“Is this calling me to take on some subordinates?” Ye Xiu’s earlier seriousness vanished entirely, replaced by a grin as he looked at the big bearded man. “What future is there following me? If you want followers, go find a true hero. That big fellow down there would suit you well enough.”
“Upstairs.” At that moment, Xiang Yu climbed up, clutching his abdomen with difficulty. He glanced coldly at the swordsmen. “You should pledge yourselves to Lord Xiang Liang. If you have the ability, you will naturally be highly valued. Just say that Xiang Yu recommended you.”
“Lord Xiang Liang!” Upon hearing the name, immediate reverence flashed in the bearded man’s eyes. He only gasped once, and then nothing more was said. He pulled his brothers, gave a deep bow to both Xiang Yu and Ye Xiu, and departed.
“So Xiang Liang has already established himself as a major figure. Why then must Hero Xiang remain here, exerting himself under the lesser magistrate of Wei?” Ye Xiu could not quite grasp Xiang Yu’s motives.
Xiang Yu’s expression had already turned somewhat grim. Indeed, the hidden projectile was poisoned, but it seemed he could still endure it. “I came here seeking worthy men. Hearing that Magistrate Wei was widely recruiting retainers, I came to meet the heroes, only to find them all to be utterly useless fools. That Magistrate Wei is also a man obsessed with women; he hardly counts as a hero.”
“Hmph.” Ye Xiu let out a cold laugh. “Then why is Brother Xiang fighting so desperately today, risking death?”
“I, Xiang Yu, never wish to be indebted to anyone. Since I have received the kindness of a meal and wine, returning with that Miss Wanmeng today will settle the debt. I only wonder about Brother Ye’s intentions for being here.” As Xiang Yu spoke, his gaze was fixed not on Ye Xiu, but on the ceiling.
Hearing this, Ye Xiu felt that the reckless brute he had previously met was far from the true essence of Xiang Yu. Though headstrong and arrogant, the man possessed considerable skill in strategic maneuvering—striking both the body and the mind. Now, it seemed, he possessed the very seeds of the Hegemon of Western Chu.
“Brother Ye, might you come with me to pay respects to my uncle, Xiang Liang? With your composure and martial prowess, you would surely achieve great things.”
Ye Xiu smiled upon hearing this. It seemed his recent display had finally caught Xiang Yu’s eye; otherwise, in Xiang Yu’s view, he was merely a charlatan. However, Ye Xiu had no desire to involve himself in the political turmoil of the state. Not wishing to refuse him outright, he waved a hand vaguely. “I must go see for myself just how beautiful this Miss Wanmeng is. As for other matters, I regret that I have no interest.”
“Alas!” Xiang Yu let out a heavy sigh. As Ye Xiu headed toward the third floor, Xiang Yu thought that Ye Xiu was a man lacking in grand ambition. “To possess such skill and waste it!”
Ye Xiu followed Xiang Yu onto the great hall of the third floor. Magistrate Zhang had been indulging himself amidst beauty and wine, but he was suddenly startled by the arrival of the two. After a moment’s hesitation, he quickly offered a respectful greeting.
“We have come to take Miss Wanmeng away.” Ye Xiu had no time for idle chatter with Magistrate Zhang; his only desire was to see Wanmeng.
“Of course, of course. I presume you are the men sent by Brother Wei.” Magistrate Zhang understood the situation perfectly and, without any demur, immediately introduced a rather fresh-looking girl to Ye Xiu. “This is Wanmeng. Please, young master, take her.”
“Alas!” Ye Xiu sighed softly, his face clouded with disappointment. It turned out this girl named Wanmeng was not Wan’er. It had been another meaningless effort. He turned and gestured for Wanmeng to follow him downstairs.
“Anything good on the table?” Xiang Yu paid absolutely no mind to Wanmeng. He strode directly to the main table, casually grabbed a jar of wine, and began to gulp it down ferociously.
“This great warrior is truly heroic, so bold and unrestrained.” Magistrate Zhang had already been intimidated by Xiang Yu’s question and rushed to pour him a cup, wishing to toast him.
Xiang Yu gave him no such courtesy. Instead, he frowned and questioned the surrounding serving maids, “Were you all forced into servitude by this Magistrate Zhang?”
Perhaps frightened by Xiang Yu, the maids remained silent, simply staring at the floor with lowered heads.
“Speak! Is it true or not!” Xiang Yu raised his voice further, roaring until some of the maids began to weep in distressed sorrow.
Magistrate Zhang’s face blanched with alarm. He hurriedly tried to explain, “Why are you crying? When did I ever force anyone…”
At that moment, Xiang Yu suddenly dropped the wine jar, seized his great sword, and walked up to Magistrate Zhang, his voice chillingly quiet. “They might not know, but I know, Magistrate Zhang.”
“Ah, noble hero, spare my life! Don’t kill me!”
“Thwack…” With a sound, Xiang Yu slit the major artery in Magistrate Zhang’s neck. Without the head to contain it, the blood jetted out like a fountain.
Ye Xiu could hardly watch. He grabbed Wanmeng and hurried down the stairs, thinking that Xiang Yu’s nature was truly extreme—possessing both deep loyalty to his heroic brethren and savage ruthlessness toward his enemies. He couldn’t fathom whether this was good or bad.
After this violent upheaval, the interior and exterior of the Tower of Heaven were smeared a ghastly, bloody red. By the look of things, official soldiers would soon arrive after hearing the news. Xiang Yu grimaced as he tended to his wound, selected a horse from Magistrate Zhang’s stable, and led the eight axe-wielding swordsmen toward Xiang Liang’s location. Before leaving, he looked back at Ye Xiu and asked, “Brother, you still refuse my counsel?”
Ye Xiu shook his head, holding his sword before Xiang Yu’s horse. “Hero Xiang, you will surely accomplish great things in the future. I can guarantee you will become a hegemon. You must believe it!”
“Hmph, a mere hegemon.” Xiang Yu clenched his fist, staring down the path ahead. “What is a mere hegemon? When I destroy the tyrannical Qin and unify the realm, Brother Ye will realize how utterly mistaken you were today.”
“Heh, well then, farewell.” Ye Xiu gave a faint smile, offering no formal parting before turning and walking away. He knew the capabilities and history of this Hegemon of Western Chu; unifying the realm would ultimately turn out to be nothing but a dream.
Perhaps, with his assistance, Xiang Yu could alter history. But what was he in this age? An intrusive outsider, and a lonely soul with no backing. Why bother striving?
After a long while, Ye Xiu returned with the beautiful Miss Wanmeng to Magistrate Wei’s residence. He was naturally received with courtesy by Magistrate Wei and praised by Hong’er. Ye Xiu knew that since Xiang Yu had murdered a man and fled, the ensuing troubles would all fall upon him, though it likely wouldn’t lead to a nationwide manhunt.
However, staying in Huaiyin was no longer an option; he would have to move elsewhere. Of course, Magistrate Wei had prepared for this contingency, providing Hong’er with a swift horse and ample silver; they were set to depart early the next morning.
Unexpectedly, that very night, official soldiers descended upon Magistrate Wei’s manor in full force, demanding that the magistrate hand over the perpetrators.
Magistrate Wei frantically sought out Ye Xiu. “The official leading them is an old acquaintance of mine. Because he is on official business this time, he absolutely must take you in for questioning. I truly don’t know what to do.”
Ye Xiu was not as panicked as one might expect, though he worried about the carefree, sleeping Hong’er. He managed to put the magistrate at ease. “Let’s skip the formalities. I will go out and meet them myself. Whatever happens next will not concern Your Honor. However, I do wish to take my leave of Your Honor’s service.”
“Young Hero Ye, please speak your mind. I, Wei, will surely serve you like a dog or horse.” Though Magistrate Wei was a man inclined toward carnal pleasures, his inherent nature was still loyal enough.