CHAPTER 32: CHAPTER 32 THE BUDDIES WERE ALL STUNNED (2ND UPDATE)_1

"Bring forth the sacrifices!"

After the intricate ceremony concluded, Ying Zheng commanded loudly.

His heart was full of expectation. At the same time, he felt a bit nervous. Though he had watched others perform sacrifices, it was, after all, his first time carrying out the ritual—the first attempt. If the Divine Spirit did not manifest, he would be finished.

Meanwhile, his consciousness delved into the chat group.

The Lord of Great Qin: "Gentlemen, my sacrifice is starting now, I am broadcasting it live for you all!"

The Dog Son of the Upper God: "King Qin is performing a sacrifice? Excited! Once again, I can witness my god’s majestic presence, thrilled!"

Soul Hall Saint Girl: "Excited +1"

Huashan Sect Master: "Excited +1"

Dominator of the Underworld Association: "Excited +1"

The Descendant of the Great Yan Royal Family: "Excited +1"

Tushan’s Second Master: "Excited +1"

Soon after, the live broadcast began. They then saw the colossal altar outside Xianyang City, surrounded by over a hundred thousand people. There were armored soldiers, civil and military officials, and common folk. The group members, having seen many grand spectacles before, remained composed.

As Ying Zheng gave the order, the prepared offerings of the three kinds of sacrificial animals and the five grains were brought to the altar one after another.

"What is that? Gold, silver, and jade articles?"

"And divine weapons, precious swords?"

"Has Ying Zheng gone mad? Gold and silver artifacts are fine, but using swords, such violent objects, as offerings? Isn’t he afraid of enraging the Divine Spirits and provoking divine retribution?"

The Hundreds of Schools, the forces of the Six Kingdoms, and the civil and military officials of Great Qin widened their eyes, watching the offerings prepared by Ying Zheng in disbelief.

What shocked them even more was Jing Ni, holding the Shoking Giant Salamander Sword, gracefully stepping onto the altar.

"King Qin is actually using a living person as a sacrifice!?"

"Is that... the Shoking Giant Salamander Sword?"

"It is indeed the Shoking Giant Salamander Sword!"

"Is this woman the number one assassin of the Web, Jing Ni?"

"There’s no mistake. Her strength is formidable, and she exudes a strong aura of killing intent; she’s definitely the number one assassin of the Web!"

"Damn!"

"Ying Zheng must have lost his mind!"

"To use a living person for a sacrifice is a heinous act condemned by all under heaven!"

"He even lets the number one assassin of the Web climb the altar with the Shoking Giant Salamander Sword, a weapon that’s slain countless men!"

"Isn’t he afraid of incurring heavenly wrath and angering the Divine Spirit?"

"Ying Zheng is courting death!"

"This is great, our chance has come!"

"Not even the gods can save him this time!"

The forces of the Six Kingdoms and those among the Hundreds of Schools hostile to Qin were overjoyed. With Ying Zheng acting this way, any problem that arose could be blamed on him. For instance, droughts, floods, mudslides, and other natural and man-made disasters could all be attributed to Ying Zheng provoking the heavens, causing the Divine Spirits to assign blame and administer divine punishment. After all, from ancient times to the present, who has ever heard of using violent weapons to worship gods, let alone a notorious weapon from the Web? The Divine Spirits would surely be infuriated.

At the same time, Ying Zheng’s use of a living person for his sacrifice was also an act of tyranny.

"My Lord, this must not be done!"

"A sword is a tool of violence; how can it be used to worship the gods? Especially a murderous weapon from the Web! I plead with Your Majesty to retract the order!"

"My Lord, throughout ancient times, there has been no precedent for using violent weapons in worship. I implore Your Majesty to withdraw the offering!"

...

One after another, the ministers wept bitterly, imploring with all their might. It seemed as if they wouldn’t rest until Ying Zheng withdrew the offerings.

Dominator of the Underworld Association: "A bunch of foolish ministers! My god is the True God; how can He be compared to those false gods! Take them away and behead them!"

The Dog Son of the Upper God: "Leader Xiong is so domineering!"

Tushan’s Second Master: "Overlord Xiong is so domineering!"

Soul Hall Saint Girl: "Overlord Xiong is so domineering!"

The Descendant of the Great Yan Royal Family: "Too brutal! Shouldn’t people like this be made to recognize the greatness of my god and then be guided into my god’s embrace to become His followers?"

Huashan Sect Master: "Look, King Qin is making a move!"

Ying Zheng looked at the group of ministers attempting to dissuade him, his expression unwavering. He waved his hand and ordered, "Take them away. Continue the sacrifice."

If he really stopped now, all that he had done would have been in vain. He would also face countless doubts and attacks and lose the support of the people. Today’s sacrifice could only succeed; there was no room for failure. No one could stop it.

At this moment, Lu Buwei, standing before the civil and military officials, made his move. Under everyone’s gaze, he took deliberate steps towards Ying Zheng, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, today is not suitable for offering sacrifices to the gods. Please, I urge you to return to the palace!" His voice was forceful and resonant, conveying his firm stance.

Ying Zheng, emanating a powerful imperial aura, disregarded Lu Buwei’s words and strode directly to the altar, declaring unequivocally, "Let everyone join me in praying to the God of Hongmeng. Whoever disobeys shall be executed without mercy." His voice was equally steadfast and resolute, carrying an indomitable, unquestionable determination.

Zhao Gao and the experts of the Web guards were stationed on both sides, their trusted warriors’ sharp eyes vigilant all around.

Lu Buwei clenched his fists tightly, his face turning unsightly. The civil and military ministers exchanged glances, as if they foresaw a storm about to break.

I would really like to see what kind of spectacle you can create! Lu Buwei sneered inwardly. He did not force Ying Zheng to return to the palace because he saw Ying Zheng’s determination. If he were to forcefully intervene, it would likely trigger a conflict. And civil strife within Qin is not what he wishes to see. Only if Qin is strong can his power be strong. If Qin weakens, his own influence will diminish as well. He still doesn’t believe that Ying Zheng can truly cause a Divine Manifestation. As long as the Divine Spirit does not manifest, everything Ying Zheng has done today will be irreversible, and his throne might even be at stake.

What a pity! The Six Kingdoms and the Hundreds of Schools silently lamented; if only Lu Buwei and Ying Zheng had come into conflict. It was unfortunate that Lu Buwei restrained himself. However, they were also quite pleased because today’s scene was enough to show that the relationship between Lu Buwei and Ying Zheng was as incompatible as fire and water. A single mountain cannot accommodate two tigers. Their clash was inevitable sooner or later. That would be their opportunity.

"It seems Ying Zheng is finished!"

Within the Mohist Camp, Master Ban watched Ying Zheng praying before the altar and shook his head, saying this.

"Indeed." The Mohist leader, Six-Fingered Black Hero, clad in a black robe, nodded in agreement, speaking indifferently, "Sacrificing living people to the gods, he will inevitably become a tyrant, having lost the people’s hearts. Offering a weapon to the gods, he is sure to offend the ’Divine Spirit,’ having lost the Mandate of Heaven. With both the people’s hearts and the Mandate of Heaven lost, how can he continue to rule the world?"

It wasn’t just the Mohists. Confucianism, Taoism, the Hundreds of Schools, and the Six Kingdoms all seemed to foresee King Qin’s downfall. Even though the fall of King Qin would be followed by another ascending the throne, the change of sovereignty in the Qin Kingdom would certainly weaken its power and leave it without the capability to attend to the Six Kingdoms and the Hundreds of Schools. This was their chance to grow and strengthen.

"Ying Zheng is gambling everything, cutting off his own retreat!"

In the Yin Yang Sect, the ethereally beautiful Empress Yan parted her red lips and spoke, her voice hollow and elusive.

Could it be that Ying Zheng really received a message from a Divine Spirit and is confident in achieving a Divine Manifestation? The Moon Goddess suddenly felt a spark of anticipation. They of the Yin Yang Sect worshipped Divine Spirits and pursued their traces. Unfortunately, they had never witnessed a real Divine Spirit.

The Dog Son of the Upper God: "Ignorant people! I really can’t wait to see the looks on their faces when my god descends!"

Huashan Sect Master: "Excited +1"

Soul Hall Saint Girl: "Excited +1"

Dominator of the Underworld Association: "Excited +1"

Tushan’s Second Master: "Excited +1"

The Descendant of the Great Yan Royal Family: "Excited +1"

Just then, the altar underwent a change. The runes upon it seemed to come to life, radiating a dazzling light. Immediately after, a pillar of light that pierced the heavens and the earth erupted from the altar, shooting straight into the firmament. It was blindingly brilliant. Everyone’s eyes widened. Could there really be a Divine Spirit?