In order to become a Heroic Spirit, I had no choice but to cause trouble in history.

Xiang Yu was taken aback. Xiang An seemed about to say something, but Xiang Yu quickly glanced at him, and Xiang An stopped talking.

......

While a grand banquet was being held in Kuaiji, in Xianyang, far to the northwest, someone was weeping bitterly.

Ji Chao died. Even though he learned from Ji Chao that the area outside the pass was now stable, the First Emperor still could not hide his grief and wept for a long time.

He, the supreme ruler, shed tears for a commoner from the former Chu state who had no rank or official position and was not even a commoner of the Qin Dynasty.

Ji Chao was the most special person to him.

But even in sadness, we must still move forward.

The First Emperor did not have lunch; after reviewing the memorials, he left his palace.

He was going to inspect the construction of the palace and also to check on the situation outside Xianyang City.

There were many things to do, most of which required his personal attention.

"Everything is necessary, Brother Chao. If this is what you wanted to see even at the cost of your life, then... I will definitely build my Qin Dynasty into a dynasty that will last for ten thousand generations!" The First Emperor's eyes revealed his determination.

Work, governing the country.

This is what he's going to do next.

He inspected the construction of the palace and led his team out of Xianyang City. The water conservancy project, the sewage system, and the spring plowing in a few months all required his attention.

However, he did not notice that as he prepared to leave and departed from the palace under construction, a laborer who was performing corvée labor straightened up and looked at the back of the First Emperor standing on the high place, seemingly filled with longing.

"Alas, a true man should be like this."

He said this, and then continued to bend over, building a huge palace in the dead of winter.

......

Inside the Xiang residence in Kuaiji, the banquet had ended, and the guests had returned to where they came from, leaving only a few members of the Xiang family behind.

In fact, besides the few people present, the Xiang family had many other collateral descendants, such as Xiang Zhuang, a child from another family. However, these Xiang family members were far removed from the main line and naturally would not appear here.

“I’ve already added you to the family tree before the luncheon. Welcome home, young men.” Xiang Liang patted the two brothers on the shoulder.

Xiang Yu thanked his uncle.

"Xiang An thanks his uncle."

The two brothers bowed and thanked him.

“Tell me about my older brother.” Sitting in the courtyard, Xiang Liang’s expression carried a hint of loneliness.

Xiang Bo and Xiang Lu sat next to Xiang Liang, exchanging glances with different expressions. Xiang Jing, on the other hand, was sent home by a maidservant sent by Xiang Lu.

"Uncle, I don't remember much about Father's matter." Xiang Yu pondered for a moment and sighed.

“Me too. Whenever I think about Dad, it feels like my brain is covered in a layer of gray smoke. I can only remember Dad’s face, and the rest… uh—” Xiang An seemed to be thinking a little too deeply. Suddenly, his head started to hurt, and he covered his head and let out a small cry of pain.

"Xiang Nuo—are you alright?" Xiang Liang was startled and quickly stood up to check on Xiang An, only to find that Xiang An was covered in cold sweat.

Xiang An hurriedly waved his hand: "I, I'm fine, Uncle."

Xiang Liang was taken aback, then sat back down, seemingly deep in thought.

The two kids' behavior didn't seem fake, and the older brother didn't appear to be a simple person either...

My elder brother died outside the Great Wall. He was able to command the Black-Faced Demon, that strange mechanical bird, and letters that appeared out of thin air...

All signs indicate that his older brother, who left home at a very young age, is not an ordinary person, but a very mysterious, well... reclusive master?

However, his elder brother, a hermit master, died beyond the Great Wall. He was left to send back two sons who seemed to be of good quality and physically strong, clearly having trained for many years. The most crucial thing was that neither of his sons had any memory of him.

Xiang Liang sat there with his arms crossed, deep in thought. No matter how he thought about it, something just didn't seem right. He couldn't figure it out, and gradually a long string of absurd things came to mind.

Could it be that my elder brother went to cultivate immortality? And even became an immortal? And then was killed by his enemies?

wrong......

"Second Brother? Second Brother? Second Brother!" Xiang Lu nudged Xiang Liang's shoulder, calling out as he did so. When Xiang Liang didn't respond, he leaned close to Xiang Liang's ear and roared, "Second Brother!!!"

"Holy crap!" Xiang Liang was so startled that his body trembled, and he abruptly turned to look at Xiang Lu. "Fourth brother, what are you doing!?"

"Didn't you say you wanted to ask someone a question? Then go ahead and ask!" Xiang Lu silently stepped back a little.

"Huh? Oh, right." Xiang Liang suddenly remembered what he was there for, and turned back to look at his two nephews. "If you can't remember your father, then don't bother thinking about it. I think I understand why you can't remember. It's tough on you two kids."

His expression looked quite sad: "Not only was my brother killed in a revenge killing, but he also had to have his tracks erased to prevent his enemies from continuing to hunt him down."

"What!?" Xiang Bo was displeased upon hearing this and slammed his hand on the table. "My elder brother was murdered!? Or did he die at the hands of his enemies?"

Xiang Yu and Xiang An: ...?

"Uncle, Third Uncle, what are you two talking about?" Xiang Yu scratched the back of his head. "Although we brothers don't remember very clearly, Father shouldn't have died at someone's hands. Who told you that Father was murdered in a revenge killing?"

Xiang Liang blinked.

"......ah?"

------------

Chapter 790 The Counterattack

"Cough cough."

After an awkward silence, Xiang Liang sighed, "I hope we can find out the truth about my brother's death someday. Right now, the focus is still on you two brothers."

The two brothers sat very properly, looking at Xiang Liang.

“Since my elder brother has entrusted you to me, you are like my own sons.” Xiang Liangping looked at the two brothers and placed his hands on his knees. “Since I’ve decided to take responsibility for you, I must make sure you grow up to be successful.”

"Therefore, I will give you a 'lesson'."

"Teaching? In other words, learning something?" Xiang An showed an interested expression.

“Yes.” Xiang Liang nodded and took a book from Xiang Bo’s hand. “Let me ask you something first, do you two brothers… know how to write?”

The two brothers exchanged a glance.

"what is that?"

The air fell silent once again.

"Didn't your elder brother... teach you to write?" Uncle Xiang asked from behind, looking distressed.

"If nothing unexpected happens... I didn't teach him." Xiang Yu looked completely innocent.

"As far as I can remember, Dad didn't seem to have ever written anything, I guess," Xiang An said. "Although I can't remember, my brother and I were probably always wielding swords and spears and never learned to write."

Xiang Liang felt exhausted and turned to Xiang Lu, saying, "Fourth brother, later you should send Liu Jin'an to find Zi Shu who went out traveling. At least make sure Xiang Yu and Xiang An learn to read and write."

“Alright, but it will probably take a while to find it. What should we do in the meantime?” Xiang Lu touched the corner of the stone table, his eyes filled with helplessness as he looked at the two brothers.

“Let Wu Ju teach for now. He’s one of the more knowledgeable and experienced among my diners.” Xiang Liang stood up. “You two come with me first. Fourth brother, you come here too. Third brother, you go find Wu Ju first.”

"Alright." Uncle Xiang stood up and walked towards the door, grinning as he patted the two brothers on the shoulder, leaving them bewildered.

Xiang Bo went to find Wu Ju, while Xiang Liang led Xiang Lu and the two brothers to the backyard.

It was a spacious place, and Xiang Liang usually used it for martial arts practice and drills.

The reason for taking the two brothers there is, of course, self-evident.

Xiang Lu and his two brothers stood still. Xiang Liang walked to the gun rack, picked up a spear in each hand, and threw it at the two brothers.

Xiang Yu and Xiang An caught the spears, exchanged a glance, and for some reason, their expressions became somewhat...excited?

Xiang Liang didn't see the brothers' expressions. He took a spear and twisted his body a couple of times.

"Didn't you two say you used to wield swords and spears when you were out with your elder brother?" He twirled the spear in his hand a few times, then planted it on the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust. He looked at the two brothers with a solemn expression. "Let me see what your skill level is!"

Xiang Lu turned and walked towards the sidelines, but from an angle where Xiang Liang couldn't see, he revealed an expression that... he couldn't hold back anymore?

call--

Xiang Liang made a move, then glared and shouted, "Come on! Attack!"

The next second—

stop--

The two spear tips, one above and one below, were already thrusting towards him, reaching him in an instant.

Tong Kong suddenly shrank back, and Xiang Liang quickly turned around to avoid the brothers' combined thrust. With a heavy stomp of his right foot, he swung the spear from the side.

Xiang An thrust his spear tip to block Xiang Liang's attack, while Xiang Yu spun around and slashed his spear tip upwards at Xiang Liang, along with Xiang An's foot.

You underestimated them!

Xiang Liang shouted in his heart, and had no choice but to lean back. His whole body jolted, and his legs flew into the air, kicking Xiang An's ankle and Xiang Yu's spear tip respectively. While kicking the two men, he used the momentum and the spear he was holding on the ground to do a somersault and retreat.

In the first round, Xiang Liang was defeated.

However, Xiang Liang was not angry. Instead, he smiled and said, "Good lad! Where did you learn such superb martial arts? I was defeated when I fought two against one!"

Yes, defeat is inevitable!

Xiang Liang looked at the two brothers, who were eager to fight with their spears, and laughed heartily: "Your elder brother didn't teach you any knowledge, but he has trained two soldiers who can fight!"

"I hope Uncle doesn't find this offensive," Xiang Yu said, abandoning his stance and pointing his spear at Xiang Liang.

"I underestimated you two before, but your skills are truly impressive! However, I am certain to lose against two of you. You two, come on!" Xiang Liang waved his hand dismissively, twirled his spear a couple more times, and assumed a fighting stance.

"I..." Xiang Yu was about to say that he would do it himself when Xiang An interrupted him.

"Brother, let me do it!" Xiang An grabbed Xiang Yu's shoulder, his face showing an eager expression. "Let me learn a few moves from Uncle, so you can rest!"

Xiang Yu thought for a moment, then silently took a step back, handing the training ground over to Xiang An, and walked towards Xiang Lu.

"What, you have confidence in Xiang An?" Xiang Lu asked with a smile.

"Yes, my brother is very strong, so naturally I am confident." Xiang Yu nodded with a smile, calm and composed, as if victory was assured.

"Don't underestimate your uncle." Xiang Lu shrugged with a smile. "He's a veteran who's fought his way up from the battlefield, how could he be weak?"

Inside the arena, the uncle and nephew had already made their move.

As always, the younger generation, Xiang An, moved first. He spun the spear around a few times, then with both hands, he thrust it straight at Xiang Liang.

"Hey--"