Beyond the South Sea, where water and fire converge, lies the Ghostly Traces Isle at the edge of the sky.

“Reporting to the Sect Master, a few days ago, our Shadow Ghost Hall assassins, Ghost Sickle and Halberd Wind and Rain, were both felled by a swordsman,” Xue Nü’s voice was frigid, much like her aloof demeanor and attire, making her unapproachable.

“En,” the shadow in the center of the hall responded steadily, “Do you know who this swordsman is, and what weapons and techniques he employs?”

Xue Nü slowly rose, her expression grave. “The scouts report that Ghost Sickle died by a short sword, while Halberd Wind and Rain was captured by a wooden sword.”

“A short sword? A wooden sword?” The shadow’s hand trembled slightly. “Do you know their fighting styles, their sects?”

“The scouts prioritized self-preservation and never witnessed the martial foundations of these two. However, it is certain that both swordsmen are masters. Especially since Halberd Wind and Rain, one of the best in our Shadow Ghost Hall, was captured swiftly by a mere wooden sword.”

“A wooden sword, ha!” Upon hearing this, the shadow suddenly burst into hearty laughter and waved his hand dismissively. “No matter. The assassins our sect sends must proceed according to the original plan. As for those two swordsmen, I believe you know what to do.”

“Yes, Sect Master.” A ripple stirred in Xue Nü’s cold eyes. Her beautiful face immediately took on a murderous aura. She lightly raised the Snow Whip in her hand, carving the character for ‘kill’ in the air with a whoosh.

In an instant, a figure flashed behind her. “Hall Mistress, what are your orders?”

“Flying Needle Yang Tian, it is your time to act.” Xue Nü closed her eyes, the corner of her alluring lips curling slightly. “The two swordsmen among the Western Chu army are entrusted to you.”

“Yes.”

“Do not engage them head-on. Prioritize scouting out their strengths and weaknesses.” Xue Nü drifted gracefully across the hall, leaving no sound.

“Hmph! Hall Mistress, I will certainly complete the mission.” Flying Needle Yang Tian’s eyes, filled with killing intent, revealed his resolve. The countless needles covering his body pierced his skin along with his haughty emotions, casting the entire world in shadows of cold darkness and flowing blood.

…

Outside Yongqiu City, the entire Western Chu army had completed its formation. The main generals, Xiang Yu, Long Ju, and Ying Bu, were already astride their horses, swords drawn, before the city walls.

“You brat Li You! Dare you open the city gates for a great battle!” Xiang Yu held his greatsword high, pointing it at the gate while shouting, “Your father, Li Si, was also a country bumpkin. I never expected to raise a scoundrel like you who doesn't even dare to accept a challenge!”

“Hahaha, hahahaha!” Long Ju and Ying Bu also roared with laughter, intending to provoke Li You. Their strategy for attacking the city was truly an attack on the mind; capturing the main general would naturally take the city without bloodshed.

On the ramparts, Li You proved himself worthy of being a seasoned veteran. He completely ignored the madmen below. He directly ordered men to fetch bows and arrows, aiming one at Xiang Yu’s head and loosing it.

“Ha!” Xiang Yu had noticed this long ago and was prepared, catching the flying arrow in his hand. “Hahahaha! You brat Li You, how can such meager strength contend with your Grandpa Xiang? Surrender now!”

Li You on the battlements remained unperturbed, raising his voice, “What need is there for chatter, you brigands? If you have the guts, come and take the city! Stop with the verbal sparring!”

“Hmph.” Xiang Yu saw that his goading was useless and didn't know what to do, only guiding his horse back and forth.

“Damn it, are they just going to exchange insults like this?” Ye Xiu stood at the very rear of the tens of thousands of troops, unable to see the scene ahead. “When the hell are they going to fight? We’ve been standing here for an hour.”

“Silence!” Suddenly, a squad leader in front turned and scolded him. “Do you want to die? Speaking nonsense on the battlefield!”

“Look at this guy…” Ye Xiu, pointing to the soldier next to him, found it amusing. The fellow, holding a shield, had actually fallen asleep leaning against Ye Xiu’s shoulder.

“Wake up, damn it!” The squad leader was angry but dared not raise his voice too much, only giving Ye Xiu a look to signal him to wake the man up.

“Heh, someone like this gets to fight in a war?” Ye Xiu found it laughable. It was a miracle that the Western Chu army, being like this, had achieved such continuous victories. He quickly shifted his shoulder, and the sleeping man immediately tumbled onto the ground.

“Help! Someone’s been hit by an arrow!” At that moment, someone shouted from the crowd, and the attention of the rear half of the army snapped toward them.

“An arrow flew over from the city gate just now and hit one of our soldiers!” another person yelled, and more eyes turned to the man next to Ye Xiu.

“Oh no! There’s an ambush behind us too! They’ve already shot one of our soldiers dead!” Some strange voice chimed in from nowhere.

“It’s over! The front lines have been completely wiped out! Retreat!” Suddenly, many people started joining the chaos, and the morale of the entire army instantly collapsed.

“Hey! You guys, are you serious?” Ye Xiu, the person involved, was dumbfounded. It was just one man next to him who had fallen asleep and collapsed, yet these people had spread rumors to the point of destabilizing the army.

“Retreat!” Following the commotion, most soldiers began moving backward. However, the soldiers behind them also started falling back for unknown reasons. The supervising official, anxious, rode up and roared, “Hold the formation! Don’t break ranks! Any man who retreats in the face of the enemy will be executed without question!”

“…” Seeing the situation, Ye Xiu quickly shook the sleeping man next to him. “Damn it, wake up! You nearly caused a total rout!”

“Ah! What? Our army has suffered a crushing defeat! Run!” The fellow was clearly still half-asleep. He stepped back in a rush, immediately knocking over several men in the rank behind him.

“Hold the line!” The supervising official’s temper flared. From a distance, he saw this man causing trouble in the ranks, so he ordered men to drag him out and cut him down with a single stroke.

Ye Xiu saw this and instantly felt how fragile life was. Amen.

“If anyone else causes chaos, they will meet the same fate as this wretch!” The supervising official, consumed by rage, brandished his sword and flung the blood onto the face of a soldier beside him. That soldier promptly fainted on the spot.

“No way! Someone else fainted from the sight of blood!” Ye Xiu felt that he had always fought alone and had never operated with this legendary Western Chu army. How could he have known that such embarrassingly comical incidents could occur within an army facing the enemy? He immediately felt that victory in this battle was highly unlikely.

“You brat Xiang Yu! Why aren’t you attacking the city yet?” Seeing that the Western Chu army remained motionless, Li You was triumphant. “I won’t hide it from you—Yongqiu is currently being aided by the Mohist Guild. This city is sure to be impregnable. You’d best hurry back and tell Xiang Liang that the Western Chu army is destined to be wiped out right here.”

“The Mohist Guild?” Ye Xiu certainly knew what the Mohists represented. Mohist scholars were ideologues who assisted in defending cities. If these people set up Mohist mechanical formations in Yongqiu, wouldn't attacking the city become exponentially harder for the Western Chu army?

“Sound the gong to withdraw!” Xiang Yu was extremely unwilling, but the situation had shifted. He did not want to stake the lives of his entire army here and had no choice but to retreat to camp and reconsider.

The Western Chu army could only gaze at Yongqiu from afar as they set up camp. Xiang Yu, holding military authority, gripped his hands in distress, not knowing how to proceed.

“General, why carry such a heavy heart?” A gentle voice accompanied the appearance of a graceful, slender figure who drifted into the camp.

“It’s you, Yu Ji.” Xiang Yu’s tightly furrowed brow slowly smoothed out. “This is a man’s affair; women need not concern themselves with it.”

Yu Ji walked over lightly and sat beside Xiang Yu. “I don’t understand military matters, but seeing the General unhappy makes me feel some guilt for being unable to help much.”

Xiang Yu turned, taking her hand. “Madam, your sentiment brings me great joy. But this matter has truly troubled my mind.”

“Why not invite Fan Zeng to ponder this for the General?” Yu Ji gave a cold, enchanting smile, her inner calculations unknown.

“Fan Zeng?” Xiang Yu felt a flash of surprise. He had been so focused on grand battles and troop movements that he forgot the learned strategist right beside him. He immediately sent for the man.

Fan Zeng, having served Xiang Liang for a long time, was an important minister of Western Chu. He had previously earned high praise for persuading Xiang Liang to enthrone King Huai of Chu. Before Xiang Yu could even question him, Fan Zeng entered the tent and immediately offered a strategy: “The Qin forces defending the city are numerous and well-equipped. A direct assault will surely result in countless casualties. The superior plan is to sneak in under the cover of night and send men in to open the city gates.”

“More suicide squads again?” Upon hearing this, Xiang Yu felt it was another cunning scheme just like the last time. He frowned, unwilling to agree. “Are there any other good options?”

Fan Zeng knew Xiang Yu’s temperament and patiently advised, “War is the way of deceit. If every battle relies solely on brute force for resolution, even if you conquer the world eventually, there will be those who remain unconvinced.”

Xiang Yu was still somewhat resistant to his words, but since even Yu Ji recommended this man, he must have his merits. “Then, honored Sir, how do you propose sending men into the city?”

Fan Zeng stepped forward and whispered, “I overheard Li You mention that the Mohists are assisting in defending Yongqiu. If we send a small contingent disguised as Mohist disciples, we might have a chance to enter the city. Then, seizing an opportunity to open the gates, we can coordinate an attack from within and without, and Yongqiu will be taken easily.”

“Excellent! A fine plan!” Xiang Yu slapped his thigh, praising repeatedly. “But have you selected the individuals for this infiltration, honored Sir?”

Fan Zeng clapped his hands, confidence radiating from him. “The infiltration of Yongqiu can be entrusted to the patrol soldiers. Those men are already accustomed to moving late at night. The rest of the troops simply need to be fully prepared, awaiting the success at the city gate. When the signal fire is lit, the army can charge in and take Yongqiu.”

“Good! Everything shall proceed as you say, honored Sir.” Xiang Yu disliked overthinking. Seeing that Fan Zeng had laid out the entire plan in such detail, he was naturally overjoyed and issued the orders.

Tragically, Ye Xiu was among the patrol unit. Being young, strong, and carrying a wooden sword, he naturally became one of the prime candidates to be disguised as a Mohist disciple.