Back at the rented apartment, Celine went straight into the bathroom.
Hot water poured from the shower, filling the room with steam. It washed over her body and seemed to carry away the confusion and heaviness in her heart.
Downstairs in the living room, the light was dim.
Shenan and Mateo exchanged a look. Without saying anything, they quietly agreed not to make any unnecessary noise. They even softened their breathing.
Both of them held crystal cores, quietly absorbing the strange energy inside, trying their best to grow stronger.
At the same time, they silently left the space upstairs completely to Celine.
They thought she needed time to calm down.
But Celine, after a short moment of emotional struggle, quickly pulled herself together.
Yes, she would get her revenge. And she would do it in the most brutal and satisfying way.
But that didn't mean she'd drown in hatred.
Quite the opposite.
Thinking of the space, the future she was about to rewrite, the many twists of fate waiting for her to face, the family she needed to protect with everything she had…
Celine felt full of energy again.
After stepping out of the bathroom and drying her hair, she entered the space and started her trade for the day.
"Hogan," Celine stood outside the east gate and called out loudly.
At the same time, in the Qin Dynasty, inside a temporary warehouse under heavy guard.
Hogan stood in front of a messy but carefully watched pile of modern supplies, his brow furrowed and his face showing clear signs of exhaustion.
Next to him, a few lower officials were nervously recording things, pausing from time to time to look at him for answers.
They had no choice. The items Celine sent the day before were too many, too strange, and too unbelievable.
These magical objects from the so-called "immortal" world had completely shocked them. They were used to bronze spears and cloth robes. Now they didn't even know what these new things were, let alone how to sort or label them.
Even with his noble status, Hogan had to stay patient. He explained and demonstrated each item himself so the scribes could document them properly.
While explaining, a clear female voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
"Hogan?"
His movements paused. His eyes focused sharply, then he gave a small shake of his head.
He thought he was just too tired and imagined the voice.
He took a deep breath and continued speaking to his attendant. "This thing is called…"
Before he could finish, the voice sounded again, louder and with a hint of urgency.
"Hogan, are you there?"
This was no illusion.
Hogan immediately straightened up. A flicker of surprise flashed through his eyes, then quickly turned into full attention.
It was Celine.
She was contacting him again.
He instantly set down the compressed biscuit in his hand. Ignoring the confused looks from the people around him, his right hand moved instinctively to touch his left wrist.
He focused his thoughts.
There was a soft, barely noticeable hum, and a ripple in the air appeared where he had been.
Hogan was gone.
The few close attendants who knew the truth were not surprised. They immediately bowed and stood still in silence.
But the guards and workers around them, seeing someone vanish into thin air for the first time, were stunned. After a moment of silence, the room exploded into chaos.
People dropped what they were holding and fell to their knees, their faces filled with shock and awe.
They knelt in the direction Hogan had disappeared, shouting with deep devotion and excitement.
"An immortal! An immortal came and left!"
"Farewell, immortal!"
"Heaven bless us! The young master has received help from an immortal. This is a blessing for Great Qin!"
Shouts echoed one after another, spreading through the large warehouse and outside. Everyone was filled with awe and worship for this unknown power.
The light shimmered briefly, then disappeared in ripples.
Hogan's figure appeared inside the space. Under his feet was soft grass, completely different from the cold, hard floor of the Qin Dynasty warehouse just moments ago.
He quickly scanned his surroundings to confirm the environment. After calming himself and adjusting his robes, he turned to Celine not far away.
He bowed slightly. "Miss Celine."
Celine smiled and returned the greeting. "Young Master Hogan."
Hogan straightened up and looked past her, toward the open area behind her.
His eyes suddenly widened. His breathing paused.
What was once an empty space was now piled high with all kinds of supplies.
Grain, cloth, medicine, tools... so many different kinds and such huge amounts, they nearly formed a small mountain.
In just one night.
Only one night had passed since their last trade.
Hogan was deeply shocked.
In Great Qin, even preparing supplies for a small-scale battle could take dozens of days, even months, from collecting and checking to transporting. It required massive manpower and effort.
But all these things in front of him, Miss Celine had prepared them all overnight?
What kind of incredible power was this?
His throat moved slightly. His voice came out dry and filled with disbelief. "Are... are all these... prepared for Great Qin?"
As he asked, something else caught his eye — four massive objects that stood out even more.
They were a dark, deep green, huge in size, far larger than any warhorse he had ever seen. They gave off a cold metallic shine and a powerful, unexplainable feeling.
"Are... are those... immortal war steeds?"
Hogan blurted out. His heart skipped a beat.
Just by looking at the shape of these steel beasts, he felt as though he could sense a force strong enough to race across the land.
Celine noticed his gaze and smiled knowingly.
She shook her head and explained, "Half of these supplies are for you. The other half is for the one from the west gate."
As she spoke, she raised her hand and pointed toward a tightly shut door on the west side of the space.
The west gate?
Hogan froze. It was the first time he had paid attention to that door.
What was behind that door?
And who was the person beyond it?
Could they, like him, also receive help from Miss Celine, this immortal-like woman?
Countless questions filled his mind, but he knew this wasn't the time to ask.
Celine didn't explain further. She shifted the conversation back to what he cared about most.
She pointed at the four strong military trucks. "These aren't war steeds. They're called 'trucks.' They're the real steeds that can travel a thousand miles a day."
A thousand miles a day.
Those words hit Hogan like thunder in his mind.
His attention was completely captured by these enormous machines and Celine's calm explanation.
His eyes were locked on the trucks. From the massive tires to the tall body, every part seemed full of mystery and strength.
At that moment, Hogan couldn't take his eyes off them.
If he could have these to help him, would he still worry about transporting supplies? Would he still fear delays in moving troops?
Maybe... maybe even the very map of Great Qin would change.