With all of our efforts, the Eastern Project started to set sail. Other Emperors left this project in my hands while they made other moves. The Two Emperors will continue their backup plan with my help, as Erik assumes they already know about the end of time. Cynthia will journey to mark the Himalayan Mountain range and investigate several Mythical Creature cases in the Indian Subcontinent with Erik before they go their separate ways. Erik will explore the Middle East, Egypt and Africa, witness the fall of the remaining Hellenistic Kingdoms and the rise of the Romans, and wait for the new prophet. Meanwhile, Cynthia will continue her journey to build the Western Project in Europe.
Even though it sounds really faraway, we still be able to contact each other through telepathy and teleportation because of the usage of Divine Energy. So, they can take a day off and come back from time to time. For me, I still have to wait until the Han Dynasty is fully established or at least already controls Hanzhong, before I can move on to other places.
Right now is almost the time of the Feast at Swan Goose Gate. Xiang Yu, who is the de facto leader of the rebels, will divide the country and become the Hegemon-King of Western Chu, making his figurehead king into a emperor only just to assassinate him later. Liu Bang, who took control of the Qin heartland and should have been the King of Qin by the emperor's promise, will be forced to accept the remote region and become the King of Han, Su, and Ba.
It's a good thing that we finished create our own organization and took control over the Hanzhong region before Liu Bang became the ruler of this area. As temporary Han's capital, our wealth will be protected here to a certain degree, so we will support him in a way, but mostly aim to help the people here by stabilizing the economy and providing food for them during the Chu-Han Contention.
The Cavalrymen will kickstart our spy network within the Han Dynasty court while members from other divisions will feed us news from the streets and distant lands. The Moon Maidens will need highly educated scholars to help them analyze and process all the information from our members. Moon Maidens agents like the Widows, will mainly be disguised as prostitutes, performers, innkeepers, shop workers or servants. They will act as middlemen, gathering the information from all members and sending it to the Analysis Team. Meanwhile, the Maidens will be the ones who cover really dangerous missions.
The Orphans will be the future of our organization, a new generation that will fill our ranks but our main problem right now is the Analysis Team. Because they not only have to analyze court politics and military movements, what I really want is someone who can analyze the market price of all resources and commodities. This way we can trade, slightly make a little profit, and stabilize the market while we focus on produce the products from these resources.
Luckily, Huang Yi delivered a squad of mining robots with two mechanics to help me start mining the Divine Resources in my Realm. The two mechanics can speak Old Chinese well, but they mostly use Modern Chinese in daily life, while they use English for scientific terms, and had Pinyin as their primary script. They are pretty much as Chinese as they can be, but their core values are radically different. I would say they hold a kind of Divine Communism belief system: praying to the Deities, working for humanity, and living as a community. Science, knowledge, and exploration are their primary interests and passion. I immediately picture them on a spacecraft, exploring the universe.
These mechanics will be our temporary Analysis Team after they help me set up the mining operation. I have to pour some energy into two Control Modules to start booting my Mining Squad and make them remember my unique energy pattern. Every unit is operated and powered by the Control Module, which is basically a military-grade caterpillar vehicle with a supercomputer that harvests and uses Spiritual Energy. The Control Module has built-in charging seats in the rear robot cabin, while the cockpit in the front is designed to be a resources container. An environmental harvesting machine underneath the front cabin absorbs energy from the atmosphere, soils, or other rich energy resources within my Divine Realm. This mobile functionality allows it to reposition near new lodes, making resource harvesting significantly easier.
Inside the Control Module, there are two types of robots, mostly built from DMCs components. One Collector Robot is sitting in the middle of the cabin. It looks like a giant headless beetle with a device on the head position for resource manipulation and a short-range teleportation function. This function can either send needed resources directly into the Control Module or send other energy-rich resources to a mini energy harvesting machine inside itself to use as fuel when needed. It also has one emergency charging dock hidden inside its back, beneath its exoskeleton wing plates. Other ten Miner Robots that assembled to look as humanoid as possible, are sitting on the charging seats. They are physiologically made close to human form for functional reasons, but specifically designed to prevent that unsettling feeling of near-perfection so they can work properly with humans in human-made environments. They are like the male version of Hajime Sorayama's 'Sexy Robot' with plain matte ceramic skin, in contrast with Huang Yi's futuristic robotic suit that has layers of shiny golden plates stacking almost like scale armor.
For resource discovery, each Miner is equipped with an Energy Resonance Scanner within its eyeless helmet around the ears, which emits a pulse of Spiritual Energy to detect and map the powerful counter-resonance signature of the Divine Resources. In our case, the Two Emperors focus on secured energy-rich metals for their space projects, especially gold in the Altai Mountains region. Once a lode is located, the Miner uses a Vibrational Disruptor inside its forearms to channel a precise frequency from the palm, bypassing the metal's physical strength and cleanly fracturing the bonds of the resource itself, breaking it into pieces.
The Collector then initiates a Resonance Transfer. Using my unique energy pattern that they got during boot-up, it projects a focused field to draw the fractured metal. The resulting synchronized resonance allows the metal fragments to be levitated and moved with perfect stability before being teleported directly into the Control Module's completely sealed resources container. This method not only facilitates zero-contact transport but also keeps the metal stabilized in its raw, high-energy state, ensuring its purity and material integrity are preserved for the subsequent manufacturing of special circuits or processors for spacecraft and space stations.
Near the Sacred Mountain, I placed one Control Module at a gold mine area to harvest our energy-rich gold. This should be enough for regular delivery to support the Space Projects. While I placed the other Control Module in the Central Plains to roam around and mine other energy-rich metals.
Their AI can operate many more robots, but that would consume much more energy. And these robots clearly use Divine Power, they even utilize Terra Synthesis and Theoenergetics—the Innate Powers of the Two Emperors. At first, Michelle and I were only interested in their AI and robotic technologies, but it seems they have already fully replicated a few Divine Powers by reverse-engineering their phenomena. They truly are at the level where they can turn their own powers into Divine Technologies, precisely repeating every detail of the process.
Even though it sounds interesting, I feel terrified for some reason. These two are absolute geniuses. I need to report this to Erik and Cynthia immediately. They might already have built some kind of Divine Weapons, like a tank or a fighter because they shared these technologies with us without any worrying. At least we are in alliance with them, but any further decision will have to wait until Erik's ravens return with his message.
Finally, the Han army staggered down the steep wooden ramp of the Gallery Roads. For weeks, the troops had make their way through the desolate passes of the Qinling Mountains, clinging to the precarious plank structures bolted high into the sheer rock faces. Every soldier was covered in mountain dust and resentment. They were not marching toward glory, but toward exile, banished to a remote basin by the arbitrary decree of Xiang Yu.
Xiao He, the trusted chancellor and Zhang Liang, the valued advisor and a former noble of the Haan state, who gave the counsel just before leaving Liu Bang's service, both suggested Liu Bang to burn down the Gallery Roads. This would tell the Hegemon-King what he wished to hear, he would see the flames and believe the King of Han was resigned to his fate, that he had cut himself off from Guanzhong and harbored no ambition to return. It was a calculated gesture of submission and also a way to cut off the attack route from the Central Plains.
Liu Bang became the King of Han only because his brilliant strategist and friend, Zhang Liang argued that Ba and Shu were too underdeveloped and not enough for a proper kingdom title. Therefore, Xiang Yu had to add the more developed Hanzhong to Liu Bang's territory and confirm him as the King of Han. Coming with the army and a decree from Xiang Yu, it wasn't hard to establish his own kingdom and it would be even easier with our support.
The city of Nan-cheng, which now served as the capital of the Kingdom of Han, was transforming into a tightly controlled machine. Even though we are almost at the same spot as the modern-day Hanzhong City, right now it's still called Nan-cheng. Liu Bang uses the former Qin administration building in the center of the city as his administrative headquarters and temporary residence. From there, Xiao He worked ceaselessly, turning the fertile but isolated Hanzhong Basin into a massive, stable supply base. He used his administrative genius to consolidate the territory, enforce the old Qin conscription rules to gather fresh levies from Ba and Shu, and amass stores of grain and equipment. The incessant rumble of newly trained regiments drilling outside the city walls and the daily influx of resource shipments defined life in Nan-cheng. The King of Han had done well to secure this forge, but it was Xiao He's steady hand that ensured the fires were always burning, preparing the kingdom not for survival, but for war.
Within this bustling military hub, Han Xin, the one who will be the greatest military strategist of this era, found himself relegated to an office handling military supplies. Having once violated military law and almost been beheaded, he now spent his days tallying perishable goods and assigning quotas. Han Xin constantly reviewed his maps and treatises, the strategies for conquering the Three Qins and defeating Xiang Yu burned into his mind, yet he remained here doing this minor assignment. Though he admired Xiao He's logistical acumen, the sheer weight of the bureaucracy only amplified his own sense of injustice. The greatest strategist of the era was wasting away, surrounded by paper scrolls and rations.
The stifling routine finally became unbearable. The previous night, a junior officer had questioned Han Xin's authority over the allocation of tent ropes, a trivial slight that crystallized his despair. Han Xin saw only one future for himself, concluding that since Liu Bang still refused to use him despite the recommendations of both Xiao He and Xiahou Ying. He saw no reason to stay and decided to desert like other soldiers with nothing but his sword, the clothes on his back, and a single water skin.
The air hung cold and still over Nan-cheng. The main Han army camp, a restless sea of canvas and mud outside the city walls, was at its most still. Han Xin moved like a ghost through the sleeping rows of tents. He did not look back at the supply depot where he had spent weeks suffocating. The only path forward lay in leaving the Kingdom of Han behind and finding a ruler who could truly recognize and utilize the full potential of his skills. Han Xin slipped out of the army compound under the cover of the night, heading toward the nearest mountain pass, the same pass where the Gallery Roads had been burnt to symbolize Liu Bang's supposed submission. Han Xin resolved to use the difficult terrain to his advantage, certain no one would miss a low-ranking officer until well after sunrise.
In the administration building, Xiao He was awake. The chancellor had a restless mind that checked the accounts and the movement of army supplies even in the deep night. A small, anomalous discrepancy had show the absence of one inventory officer. Which made him instantly knew that Han Xin was gone.
Xiao He didn't issue an alarm or inform Liu Bang. He knew the King would be furious, but rage was inefficient. The loss of a mere supply officer was nothing but the loss of the man who could win the Empire was everything. He buckled his belt, threw a cloak over his robes, and mounted the swiftest horse in the stable.
He rode out of the city gates, pushing the horse. The world was draped in silence and shadow, the sky a deep, inky blue with a cold, bright moon hanging above. After hours of hard riding, his breath ragged, Xiao He finally spotted a solitary figure on foot, just ahead of the charred wreckage of the Gallery Roads that marked the path north toward the Guanzhong passes. It was, unmistakably, Han Xin.
Xiao He slowed his horse and swiftly dismounted, his manner radiating fierce conviction. Han Xin turned to face him with a cold expression. He spoke, proclaiming his military ambition. Xiao He pleaded that he chased Han Xin not as Liu Bang's servant, but as the man who truly understood his ambition and talent. Xiao He only demanded that the strategist should realize his destiny and the destiny of the future empire.
Before Han Xin could answer, the air around them twisted. The chill of the mountain pass vanished, replaced by an unsettling warmth and silence. The gray, muddy ground beneath them shifted into a courtyard floor. The night sky was replaced by warm sunlight. Xiao He and Han Xin instantly found themselves in a courtyard in front of a small shrine that had the Wuxing pattern on it, five labeled circles linked by the cycle of creation and control. They were enclosed by high inescapable walls with only one huge door opposite of the shrine.
"Don't be scared, mortals! Now you are in my realm," my voice surrounded them.
Han Xin turned and tried to move toward that double-swing door behind them before two shadow figures jumped out and blocked him.
Then I showed myself by suddenly appearing in front of the shrine, standing between the Jade Couple.
"Who are you, Sir?" Xiao He asked.
"Silent! Don't speak without Our Lord's permission!" the Couple's voices echoed.
"I am the one above this vast sky, I speak in the five different phases. Listen well, Xiao He and Han Xin. We will support you and your lord. Don't you want to make your name to be remembered eternally, Han Xin?" I spoke to them.
"Han Xin just want to prove himself, Sir. Nothing more!" Han Xin replied.
"Then why did you leave your lord?" I questioned him.
"Yes, please don't leave our lord, Han Xin!" Xiao He spoke.
"Silent!" the Jade Couple yelled.
The air crackled under the Jade Couple's sudden, sharp command. Xiao He startled, immediately bowed his head but Han Xin stood rigid, his intense gaze fixed on me.
"You sought a ruler who understands your worth but I offered you an eternal fame. Served him to fulfill you destiny, the King of Han will accept you as his Grand Marshal now. Right, Xiao He?" I said while looking at them.
"Yes, Sir! He will totally accept you, Han Xin. I will make sure him also arrange the highest ceremony for your appointment!" Xiao He immediately responded.
Han Xin stood still, quietly thinking about his options. When I wrapped them into my reality and brought them back to the same spot that I took them from. But we were still in my Divine Realm and Michelle waited there with four shiny horses.
"I considered it a done deal. Next, I will show you a path back to Guanzhong. This is my assistant, Mi'er. Get on the horses!" I ordered.
After that, I showed them the way to a narrow route to Chencang, forcing them to ride along with me while Michelle rode on the back. The route immediately plunged us deep into the unforgiving Qinling Mountains. The air here was heavy with the scent of pine and decay, and the sunlight shone from above the canyon walls into the deepest valley. Our horses struggled, their hooves slipping on loose scree and ancient, broken planks of forgotten pathways that clung precariously to sheer cliff faces.
Han Xin was no longer a deserter, he was scouting by his own will and filled with ambition in his eyes. Xiao He endured the rough ride, focused entirely on keeping his strategic general in sight. The terrain became increasingly hostile. We passed through narrow, winding ravines where water cascaded down slick rock, forcing us to dismount and lead the horses. The path ascended steeply, then dropped into deep gorges where the only sign of human passage was the occasional rotted log jammed into the cliff, a remnant of the original plank road construction. Finally, the brutal mountain terrain gave way to a smoother path leading onto a rolling plain. Ahead lay the town of Chencang, the place where they would strike back.