Era of Heroic Spirits: I Was Exposed by Alaya

The Qin King personally led his forces to suppress the rebellion.

In an instant, the barrage exploded with warnings of "High Energy Ahead."

Then—

Chengjiao, who should have been a mere mortal, transformed into a pitch-black, monstrous creature.

With the body of a snake, antlers of a deer, ears of an ox, beard of a goat, claws of an eagle, and scales of a fish…

He had become a flood dragon on the verge of completing its metamorphosis!

Soaring through the heavens, he stirred terrifying storms, striking fear into countless soldiers.

"Ying Zheng, your doom has come! I shall be the one to rule Great Qin!" Chengjiao roared arrogantly.

With the aid of divine beings, he had transcended his mortal form into a flood dragon, soon to become a true dragon rivaling the gods.

By then, the entire world would be his for the taking!

"King of Qin, though the gods vanished from the mortal realm after the War of the Gods, remnants of their mystical power linger, seeking to continue manipulating the world," Nameless sighed as he gazed at the creature.

"Your brother Chengjiao was chosen by the gods to serve as a pawn to obstruct your unification—a means for them to maintain control over humanity."

This was easy to understand.

On the other side of the world, in Britannia, the Vile King Vortigern played a similar role.

As the Age of Gods neared its end, the deities refused to fade quietly, resorting to any means to cling to existence.

And Chengjiao was but a pawn in their scheme.

Ying Zheng burst into laughter. "Hah! Perfect timing. My Emperor's Sword requires a divine sacrifice to be tempered—let him be the whetstone!"

Not a trace of fear flickered in his eyes.

Instead, they brimmed with boundless confidence.

To replace the will of heaven with his own, to enact divine punishment in its stead!

"As you wish," Nameless replied with a faint smile.

At that moment, Chengjiao swung his claws, summoning towering waves.

The sky darkened like ink, as though doomsday had arrived.

Torrential floods surged forth, plunging hundreds of thousands of soldiers into sheer terror. Some had already begun fleeing in panic.

Yet Nameless stood firm before the army.

Mana swirled in his hand, materializing the phantom of a familiar weapon—

[Sul-sagana!]

Also known as the Severing Sea Sword!

Even as a mere projected imitation, it was more than enough to oppose this flood dragon.

With a single swing, the raging floods evaporated instantly, and the storm clouds above were shattered.

The bright sun once again bathed the land in light.

Then—

Golden chains manifested around him, surging toward the enemy like a frenzy.

[Enkidu: The Chains of Heaven!]

This flood dragon, having only recently acquired a sliver of divinity, was effortlessly restrained by the divine chains.

"Rooooar!"

It thrashed wildly, struggling to break free.

But it was futile.

"Zheng, it's your turn," Nameless said with a smile.

"Many thanks for your assistance, Master."

Ying Zheng stepped forward, a mystical sword appearing in his hand.

One side was engraved with the sun, moon, stars, mountains, rivers, and lakes.

The other bore inscriptions of cities, villages, and the written word.

This was the Emperor's Sword—the blade that could pacify the world.

Ying Zheng had named it—

[The Sword that Questions Heaven]

With the stature of the Son of Heaven, he questioned the will of the heavens!

A single sword strike, embodying the collective will of all the people of the Qin Kingdom.

The mysterious power enveloping Chengjiao was utterly incapable of resistance—his head was severed with one slash!

The enormous head of the dragon crashed thunderously to the ground.

Countless soldiers gazed fervently at the young King of Qin.

At this moment, they finally recognized him as the sovereign they would follow unto death!

Meanwhile, the onlookers erupted in excitement—

-[A single sword strike to slay a dragon—far more awe-inspiring than the legendary tale of Emperor Gaozu of Han beheading the white serpent!]

-[Poor Chengjiao, gone in less than three minutes of screen time—even the Kaiju lasted longer than you!]

-[Chengjiao = Chengjiao (lit. 'becoming a dragon')—I thought it was just a homophone, but who knew he could actually transform into a dragon!]

-[Tsk, the narrator's claim that gods and immortals have vanished is clearly setting up a plot twist!]

-[A mere dragon dares to act so arrogantly? Do you not know that the First Emperor standing before you is the ancestral dragon of China?]

...

Under the gaze of countless spectators,

Nameless silently stood aside, watching.

Everything was proceeding according to his plan—slaying a mere fledgling dragon was nothing.

The true challenge lay ahead!

After beheading Chengjiao with a single stroke, Ying Zheng suddenly raised his sword and pointed it at his chancellor, Lü Buwei, who had accompanied the army.

To the shock of all present, the King of Qin, riding the momentum of slaying the dragon, sternly rebuked the Chancellor: "Lü Buwei, do you admit your crimes?"

"My King, what crimes have I committed?"

Lü Buwei stared at him in astonishment.

Hadn't they agreed that after defeating Chengjiao, he would govern this territory as his new fief?

Why this sudden accusation?

But even if you have Nameless's support, the entire Qin court is under my control—how do you dare oppose me?

Lü Buwei's face betrayed shock, but inwardly, he sneered.

Behind him stood a formidable power—he had nothing to fear!

"My father entrusted you with great responsibility, naming you my chancellor, expecting you to assist me in governing Qin. Yet you abused your authority, monopolized the court, and turned Qin into your personal domain!"

Ying Zheng coldly declared, "You secretly committed adultery with my mother, Queen Dowager Zhao Ji, murdered my father, and sought to rule over all!"

Under his fierce accusations,

the soldiers gaped at Lü Buwei in disbelief.

This turn of events was beyond their expectations.

They had come to suppress a rebellion, yet now the King was turning on his own chancellor.

Officials and generals alike stood bewildered, unsure whose side to take.

Lü Buwei retorted coldly, "My King, accusations require evidence! This old servant has served diligently, never daring to disappoint the late king. As for adultery—this is a baseless slander! I never set foot in the inner palace—how could I have met the Queen Dowager in secret?"

He felt a twinge of resignation.

The King had indeed grown up—he could no longer be deceived.

Fortunately, he had prepared for this long ago and remained unshaken.

After his affair with Zhao Ji, he had sent the false eunuch Lao Ai to satisfy her desires, ensuring his own safety.

If pushed to the brink, he could always sacrifice Lao Ai as the scapegoat.

Everything was going according to plan—how could he possibly lose?

"Lü Buwei, did you truly believe I wouldn't discover you smuggled the fake eunuch Lao Ai into the inner palace?"

Ying Zheng raised his sword, pointing it unflinchingly at his foe. "Farewell, Chancellor—and farewell to the shame of my past!"

***

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