“Wan’er… actually…” Ye Xiu had so much he wanted to say, yet he knew these words should remain unspoken. He wrestled to control his emotions, but still, he pulled Wan’er’s hand to rest upon his chest. “Wan’er, you are still the Wan’er from that day. None of us have truly changed.”

“No, no…” Wan’er snatched her hand back as if burned. She turned away, unable to meet Ye Xiu’s gaze, unwilling to face the past. “Brother Ye, I am no longer Wan’er. Wan’er is dead. Standing before you now is only Yu Ji.”

Ye Xiu could no longer bear to hear the name Yu Ji echo in his ears. He stepped forward immediately, opening his arms to pull Wan’er into a fierce embrace from behind. In that instant, he felt the tremor of her body. He rested his cheek close to her, almost sensing her quiet breath. Time seemed insignificant then; everything in the world faded in importance. In that moment, the only true, tangible existence comprised two souls—a man holding a woman.

“…” Wan’er tried to force words past the lump in her throat, but Ye Xiu gently pressed down on her shoulders, turning her body to face him. “You…”

Ye Xiu allowed no further words to escape her. He lowered his head and sealed her language with a deep, familiar kiss. His hands slid slowly from her shoulders down to her waist, then gently slipped beneath the hem of her luxurious green gown. He felt her heat, all emanating from the softness of her skin and the inner curve of her thighs, full of burgeoning life. It was all so naturally unfolding; two lonely hearts, unwilling to admit their solitude, were intertwined.

…

“Junior Sister, I trust you have been well.” Ying Bu stood coldly in the distance, having witnessed nearly everything that had just transpired. “If General Xiang knew of this, it might not end well for you.”

“It’s you.” Wan’er’s gaze was filled with hatred as she stared at Ying Bu, though her body instinctively retreated behind Ye Xiu. “You saw… everything…”

“Hmph…” Ye Xiu felt a surge of anger. Without a word, he drew his blade and charged forward.

“Clang.” Ying Bu grinned, easily deflecting the blow with his own sword. “Junior Brother, why the anger? This is hardly the time for a duel between us. I am here under General Xiang’s orders to escort Miss Yu Ji.”

Ye Xiu turned, sheathing his sword behind his back, and froze. He dared not look into Wan’er’s eyes. What had become of him? If he still loved Wan’er, he should take her and flee this place of trouble. He knew what fate awaited her as Yu Ji, but what could he do? If he managed to drag her away from the Chu army, would he truly bring her lasting happiness? The death of Xue Nü and the disappearance of Ji Jiang were proof enough.

“General Ying Bu, please lead the way.” Yu Ji smoothed her collar and walked past Ye Xiu. For her, there were few things left in this world capable of bringing joy; a state of passive contentment was all she could ask for.

“Please!” Ying Bu bowed low, extending a hand to indicate the direction for Yu Ji. He too was reluctant to see the woman he admired delivered into another man’s embrace, yet he understood that besides women, he had many other duties to attend to.

The Qin army had suffered nine consecutive defeats, leading many to expect the Chu forces would press their advantage. Unexpectedly, Xiang Yu’s arrogance and the whispers of flatterers caused him to miss the crucial window for pursuing the battered Qin forces. Although the most capable Qin general, Zhang Han, had also been defeated at the Battle of Julu, he still managed to leverage his strategic advantages to garrison his troops at Jiyuan, south of Julu, positioning himself in a strong defensive line opposite the Chu army.

“After these few days of rest, our army is ready to fight again. What are your thoughts, Ah Ji?” Fan Zeng was the first to feel the tension of the situation. “Do you know that the famed general Zhang Han has already fortified his position at Jiyuan? He could attack us at any moment.”

Xiang Yu had spent the last few days indulging in wine and revelry, and at night, frequently engaged in intimate pleasures with Yu Ji. He had completely lost his previous fighting spirit, wearing an air of deep impatience. “My esteemed Father-Mentor worries too much. Zhang Han’s massive army was severely crippled by me at Julu. At this point, the Qin court likely has little faith in him either. Even an army of two hundred thousand such troops could be defeated in a single day.”

“Ah Ji, have you considered when you will march to meet him in battle?” Fan Zeng was displeased with Xiang Yu’s demeanor but hesitated to wield the authority of a Father-Mentor against him. “A battle at Jiyuan is now imperative. If Zhang Han’s army gains any respite, the consequences could be dire.”

Xiang Yu, nearly drowsy, gave a perfunctory reply: “Why should such minor matters require my personal attention? That rabble under Zhang Han can be crushed instantly by General Pu leading our elite forces. Father-Mentor need not fret.”

“Even so, I still hope Ah Ji can lead the troops personally. First, it will intimidate the Qin army, and second, it will boost our army’s morale.”

“Alright, alright. Father-Mentor, please stop worrying. I will take action soon enough. Go out now and give the orders to General Pu; I need a little more rest.” Xiang Yu waved his hand dismissively and reclined on his seat. In his mind, the Qin state was already finished; the remaining stragglers were nothing to fear. The only one who still held his interest was that old fellow named Zhang Han, the very culprit responsible for killing his uncle, Xiang Liang.

Fan Zeng immediately left the camp and summoned General Pu, ordering him to prepare his troops to cross the river and engage Zhang Han. However, just before departure, he had a sudden thought and sought out Ye Xiu.

“What? Sir, you want me to serve as a Vice General accompanying General Pu on this expedition?” Ye Xiu could hardly believe his ears. He had only wanted to be an ordinary soldier, and now, he was suddenly promoted to Vice General, tasked with leading the charge into battle.

“What’s wrong? Are you unimpressed by General Pu?” General Pu held no favorable opinion of this young boy, but since he was recommended by Fan Zeng, he couldn’t openly refuse. “Lad, once we meet the enemy, you must obey my every command. Don’t act rashly.”

“General Pu… General Pu, is it?” Ye Xiu was momentarily dumbfounded. He genuinely didn't know if this man's surname was Pu and his title was General, or if his surname was Pu and he happened to be a general in the army.

“Heh heh, very well, young man. With you accompanying General Pu, I am relieved,” Fan Zeng seemed to catch Ye Xiu’s confusion and explained, “General Pu’s actual name is Chen Wu. Regardless, he has more experience than you. On the battlefield, you must not act on your own whims.”

“Sigh,” Ye Xiu sighed, spreading his hands helplessly. “If I must go, I will. But can I please wear my accustomed coarse linen clothes? I don't know if those formal general’s accoutrements will fit me.”

“Men, fetch the Blood Scale Battle Robe for General Wei to wear.” Fan Zeng ordered a suit of dark brown armor to be brought for Ye Xiu, assisting him personally in adjusting the attire.

This was the first time Ye Xiu had worn such heavy armor, and he felt profoundly uncomfortable, constantly flexing his hands and feet to loosen the muscles beneath. Yet, once the magnificent armor was properly fastened upon him, an aura of unparalleled, heroic majesty instantly radiated before everyone present.

“Good, truly a commanding figure,” Fan Zeng chuckled, stroking his beard. “General Wei, this attire suits you splendidly.”

“Hmm, it does have a certain presence,” General Pu agreed with a nod. “The question is whether it can withstand the enemy on the field.”

“Hmph…” Ye Xiu, naturally pleased by the compliment, secured his Demon Blade on his back and was the first to stride out of the tent. “I can hardly wait to cut a swath through them.”

“Hahaha, excellent! Guards, bring wine!” This was the first time Fan Zeng had seen such overt confidence from Ye Xiu. He raised his own cup and toasted Ye Xiu and General Pu, finishing a bowl quickly. “May you both achieve glorious success.”

“Please be at ease, Sir.” Ye Xiu mounted his warhorse, bowed respectfully to Fan Zeng in farewell, and then followed General Pu, leading thirty thousand Chu troops out on the campaign. Within two days, they forced a crossing at Sanhu Ferry and established a garrison south of the Zhang River, strategically flanking the main force of Zhang Han’s two hundred thousand Qin troops. Ye Xiu gazed at the scenery on the horizon, feeling for the first time the glory and responsibility of command.

“Do you know why I held back from attacking earlier?” General Pu sought to test Ye Xiu’s military acumen. “By rights, we have successfully moved behind their main lines and could strike at any moment.”

Ye Xiu scoffed dismissively. “If I am not mistaken, our primary mission was to cover the rear. Why should we initiate an attack? Looking at the current situation, General Xiang will undoubtedly lead the main engagement. We two need only wait to intercept any straggling deserters.”

“Hmph, not bad. You show some insight and understand the intent of Lord Fan Zeng,” General Pu conceded dismissively.

“The entire army stand ready; prepare to advance,” Ye Xiu gazed far toward the woods, noticing plumes of cooking smoke rising brazenly into the sky.

“You…” General Pu intended to reprimand Ye Xiu for his disrespect in forgetting his rank as the main commander, but following Ye Xiu’s silent direction, he too spotted the anomaly ahead.

Ye Xiu spurred his horse, turned back, and playfully asked General Pu, “General, do you have any idea how many Qin soldiers are up ahead?”

General Pu shook his head blankly.

“Judging by the density of that smoke, you can estimate the number of cooking pots. And one pot typically feeds no more than twenty men,” Ye Xiu boasted slightly, showing off the knowledge he’d gleaned from books. “I estimate the enemy force is no more than twenty thousand. Today, while they are eating, we should strike them unawares.”

“Indeed.” General Pu mounted his horse as well. He suddenly felt a measure of respect for this young man. The person recommended by Lord Fan Zeng was indeed reliable.

Ye Xiu reined in his horse, signaling General Pu and the troops behind them to take up flanking positions. He chose instead to advance alone, feigning the role of a distressed Chu general: “I will draw the main body of the army here. You focus on the ambush.”

“You…” General Pu admired his courage but disagreed with such a risky maneuver. However, upon reflection, military victory often hinges on daring actions; a clean ambush would surely be less costly than a head-on assault.

“Giddy up…” Ye Xiu hesitated no further, cracking his whip and driving his warhorse toward the edge of the woods. He truly desired to test the extent of his capabilities against how many soldiers he could command.