The End of the Play

The sun had reached its peak, its rays striking the land directly, as if impatiently awaiting Zhang Yu's response.

His eyes were vacant, reflecting the turmoil raging in his mind. A shiver ran through him as the cold breeze pierced his body. He thought, " Is he really asking me to determine the guarantee? Is he testing me? No… if that were the case, he wouldn't have killed the soldier. Yes, there's no doubt about it! "

Tension thickened. Everything seemed to halt in anticipation—from the towering trees to the smallest blades of grass, from the birds in the sky to the ants in their colonies. Nature held its breath. A terrifying stillness took over, as if time itself had stopped to watch. Some sank deep into their thoughts, imagining the possible outcomes.

Some expected a battle; others hoped for peace. Yet, with no sign of either, they waited for the spark that would set the forest ablaze.

Finally, Zhang Yu moved. The moment had reached its climax. He took two steps forward, beads of sweat trickling down, betraying his tension. The soldiers' excitement surged. Though simple, the moment felt grand.

He dropped to one knee, planting the other firmly. Resting his elbow on his forward knee, he clasped his hands together. He appeared somewhat composed, but what the soldiers and generals failed to sense was that his breathing had become heavy, his heartbeat erratic.

His mind was a battlefield, engulfed in chaos. Thoughts clashed and crumbled, reduced to rubble with every passing second as he prepared his response. His mind was like a city turned to scattered ashes.

At the heart of the procession, inside the carriage, a low voice cut through the suffocating silence. The prince's smirk widened, his eyes narrowing, revealing a sinister delight. It was as if he already knew what Zhang Yu would say—it was only a matter of time.

Beside Zhang Yu, his mind had gone completely blank. He had no options left; every thought he had carefully considered had vanished. Swallowing hard, he shivered slightly before finally making his decision.

"My honored lord, I am in no position to determine the guarantee. Give me whatever you see fit. I do not dare choose something over you. I am not worthy of such an honor, my lord!"

After such a dramatic move, silence returned, bringing with it a new wave of tension—tight chests, trembling hands, heavy breaths, and minds drained from relentless thinking. Everything crushed the spirit, lifting it to its peak only to shatter it in an instant.

Fortunately, only a few minutes had passed. The carriage shook again, but this time, it wasn't in response. Instead, a deep, guttural laughter erupted. It was laced with unmistakable mockery,

like a spectator giving a standing ovation to the perfect ending of a play. The laughter echoed throughout the area, as if this entire situation was nothing more than a chessboard—pieces moved at will, sacrifices made without hesitation.

Everyone shuddered inwardly, even a few of the generals.

"As you wish," the prince said. "Since you have asked for a guarantee, I will write you a pledge. If I fail to keep my word, you may take it to the judges of my empire, and they… will grant you justice. Of course."

The wind howled fiercely after a long pause, weaving through the grass and the gaps in the branches, making the surroundings sway wildly, filling the air with a cacophony of noise. It was as if nature itself protested the last turn of events.

The wind found its way into Zhang Yu's ears, yet his head was empty. Only the sound of screams echoed within.

The screams in his mind intensified. The noise of nature took on a different meaning—an external manifestation of his internal chaos. Thoughts clashed. His heart pounded faster. His body trembled, sweat dripping onto the ground like salty rain.

When Zhang Yu realized there was no escaping the worst outcomes, he surrendered. There was no use thinking any further. He accepted whatever would come.

After all, he was just a peasant—accomplished in nothing, possessing nothing. No one knew him. No one cared about him. If he vanished from this world, who would notice? Who would mourn? No one... except that little girl!

Exactly! The image of that girl surfaced before his eyes. He no longer cared about brotherhood, nostalgia, or the past. But his mission—his mission mattered! He had nearly forgotten that he had something he needed to accomplish.

Nature's tone shifted. The wind quieted. The grass and trees returned to stillness. It was as if they were mere reflections of Zhang Yu's inner state.

Bit by bit, he pushed the fog out of his mind. His gaze lost its emptiness. His mission was what brought him clarity. He steadied his thoughts, stopped his trembling—even if just slightly. He closed his eyes and took in a deep, cool breath.

A conversation played out in his mind. " Enough. As long as Wu Chi is with me, no matter what happens, he will save me! He needs me to complete his mission, and I need him to ensure my safety. So, no matter how bad things get… I still have hope! "

Perhaps Zhang Yu was mistaken in making Wu Chi his beacon of hope. But he was not entirely wrong. These moments were the first steps in shaping himself in this world—one of the most pivotal moments in his life.

Who knew? This might be the turning point that changed his life forever… or erased it. Or perhaps, something else entirely awaited him.

His body stopped trembling. Fear no longer lingered—only conviction remained. The cold that had seeped into his limbs dissipated, replaced by something new… resolve.

The wind's tone changed once more, as if bowing before him, as if singing a new melody—a melody of strength!

With newfound confidence, Zhang Yu declared, "Thank you, my lord. I will never forget your grace for as long as I live. My life is in your hands now. Take it if you wish, or invest in it as you see fit. My lord!"

He straightened his posture. He raised his hands high and shouted, "Long live the prince! Long live the prince! Long live Ji! Long live Ji!"

The carriage trembled… No, it wasn't just the carriage. The very air seemed to shake. A deafening applause erupted, almost splitting the soldiers' ears.

The prince was clapping—enthusiastically—his smile brighter than the sun, as if he had just witnessed the grand finale of a play he had written and directed to perfection.

With delight, the prince said, "Stand, Zhang Yu. I have received your loyalty."

He paused, then his tone changed. It became quieter but brimming with overwhelming power hidden beneath its calmness.

"From now on, anything that troubles you—whether a river, a beast, a man, or even a tree—just tell me, and we shall not remain under the same sky!"

Turning his head slightly, he lazily waved his hand and said, "Liu Yang, give him a horse. We have been delayed long enough."