Xiang Yu sat atop Wu Zhui's back in silence.
He had thought that Xiang Jing's death would not make him sad.
"Lord Xiang Yu." Yu Meiren rode another horse, moving slowly beside Xiang Yu, her expression carrying a sorrowful plea.
The third brother was dead, unquestionably dead. She truly did not want to see Xiang Yu die as well.
"Yu." Xiang Yu glanced at Yu Meiren and raised a hand to gently stroke her cheek, though his gaze remained lowered.
"I thought I was a machine devoid of emotion. It seems... I wasn't quite so pure after all." His tone carried sorrow and self-mockery, followed by a long sigh.
"Then you..." A trace of hope entered Yu Meiren's eyes, and she could not help tugging at Xiang Yu's sleeve.
Xiang Yu raised his head, looked into Yu Meiren's eyes, and gently shook his head.
Yu Meiren's gaze sank back into sorrow, and she lowered her head.
"Really... is there no other way?" Yu Meiren's voice was muffled, as though she were choking back sobs. "We... we can leave the Central Plains. We can cross the sea and go somewhere else—"
"Yu." Xiang Yu softly interrupted her, yet there was a smile on his face.
Yu Meiren trembled as she looked at the smiling Xiang Yu, tears uncontrollably gathering at the corners of her eyes.
"Yu understands."
Xiang Yu said nothing more, merely patting Yu Meiren on the back.
The two led the Western Chu army behind them in retreat eastward toward Gaixia.
"Urgh—"
Fan Kuai was forced back by Zi Juan, a cut appearing on his face. He gritted his teeth as he stared unwillingly at the female general standing atop her horse.
The martial prowess of Xiang Yu and Xiang An was known throughout the land. The Yellow River,