NOVPUBWhen Chen Xi left Fan Liang’s place, he began to carefully ponder this incident. After all, having a Spiritual Talent capable of suppressing everyone’s talents must be characteristic of a top-notch Strategist. As for military generals, according to Chen Xi’s current conclusions, the talents of military generals seem to affect only their own troops, completely different from the mixed offensive, defensive, and supportive talents of Strategists.
"Who could it be?" Chen Xi wondered absentmindedly as he followed a group of city guards toward the exit. In the process of turning to leave, he passed by two young scholars, one tall and one short, without even noticing them.
"Xiaoo Zhi was considered a prodigy for awakening his Spiritual Talent at the age of sixteen by the lunar calendar. In the Records of the Three Kingdoms, Pang Tong, who has a chapter shared with Xiaoo Zhi, would probably be only slightly better, let’s say he awoke at fifteen." Chen Xi began to wonder if it could be any of these younger children who had yet to make a name for themselves.
"Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi would be considered the peak, with a normal awakening of Spiritual Talent at about fourteen. This means Zhuge Liang can be ruled out now. It’s possible for Pang Tong if he’s a monster. Sima Yi is just right, but they’re all learning at home, aren’t they?" Chen Xi thought lazily.
"Hmm, given Zhou Yu’s youthful arrogance, it’s quite possible he would have this ability. As for his Spiritual Talent, that’s Handsome Zhou Yu we’re talking about—a person who has martial force, intelligence, and commanding ability all in one. It would be abnormal if he hadn’t awakened," Chen Xi mused, shaking his head dismissively at the thought.
"At this time, the top Strategists who are adults and could be present here are probably just those few. Under Cao Cao, it would likely be Chen Qun, if all goes as expected. Could he be the one with this talent? Hmm, it’s not impossible. It would be strange if he didn’t have Spiritual Talent!"
Chen Xi included Chen Qun among his suspects; after all, based on what he’d learned so far, it was clear that the range of that talent had obviously extended beyond Fenggao City, as even Zhao Yun outside the city had felt it...
"So, perhaps the person is not even in Fenggao City?" Chen Xi’s thoughts began to wander. "Forget it, forget about it. It’s normal not to find such a person. I’ve even overlooked the range; just because they’re stirring things up in Fenggao doesn’t mean they’re actually in Fenggao. Truly a case of not seeing what’s right under one’s nose."
At this thought, Chen Xi became frustrated. This person was practically impossible to find. The previous investigations were all based on the assumption that the other party was in Fenggao. Now it seemed very possible that they were not, so how could he conduct his search?
"Let it be, let it be. Better to consider who could have done it." Chen Xi set aside his distractions and began to ponder who could possess such ability. After all, compared to others, he remembered some of these obscure figures who played dead rather than showing themselves, as they had all been verified by history.
"On Cao Cao’s side, any of those people really could be possible, but Chen Qun is likely the only one who could come. On Yuan Shao’s side, Tian Feng, Ju Shou, and Xun Shen are all possible. Right, I forgot about Cao Cao’s underling Chen Gong..." Chen Xi’s eyes narrowed at this thought. Chen Gong’s abilities were difficult to pinpoint. After all, he was a man who soloed against Cao Cao’s team of Strategists and performed impressively. His historical performance and his low-profile and unassuming appearance in current reports were like two different people. That is to say, Chen Gong was feigning inactivity.
"This guy needs to be tested." Chen Xi reluctantly added a relative from five hundred years ago to the blacklist.
"Zhou Yu, Gu Yong, Zhuge Jin, Zhang Zhao, these four definitely have top-notch abilities, and they must have all awakened to their Spiritual Talent. However, it’s unlikely that these four would come to Mount Tai, nor would they do such a thing." Chen Xi paused to think about the Sunx Wu region’s future, with its four provincial governors and three generations of Civil Officials—all unquestionably ruthless individuals. However, apart from Zhou Yu and Lub Su, the other governors definitely lacked the capability.
Just like Xu Shu, Lyu Meng didn’t study diligently in his youth either but quickly shifted his career path upon realizing his potential. Speaking of talents, he was definitely not lacking, though not as distinctly abnormal as Xu Shu’s. However, in terms of diligence, Lyu Meng was probably much better than Xu Shu.
For this reason, if Lyu Meng and Xu Shu were to awaken their talents, it would definitely be after reaching a normal age, and it was impossible for such talents to emerge in their teens. Thus, Chen Xi disregarded Lyu Meng from his calculations. Naturally, for Lul Xun, a child not even ten years old—although in the Records of the Three Kingdoms, only he and Zhuge Liang had their biographies—it was unlikely for him to achieve what even Zhuge Liang may not have accomplished.
[Ma Liang, Ma Su, forget it, even more unlikely. Jiangh Wan, um, not the right age, Liaoo Li? This guy seems somewhat possible, considering his character, capabilities, and age, he could be the one. He’s the sole individual who claimed after Zhuge Liang’s death, ’Eventually, we will be enslaved by an alien race’—a true demon!]" Chen Xi’s thoughts swept through Jing-Xiang, and he suddenly remembered someone who was regarded on a par with Pang Tong in Zhuge Liang’s evaluation, although this person was clearly even more arrogant due to his talent.
[This person has a terrible personality but possesses abilities; however, it’s somewhat improbable for him to appear in Mount Tai. In Yizhou, Zhang Song? Liu Ba? Both rather mediocre, probably not up to the standard.] Chen Xi thought with a frown.
After scanning through the entire map, he finally realized that, excluding those talents yet to grow, and disregarding Strategists like Cui Zhouping, Hua Xin, Zhong Yao, Yuan Shao, and those from Cao Cao’s side who hadn’t come, there were actually not many who met the criteria—other than the ones from Yuan Cao’s side, there were Liaoo Li, Sima Lang, Chen Gong, Hu Zhao, and it seemed that none of the others were quite suitable.
[This narrows it down quite a bit. Still, I can’t shake the feeling I’ve missed a few. It’s truly frustrating. Think about it; Cao Cao is not ordinarily strong, Hua Xin, Zhong Yao, Dong Zhao, Jiangh Ji, these men will inevitably be his. Just in terms of First-Class civil officials, they outnumber us! Even Super First-Class ones can hold their own against us!]
Chen Xi felt overwhelmed just thinking about Cao Cao’s lineup. While his military generals may not match Liu Bei’s in valour, they could barely hold their own, and as for civil officials, it seemed the other side had already overshadowed them.
With over a hundred well-known civil officials under Cao Cao, the top five and subsequent three, making eight great Strategists, add Sima Yi and that’s nine. Even after poaching three, they still had six remaining. The strongest Wei Kingdom wasn’t playing around!
[It seems I still need to weaken Cao Cao. Military generals can only influence the corps; that’s really too limited. If the enemy doesn’t go for single combat and opts for a Formation Battle instead…]
Chen Xi estimated that between the Cao and Xiahou families, there were quite a few Quasi-First Class and second-tier military generals, as well as individuals with Commander-in-chief-level talent. In terms of Formation Battle against Formation Battle, it seemed they could barely edge out Cao Cao.
[Fortunately, I’ve stockpiled a year’s worth of grains. Money earned from books, salt, furs, and land sales all went into grains and medicinal herbs. In case of a real fight, dragging the enemy out will be the King’s Way.] Chen Xi instantly felt at ease comparing Liu Bei’s and Cao Cao’s reserves. What Lub Su said made a lot of sense. As long as he, Chen Xi, stood firm, even if all talents were suppressed, there was still the morale to fight on!
With this thought, Chen Xi gained confidence. Indeed, suppressing everyone’s talents was terrifying, but so what? Even if they lacked talents, a war wasn’t solely won by a single Spiritual Talent. I acknowledge you have advantages, but, the true decider of victory is pure strength—well-prepared and well-provisioned—why fear such trifling schemes!
A slight smile crossed Chen Xi’s lips; he knew what he had to do now. If he could find them, so be it; if not, it didn’t matter. He had previously strayed from the point, or it could be said that everyone in Mount Tai had taken the matter too seriously. If you can’t match others in strategy, then crush them with a formidable and upright military force!
(To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to QiDian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets, monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.) 𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒑𝒖𝙗.𝒄𝒐𝒎
