SEAL OF EVIL

“Are you choosing the right man for a job like this? If
someone only knows marching forward with a firm intention
to die, irrespective of success or failure, he has mere brute
courage. I’m not hesitant or afraid. I’m waiting for a friend
who I believe will ensure our success. But since you insist, I
must set off right away.”
That very evening Jing Ke set off for Xiangyang. He left with
a full diplomatic contingent from the state of Yan and was
accompanied by more than 10 Escort Chariots. All the guests
at the banquet were there to see him off, but Jing Ke did not
look back.
At Xiangyang they were received with a grand ceremony at
Xiangyang Palace ordered by the King to which diplomats
from other states were also invited. As the Yan diplomats
approached the Palace they could see thousands of Qin
warriors in shimmering armour standing motionless on either
side of the Palace. On both sides of the steps leading up to the
Palace there were a mass of civil and military Qin officials
and diplomats from other states.
In the Palace itself it was also crowded with people and in the
middle of the hall sat Ying Zheng, the King of Qin. He was
smiling at Jing Ke as he approached. Although the King had
expected to want a sight of the head of the hated General, in
the end he decided not to look at it. Maybe he had caught a
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