Chapter 235: Bestowing the Name Jesus

The Han Army paid no heed to Yuesefu's explanation and instead took him away.

Yuesefu's eyes flickered, constantly wandering between the Han Army soldiers in full armor and his wife and child.

On the way to the Han Army camp, Ruiqiu's mind grew increasingly dazed; she wept and muttered, "Jieke, my child, you are a miracle bestowed upon me by the divine..."

Yuese listened to his wife's words, and a fire of jealousy quietly ignited in his heart.

These past days, Ruiqiu kept emphasizing their son's extraordinary origin, saying he was a child of the divine, which left Yuese feeling uneasy.

His wife of many years, merely taking advantage of his absence for a few days, returned already pregnant.

When others asked, she actually claimed she had conceived a child with a deity—who would believe that?

It's simply too outrageous, isn't it?

Even deceiving fools isn't done like this,

Who knows whose bastard this is!

Now facing a life-and-death crisis, this jealousy grew like weeds, gradually clouding his mind.

Upon arriving at the camp, the atmosphere in the interrogation room was oppressive.

The Han Army commander again asked about their origins, and Ruiqiu persistently repeated, "My son Jieke is born of me and the divine; he is destined for greatness..."

Yuese looked at his wife; jealousy and desire to survive intertwined, and a terrible thought arose in his mind—perhaps by sacrificing his wife and son he could secure his own path to life.

Yuese's hands trembled slightly; he took a deep breath, looked toward the Han Army commander, his voice shaking yet carrying a hint of resolve:

"Sir, everything she says is nonsense. She has been involved with outsiders, bore this child, and now, fearing investigation, she fabricates these lies. I am innocent; I am willing to serve the Han Army, only begging you to spare my life."

Ruiqiu heard her husband's words, her eyes widened, her face full of disbelief, tears spilling: "Yuese, how could you say that? How could you betray us?"

The Han Army commander furrowed his brows, his gaze shifting back and forth between Yuese and Ruiqiu, seemingly judging the truth of Yuese's words.

Yuese stood there, head lowered, unable to meet his wife and son's eyes, his heart filled with guilt over his betrayal and a strong yearning to survive.

In the interrogation room, the atmosphere was like a lifeless cold pool, oppressive to the point of making breathing difficult.

Under the dual torment of jealousy and desire to survive, Yuese's inner defenses collapsed completely.

His eyes turned mad and resolute; suddenly he snatched the dagger from the waist of a nearby Han Army soldier.

Before Ruiqiu could react, Yuese fiercely drove the dagger into her chest.

"No—" Ruiqiu let out a piercing scream; blood instantly soaked her tattered clothing.

She looked in disbelief at the man before her who had once sworn to protect her for life, her eyes full of anguish and despair: "Yuese... why..."

Her voice weak and trembling, filled with endless sorrow, she slowly closed her eyes and collapsed heavily to the ground.

The Han Army commander was stunned by the sudden turn of events, he shouted angrily: "Bold madman, dare to commit murder before me!"

The soldiers rushed forward, pinning Yuese down firmly.

The dagger fell from Yuese's hand; he seemed to awaken from a dream, gazing at his wife in the pool of blood, he let out a heart-rending wail, his voice holding both remorse for his mad act and deep fear.

At that moment, the interrogation room door was flung open, and Liuche entered, surrounded by his guards.

His normally stern face now showed surprise and anger; seeing the bloody scene before him, he couldn't help but furrow his brows.

Just then, a baby's wail came from the corner—that was the young son of Yuese and Ruiqiu, Jieke.

Liuche's gaze was drawn there; he lightly waved his hand, signaling the guards to bring the child over.

Liuche carefully took the child, looking at the infant's tender face and eyes full of fear, a hint of pity welled up in his heart.

He let out a slight sigh and said, "This child is innocent and should not suffer for his parents' faults." After a moment's thought, Liuche declared, "I hereby bestow upon this child a new name—Yesu; take him away and care for him well."

Yuese, being escorted by soldiers, heard Liuche's words; a complex flicker passed through his eyes—reluctance toward his son, and a hint of relief.

But soon he sank again into deep self-reproach and anguish.

Meanwhile, Yesu, under Liuche's protection, was taken away from that interrogation room filled with blood and sin.

Yuese was imprisoned in a dark, damp cell; the four walls were icy and hard, only a narrow skylight above let in a faint light.

He curled up in a corner, his gaze vacant as he stared at the water stains on the floor; his mind continually conjured Ruiqiu's desperate eyes and the gushing blood.

Each recollection was like a sharp blade, fiercely stabbing his heart; regret and torment followed him like a shadow, completely overwhelming him.

After an unknown period, the cell door creaked open, a strong light poured in, making Yuese squint.

A Han Army soldier entered, coldly saying, "Get up, the Emperor wishes to see you."

Yuese shuddered all over, he struggled to his feet, dragging his heavy shackles, and under the soldier's escort stepped toward Liuche's tent.

Inside the tent, Liuche sat upright behind the case table, his expression dignified.

He looked at Yuese, his eyes sharp as an eagle: "Yuese, you have committed an unforgivable crime; you should be executed. But I consider that you still retain a semblance of humanity and know the surrounding terrain; if you are willing to atone through service, acting as a guide for the Han Army, I can spare your life."

Yuese "plopped" to his knees, his forehead striking the ground hard, tears spilling: "Your Majesty, my sins deserve ten thousand deaths; thank you for your mercy in not killing me. I am willing to lay liver and brains on the ground, to serve the Han Army, to atone for the sins of my first half of life."

His voice was filled with remorse and resolve.

Thereafter, Yuese followed the Han Army in its movements.

Relying on his familiarity with the lands of the Hasmonian Dynasty, he guided the Han Army along secret paths, avoiding enemy ambushes and seeking the best marching routes.

In one encounter with the combined forces of Rome and the Hasmonian Dynasty, the Han Army fell into dire straits, the situation critical.

Yuese disregarded danger, personally leading an elite squad, flanking to the enemy's rear to raid their supply camp.

Amid flames shooting to the sky, the enemy fell into chaos; the Han Army seized the moment to launch a general assault, successfully reversing the battle and securing a crucial victory.

Liuche heard of Yuese's valiant performance in battle, nodded slightly, his eyes showing a hint of praise: "Yuese, you have indeed not disappointed me. Keep it up; in the future you will surely have a place to belong."

Yuese felt deep gratitude, and his resolve to serve Liuche and the Han Army grew stronger.

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