The Type-Moon World was filled with eccentric characters, many of them fanatics in their own right. Roy paid no mind to Han Xin's peculiar brand of obsession, even feeling a sense of epiphany.
In this world, the more fanatical one was, the more formidable they became—though their endings were rarely happy. As one of the 'Four Sages of Military Strategy,' Han Xin's tactical genius was inhumanly brilliant for a mere mortal. Yet his ultimate fate was nothing short of tragic.
At this moment, however, Han Xin exhaled in relief, as if a weight had been lifted. The words he had suppressed for so long, unable to voice them to anyone, had finally been spoken aloud in another's presence.
The man named Han Xin sought neither fame nor recognition among lords and nobles. What he pursued was war—the very thing that made the world tremble and the common people curse. Only war could set his blood aflame. Only war made him feel alive.
He knew his mindset was twisted, so he had always concealed it, never revealing his true desires to anyone. But under the pressure of Roy's piercing gaze, he had at last voiced the words that had lodged in his throat for years.
Perhaps the Overlord understands me, since he prompted me to speak this way.
With this thought, Han Xin's gaze toward Roy flickered with hope.
In this world, he was lonely. Isolated. Even he himself knew he was a dangerous man.
Roy was certain of it too—this military sage was, like himself, a demon king of this era. The only difference was that Roy had actively embraced the title and deeds of a demon king, while Han Xin was a born 'demon.'
This man is of great use, but he cannot be kept for long. Otherwise, he will inevitably turn on his master!
He had the ability to conquer a vast empire for you—and the ability to tear it apart in an instant. A warmonger like him cared nothing for politics or economics. To him, war was not a last resort of governance but an end in itself. He would stop at nothing to win, even if it meant draining the treasury, sacrificing hundreds of thousands, or leaving the people destitute.
He was a man utterly consumed by war.
'The art of war, the art of war—isn't its very purpose to wage war? If there were no wars, what use would there be for military strategists? Truly, Han Xin is a natural-born saint of warfare. The one who saw through his nature and taught him strategy must have been a remarkable figure indeed.'
Sun Tzu once said: To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill. Thus, the highest form of warfare is to thwart the enemy's plans, the next to disrupt his alliances, the next to attack his army, and the lowest to besiege his cities. But for Han Xin, such distinctions likely meant nothing. All he cared about was whether there was a war to fight.
"Rise, Han Langzhong."
"Yes!"
Han Xin stood and took his place at Roy's side. Seeing that the Overlord showed no reaction to his audacious words, he inwardly marveled. Truly, this is the Overlord of Western Chu—the man capable of such ruthless and brutal deeds.
It must be understood that a man like Han Xin would never be employed by most rulers once they learned of his true nature. Not killing him would already be considered an act of great magnanimity by such a ruler, for he was a monster capable of destroying a thousand-year empire in an instant.
He possessed a heart born for war and the means to achieve victory in battle.
"Many have spoken to me of Han Xin, the Court Gentleman, saying you are a fierce tiger trapped in a cage. Seeing you today, you are indeed extraordinary. A man like you is someone even I have encountered only once in my lifetime."
Hearing Roy's words, Han Xin remained silent, merely staring straight at him.
Han Xin had no need for flattery. What he sought was something tangible—something that could bring him war!
"I ask you this: if I were to unite this realm, how should it be done?"
At this, Han Xin straightened his chest and declared with pride, "...Your Majesty need do nothing. Merely grant me a hundred thousand—no, fifty thousand... no, just thirty thousand troops, and Han Xin will deliver this realm into Your Majesty's hands!"
Unlike Fan Zeng, who would expound on the grand trends of the world, Han Xin simply said, "Trust me, give me soldiers," and the realm would be Roy's. Such arrogance should have made one suspect he was out of his mind, like Zhao Kuo, who only knew how to "fight battles on paper."
But Roy knew Han Xin truly had this ability. Give him tens of thousands of troops and let him develop freely, and the land of Huaxia would inevitably become his for the taking.
"I know you have such capability, yet I still will not employ you."
"Why?"
This time, Han Xin could no longer hold back his question, his face filled with bewildered anger.
Hearing Roy acknowledge his abilities had initially filled him with joy, as if a swift steed had finally met its discerning master. But Roy's next words doused him in cold water, leaving him stunned.
"Court Gentleman Han, don't you think helping me unify this land of Huaxia is far too simple a task?"
Roy's words flushed Han Xin's face red. He opened his mouth and finally said, "...It is indeed too simple."
Given Roy's current strength and influence, and if he truly trusted Han Xin, unifying the realm would be like playing a game with a predetermined victory—so simple it might even be boring. Han Xin might not even need to fight many battles before the feudal lords would kneel in terror and surrender.
"Therefore, I shall give you a greater challenge. Go and assist Liu Ji. Help her defeat me and support her in becoming emperor. How about that? The feudal lords of this realm all oppose her. If you aid Liu Ji, there will be plenty of battles for you to fight. That should suit your tastes better, no?"
Roy gazed at the plump young man before him. Though Roy could kill him with a mere flick of his finger, Han Xin's extraordinary spirit and willpower—so far beyond human imagination—made it difficult even for Roy to adopt a condescending attitude toward him.
Han Xin did not ask why Roy wouldn't become emperor himself, why he would help another to fight against him, or whether he was out of his mind.
To Han Xin, Roy was the first and only person who, upon understanding his true thoughts and reasoning, not only did not despise him but even considered things from his perspective and acted in his interest.
In Han Xin's eyes, the Overlord of Western Chu before him was indeed the same kind of person as himself—a madman in spirit.
"What if the King of Han has no such intention?"
"This king will make sure she does."
"Since that's the case, Han Xin will take on this task! However, I know little about the King of Han. If she lacks the qualifications to earn my service, then I can only disappoint you, my lord!"
"If she truly lacks the ability, you may abandon her at will!"
Roy spoke bluntly.
Han Xin took a deep breath and knelt sincerely on the ground, bowing deeply to Roy with gratitude. "...The Overlord's magnanimity rivals the sun and moon! Please accept this bow from Han Xin!"
Roy knew that this little fatty was truly convinced.
If Roy were the protagonist of those heroic tales, this would be the moment he secured Han Xin's loyalty. However, he genuinely had no interest in ruling the world.
For Roy now, he had long since reached the point where he could treat the world as a mere game. What he sought was far beyond this insignificant stretch of land.
'With Han Xin's assistance, Liu Ji should truly have the ability to unify the realm. Though Han Xin is dangerous, by the time the wars end and his ambitions stir, Liu Ji will have grown into a capable emperor—one who can suppress him and fulfill the saying, "When the cunning hare is dead, the hound is boiled!"'
After this Feast at Hongmen, Roy planned to visit the Mausoleum of the First Emperor of Qin, so he needed to prepare certain things in advance.