NOVPUBAfter Zuo Ci left, Chen Xi looked curiously at the lingering smoke, a special feeling rising within him. It seemed that such a method could indeed provide an easy escape.
Chen Xi did not enter the main hall of the Jingling Palace, simply standing outside for a look. There was no eerie feeling, but instead, a sense of involuntary reverence arose. It went without saying that the ancient craftsmen were incredibly capable. With just a rough description from Chen Xi, they were able to bring to life everything he requested.
["This will do. Regardless of whether these items are forgeries or not, as long as this glory continues to overshadow and prolong, it is enough."] Chen Xi thought silently. As long as one’s wholehearted efforts were dedicated, the Military Spirit would gradually be forged.
If those fighting to the death on the front lines and those dancing with joy in the rear don’t receive the honor they deserve, and instead of rewards, they spill both blood and tears, how could an undefeatable Military Spirit ever be built?
"All of you, rest in peace. I will do my best to give you everything you deserve, and I will take care of everything after you," Chen Xi said calmly, standing between the entrance and the towering stele. The talk of Immortal Gods is faint, and the legends of Ghostly Deity are not credible. But sometimes, people still need these spirits as their ultimate moral baseline.
After completing these tasks, Chen Xi prepared to leave. There was nothing to see in the Jingling Palace, the resting place of heroic spirits. Apart from the sacrifice, there should also be rightful guardians, and it was no place for the living to disturb.
Chen Xi slowly exited the main entrance of the Jingling Palace, and the soldiers guarding there gave him a fist salute before standing still like columns.
Crossing the street in front of the Jingling Palace and turning into the main street, the previously solemn Chen Xi abruptly exhaled, returning once again to a carefree demeanor.
"It’s really well built. Even I couldn’t help but be influenced by that kind of place," Chen Xi said with a smile, wiping away his previous solemnity. This was the exact effect he wanted—if one’s soul could feel as though it had been baptized upon entering, it would be even better. Best of all would be if it got washed into a fervent patriotic fighter...
The above were just wild thoughts from Chen Xi. He was already very satisfied with the current level. The feeling as if one’s soul had been baptized upon entering the Jingling Palace could only be achieved after centuries of worshipping and bearing the spirits of generations of heroes. As for now, it had probably reached its peak, beyond which it was no longer a matter of craftsmanship.
"Hey kid, stop right there!" Chen Xi was about to wander towards the Library Pavilion when he encountered an acquaintance on the street.
It was the same little rascal who had bumped into Chen Xi months before and had even pilfered Chen Xi’s wallet. Judging by the way he was looking around, it was clear he was searching for a target to steal from.
With his enhanced memory, Chen Xi might not remember everything he saw, but he could certainly recognize faces, especially those he had paid special attention to. He couldn’t forget it; losing his purse was not something he could easily explain to Chen Lan.
The kid was startled, looking at Chen Xi with confusion before seeming to recall something. After all, a target from whom one could steal a bag of gold beads was not a fat sheep one could encounter every year; the memory was fresh.
"Oh, trying to run?" Chen Xi said, annoyed. Although he hadn’t brought Hua Xiong this time, he still had a few trusted aides with him, "Guards, seize that little rascal. Just don’t hurt him."
"Someone’s trying to kidnap me!" The little rascal saw several burly men pouncing from Chen Xi’s side and shouted loudly.
"Capture that child!" Chen Xi didn’t bother to explain, simply ordering his subordinates to apprehend the other party. His own wallet was not so easily stolen; this child had chosen poorly by learning to be a thief. Once this little devil and his group were caught, the first wave of education for the street children could begin.
"Help me!" The child yelled loudly, but Chen Xi remained unmoved, and the surrounding citizens who were unaware of the situation also did not intervene.
Gauging by Chen Xi’s attire, it was clear that he came from wealth or nobility, and the kid was obviously a wandering beggar. In such a situation, as long as Chen Xi didn’t do anything too excessive, the citizens of the Great Han Dynasty wouldn’t care too much.
Of course, Chen Xi’s command, "Don’t hurt him," played a role. Had he said, "Regardless of life or death," the onlookers would definitely have rushed up to stop Chen Xi. In this era, apart from the Heavy Crossbow which couldn’t be privately owned, it was not a problem to pull out a spear or a knife from home; everyone had a bit of skill, and the valor contained in the word "martial" had been ingrained in their bones for hundreds of years.
"Take this!" Seeing that no one was coming to his aid, the child understood the situation and took a stone from his chest, hurling it fiercely at the several big men behind him.
"Huh?" Chen Xi, touching his chin, was somewhat curious. His soldiers were Veteran Soldiers capable of dodging arrows without issue, so how could this child’s aim be so good, hitting his trusted aides with every stone?
"What’s all this commotion ahead again? With more merchants around, things really are troublesome," Liu Bei said helplessly as he followed Xuu Chu squeezing through the path that had been made. Fenggao City was now crowded with people. In the past, this would have been a sign of prosperity, but now Liu Bei finally understood why Chen Xi emphasized the importance of urban road planning and internal city management. It was unbelievable that the streets, despite being so wide, could still get blocked!
"Lord, it seems to be the military advisor catching someone." Xuu Chu, with his large stature and good eyesight, strong-bodied as he pushed through the crowd, allowed Liu Bei to follow in his wake. Naturally, Xuu Chu could see clearly, while Liu Bei only saw a wall of flesh.
"Zichuan is catching someone? Zhongkang, go and help," Liu Bei said without a second thought. As for asking Chen Xi, he could do that later.
"This little devil is too slippery!" Chen Xi’s eyebrows twitched madly. You’re just a little beggar and your Inner Qi is almost at the level of Qi Refining to Gang, can you still play happily or not!
"No need to worry, military advisor, Zhongkang is here!" Xuu Chu bellowed, then leapt through the crowd like a large bear, flying directly toward the little devil, and scooped the child up in one go.
"I feel so embarrassed..." Chen Xi said helplessly. In the whole of Fenggao City, he was the only one called the military advisor, and with Xuu Chu’s physique, one would never forget him after one glimpse. Everyone knew he was one of Liu Bei’s Valiant Generals—Xuu Chu. Thus, the young gentleman in fine clothing standing and giving orders among the crowd was naturally Chen Xi; instantly, the scene fell silent, all eyes on Chen Xi.
"Let go of me, let go of me, you fatso!" The little beggar kicked wildly at Xuu Chu’s stomach, but Xuu Chu, unconcerned, gave his hand a shake, and the little beggar wilted a bit.
"Military advisor, the person has been brought to you," Xuu Chu said as he held the child up beside Chen Xi like he was picking up a little chick.
"That’s enough, this is not the place to talk." Chen Xi helplessly bowed his hands to the crowd around him, then led his party to depart. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it at qidian.com, whether with recommendation tickets or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)
