Space time in disorder: Tears of the Emperor

As Chen Xing emerged from the pile of dirt, the break of dawn painted the sky, with the sun yet to rise. In the distance, the grand palace stood amidst a misty aura, resembling a heavenly paradise. Towering weeds surrounded the dirt mound, reaching up to her waist. As she walked forward, she plucked the weeds along the way, unaware of the countless she had pulled or the duration of her journey until the sun set. By then, she had cursed Owen eight hundred times in her heart. Eventually, a dirt road came into view, and tears of excitement welled up in her eyes. Chen Xing, an exceptional employee of the Temporal Security Bureau, had been unable to find time for a vacation all year due to frequent temporal disruptions. Finally, after completing the latest project, she had some time off. Immediately, she purchased a ticket to the Mediterranean, eager to relax. However, just as she lay on the beach, soaking up the sun and preparing for a date with an attractive man, her boss Owen called her back without hesitation. "Chen, I apologize," Owen said guiltily. "This mission is urgent, and it must be assigned to you." Impatiently, Chen Xing interrupted him, clearly showing her displeasure at being interrupted. She had yearned for a simple life for a whole year, and now she had found someone she was interested in dating. Her hopes of enjoying a vacation had been abruptly shattered. "We have identified a temporal disruption in the year 238 BC, during the Qin Dynasty in China. We need you to rectify the temporal flow," Owen explained. "As you know, you are the most suitable candidate for this mission compared to others." Eager to complete the mission quickly and resume her vacation, Chen Xing inquired, "What are the required materials for the repair?" Owen responded, "The tears of an emperor. Specifically, the tears of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty." Taken aback, Chen Xing immediately refused, "I'm sorry, but I cannot undertake this mission. Obtaining the tears of Qin Shi Huang is beyond my capabilities. Even if I were to stay there indefinitely, it would be impossible. Besides, living to a ripe old age is of utmost importance to me." "But we have no other suitable candidates," Owen attempted to persuade her. "Among our staff, you are the only one of Chinese descent. Others would not be able to accomplish this task either. Consider this, during the Warring States period, would the Central Plains kingdoms accept individuals from other races?" "I still won't go," Chen Xing objected. "You mentioned there are other materials I can collect for the repair. However, obtaining the tears of Qin Shi Huang is a futile endeavor, even if I were to spend my entire life there. Of course, I must have the chance to live a long life first." "After completing the mission, I will request an additional month of leave for you," Owen tempted. Chen Xing's eyebrows twitched slightly, but she still shook her head. "Two months of leave," Owen persisted, increasing the offer while trying to persuade her. "The situation is urgent this time. If we fail to repair the temporal flow in time, it will not only affect the past but also have repercussions in the present." Uncertainty clouded Chen Xing's mind as she thought of her relatives in China. Holding up three fingers, she negotiated, "After completing the mission, I want three months of leave." "Deal," Owen said with a smile, urging her to leave immediately. "Hurry and depart. The sooner you leave, the sooner you'll return." In the next moment, Chen Xing found herself in a dirt pile in the midst of the Warring States period, without a chance to change her mind. ... She brushed off her clothes and accessed her smartwatch, adjusting the time mode to the Warring States period. With a compass in hand, she set off towards Xianyang City. As the sun descended, its golden glow bathed her in a halo of orange light, giving her an ethereal appearance. "Roast duck, wine, pork knuckles..." Chen Xing called out as she walked. "Ah, I'm so hungry. I want to eat." She couldn't afford to starve before completing the mission. She regretted accepting this task. In a previous mission to ancient China, she had arrived in the Northern Song Dynasty at a night market, where she enjoyed a hearty meal before continuing her mission. "Who goes there..." Chen Xing turned around and spotted a carriage approaching. Without hesitation, she stepped forward and halted in front of the carriage, unwilling to walk any farther. The coachman didn't expect such audacity and hastily pulled the reins to stop the carriage. "Who dares to be so bold?" The coachman, a young man in his twenties dressed in commoner clothing with a knife at his waist, exclaimed as he drew his short knife. However, upon seeing a young lady standing before him, he retracted the weapon. "I wish to travel to Xianyang City in your carriage," Chen Xing replied. She had noticed the coachman's skilled actions and understood that his master frequently encountered danger based on the speed at which he drew his knife. This made her question his master's identity. After all, after the reforms by Shang Yang, Qin had become more stable. Chen Xing hesitated. She didn't want to be assassinated as soon as she arrived in Qin. It would be too embarrassing. "Show me your symbol card," the coachman demanded. "What is a symbol card?" Chen Xing instinctively replied, then knocked on her own head. How foolish of her. A symbol card served as an identity proof for the people of Qin, and she had rushed over without preparing one in advance. There were rumors of Shang Yang's arrest because he couldn't provide a symbol card when staying at an inn. Contemplating this, she hesitated and took a step back. The coachman's frown deepened. He had initially assumed she was a spy sent by another country but now began to doubt it due to her ignorance. He had never encountered such a foolish spy before. He turned his head and peered into the carriage, clasping his hands together and bowing slightly, lowering his head. "Master, this woman seems harmless, but her behavior is suspicious." "Let her in," a clear yet stern voice resonated from inside the carriage. "Understood," the coachman replied, then turned to Chen Xing and said, "Get on and sit next to me." Chen Xing hesitated. She regretted stopping the carriage. If this master and servant were government officials, and she didn't possess a symbol card, she would be sentenced to prison. "Let her in," the voice from within the carriage spoke again. "Understood," the coachman said, then turned to Chen Xing and said, "If we don't hurry, we will reach curfew time." Chen Xing's heart skipped a beat. How could she forget? After the reforms by Shang Yang, not only did they require an identity certificate to go out, but there was also a curfew. If she ventured outside during curfew, she would end up in jail. Setting aside her concerns for now, she resolved to deal with it upon reaching Xianyang City. She lifted the carriage curtain and climbed inside.