NOVPUBZhuge Liang momentarily unlocked his spiritual talent and then turned to look at Chen Xi, "A few dozen miles away there are three individuals with Inner Qi Manifestation and two top sages waiting for us." After finishing his sentence, Zhuge Liang couldn’t help but feel a bit of a headache, "One of them is someone I know; I have no idea how he got here."
"You have acquaintances? Your brother?" asked Chen Xi with a raised eyebrow. He had sensed an abnormal dispersal in the fog and realized that Zhou Yu was ahead, within a dozen or so miles, possibly even dozens. He hadn’t expected Zhuge Liang to have an even clearer sense, "But why are there three with their Inner Qi separated from their bodies?"
"Not my brother, but another acquaintance whom I find annoying," said Zhuge Liang with a somewhat somber expression, "How did that guy get here? He should be studying at Lumen Academy."
"Lumen Academy?" Chen Xi couldn’t help but recall Xu Shu, who had been boasting in front of Liu Bei. It had been more than three years, and he wondered how Xu Shu’s studies were going.
"Achoo~" Xu Shu sneezed towards Cui Jun, who was sitting opposite him. Although he had been cultivating his moral character for over three years, he couldn’t change his hooligan-like nature when it came to people he knew well.
After rubbing his nose fiercely, Xu Shu put on an apologetic expression and glanced at Cui Jun, "Zhouping, sorry about that. I didn’t mean to do it, you know. You should have dodged when you saw me about to sneeze."
Cui Jun wiped his face expressionlessly as he had grown accustomed to Xu Shu’s shameless behavior when they hung out together. It was precisely because of this disregard for consequences that Cui Zhouping had been able to set aside the guilt of his father’s death resulting from his own mistake, "Forget it, let’s have a drink. I don’t want to hold it against you," he said.
While speaking, Cui Jun pulled out a white porcelain vase and poured a cup of liquor for Xu Shu, "Drink up. It’s new wine from Mount Tai, pretty good. But this is all I have left."
"Big families do have their perks," said Xu Shu, lifting his cup and drinking it down in one gulp, "This is much better."
"After all, I am the legitimate son. The Cui Family of Qinghe cannot simply ignore me—it’s an obstacle they must face. Soon I should return home and take over as Head of the Family. Imagine, my Cui Family, allied with several others in Jizhou, still couldn’t stand against the Zhen Family," Cui Jun said, drinking cup after cup with Xu Shu, speaking carelessly about his family affairs back in the north.
"Hahaha, after all, if several families including the Yuan Family are in the wrong, now, with the indulgence of the Yuan Family, you probably don’t want to offend the Zhen Family, do you?" Xu Shu said with a twinkle in his eye and a smile.
"The Zhen Family has leaned towards Liu Xuande," Cui Jun stated calmly, and as expected, Xu Shu’s hand holding the cup trembled.
"Don’t worry, I haven’t told anyone else about this. After all, you are the designated Commander-in-chief of Liu Xuande. My father, holding the title of Grand Commandant, died because of my actions, and I’ve come to accept everything. The Zhen Family may be backed by the Yuan Family, but their real support is Liu Xuande," Cui Jun spoke calmly, "I plan to return to Jizhou to become the Head of the Cui Family."
"No wonder you brought so many things today," Xu Shu said as if he had just realized, "Keep the stuff, but you can go. Just don’t talk nonsense when the time comes."
"Suit yourself. After we finish our drinks, I’ll be leaving," Cui Jun let out a sigh, "One cannot live in the past forever. I will recreate the radiance my father left behind. Yuanzhi, I am leaving."
After finishing his cup of liquor, Cui Jun casually shed his coat and walked towards the door without the slightest hesitation.
"Master, are we just leaving like this?" Cui Jun’s servant followed closely behind him and asked.
"It’s time for me to take back my position as head of the family," Cui Jun said calmly, looking toward the north. "The Cui Family can only truly be orthodox with me, Cui Jun, as its head!"
At that moment, the domineering aura that Cui Jun exuded did not resemble that of a drunkard who had been in decline for years; rather, he was truly worthy of being the legitimate son of a millennia-old family known for its scholarly brilliance.
"Master, Cui Ying and others have been managing affairs for several years. If you go back like this, I’m afraid you won’t be welcomed," the servant advised with his head bowed. He did not see the cold smile at the corner of Cui Jun’s mouth. Did he really think Cui Jun didn’t know?
[The greatest enemy of the aristocratic families of Hebei is Yuan Benchu, and if the leading Cui Family had the chance to completely lean towards Yuan Benchu, with Yuan Benchu’s current might, he would naturally be trusted!]
Cui Jun leaped onto the carriage, remembering the letter from the north’s Licheng and feeling a surge of emotions. He thought of himself as having extraordinary talent, but Guo Jia’s letter had struck at his heart, earning his admiration, followed by a strategy that didn’t target siege and conquest, yet completely won Cui Jun over.
[Yuan Benchu can be said to be Liu Xuande’s greatest obstacle in the fight for supremacy, with his strength and breadth of mind at the top of the world. With strong soldiers and valiant generals, he is brave and decisive with a broad heart. Even in a declining state, he has not changed his aspirations and is unhesitating in employing people!] Cui Jun felt a rush of emotions as he recalled the virtues of Yuan Benchu that Guo Jia had described in the letter, such a character would be a mighty lord in any era.
In fact, including Xun Yu and Guo Jia, they all admitted that they had misjudged the situation when they were in Jizhou. At that time, Yuan Shao who was relying on others did not have the imposing aura he has now. Otherwise, they would not have left Yuan Shao, who no matter how you looked at him now, seemed like a mighty lord. Perhaps it was all about timing and fate!
[Guo Fengxiao is ruthless enough. Although this plan does not involve siege and plunder, once it’s successful, I’m afraid Yuan Shao will find it difficult to regain his current valor. To conquer the heart is supreme, what a strategy to conquer the heart! If this plan succeeds, Yuan Shao may no longer have the air of a mighty lord, and it’ll be hard for him to achieve greatness! I, Cui Zhouping, will be your pawn just this once!] After reading the entire letter again, Cui Zhouping made up his mind, burned the letter to ash in the inkstone, and started grinding.
In Licheng, where Guo Jia was drinking with Guan Yu, his face suddenly flushed crimson, and then he spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed onto the table, shocking Guan Yu who stood up immediately and commanded Wei Yan to hurry and call a doctor. However, they saw Guo Jia, lying in the pool of blood, raise his hand in Guan Yu’s direction, indicating that he was alright, then the bloodied face of Guo Jia lifted up.
"Go call the doctor! Forget the drink! Stop drinking!" Guan Yu ordered Wei Yan frantically and then turned to see the drunken Guo Jia still pouring wine into his cup despite vomiting blood, which frightened Guan Yu into snatching away the wine jug and cup.
"Don’t worry, I’m fine now, no need for medicine," Guo Jia said while propping up his blood-stained head with his right hand, "I just spat out a little blood..."
"That’s ’a little’!" Guan Yu was starting to panic. To him, Guo Jia seemed to be delirious. You call this a little blood? You’ve spat out a mouthful and you’re still going, are you trying to die!
"General, Doctor Hua’s apprentice has arrived," Wei Yan announced as he barged in, carrying Li Dangzhi.
"Hurry, hurry, Military Advisor Guo is in bad shape, Physician Li, save him quickly!" Guan Yu moved aside in a rush, as it would be troublesome if Guo Jia died here. Until now, Guan Yu had no idea what had happened. Previously, wasn’t Guo Jia planning to visit the Flower Pavilion chain to digest his meal? How did things suddenly turn out like this! (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
