Chapter 469 - 303: Bloodbath in the Eastern Suburbs, Prince Slain, Ministers’ Corpses Exposed (2)

The Qin Dynasty had no Seventeenth Prince, but there was a Seventeenth Princess named Qin Yang.

Beside him, Chu Ming’s expression remained unchanged.

Early in the morning, at the start of the hunt, he had detected a woman mixed among the more than twenty princes.

However, he had little interest in royal affairs. This so-called eastern suburbs hunt held no value for him and was merely a formality, so he paid it little attention.

"Fifth Brother, when we return, you really need to practice more. You can’t let Seventeenth Sister surpass you, can you?" the Crown Prince whispered with a laugh.

"..." The Fifth Prince remained silent.

He could have hunted more auspicious beasts, but now he had less than Seventeenth Sister. Wasn’t it you, Big Brother, and Seventh Brother who competed with me?

Thus, Left Minister Zuo Yuan compiled the hunting results of the twenty-six princes and presented them before the Golden Carriage.

Roar...Roar...

Eight Cyan Flame Demon Wolves panted heavily.

"Left Minister, announce the results." A majestic voice sounded again.

"Reporting to His Majesty, this year’s eastern suburbs hunt has the Crown Prince and the Second Prince with the most hunts, both with twenty-seven heads."

"Good," the golden curtain lifted, and the Golden Robe Qin Emperor stepped out, gazing down at the Crown Prince and the Second Prince, "Wushi, Wuyu."

The Crown Prince was named Chang Qin Wushi, and the Second Prince was named Chang Qin Wuyu.

"Present." The two stepped forward and bowed.

"Since you both tied for the top place, you will both ascend the Celestial Longevity Platform and be worshiped by all the people with me."

"Thank you, Father Emperor." The Crown Prince and the Second Prince rejoiced.

"As for the rest of you," the Qin Emperor looked at the other princes, "you should learn from Wushi and Wuyu."

"Yes, Father Emperor." The princes offered their gratitude.

"The eastern suburbs hunt ends here," the Qin Emperor turned back to the carriage.

"Your Majesty." At that moment, Zuo Yuan stepped forward and bowed, "I have a matter to report."

"What is it?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, General Sikong returned to the capital last night, presenting five hundred Jingyue Kingdom nobles."

"Oh?" The Qin Emperor seemed surprised, "General Sikong has finally returned. Prepare to return to the palace. I want to host a banquet for General Sikong."

"Your Majesty, General Sikong is waiting outside the hunting grounds."

"Then invite him in quickly."

"Yes."

"..."

Not long after.

A group of people clad in dark blue battle armor, exuding an imposing presence, arrived in front of the Golden Carriage.

The leader was a sharp-eyed, stern-faced middle-aged man.

"Your Majesty." This man was the Southern Sikong Army Commander, Sikong Heng.

"Rise quickly." The Qin Emperor unexpectedly dismounted from the Golden Carriage to help Sikong Heng to his feet, "General Sikong, stationed at the frontier for years, it is not easy for you to visit the capital, no need for such formalities."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Hmm, I heard General Sikong captured five hundred Jingyue Kingdom prisoners?" the Qin Emperor inquired.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, they are nobles of the Jingyue Kingdom royal family." Sikong Heng bowed and said, "To celebrate the Empress Dowager Fengduan’s birthday, I wish to use the blood of the five hundred Jingyue Kingdom nobles in the celebration."

"Good! Good!" The Qin Emperor was overjoyed, "General Sikong, truly worthy of being my Southern Grand General!"

"Where are the captives? Let me see."

"Yes." Sikong Heng gestured, and immediately, a soldier turned back.

When they returned, ten individuals were shackled with heavy chains on their hands and feet.

Though disheveled, they were all dressed in fine clothes of silk and satin.

Upon closer inspection, their facial features — slightly flat noses, brown pupils — were distinctly different from those of the Qin people.

"Your Majesty, these are the Jingyue Kingdom nobles I have captured."

"Good, good." The Qin Emperor nodded in satisfaction.

From the back.

Chu Ming’s gaze shifted slightly as he observed the ten individuals.

For some reason, he had a feeling that there was something off about those ten, a lurking sinister force beneath their brows.

His Heart Thought stirred, and the Sword Gourd Spirit delved into one of the bodies.

Hmm?

Upon probing, it revealed a mystery.

A brownish-yellow worm was coiled in the person’s abdomen.

Chu Ming recognized this creature.

"Blood Leech!"

Parasitic in the human body, it feeds off flesh and blood, similar to a Gu Insect, with a highly contagious nature.

This offering of captives appears suspicious.

Chu Ming lowered his eyelids, glancing sidelong at Housekeeper Fang.

Young Master?

Fang Xiao immediately sensed it.

Chu Ming’s eyes flickered, signaling caution.

Fang Xiao’s heart trembled, not daring to utter more.

Yet at this moment, Chu Ming’s expression changed again.

Within the hunting grounds, more than a dozen people were dashing through the snow.

Those people...

Returning to the hunting camp, before the Golden Carriage.

"Three hundred years ago, the Southern Dragon Army also captured nobles from Jingyue Kingdom, performing a blood ritual hunt in the eastern suburbs, followed by names inscribed on the Golden List..." The Qin Emperor waved his golden robe while speaking.

The Southern Dragon Army was the predecessor of today’s Southern Sikong Army.

The Qin Emperor mentioned this in hopes of a repeat of history, expecting names inscribed on the Golden List again this year.

"Men, perform the blood ritual!"

"Yes."

The ten Jingyue Kingdom nobles were pressed to the ground, large knives poised at their necks.

"Execute!"

Crack! Crack!

With the order given, ten heads rolled to the ground, staining it a vivid red with fresh blood.

The next moment.

Hiss... Hiss...

The ten headless bodies did not fall. Their abdomens swelled violently, as if something was writhing inside.

"Hmm?"

Sikong Heng instantly noticed, lunging with his spear.

"Sikong Heng, what are you doing?!"

"Protecting His Majesty."

Boom! Boom!

The ten bodies exploded in response, flesh and blood scattering instantly.

Wen officials, military generals, and numerous princes fell into chaos.

"Protect His Majesty!" Pei Qing and Pei Fu immediately commanded the Huang Forbidden Army to surround them, "Sikong Heng, you dare to attempt assassination!"

"..."

In mere moments, the Huang Forbidden Army encircled Sikong Heng and the Sikong Army.

Simultaneously.

"Ah——"

A member of the Huang Forbidden Army suddenly clutched his abdomen, crying out in agony.

Boom!

Following this, his body burst, flesh and blood flying.

Then, more members of the Huang Forbidden Army exploded one after another.

"Blood Leeches! They are Blood Leeches!"

"The leeches explode upon contact with blood. Quickly, escort His Majesty away."

As more people exploded, the scene descended into further chaos.

"Roar! Roar!"

The eight Cyan Flame Demon Wolves charged out.

Yet before they could exit the camp, ten figures wearing icy masks arrived to kill.