Ye Xiu was caught completely off guard, intending only to gamble on luck with the same evasive maneuver, but he hadn't anticipated that Ying Bu's speed had already vastly increased from before. With a swish, a bloody gash appeared on Ye Xiu’s right arm from his opponent's sword.

"Junior Brother, if you do not unleash your ultimate technique soon, the next strike might be more than just a scratch," Ying Bu said, his sword drawn taut, stretching his body once more into a strange, lunging posture.

Ye Xiu ignored the wound, gripping the Mu Shang, which also pointed directly at Ying Bu. The Mu Zi Sword was now stained crimson by his own blood, revealing a hint of murderous intent.

"Hyaah..." Ying Bu let out another sharp cry, his feet churning rapidly as he moved with startling swiftness, closing the distance to Ye Xiu in mere moments. It was simply too fast.

Ye Xiu, thinking fast, pushed forward and then leaned back sharply, raising his sword vertically to intercept the direct assault perfectly. However, Ying Bu's Shanjue Sword Style was never a single strike. Before Ye Xiu could fully recover,

Ying Bu used the rebound from a nearby pillar to launch himself horizontally through the air, diving down toward Ye Xiu like a falling meteor. Cornered, Ye Xiu instinctively leaped up, flipping several times to barely evade a potentially fatal blow, though his leg did not escape unscathed, catching another bloody cut.

"Hmph!" Ying Bu was clearly displeased, knitting his brow. He knew Ye Xiu wasn't easily defeated, but he hadn't expected his painstakingly researched 'Speed Sword' to be so ineffective against him.

Ye Xiu struggled to rise from the ground. This constant defense was draining his stamina, and he could barely keep pace with Ying Bu's speed. What should he do?

He glanced sideways at the Zifeng Chain. That damned thing remained a mere decoration; he couldn't rely on it. The Mu Shang was now scarlet, yet it failed to unleash the power it should possess. "Hoo..." Ye Xiu took a deep breath, habitually closing his eyes. He needed to find the shadow of that falling leaf again.

That’s it. A flicker of joy crossed Ying Bu’s mind. His memory held this precise moment—Ye Xiu’s sword strike with closed eyes. Was it about to happen again? He possessed absolute confidence in his speed; during his six months away from Ghost Valley, he had dedicated himself entirely to refining the velocity of the Shanjue Sword Style, practicing underwater,

and training against the wind. He believed he could now overcome any resistance from any quarter. Thus, he gripped his sword with both hands, legs spread wide, eyes locked onto the Mu Shang in Ye Xiu's grasp.

Meanwhile, Ye Xiu was still searching his memory for that wind-tossed leaf. It was also a sword of speed, but was it meant for killing or for saving? That distinction remained blurry. Since mastering the Mu Zi Sword, it seemed to have lost its former aggression. No matter how fast or fierce it was, it was still just a wooden sword; how could a wooden sword take a life?

Putting such thoughts aside, Ye Xiu instantly snapped his eyes open, extended his arm, and lunged toward Ying Bu with his sword.

Ying Bu curled his lips into a confident smile and charged forward, kicking up clouds of dust in his wake.

In that instant, it seemed all human figures vanished. Within the scene, there were only two swords. The Mu Zi Sword advanced, trailing wisps of crimson, while the Qi Shuo invaded like thunder and fire. The two blades ground against each other in mid-air, sparking a strange fire that illuminated the entire world.

Above and below, no one could discern precisely what transpired the moment the two swords entangled. All that could be heard was the zha zha sound of iron and wood shavings falling onto the flagstones—a sound that, amidst the carnage, evoked a lingering sense of shared adversity, both enemy and friend.

Clang. The Mu Zi Sword, carrying Ye Xiu’s blood with it, flew to the ground. Ye Xiu turned his head toward the sound, then felt a sudden tightness in his chest, and a spray of bloody mist erupted from his mouth—his lower abdomen had been pierced.

"Pfft..." At that moment, Ying Bu also grunted, foam mixed with blood frothing at his lips.

It turned out that the instant Ye Xiu was struck, Ying Bu’s chest had already been touched by the Mu Shang. Had it not been for that wooden blade, Ying Bu might have been run through to the heart.

A draw!

Ye Xiu could no longer stand and knelt to the ground.

Ying Bu threw his head back and roared with laughter: "Hahahaha! Old man, did you see that? I have grasped the true essence of Ghost Valley Swordsmanship even without you!"

Ye Xiu was deeply shaken by Ying Bu’s sword skill, but he knew his final strike had held back. He hadn't understood the meaning behind that move; that feeling of spiritual connection was wrong, certainly not the essence of this blade. The vast teachings of Ghost Valley required far more time for true contemplation.

"Now, you are of no further use to me." Ying Bu wiped the blood from his mouth and raised his sword again. "Junior Brother, it seems this is farewell."

"Tch." Ye Xiu had long anticipated Ying Bu's intentions. Even if he had won the duel today, he knew Ying Bu would have arranged for countless Blade Guards to capture and kill him. "Wait a moment."

Ying Bu looked down at him with disdain: "Have you come to fear death now?"

Ye Xiu slowly stood up. In truth, the damage from that strike wasn't lethal, but it was a profound declaration of his defeat. Since the victor takes all, he had no intention of struggling further.

"Do you know where Wan'er is now?" Ye Xiu asked coldly. "Regardless of everything, I know you still care for her."

Hearing Wan'er’s name, Ying Bu instantly softened. Although he had deeply hurt her in the past, he had to admit to himself that his feelings for her remained profound.

"You must find her." This was Ye Xiu's plea. Though he knew the current Ying Bu deserved no trust, in this world, he might be the only one capable of looking after Wan'er.

Ying Bu closed his eyes, memories of Wan'er flickering through his mind, before answering Ye Xiu: "You needn't trouble yourself with that." With that, he stretched his arm and aimed his sword at Ye Xiu, lunging forward.

"Hahahaha! General Ying Bu is practicing his swordsmanship here, I see!" Suddenly, a robust voice boomed from the corridor, and a tall figure materialized in the rear courtyard.

Ying Bu lowered his sword upon hearing the voice, turning reluctantly to salute: "General Xiang."

General Xiang. Ye Xiu thought he was facing death again when he heard such a familiar voice. Looking up, he saw none other than Xiang Yu standing before him.

"Ah, isn't this Brother Ye?" Xiang Yu ignored Ying Bu and instead grabbed Ye Xiu's hand, gripping it roughly.

Ying Bu stood with his head down, grinding his teeth in frustration. Damn it! How could Xiang Yu know Ye Xiu?

"To run into Big Brother Xiang here... Cough..." Before Ye Xiu could finish speaking, the wound in his abdomen throbbed, nearly causing him to lose his footing and cough up another mouthful of blood.

Seeing this, Xiang Yu quickly supported Ye Xiu and roared at Ying Bu, "Ying Bu, what is the meaning of this fight between you two?"

Ying Bu bowed slightly: "Ye Xiu and I are martial brothers. We seized this rare opportunity to spar."

"Nonsense! Is this how you spar, with real blades and real killing intent?" Xiang Yu was genuinely angry upon seeing the blood streaking both their faces. "General Ying Bu, you are now a crucial minister; how can you treat your life so carelessly? And Brother Ye, you too..."

"It’s nothing, General. This kind of sparring is a tradition of our sect. Both Senior Brother Ying Bu and I know where to draw the line, right?" Ye Xiu asked Ying Bu with a sly grin.

Though unwilling, Ying Bu managed to respond with a smile.

Xiang Yu looked somewhat surprised and asked loudly, "Which school or sect do you two follow? Such peculiar rules."

"Just a minor sect from Yunmeng Mountain, hardly worth mentioning," Ying Bu replied, simultaneously flashing a meaningful look at Ye Xiu. Both understood the rules of Ghost Valley; they could never reveal its existence to outsiders, as it would bring harm upon themselves as well.

"Haha, Yunmeng Mountain is indeed a fine place. Even a minor sect can hide heroes like you." Xiang Yu was delighted. With a great general like Ying Bu in his army and now this rising talent in Ye Xiu, his grand plans seemed promising. "So, what was the result of the spar? Who won?"

"Senior Brother Ying Bu’s skill was naturally superior," Ye Xiu answered quickly. He knew Xiang Yu valued martial artists, but he disliked those who were clearly stronger than himself. By putting Ying Bu on such a high pedestal, Ye Xiu ensured Ying Bu would have difficulty maintaining favor with Xiang Yu later.

"Nonsense, it was a draw," Ying Bu shot Ye Xiu a hateful glance.

"Enough, enough! Stop deflecting. Today marks the reunion of Brother Ye and myself, and finding out he and General Ying Bu are martial brothers is a double blessing! Come, I shall arrange a table laden with fine dishes; let us two talents drink heartily!" Xiang Yu was indeed magnanimous—a personality that easily attracted capable men.

Ye Xiu felt as if he had just retrieved his life. He heartily wiped the blood from his mouth and declared loudly, "Reuniting with Big Brother Xiang is truly fate. Let us go and drink!"

"Brother Ye, your injury..." Xiang Yu still showed concern.

"It’s nothing! A few more drinks and it will naturally mend itself," Ye Xiu said, moving ahead of Xiang Yu to find the feast.

"Hahaha! Brother Ye, truly a young hero! Do you remember the eight sword-wielding guards on the second floor of Lanbu? They are now under my command." Xiang Yu clapped Ye Xiu on the shoulder, nearly hoisting him up to drag him along. "They deeply admire Brother Ye as well. Bring them along to drink!"

"Good." Ye Xiu was a man of feeling; with wine and friends, he had few regrets. He glanced back at Ying Bu, who was now sullen-faced and trailing glumly behind Xiang Yu.

With Xiang Yu's protection, Ying Bu obviously could not harm Ye Xiu by even a fraction. But Ying Bu was aware of Ye Xiu's true strength; though the result was a draw, he knew Ye Xiu had only recently begun studying Ghost Valley Swordsmanship and hadn't deeply explored it, so he dared not easily make Ye Xiu an enemy again.

After staying in the army for a period and letting his injuries heal, Ye Xiu was ready to take his leave from Xiang Yu.