"Hey, brother, how long have you been here?" He always went around asking people things for no particular reason, "Have you heard of a low-ranking soldier named Han Xin?" Most others who joined the army were simply seeking a meal and paid no mind to what others were called. Day after day passed with no success in his search.

Recently, victories were being reported constantly. The Western Chu army was achieving various small-scale triumphs at the front lines, and the entire camp's atmosphere was extremely euphoric. However, none of this concerned a mere patrol soldier. Ye Xiu was perfectly content in his freedom, sneaking out whenever he pleased to find Ji Jiang at the farmhouses in the outskirts.

Ji Jiang had always managed on her own. Despite the chaotic times, she still maintained a certain degree of peace in Kuaiji. Seeing Ye Xiu arrive, she was both surprised and delighted: "Brother Ye, you've been gone so long, have you found anything out?"

Ye Xiu shook his head and immediately sat down on the ground, "The barracks are filled with names of common riffraff; there’s no one called Han Xin. I guess we’ll have to wait a while longer."

"Brother Ye, you look thinner," Ji Jiang looked at him carefully, a touch of heartache in her eyes. "Is the food in the army that bad? Look how dark and gaunt you've become."

"No chance," Ye Xiu waved his hand proudly. "The army's rations are indeed poor, but do you know anyone who could stop me? Heh! I don't know how many times I've snuck into the city to steal a bite!"

"Heh, then today I must properly replenish you." Saying this, Ji Jiang turned to go back inside to prepare some things.

Ye Xiu thought that was a good idea too; it had been quite a while since he had eaten food prepared by Ji Jiang.

"Woo..." Just at that moment, the sound of a bugle suddenly echoed from the ravine ahead. Ye Xiu recognized it immediately as the Western Chu assembly signal, or rather, an emergency signal from the front line camp.

"What's wrong?" Ji Jiang also rushed out of the room, startled.

Ye Xiu stood up and glanced in that direction, then turned back to Ji Jiang, saying, "I have to get back to the camp. Stay here and don't go anywhere."

"Mm," Ji Jiang nodded obediently. "Be careful."

"Oh, right." Ye Xiu suddenly remembered something and pulled a book from his pocket, handing it to Ji Jiang. "This is an illustrated manual on Mohist mechanisms. Since you're so clever, why don't you study this when you have time? It might pass the time."

Ji Jiang smiled as she took the manual, secretly stuffing a few hard-boiled eggs into Ye Xiu's trouser pocket.

The assembly call continued to sound. Ye Xiu quickened his pace, running over several hilltops until he finally stopped at a crucial gorge.

He bent down for a closer look. A small contingent of Western Chu soldiers was surrounded by a large group of Qin troops inside the gorge. Judging by the situation, they were in grave danger; this horn blast was a call for help.

"Form ranks!" The leading Western Chu officer raised his sword and shouted orders to the infantry beneath him. Those infantrymen had already been feeling despair, but hearing their commander's firm tone, they naturally mustered their courage and confidence.

At this moment, the main Qin army was also closing in from both sides of the gorge, their numbers sufficient to crush the Western Chu soldiers utterly.

"Soldiers! Break out with all your strength! Our reinforcements are just ahead! Charge!" As the commander finished speaking, he raised his greatsword and was the first to slash into the enemy ranks. The infantry behind him raised the great banner of Xiang, charging forward with one burst of momentum.

Ye Xiu looked closely. The general’s figure and that familiar greatsword—it was unmistakably Xiang Yu!

After a fierce clash of blades and spears, Xiang Yu charged his horse deep into the enemy camp. Wherever his greatsword swept, devastation followed. His ** steed was as magnificent as its master, kicking several soldiers who tried to surround him. "Ah! Kill!" Xiang Yu leaped his horse again, and with the thunderous fall of hooves, the ground was covered in blood.

The sight terrified many of the Qin troops, and the soldiers in the front began to show fearful sighs. Meanwhile, most of the infantry behind Xiang Yu had already been massacred within the crowd, few managing to break through. Xiang Yu was fighting with fervor, but he and his horse were starting to tire. He glanced back to see the Qin encirclement slowly tightening. His only option now was to hold the line and stall for time until reinforcements arrived.

"Grandpa Xiang Yu is here! Those who block me die!" Xiang Yu roared, wheeled his horse, and charged back toward the Qin forces behind him.

This sudden reversal caught the Qin general off guard; he had been gloating, preparing to launch a sneak attack, never expecting Xiang Yu to abandon the retreat and immediately charge back to engage in close combat. Several soldiers in the front were so startled they reined back their horses. Xiang Yu could no longer stop; he swung his greatsword high, plunging into the crowd and once again causing men and horses to overturn, a river of blood flowing.

Just then, two figures from the Qin army suddenly leaped from their horses, stepping on the shoulders of other soldiers to sprint like the wind, soaring above Xiang Yu—they were two swordsmen.

Xiang Yu naturally noticed this development and looked up, intending to raise his greatsword to block the aerial attack. However, these two swordsmen were clearly no ordinary fighters; they had already anticipated Xiang Yu’s move. They exchanged a glance, and one swordsman stepped onto the back of the other, using that force to leap even higher into the air, so that the first man continued his heavy descent, cleaving down toward Xiang Yu’s greatsword.

"Hah!" Xiang Yu gritted his teeth and withstood the first heavy blow, but his horse beneath him began to falter.

"Hahahaha!" The second man let out a wild laugh high in the air, before delivering another crushing strike.

Xiang Yu saw the danger and used both hands to rigidly brace his greatsword. At the exact moment the second heavy blow met his sword, a surprising burst of dust erupted around him. The force was too immense; Xiang Yu simply couldn't hold against it.

"Not good!" Ye Xiu felt a sharp tightening in his chest and instinctively leaped down into the gorge, "Brother Xiang!"

With a resounding clang, Xiang Yu was sent flying several dozen feet away. Though his life was spared, his warhorse had been instantly torn to shreds.

"Brother Xiang," Ye Xiu rushed to Xiang Yu’s side, trying to help him up. "Are you alright?"

Xiang Yu got up, breathing heavily. Seeing Ye Xiu standing in front of him, he sneered, "It’s you again, Brother Ye. Did you come just to watch me make a fool of myself?"

Ye Xiu didn't have time to bother with Xiang Yu’s stubborn pride. He also sneered back, "I'll handle these two; you deal with the rest of the rabble. Don't tell me you're too tired to kill!"

"Hmph!" Xiang Yu opened his mouth wide, raised his greatsword again, and charged back toward the Qin forces behind him. "Let's see who finishes first."

Ye Xiu paid no more attention to Xiang Yu. He turned to face the two swordsmen ahead, who had already adopted their fighting stances, awaiting him.

"Assassins, killers?" Ye Xiu looked at the swords in their hands. The strange dragons etched on their blades, along with the Muzi swords, bore a strong resemblance to the dragons he had seen before, so he asked doubtfully, "Do the two of you have any connection to Ghost Valley?"

"You actually know of Ghost Valley? Are you an assassin too?" one of the white-robed men showed a hint of curiosity.