"Let the Qin people see clearly what happens when they oppose our Western Chu Grand Army—Charge!" With that, Xiang Yu was the first to storm into the brightly lit residences within the city, instantly cleaving a middle-aged man down with a single saber stroke.

"This..." Long Ju had intended to intervene, but he knew his good brother's nature; no one could stop what he had set his mind to do.

"Kill! Hahaha!" Ying Bu was clearly another madman; he actually dismounted and unleashed his Shanjue Sword technique upon the gathered crowd.

That night, the Western Chu forces won; Xiang Yu won. They dealt a crushing blow to the main Qin army, but the entirety of Yongqiu was lost that night. Its not-so-sturdy defenses could not withstand these demons. No Qin soldier or civilian within Yongqiu survived. Xiang Yu did not want a city; he wanted the extinction of the Qin State, just as Qin had extinguished the other states back then. He intended to leave nothing of Qin standing.

The Ghost Hall of the South Sea Guigu Sect.

"Flying Needles Yang Tian, even you return wounded?" Xue Nu sat gracefully upon her lotus throne, elegantly crossing her slender legs. In her hand, she held a luminous wine cup, containing grape wine softer and lighter than water.

"I was careless," Yang Tian replied, head bowed, daring not to steal a glance at the noble and enchanting Xue Nu. "But I have crossed paths with those two swordsmen, and I now know their sword moves."

Xue Nu lightly closed her eyes upon hearing this. Her gentle and ethereal demeanor was enough to bewitch every man in the world: "Tell me about it."

Yang Tian bowed: "The one who used the wooden sword, although his movements were particularly strange, it is certain his swordplay shares a connection with the Mohist School's swordsmanship; the fellow using the short sword was actually employing..."

"En!" Xue Nu disliked hesitant speech. Immediately, a wave of killing intent washed over Yang Tian. "Speak!"

"He used only one move: Jue • Shizi!" Yang Tian's expression was somewhat odd. "That is a rather profound technique within the Shanjue Sword Style. Your subordinate once saw the Sect Master perform it..."

"Shanjue Sword Style?" Xue Nu could hardly believe her ears. However, she had already examined Yang Tian's wounds; the killing force of that thrust, had it been delivered by anyone else, would have likely ended his life. And the Shanjue Sword Style was indeed one of the Ghost Valley Sect Master's greatest secret arts.

"Hall Master, that person and the Sect Master...?" Yang Tian dared not ask more; he knew an assassin need not know too much.

Xue Nu rose leisurely. The hem of her blue lace dress flowed softly to the ground, complementing her white top perfectly, making her exquisitely beautiful. "You may withdraw. I shall report this to the Sect Master."

...

The lands of Wuzhong erupted in celebration. Xiang Yu led his generals and soldiers back to camp in a grand procession. The common folk of Wuzhong lined the streets to welcome them, a scene Ye Xiu also witnessed. Yet, he could not fully endorse Xiang Yu's victory; that triumph was bought with the blood of Qin soldiers and civilians, making it hardly a cause for celebration.

"Yu'er, well done." Xiang Liang had heard the victory report early and waited at the city gates. Seeing Xiang Yu, he was overcome with emotion.

Xiang Yu proudly raised his sword and proclaimed, "Uncle, our army has achieved a resounding victory."

"Good, good! I have already prepared a banquet to celebrate your triumphant return." Xiang Liang's smile reached his ears—it was inevitable, as the Western Chu Grand Army had suffered no defeat since marching out. If this continued westward, they were surely destined to crush the Qin forces and unify the realm.

In the great hall, Xiang Liang seated all the Western Chu generals for the meal.

"Everyone, please raise your cups! To victory, to Yu'er, a toast to all!" Xiang Liang stood, taking a deep drink himself first.

"Good! Let's drink!" Xiang Yu had been wanting a good few flagons all day. "Hahaha, Uncle, this smooth victory at Yongqiu tonight is thanks to the counsel offered by old Master Fan Zeng."

"Ah, Yu'er," Xiang Liang waved his hand at Xiang Yu. "Fan Zeng is a rare talent who rose with me. Why call him 'old Master'? You call me Uncle; Fan Zeng could easily be considered your Second Father."

"Very well, Second Father. I toast you with this cup." Xiang Yu was in an excellent mood today and agreed to anything. "Thanks to Second Father's strategy, I drink first as respect."

Fan Zeng, already advanced in years, was delighted to see Xiang Yu so respectful and quickly rose to bow. "General Xiang's martial prowess is unparalleled; truly cause for great celebration. I should toast General Xiang."

"Second Father, you are too modest. You need not call me General Xiang. You are like my own father; you may call me Ah Ji, or I shall not drink this cup." Xiang Yu's childhood name was Ah Ji; his willingness to say such a thing showed his deep reverence for Fan Zeng.

"Hahaha, excellent! Fan Zeng, yield to Yu'er's request!" Xiang Liang said, raising his cup again, signaling the others to continue.

"Ah Ji, Second Father drinks," Fan Zeng drained the wine in his cup, signifying his acceptance of Xiang Yu as a junior relative. "The success of the surprise attack on Yongqiu tonight is owed to several brave men in the Patrol Battalion. If they hadn't infiltrated, the battle would not have been so easy."

"Reward them all! Everything is to be arranged according to your discretion, Fan Zeng. Now, let's continue drinking!" Xiang Liang was grinning from ear to ear, feeling as though he had already annihilated the Qin State.

"A report, My Lord." Just then, a servant arrived. "Madam Yu Ji heard of General Xiang's great victory and wishes to perform a dance for everyone. May I ask..."

"Good, good! Bring her in quickly, hahaha." Xiang Liang waved his hand and said to Xiang Yu, "Yu'er, indeed, you have excellent taste in choosing such a beloved companion; it makes others envious."

Xiang Yu offered little in the way of words, merely drinking and smiling foolishly until the music started and Yu Ji drifted gracefully into the center of the hall.

"Greetings to Lord Xiang Liang, and all Generals." Yu Ji, knowledgeable and refined, earned the respect of all present, save for Ying Bu, who frowned deeply.

The music now filled the great hall. Yu Ji's green long dress swayed back and forth with the rhythm. Her slender hands rose and fell with the music, the softest tips of her fingers plucking at the heartstrings of many onlookers.

Xiang Yu, already elated and having consumed a significant amount of wine, was flushed crimson. Yu Ji’s dance was entirely aimed at him. She circled him gently, every sway and movement an undeniable temptation to Xiang Yu’s soul. Yu Ji was beautiful because she knew how to dance for the man who loved her; Yu Ji was insightful because she knew how to relieve her own loneliness and emptiness—but in that moment, she dared not show it to the one she truly loved, nor the one she most deeply hated. The only person before whom she dared display her boundless tenderness was Xiang Yu, who loved her completely.

Xiang Yu’s drunkenness took hold. Forgetting all propriety, he abruptly stood up, sweeping Yu Ji into his arms horizontally. He sprinted toward his quarters, his lips frantically pressing against Yu Ji's pale neck, while the men in the hall, including Xiang Liang, exchanged looks of knowing, almost vulgar amusement.

"Ah, General," Yu Ji was roughly dropped onto the bed by Xiang Yu. She knew what Xiang Yu intended, and she clearly anticipated it. She thought that by being with Xiang Yu, she could forget the sense of happiness Ye Xiu had brought her, and forget the pain Ying Bu had inflicted.

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