Chinese animation: Starting with Bad Guys

The crowd of onlookers was separated by guards, and they were all talking about it.

Qin Chuan and Xue Nu hid in the crowd.

In the center of the procession, the magnificent wedding sedan chair, decorated with a pattern of a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix in gold thread, stood out prominently.

Just then, a gust of wind rose, stirring a corner of the sedan curtain.

Inside the sedan chair, Princess Honglian, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, glanced unintentionally out the window with her radiant yet sorrowful and resolute face.

One glance, and she felt as if she had been struck by lightning!

Among the crowd, the black-clad figure who had captivated her at first sight and haunted her dreams at the gates of Xinzheng—Qin Chuan—appeared unexpectedly in Xianyang!

Honglian's heart was instantly seized by immense ecstasy and even deeper fear!

To her delight, she thought Qin Chuan had learned of her ordeal and risked his life to sneak into Xianyang to rescue her! It turned out he also had feelings for her!

What's frightening is that this is the heavily guarded capital of Qin, a den of dragons and tigers! If he makes a move, he will surely die!

"Fool...don't come...don't come to save me..."

Honglian bit her lower lip hard, trying to hold back the tears that were about to spill from her eyes. Her determination to die together with others only became stronger and more resolute because of this "misunderstanding".

She gripped the cold, red-skinned soft sword hidden in her sleeve. The snake-scale patterned hilt hurt her palm, as if to demonstrate her determination—to assassinate King Ying Zheng of Qin, and then commit suicide!

Only in this way can one find liberation, and perhaps... also allow the beloved to give up their thoughts and leave peacefully?

Qin Chuan's eyesight was incredibly sharp; in that fleeting glance, he clearly saw the complex emotions swirling in Hong Lian's eyes:

The initial burst of joy was quickly replaced by a deeper fear and an almost tragic resolve.

She misunderstood, and this misunderstanding is pushing her to the brink of disaster.

"She was determined to die."

Qin Chuan's voice was low, carrying a hint of barely perceptible solemnity.

He didn't linger and quickly left the crowd with the Snow Woman.

Inside the majestic Zhangtai Hall of the Qin Palace, Ying Zheng was reviewing memorials.

Upon hearing that Qin Chuan had returned with the Tianwen Sword, he immediately put down the bamboo scroll in his hand.

"Brother Zheng." Qin Chuan stepped into the hall and presented the ancient and elegant longsword engraved with profound inscriptions: "The first sword on the Chu Kingdom Feng Huzi Sword Manual, the Tianwen Sword, is now returned to its rightful owner and is worthy of the Emperor."

Ying Zheng's gaze did not fall on the sword at first, but passed over Qin Chuan and landed on the Snow Maiden behind him, who had an elegant temperament and an unparalleled beauty.

The Snow Woman lowered her head slightly and bowed.

A knowing glint flashed in Ying Zheng's eyes, and the corners of his mouth curved upwards almost imperceptibly.

So that's how it is; his younger brother loved beauty more than power.

Ying Zheng silently kept the fact that "his younger brother likes stunningly beautiful women" in mind.

Ying Zheng then looked at the Heavenly Question Sword, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, and reached out to take it.

It felt heavy in my hand, the scabbard was ancient and simple, and a majestic and imposing aura seemed to emanate from the scabbard.

He slowly pulled it out half an inch, a flash of cold light illuminating his deep eyes.

"What a magnificent 'Sword of the Emperor'! In Chu, this sword is a pearl hidden in dust. Only in my hands can it truly display its grandeur of 'taking the seven kingdoms as its edge and the mountains and seas as its blade'! Brother Chuan, this gift is very generous, and I am very pleased!"

He carefully placed the Heavenly Questioning Sword on the imperial desk, then looked at Qin Chuan, a rare, gentle smile belonging to an elder brother appearing on his face:

"Your wedding is imminent, and I have something that I can give as a wedding gift."

He clapped his hands lightly.

From the shadows beside the palace, Zhao Gao, dressed in a black eunuch's robe, emerged silently like a ghost, his hands raised high, holding a strangely shaped long sword.

The scabbard was jet black, neither gold nor wood, with a faint, dark red glow, like congealed blood.

The sheath is adorned with a ferocious dragon-bird relief, with a dragon's head and a bird's body, scales and claws flying, exuding a vast and fierce ancient aura.

"Great Summer Dragon Bird!"

A look of surprise instantly flashed in Qin Chuan's eyes.

Ying Zheng promised to find this divine weapon for him, and he truly kept his word!

After Lü Buwei's downfall, the vast power of the Qin state was mobilized, and they actually found the legendary murder weapon in the vast land of China.

"Excellent." Ying Zheng nodded. "This blade is fierce and unparalleled in its sharpness, just what you need. Wield this blade, for me and for Qin, and cut through all obstacles!"

Qin Chuan stepped forward and solemnly took the Dragon Sparrow Blade from Zhao Gao's hands.

It was incredibly heavy to the touch, and a fierce aura seemed about to burst forth from its sheath, subtly resonating with some kind of power within him.

He ran his fingers over the ferocious dragon-phoenix relief on the scabbard, feeling the violent power contained within, and laughed:

"What a fine knife!"

Zhao Gao bowed his head and retreated, but a barely perceptible shadow of gloom flickered deep in his eyes.

Ying Zheng nodded in satisfaction: "Go, your bride has arrived at the post station. I have ordered your residence to be prepared, and the wedding will be tomorrow."

Qin Chuan hung the Great Xia Dragon Sparrow Blade at his waist, and the fierce aura seemed to be subdued by his own imposing presence, gradually receding.

He ordered the palace servants to take Xue Nu to his bedroom in the palace to rest, while he went straight to the guesthouse where Hong Lian was staying.

Inside the villa, Honglian had already dismissed all the maids.

She shed her elaborate outer robe, wearing only a close-fitting red dress, with her crimson soft sword coiled at her waist, like a venomous snake poised to strike.

She was restless and anxiously waiting, both hoping that he would appear and fearing that he would actually come.

The moment Qin Chuan appeared at the door, Hong Lian's taut string snapped!

All the fear, grievances, resolve, and deep longing overwhelmed the dam like a flood.

She cried out, and before Qin Chuan could say a word, she flew into his arms like a moth drawn to a flame.

She wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, buried her face in his firm chest, and burst into tears.

"Waaah...you...how could you be so stupid...why did you come here...this is Xianyang...you'll die..."

She cried so hard she could barely breathe, her words incoherent, and her scalding tears instantly soaked Qin Chuan's shirt.

Qin Chuan's body stiffened slightly as he felt the delicate body in his arms trembling violently and radiating endless grief.

He raised his hand, hesitated for a moment, and finally gently placed it on her trembling back, his movements somewhat awkward as he soothed her.

Honglian didn't give Qin Chuan a chance to explain at all, only focusing on venting her long-suppressed resentment and despair:

“My father… he’s a coward! Just because he was afraid of the Qin army, he gave me… me to a fool as a wife! He doesn’t deserve to be a father!”

"And my ninth brother! Han Fei! He...he's utterly wicked!"

Mentioning Han Fei made Honglian tremble with rage:

"He knew perfectly well that I didn't want to marry him, and he clearly loved me the most... but not only did he not help me, he even smiled and said something like... wishing me and that fool Ying Chuan a long and happy marriage! Has he been bribed by the Qin state?! I hate him so much!"

She raised her tear-streaked face, her eyes filled with a desperate madness and sorrow: "Qin Chuan, please take me away? Or... or you can help me!"

She gripped Qin Chuan's collar tightly, her voice trembling with a desperate gamble:

"I...I learned swordsmanship from Sister Zi Nu. Look, I have the Crimson Serpent Sword! I also learned the Fire Charm Technique from Yan Ling Ji...I...I also got a very powerful Crimson Serpent King from the Hundred Poison King!"

She patted the soft sword at her waist, her expression both resolute and fearful:

"I'm all ready! When the King of Qin arrives with that fool tomorrow for the wedding... I'll... I'll kill them! Then... then I'll commit suicide! That way... that way we'll all be free! And you... you'll be safe too!"

Listening to Honglian's thrilling and suicidal plan, Qin Chuan felt a dull ache in his temples, feeling both heartache and helplessness.

He knew that he had to explain things clearly right now.

"Honglian, actually I..."

"Don't speak!"

Honglian abruptly interrupted him, as if afraid to hear any words of dissuasion or farewell.

She stood on tiptoe, tears welling in her eyes, and with a desperate courage, she used her soft lips, awkwardly and forcefully, to stop Qin Chuan from uttering the words he was about to say!

Qin Chuan was perfectly capable of dodging, but in that instant, he clearly felt the resolute, lingering affection, and moth-to-a-flame-like burning passion emanating from the girl's lips.

This intense emotion caused him to tremble slightly, and his movements faltered for a moment.

In that instant, Honglian's kiss landed firmly on his lips.

Her kiss was unskilled, salty with tears and desperately forceful, yet it struck them both like an electric current.

Qin Chuan didn't push her away; instead, he subconsciously tightened his arms around her back.

Honglian seemed encouraged and became even more devoted, clinging tightly to his neck with both arms as if she wanted to merge herself into his bones and blood.

Time seemed to stand still at that moment. The inn was quiet and still, save for the two of them breathing and Honglian's occasional, barely suppressed sobs.

"Tsk tsk tsk... What a touching scene of love and separation, a love story that transcends life and death."

A languid, charming voice, tinged with obvious mockery, suddenly rang out by the window, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake.

The two separated as if electrocuted.

On the window frame, a stunningly beautiful figure, as fiery as flames, was seen sitting.

Yan Lingji's beautiful legs swayed slightly, her fiery red skirt fluttering in the night wind, outlining a breathtaking curve.

She rested her chin on her hand, her eyes, which seemed to burn with flames, watching the two people embracing inside the room with great interest, a smile playing on her lips, enigmatic and unsettling.

But deep within that smile, there seemed to be a subtle, almost imperceptible complexity and a barely perceptible bitterness.

Honglian cried out in surprise and sprang away from Qin Chuan's arms. Her pretty face turned as red as a ripe cherry, and she was so embarrassed that she wished she could disappear into the ground.

"Yan... Sister Yan Lingji! You... what are you doing here!"

She was incoherent, and the fierce determination to die together with others had vanished without a trace.

Yan Lingji gracefully leaped down from the windowsill, stepping onto the cold floor. She approached with lotus-like steps, her gaze shifting between Qin Chuan and Hong Lian, a mischievous glint in her eyes:

"Everyone was worried about that silly girl who wanted to 'assassinate the King of Qin and then commit suicide,' fearing that she might scare herself to death before even seeing her 'silly husband,' or do something even sillier, so they specifically asked me to come and check on her."

As she spoke, her eyes glanced at Qin Chuan almost imperceptibly, a hint of inquiry mixed with a deeper smile. "It seems... I've come at the wrong time? Or perhaps, it's just the right time?"

Honglian stomped her foot in embarrassment and annoyance: "Sister!"

Qin Chuan saw the mockery and fleeting complexity in Yan Lingji's eyes and understood.