Striving for Supremacy in the Central Plains: On the eighth day of the third month, the great army descended upon Star City; in the narrow alleyways, lovers were reunited.

The eighth day of the third lunar month was a clear, sunny day. Yet, amidst this serenity, what undercurrents were surging?

"Huangfu Heng, have all the arrangements been made?"

"Reporting to the Prince, subordinates of Li Kangjia sent word at the third quarter of the Rabbit hour. At the Un hour today, an army of thirty thousand from Jingzhou will launch a direct assault on Star City. As for the Prince of Yuzhang, everything is prepared on his end as well!"

"Good. Pass the order: we board the ships at the Un hour!"

"Understood!"

Ji Shi looked toward the south, a smile spreading across his face. "I shall see her soon. I just need to get her out first, to ensure she isn't harmed by the army."

On the map of the Nine Provinces, Star City sat like a brilliant yet fragile pearl at the confluence of three waterways. Blessed with fertile land and prosperous trade, it was a hub where all paths converged—a place every strategist sought to control.

That day, under the leadership of Ji Shi, the combined armies of Jingzhou, Jiangcheng, and Yuzhang launched a fierce assault on Star City.

At that moment within the city, Youkong Chishi was instructing Youkong Yu when he suddenly sensed something. He gazed toward the north, then looked at Youkong Yu, who, despite her exhaustion, was still persevering. "Girl, your beloved is coming soon. Are you prepared to face him? After all, he doesn't know your surname is Youkong!"

Upon hearing this, Youkong Yu’s expression grew complex. "Senior, can you help me? I truly... I..."

"Hahaha, I fear your father would not approve. However, if he becomes strong enough, he may one day be able to withstand the pressure of the Youkong family to marry you. Of course, before that, you had better keep some distance from him, or even without me saying a word, your father will soon find out." He paused. "By the way, your beloved will likely come to find you shortly. Remember to reach an understanding with him. I will wait for you in Osmanthus City for four days. If you have made your decision, come find me!" With that, he walked away with his hands behind his back, slowly departing from the place soon to become a battlefield, leaving behind a contemplative Youkong Yu.

The thirty thousand troops of Jingzhou, commanded by Deng Fu, arrived in a mighty formation from the broad northern waterway. Deng Fu was tall and imposing with a cold, stern face; his eyes held the ruthlessness of a veteran of countless battles. Rising from the ranks as a common soldier, he had climbed to the position of general through sheer grit, and his Red Brow Army had played a pivotal role in the recent power struggle in Jiangcheng.

The Jingzhou warships were tall and sturdy, their hulls armored in thick iron, their bows sharp as the fins of a giant shark slicing through the waves, shimmering coldly in the sun. Each vessel was equipped with heavy crossbows capable of firing bolts as thick as a child’s arm, with a range of a hundred paces, striking terror into the hearts of their enemies.

Meanwhile, Chen Huaijin led thirty thousand troops from Jiangcheng upstream from the south. Chen Huaijin was elegant and refined, looking every bit the scholar, though he possessed a mind sharp with strategy. As the second son of the Jiangnan region, he had a natural gift for military tactics.

The Jiangcheng warships were light and agile, their hulls coated in dark brown tung oil, allowing them to glide through the water like fish. They were equipped with unique catapults capable of hurling stones weighing dozens of pounds with pinpoint accuracy, capable of inflicting massive damage on both city walls and enemy ships.

To the east, Qi Tui commanded thirty thousand troops from Yuzhang, rapidly closing in along the winding river channels. Qi Tui was burly and coarse-featured, with a volatile temper. A man of humble, wild origins, he had carved out his place on the battlefield through brute strength and fearless courage.

The Yuzhang warships featured a unique design with wide hulls and rows of dense oars on both sides, granting them incredible speed. The soldiers were masters of close-quarters combat, each wielding sharp short blades, making them formidable in hand-to-hand fighting.

The three armies converged like three vicious, snarling dragons, rushing toward Star City. At this moment, Star City was submerged in the oppressive atmosphere of a brewing storm.

On the side of Star City, the sky gradually drew its curtain.

Twilight, thick as ink, quietly stained the world, wrapping the earth in a profound silence. The lights in the streets and alleys flickered like scattered stars, appearing even more faint and lonely in the dimming sky.

After parking his carriage on the main road, Ji Shi walked slowly along the winding alleys, his silhouette stretched long against the mottled walls. His footsteps were steady yet carried an imperceptible urgency, each step striking the stone pavement with a dull thud. Just as he reached the end of the alley, a familiar figure appeared in his sight.

Youkong Yu stood quietly beneath an ancient locust tree, the breeze gently brushing past, stirring her hair. Her face was half-hidden in the hazy twilight, looking like a delicate ink wash painting. Ji Shi’s pace faltered, a flash of surprise and complex emotion crossing his eyes.

"Long time no see. I didn't expect you to have moved out of the inn and found such a fine place!" Ji Shi broke the silence first, his voice low and gentle, filled with the sentiment of a long-awaited reunion.

Youkong Yu looked up, the corners of her mouth curling into a faint smile. "Long time no see, Ji Yang." Her voice was crisp and melodious, echoing in the quiet alley.

The two exchanged a few pleasantries, the atmosphere seemingly relaxed yet underscored by a subtle tension. Suddenly, Youkong Yu’s gaze sharpened. She stared straight into Ji Shi’s eyes and said, "I know who you are."

Ji Shi was slightly taken aback, then gave a candid smile. He knew some things could not be hidden forever. He took a deep breath and said slowly, "That's right, I am indeed Ji Shi."

Youkong Yu raised an eyebrow, a hint of triumph in her eyes. "I guessed it was you." However, she did not mention her own true identity, merely brushing the topic aside with a light touch.

Ji Shi’s expression turned solemn. He took a few steps forward, closing the distance to Youkong Yu, and said earnestly, "I am about to attack Star City. This place will soon become a battlefield, filled with danger. Come with me to a safe place. We shall discuss everything after I have taken the city!"

"Can you really do it?" Youkong Yu looked at him with concern.

"Hahaha, how can a man ever say he cannot? You really shouldn't ask me if I can or not in the future!" Ji Shi looked at her with a mischievous smirk. Realizing his meaning, Youkong Yu’s cheeks flushed red. With a mix of shyness and mock anger, she lightly tapped his solid chest with her small fist. Though the strike was light, it felt like a spring breeze, warming Ji Shi’s heart.

"You hateful rogue!" she whispered, her voice filled with a girl’s characteristic playfulness, like the most beautiful melody of spring.

Ji Shi laughed heartily, the sound echoing in the narrow alley with boundless joy and relief. He took her soft, cool hand—a hand as cold as jade, as if it could banish all the shadows in his heart. They walked side by side toward the carriage waiting on the road. The moonlight fell upon them, gilding their figures with a silver edge. Ji Shi gently helped her into the carriage before leaping in himself. The carriage slowly pulled away, heading toward Baling, leaving behind a series of crisp hoofbeats and two hearts held tightly together.