After leading the Chu army away from the Xianyang Palace, Roy did not head directly to the First Emperor's mausoleum. Instead, he first arrived at the legendary "Greatest Palace Under Heaven"—the Epang Palace!
"The First Emperor built the Great Wall in the north to defend against the Xiongnu. Meng Tian transformed it not only into a fortress but also an outpost for offense. He also constructed the Straight Road. Whether it was for his own imperial tours or other reasons, both the Straight Road and the Great Wall were monumental projects benefiting generations to come."
"...However, the Epang Palace and the imperial mausoleum built by the First Emperor were truly for his own indulgence."
Roy rode atop his steed, Wuzhui, with Yu Ji cradled in his arms. Surrounded by the army, they advanced toward the Epang Palace. As he gazed at the wide road flanking both sides, he let out a cold laugh. Who knew how many skeletal remains lay buried beneath those paths?
The Qin Straight Road stretched seven hundred kilometers across treacherous and complex terrain. In this era of 200 BCE, constructing such a road was no exaggeration to say that each step cost a human life.
The Epang Palace was hailed as the Greatest Palace Under Heaven, while the north boasted the Ten-Thousand-Mile Great Wall. Coupled with the First Emperor's mysterious mausoleum, the sheer scale of labor required for these projects would qualify as mega-engineering even by modern standards. To call them wasteful and burdensome would be an understatement. After the First Emperor's death, the Second Emperor intensified these excesses. The saying, "The world has long suffered under Qin," could only be truly understood by those living in this era.
No wonder the Qin dynasty collapsed in its second generation, with the entire realm rising in rebellion.
Of course, Roy could somewhat grasp the First Emperor's mindset. The Qin dynasty was the first centralized feudal empire in Chinese history. Before this, the concept of unification had never existed in the land of Huaxia. Though the First Emperor had conquered the six states, he never regarded their people as his own subjects. Moreover, Confucianism had yet to dominate Huaxia at this time, so notions of benevolence and righteousness were absent. In a way, it made sense to conscript laborers from conquered states for these projects.
Had the First Emperor lived a few more years, no one would have dared rebel. The tragedy was that he died too soon—unable to prolong his own life!
"Though the First Emperor couldn't prolong his life, he might just rise from his coffin."
Roy muttered sarcastically.
Yu Meiren, nestled in Roy's arms, wasn't paying much attention to his words. To her, it didn't matter how tyrannical the First Emperor was—even if all of humanity perished, it would mean nothing as long as her lord was safe. With that thought, she tilted her head up and nuzzled her flawless cheek against Roy's face.
Feeling the warmth against his skin, Roy tightened his embrace around the beauty in his arms and urged his horse forward. Before long, they arrived at the Epang Palace.
Located south of the Wei River, the Epang Palace was conceived after the First Emperor unified the six warring states. As the Qin dynasty grew more prosperous and the population of Xianyang swelled, the emperor sought to construct a new imperial palace—the Epang Palace.
Unlike the Weiyang Palace of the Han dynasty or the Daming Palace of the Tang dynasty, both built on elevated terrain, the Epang Palace was erected over a river valley. To build a palace atop such terrain required diverting the underground water network—a monumental engineering feat in itself.
The opulent and colossal Epang Palace now loomed before Roy's eyes, just as described in Du Mu's Epang Palace Fu:
"Covering over three hundred li, it blotted out the sun. From the northern slopes of Mount Li, it curved westward, stretching straight to Xianyang. Two rivers flowed into its walls, their waters merging. Every five paces, a tower; every ten, a pavilion. Winding corridors coiled like silk ribbons, eaves jutted like beaks of birds, each structure clinging to the terrain, interlocking in intricate harmony!"
The Epang Palace was practically a microcosm of the world, encompassing diverse landscapes within its walls.
In the future, only ruins of the Epang Palace would remain. For Roy to witness this unparalleled palace in person, over two centuries before the Common Era, was truly a journey worth making.
"My beauty, let us behold the world wonder the First Emperor sought to create~!"
Roy gave a shout, and his steed, Wuzhui, charged forward, galloping straight into the palace's front hall.
The front hall of the Epang Palace spanned five hundred paces east to west and fifty zhang north to south, capable of seating ten thousand people—a vast plaza.
The Epang Palace was so immense that by the time of the First Emperor's death, only the front hall had been completed. Yet even this single section of the palace was enough to inspire awe at the grandeur of the whole, truly deserving its title as the greatest palace under heaven.
The Xianyang Palace alone was five times larger than the Forbidden City of the Ming and Qing dynasties. One could only imagine how staggering the completed Epang Palace would have been.
"To conceive such a feat, to dare undertake it—throughout history, only the First Emperor could do so!"
Roy sighed in admiration. Even the most powerful emperors of later ages would never dare build such a palace. Only the Ancestral Dragon possessed such audacity.
"My lord, this place..."
Yu Ji sensed something amiss. She and Roy dismounted, their expressions solemn as they surveyed the Epang Palace.
"You've noticed it too, Yu Meiren. It seems the Epang Palace is more than just an imperial court. The First Emperor truly spared no expense—countless occultists must have labored for him when this palace was built!"
Like Yu Meiren, Roy gazed gravely at the palace's foundation and the newly completed front hall.
This was no ordinary palace. Hidden within it were the secrets of Eastern immortal arts, aligning with the cosmic order. Concealed within its structure was an arcane immortal formation of profound mystery.
Since the formation had already been shattered, even Roy couldn't discern its purpose. It seemed only when the Epang Palace was fully completed would its true power be revealed.
Considering how the First Emperor's mausoleum could evade the Counter Force, who knew what incredible capabilities this still-unfinished Epang Palace might possess?
Using the entire nation's resources and the secrets of the Age of Gods to execute a heaven-defying ritual—compared to the First Emperor, those later magic associations were utterly insignificant.
"I'm even beginning to suspect the Great Wall might have some hidden purpose. The First Emperor truly thought several steps ahead. Every seemingly extravagant project that drained the people's resources actually concealed profound intentions... The northern Great Wall played a crucial role in defending against nomadic tribes, so even if there's something suspicious about it, I'd rather not interfere."
"...Now that the First Emperor is preparing for resurrection in his mausoleum, this Epang Palace must be the grand ritual he intends to complete after reviving. Whether it's connected to his resurrection or not, I cannot leave it intact."
After a brief contemplation, Roy decisively declared.
He hadn't burned the Xianyang Palace precisely to preserve more relics of the Qin Dynasty for future generations. Originally, Roy had no intention of touching the Epang Palace either, wanting to leave it for posterity. But now that he knew it might serve as the foundation for an earth-shattering grand ritual—a contingency plan of the First Emperor—Roy naturally couldn't allow it to remain.
"Guards!"
"At your command!"
"Dispatch soldiers to thoroughly search the Epang Palace for any valuable treasures! Then..."
Roy paused, his tone tinged with regret: "...then set it ablaze on my orders!"
"As you command!"
The Chu army cared little about the immense human and material resources wasted on this grand palace—they simply followed orders. Moreover, the Chu people harbored deep hatred for Qin. Hearing Roy's command to burn the Epang Palace, which had cost countless Chu lives to build, filled them with exhilaration.
Though vast, the Epang Palace was quickly ransacked by Roy's numerous soldiers. Compared to Xianyang Palace, it was relatively impoverished.
After all, the Epang Palace was intended as the future imperial court and remained unfinished. The First Emperor and the Second Emperor had issued decrees from Xianyang Palace, so naturally, the Epang Palace contained few valuables—the truly precious treasures were all stored in Xianyang Palace.
Roy had already plundered Xianyang Palace before leaving, though he personally cared little for those treasures, intending them for Liu Ji in the future.
After inventorying the Epang Palace's spoils, on a night when stars and moon shone together, tens of thousands of Chu soldiers bearing torches set the sprawling 300-li Epang Palace ablaze.
This great fire burned for over three months.
Thus with one torch from Chu, all turned to scorched earth!
By this time, Roy had already departed with Yu Ji and Tamamo-no-Mae, arriving at the First Emperor's mausoleum at Mount Li!