Ju Shou was escorted out once more.
The heavy gates of the provincial residence slammed shut behind him, the echo lingering like a funeral bell. As he stepped into the cold air, a weight pressed against his chest. The more he thought about Han Fu's decision, the more certain he became—
Disaster was coming to Ji Province.
Not a distant threat. Not a vague possibility.
But a storm already gathering on the horizon.
Unwilling to surrender to fate, Ju Shou had rallied the remaining officials—Li Li, Geng Wu, and others—hoping that together they could shake Han Fu from his delusion. Yet the result was the same. Han Fu, blinded by greed for Qing Province, refused to listen. Reason, loyalty, and foresight—all cast aside like worthless scraps.
If he could be persuaded, he would not have doomed himself in history.
Now, history seemed determined to repeat itself.
"Alas…"
Ju Shou let out a long sigh, his gaze drifting toward the distant skyline of Ye City.
After today… would Ji Province belong to Yuan?
Or to Zhang?
Either way—
It would no longer belong to Han.
He turned to Zhao Fu and Cheng Huan, the two Army Supervisors standing beside him.
"Gentlemen," Ju Shou said, cupping his hands, his voice low but resolute, "war is coming. Ji Province will not be spared. From this day forward, strengthen the training of all troops. Sharpen their blades. Harden their will."
"This concerns the lives of countless civilians," Zhao Fu replied firmly. "We will not fail."
Cheng Huan nodded. "We will prepare."
Ju Shou gave a faint, bitter smile.
"I am no longer Biejia…"
Yet even stripped of title, he could not abandon responsibility.
Meanwhile, far away in Nangpi—
Xun Chen returned.
The journey had been long, but the fatigue in his body was nothing compared to the heaviness in his heart.
When Yuan Shao heard the news, he was overjoyed.
"Excellent! Excellent!" Yuan Shao exclaimed, his face lit with triumph. "Han Fu has agreed to raise troops! This is a great victory!"
He immediately ordered rewards—gold, silk, and treasures piled high—and even prepared a grand banquet in celebration.
But Xun Chen merely bowed.
"There is no need, my lord. I am weary from travel. I wish only to rest."
Yuan Shao paused, concern flickering across his face.
"Are you unwell?"
"Only tired."
"Then rest well," Yuan Shao said warmly. "When you recover, we shall celebrate properly."
Once, such courtesy would have stirred Xun Chen's loyalty.
But now—
It only deepened his disillusionment.
On one side, Zhang Xin fought on the front lines, risking life and limb to punish traitors and avenge the fallen. On the other, Yuan Shao schemed in the shadows, seeking to seize territory while others bled.
The contrast was unbearable.
That night, Xun Chen made his decision.
He sealed the reward untouched.
He hung his official seal upon a tree.
And under the cover of darkness—
He left.
Without a word.
When Yuan Shao learned of it, fury erupted.
"Xun Chen abandoned me?!"
But the anger faded quickly, replaced by something quieter… more dangerous.
Doubt.
"…Even he has left," Yuan Shao murmured.
For a fleeting moment, he questioned himself.
Was he wrong?
"Lord, do not be disheartened."
Pang Ji stepped forward, his voice steady.
"Once Qing Province is taken, everything will change. With Qing to the south, Ji to the north, and Xu within reach, you will command the richest lands under Heaven."
"Han Fu and Tao Qian lack ambition. They are no match for you."
"The victor becomes king. The defeated, mere bandits."
"Once you hold three provinces, heroes will flock to your banner once more."
Those words struck deep.
Yuan Shao's hesitation vanished.
"Yes… you are right."
His eyes hardened again with ambition.
"No matter what, Xun Chen has served me well. If he returns in the future, I will not treat him poorly."
Pang Ji smiled.
"With me at your side, my lord will surely achieve greatness."
They spoke of conquest.
Of glory.
Of the future that would belong to them.
But far away, fate was already moving in another direction.
Nanyang.
Music, laughter, and the scent of wine filled the hall.
Yuan Shu lounged among his concubines, indulging in pleasure without restraint.
Then—
"An envoy from Yuan Shao requests an audience."
Yuan Shu frowned.
"That bastard again…"
Still, he waved a hand.
"Let him in."
Moments later, Guo Tu entered, bowing deeply.
"Guo Tu greets the Alliance Leader."
That single title—Alliance Leader—
It pleased Yuan Shu immensely.
"Speak," Yuan Shu said lazily. "Has that bastard sent you to beg again?"
Guo Tu smiled faintly.
"I am here to relieve your worries."
"Worries?" Yuan Shu scoffed. "What worries do I have?"
Then his expression turned cold.
"You come with ill intent. Guards—throw him out."
Armored soldiers stepped forward, seizing Guo Tu.
And yet—
Guo Tu laughed.
Loudly.
Unrestrained.
"Stop."
Yuan Shu raised a hand, frowning.
"Why do you laugh?"
Guo Tu's eyes gleamed with mockery.
"I laugh because you are blind."
"A catastrophe stands before you—and you do not see it."
Yuan Shu's expression shifted.
"What catastrophe?"
Guo Tu glanced at the guards gripping him.
Yuan Shu waved them away.
Freed, Guo Tu straightened his robes and spoke slowly—
"Zhang Xin has taken Luoyang."
"He advances upon Chang'an."
"If he succeeds… if he welcomes back the Son of Heaven…"
Guo Tu paused, then sighed deeply.
"My lord… will you still have peace?"
Yuan Shu frowned.
"Why wouldn't I?"
"To defeat Dong Zhuo and restore the Emperor—that was our goal."
Guo Tu shook his head sharply.
"My lord… you are mistaken."
"Zhang Xin has always stood against the powerful factions. If he gains control of the Emperor…"
His voice dropped, heavy with meaning.
"…do you truly believe he will allow you to continue as you are?"
Silence fell.
The music had long since stopped.
The air itself seemed to tighten.
For the first time—
A shadow crossed Yuan Shu's face.
And somewhere, beyond the borders of ambition and greed—
The seeds of conflict began to sprout.
Because in this world—
Every choice demanded a price.
And soon—
They would all reap what they had sown.