NOVPUB"Insufficient conditions, it seems I need to test the waters with other feudal lords, Southeast, eh? Since someone has taken charge there, let them try the mettle of this group of ’immortals’. Controlling a fifth of the world is also a major trend!" A cold smile appeared on Jia Xu’s face. He would certainly verify the words spoken by Zixu with caution.
"Withdraw the troops," Jia Xu called to Wuu Anguo, speaking in a relaxed tone. He had already obtained all the relevant intelligence. As for Zixu, Jia Xu would not stop him from leaving. If nothing unexpected occurred, Zixu would ultimately need to return to Liu Bei.
"Roger that!" Wuu Anguo saluted with a fist, then unhesitatingly summoned hundreds of soldiers from Xuu Chu’s Tiger Guard Army from all directions.
Indeed, Jia Xu did not hesitate to summon the Tiger Guard Army to this location without alerting Liu Bei in order to probe for the information he desired. Of course, he chose this moment because, in his view, Liu Bei’s survey of the populace should also have concluded.
"As expected, once it’s certain that I am in danger, willing to go to extremes, Jia Wenhe would not hesitate to use spiritual power to shatter my spirit, or even make me lose my senses, and then Wuu Anguo and others would swarm and stab me to death right here." Zixu heaved a long sigh of relief as he saw Wuu Anguo and the others leave. The longer one lives, the less they wish to die, especially someone like Zixu, who had unfulfilled aspirations.
"Forget it, I’ll just share part of the intelligence obtained today with Ziyang. Better not let him know some things; it always feels a bit troublesome. As for Eastern Wu, I still need to be cautious. This time, I won’t have the advantage of information anymore," Jia Xu thought to himself silently. What remained was to go and apologize to Liu Bei, for mobilizing troops privately, even though it was only five hundred men, but it was still best to provide an explanation.
That night, as Xuu Chu was sleeping, he heard a clatter outside, and being a man of military background, he instantly understood it was the sound of soldiers surrounding them, and suddenly, all sleepiness turned into cold sweat.
His right hand reached for the Great Sword at the bedside, his heart felt slightly reassured, and grabbing the sword, he leaped up, flying out from the rooftop and bellowed, "What lowly thieves dare to run amok here? Grandpa Xuu will teach you a lesson today!"
The booming voice carried over ten miles away—one cry to berate the soldiers surrounding them, and another to alert the few Tiger Guards and Liu Ye, Liu Bei, and the others in the backyard.
Simultaneously, Hua Xiong who had just arrived in the area, intent on releasing his Inner Qi, was startled by Xuu Chu’s outcry. Knowing Xuu Chu well, only a serious situation could incite such a roar from him. Thus, he rapidly rode toward the source of the sound, not hesitating to release the power of his Inner Qi Separation.
"Zhongkang, it’s me!" Wuu Anguo’s voice came through, for he had already felt Hua Xiong’s presence. Although it was peculiar, he didn’t pay much mind and continued walking toward Xuu Chu.
"Halt, Anguo, what business do you have bringing so many soldiers at this hour!" Xuu Chu still did not lower his guard. Although he could now see clearly that all the soldiers were his Tiger Guard, the duty-bound Xuu Chu did not dare let his guard down, "And what business does Zijian have here at this time?"
"How would I know what Zijian is doing here?" Wuu Anguo stopped in his tracks and looked up at Xuu Chu, standing on top of the roof, puzzled.
"I ordered him to lead the troops here. A few days ago, I commanded Anguo to go to the North Sea and summon the Tiger Guard to ensure our Lord’s safety," Jia Xu stepped forward and explained.
Jia Xu had also realized the mistake he had made. Xuu Chu might not be the sharpest, but he was extremely loyal. Given the situation, it was obvious that he was worried about the safety of Liu Bei in the hands of Wuu Anguo’s troops. Even though these men were all acquaintances and had good relations, Xuu Chu still maintained the caution a guard should have.
"Chancellor Jia." Xuu Chu nodded slightly, "Please forgive me for not being able to offer full courtesy due to my important mission, and I ask Chancellor Jia to instruct General Wuu Anguo to step back a hundred paces and tell me why Zijian has come here."
"Zhongkang, what’s going on?" Liu Bei came out of the back yard in his long robe and asked Xuu Chu, who was wearing a big pair of shorts and carrying a great sword on the roof.
"Reporting to my Lord, Chancellor Jia and General Wu’an have come with troops. Chuu was worried about your safety and ordered them to step back a hundred paces," said Xuu Chu, holding his great sword cautiously. Even though Jia Xu and Wuu Anguo had already stepped back a hundred paces, he still maintained the necessary vigilance. From this aspect, he truly was the best guard.
Xuu Chu briefly explained the entire matter, and Liu Bei was stunned. Leading troops in the middle of the night could not help but raise suspicions. "Come down, come down. Wen He and Anguo won’t harm me. Let’s go out and ask."
"Zhongkang, is the Lord here?" From afar came Hua Xiong’s roaring voice, clearly conveying his worry and anxiety.
"Why has Zijian also come?" A jolt went through Liu Bei’s heart. However, trusting his people, Liu Bei immediately opened the courtyard door. Xuu Chu quickly jumped down from the roof and followed Liu Bei closely, while Liu Ye also came running over in panic, his clothes disheveled as if he had been asleep before rushing out.
No sooner had Liu Bei come out than Jia Xu dragged Wuu Anguo over, "Greetings, my Lord."
Then, without waiting for Liu Bei to ask, Jia Xu pinned all the blame on Zixu’s head. Anyway, Jia Xu didn’t care about the death of one Zixu. His usefulness had run out, and he knew too much. It was better to take care of him sooner for everyone’s sake. Thus, Jia Xu did not hesitate to betray Zixu.
"So, is it to protect himself that Zhongyou joined us?" sighed Liu Bei. "Since that’s the case, bring him along. We can deal with it when he has recovered. Let alone that he had no intention to harm me, even if he had the thought, he didn’t act on it, and he shouldn’t be treated this way."
"Your mercy is commendable, my Lord," said Jia Xu with a bow, "But now that your identity has been exposed, perhaps it’s best to return to North Sea quickly."
Liu Bei looked at the commoners peering out of their opened doors towards him and sighed, "Alright, what needs to be known is now known. Let’s return to North Sea to oversee the development of Qingzhou. Let’s leave this matter as it is. Don’t bear a grudge against Zhongyou. All matters of food and lodging should be continued as before. If he wishes to stay, let him. If he does not wish to, then the advice he gave us deserves such treatment."
Jia Xu lowered his head; he knew that Liu Bei would not fuss over this matter. After all, it involved only five hundred soldiers, and moreover, Wuu Anguo had moved them for Liu Bei’s personal safety without Jia Xu’s involvement. In practical terms, it had little to do with Jia Xu. But with this, Jia Xu also gained a clearer sense of Liu Bei’s magnanimity.
"Greetings, my Lord!" At this moment, Hua Xiong arrived on horseback, dismounted, and gave a bow to Liu Bei.
"Why has Zijian come to Qingzhou?" Liu Bei asked, perplexed. "Has something big happened at Mount Tai, or has Lyu Fengxian come to attack, or Yuan Benchu?" Liu Bei was slightly nervous as he asked this, for in his view, if something urgent made Hua Xiong come to him, it must be a serious matter. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to vote for it at Qidian (qidian.com) and rank it with your monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please go to m.qidian.com to read.)
