to converse with Huang Quan and the others, even openly attempting to recruit them.

After another long stretch, the banquet concluded. Chonglou returned directly to his room without a word, his thoughts unknown. Huang Quan and the others went elsewhere with Bai Qi, clearly delighted at the prospect of serving under Ying Zheng—this was an excellent opportunity for advancement, one they would not miss.

As for Ye Wen? He glanced at Artemis, then at Lü Bu and Xue Rengui, and finally asked, "General Xue, now that your business here is concluded, what are your plans next?"

Xue Rengui smiled: "What other plans could I have? Your esteemed disciple hasn't been found yet; naturally, I'll stay to see if I can be of any assistance?"

Ye Wen was unsurprised by his answer, but Lü Bu muttered restlessly beside him, "When will I find Chan'er?"

Annoyed by the constant murmuring, Ye Wen simply pointed to Amaterasu, who was staring blankly nearby: "If you're lonely, go find her. She's a goddess, after all; it won't disgrace a God of War like you!"

It was just a casual joke, but the moment the words left his mouth, a commotion erupted outside, accompanied by distant shouts: "Assassins!"