From a commanding perspective, Ye Shikai still admired Yan Yu. After the Wei State was defeated, Yan Yu managed to rally such a large force and fought the Qin Army to a standstill. If their roles were reversed, Ye Shikai probably couldn’t achieve this. Moreover, his tactics were impeccable, though their overall strength still paled compared to Ye Shikai’s troops, making defeat inevitable.

"General Ye, you’re in your twenties this year, right? Able to command thousands of troops, truly impressive for someone so young. However, there are many things you still don’t understand. The world is not just black or white, you may not necessarily be ’white,’ and I may not necessarily be ’black.’ We are both ’grey,’ who are qualified to judge the other?" Yan Yu said calmly, without fear.

"Let’s go." In front of the soldiers, Ye Shikai found it inconvenient to say much, so he instructed them to take all the surrendered rebel soldiers away.

"Shangguan, take the brothers and check out that escape path." Ye Shikai ordered.

"Sure, I’ve already sent Man Cang." Shangguan Jian nodded in agreement.

"General, that rogue killed so many of our brothers. Why not let us kill him?"

"Yeah."

"Kill him and avenge our brothers."

Many soldiers, seeing Yan Yu being taken away, felt extremely angry. The fire at the Eagle Ridge camp, which killed so many brothers, was his scheme. Now that they’ve caught him, the soldiers were naturally inflamed and wanted to kill him for revenge.

"Quiet, all of you." Ye Shikai shouted, and the crowd fell silent.

"The enemy general is already bound; even a child could take his life. Killing him out of anger doesn’t make you a hero. If you have such skills, face them directly on the battlefield and defeat the enemy; that’s what makes a hero." Ye Shikai rebuked loudly, causing everyone to lower their heads and remain silent. According to Qin Law, rebellion was a punishable crime that required execution. Although Ye Shikai didn’t kill Yan Yu on the spot, taking him back to Pu Yang meant he couldn’t escape death. Still... Ye Shikai had some words he wanted to say to him.

"Pitch camp and rest here; everyone has worked hard today. Let the cook prepare some meat for everyone to eat."

..............................

Night.

Ye Shikai sat alone in the tent when two guards brought Yan Yu up.

"Untie him." Ye Shikai raised his head, glanced at them, and said casually.

"This..." The two guards looked at each other, hesitating to move.

"Didn’t you hear me? Untie him." Ye Shikai repeated.

"Yes." The two guards untied Yan Yu, remaining vigilant around him. With no other guards in the tent, they worried if Yan Yu might act impulsively...

"You may leave."

"General, perhaps you should call some guards up here."

"No need, you can leave." Ye Shikai gestured for them to leave, and they complied by exiting.

"Please have a seat. Try this year’s new tea." Ye Shikai personally poured a cup of hot tea, pushing it in front of Yan Yu.

"General Ye is indeed bold and skillful, to sit with an enemy general at the same table without guards. Aren’t you afraid I’ll make a move?" Yan Yu sat across from Ye Shikai, drinking the tea in one go without any tension.

"If you intended to resist, you wouldn’t have surrendered during the day." Ye Shikai chuckled lightly and filled his cup with tea.

"During the day, surrounded by soldiers, if I resisted, I’d be cut to pieces or shot to death, inevitably dying. But now, there’s only you and me in this tent. If I make a move... aren’t you afraid?" Yan Yu’s words carried a hint of killing intent.

Bang.

Ye Shikai picked up a longsword from nearby and threw it in front of Yan Yu.

"How about it? The sword is right in front of you; if you want to make a move, go ahead." Ye Shikai appeared relaxed, seemingly certain Yan Yu wouldn’t act.

"How about it? Since you’re not making a move, can we switch topics?" Ye Shikai returned to his seat.

"Alright, if you have something to say, please." Yan Yu wasn’t foolish; it was clear Ye Shikai wanted to speak, especially about matters that couldn’t be heard by others.

"My men reported there’s a small escape path behind the camp, yet you didn’t lead your men to leave even at the last moment. You had ample time to escape." Ye Shikai queried.

"I am not a Mountain King ruling over bandits or a bandit chief. Revolting was an honorable act. The Qin Dynasty is tyrannical, oppressing the people, and slaughtering loyalists. Any wise person should resist. As a general, I should lead the people in resistance, even if defeated, I’d rather die honorably than scurry away like a rat."

"But you didn’t die in battle; you surrendered to me."

"Heh, the men beside me today are my clan guards who loyally follow me. Having never enjoyed a single day, I still want them to have the chance to survive. If I fought to the end today, they would surely die alongside me." Yan Yu chuckled bitterly, slowly rising to bow to Ye Shikai.

"Please grant them a path to survival." Yan Yu pleaded.

"Alright, I promise you, at least they won’t die." Ye Shikai finally nodded; hearing this, Yan Yu stood up.

"Thank you, General Ye."

"You can save your men, but you’re bound to die."

"It doesn’t matter, securing this is enough."

"You’re a good general, a shame you’re on the wrong side. If you joined the Qin Army, you wouldn’t be in this situation..."

"You want me to join the tyrannical Qin, that’s impossible." Before Ye Shikai could finish, Yan Yu interrupted. It’s said that heroes empathize with each other; Ye Shikai wished to bond with Yan Yu as a friend. However, their opposing stances destined them to be mortal enemies.

But at least tonight, they could talk through the night...

The next morning.

Ye Shikai and Yan Yu talked all night, discussing everything from military affairs to beliefs. Ye Shikai hadn’t expected they would converse for so long.

"Report to the General, great news, Commander Xue has returned." Early in the morning, Ye Shikai’s guard rushed in, shouting.

"What." Hearing this, Ye Shikai was thrilled, his drowsiness vanished, and he leapt from his chair, rushing out of the tent.

"Xue San, are you alright?" Ye Shikai immediately saw Xue San being carried by team members on a stretcher.

"No worries, General, I’m fine." Xue San waved his hand, looking a bit pale but in good spirits.

"I knew you rascal wouldn’t die."