NOVEL WEB Chapter 36
[……Since I rallied my troops, eight years have already passed.]
30 minutes later, the second half of [The Hegemon-King Li's Consort] was safely back on stage.
Xiang Yu, chased by Liu Bang, began his speech at the union of his gender.
After being trapped by the dilemma of being surrounded on all sides, only 800 soldiers remained from the Chu army.
And now, due to the relentless pursuit of the Han army, that number had dwindled to just 28 soldiers.
[Over the years, I have fought 70 battles, and all those who stood in my way have been slain. Every city I attacked has fallen, and I have never known defeat as I subjugated the world.]
…But even so, Reverse-Hua Mountain’s Momentum was still Reverse-Hua Mountain’s Momentum.
[Hahaha, Liu Bang! Heaven? Did Heaven see my ferocity and punish me?]
Xiang Yu, looking boldly at the encroaching Han army like a cloud, laughed heartily.
Having shaken off his obsession thanks to Wu Hee’s sacrifice, there was no longer a hint of worry in his eyes.
Instead, only a disheartened light remained, as if he had realized something.
[…Yes! You are right! My predicament today is due to Heaven wanting to ruin me, not because I am poor at fighting!]
The 28 soldiers who stayed by his side until the very end.
Looking at them, the once-young hero who wielded his sword over the world shouted.
[I swear! I will absolutely send you back to our homeland in the Jiangdong! I will show you the ultimate skill of my martial arts that I honed for a lifetime!]
“A skill honed for a lifetime?”
“Hah, but there are only 28 of us left! How do you plan to break through this predicament?”
“Yeah. Just relying on Triple Transformation of Zen or Lightness Skill doesn’t seem plausible anymore.”
The audience wore anxious faces, their expressions twisted by his seemingly absurd declaration.
Though he had fallen into disgrace, Xiang Yu was the type of protagonist that captivated the audience from the start.
Everyone hoped he would overcome this ordeal and resurrect as he once did.
Swish! Swoosh!
Then, before the audience’s eyes, Xiang Yu produced two more swords.
According to the ancient texts, Xiang Yu possessed a total of three legendary swords in life.
The Longquan Sword, the Tai’a Sword, and the Gongfu Sword were those.
And the next moment, cheers erupted from the astonished audience.
“Whoa!?”
“Eh? What is that?”
“T-t-t-swords?!”
Though cornered, Xiang Yu’s personal strength continued to grow day by day.
He had finally reached the union of body and sword.
In martial arts, he was what they called an absolute master.
Ironically, when everything was irretrievable, he had reached the highest realm possible as a swordsman.
Now that he leveled up to the union of body and sword and could use his energy freely, he could showcase transcendent techniques beyond imagination.
[Use Qi to Control the Sword Technique—!!]
Fwoosh—!!
Whoosh! Hiss—!!
Excluding the Longquan Sword held directly by Xiang Yu, the Tai’a and Gongfu swords started flying freely through the sky, ruthlessly slaying Han soldiers.
[Ahhh! Retreat! Retreat!]
[The sword! The sword is flying by itself!]
[Xiang Yu! He’s truly a monster among monsters!]
[Look—!! I will behead your commander for you all—!!!]
Xiang Yu charged at the panicked Han army, roaring like a lion.
Following up his sword skill, the wild beast known as “West Chu Hegemon” rushed in, scattering the enemy like leaves in the wind.
Having swiftly executed the enemy’s leader with a single swipe, Xiang Yu raised the Longquan Sword and asked.
[Did you see? What do you think of this hegemon’s martial prowess—!!]
The answer came not from the extras but from the audience.
“Wow! Xiang Yu! Xiang Yu! Xiang Yu!”
“The strength to lift mountains! The aura that shrouds the world!”
“Even if defeated, a hero is still a hero—!!”
In fact, swordsmanship was relatively overshadowed by the power inflation rampant in modern martial arts.
However, it was undoubtedly a captivating skill in the eyes of the otherworlders unfamiliar with the genre.
“Xiang Yu! Xiang Yu! Xiang Yu!”
Seeing the crowd’s spirits rising again after heavy despair, it became evident that seeing was believing.
Clash, Bam—!!
Thus, Xiang Yu and his 28 soldiers rushed forth, indiscriminately mowing down Han troops.
In the nine battles they fought, the Han army lost nine generals and nearly 1,000 soldiers, while the Chu army suffered just two casualties.
…And finally, they reached the O-Gang, which marked the boundary between the Central Plains and Jiangdong.
[Hegemon! Go back to Jiangdong and regroup!]
[That’s right! After crossing O-Gang, if we burn all our ships, the Han army won’t follow!]
[The hegemon is a hero sent by Heaven! If we unite our strength, we can surely defeat Liu Bang!]
Inspired by their lord’s divine martial display, the soldiers urged to fight once more.
The audience also rallied, vying to cheer him on.
“Absolutely! Keep going, West Chu Hegemon!”
“It’s not over yet! Return to your homeland and gather strength again!”
“Thanks to Wu Hee, you’ve regained your spirit, right? Just reflect and rejuvenate!”
[…No, I cannot do that.]
However, Xiang Yu merely shook his head in disbelief.
Looking back at the audience, the actor playing the hegemon, Balthazar, spoke with a bitter voice.
[All 8,000 of my troops from Jiangdong are dead, leaving only 26 of us. How can I face the people after this?]
“What? No! The soldiers say they’re all fine! Why are you like this?! Go back to your homeland and regroup!”
“You just mastered that Use Qi to Control the Sword thing! Don’t give up and fight Liu Bang again!”
Romantic yet somewhat rash, the hegemon’s resolve was met with resounding support from the audience.
But the hegemon’s decision had already hardened.
[If I return to Jiangdong, our homeland will surely be swept into chaos! Today, I intend to fulfill my destiny by sending you all back to your homeland!]
[H-hegemon! But…!]
[Silence! Are you daring to defy the royal command? Everyone, board the ship! I, Xiang Yu, will block the Han’s pursuit!]
[Ugh, hegemon!]
Ultimately, the 26 survivors boarded the ferry and crossed over O-Gang.
Xiang Yu entrusted them with his best steed, O-Chu, as they left desolate.
Suddenly, as they crossed half the river on the ferry.
Neighhhh-!!
Splash!
The horse, watching its distant owner, let out a desperate whinny and without hesitation, dove into the river.
“Eh!?”
“O-Chu!”
Struggling, the noble steed desperately swam back to its owner.
But even a prestigious horse racing like the wind couldn’t conquer the fierce currents.
Ultimately, it soon sank helplessly into the deep waters.
[Oh, O-Chu!]
Gazing at the horse that vanished beneath the surface, Xiang Yu shouted.
[Yes! You were a dragon born as a horse! You have returned to being a dragon, so there is no need to sorrow!]
“Sniff! How long have I lived to see this day? Who would have thought such a heart-wrenching moment would come due to a mere beast?”
“Indeed, the Phantom Writer is a genius. He can make even the death of a horse so tragic!”
However, there was little time to grieve for O-Chu’s demise.
[There! The treacherous Xiang Yu is over there!]
[Unleash the 108 Arhats! We must not allow him to escape!]
The relentless Han troops, who had doggedly tracked the Chu army, finally reached O-Gang.
And then emerged the red-clad extras swarming like clouds.
Amidst them, Xiang Yu smirked while eyeing the fluttering Han flag.
[I’ve heard the gossip. Han King Liu Bang has placed a bounty of 1,000 gold on my head and 10,000 households of titles?]
Then, raising his blood-stained Longquan Sword, he howled.
[So be it! Who dares to seek the reward first?! Those who covet Xiang Yu’s head shall step forward—!!]
Naturally, no one came forward to answer him.
No matter how enticing the reward, one could not enjoy riches if one lost their life.
No soldier or commander was without fear of Xiang Yu’s prowess.
Even at the cliff’s edge, the West Chu Hegemon remained a living legend.
…And with no one willing to come forth to slay him.
[Archers! All to the front!]
Ultimately, Han King Liu Bang took to the stage himself, accompanied by numerous archers.
[Prepare the crossbows! Upon my command, fire immediately!]
At the command of the officer, the soldiers methodically loaded their arrows and aimed the crossbows.
Accompanied by their protection, Liu Bang stood silently, locking eyes with Xiang Yu.
Though they were about to clash swords, they had once shared a bond over drinks while raising the flag against the Qin dynasty.
The futility of their friendship, where one had to die, was deeply conveyed.
[As the green river smiles joyfully, crashing waves flow onto the shore~♪]
In the back of the stage, the elf musicians began strumming the zither and blowing the bamboo flute.
At the same time, they began to sing the song composed by Phantom and Professor Gabi in unison.
[Let us remember today’s events as we watch the rolling waves~♫]
[Looking at the blue sky with a smile, let’s forget this chaotic world~♬]
[Who wins and who loses is a matter only Heaven knows~♫]
This was the theme song from the 1990s martial arts movie [Swordsman], perfectly illustrating Xiang Yu’s plight descending from hegemony to defeat.
And when the elf musicians’ mournful tune ceased suddenly.
[……Kill him.]
Smirking, Liu Bang issued the command.
Ping! Pinging!
Whirring—!!
A rain of arrows, expressed through lighting and special effects, was shot towards Xiang Yu.
Countless arrows filled the blue sky so dark that one could hardly see.
Watching this, Balthazar, the actor playing Xiang Yu, quietly closed his eyes.
…Thus, the West Chu Hegemon met his end, in homage to the ending of Zhang Yimou’s 2002 martial arts film, [Hero].
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“Alright, great job, everyone!”
“You’ve all worked hard! Let’s keep it up until the end, haha!”
After finishing the curtain call, the actors gathered to tidy up the stage and remove their makeup.
Celebrating the successful performance, everyone burst into laughter.
However, the one receiving the most praise today was of course the protagonist—me.
And the actress who harmonized excellently with me, senior Rosalyn.
“You did very well, Balthazar. Your acting has improved since the first half.”
Isabella, the manager of the theater, patted my shoulder with a satisfied expression.
Once known as an excellent actress herself, she smiled and quipped.
“Professor Gabi said you have talent. How about it? Do you want to continue part-time? We welcome any young, talented individuals.”
“Haha, thank you. But I’ll have to decline.”
I was just envious of an A+ on my midterm exam and didn’t want to start a career in acting. As a playwright, I was already raking in fame and fortune.
“U-um… Balthazar.”
Just then, poking my shoulder, someone caught my attention.
It was Rosalyn, who had just been surrounded by the other actors, receiving praises.
“What’s up, senior? Is there a problem?”
“Um, before the performance started… Th-that latest script revision you mentioned….”
…Ah, I see.
As I thought, she was the one who hadn’t received the final amendments, leaving her somewhat anxious.
In fact, in the second revision, there hadn’t been a kissing scene between Xiang Yu and Wu Hee.
The scene had just been the hegemon weeping over his lover’s corpse, but to express their parting more poignantly, it had been changed.
As the playwright, I decided to finalize the revisions and hurriedly returned to the dorm to change clothes.
Upon returning in time for the performance, I proceeded with my makeup while pretending to hand over the amendment details.
But I must have gotten too busy before the opening to actually relay that information to senior Rosalyn.
“I’m sorry, senior. Did I startle you by suddenly showing my face? I had no idea you hadn’t received the final updates.”
“……”
“Uhh, senior? Are you mad? I’m really sorry.”
How could she be blushing like that?
We were close enough that it shouldn’t matter, but she was still an unmarried duchess in the making.
In this era, purity and propriety were paramount for noblewomen. If a man tried to initiate any form of physical contact, it was bound to feel like an insult.
At that moment, Rosalyn mumbled softly.
“……I’m not mad.”
“What?”
“I’m not angry. It’s just… I mean…”
Trailing off with a mysterious expression, her words hung in the air.
In those gentle green eyes filled with confusion, an unusual emotion flickered.
Covering her mouth with the silk sleeve of her costume, she reminded one of a modest dancer from the East.
“I’m sorry.”
After lingering for a moment, she suddenly squeezed her eyes shut.
Then, turning around, she dashed away.
“I’ll talk to you later. See you, Balthazar.”
“U-uh? Senior?”
Thus, I could only stand there in a daze, feeling bewildered.
Sorry? For what? The one who should be truly apologizing was me.
Our darling senior Rosalyn, that considerate personality of hers never seems to change, right?
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Her cheeks were flushed brightly, about to burst.
Gently caressing them, Rosalyn walked nervously away.
Of course, she hadn’t actually kissed Balthazar.
Just before their lips brushed, she awkwardly paused, covering her face with her collar.
Both waited awkwardly for the curtain to fall, maintaining a near-touching distance.
“……”
Nonetheless, Rosalyn couldn’t shake off the scent of fig perfume that lingered at the tip of her nose.
And the closeness of their lips, almost overlapping.
What would it feel like if they had really made contact? She couldn’t shake off her curiosity.
‘It was definitely just acting.’
That’s exactly what Balthazar had been doing—just following the script.
So why was her heart racing so wildly?
Was it just from seeing a junior she’d always been close to?
It felt like she was losing her first innocent kiss, a feeling she had never offered to any man yet.
…As if romantically being whisked away by him.
“Huuh.”
For the first time, she experienced a mix of bashfulness, chill, and sweet emotions.
In the midst of her first ‘fever’ of life, she whimsically passed by the grand curtain ahead.
“Excuse me, patrons? This area needs to be cleared now, please!”
Suddenly, an announcement could be heard from outside the stage.
Someone had lingered in the theater even after [The Hegemon-King Li's Consort] ended.
Curious, Rosalyn peeked beyond the red curtain.
What caught her sight was a cloaked figure with a sword on their back, their yellow eyes glinting like a bird of prey.
“Patrons? The performance has concluded! We’d appreciate it if you’d return now!”
“……”
Despite repeated requests from the stage manager, the cloaked swordsman remained motionless.
It was clear he had been deeply moved by Phantom’s [The Hegemon-King Li's Consort].
‘Well, I felt the same way the first time I saw Admiral Lee.’
An impressive and delicate presence that blurred the line between reality and fiction, coupled with an epic narrative that reminded her of her father banished to the North.
Never had she been willing to forgo meals or classes just to chase after entertainment from the Killgrewber Theater.
Was that cloaked figure also waiting out of similar feelings?
In the midst of her pondering, she heard a familiar voice call her.
“Rosalyn? What are you doing?”
“Eek! Balthazar?!”
Startled by her junior’s sudden approach, Rosalyn gasped in surprise.
Balthazar hadn’t yet removed his Xiang Yu costume.
For some reason, he looked particularly dashing today.
“Did someone come outside the theater? Why are you hiding there so clandestinely…?”
“Ah, no? It’s nothing. It’s just that there’s a guest lingering over there without leaving…”
“A guest?”
“Uh, uh-huh. Over there…”
Stammering awkwardly, Rosalyn forced a smile, as usual.
But in truth, she felt as if she might choke from the tension.
Standing alongside the actor portraying Xiang Yu, still wearing Wu Hee’s costume, those feelings from just a moment ago surged back violently.
“……”
Just then, the cloaked swordsman and Balthazar’s eyes met.
A piercing gaze, like that of a predator honing in on its prey, scanned over the actor’s form.
And the next moment.
“Hmm? It seems he’s leaving now.”
“R-really?”
The cloaked swordsman suddenly stood up from his seat and vanished without a trace.
He staggered as if he had endured a tremendous mental shock, stumbling away unsteadily.