Embarrassingly, Hao Jiu, the most powerful system, doesn't have the function to view the host's panel, so it doesn't know what Xiang Yu's four-dimensional attributes are.
"What about Yu Ji?" Xiang Yu's confidence soared when he saw that Hao Jiu could conjure up so many strange and wonderful objects. Especially after using the gift pack, he could feel that he had become a little stronger, his spirits were high, and even his understanding of martial arts seemed to have improved.
Hao Jiu hesitated for a moment, "There are two plans to save Yu Ji now, let's discuss them."
Firstly, I can reverse time once, back to before Yu Ji committed suicide, and you can save her. However, we need to break through the encirclement immediately, and Yu Ji may still die. Moreover, reversing time may lead to unexpected events.
Secondly, I can store Yu Ji's body in my storage space and wait until we have completely broken through and are safe before spending several months or even years preparing to revive her. The downside is that you won't see a living Yu Ji during this time.
However, the advantages are obvious. When breaking out, you don't have to take care of her, and you can also save a chance to reverse time. If we are ambushed by the enemy and cannot get away, reversing time can help us avoid or even counter-encircle the enemy.
My opinion is that the second option is the best choice. Because after you and I are bound together, it's not just about defeating Liu Ji; there will be even stronger enemies in the future. If we can save this opportunity to reverse time, we'll have more security later on.
Xiang Yu was silent for a moment, then said, "God of Wine, I know that choosing the second option is the most suitable, but I still want to use the first option."
Firstly, I can't fully trust you yet, fearing that you'll keep delaying indefinitely, or that you might not be able to revive Yu Ji at all.
Secondly, because we are surrounded by enemies on all sides, too many troops have fled. If you can't conjure up troops out of thin air for me, it would be best to turn back time now. It's always good to have more troops.
Without sufficient elite troops, we might not be able to hold Jiangdong, and it would bring disaster to the people of Jiangdong. Even if we could hold it, it would be extremely difficult to regroup and rebuild.
Thirdly, after Yu Ji is resurrected, couldn't she be stored in the storage space? That way, she wouldn't be a burden to the army.
Hao Jiu sighed inwardly, his spirits waning considerably. "Alright, I'll listen to you this time. Consider it a show of my sincerity. However, once Yu Ji is resurrected, she can't be put into the storage space. She can't breathe inside, and... well, there's no point in going into too much detail. In short, no living things can be placed inside."
Xiang Yu pondered for a moment, "It's alright, let's continue with my original plan to escort her through the encirclement. If, if Yu Ji encounters another accident, we'll follow the second plan of the God of Wine to slowly revive her. How about that?"
"Of course, we've used the time-manipulation item, what else can't we do? But you have to tell me your escape plan. It concerns everyone's life and death, and I can also give you some ideas." Hao Jiu couldn't help but smile wryly. The Overlord was going to use double insurance. He should just go all the way and do his best to save Yu Ji's life no matter what.
Xiang Yu then recounted the previously agreed-upon breakout plan to Hao Jiu. To be honest, after a large number of deserters, he himself wasn't very confident in the plan. It would be even better if Hao Jiu had a better idea.
Hao Jiu frowned upon hearing Xiang Yu's plan. This was probably the escape strategy of the Hegemon in history. The result wasn't too bad. If they hadn't gotten lost in Yinling, this escape could be considered a success.
But that was without Yu Ji. Now that there is Yu Ji to protect, it's hard to say whether the same effect can be achieved. They may suffer heavy losses before even reaching Yinling.
Furthermore, the fate of Ji Bu's and Zhongli Mei's armies is uncertain. Although both Ji Bu and Zhongli Mei escaped alive from Gaixia in history, it seems that their annihilation was not much different from that of their entire army.
It makes sense. Even with Xiang Yu drawing fire from this side, it was still quite difficult for these two to break through from the edge of Han Xin's defense zone.
How can we preserve as much of the Chu army's manpower as possible?
Hao Jiu carefully recalled the historical records after the Battle of Gaixia, and suddenly his eyes lit up. He had an idea!
Chapter 24 Breakthrough (Part Two)
Hao Jiu shared his idea with Xiang Yu, who immediately agreed. Although this breakout plan was also risky, it was much better than the original plan, whose outcome he already knew from Hao Jiu.
Most importantly, Hao Jiu strongly agreed with Xiang Yu's plan to lead the charge. Originally, the only person in the world who could kill Xiang Yu was Xiang Yu himself. Now, with Hao Jiu's help, what was there to fear?
The more danger Xiang Yu faces, the less danger others face, and their chances of survival increase significantly.
"Then I'll prepare to reverse time now. Hopefully, nothing unexpected will happen." Hao Jiu was still bothered by the words 'flawed'. What exactly was the flaw?
Xiang Yu took a deep breath, then bowed with his hands clasped, saying, "I entrust everything to the God of Wine."
"Use the flawed time-reversal item! Choose to rewind to the time when you first met Xiang Yu!" Hao Jiu gritted his teeth; if he was going to reverse time, he would reverse it back to before the time when the Chu Kingdom surrounded him.
As for what the flaws were, Hao Jiu wasn't in the mood to care. He felt like his heart was bleeding. What a waste! A million was gone just like that.
Buzzing...
The surrounding scenery kept changing, like rewinding, constantly going back from the moment just now.
Hao Jiu saw Xiang Yu and Yu Ji's farewell, Yu Ji and the Gaixia Song, Xiang Yu's confession, Yu Ji's weeping, and what Xiang Bo said when he stopped beside Yu Ji!
Xiang Yu had not noticed that Xiang Bo had spoken to Yu Ji before leaving. But from the changes in Yu Ji's expression after interacting with Xiang Bo, Xiang Yu could easily guess that Yu Ji's death was inextricably linked to Xiang Bo!
"Damn it!" Xiang Yu now really wanted to tear Xiang Bo to pieces. It turned out that he was a traitor who betrayed his own side!
As time continued to rewind, Xiang Yu stayed close to Yu Ji, gazing at her intently. But unexpectedly, Yu Ji's actions suddenly became extremely strange. She lifted her foot and kept moving backward and forward repeatedly. After doing this several times, she got stuck there and stopped moving. Time stood still!
But that's not all. Time, which had paused for a moment, started flowing again, but this time it was moving forward at a fast-forward speed!
I'm fucking...
"Stop it! Stop it now!" Hao Jiu was practically going crazy. How could they sell a prop with such a huge flaw for 1 million? How could they even call it a flaw?
Xiang Yu also sensed something was wrong, but he was powerless to do anything about it. Before long, Xiang Yu would be singing the Gaixia Song, Yu Ji would be dancing, and then Yu Ji would be about to commit suicide, but time still showed no sign of stopping!
Xiang Yu shouted repeatedly and waved his hand at the phantom image of Yu Ji, but it had no effect whatsoever.
Hao Jiu was so anxious that he kept pacing around. While cursing the system god in his heart, he also felt a bit lucky. If he had really used this broken item as an ace, his fate might have been even more tragic.
"Stop watching!" Xiang Yu turned to look at 'Xiang Yu' who was still admiring the dance, rushed over and kicked him.
The instant Xiang Yu's toes touched the other 'Xiang Yu', the two Xiang Yu suddenly merged into one, and the fast-forward time mode ended at that moment!
"The Han army has seized the land, and the Chu songs are heard on all sides. The Overlord..." Yu Ji's eyes were complicated, with reluctance and heartache, but more than anything, there was determination!
"Who says I'm finished?" As Xiang Yu spoke, he sprang up like a cheetah and pounced on Yu Ji.
Yu Ji froze on the spot, then felt a dizzying sensation as Xiang Yu pulled her into his arms.
Without a word, Xiang Yu reached into Yu Ji's body and pulled out the exquisite little knife. "Speak! Where did you get this? Where did you get this! Why did you commit suicide? Why are you so cruel to me..."
As Xiang Yu held her tightly, Yu Ji burst into tears. "I don't want to be a burden to King Xiang, I don't want to drag King Xiang down. Although I don't understand military affairs, I can still understand the current situation to some extent."
If Xiang Yu were to protect me during my breakout, I fear I would not escape unscathed. Moreover, saving me alone would allow him to save several elite soldiers, which would be more advantageous to Xiang Yu.
This sword was captured by Lü Matong on the battlefield. He kindly gave it to me as a means of self-defense, and it's quite beautiful. King Xiang, please let Yu Ji die in peace..."
"Absolutely not! I will never let you die! If we're going to die, we'll die together!" Xiang Yu threw away the dagger, put his hand on Yu Ji's shoulder, and then pulled her into his arms again.
"Ahem, I say, Overlord, now is not the time for romance. If we don't hurry, our men will all desert us. You haven't forgotten our new plan, have you?" Hao Jiu finally breathed a sigh of relief, almost getting himself killed by Xiao Zi.
Xiang Yu suddenly realized that the key was to break through the encirclement. If things went wrong, Yu Ji might die again, which was absolutely unacceptable!
"Yu, come with me." Xiang Yu pulled Yu Ji up and walked out of the tent. He dared not let Yu Ji leave his side for even a moment.
The Chu army's fortifications, which had been heavily fortified during the day, were now riddled with holes, and the gates were wide open, allowing soldiers to escape.
Surrounded on all sides, the Chu army that fled now consisted mostly of soldiers from Jiangdong. Given the already vast disparity in strength between the enemy and ourselves, and with so many soldiers already gone, most people felt that the chances of a successful breakout were slim.
Those who stayed behind were simply loyal to Xiang Yu and had no intention of living. But such people were a minority, and only those with no ties could make such a decision. How could someone with a wife, children, and parents at home be so heartless as to face death?
Several veterans, their eyes red and sighing, headed straight for the gate, only to find that a large crowd had already gathered there and were blocking the way. When they got closer, they could see that there were two familiar figures standing at the gate.
"Xiang, King Xiang..." Many veterans lowered their heads in shame, while others were afraid that Xiang Yu would stop them. The Overlord was invincible, and they were no match for him, especially since they hadn't even taken their weapons.
Looking around, Xiang Yu saw that there were indeed many people trying to escape. In just a short time, more than a hundred people had gathered, and the number was still increasing. If it weren't for the reversal of time, after Yu Ji committed suicide and he was overwhelmed with grief, even more people would have fled.
Yu Ji held Xiang Yu's arm tightly, a smile on her face, showing no sign of nervousness. She really had nothing to fear now, after all, she had almost committed suicide. She was content as long as she could stay by Xiang Yu's side.
"Don't worry, I won't blame you for being afraid of death, nor do I intend to stop you from going home. I just want to say goodbye to everyone."
It is all because I, the king, was blind and appointed traitors such as Zhou Yin, Ying Bu, and Ding Gu, which led the entire army into a desperate situation with only a slim chance of survival. What merit do I have to ask everyone to accompany me into danger?
I will be content if you all do not take up arms against me and my fellow Chu soldiers who are willing to stay.
By my decree, open the camp gates wide! Those who wish to leave are free to do so! As for those who do not wish to leave, even if it costs me my life, I will lead you all back to Jiangdong and home together!
I, the King, respectfully bid farewell to all my soldiers, wishing you all a speedy return home and a peaceful life! Please also convey to those brothers who have left that I do not blame them; it is I who have wronged you all!
After Xiang Yu finished speaking, he bowed and then stepped aside with Yu Ji.
"I'm not leaving! I'm willing to stand with King Xiang!"
"I'm not leaving either. The worst that can happen is death!"
"Xiang Yu will surely bring victory to everyone, so I'm not leaving!"
...
Xiang Yu's words prompted more than a dozen people to declare they would not leave, but many more chose to remain silent, their hearts filled with agonizing uncertainty. They hoped that someone would step out of the door in front of Xiang Yu, yet they also hoped that more people would choose to stay.
"Rest assured, King Xiang, we will never fight against you and our Chu brothers!" an old soldier said, his face flushed.
"We have already wronged King Xiang by deserting in the face of battle, how can we turn around and fight against him?" Another veteran wiped away his tears.
"We swear to Heaven that we will never be enemies with King Xiang in this lifetime!"
"I will never be Xiang Yu's enemy in this lifetime!"
"Yes, we will not be enemies with Xiang Yu!"
...
"Thank you all!" Xiang Yu bowed again. "Please!"
Hundreds of soldiers, wiping away tears, bid farewell to Xiang Yu and fled the fortified camp.
Xiang Bo, hidden in the darkness not far away, breathed a long sigh of relief. Xiang Yu's moving and impassioned speech had really worried him, but fortunately, the current situation could not be changed by just a few words.
Xiang Bo gave a cold laugh, "Xiang Yu's defeat is inevitable, and all those who follow him will die!"
Chapter 25 Breakthrough (Part 3)
Seeing so many people still choosing to flee the fortress, Yu Ji couldn't help but feel disappointed. She wanted to comfort Xiang Yu, but then she noticed that Xiang Yu didn't seem very angry. For a moment, he even showed a slight smile.
"God of Wine, is this all you need to do?" Xiang Yu asked in his heart.
"Relax, the results are much better than I expected, and morale is high. I think I just saw that old geezer Xiang Bo. Let's move on to the next step of the plan quickly, time is of the essence."
Hao Jiu glanced at the back of his left hand. The black worm was no longer moving; it had probably eaten too many things it shouldn't have.
However, Hao Jiu dared not gamble that the bug's location tracking function would fail, so he had to deal with this problem before breaking through, otherwise Liu Ji would be able to get information no matter where he went.
Of course, with so many people breaking through, even without this tracker, it wouldn't be difficult for the Han army to find out the Chu army's movements; they just wouldn't be able to find out their exact location.
However, if the situation were to become as dire as recorded in history, with Xiang Yu left with only twenty-eight riders, or even just one person, the tracking device would prove invaluable.
Just in case, and to ensure the breakout plan goes smoothly, Hao Jiu had to try the method he had come up with while recovering from his leg injury: to use the time while Xiang Yu dealt with Xiang Bo and rearranged the breakout to eliminate this potential threat.
"You all immediately order all generals to assemble in the central command tent. I have something to say, especially to Xiang Bo. He must be present. If he doesn't want to come, you can tie him up and bring him here!" Xiang Yu said to the dozen or so veterans who had just chosen to stay.
"Yes!" the group responded and split up to carry out their tasks.
Xiang Yu, along with Yu Ji, headed straight for the central command tent; it was time to settle scores with Xiang Bo.
Before even reaching the central command tent, Hao Jiu couldn't wait to start dealing with the worm on the back of his hand. The reason why Hao Jiu had been unable to get rid of it for so long was that after the worm burrowed into the back of his hand, it seemed to have grown inside, making it impossible to pull out.