"Please, Master Xiang."

Cao Yi gestured politely.

Xiang Liang paused, then walked over with excitement; riding this divine treasure was an honor. Carefully stepping onto the gourd, he felt a sense of unreality, gingerly testing it with his foot.

"Don't stomp around; it'll throw you off," Cao Yi warned.

Xiang Liang immediately froze.

From the shore, Xiang Yu's voice rang out.

"Master, let's see who gets there first!"

As competitive as ever, Xiang Yu was eager to race.

Cao Yi shook his head, speechless.

The sound of galloping horses approached; looking again, Xiang Yu and Yi Xiaochuan were already far ahead.

"Let's get going too," Cao Yi said, channeling energy into the gourd, which sped off like a speedboat, creating high waves.

Fortunately, there were no people around; otherwise, many would be frightened.

"Master, I've had a question on my mind," Xiang Liang shouted, gripping the gourd tightly.

"What is it?" Cao Yi replied casually.

"Why do you refer to yourself as a poor Daoist and call me 'Jushi'?"

Xiang Liang asked loudly.

That was the question he had?

"It's just a rural term; no need to take it to heart," Cao Yi said offhandedly.

Xiang Liang didn't press further.

After six or seven minutes, the gourd slowed, and after another twelve or so minutes, it shrank considerably.

Cao Yi did this to conserve energy and because people were appearing nearby.

"Look, there's a huge gourd over there!"

"I've never seen one so big!"

Voices of surprise echoed.

"Master Xiang, how much farther to your home?"

Cao Yi asked.

"About five or six li," Xiang Liang replied.

"Since it's not far, let's go ashore," Cao Yi instructed, guiding the gourd to a secluded spot.

After about a quarter of an hour's walk, they reached a moderately sized village, surrounded by mountains, water, and woods—a true Feng Shui site.

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"This is the last refuge of my Xiang family," Xiang Liang said, a hint of sadness in his expression.

Cao Yi remained silent.

As they continued, mud houses, thatched cottages, and bamboo homes appeared, with people in hemp clothing greeting Xiang Liang.

Cao Yi observed like an outsider, taking in the sights.

Soon, they arrived at a courtyard bustling with people.

Xiang Yu's black horse was tied at the entrance, and lively chatter came from within.

Someone called out that the clan leader had returned, and everyone's gaze shifted toward them.

Cao Yi, walking alongside Xiang Liang, also received many curious looks.

"Uncle, Master!"

"Teacher, Master!"

Xiang Yu and Yi Xiaochuan emerged from the crowd.

"The first challenge is a test of military strategy; let's head to the bamboo house," Xiang Liang announced decisively.

The bamboo house was located in the northwest corner of the courtyard, just a short walk away.

"Master Xiang, I'm not interested in the military strategy exam; I'll wander around," Cao Yi suddenly said.

Xiang Liang paused, then nodded.

Cao Yi strolled through the village, drawing attention as a stranger. He admired the scenery and returned to find Yi Xiaochuan coming out of the bamboo house.

"How did it go?"

"A tie."

"What's next?"

"Strength competition."

"That's a strong suit for little Xiang."

"I have a way to win," Yi Xiaochuan said confidently.

Moments later, Xiang Yu and Xiang Liang emerged.

Xiang Liang declared loudly, "First round: tie!"

Cheers erupted, though it was unclear what they were celebrating.

"Second round: wrestling," Xiang Liang announced.

"I'll go first," Xiang Yu said, stepping into the center under the watchful eyes of the crowd.

A majestic bronze cauldron had appeared on the ground.

As before, Xiang Yu stripped off his shirt, showcasing his muscular chest, and approached the cauldron, lifting it effortlessly amidst gasps from the crowd.

With a thud, he lowered it back down steadily.

Xiang Yu's gaze met Cao Yi's, feeling a fleeting sense of pride that quickly vanished.

"My turn," the slender Yi Xiaochuan stepped forward.

Laughter erupted from the crowd, viewing him as a joke.

Yi Xiaochuan, unfazed, busied himself fetching materials for over twenty minutes before producing a large wooden lever, one end attached to the bronze cauldron, the other in his hands.

"I'm pulling now!" he exclaimed, making exaggerated expressions.

The laughter grew louder.

After some hesitation, he finally began to pull.

To everyone's shock, aside from Cao Yi and Yi Xiaochuan, the bronze cauldron slowly began to rise, having sunk into the mud earlier.

"How's that? Did I win?" Yi Xiaochuan grinned, surveying the crowd.

Upon seeing Cao Yi, his smile faltered—showboating in front of someone who knew him well was awkward.

Cheers erupted again.

Yi Xiaochuan regained his composure and easily lowered the cauldron.

Unlike Xiang Yu's abrupt drop, he set it down gracefully, edging out Xiang Yu in this aspect.

"Second round: Yi Xiaochuan wins," Xiang Liang announced.

"I refuse to accept that; he's just exploiting tricks to win," Xiang Yu protested loudly.

"Yu'er, competitions and military affairs are no different; it's about adaptability. Xiaochuan may not have your strength, but he outsmarted you. In this round, he truly won," Xiang Liang said, stroking his beard.

"See, even the master said I won," Yi Xiaochuan beamed.

Xiang Yu looked disdainful.

In his world, a true man should rely on skill in one-on-one battles.

"Yu'er," Xiang Liang's expression turned unusually stern.

Xiang Yu sighed inwardly, knowing another lecture was coming.

Xiang Liang pointed at the bronze cauldron, speaking earnestly, "A mere warrior can only lift a cauldron; how about a nation? Brute strength only worsens things; wisdom and strategy are the true path!"

Xiang Yu resented his uncle's lecturing but didn't dare refute him, nodding his head in agreement.

"After a stick of incense, we'll have the third round: martial arts," Xiang Liang declared.

Upon hearing this, Yi Xiaochuan's smile faded. Unlike other rounds, martial arts offered no chance for tricks; he was certain to lose.

As he wallowed in disappointment, a figure caught his eye.

Daoist Priest!

In this world, he could only count on the Daoist Priest to help him win.

Cao Yi, who had been observing the spectacle, realized Yi Xiaochuan was coming over.

"Daoist Priest!"

"Come this way."