Upon returning to Xianyang Palace, Ying Zheng's expression fluctuated between joy, regret, and anticipation.
"Summon someone!"
As the voice fell, a plain-looking man in black emerged from a dark corner of the palace.
He appeared exceptionally ordinary, the kind who would go unnoticed in a crowd.
Yet, he was far from simple, for he belonged to Qin's premier intelligence organization, the Black Ice Terrace.
This unassuming man was also one of Ying Zheng's personal attendants.
His appearances were always silent and swift.
"I am here!"
"I want all information on Lin Tian, including his origins, his friends and family, his relationships with neighbors, everything about him!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Hearing Ying Zheng's command, the plain-looking man in black trembled.
From these words, he understood the immense importance Ying Zheng placed on Lin Tian.
He recalled that when Han Fei came to Da Qin, Ying Zheng had only tasked him with gathering information about Han Fei's talents.
Regarding Han Fei's life, Ying Zheng had shown no interest.
Therefore, the man in black immediately mobilized his resources to investigate.
Lin Tian, unaware of this, was busy preparing for the royal banquet that evening. Meanwhile, Wang Wu and his companions were genuinely happy for him.
"Brother Tian, His Majesty has truly taken notice of you this time. Not only did he allow you to participate in the ancestral sacrifice, but he also invited you to the royal banquet! You will surely become a figure like General Wang Jian in the future!"
"When we return to Guanzhong, even the county magistrate will come out to greet you!"
"And we will also bask in your glory and bring honor to our ancestors!"
This was Wang Wu's heartfelt sentiment. He yearned for the glory of returning home.
Without such recognition, it would be like returning in fine clothes at night, unseen.
Especially now, after the conquest of Han and the recovery of the Yuzhou Ding, a national treasure, even soldiers like them would receive generous rewards.
He wanted his father to see that he, Wang Wu, had truly achieved something.
Lin Tian understood this sentiment well, but it was not what he was primarily focused on.
He did not possess such a strong desire for returning home in glory.
After all, only Han had been defeated; the other five kingdoms still existed.
To return home in glory now would be premature celebration.
What Lin Tian was concerned about was the opportunity at the royal banquet that evening to propose his transfer to the Zhao battlefield.
Therefore, Lin Tian attended the royal banquet in his finest attire.
The main guests at this banquet were General Teng and the numerous generals who had participated in the conquest of Han. Naturally, Lin Tian, as an invitee, was also one of the key figures.
Especially since many were speculating about Lin Tian's identity, he drew even more attention.
Among them, Lord Changping, Mi Qi, was particularly observant.
He also held the position of maternal uncle to Fusu, the eldest son of Da Qin.
In the future, should Fusu be named Crown Prince, Mi Qi would become the maternal uncle of the King, a position of unparalleled prestige.
However, if Lin Tian were a prince of Da Qin, the situation would be entirely different.
Fusu was currently only in his teens, clearly younger than Lin Tian.
This implied that if Ying Zheng recognized Lin Tian as a prince of Da Qin, he would be the eldest prince.
In the future, he could legitimately inherit the throne of Da Qin.
More importantly, Lin Tian had displayed extraordinary combat prowess in the conquest of Han.
Whether it was leading the charge into Xinzheng City or recovering the Yuzhou Ding,
Such combat ability and achievements were enough to win the loyalty of countless soldiers.
Prince Fusu's position as Crown Prince was in jeopardy.
Muttering this, Mi Qi furrowed his brow.
"It seems I must probe carefully tonight!"
Having made up his mind, Mi Qi also dressed in his finest attire, anticipating the evening's festivities.
As night fell, various ministers of Da Qin arrived at Xianyang Palace.
Many of them greeted Lin Tian warmly.
"General Lin, the Sword God of our Da Qin, we have long admired your name!"
"I am Wang Ben!"
"So it is General Wang, I have long admired you!"
Lin Tian was already well aware of the name Wang Ben, who would one day be one half of a dual marquis lineage alongside his father, Wang Jian.
Wang Ben's amiable demeanor was indeed something Lin Tian had not expected.
Following this, many other generals, including Meng Wu, also greeted Lin Tian.
Their expressions were so enthusiastic that Lin Tian wondered if all the generals of Da Qin were this friendly.
However, there was one exception. This person was very young, clad in armor, and qualified to attend the royal banquet, clearly a rising talent of Da Qin.
His identity was indeed remarkable: Li Xin, the foremost young talent of Da Qin, a representative of the younger generation.
Before Lin Tian's appearance, he was the leading figure among the young generals of Da Qin, even surpassing Wang Ben and Meng Tian in renown.
After all, Wang Ben and Meng Tian were the young talents of the Wang and Meng families, respectively. While Li Xin had some background, it was far less significant compared to Wang Ben and Meng Tian, making him seem like a commoner.
Therefore, many regarded Li Xin as their idol.
But with Lin Tian's emergence, he had clearly overshadowed Li Xin.
In terms of age and achievements, Lin Tian had surpassed Li Xin.
Moreover, Lin Tian's recovery of the Yuzhou Ding and his participation in the ancestral sacrifice alongside Ying Zheng had elevated his prestige to an unparalleled level.
To a certain extent, Lin Tian had surpassed Li Xin and replaced his position.
Thus, when Li Xin looked at Lin Tian, a hint of hostility was unavoidable.
This animosity caused Lin Tian to glance at him a second time.
Not recognizing Li Xin, Lin Tian paid him no further mind.
Subsequently, Lin Tian entered Xianyang Palace and was guided to his seat by the attendants.
His position was very close, the second seat on the right, below the throne.
In front of him sat General Teng.
Such a placement was considered highly significant by many.
Lin Tian, however, did not perceive this. He believed it was because General Teng was one of the main figures of the banquet.
And his own placement in the second seat was due to his actions in conquering Han, being the first to enter Xinzheng City, personally capturing King An of Han, and presenting the Yuzhou Ding.
Even with this seating, Lin Tian felt secure.
This composure caused many to exchange glances.
Mi Qi, observing from a distance, couldn't help but ponder.
"Has His Majesty already acknowledged him, but not yet announced it?"
"Or is he simply a fearless newcomer?"
If Ying Zheng had already acknowledged Lin Tian, the situation would become problematic.
Given Ying Zheng's nature, anyone he perceived as an obstruction or threat to his plans would surely perish.
This alone could deter countless individuals from probing.
However, when he considered the throne of Da Qin, the future status of the King's maternal uncle,
Mi Qi, despite sensing the danger, felt compelled to investigate.
Lin Tian remained oblivious that some were already planning to cause him trouble tonight.
...