Last year passed by slowly, and a new year arrived. Throughout the Qin Dynasty, uprisings were frequent; the people suffered from the chaos of war. Yet, some among them lived peacefully in the mountains, living their ordinary days regardless of identity.

Today was not a good day. For most people, it seemed no different than any other day, but they had best do nothing...

East County, Pu Yang.

"Look quickly, what’s in the sky?"

"Wow, such a big fireball."

"What is it? I’ve never seen anything like it."

"Indeed, come out and take a look."

The city dwellers, hearing the shouts around them, came out of their houses, looking up at the sky.

"I am over seventy years old and have never seen such a sight." An old man on the road looked at the sky, his hand gripping the cane trembling uncontrollably. A child, unaware of the world, did not comprehend what was happening but curiously lifted his head alongside the adults, gazing at the ’fireball’ in the sky.

Penglai.

"Master, is this the event you said could change the fate of the empire?" A disciple in white looked at the middle-aged man beside him, asking curiously. The man did not answer, only silently gazing at the sky, said nothing, and then turned to leave.

"We must continue our journey, let’s move on."

Xianyang.

"Your Majesty, the wind is strong outside; please return to the palace."

Inside the palace, Emperor Qin Shi Huang stood on the city wall, gazing at the sky. The fireball pierced through the sky, a ’magnificent’ sight. However, the emperor who conquered the six kingdoms had a solemn expression, silent for a long time, with a hint of murderous intent glimmering in his eyes.

At the same time.

Ye Shikai was patrolling with his team. Upon seeing the ’anomaly’ in the sky, they all stopped. A fireball streaked across the sky, trailing a long ’tail,’ clearly visible and much more magnificent than a fleeting star.

"Sir, what is that?" Man Cang asked curiously, and the soldiers below were also full of discussion. Having lived for over twenty years, they had never encountered anything like it. The ancients valued celestial phenomena, believing them closely tied to fate; thus, many displayed expressions of surprise.

"I also have no idea. Everyone, stay alert." Ye Shikai kept everyone calm. No matter what happens, they must not lose their composure.

"The celestial phenomenon is unusual; I fear something significant is about to happen soon," Shangguan Jian spoke solemnly, coldly.

"Shangguan, have you seen this before?"

"No, I’ve never seen it either," Shangguan Jian shook his head and replied.

The ’fireball’ in the sky came closer, gradually descending toward the horizon...

"Halt the entire army, set up camp here. Xue San, take a unit of soldiers to investigate," ordered Ye Shikai.

"Yes, sir. I will go immediately," Xue San responded and turned his horse, leading his soldiers off into the distance.

"Discuss this matter less. If anyone dares to spread rumors and cause trouble, they’ll be dealt with by military law," Ye Shikai commanded.

"Yes, sir."

"Yes, sir."

The following day, within the military camp.

"How did it go; did you find out what it was?" Ye Shikai inquired.

"After pursuing for a day and a night, we discovered the truth; the fireball in the sky yesterday turned out to be a meteorite, landing within East County, roughly at the border between East County and He Nei County," Xue San reported.

"A meteorite." Ye Shikai suddenly stood as if struck by lightning. The fact that a meteorite landed in East County... wasn’t it Ying Huo Shou Xin from history?

"Yes, many villagers have already gathered to watch, and the local government, fearing unrest, sent soldiers to guard near the meteorite," Xue San continued.

Although Ye Shikai often shirked off during history lessons to nap, he was familiar with such ’strange stories.’ In the thirty-sixth year of Qin Shi Huang, Ying Huo Shou Xin, a meteorite fell in East County; because it bore markings unfavorable to the Qin Dynasty, Emperor Qin Shi Huang ordered all nearby villagers killed and the meteorite destroyed.

"Old Ye, what should we do next? We’re only sixty or seventy miles from where the meteorite fell. If we set off now, we could arrive in three hours."

"A report, Commander Ma’s military orders." Suddenly, a messenger hurriedly entered the tent, speaking to the two men.

"Present it."

"Yes, sir."

Ye Shikai took the bamboo slip, reading its contents, his expression growing graver.

"Old Ye, what does it say?" Shangguan Jian, seeing Ye Shikai’s expression, felt uneasy, yet couldn’t help but ask.

"We’re commanded to lead our twenty thousand troops to the meteorite’s impact site and await orders," Ye Shikai said, his face grim, coldly.

"So many troops, for what purpose?"

"I don’t know either." Ye Shikai’s voice sounded somewhat weak as he pressed his hand to his temple.

"Generals, Commander Ma emphasized that this military order is of utmost urgency—departure must be immediate upon receiving it, and any mistake will be punishable by military law."

"I understand. You may go," Ye Shikai waved him off.

"Yes, sir. I take my leave."

"Old Ye, what are we going to do next?"

"What else can we do, let’s set off."

..............................

"Quick, look at what this is."

"It’s a meteorite. Look, it seems like it’s still burning."

"Yes, last night when it hit the ground with a roar, shaking the earth, it was frightening."

"Indeed, the villagers stayed up all night, saying something big is bound to happen."

Thousands of villagers had already gathered around the meteorite. The scene was as lively as New Year; even though many soldiers tried to stop them, the villagers still surged forward.

Ye Shikai led his troops to the scene and understood why Ma Yao sent him: so many villagers were gathered here at such a sensitive moment; he feared chaos.

"Shangguan, have the soldiers disperse the villagers, remember, do not use force excessively," Ye Shikai instructed.

"Yes, sir."

"Gathered villagers, withdraw immediately," Shangguan Jian commanded, as soldiers formed lines, those at the forefront holding shields, pushing them back step by step. Seeing the Qin soldiers approach, the villagers did not dare to resist and scattered.

"All troops, hear my order. Surround this area, no one is allowed to come near."

Deep in the night.

"Old Ye, earlier the soldiers were talking in the camp, saying it seems like there are words engraved on the meteorite," Shangguan Jian entered the tent and said directly.

"What?" Ye Shikai was taken aback, his arm sweeping aside, sending bowls and utensils crashing to the ground.

"Yes, it was unclear during the day, but at night, the burning flames revealed the inscriptions."

Ye Shikai sat on the ground as if in a daze. If what was inscribed was true, then these words were ’forbidden’. He didn’t believe this was divine intervention—perhaps villagers had engraved it upon the meteorite’s descent.