NOVPUBXiaozhi might overlook Lul Xun’s thoughts, but Zhuge Liang, who had interacted with Lul Xun and was known for his meticulous mind, naturally wouldn’t make that mistake. However, even if Zhuge Liang guessed what Lul Xun was thinking, he showed no intention of refusal. To the current Zhuge Liang, Lul Xun was simply too inexperienced, and even Lul Xun’s best military strategies could not compete with Zhuge Liang.
"Boyan, take the ’Grand Strategy of Heaven and Earth’ with me for a test, let me understand your current level," Zhuge Liang said calmly as he walked past Lul Xun, his voice indifferent, leaving only his proud figure behind.
Lul Xun glared at Zhuge Liang, his spirit lighting up with a burning desire to compete. He had never before encountered such an infuriating person; especially given that the other party hadn’t done anything particularly offensive or rude, but for some reason, Lul Xun found Zhuge Liang incredibly irksome.
[Hmph, wait until I’ve learned everything from you, then I’ll walk past you in the same way!] Lul Xun, discontented, picked up the book and followed.
"Xingba, Jir Cai," Chen Xi addressed Gan Ning and Lul Jun with curiosity.
"The boy has been entrusted to Marquis Chen for guidance," Lul Jun said with a smile, "I remember that Marquis Chen himself once stated in a letter that he is no less skilled than Fa Xiaozhi."
Lul Jun was not very old and had a good relationship with Gan Ning, which over time led to a familiarity with Chen Xi without too much formal etiquette.
"Brother Jir Cai can rest assured on this matter," Chen Xi said with a smile, "Since I’ve said that I’m not inferior to Fa Xiaozhi, then that is how I shall teach."
"This Zhuge Kongming is not simple," Lul Jun remarked involuntarily, recalling the cultivated and serene Zhuge Liang.
"There’s only one Zhuge Liang in this world," Gan Ning said with a smile, "Before it might have been alright, but once you spend some time with him, you’ll realize that you simply can’t see him as an ordinary youth. He’s very impressive, just as Chen Zichuan said - he only lacks experience, not ability."
"Indeed, that’s true; spend more time with him and you’ll understand, he is no ordinary youth. If there is someone in this world who could be considered as rarely making a mistake, I’m afraid he would be the prime choice," Chen Xi nodded in agreement with Gan Ning’s assessment, unaware of the understanding look in Gan Ning’s eyes.
Lul Jun was at a loss for words; he merely admired Zhuge Liang’s calm demeanor and had not expected Chen Xi to offer such high praise.
"Xingba, have you received any news from the fast boats you dispatched?" Chen Xi asked directly without avoiding Lul Jun.
"Xuzhou is ready to respond, but it can only be used for defense. Jing-Xiang’s navy has not arrived yet; if we move quickly, we shouldn’t have to engage them. However, I suggest we still fight them. If we plan to flee, they haven’t caught up yet, there’s no point now," Gan Ning brought the latest intelligence to Chen Xi.
"Did Ziyi go personally?" Chen Xi asked with a frown.
"Yes, he has already connected with Zilong and Shuzhi. Zilong was preparing to come over but was persuaded by Ziyi to go back," Gan Ning nodded.
"Speed up, let’s head toward the Yangtze River as fast as we can, then downstream. Though I don’t know how Zhou Yu managed it, he must already be in front of us waiting for an interception," Chen Xi sighed.
The greatest problem with the Yangtze Waterway is its complexity. Although Chen Xi wasn’t clear on how Zhou Yu did it, he could guarantee that Zhou Yu had definitely been waiting in the Jiujiang waters because it was too fake. It was believable that the Jiangxia Navy, being far away, might not catch up to them, but to suggest that the upstream Jiangxia Navy hadn’t even appeared was absolutely impossible.
Gan Ning wasn’t a fool either; he simply hadn’t connected the dots for a moment. Once Chen Xi pointed it out, he understood in an instant, "They actually dare to pull a fast one on me? In naval battles on the Yangtze River, I, Gan Xingba, fear no one. Let’s fight, who’s afraid of who!"
"I’ll whip up some wind to increase our ship’s speed. Since they’re fast, they must be unprepared. Let’s quickly go and crush them!" Chen Xi thought for a moment and then directly began to alter the celestial phenomenon, "Right, have someone go down to the lower reaches of Jiujiang and investigate whether there is a fleet gathering."
"Alright, I’ll send someone immediately," Gan Ning understood the urgency of the situation, didn’t make any other comments, and simply nodded in agreement.
Gan Ning gave a respectful bow to Lul Jun, then walked to the other side of the ship, "Wen Xiang, lead fifty men disguised as boatmen to the lower reaches of Jiujiang to scout. If there is a fleet gathering, let someone else come back and report, while you hurry to the Yangtze River Mouth to wait for Gan Lan and company. I fear this battle will not be simple."
"Understood!" Although Xu Sheng did not understand why Gan Lan could return in a short time, he did not say anything else and simply nodded in agreement.
Lul Jun, upon witnessing this scene orchestrated by Chen Xi, was initially dumbfounded. Yet as the smoothly sailing fleet continued on, Lul Jun for the first time understood the terror that was Chen Xi. First of all, that Spiritual Capacity seemed not to be of a human’s possession, especially in Chen Xi’s nonchalant demeanor.
Actually, Chen Xi himself was also quite puzzled at the moment. It appeared that any spell that purely exhausted Spiritual Capacity seemed to be trivial to him. Even this kind of irrational act seemed effortless, and what was even more strange was that after carefully examining his own Spiritual Capacity, Chen Xi found that it wasn’t as much as he had imagined, seemingly only twenty percent more than Zhuge Liang...
Though having twenty percent more Spiritual Capacity than Zhuge Liang could certainly be considered vast, when compared to the series of Spiritual Spells he utilized, it seemed very illogical. At best, that little Spiritual Capacity, compared to the spells he cast, could be considered a mere fraction!
However, Chen Xi wasn’t the type of person to pursue matters to their end. If he couldn’t understand, he wouldn’t think further. After all, it was a good thing, at least for Chen Xi, it indeed was a good thing.
[Well then, let’s just treat it as a test to see just how much Spiritual Capacity I really have.] Chen Xi once again made a move with his hands, slowly starting to push the Celestial Phenomenon, not directly altering it, but gradually influencing it, [At this rate, by the time we arrive at Jiujiang, a natural fog will appear. I don’t believe they will be able to notice such a natural Celestial Phenomenon!]
"What’s wrong with Gongjin?" Sunx Ce asked, puzzled by Zhou Yu suddenly looking up at the sky.
"The Celestial Phenomenon has changed, but something doesn’t feel right," Pang Tong spoke, "Originally, the day after tomorrow should be clear, but now it seems like fog is going to form, covering a very large area. Indeed, the heavens are unpredictable."
"It’s not that the heavens are unpredictable; it’s man-made," Zhou Yu frowned and said, "I’m afraid Chen Zichuan has guessed our movements. Has there been any mishap? It shouldn’t be, I thought I hadn’t overlooked any key points."
"Who knows? Regardless of whether or not this change in the Celestial Phenomenon is Chen Zichuan’s doing, even if it is, it might just be a probe," Pang Tong shook his head, finding it hard to believe.
"Let it be, think no more of it, rush to Jiujiang," Zhou Yu shook his head, not wanting to argue with Pang Tong about such matters. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)
