After their conversation, Jiang Ming sat on Ying Yanjie's phoenix mount, Lin Feng sat on Li Qinglin's parrot, while Zhao Mingcheng was responsible for carrying the luggage.
As Jiang Ming and Ying Yanjie sat on the phoenix's back, he felt a bit embarrassed due to the unavoidable physical contact. Ying Yanjie had a tall and slender figure, with skin as smooth as white jade, and her body lines were both graceful and powerful.
Suddenly, with a slight tilt, Ying Yanjie gently turned her head towards Jiang Ming and said, "Hold on tight, President, don't fall off!" Her voice was full of concern and tenderness.
For a moment, Jiang Ming felt at a loss, but he followed her instructions, cautiously wrapping his arms around Ying Yanjie's waist, feeling the warmth emanating from her body.
His heartbeat quickened, and with each flap of the phoenix's wings, it seemed to echo within him. Jiang Ming's emotions surged, he tried to stay calm and focus on the flight and the surrounding scenery, but his body couldn't help but heat up.
"Ying Jie, do you think the Fire Breathing Technique is easy to learn? I've heard it's the oldest breathing technique and can be traced back to the Qin Dynasty."
After the fox demon left, Lin Feng had told Jiang Ming some knowledge about the breathing techniques. He learned that each half-demon's demon blood had certain attributes, which determined what breathing technique they should practice.
"My demon blood is of the fire attribute, so the Fire Breathing Technique suits me best. In terms of cultivation, it's not about difficulty. With dedicated practice, opportunities will naturally arise."
"Ying Jie makes a good point..."
In the ensuing conversation, Jiang Ming learned that Ying Yanjie was actually a descendant of Qin Shi Huang. This was hard for him to believe.
"I just graduated from high school, don't try to fool me. I remember after Qin Er Shi's death, Qin Shi Huang had no descendants." Jiang Ming found Ying Yanjie's claim quite far-fetched.
Ying Yanjie's face reddened slightly: "I'm not lying, President, let me explain slowly."
She continued, "Qin Shi Huang's eldest son, Fusu, had children, and his descendants did not perish. To escape being hunted by Xiang Yu's army, they changed their names and hid their identities. This is why there's no historical record of them."
"I see. So what was the name of that child?"
Ying Yanjie shook her head: "That's a family secret, only the heads of the family know."
"I have a question, but it might be a bit offensive. I'm not sure if I should ask." Jiang Ming suddenly thought of a controversial question about Qin Shi Huang often debated in literary forums.
"Do you want to ask about the burning of books and burying of scholars, or about the elixir of immortality?"
Jiang Ming was stunned, not expecting Ying Yanjie to mention these two questions right away. He had indeed wanted to ask the first question, but was also curious about the second. From her reaction, Jiang Ming guessed that many people must have asked her these questions before.
"It seems you do want to ask these questions. Don't feel embarrassed, these matters have long been no secrets among the half-demon community."
Jiang Ming finally breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good, you scared me. I thought you were angry."
In the following time, Jiang Ming listened to Ying Yanjie talk about Qin Dynasty history, which was slightly different from what he had learned in textbooks.
After Qin Shi Huang unified the six states, his desire for immortality grew stronger. Hearing about a legendary elixir of immortality, he ordered the collection of all books on medicine and alchemy, hoping to find a method to create the elixir.
Qin Shi Huang amassed a large number of books and commanded scholars to study these secret texts. However, after years of effort, there was no success. In a serendipitous experiment, a scholar accidentally discovered a special breathing technique—the Fire Breathing Technique. This technique not only controlled flames but also enhanced the body's fire resistance.
Upon learning of the Fire Breathing Technique's power, Qin Shi Huang realized its potential as a formidable weapon but also its danger of leaking. To maintain secrecy, he decided to eliminate all who knew of it. He ordered all books on medicine and the Fire Breathing Technique to be burned, and to kill those involved in its research, removing this potential threat.
Moreover, Qin Shi Huang commanded the execution of all scholars researching the elixir of immortality, ensuring the secret of the Fire Breathing Technique stayed hidden. This tragic event became a lasting warning about his brutal rule and insatiable power.
Due to the absence of fire-attribute demon blood, Qin Shi Huang's forced practice of the Fire Breathing Technique weakened his health, leading to his death in 210 BC. Despite this, to honor his discovery and sacrifice, the technique was named the Qin Emperor Breathing Technique.
After hearing the story, Jiang Ming was wide-eyed, almost unable to believe his ears.
"Qin Shi Huang discovered the Fire Breathing Technique?" he murmured, furrowing his brows as he recalled the textbook records—unification of six states, construction of the Great Wall, burning books and burying scholars, but nothing about the Fire Breathing Technique.
"This is completely different from what I learned in textbooks." Jiang Ming's eyes were filled with confusion and surprise.
Ying Yanjie nodded, her gaze deep: "Textbooks only cover surface history; many secrets are concealed. The existence of the Fire Breathing Technique was intentionally hidden by Qin Shi Huang. To prevent its power from falling into others' hands, he burned all related books and killed the scholars."
Jiang Ming was speechless for a moment, re-evaluating the history he had learned. He suddenly realized that the truth of history was far more complex and mysterious. Qin Shi Huang, once a lofty figure in his mind, now appeared enigmatic and inscrutable.
"Then how many other secrets are there that we don't know?" Jiang Ming muttered, a strong curiosity about unknown history igniting within him.
Ying Yanjie smiled faintly: "That's for you to explore. The truth of history often hides in forgotten memories and unrevealed secrets. Most things about the half-demons are recorded in the association's archives. You have full access to those."
Riding the flying creatures, they soon arrived at Dragon Hidden Mountain. Jiang Ming and Ying Yanjie circled in the air on the giant phoenix, gradually approaching the main gate of the Demon Slayer Association. Unlike last time, it was daytime, the sun shone brightly, bathing the entire valley in golden light. As the phoenix began its descent, Jiang Ming felt both nervous and excited.
They approached the ground, and Jiang Ming could clearly see the association's gate and the wide plaza in front of it. Many members had gathered there, standing in two neat rows, their faces full of anticipation and curiosity.
The phoenix landed steadily in the plaza center, followed by the parrot and crane, whose wings created a gentle breeze. Jiang Ming and Ying Yanjie jumped off the phoenix and stood firmly on the ground. The association members came forward, dressed in uniform, their faces beaming with welcome.
A girl cheered, "Li Qinglin, I saw Li Qinglin, the one who jumped off the parrot is Li Qinglin... I heard the new president is a young man, it must be Li Qinglin."
Li Qinglin, skilled in the Wood Breathing Technique, was highly talented, passing the intermediate Demon Slayer exam at 21, making him the youngest intermediate slayer at the time. Now, three years later, his strength was even deeper. Rumor had it he aimed to take the advanced Demon Slayer exam within five years.
Zhao Mingcheng's fangirls weren't far behind: "Zhao Mingcheng, Zhao Mingcheng... The new association president must be Zhao Mingcheng. Ah! I'm going to die, Xiao Chengcheng looked at me, he's so handsome!"
Zhao Mingcheng excelled in the Water Breathing Technique, reputed to be the strongest among the younger intermediate slayers, preparing to take the advanced exam.
"See that? That's our Phoenix Division's flower, Ying Yanjie... I'd trade ten years of my life for a hug from her."
Ying Yanjie, currently the youngest intermediate slayer in the association, broke Li Qinglin's record by becoming one at 20. Now 22 and a college student, she had just completed her graduation defense a few days ago.
"Who's the kid sitting with her on the phoenix? Ah... I hate it!"
"Why does he dare? Let's find a time to teach him a lesson."
"Don't you check the association's bulletin board? Our new president is Jiang Ming! Obviously, the one standing next to Ying Yanjie is the new president."
Ying Yanjie and the others consciously stood behind Jiang Ming.
The first to greet Jiang Ming was Ying Jianchen, the head of the Phoenix Division, a middle-aged man in a red uniform. He beamed, "President Jiang, we eagerly anticipate your leadership. On behalf of the Phoenix Division, welcome."
Next, Lin Yutang, the young head of the Wind Breathing Technique division, stepped forward. Handsome and challenging, he said, "President Jiang, allow me to express our respect and support on behalf of the Wind Breathing Technique division. We will do our utmost to assist you in managing the association."
Other division heads also came forward, expressing their welcome and congratulations.
Members in the hall were dumbfounded, many with their jaws nearly dropping to the floor. They hadn't expected the seemingly juvenile Jiang Ming to be the new president. This scene was like the sky falling, completely overturning their imaginations.
Jiang Ming stood in the center of the square, feeling the gaze and astonishment of the crowd, with a slight pressure and expectation in his heart. He smiled and thanked each minister and member, ignoring the murmurs around him. Jiang Ming understood their feelings; when the former president announced Jiang Ming's appointment as president, many members were not present.