What they didn’t realise was that their heads would roll alongside the imposters the second they let her know what they did. Peng Xiu was the hands-on type who preferred to slaughter her enemies with her own hand, just like the late demon king of the northern realm.
Unfortunately for the assassin, he had grossly underestimated his opponent. Xiang Yu caught sight of the man’s movements at the corner of his eye. The figure cloaked in black darted between the trees and attacked him, but Xiang Yu sneered, swinging his dagger.
The man’s eyes widened as a chill crept down his spine sensing incoming danger. He swiftly dodged the attack and managed to save his neck but he didn’t escape unscathed. His cheek was slit leaving a deep gash.
Without hesitation, Xiang Yu lunged forward just as needles shot out from the man’s direction. The sharp projectiles whistled through the air like angry hornets. Xiang Yu dodged with superhuman speed and swung his blade with precision and fury.
It clashed against the man’s sword with a metallic ring that echoed into the night. The man fought back fiercely but faltered under Xiang Yu’s relentless assault. He might have been twice his size but he couldn’t win against this venerable one. "Who are you?" he spat between gritted teeth, struggling to regain control.
Xiang Yu pressed on with an intensity born from years of slaughtering demons. The man’s eyes widened as realisation dawned upon him. This was no weak young woman hiding behind her royal highness’ face. This was someone who had been forged by fire and blood just like him.
In desperation, he turned to flee, but Xiang Yu anticipated his move and tackled him to the ground. The weight of their bodies crashing into earth seemed to momentarily silence the world around them. With a twisted expression fuelled by his nature, he plunged his blade deep into his shoulder.
A cry tore itself from the man’s lips, a sound so raw it resonated throughout the forest sending critters running in fear. "You you...you are not Her Royal Highness, Princess Xiu! You are an imposter" he gasped between breaths filled with pain and confusion.
Xiang Yu withdrew his weapon slowly until its tip hovered dangerously close to his neck. Their faces inches apart he whispered, "Of course, I am not that bitch. I am her retribution. I will make her pay for what she did." The man felt her scorching breath burning his flesh. It was like staring into the eyes of a devil that crawled its way out of hell to torment him.
"How many more of her spies are in Han Xin’s camp?" he demanded, his thumb pressing hard into the wound on his shoulder, twisting it cruelly. The man screamed in agony the edge of the dagger on his neck brushing his neck.
A look of horror flickered across his features as he was tormented to no end. He regretted not inserting the capsule with poison in his mouth sooner; otherwise, he wouldn’t have to suffer.
Just when he was about to open his mouth and confess his eyes flickered like he had seen a saviour. "She is not—" he shouted but before he could finish speaking and reveal the truth lingering on his lips, Xiang Yu’s hand moved almost instinctively.
His movements were swift like lightning yet heavy enough to slit his voice box. The steel glided across flesh before blood splattered everywhere painting a vivid crimson arc on Xiang Yu’s sleeve.
He stared at the life fading from this man’s gaze with no remorse. Sensing Han Xin’s presence behind him, his back stiffened, wondering what he had heard. If he found out his true identity this man might throw all his affection for him out of the window and kill him.
Xiang Yu had to think of an escape plan for him, the twins and Baihe. While he was planning for a means of escape, he heard Han Xin speak to him but it wasn’t the words he expected.
"Are you hurt? Let me see!" Han Xins’s voice rang out as he grabbed hold of Peng Xiu’s arm urgently pulling him up. He checked her body frantically for injuries. This gesture felt so foreign yet achingly tender that it left Xiang Yu speechless under its weighty affection.
Growing up, no one, not even his mother, would check his body for injuries. Not even when bullies cornered him while he was running errands for his mother or when the butcher beat him within an inch of his life.
It struck deep within Xiang Yu’s guarded heart how someone could care so much about another’s well-being without a relationship. Why did he care so much for someone he hardly knew?
"I am fine," he finally managed after swallowing the lump stuck in his throat. "You are fussing over nothing,"
Suddenly, three needles shot past them once more. There seemed to be a third assassin. Han Xin instinctively pulled Peng Xiu away while shielding her with his body. They stumbled backward losing balance before tumbling down a small cliff. When they reached the bottom of the cliff, the ground beneath them opened up, and they fell through.
They rolled helplessly in a tunnel which was part of a network of underground caves. After what seemed like an eternity, they came to a stop. The ground felt damp and the place was dark with barely any light penetrating. They lay tangled together waiting for the rocks that had fallen with them to stop.
When peace was restored Han Xin raised himself slightly. He was lying on top of Peng Xiu his hand protectively cradling the back of her head to prevent her from getting hurt during the fall. He propped himself up with his other arm and asked, "Are you okay?"
Xiang Yu was about to respond when his breath hitched as a drop of blood dripped down and fell on his cheek. He raised his head slightly and saw streaks of red on Han Xin’s temple, faintly illuminated by the little moonlight filtering through the cracks above. "Why aren’t you answering? Does it hurt anywhere?" asked Han Xin again sounding even more anxious.
"I am alright. Stay still," came his trembling reply while reaching out involuntarily towards Han Xin’s temple to assess the extent of his injury. Before he could take a closer look Han Xin suddenly leaned forward and passed out on top of him.