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

But Xiang Yu's feelings for Yu Meiren...

Perhaps it was a remnant of humanity; Xiang Yu couldn't quite explain his feelings for Yu Meiren, but... there was one thing Xiang Yu was probably clear about.

He was still somewhat reluctant to part with it.

Whether it's for Yu Meiren, or for... Xiang An.

"...Family?" He sat outside the tent with his arms crossed, looking at the twilight sky, and let out a long sigh.

I think I understand what you're trying to tell me... Xiang An.

However, for the sake of the Central Plains, for the sake of the world, for the sake of everything I had planned long ago... I had to do this.

Xiang Yu knew that his mindset was still stuck in the rational stage of a savior machine, while Xiang An was more advanced than him, which was why Xiang An considered himself a member of the "human" community.

Xiang Yu could only serve as a savior, while Xiang An could be considered a human being.

Two organisms that have long been fundamentally different are destined not to walk the same path.

Xiang Yu possessed a future-predicting module; his eyes could see things, and based on these things, he would formulate his own plans.

He...saw it.

He saw Xiang An defeat Han Xin and break through the encirclement of Western Chu forces. He saw Xiang An kill Liu Ji. He saw Xiang An, as a human being, become the overlord of the Central Plains, the founding emperor of Chu, and establish the Chu Dynasty.

Xiang Yu was not suited for a unified Central Plains. A strange creature like him, who could only think rationally, was neither necessary nor should exist in the new era.

So Xiang Yu forced Xiang An to leave, and although his methods were somewhat brutal, he achieved his goal.

He looked westward.

There, Liu Ji's army had already surged in like a tide.

Smiling, Xiang Yu lowered his head and sighed deeply.

It would be rather unseemly to be reluctant at this point.

...Yu is still crying, let's go and comfort her again.

......

May 23rd.

"Push forward! Don't give them a chance to relax!" Zijuan, holding a long spear, stood at the forefront of the battle line.

Ren Ao and Fan Hui had very weak senses of smell, and the intentions of the Northern Chu were very clear. This was Xiang An's way of showing his hand – he wanted to demonstrate his strength and force them to retreat and give up the fertile land between the Yellow River and the Huai River.

After Xiang An and Zi Juan arrived, Fan Hui immediately began to retreat south from Kangfu, trying to avoid Zi Juan's encirclement. However, Zi Juan still caught up with him with 30,000 soldiers, and the two sides fought an encounter battle on the plains.

Zijuan's gaze locked onto a general wielding a sword and spear in the enemy ranks. She snorted coldly and tightened her grip on the slanted silver-topped spear in her hand.

The spear in her hand had been with her since the time of Kuaiji. Like Xiang Yu's Heavenly Dragon City-Breaking Halberd, Xiang An's Three-Section Great Spear, and Xiang Jing's Thousand-Jin Horn Bow, it was a weapon of extremely high quality.

The spear is eleven feet and one inch long, with the shaft made from a century-old pine tree and the tip forged from meteorite iron, making it extremely sharp.

"Fan Hui and Liu the Traitor—Come and fight!"

With a furious shout, Zijuan challenged Fan Hui to a duel.

"Hmph—I've long heard of the number one female general in the world. Let me test your skills!" Fan Hui gritted her teeth, glared at him, and charged forward.

The long spears and halberds clashed together, producing a crisp, metallic clang.

On the other side of the battlefield.

"Quickly—General Fan Hui cannot be left here!"

"!" Another Han general, Ren Ao, who was left behind to guard the rear, was galloping on his horse, roaring anxiously.

Fan Hui is of great significance to the Han Dynasty. He is the most prestigious and powerful general in the Han Dynasty to date. No matter what the reason, Ren Ao cannot let Fan Hui perish here.

We must send reinforcements to rescue General Fan! Otherwise, once Xiang An's reinforcements arrive, Fan will surely be defeated!

But no one noticed.

On the banks of the Wen River, a young man was walking along, looking lost and dejected.

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

Chapter 991 Footsteps in the Northern Chu Army Camp

Zijuan and Fan Hui were evenly matched, with Zijuan having a slight advantage.

However, Ren Ao's reinforcements had already arrived. Zijuan knew that she could not linger in battle when the enemy outnumbered her, so she turned and began to retreat towards the Wen River.

The Han army did not pursue, because the main force of the Northern Chu army was not far away. Instead, they retreated south to contact Liu Ji on the main battlefield and hoped to obtain some support.

......

“This is an opportunity for both Northern Chu and Western Chu, Second Brother.”

Night had fallen, but in Xiang An's command tent, a group of generals were still gathered around the sand table, analyzing the situation.

Liu Ji's main force is pursuing Xiang Yu. A while ago, Liu Ji found a weakness in Xiang Yu at Chenggao and defeated Western Chu. He then pursued them all the way and is now deep into the heart of Western Chu territory.

At this time, the Northern Chu's attack from the central region could very well cut off the Western Chu's retreat route.

However, Xiang An felt it wasn't that simple.

Liu Ji was a smart man, and his military skills were definitely not lacking. He would not have made such a critical strategic mistake.

So, where exactly did things go wrong...?

What exactly did I overlook...?

Xiang An tilted his head, staring intently at the sand table, without saying a word, his brows furrowed.

However... after thinking for a long time, Xiang An couldn't find anything wrong with his judgment of the situation.

Han Xin retreated northwest, so it was impossible for him to reach the Central Plains in such a short time. Liu Ji did indeed leave behind a large number of troops to block the southward advance of Northern Chu. Everything was fine.

There shouldn't be any problems...

"We'll find a way to clear the surrounding area in three days, then force our way south to cooperate with Western Chu in encircling Liu Ji's main army." After a long silence, Xiang An shook his head, deciding to proceed according to his own plan. He looked at the generals in the tent and ordered, "Xiao Ye, tomorrow morning, prepare a fast horse and try to bypass the main battlefield via the Wen River. Try, try..."

Xiang An rubbed his temples and sighed heavily.

"Try sending a message to the King of Western Chu!"

"Yes, Your subordinate obeys!" Liao Ye replied, his expression brightening.

Having decided on the next strategic move, the meeting naturally adjourned, and the generals in the tent all left, leaving Xiang An alone, sitting on a stool in a long robe, staring blankly at the sand table, lost in thought.

......

Zihuai saw the Northern Chu army camp ahead and lowered his eyes.

This is his destination.

He obtained the information and located the Northern Chu army camp.

He wanted to find someone; he wanted to find his sister, the current Grand General, Grand Commandant, and Lady Zijuan of Langya, who was also the Pillar of State of Northern Chu.

Originally, he intended to try and talk to Zijuan about going to Xingyang with him to live a peaceful life far from the war, but on his way, he suddenly discovered...

Zijuan had no reason to leave her brother, whose hands were covered in blood.

Not only did Zijuan hold a high position of power in Northern Chu, but her devotion to the country and to the King of Northern Chu was as immeasurable as Mount Tai.

That was her country, the country she helped build, the country she loved.

Under Liu Ji's command, he repeatedly plunged his blade into the heart of the Northern Chu.

It can be said that without the existence of the Zihuai tree, Northern Chu would not have fallen into its current state.

Such a Zihuai is not even qualified to stand in front of Zijuan.

At this moment, standing in front of the Northern Chu army camp, Zihuai found that he could no longer move his feet.

He is afraid.

He was afraid that Zijuan would not want to see him, or even show hostility towards him.

In that case, he might... wish he were dead.

But at least it brings some relief.

What use are the house and money in Xingyang now that I'm all alone?

Zihuai cannot hate Liu Ji, because if it weren't for Liu Ji, he might still be in the village at the foot of Pang Mountain, only now he would be nothing but a skeleton.

At least, I can see my sister one more time from afar...

Zihuai gritted her teeth and started walking.

That way, I can die without regrets...

......

Inside the Northern Chu camp, a burly figure was humming a song while tidying up things outside Xiang An's tent.

"The full-scale attack is scheduled for in a couple of days..."

Liao Ye wiped the sweat from his forehead, put his hands on his hips, and looked up at the moon.

"Okay! That should be about right."

Looking down at the neatly arranged weapon racks and other items, Liao Ye couldn't help but smile.

Although he now holds the official position of Grand Master of the Palace, he still couldn't let go of the affairs concerning Lord Xiang An, so he decided to finish them before going to sleep. Besides, he needed to send someone to deliver a message to the King of Western Chu tomorrow...

Thinking of Xiang Yu, the King of Western Chu, Liao Ye couldn't help but sigh.

Lord Xiang Yu used to be such a good person, so why did he seem to become a completely different person after Lord Xiang Liang passed away?

Suddenly, Liao Ye's ears twitched.

There seem to be...footsteps?

There won't be anyone there at this time, in this direction...

"Who!?" He suddenly sprang up and rushed in that direction.

The footsteps that had infiltrated the military camp were startled by a loud shout and fled out of the tent. Liao Ye grabbed a long spear from the weapon rack and gave chase.

"Hmm?" Xiang An heard the commotion outside the tent, raised his head, and frowned.