"Rumbles" echoed up from beneath the earth. Seeing the dire situation, Ye Xiu leaped onto the surrounding treeline. At that moment, three distinct, floating imprints moved westward across the ground, their target precisely the Jinyuan camp where Zhang Han was located.

Could it be the assassins from Ghost Valley again? But why was their target Zhang Han? Ye Xiu frantically sifted through the historical texts he had memorized. The Battle of Julu was followed by the subsequent Battle of Jinyuan, though Jinyuan was hardly a large-scale engagement because the Qin commander, Zhang Han, would surrender there to Xiang Yu’s Chu army. So, these assassins were here to strike him down. Disaster! Ye Xiu shouted a curse of realization. Wang Long, capable of surveying the grand currents of the world, if he saw through this move and sent assassins here to eliminate Zhang Han, then the historical anecdote of those two hundred thousand Qin soldiers surrendering to Chu would vanish. If Zhang Han were killed by assassins, the Qin army might lose its leader and instead be galvanized into fighting harder, which would clearly disadvantage the Chu forces. In his desperation, Ye Xiu unleashed the Ghost Step, chasing the killing intent from above the forest, determined to see the outcome.

Inside the Qin military camp at Jinyuan, Zhang Han paced anxiously, his fists clenched tight. "This damned Zhao Gao, does he truly intend to see me dead?"

Sima Xin stood beside him, his face equally troubled. "Zhao Gao suggests the General return to court and await orders. He has no concept of how precarious our current position is—we cannot advance or retreat."

"Hmph. He means to eliminate me; how can I escape?" Zhang Han, originally a civil official, had only taken up arms because the Qin court lacked capable military talent. "Caught between enemies, with no support from the capital—what are we to do?"

Sima Xin appeared calm, betraying no panic. "Does the General believe the Qin Dynasty can still be saved?"

"This…" Zhang Han was no ordinary man; he instantly discerned the implication hidden in the question. "You mean for me to surrender?"

Sima Xin, finding the perfect moment to persuade Zhang Han, stepped forward and bowed. "Once, the unification of the Six Kingdoms by Qin was the undeniable trend; no one could defy it. Now, the momentum of Qin has utterly reversed. In this era where heroes vie for supremacy, we too cannot stand against the tide."

"Alas, I am well aware of all you say, but once I surrender, Qin will have not a shred of hope left. How am I to face the Qin soldiers who perished beneath the Yellow Springs?" Zhang Han covered his head, consumed by sorrow. "Though that villain Zhao Gao has corrupted the court, our military failures are well-deserved. How can we simply yield?"

Sima Xin pressed his advantage. "Zhao Gao is a native of Zhao, harboring a heart set on revenge against Qin. How can he be compared to a patriot like yourself? Surrendering to Chu now is aligning with Heaven's will. Surely, the General does not wish for the common people to suffer longer in the conflagration of war."

"That is true… sigh!" Zhang Han still didn't know what course to take. On one side was righteousness, on the other, loyalty, and in his hands now rested the lives of two hundred thousand disheartened Qin soldiers.

"Boom…" Just then, dust billowed violently within the tent. Coinciding with the sound, a massive hole split the earth, and three figures wielding strange shovels burst out, swinging their weapons down toward Zhang Han's head. "Since choosing is so difficult, let the three of us brothers see you on your way."

"Ah!" Zhang Han and Sima Xin were utterly paralyzed by shock; they never anticipated assassins emerging from the ground.

"Hah!" Before the ground's tumult had fully subsided, a sharp cry rang out from above the tent. It was Ye Xiu, who had already drawn his Demon Blade and vaulted onto the tent's canopy.

With a solid thud, the three shovels struck the Demon Blade. Ye Xiu confidently intercepted what appeared to be a fatal blow meant for Zhang Han and Sima Xin.

"Assassins! Guards!" Sima Xin reacted swiftly, drawing his sword to shield Zhang Han as he backed out of the tent, prompting a swarm of soldiers to rush in.

"Big Brother, let's go!" The figures in black saw their advantage lost and yanked the other two, leaping back into the hole they had just created. It seemed they had prepared an escape route for a failed assassination attempt.

Ye Xiu started to pursue, wanting to demand answers, but Zhang Han grabbed him firmly. "Do not pursue a cornered foe."

"You know not—" Ye Xiu truly despised the formal, stilted language of military maxims. He wanted to retort with a crude dismissal. Looking around, he realized he was encircled by halberdiers. A chill shot through him. His trousers were embroidered with the distinct symbol of the Chu army. He had truly gotten himself into deep trouble.

"Young man, thank you for your timely assistance." Zhang Han smiled, motioning for the surrounding soldiers to fall back slightly. "You… you are from the Chu army."

Ye Xiu dared not make any false moves, only glancing sideways at the Qin soldiers whose blades were aimed at him. Denying he was Chu military personnel now was impossible, all thanks to those damned earth-diggers that had spurred his rash actions. "Yes."

Sima Xin, already acting as an inside agent for Chu, immediately connected Ye Xiu’s nod to Fan Zeng. Could this man be someone Fan Zeng sent for a private discussion? "Regardless of whether he is Chu or not, thank you, young brother, for stepping in just now."

Zhang Han, already leaning toward surrender, found it rather peculiar to be saved by a man bearing the Chu insignia right inside his own camp. "May I ask how this brother managed to enter our Qin encampment?"

Ye Xiu’s heart hammered. He had no choice but to commit fully to the gamble and speak the truth. "To be frank, I am the deputy general of the vanguard force dispatched by General Xiang to cut off your Qin army's retreat. You now have no path left."

Zhang Han nodded; this was all within his expectations. "But those three assassins just now?"

"I sensed an unusual aura at the camp entrance today, so I tracked it, only to discover three assassins capable of moving underground," Ye Xiu continued fabricating. "In fact, General Xiang Yu has long heard of General Zhang's great reputation and holds you in high regard. Before leaving, he specifically instructed this junior general that if I could persuade you to surrender, it would be best."

"Oh? Does Xiang Yu truly think so highly of me? Does he not resent me for killing his uncle, Xiang Liang, at Yongqiu?" Zhang Han waved his hand, skeptical of Ye Xiu's words.

Ye Xiu also shook his hand and smiled. "General Xiang understands that everyone serves their own master and holds no blame. However, the tides of the world have changed; the Qin Dynasty no longer exists. Believe it or not, I do."

Zhang Han lowered his head, hesitating. What Sima Xin had said earlier was logical, and now Xiang Yu had sent a representative to persuade him, proving his genuine desire to recruit him. Why not seize this opportunity to seek a new destiny?

"General, I suspect those three assassins were sent by Zhao Gao," Sima Xin interjected opportunely. "Zhao Gao has long coveted the General's talents and now uses this chance to eliminate you with such insidious methods."

"It was him?" Zhang Han ground his teeth, contemplating quietly. Initially, when he met Ye Xiu, he had been suspicious, thinking Xiang Yu was staging an elaborate ruse—sending three killers and a general to act out a scene to coerce his submission. But this was clearly overthinking on his part. If Xiang Yu had the chance to kill him, why bother sending people to save him? Now, only that scoundrel Zhao Gao could possibly wish him harm; that man truly made trouble for him at every turn, the villain.

"Isn't this the young man who single-handedly broke into our grain escort convoy that day?" A junior general spoke quietly, reporting to Zhang Han. "Yes, I recognize that strange blade. On that day, he charged into our ranks alone, lured the enemy deep, and annihilated our entire force."

"Oh, so they are talking about you!" Zhang Han suddenly looked at Ye Xiu with surprise and delight. "You single-handedly slew several hundred Qin officers and soldiers."

Ye Xiu still dared not move rashly. He knew the soldiers surrounding him still gripped their weapons tightly, and Zhang Han's expression was bizarre. Hearing that Ye Xiu had slaughtered hundreds of their men, he must now hate me to the core.

Sima Xin, adept at reading expressions, immediately sensed Ye Xiu's apprehension and stepped forward to bow. "Indeed, a hero emerges from the young. May I ask this young brother's name?"

"Hoo…" Ye Xiu let out a long breath, forcing a smile. "My surname is Wei, and my given name is Shan. I pay my respects to Generals Zhang Han and Sima Xin."

"Good, good! Brother Ye, you are truly a young hero, quite extraordinary," Zhang Han seemed impressed by Ye Xiu's prowess and clapped him heartily on the shoulder. "I will leave the matter of my surrender to General Xiang to you. I, Zhang Han, will personally lead two hundred thousand troops across the river to yield to Chu tomorrow."

"General Zhang!" Sima Xin felt immense relief. Zhang Han’s surrender would grant him considerable favor with Fan Zeng, for which he was profoundly grateful.

Hearing these words, Ye Xiu felt a great ease settle over him, as if all the blades pressing against his back had suddenly been sheathed. His entire being felt lighter. "General Zhang's profound understanding of righteousness is a blessing to the world. On behalf of General Xiang, and on behalf of all the common people of the world, I thank you."

"Not at all… not at all…" Zhang Han, startled by Ye Xiu's formal gesture, knew he could not accept it and hastily stepped forward to steady Ye Xiu.

Ye Xiu raised his head, speaking earnestly. "To be completely honest, I have a peculiar habit: I cannot settle down until the task I set out to accomplish is finished. I chased those assassins all the way into the camp; I must apprehend those fellows before I can feel at ease."

Zhang Han found this amusing. "General Wei jokes. The assassins have fled so far; how do you intend to catch them?"

"Those few men merely dug a tunnel from the forest into General Zhang's camp. I had already discovered the terminus of their tunnel near the forest where our own forces are stationed." Ye Xiu spoke calmly. "How fast can they travel underground? I believe if I rush over there now, I will catch them perfectly in the act. I bid you farewell for today, and I look forward to drinking heartily with General Zhang in the Chu main camp tomorrow."

Zhang Han was greatly astonished by Ye Xiu's composure and level-headedness at such a young age; he truly admired him. "Please!"