Just as Gao Liang was hesitating, he heard a voice calling, "Boss! Where are you? Boss! Boss!" He recognized the voices of Zhao Erhu and Zeng Erniu—clearly, they had come to find him. The sound came from the top of the chasm. Gao Liang immediately placed his palm to his mouth and shouted toward the top, "Erhu! Erniu! I'm here! I'm here!" His voice carried strong resonance, reaching far distances. Zhao Erhu and Zeng Erniu, along with the other brothers, heard him immediately. "It's the boss! It's the boss's voice!" Zhao Erhu exclaimed with excitement. Zeng Erniu then instructed the group, "Quick! Brothers! Prepare a thick, long rope and lower it down—lift the boss up! Hurry! Don't let the boss wait too long down there!" Together, the strength of many made the flame burn brighter. Soon, a thick hemp rope, stretching 1,200 meters, was lowered from the top of the chasm and reached Gao Liang's sight. Gao Liang clapped his hands deliberately, addressing Yu Shu Princess: "White swan! I'm off first!" "Please take me too! Please! I'd really like to go up too!" At that moment, Yu Shu Princess spoke in a soft, melodic tone—so gentle and pleasant that Gao Liang felt as though he were listening to celestial music. Hey! This white swan's coquettish voice was so lively and sweet; Gao Liang's heart warmed up. While climbing up, Gao Liang casually used a evergreen vine to create a cradle, securely fastened to the thick hemp rope, and Yu Shu Princess sat comfortably within it. Within just ten minutes, Gao Liang and Yu Shu Princess reached the summit of the abyss. Zhao Erhu and Zeng Erniu immediately hailed Yu Shu Princess as the young lady-in-waiting, but upon closer inspection—wow, they were mistaken! It was actually another stunningly beautiful woman, of breathtaking grace and charm. She immediately asked Gao Liang, "Big brother! Where is the young lady-in-waiting?" "What?! What were you two doing behind? You're asking me? I'm It must be that the young lady has taken another carriage and gone to Xianyang!" Zhao Erhu and Zeng Erniu speculated. Gao Liang decisively said, "Hurry! Let's hurry too! To Xianyang! To find the young lady!" "Yes!" All the brothers promptly obeyed. As for Princess Yushu? She had boarded one of Gao Liang's carriages as well, heading to Xianyang to see how her father, the king, was doing. The scene shifts to the Xianyang Palace. Qin Shi Huang was seated in the Great Hall, reviewing official documents. At once, a Qin soldier came to report, "Your Majesty! The King of Gao Li has come to see you!" Qin Shi Huang approved, and immediately, the King of Gao Li, Wang Jianyuan, entered the hall, bowing deeply and chanting, "Long live the King of Qin! Long live the King of Qin! Long live the King of Qin!" Seeing the King of Gao Li journeying so far to pay homage and present his peace treaty document, as well as the dragon-and-phoenix jade pendants, Qin Shi Huang was delighted and exclaimed, "Excellent! Excellent!" "Your "This is the most precious gift we, the Kingdom of Goryeo, can offer to Your Majesty—the ten cities of our kingdom!" said the king of Goryeo. Qin Shi Huang could not have imagined such sincerity from the king of Goryeo. He was overjoyed, laughing heartily indeed. After all, not only had he agreed to cede territory and pay tribute, but he was also receiving beautiful ladies and precious treasures—what a splendid deal! Thus, he made an exception and invited the king of Goryeo to come closer. As the Goryeo king unfolded a scroll from his sleeve, ten cities along the frontier bordering Liaodong gradually came into view before the eyes of Qin Shi Huang. Qin Shi Huang eagerly flipped through the scroll, completely unaware that the king's expression had suddenly changed. The once-smiling, courtly demeanor had vanished, replaced now by a deep resentment—his eyes blazing with fury, as if flames were erupting from within. The king of Goryeo deeply resented Qin Shi Huang, this very tyrant, whose relentless invasions had plagued his nation year after year, leaving the people of Goryeo without respite. Now, as a human being, he is being pledged as a hostage, and even more so, his daughter is being held captive by this beastly emperor. The king of Goryeo would rather die than die in vain—he believes that only by eliminating Qin Shi Huang can peace be achieved, so that the people of Goryeo will no longer be invaded by Qin's heavy military forces. "When the map is exhausted, the dagger appears!" is a classic tale from Jingke's assassination of the king of Qin, yet this very story unfolds between the king of Goryeo and Qin Shi Huang. The king of Goryeo is exceptionally skilled in martial arts, and his attack is powerful—he swiftly lifts the dagger from the end of the map and plunges it toward Qin Shi Huang's chest. "Crash!" The dagger strikes the emperor's sash, causing him to be startled and immediately exclaim, "There's an assassin! There's an assassin!" Many warriors rush into the hall from outside. Hengao, standing by, shouts to the palace guards, "Seize him! Seize him quickly! Do not let him harm the emperor!" Immediately, the palace guards block all exits from the hall. At the same time, three thousand elite troops were rapidly gathering outside the Great Buddha Hall. Inside, a fierce battle was underway. King of Goryeo continued pursuing Qin Shi Huang, who circled around the central pillar. With a sharp "shriek," the king pierced Qin Shi Huang's dragon robe. It was the second time he failed—there would be no third attempt. Soon, Qin Shi Huang's soldiers surrounded and captured the king of Goryeo. "Drag him out and execute him immediately!" Qin Shi Huang roared, demanding a slow, gruesome beheading. The warriors swiftly began to carry the king toward the courtyard. But then a Qin soldier rushed in to report, "Majesty! Princess Li has entered the hall!" Before Qin Shi Huang could make a decision, a graceful and radiant beauty hurried in from outside, her gait swaying elegantly, her posture poised and graceful. Her fragrance filled the air wherever she passed. All the court officials and strong warriors automatically cleared a path for her. The ceremonial officer announced, "Princess Li arrives! Welcome the Emperor to greet her!" From the great hall, Qin Shi Huang gazed out and saw the beautiful ladies—so graceful, so stunning, surpassing even the beauty depicted in the paintings he had seen recently. He was instantly struck dumb. "Your Majesty! Go and welcome Lady Li right away!" Fortunately, Zhao Gao had reminded him; otherwise, Qin Shi Huang still seemed as if he were in the midst of a dream. Qin Shi Huang immediately stepped out of the hall, beneath the canopy, and addressed Lady Li: "Lady Li! You've come just in time!" Yet Lady Li merely smiled gently and asked, "Your Majesty, who was taken out and sentenced to be beheaded just now?" "Oh? Isn't he your father? Aren't you Princess Yushu?" Qin Shi Huang asked, puzzled. At that moment, Meng Tian was stunned—how could it not be Princess Yushu? Could the princess have been switched? If this revelation came to Qin Shi Huang's attention, Meng Tian's life would be in jeopardy. Moreover, the Qin legal system was notoriously strict—punishments would extend to nine generations of relatives. His officers and generals would also be implicated, and many might perish in the process, innocent of any wrongdoing. Thus, his mind raced with swift thoughts, and immediately he led his officers to kneel before Emperor Qin Shi Huang, saying, "Your Majesty! This lady is Princess Yushu." "Ha ha ha!" Qin Shi Huang laughed heartily to the heavens, "Indeed! Indeed! Based solely on her beauty—her grace and charm, surpassing all others—I know this lady must be Princess Yushu!"