After months of continuous victories for the various feudal lords of the Western Chu army, King Huai of Chu, under duress from Xiang Yu, issued the decree: "The first to enter Guanzhong shall be king." Instantly, Xiang Yu, Liu Bang, Ying Bu, and others charged toward Qin, all eager to claim the title of King of Guanzhong.

"Sister, thinking of your husband again?" Lü Zhi grasped Lü Xu's hand. These years of accompanying Liu Bang west to conquer Qin had taken its toll on the Lü family, but what stood between the two sisters seemed less about victorious campaigns and more about that wayward, unrestrained Ye Xiu.

Since marrying Ye Xiu, Lü Xu had shed much of her youthful spirit, replacing it with deeper docility and understanding of her husband. "I wonder how well my husband has fared all these years outside. Although my sister and brother-in-law have sent people searching everywhere, we still haven't managed to get any news of him."

"Not entirely true." Lü Zhi looked at her sister with concern. She knew how Xu'er had yearned day and night, enduring countless lonely evenings without Ye Xiu. "Some surviving Chu soldiers mentioned that during the battle at Yongqiu, someone wielding a wooden sword was seen attempting to rescue Lord Xiang Liang."

"A wooden sword—it must be him." Lü Xu was overjoyed, quickly gripping Lü Zhi’s hand. "It must be my husband, absolutely. How many people in this era still use wooden swords? If not him, who else could it be?"

"That may be so, but..." Lü Zhi sighed slightly. "But everyone knows Lord Xiang Liang ultimately perished beneath a myriad of hidden weapons. The scene back then must have been horrific; perhaps brother-in-law also..."

"No, that's impossible! He promised me he would return!" Lü Xu refused to believe such tales. She knew Ye Xiu had given her his word, and he would keep it.

"Indeed, I also believe he will return." The voice that cut through the air was strong and firm, imbued with a subtle, yet undeniable, hint of cunning. Liu Bang strolled over slowly, hands clasped behind his back.

"Husband."

"Brother-in-law." The Lü sisters swiftly turned to curtsy. Gong Lu had truly chosen wisely; today's Liu Bang was far removed from the petty minor official of yesteryear, and his power and ambition were already beginning to swell.

"One day he will be of use to me, so he cannot die yet." Liu Bang looked confidently at Lü Xu. "Sister, rest assured, Brother Ye is no ordinary man."

"..." Lü Xu nodded affirmatively, yet she knew her brother-in-law was also far from simple. She could not manage these affairs; she had promised Ye Xiu she would live well and await their reunion.

Beyond the South Sea, the wind of the outer island, the bamboo in the wind, the small dwelling within the bamboo.

Ye Xiu opened his eyes. He was still lying in that serene, delicate bamboo hut. The wounds on his body had been neatly bandaged, and his clothes had been changed into a simple outfit of blue and red. He sat up, surveying his surroundings. The small hut, which had been battered by recent battles, had already returned to its former tranquility and ease. Beside his bed lay Tianyi, and a demonic blade longer than a meter and a half.

"Hah..." Ye Xiu clutched his head. The battle from several nights ago was still vivid, and now a throbbing pain resided in his skull. He walked over, picked up the demonic blade, and examined it closely. The hilt was wrapped in black silk cord; the blade itself was long, slender, and translucent. A light sweep through the air caused a distinct snarl to echo—this was not at all like a Japanese katana; it was clearly an elongated Tang sword.

Ye Xiu strapped Tianyi to his back and tucked the demonic blade into his sash. Instantly, the memory of swift swordsmanship flooded his mind. He quickly drew both blades and darted out of the door, heading straight for the bamboo forest. With a series of "shush-shush-shush" flashes, the swirling blades of light sliced away the dense cluster of bamboo blocking his path. Beyond that, what came into view was Xue'er's gentle and alluring figure once more.

"Young Master Ye, you are finally awake." Xue Nü smiled at Ye Xiu while watering the white roses in the flower bed. "It seems your injuries are mostly healed."

Ye Xiu returned a smile and sheathed his blades. "Xue'er, thank you for saving my life again."

Xue Nü gently shook her head, bending back down to meticulously care for the rosebush.

"Oh, right, Xue'er, did you change my clothes for me?" Ye Xiu, feeling restless, decided to tease her. "Then my entire body was exposed to you..."

"Exposed to me..." Xue'er turned, leveling a glare at Ye Xiu, while simultaneously lifting the snow whip at her waist. "Just say what you need to say. I will take good care of you."

"No... no, I meant all my wounds are healed." Ye Xiu knew Xue'er's whip was formidable; it seemed that joke was best left unmade.

"Heh heh." Xue'er found Ye Xiu’s fearful expression amusing. She asked playfully, "You promised to bring me a few more roses if you survived this time. Since you have nothing else to do today, why don't you go help me gather some?"

"Uh." Ye Xiu was inwardly delighted upon hearing this. He wondered if this Xue Nü had taken a liking to him? Truly, the pursuer always had the advantage; someone was actually asking for roses.

Seeing Ye Xiu's lack of immediate reaction, Xue'er frowned slightly, eyeing him coldly. "If you’re unwilling, then forget it. I don't care for such things anyway."

Ye Xiu slowly walked up to Xue'er, feeling pleasantly smug. He reached out his little finger and playfully touched her slender hand. Startled, Xue'er snatched her hand back, her face flushing. Ye Xiu turned away with a smile and said, "Xue'er, please have dinner ready for me. I'll go pick the flowers for you right now, hehe."

"Today is the final day of the Killing Tribulation on the Outer Island. Aren't you afraid?" Xue Nü fiddled with the fresh flowers in her hand. "Don't blame me if you die in there."

"For you, dying is worth it." Ye Xiu held the demonic blade protectively with one hand and struck a cool victory pose with the other toward Xue'er. "Besides, you know those riffraff on the Outer Island can't even scratch me."

"Then I wish Young Master Ye caution." As she spoke, Xue'er used the same little gesture Ye Xiu had, hooking her pinky finger around his. But the moment her hand reached out, Ye Xiu firmly pulled her into his embrace.

Ye Xiu slowly lifted Xue'er's fair, jade-like hand, gently bringing it before his lips, and then carefully kissed it.

Xue'er was completely unprepared. She only felt a slight tingle on the back of her hand, followed by a tingling sensation that surged from her wrist, through her arm, and into her entire body. She involuntarily shuddered slightly. All she could do now was keep her head bowed, blushing, and fully savor this profound affection from Ye Xiu.

"Xue'er, wait for me here obediently." Ye Xiu felt utterly triumphant, unsure if it was his handsomeness, his martial skill, or a combination of both. It seemed every woman who appeared in this Qin-Han era developed a special feeling for him. Perhaps the charm of a 21st-century man was quite potent, it was just that the women from the same era weren't aware of it.

The wilderness of the Outer Island was rich with strange trees and exotic grasses. The scent of the soil mixed with the salty tang of the sea breeze was quite refreshing. Ye Xiu unconsciously walked deep into the forest, but white roses were exceedingly rare; so far, he had managed to find barely three.

"The final lesson. This fellow disciple still has the leisure to pick flowers for amusement. Truly admirable." Just then, a middle-aged man in a long green robe emerged from the depths of the woods. He wielded two long-handled greatswords, radiating a terrifying aura.

Seeing this person, Ye Xiu was reminded of the Killing Tribulation Xue'er had mentioned. Looking at his gear, he immediately thought of the berserker warrior in games who dual-wielded two-handed weapons. He certainly had the presence. Since Ye Xiu himself was currently using two weapons, he was effectively a traditional combat rogue. He cleared his throat and spoke, "Who are you, fellow? Do you think you're something special just because you have two Green Dragon Crescent Blades? I wonder if your hit rate is good enough."

"What blades? Hit rate?" The man looked confused, then casually swung his two long swords in a circle, cleanly slicing down several towering trees at their midpoint. "I am Dao Gui Shuang Ren (Blade Ghost Dual Blades)! You're unlucky to run into me on the last day of the lesson. I've already taken down three others; you're just one more."

"Dao Gui Shuang Ren!" Ye Xiu rubbed his hair. The assassins of the Ghost Valley were indeed formidable figures, and their titles were always resounding, like the previous Ji Lian Feng Yu or Fei Zhen Yang Tian, usually based on their signature weapon. His own name, however, lacked any punch.

"Well? If you're scared, kill yourself to save me the effort." Dao Gui arrogantly lifted one long sword and pointed it at Ye Xiu's head. "Since we are fellow disciples, state your name, so you at least die with some honor."

"Heh heh." Ye Xiu stuck out his tongue and made a face. "Look, I have a sword and a blade—they call me Dao Jian Ru Meng (Blade Sword Like A Dream). How's that for cool?"

"Dao Jian Ru Meng? Never heard of it." At this, Dao Gui lost patience. He casually planted his other long sword in front of Ye Xiu. "Call yourself Dao Jian Ru Meng or Dao Jian Wu Yan (Blade Sword Without Eyes), just die."

Although Ye Xiu held little regard for this minor foe, he settled his stance, his left hand already drawing the demonic blade to guard his front, while his right hand hovered behind his back, ready to raise Tianyi.

"Hrr..." Dao Gui possessed brute strength; he could leap so high even while wielding two greatswords. However, his attack pattern reverted to the single routine Ye Xiu had seen before: a simple downward chop.

With a resounding "Clang!" Dao Gui's greatsword cleaved the ground where Ye Xiu had been standing, leaving not a blade of grass remaining. Ye Xiu had already leaped back, then charged forward with a horizontal sweep, bringing the blade of the demonic sword to Dao Gui's throat. Seeing the danger, Dao Gui abandoned one long sword and shaped his hand into a claw, attempting an empty-handed disarmament. Ye Xiu smiled easily. Just as Dao Gui lunged to grasp the demonic blade, Ye Xiu suddenly let go, allowing it to fall naturally. He immediately drew Tianyi with his right hand, delivering a sharp upward thrust that struck Dao Gui squarely in the chest. With a gasp, Dao Gui stumbled backward, reeling. However, his long sword still had the advantage of reach, and he attempted to use it to injure Ye Xiu. At that moment, Ye Xiu executed a backward somersault, pushing off with his feet, not only evading Dao Gui's desperate lunge but also snatching the falling demonic blade back into his grasp before it hit the ground. He immediately swung it forward decisively, cleanly severing Dao Gui's upraised arm.

"Ah..." Dao Gui could not bear such agony; he dropped his sword and staggered several steps back.

"Well? Care to play some more?" Ye Xiu rested the demonic blade on his shoulder and raised an eyebrow. "My apologies, I forgot this wasn't a wooden sword; a casual swing like that is fatal."