All the heavens begin with the love in the courtyard.

With the sudden increase in strength, Han Chunming was full of confidence in this rescue.

The rescue plan was actually quite simple. Han Chunming first thoroughly investigated the layout of the prison and the location of Yi Xiaochuan's cell.

Soldiers patrol the perimeter of the prison 24 hours a day, with fewer patrols at night. The shift change between the two groups takes place at 6:30 pm, when there are many people around.

Han Chunming's men will have four people disguised as prison guards, patrolling the prison together.

The four men disguised as prison guards were genuine; they were simply newly appointed guards. As for how they did it, it's simple: birds die for food, and people die for wealth—there's always a way.

The trading company established by the Dragon Kingdom's secret agents has built a powerful network of relationships in Xianyang over the years. Especially after Gao Yao came to power, the trading company now has almost no obstacles in Xianyang.

However, when Gao Yao returns, he will definitely find something amiss. After all, both of his strongholds have been ransacked by Han Chunming, and Gao Yue's elixir of immortality has also been taken by him. As long as Gao Yao isn't an idiot, he can tell that the business guild is behind this.

Han Chunming originally established the trading company for the elixir of immortality. Now that he has succeeded, it is time to withdraw. He will leave behind some spies and withdraw most of the other trading transactions.

Now that Qin Shi Huang has passed away, the Qin Dynasty will soon be engulfed in war. Rebel armies and the eighteen feudal lords will turn the Qin Dynasty upside down. It is time for me to start preparing.

Han Chunming had no intention of letting Xiang Yu and the others appear. He was now 100% confident in rescuing Yi Xiaochuan, and he was even confident that he could use force.

Han Chunming disguised himself as one of the prison guards, followed by three secret agents, and entered the prison with the other guards.

There weren't many people on night duty at the prison. Night shifts weren't common in this era, and prisons were generally more relaxed inside than outside.

There were a large number of guards outside the prison, but only about twenty prison guards inside, who made simple patrols in their own areas and spent the rest of the time dozing off and waiting to go off duty.

Upon entering the prison, a strong stench of decay hit him. Han Chunming wrinkled his nose, thinking, "These working conditions are terrible!"

Indeed, most of the prison guards were not in a good mood either. The prison was very large, and it held mostly serious criminals from Xianyang City. They were all in single cells, with rows of cells in all four directions, holding prisoners of different statuses.

The lead jailer began assigning tasks, with four people forming a group to guard their respective areas. Han Chunming and three others were assigned to the eastern area, where Yi Xiaochuan was being held.

This is why Han Chunming said he was 100% confident in rescuing Yi Xiaochuan, because everything had already been arranged.

With Gao Yao as his backer, all he had to do was bribe one of Gao Yao's eunuchs, and everything else would be easy.

In Han Chunming's view, Xiang Yu's reckless act of leading hundreds of men to break out of prison was the worst possible strategy. Upon closer examination, perhaps it was precisely because Xiang Yu was simple-minded that he ultimately lost to Liu Bang.

But now that I'm involved, who knows who the final winner will be?

Han Chunming led the three men to their assigned area and began patrolling the middle of the corridor.

The prison was already dimly lit, and now that it was night, most of the cells were pitch black, making it impossible to see who was who. A few meters apart in the corridor, an oil lamp flickered with a faint light.

Actually, the prison guards don't have much to do. The cell doors are locked with iron locks, and most of the guards don't have keys; they're all with the head guard. The guards just routinely take a stroll around.

Han Chunming was not in a hurry to take action. He was quite interested in looking at the prisoners in each cell.

Although the lighting was dim, Han Chunming's eyesight was much better than that of an average person, and he could roughly make out the appearance of the prisoners in the cell. Since it was a single cell, it was even easier to check.

Most of the prisoners inside had vacant eyes, were numb, disheveled, and tattered, clearly having suffered both mental and physical torture.

When Han Chunming saw Yi Xiaochuan, he was stunned for a moment. Yi Xiaochuan was slumped against the wall like a dead dog, his body motionless, and it was unclear whether he was dead or alive.

Han Chunming smiled and found it quite interesting. This chosen one's experiences over the past few years have truly been legendary. If he hadn't saved him, perhaps he would have still escaped. After all, he is the chosen one.

However, he has already taken away his greatest opportunity, and it is unknown where he will go in the future.

In short, since I have taken his opportunity, I will definitely save him as a way of repaying him, and I will find a way to save Yu Shu so that this star-crossed couple can finally be together.

Han Chunming gave the other three a look, and they understood, quickly spreading out to keep watch.

Without further hesitation, Han Chunming drew the standard prison guard's sword from his waist, and with a slight force, he broke the iron lock on the cell with a soft cracking sound. Han Chunming pushed open the cell door and entered.

Standing in front of Yi Xiaochuan, Han Chunming looked down at the figure huddled in the corner and sighed. He gently picked up Yi Xiaochuan and heard him let out a low groan of pain.

Han Chunming could tell that the other party was seriously injured and his consciousness was somewhat blurred. It was clear that Gao Yao had almost killed him.

Han Chunming shook his head helplessly, picked him up, and slowly walked out of the cell.

No one would have thought that someone would dare to break into the prison in broad daylight. It wasn't until Han Chunming carried Yi Xiaochuan to the area where the other prison guards were stationed that a few guards hesitantly approached Han Chunming and asked him questions.

What are you doing?

Han Chunming smiled slightly and said casually.

"It's nothing, I came to rescue someone! Sorry everyone!"

As soon as Han Chunming finished speaking, he casually gave the group a light push, and they were hit as if by cannonballs, their bodies crashing into the wall and losing consciousness.

The sound of the impact immediately drew everyone's attention, and many prisoners in the cell stared at the scene with disbelief.

Han Chunming smiled and said to the three spies, "Alright, I'm going to break out now. You follow behind me. Once we're out, proceed according to the original plan!"

The group quickly agreed, and Han Chunming, without further ado, grabbed Yi Xiaochuan in one hand and a long knife in the other, and strode towards the prison gate.

When anyone dared to obstruct him, Han Chunming barely hesitated; his knife rose and fell without any resistance.

As Han Chunming rushed out of the prison, the guards outside were still unaware of what had happened. Han Chunming's figure moved through the darkness like a phantom.

Before the guards outside the prison could even see Han Chunming clearly, they were already beheaded.

Once the three people behind him had all come out, Han Chunming handed Yi Xiaochuan over to them, instructing them to lead Yi Xiaochuan to retreat according to the plan, while he would take care of the rest.

Watching the group disappear into the night, Han Chunming finally felt relieved. His attack had given him a sense of ease and comfort he had never experienced before.

This time, taking the elixir of immortality increased his power several times over. The illusion that he could decide the life and death of others at will made Han Chunming even feel like a god.

In the past, although he possessed unparalleled martial prowess, he was sometimes powerless against overwhelming numbers. Now, however, he had the illusion that he could come and go freely even when facing thousands of troops.

This was the feeling brought about by a sudden increase in strength. At this moment, Han Chunming suddenly felt that he had achieved perfection. He was immortal, invincible, and there was nothing left in the world for him to pursue.

The throne?

Perhaps!

Han Chunming laughed heartily. Seeing the increasing number of pursuers, Han Chunming did not retreat but advanced, rushing into the crowd like a tiger descending a mountain, pouncing on the poor little lambs.

Half an incense stick later, Han Chunming dropped the long knife in his hand and looked around at the layers of corpses. Finally, his mind cleared up.

Venting one's anger through killing only leads to endless emptiness. Han Chunming shook his head helplessly and turned to leave.

Han Chunming was now brimming with confidence because of his own martial prowess. He even wanted to kill Hu Hai right now and plunge the world into chaos.

But in the end he did not do that. Hu Hai was like a real termite. During his three years on the throne, he hollowed out the Qin Dynasty and was the last straw that broke the Qin Dynasty's back. This was the real reason for the Qin Dynasty's demise.

If we kill Huhai now, and those ministers choose another one from the Qin royal family, and that person becomes a wise ruler, extending the life of Qin for several more decades, it will only cause us trouble for nothing!

Yi Xiaochuan has been rescued, and next up is Yu Shu. Her sudden increase in combat power has given Han Chunming boundless confidence.

He rushed to Mount Li overnight and, with the help of information from his spies, finally found Yu Shu, who was being held captive.

Yu Shu was still stunning, but the two years of imprisonment had made her look somewhat haggard. When she saw Han Chunming suddenly appear, Yu Shu covered her mouth in surprise.

Han Chunming smiled, put his arm around Yu Shu's slender waist, and whispered in her ear.

"Hold on tight, I'll take you to see Yi Xiaochuan right now!"

……

Half a month later, the group of people stopped at a crossroads on horseback. Yi Xiaochuan turned to look at Han Chunming beside him and said with a complicated expression.

"Uncle, let's part ways here. I will never forget your life-saving grace. I hope we will meet again in the future!"

Han Chunming smiled and nodded, speaking casually.

"Alright, I wish you happiness and a long and happy life together. Since you don't want to go to the Western Regions with me, I won't force you. Live well, and if there's a chance in the future, we'll meet again!"

Yi Xiaochuan nodded, and he and Yu Shu smiled at each other, their eyes overflowing with affection. After bidding farewell to Han Chunming, they rode their two horses southward.

Han Chunming watched the two figures disappear into the distance and sighed helplessly.

Having gone through so much, Yi Xiaochuan is clearly exhausted and just wants to find a place to live peacefully with Yu Shu. He doesn't want to get involved in any more trouble.

Previously, Han Chunming asked them to go to the Western Regions, but Yi Xiaochuan refused outright. Xiang Yu wanted Yi Xiaochuan to go to Jiangdong with him, but he refused again.

Clearly, Yi Xiaochuan's historical knowledge told him that what followed was the struggle between Chu and Han, and he didn't want to face his two sworn brothers, no matter who won in the end.

Now that the woman he loves is by his side, Yi Xiaochuan is already very content.

All he wants now is to find a place where no one can find them, and live a simple and peaceful life with Yu Shu.

Han Chunming followed him in death. With his own presence, who knows if the Chu-Han Contention will ever continue?

Han Chunming smiled as he watched Yi Xiaochuan and the other man disappear into the distance. He then spurred his horse and headed down another road, the one that led to Pei County.

Yes, Han Chunming suddenly remembered that there seemed to be a girl waiting for him in Pei County. He just wondered how Lü Su was doing after all these years.

As Han Chunming's figure disappeared, a man wearing a straw hat slowly appeared at the crossroads. He had a full beard and a melancholy expression. He glanced in the direction Han Chunming had left, but finally sighed and turned away.

If Han Chunming looked back, he would be surprised to find that the bearded man's features actually resembled Yi Xiaochuan's.

Chapter Thirty-Four: Taking Lü Su Back to the Western Regions

Han Chunming arrived in Pei County. When he passed the city gate, he looked up at the words on the gate and was filled with emotion.

He was still somewhat conflicted at the moment. Thinking about it carefully, it had been several years since they last met. He wondered how Lü Su was doing now.

If you do the math, Lü Su is already twenty-three years old, which is considered old for a spinster in this era. It's unclear whether she's married or not.

Han Chunming didn't actually love Lü Su very much. Back then, he only had a preconceived notion and developed some feelings for her, which led him to make a promise to her.

If Lü Suzhen is already married, Han Chunming doesn't blame her. Everyone has the right to choose. Besides, sometimes, life's circumstances, especially for a girl, leave her with no choice in the matter.

At this moment, in an ordinary courtyard in the east of Peixian County, several coughs were heard, and a somewhat old voice came from inside the house.

"Susu, where are you?"

After the old man called out a few times and received no response, his coughing suddenly became louder. After a while, the sound of the old man groaning with difficulty came from the room.

At this moment, several hundred meters behind the courtyard, there is a small river, and a girl is washing clothes by the river, holding a wooden basin.

She wore no makeup and simple linen clothes, but her delicate features could not hide her beauty, making her stand out from the other village women washing clothes with her.

At some point, several wealthy young men appeared on the riverbank. These rich kids, accompanied by a large group of servants, stood by the river, pointing and gesturing at Lü Su below, and constantly spewing vulgarities.

A portly young master watched Lü Su's retreating figure, a glint of cunning in his eyes. He made no attempt to hide the lewd smile on his lips and muttered something under his breath.

"Have you noticed? This second daughter of the Lü family has gotten a bit bigger in the butt. Do you think this little slut has found a man to please her?"

The rich young man's words caused everyone to burst into laughter. One of the rich young men stroked his chin, narrowed his small eyes, and said lecherously.

“Hey guys, let’s make this clear first: none of us can have this little slut all to ourselves. I’ve already got in touch with the county magistrate and I’m going to force the Lü family to sell their second daughter. Then we’ll throw her into the Osmanthus Brothel, and we’ll take turns, one day each!”

The group of wealthy young men laughed heartily, but one of the older ones hesitated and said something.

"I heard that Third Master Liu is the eldest son-in-law of the Lü family. Will he cause us trouble later?"