"Impressive! Truly worthy of a remarkable hero, immediately overpowering Qin Shi Huang from a moral high ground."

Even according to future official perspectives, Qin Shi Huang's actions were beneficial for future generations but disastrous at the time. An ancient agricultural state with only twenty million people, fresh from a unification war, could not sustain such large-scale projects and military actions in under a decade. Later, Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty made a similar mistake. The construction of the Grand Canal resulted in countless deaths and revolts, yet it laid the foundation for the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty. Tang poet Pi Rixiu once commented on this:

"Though the Sui fell because of this river, to this day, it enables passage for a thousand miles. Had it not been for the water palaces and dragon boats, one would not compare with Yu in terms of merit."

"Since Xiang Junzi has been so forthright, I shall not hold back. I have three questions for you," Cao Yi said.

"Please, sir," Xiang Liang replied, adopting a respectful demeanor.

"First question: if the Qin Dynasty falls, will you establish yourself as King of Chu or choose a descendant of the former royal family?" Cao Yi asked seriously, sounding like someone who supported the royal lineage.

For Xiang Liang, this was an easy question. He promptly answered, "If I can find a descendant of the former king, I will definitely support them."

Cao Yi nodded. "Second question: if you were to die before achieving your goals, who would inherit your legacy?"

In history, Xiang Liang was defeated and killed by Zhang Han due to underestimating him. Xiang Liang frowned slightly, pondering. "I have no children. Among my many nephews, Yu'er is the most outstanding. If I were to die, he would undoubtedly inherit my legacy."

Cao Yi nodded again. "Third question: do you believe Xiang Yu has the temperament to bear such heavy responsibilities?"

Xiang Liang fell silent. His nephew was a born warrior, capable of leading armies, but he was also too proud and self-important. Without Xiang Liang to rein him in, he might not even be able to secure the rebuilt Chu state, let alone reunify the realm.

"Thus, before Xiang Liang's achievements even begin, they are already doomed," Cao Yi said calmly.

Xiang Liang looked confused. "Why do you think I will die in battle early?"

"Young Xiang should have shared what he witnessed these past few days with you," Cao Yi replied cryptically.

"He did," Xiang Liang nodded. If it were Yi Xiaochuan saying this, he would not believe it. But Xiang Yu, who had never lied, made it hard not to trust.

"I can subdue undead zombies, heal your nephew's wounds in half a day, and easily lift a bronze giant tripod. What's strange about knowing a glimpse of the future?" Cao Yi said casually.

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"With your abilities, predicting the future shouldn't be impossible, but…" Xiang Liang struggled to accept that he would meet an untimely end.

"Did Yi Junzi not mention it to you?" Cao Yi looked at Yi Xiaochuan, expecting him to have shared.

Xiang Liang, confused, asked, "What does this have to do with Xiaochuan?"

Yi Xiaochuan, having been a mere observer until now, found himself unexpectedly implicated. He smiled, "Daoist Priest, I've never passed a history exam, so I don't know much about this period."

"Is that so?" Cao Yi grinned mischievously.

Yi Xiaochuan lowered his head, feeling guilty.

Cao Yi continued, "From my earlier questions, you must have realized where your vulnerabilities lie?"

Xiang Liang glanced at Xiang Yu. This exceptionally strong nephew had significant character flaws. If he were to die prematurely as Cao Yi suggested, it would ruin everything.

"Sir, what do you think I should do?" Xiang Liang asked earnestly.

"Entrust young Xiang to me for guidance," Cao Yi declared.

The system indicated that to change Xiang Yu's fate, his character must be transformed first. Without hesitating, Xiang Liang nodded. This hermit possessed extraordinary abilities, and there was only benefit, not harm, in Xiang Yu following him.

"Uncle," Xiang Yu protested, feeling left out of the decision.

"It is settled," Xiang Liang said firmly.

"Fine," Xiang Yu conceded reluctantly.

Xiang Liang turned to Cao Yi, "I have agreed to your terms. When will you emerge from your retreat?"

Emerging from retreat? Cao Yi pondered for a moment, then said, "There's no better day than today."

The plot was about to begin, and staying here held little meaning. Xiang Liang suddenly recalled something and said, "Today, Xiaochuan and Yu'er will have three contests. Would you like to be the judge?"

Three contests? The plot was indeed starting! Surprised, Cao Yi shook his head, "It's more fitting for Xiang Junzi to judge."

Xiang Liang didn't press further. They chatted idly for a while.

"It's almost time," Xiang Liang remarked, glancing outside.

"Then let's go," Cao Yi stood up.

"Don't you need to gather anything?" Xiang Liang was surprised by Cao Yi's decisiveness.

"Nothing to pack," Cao Yi replied, already stepping outside.

Seeing this, Xiang Liang and the others followed suit. As they left the Daoist temple, Xiang Liang suddenly exclaimed, "Two horses are missing!"

On a peach tree about twenty meters away, only two horses were tied.

Xiang Yu approached to investigate. "Uncle, the rope shows bite marks; the horses must have bitten through and escaped."

"Go find them!" Xiang Liang's expression darkened.

Xiang Yu mounted his black steed and galloped off. After a short while, he returned, looking dejected. "We'll have to take the water route. You two ride back, and I'll go with the Daoist Priest by water."

Xiang Liang replied, "That won't work. The dock with boats is quite a distance away. I'll take Xiaochuan by water."

"There's no need to argue. The Daoist Priest and I will take the water route and board a boat once we reach the shore," Cao Yi said nonchalantly.

"There are no boats by the shore; I checked as I passed earlier," Xiang Yu countered.

Cao Yi turned and locked the Daoist temple, then headed toward the shore. Xiang Yu, Xiang Liang, and Yi Xiaochuan followed him in confusion.

The Daoist temple wasn't far from the river; in less than ten minutes, they arrived. The river ran roughly north to south, winding significantly, with a stone tablet on the bank inscribed with the characters "Shanxi."

"I told you there's no boat," Xiang Yu muttered.

Cao Yi smiled slightly, walking to the riverbank and tossing the gourd into the water.

The three looked even more puzzled. The next second, a shocking scene unfolded: the gourd, initially the size of a regular one, began to expand, eventually growing to two or three meters long.

"What?!" Xiang Yu exclaimed, wide-eyed.

"An immortal's technique," Xiang Liang murmured in awe.

"What a huge gourd!" Yi Xiaochuan remarked, utterly confused.