NOVPUB"Yes, just like Xiaoo Zhi back then, they are growing very fast," Chen Xi nodded, watching Zhuge Liang, who had already descended, while Lub Su had quickly gone up to meet him, giving Zhuge Liang sufficient face.
"Kongming, it’s been a long time." Lub Su smiled as he offered his hand to Zhuge Liang, helping him down, and Zhuge Liang, enjoying such a high level of courtesy for the first time, couldn’t help feeling a bit excited.
"It has indeed been a long time," Zhuge Liang replied with a reserved courtesy.
"Hey, Zichuan, what do you think Zijing will assign to Kongming?" Jia Xu elbowed Chen Xi and asked.
"Heh, definitely not less. Although Kongming seems indifferent and doesn’t appear to take this matter to heart, he’s actually no different from Xiaoo Zhi. The only difference is that Xiaoo Zhi shows his feelings openly, while Kongming keeps his composure," Chen Xi chuckled and turned to Jia Xu.
"Zijing is lucky," Jia Xu’s face also displayed a hint of a smile. "Back when we were dealing with military affairs, Xiaoo Zhi had already finished learning what he was supposed to from Fengxiao and moved on to Zijing to get involved with political matters. At that time, Xiaoo Zhi was very excited and full of energy, working diligently to showcase his abilities."
"I’ll bet a jade pendant that Zhuge Kongming is twice as diligent as Xiaoo Zhi, definitely working on political affairs even when Zijing has gone to sleep," Chen Xi said without hesitation, pulling off his scent bag and jade pendant from his waist and offering it to Jia Xu.
"Although Kongming is low-key and not keen on showing off, being new, he will definitely work hard, and with his character, it’s quite possible he will be more diligent than Xiaoo Zhi, but twice as much seems exaggerated, as for comparing him to Zijing..." Jia Xu explained to Chen Xi while reaching out to accept the scent bag and jade pendant as a bet.
"You’ll understand soon enough," Chen Xi said with a teasing smile.
Meanwhile, Zhuge Liang was already having a very pleasant conversation with Lub Su. Of all the civil officials from Mount Tai, the one Zhuge Liang most admired was Lub Su, and the one he found most helpless was Chen Xi.
The reason being, Lub Su’s hardworking manner was exactly the kind of image Zhuge Liang approved of, and also, Lub Su’s gentle and amiable personality was particularly to Zhuge Liang’s liking.
"Kongming, come to my place tomorrow. I’m quite short on help, and you are no less than us now," Lub Su said warmly to Zhuge Liang, who he thought very highly of.
"When the time comes, I will have to rely on Zijing to bear with me," a gentle smile appeared on Zhuge Liang’s face, complementing his scholarly demeanor.
"No problem, come with me, Kongming. We’ll talk about affairs of the Political Office tomorrow. Let’s first enter the residence for now and not keep Lord Xuande waiting," Lub Su said smilingly.
"Look at those two," Chen Xi shrugged and said to Jia Xu beside him, "Does that make your teeth sour?"
"My teeth aren’t sour, but don’t you think it’s gotten a bit cold?" Jia Xu asked, turning his head.
"You must be the one who’s feeling frail, what a pleasant breeze..." Chen Xi had just expressed his sentiment when a cold gust snuck in through his sleeve and collar, "Achoo! Zijing, you rascal..." Saying this, Chen Xi rushed into Liu Bei’s residence, while Jia Xu simply shook his head.
By the time Chen Xi and Jia Xu took their seats, the civil officials and military generals of Fenggao City had almost all arrived. Compared to last year’s situation where Guan Yu, Zhao Yun, Gan Ning, Taishi Ci, Wei Yan, and Chen Dao were all present, there were now noticeably fewer military generals. However, this time Xuu Chu also sat among the military officers.
Chen Xi narrowed his eyes slightly. Xuu Chu was sitting in the military officer’s seat, right next to Zhang Fei, and the two were already embracing jars of wine and drinking heartily.
"Long time no see, Zichuan. I’m planning to go challenge Lyu Fengxian by myself soon!" Zhang Fei bellowed the moment he saw Chen Xi, then laughed loudly as he patted Xuu Chu’s broad back like he was beating a drum, "Zhongkang also plans to measure up Lyu Fengxian’s strength, do you want to join us?"
Listening to the ’thump thump thump’ of dull thuds, Chen Xi couldn’t help but twist his mouth in a wry smile. Only Xuu Chu could be indifferent to such slaps; anyone else would probably lose their life to those heavy blows. Meanwhile, the thick-skinned Xuu Chu continued to drink from his wine bowl, not even a tremor in his hand.
"Heh, I’ll see how things go. I doubt I’ll join, but you be careful, okay?" Chen Xi said with a smile., [So it was Yide who suggested this challenge. No wonder I felt something was off. Although Lord Xuande agreed to let him fight Lyu Bu, it’s obvious he’s not at ease!]
"I’ve got your back when the time comes, don’t worry. I’ve trained on Mount Tai for a whole three years, and now, even without using my Inner Qi, I can lift a large cauldron with my Serpent Spear," Zhang Fei boasted proudly.
The battle at Hulao Pass, though Zhang Fei lost, had given him much to think about and left a deep impression. Lyu Bu’s arrogant confidence and flamboyance were etched in Zhang Fei’s memory!
That was the only time Zhang Fei had ever been defeated, and this time he was determined to wash away the disgrace. Only by facing Lyu Bu head-on could Zhang Fei truly feel his own progress!
Whether he could defeat Lyu Bu was something Zhang Fei wasn’t sure of. Although now he could be described as unmatched in sheer strength, even surpassing Xuu Chu in the strength of his arms alone, he knew these attributes alone would not be enough to defeat Lyu Bu.
After the battle at Hulao, Zhang Fei pondered for a long time and eventually abandoned secret techniques and ultimate knowledge. While these could enhance his combat power, they were only temporary solutions. He could dominate those of similar strength, but for Zhang Fei, rather than reaching this temporary invincibility, it made more sense to aim for higher levels.
Prior to Hulao, Zhang Fei might have thought Inner Qi Manifestation was the limit for a martial artist, and reaching that level would allow him to face even King Xiang. However, after Hulao, he truly understood that even if Inner Qi Manifestation was the limit, one had to reach that limit first. At Hulao Pass, it took Lyu Bu only a hundred moves to defeat him!
Now, spurred on by Lyu Bu, Zhang Fei had reached his peak, becoming another Superior Military General who had achieved the Ultimate Inner Qi Manifestation, surpassing great warriors like Guan Yu, Zhao Yun, Tong Yuan, and Wang Yue who still sought the Perfect Inner Qi Manifestation and had yet to master it. He had finally reached the end of the road!
Perhaps Tong Yuan and Wang Yue, who were already on the path of Inner Qi Separation, were a bit stronger than Zhang Fei, or even able to match Lyu Bu, but when it came to who had traveled the farthest on this path, Zhang Fei had reached the end, while Tong Yuan and Wang Yue were still journeying on it. 𝖓𝔬𝖛𝔭𝔲𝖇.𝔠𝔬𝖒
All of this was somewhat bewildering to Zhang Fei. At this level, there was no one left to guide him; everything depended on himself. Having overcome the Perfect Inner Qi Manifestation, Zhang Fei has gained a deeper understanding of Lyu Bu’s strength. Yet, it was this strength that excited Zhang Fei even more. He needed a battle, a battle with Lyu Bu! (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
