Liu Ji led her troops through many twists and turns before finally arriving near Xiangcheng.
Since rising up in Pei County, she had fought many battles with mixed results—though defeats far outnumbered victories. After a series of setbacks, she had fought her way out of Pei County only to be driven back into it.
At the time, the Qin army led by Zhang Han was formidable, and Pei County's position made it vulnerable to encirclement. Liu Ji was decisive—she immediately abandoned Pei County and led her remaining troops south. Near Xiapi, she encountered Xiang Liang.
At this time, Xiang Liang was in high spirits. Roy's victories on the western front had broken the Qin siege of Kuaiji, injecting new confidence into the rebel forces, whose morale had wavered after Chen Sheng's defeat.
Moreover, Xiang Liang was a scion of the old Chu nobility, a man of great prestige. Though Chen Sheng had famously declared, "Are kings and nobles born to their titles?" lineage still mattered greatly in this era. Many rebel forces rallied under the banners of the old Warring States kingdoms.
As a member of the Xiang clan, a noble house of Chu, Xiang Liang enjoyed the support of many old aristocrats—men of learning, wealth, and resources. His influence swelled rapidly, and soon, thirteen rebel armies flocked to his banner. Without lifting a finger, his forces grew from four thousand to nearly sixty or seventy thousand.
Liu Ji was one of the rebel leaders who sought refuge under Xiang Liang. However, her battered troops—fewer than three thousand strong—were hardly worth his notice.
Xiang Liang had a keen eye for talent—after all, he had placed his bets on Roy and even recruited the seventy-year-old Fan Zeng as his strategist. Recognizing that Liu Ji and her subordinates had potential, and knowing that Roy was preparing to attack Xiangcheng—though he had enough troops, he lacked capable officers—Xiang Liang absorbed some of Liu Ji's soldiers and sent her to join Roy.
Liu Ji, who had just fled Pei County for Xiapi, groaned inwardly. She hadn't even rested for two days before being forced to march again. But she had no choice—she needed the Xiang clan's protection to survive. So, accompanied by Xiao He and a few others, she set off toward Xiangcheng.
As for Zhang Liang, he had offered Xiang Liang a stratagem, earning himself a temporary place in his service. Though Liu Ji and Zhang Liang had hit it off immediately, Zhang Liang had not sworn allegiance to her. Unable to persuade him otherwise, she had no choice but to reluctantly agree to his staying in Xiapi.
After another arduous journey, Liu Ji finally arrived near Xiangcheng and found the encampment of Roy's army. With the waist token given to her by Xiang Liang, she was escorted by soldiers to Roy's location.
"Report, General! A Liu Ji from Pei County has arrived with Lord Xiang's token, requesting an audience!"
Roy, who had been reviewing military documents while chatting with Yu Ji in his residence, replied upon hearing the soldier's report, "...Have him come directly here to see me!"
"Yes, sir!"
The soldier swiftly departed to carry out the order.
"So, this is the Liu Ji you mentioned before, my lord?"
Yu Ji knelt quietly beside Roy, a guzheng resting on her lap. Her delicate fingers plucked the strings, producing an elegant melody reminiscent of a murmuring stream.
Though she had once lived deep in the mountains, she was skilled in playing musical instruments—her technique was exquisite. The sweet notes flowing from her cherry lips, even as she played alone, transformed the Book of Songs into a scene where Roy felt as if he were surrounded by dancing maidens. It was as though he, like the infamous tyrants and decadent rulers of history, was indulging in the allure of extravagance.
"If my guess is correct, that must indeed be Liu Ji... My fair Yu, would you prefer to stay here with me to meet him, or would you rather return to the rear courtyard?"
Roy knew Yu Ji disliked humans and noisy environments. Normally, she could tolerate one or two soldiers coming to report official matters, but Liu Ji's visit would surely not be alone—he would likely bring some of his subordinates. The room would soon become bustling with voices, and Yu Ji detested such scenes the most.
Yu Ji plucked another string, a faint smile on her lips. "...I think I shall stay here with you to meet this Liu Ji. There aren't many people who can capture your attention so thoroughly, my lord."
She was genuinely curious about Liu Ji.
"If my fair lady isn't afraid of the noise that will soon follow, then it shall be as you wish."
As he spoke, Roy stood up and walked to the wall, retrieving a cloak from the clothing rack. He then moved behind Yu Ji, resting his hands on her snow-white, rounded shoulders before draping the cloak over her.
Yu Ji's skin was fragrant, soft, and smooth—merely touching her shoulders stirred Roy's heart. He took a deep breath to suppress his restlessness, then adjusted the cloak forward, covering the exposed expanse of her fair chest.
When alone with Roy in the room, she always wore that revealing attire. While Roy certainly enjoyed the view, he had no intention of letting others see his Yu Ji when guests arrived.
Yu Ji wasn't sure how she felt about it. It was as though Roy already regarded her as his possession, yet despite the seemingly intimate moments between them, they remained respectful and proper. He had never spoken flirtatiously to her, nor had he ever laid a hand on her.
He certainly had the ability to do so.
But he truly cared about her—not just this body that could be altered at any time.
Suddenly, the sound of an argument came from outside.
Roy frowned, listening carefully. The dispute was over a sword—the soldiers wanted Liu Ji to remove his weapon, as was customary, but Liu Ji insisted the sword held great significance to him. Unwilling to hand it over, he promised only to set it aside once inside.
"Just let him in directly!"
Roy naturally didn't care whether others brought weapons to meet him. In fact, he was quite curious about the sword in Liu Ji's hand. If the legends were true, that sword should be the legendary "Sword of Imperial Path" - the Red Dawn!
"Understood! Since the general has spoken, please enter, Duke of Pei."
The gatekeeper soldier let Liu Ji pass.
"My thanks to General Xiang!"
Liu Ji shouted loudly from outside before quickly entering with Xiao He and several others.
As the footsteps drew nearer, Roy finally caught sight of this future High Emperor Gaozu through the doorway.
His gaze first fell upon Liu Ji's waist, where indeed hung an extraordinary longsword. The three-foot blade was crystalline red throughout, as if carved from translucent jade. The sword followed Qin-style design, adorned with intricate patterns and seven-colored pearls, its edge gleaming like frost - clearly a rare divine artifact.
Presumably, Liu Ji had used this very sword to slay the white serpent, then proclaimed herself the "Child of the Red Emperor" with this mystical blade, convincing many to join her rebellion.
Thinking thus, this sword truly lived up to its name as the "Sword of Imperial Path."
'A Noble Phantasm! This sword is also an artifact of the immortal path, though its design suggests it wasn't from pre-Qin times but forged during the Qin dynasty.'
Roy instantly recognized the Red Dawn Sword's extraordinary origins. From its creation, it was no ordinary weapon but a man-made Noble Phantasm of this world. However, Liu Ji in her current state couldn't possibly unleash this sword's full power - otherwise she'd be invincible wielding it alone.
Only after Liu Ji's death and ascension as a Heroic Spirit, with the sword enhanced by legends and fantasies, would this Noble Phantasm reach completion.
'This sword was likely forged by the First Emperor. Who knows where this future High Emperor found it - truly the destiny of the Son of Heaven!'
With these thoughts, Roy finally lifted his gaze from the Red Dawn Sword to look at Liu Ji himself.
And then he froze in shock.
Yu Ji beside him also wore a strange expression, her beautiful eyes darting between Liu Ji and Roy repeatedly.
Was this why the king cared so much about this Liu Ji? Simply because she was an exceptionally beautiful woman?
For some reason, she felt an inexplicable discomfort and irritation. The thought that the usually domineering Roy, who showed interest in nothing, claimed Liu Ji was his greatest concern in all the world made her even more agitated.