In the Linshui region, a group was moving cautiously. To avoid being detected by the Qin Dynasty's forces, everyone flew close to the ground towards their destination.
Their goal was the Yuanhe River in Shunshui Prefecture. Once they reached the river, they would submerge themselves and lie in wait for the Qin Dynasty's vanguard, planning to ambush them when they passed by.
This group was naturally led by the treacherous Eighth Elder, along with members of the three allied factions, and Lin Qian was also among them.
Fang Ziqian, Li Yunfeng, and Yang Tianhao did not accompany this operation, as the three elders had assigned them other tasks.
As for Lei Qian and Gao Benli, Lin Qian had sent them with a contingent of Huaxia Imperial soldiers to launch a surprise attack on the three border cities of Shunshui Prefecture.
The Qin Dynasty's main forces were stationed behind these three cities. Capturing them would drag the front line deep into the Qin Dynasty's territory, dealing a significant blow to the dynasty.
Walking at the front of the group, the Eighth Elder occasionally glanced back at Lin Qian, who seemed relaxed and was casually observing his surroundings. The elder smiled before turning his gaze forward again.
However, when he looked ahead, his expression turned cold. "That brat dared to humiliate me publicly. This time, I'll make sure he dies without a burial place."
"Once I deliver Lin Qian's head to the Qin Emperor, it will be a great achievement. At the very least, I'll be appointed Marquis, maybe even given control over a province. Haha!"
Excited by the thought, the Eighth Elder quickened his pace, leading the group towards their intended position.
After entering Shunshui Prefecture, the group submerged themselves in the Yuanhe River. The rushing waters had no effect on their bodies.
Once the Eighth Elder led the group to the wide riverbed, everyone lay flat against the bottom, silently preparing to ambush the Qin Dynasty's vanguard as they passed by.
"Why do I feel uneasy?" muttered the wine-nosed Grand Elder of the Xiaoyao Sect. He couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen.
Just as he had this thought, a sudden surge of soul energy erupted from above. Soul force attacks pierced through the water, heading straight for them.
The unexpected assault caught everyone off guard, and they quickly scrambled to dodge.
"Charge up!" someone shouted, their voice amplified by soul energy to be heard through the water.
Hearing the command, everyone unleashed their soul force, breaking through the water and charging upward.
But when they emerged above the river, the sight that greeted them made their faces turn pale.
Unbeknownst to them, they were now surrounded by Qin Dynasty soldiers in gleaming armor. The golden patterns on their armor made it clear—they were facing the Qin Dynasty's vanguard.
Looking around in confusion, the three allied forces couldn't comprehend what had happened. Weren't they supposed to be ambushing the Qin Dynasty's vanguard?
Yet, from the looks of it, they had fallen into the enemy's trap instead.
"How did the information leak?" The Grand Elder's face darkened as he scanned their surroundings, unable to fathom how the Qin Dynasty had found out and turned the tables on them.
The operation was supposed to be top secret, so how had the Qin Dynasty known, and why had they ambushed them instead?
"There's a spy!" The words echoed in the Grand Elder's mind as he frantically searched for the traitor among them.
Meanwhile, the other members of the three factions, upon realizing their situation, fell into despair.
Their forces numbered only about 100,000, while the Qin Dynasty's vanguard encircling them was nearly 300,000 strong.
With such a vast disparity, they had no hope of winning a head-on confrontation.
"No need to look any further. The spy is none other than the Eighth Elder." Seeing the Grand Elder still scanning the crowd in suspicion, Lin Qian couldn't help but chuckle and speak up.
Lin Qian's words caused the Grand Elder and the others to turn to him in astonishment.
Even the Eighth Elder, who was actually a Qin Dynasty agent, looked at Lin Qian in surprise.
Up until this point, the Eighth Elder had been feigning shock and had yet to reveal himself. How had Lin Qian figured it out?
As the Eighth Elder met Lin Qian's gaze, the young man wore a faint, knowing smile. Suddenly, a sense of unease crept over the elder. Could it be that Lin Qian had known his identity all along?
But on second thought, the Eighth Elder dismissed the idea as unlikely. If Lin Qian had known, why would he follow him here to die?
"Old Eight!" The Grand Elder of the Xiaoyao Sect turned to the Eighth Elder with a look of disbelief, slowly shaking his head as if refusing to accept Lin Qian's words.
But his hopes were dashed when the Eighth Elder separated from the group and joined the Qin Dynasty's general.
"That's right. I am indeed a member of the Qin Dynasty. Long before Li Xiaotian became the sect leader, the Qin Emperor sent me to live in your territory. I infiltrated your sect and worked my way up step by step," the Eighth Elder confessed.
"My mission was to serve the Qin Dynasty when the time came, and now, I've done it. You have no way out. Victory in this first battle and Lin Qian's head will be great accomplishments, haha!"
As he spoke, the Eighth Elder laughed heartily, brimming with pride.
Hearing his words, many of the allied members were filled with despair. Allowing a Qin Dynasty spy to lead them into an ambush—it was a death sentence.
The Grand Elder trembled with rage as he glared at the laughing Eighth Elder, wishing he could tear him apart on the spot.
But he held back, knowing that his priority now was to ensure the others' escape, especially Lin Qian.
Before departing, the three elders had given him specific instructions to protect Lin Qian at all costs, even if it meant sacrificing his life.
"I told you to leave everything to the Huaxia Empire, but you insisted on getting involved. Now look where we are," Lin Qian's voice suddenly echoed, drawing angry glares from the three factions' members.
They were already in a dire situation, and Lin Qian's words only seemed to rub salt in the wound.
"The Huaxia Empire? You mean that tiny country in Linhai Prefecture? I heard they recently defeated five neighboring small states. And with that minor achievement, you think you can take on the Qin Dynasty?" the vanguard general scoffed, dismissing the Huaxia Empire's strength.
"Even if your Huaxia Empire sent a million soldiers, I bet a thousand of our troops could handle them," he sneered.
"Hahaha..." The soldiers behind him burst into laughter at his words.