Two months after the end of the briefing.

After discussions among the military high command, a unanimous decision was made to erase all traces of Li Ying's existence. Every memory, story, background, and deed related to Li Ying would be sealed as top-secret files. The last brainwave spectrum analysis computer was destroyed with the fall of Northern Ireland. To reproduce it from scratch would take humanity at least several decades, and the information from the original chip could no longer be transcribed into images.

Upon Lance’s insistent request, the military reluctantly agreed to allow Zheng Rong to keep the only memento he had of Li Ying.

All information about Li Ying was stamped with an SS-class confidentiality seal and stored in the military’s black box, with all media outlets ceasing any reports, and those involved maintaining complete silence.

The exploration team handed over all the relics from the ancient ruins—the Staff of Moses, the golden helmet of the First Emperor, two stone tablets, and all photographs. The team members were released without charges, and Lance was reinstated to his military position, awaiting the results of the military’s research.

Zheng Rong didn’t argue on Li Ying’s behalf. From the moment he let go of Li Ying’s hand, bid him farewell, and watched him walk out of the underground city to go undercover on the Mayan mothership, he knew very well that special forces were different from ordinary soldiers. They trained for humanity, and they died for humanity. Many died only to bear disgrace posthumously, and some died without any meaning, just like Li Ying’s team members, who became live dissection subjects the moment they boarded the mothership.

Compared to Zheng Feng's title as the "Son of Humanity," it was already fortunate that Li Ying did not end up as a criminal against humanity. Zheng Rong dared not ask for more. Perhaps one day, Li Ying’s name could be carved onto a monument. For now, no matter how much he fought, there was nothing more he could gain. Zheng Rong fashioned the metal chip left by Li Ying into a pendant and wore it around his neck, keeping it close to his skin.

Memories are part of the soul, and at least this way, a piece of Li Ying's soul would always be with him.

Alaska's underground city welcomed its coldest winter since 2012. Zheng Rong was given a warm room on the four hundredth floor of the central stone tower, awaiting further orders from the military. In the darkness, everywhere was lit by fires kindled by civilians for warmth; central heating was only available in parts of the stone tower and the outer military zone. Near the Arctic Circle, the surface temperature was no higher than minus forty degrees Celsius.

The new year was approaching. On New Year's Eve, Zheng Rong’s residence was quite warm, the lighting a comforting orange-yellow hue. He sat in front of the floor-to-ceiling window on the balcony, wearing only sleep shorts and baring his pale upper body as he played a harmonica.

There was a knock on the door.

Zheng Rong put away the harmonica and said, "Come in."

Xiang Yu pushed open the door, carrying a military-green cotton blanket. "Have you had dinner?" he asked.

Zheng Rong looked at the reflection in the glass window and said, "I thought it was Lance."

Xiang Yu smiled slightly. "Brother is back."

Xiang Yu laid the blanket on the floor and made a makeshift bed. Zheng Rong smiled, saying, “Finished your military training?”

“Indeed,” Xiang Yu nodded, tossing a golden object. Zheng Rong reached out to catch it.

Two months ago, Lance arranged for Xiang Yu to join a new recruit training camp within the military, which Xiang Yu accepted without surprise. He changed into an American soldier’s uniform and went to train alongside a group of sixteen- or seventeen-year-old white recruits, practicing with pistols and doing cross-country drills in simulated environments. In temperatures of minus thirty degrees Celsius, they had to go up to the surface of Alaska to chop wood, run through the snow, engage in realistic combat simulations, and learn military techniques. Although Xiang Yu had extraordinary stamina, the modern recruit training still took a toll on him.

It was a closed training camp, and once Xiang Yu left, Zheng Rong didn’t see anyone, locking himself in his room for two months.

Xiang Yu had always been a soldier, carrying an air of solemnity in his movements. After participating in training and wearing a beret, he seemed to have fully integrated into modern times, displaying even more of a commanding presence than Lance.

After being gone for two months, he brought Zheng Rong a gift—the new recruit hand-to-hand combat championship medal.

Zheng Rong smiled, saying, "Not bad. Li Ying once gave me one too, but unfortunately, I didn't bring it out when Northern Ireland blew up."

He carefully stored away Xiang Yu's medal. Xiang Yu finished making the bed and said, "I haven’t been assigned any tasks yet. A stray soldier for now. Lance has instructed me to stay close and protect you, awaiting orders from the military."

Zheng Rong said, "Sleep on the bed. It's big enough, no need to make a bed on the floor."

Xiang Yu sat on the edge of the bed, lowered his head to remove his military boots, and casually said, "Lance doesn't dare come to see you."

Zheng Rong said, "I don't hate him, truly."

"Why not?" Xiang Yu asked nonchalantly as he switched to slippers, folded his coat neatly, and helped tidy up Zheng Rong’s messy room, putting the boots away in order and jogging to take a bath. The sound of running water came from the bathroom, and Xiang Yu’s strong, masculine silhouette was projected on the frosted glass as he washed, forming an athletic shadow.

Zheng Rong said, "From the day Li Ying returned to us, Lance also believed in him."

Xiang Yu, with his head shaved close to the scalp, let the hot water run down his head and breathed in deeply. "I didn’t see it."

“Li Ying said there was a bomb inside him. Lance believed him without asking more questions,” Zheng Rong continued. “I asked Li Ying if there was a tracker in his body, whether it would expose the location of the underground city. He told me there wasn’t, and Lance believed that as well.”

Xiang Yu’s voice lowered. “Lance believed him, but Li Ying lied to Lance.”

Zheng Rong shook his head. “It’s hard to say who was right and who was wrong. If Lance hadn’t trusted him and insisted on checking Li Ying on the surface, we would all have been blown up by his bomb.”

Xiang Yu hummed in acknowledgment. Zheng Rong added, “The chip wouldn't have been handed to me either. Lance brought Li Ying back himself, still hoping to save him. After all, they shared a deep bond—they were comrades...”

“And rivals in love,” Xiang Yu interjected suddenly.

Zheng Rong frowned, “Where did you learn that phrase?”

Xiang Yu laughed heartily, wiping his body with a dry towel. He stepped out in boxer briefs and a tank top. On the table, a steaming bowl of instant noodles awaited.

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

Xiang Yu sat down at the table to eat the noodles while Zheng Rong, wrapped in a blanket, watched him from the bed. A sudden pang of pain struck his heart, reminiscent of the days spent with his elder brother, thinking that no matter what, the two brothers would rely on each other for life.

But one day, without him realizing it, Zheng Feng had completely left.

And later, Li Ying left too.

Zheng Rong suddenly asked, “Will you leave me?”

Xiang Yu, eating with the joy of someone who had endured the horrors of army meals, said with a smile, “No.”

“Never?” Zheng Rong asked.

Xiang Yu nodded, then changed the subject. “Any news?”

Zheng Rong replied, “None. They took away the tablets, the staff, and the helmet. They’re studying them. I don’t think there will be any chance for me to be involved in the near future.”

“What’s your plan then?” Xiang Yu asked.

“Perhaps I’ll grow old in this small room. Who knows,” Zheng Rong shrugged. “What about you? What’s your plan?”

Xiang Yu imitated Zheng Rong’s shrug and, mimicking the accents of the black soldiers, yelled, “Hey, baby! Another bowl!”

Zheng Rong said angrily, “No more for you!”

Xiang Yu laughed, drinking all the soup in his bowl, then cleaned up the trash.

Suddenly, the surroundings plunged into darkness as the city lights went out in a flash.

“What happened?!” Zheng Rong got up.

Panic broke out in the inner residential area, and an announcement blared: "The central stone tower’s core computer is undergoing a large-scale operation, consuming excessive power. Temporarily diverting the city’s electricity."

Zheng Rong leaned out from the balcony. The top of the central stone tower glowed blue, with twelve runes projecting beams of light, slowly rotating around the massive tower.

It was the latest analysis technology, the central computer system of the entire tower coming to life, like countless mages peering into the secrets of the universe.

Zheng Rong said, "Teacher has started analyzing the runes... I hope he succeeds."

“Why tonight?” Xiang Yu asked.

“Today is a special day. The Mayan calendar is different from ours. They use the Tzolkin and Haab calendars, which interweave, and when the long count aligns, it’s called a calendar cycle—exactly today.”

Xiang Yu didn’t fully understand but nodded in acknowledgment.

Zheng Rong silently prayed, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

Xiang Yu opened the nightstand drawer, rummaged through it, and said, “You smoke too much; it’s bad for your health.”

Zheng Rong didn’t respond. Xiang Yu took out a cigarette, put it in his mouth, handed one to Zheng Rong, and flicked open the lighter with a snap. The two leaned in, the flickering flame illuminating their lips.

Zheng Rong’s eyes were bright, reflecting Xiang Yu’s handsome, resolute face. Xiang Yu’s gaze was familiar; it was the same look Zheng Feng had many years ago.

Xiang Yu closed the lighter, and the room fell back into darkness.

“Zheng Rong,” Xiang Yu took a drag and asked, “What did you do when Brother wasn’t around?”

Zheng Rong thought for a moment and smiled, “Thinking.”

“What about?” Xiang Yu paused, then asked.

“About the Mayans, the life of humanity, the world, and my own heart,” Zheng Rong replied. “The place you came from was also a chaotic world. Now, it seems you’ve gotten used to our world?”

Xiang Yu sighed. “Back then, when I started the uprising at Kuaiji to resist the tyrannical Qin, brothers were falling every day. I pressed forward with each step, and fewer and fewer familiar faces remained. More strangers joined the ranks. By the time of the Battle of Julu, when I had an army of a hundred thousand, down to the final battle at Gaixia, I didn't recognize a single person anymore.”

“Those who originally followed me from my hometown had long since died on the battlefield.”

Zheng Rong quietly listened. In the darkness, Xiang Yu struck the lighter again, the flame flickering as his eyes, deep in past memories, shone.

Eyes with double pupils, a symbol of a sage-king, as Sima Qian described Xiang Yu.

Xiang Yu's "double pupils" seemed to contain endless galaxies, turning ceaselessly, as deep as the vast universe.

Historical records mention only six people with double pupils: the ancient form of Laozi transformed into Cangjie, Emperor Shun, Xiang Yu of Chu, Former Liang ruler Lü Guang, the famous Sui general Fish Ju Luo, and the last ruler of Southern Tang, Li Yu.

Those born with double pupils were all figures who could change the world, either ancient deities reborn, supreme generals, or unparalleled geniuses.

“There was a period of time when I was also lost,” Xiang Yu said, staring at Zheng Rong’s lips and speaking slowly. “Fighting for the world, but once I gained it, the old faces around me were gone. What was the point? Victory or defeat, power and the country—all those years of killing, only to wear the emperor’s robe and rule the world. But for whom?”

Zheng Rong replied indifferently, “They only wanted a peaceful time. They believed you could open up a new world and represented a collective spirit, not an individual. They died without regret because that spirit would continue. Even if they sacrificed their lives under your command, others would continue their will, fighting for a stable life for their wives, children, and kin.”

Xiang Yu said deeply, “Precisely. Yet, after the Battle of Gaixia, I failed them.”

Zheng Rong raised his hand and touched Xiang Yu’s face, understanding his meaning.

“Li Ying, Lance, Zheng Feng.” Xiang Yu said, “You are different from me. My failure was already destined, but your future can still be fought for. They have all placed their hopes on you.”

Zheng Rong was silent for a long time before finally nodding. Xiang Yu said, “Sleep well. Think it over.”

On New Year's Eve, the central stone tower cut off the power supply, and the cold set in. The distilled water in the cup by the window froze into ice.

Xiang Yu and Zheng Rong lay under a thick blanket together. Xiang Yu’s robust physique provided warmth and security. In the distance, the sound of the New Year’s bell rang twelve times. Another year had passed.

The next day, when power was restored, Zheng Rong left his self-imposed seclusion for the first time in two months.

Xiang Yu followed behind him, asking nothing of his destination and merely accompanying him silently.

Zheng Rong, with his hands in the pockets of his trench coat, entered the outer ring and showed his pass to the soldiers.

“I’m here to see General Lance,” Zheng Rong said indifferently.

In the military observation room.

Lance had his feet up on the table, his leather boots polished to a shine. The general stared blankly at a photo frame, his eyes red-rimmed. On the table was a photograph of him, Li Ying, and the brothers Zheng Feng and Zheng Rong when they were children.

“Zheng Rong,” Lance quickly stood when he saw him enter.

Zheng Rong didn’t say anything, glanced at the photo on the table, and said, “You kept this picture.”

Lance instructed the orderly to leave and personally made coffee for Xiang Yu and Zheng Rong.

“Yes, I…” Lance stammered, “I have it stored in my safe at the original Swiss bank, right here in Alaska's underground city… Even though Northern Ireland was destroyed… a small part of my assets remained…”

Xiang Yu straddled a chair, hugging its back and jokingly asked, “What assets?”

Lance replied, “Just a few photos and some… family mementos.”

Zheng Rong asked, “Can you print a copy of the photo for me? I don’t have a copy.”

“Of course! Of course I can,” Lance said enthusiastically.

Lance pulled the photo out of the frame and asked the orderly to make a copy. He offered his chair to Zheng Rong and stood aside, noticing the red cord around Zheng Rong’s neck.

Zheng Rong glanced at Lance and pulled out the chip pendant. Lance smiled softly, “It looks nice.”

Zheng Rong said, “Thank you for speaking up to the military on my behalf so I could keep it.”

When Zheng Rong was so polite, Lance mistook it for sarcasm and, feeling guilty, said, “Zheng Rong, I know you hate me... but...”

Zheng Rong quickly said, “No, no, I didn’t mean it that way.”

“Please listen, Zheng Rong…” Lance began.

“I don’t hate you,” Zheng Rong interrupted.

“I know you hate me, and I don’t mind,” Lance said. “If it makes you feel a bit better…”

Zheng Rong, rendered speechless, finally said, “Yes, I hate you!”

“I love you,” Lance replied.

An awkward silence filled the room, broken only by Xiang Yu’s faint cough of displeasure.

Zheng Rong’s faint blush quickly faded, and he said coldly, “I’m not here to talk about these trivial matters. What decision has the military made?”

Lance, not getting the response he had hoped for, said disappointedly, “Last night, Teacher requested to activate the large-scale central computer, ‘Tide,’ and began analyzing the stone tablets we brought back.”

Zheng Rong asked, “Apart from Teacher, who is the military official in charge? Help me contact him. I have the next step of the plan.”

“No, you can’t go out again,” Lance said. “It’s too dangerous. After the underground city in Northern Ireland was destroyed, many humans were captured. It’s still unclear whether there might be traitors who would betray us.”

“Staying in the Alaska underground city doesn’t guarantee safety either…” Zheng Rong countered.

“It’s different! At least by my side, I can ensure your safety!” Lance said.

“Save it!” Zheng Rong said angrily. “If you had such capabilities, Li Ying wouldn’t have died.”

Another silence descended, with Lance’s rapid, pained breathing resembling that of a tormented beast. A moment later, Zheng Rong said, “I apologize. I represent myself and Li Ying in reconciling with you, but what follows is of utmost importance, and I hope you will support me.”

Zheng Rong took a deep breath, locking eyes with Lance’s bloodshot ones, and said, “I don’t need anyone’s protection. My brother’s legacy is not yet complete. I intend to carry it through.”

Lance said nothing, and after a long consideration, he nodded. “What do you plan to do?”

Zheng Rong replied, “Contact the military leader and gather all the exploration team members. I will explain my final plan to them. I permit you to listen in, Lance. You were also a member of the exploration team. Let’s not dwell on the past. Now, the most important thing is to finish what we started.”

“Take a seat. I’ll think of a way,” Lance said, donning his military coat and going to contact the military high command.