NOVPUB"What Chen Zichuan is capable of doing, I can do as well," Xun Yu nodded as he spoke. "But unlike his ease, my overall coordination, besides bolstering the Civil and Military Officials, inherently allows me to draw upon the Lord’s Civil and Military spirit energy. I can directly change the heavens."
"It requires the consumption of lifespan, doesn’t it? In contrast to Chen Zichuan’s cheat-like method, yours probably requires the consumption of lifespan," Xi Zhicai said with a wry smile. 𝖓𝔬𝔳𝖕𝖚𝖇.𝖈𝔬𝔪
"It’s not necessary for a short period, but if it was done in a way similar to Chen Zichuan’s method of changing the heavens, the Civil and Military under his command would face significant issues," Xun Yu sighed. Although the spirit energy of the Civil and Military Officials is much greater than that of the common people, not to mention the Free Spirit Energy of the populace, it is still not sustainable with an official to civilian ratio of nearly eight thousand…
If Xun Yu were to actually use the spirit energy of the Civil and Military under his command, it wouldn’t matter much for a short period, but if it were to be used continuously, the military and government under his command would undoubtedly fall into chaos. After all, excessive consumption of spirit energy leads to fatigue, and large-scale extraction can cause slumber, as not everyone possesses a recovery speed like Chen Xi.
"Wen Ruo, after my death, it’s all up to you. I know you still have other cards up your sleeve. You’ve planted a piece with Yuan Benchu, if I remember correctly, that Dong Gongren must be your doing," Xi Zhicai’s breathing became more labored as he spoke.
After a long silence, Xun Yu spoke, "Yes, the Dong Gongren with Yuan Benchu was planted by me. After Yuan Benchu’s defeat, we can absorb his strength through him. His strategic acumen is not inferior to Zhongde’s."
"He is a double agent or even a triple agent, you know that," Xi Zhicai said, lying flat and closing his eyes, trying to make himself more comfortable.
"Yes, I know he’s also acting as a spy for Yuan Shao. This man does not hold clear convictions of loyalty and faith; he only clings to the powerful," Xun Yu nodded, "But as for being a triple agent, I have not received information on his connections with Liu Xuande’s camp."
"I don’t know whom else he serves, but I can assure you, he has another patron. As to who it is, that’s for you to find out," Xi Zhicai said, opening his eyes slightly, the certainty in his expression making Xun Yu pause, and ultimately, he chose to believe Xi Zhicai, nodding silently.
"Alright, leave the rest to me," Xun Yu said, "I will find out who is behind Dong Gongren."
"Well then, I’ll do one last thing," Xi Zhicai murmured as he stretched his hand out from under the blanket, spreading his fingers, gazing nostalgically at the ceiling. Cao Mengde’s empire was only just beginning, yet he was about to leave.
"Zhicai..." Xun Yu’s eyes revealed a touch of sorrow. As one of the few who could become his friend, while there were occasional differences due to their divergent ways of thinking, there were very few people in the world who could truly reach the depth of Xun Yu’s heart.
"Why put on such a pretense of filial piety? Every man must die, and I want to see what I can do with all my might," Xi Zhicai said with a bright laugh, but behind that exaggerated smile, there was an unmistakable trace of desolation.
"Where is the Maid!" Xun Yu roared, and the Maid waiting outside hurried in to help Xi Zhicai rise.
Soon after, the door to Xi Zhicai’s room was pushed open, and then Cao Cao, Cheng Yu, and a group of others walked in.
"Zhicai," Cao Cao, seeing Xi Zhicai being supported by the Maid, didn’t know what to say. The emaciated figure, the pale complexion, all told Cao Cao one thing: his most relied upon Strategist, Xi Zhicai, was not long for this world.
"My lord," Xi Zhicai, assisted out of the room, gazed at the high sky and white clouds during that crisp autumn day when suddenly, as if remembering something, he forcibly pushed away the maid supporting him and turned to bow deeply to Cao Cao, "Zhicai’s life will not last much longer; may I ask you for one thing here?"
"Zhicai..." Cao Cao could no longer hold back; tears streamed from his eyes, "Do not speak of one thing, whatever Zhicai wishes to say, I will agree to it."
"My lord, please remember the ’Nine Virtues of the Feudal Lords’ as said by Chen Gongtai on that day. The matter of Xuzhou can happen once, but not again. I can only help you to this extent. Wen Ruo possesses the talent to cover heaven and earth; if there’s anything out of your reach, lord, please go to Wen Ruo for counsel. There’s not much in this world that can perplex Wen Ruo," said Xi Zhicai with a wry smile.
The defeat at Xuzhou was a tragedy only they knew, nearly a hundred thousand veteran soldiers! They had given up the foundation built in Nanyang and lost the battle in a disheveled retreat!
"..." Cao Cao fell silent. If there were any taboos for the current Cao Cao, Xuzhou would certainly be one of them, and now Xi Zhicai had mercilessly brought up the matter in front of everyone.
"I agree, I, Cao Mengde, hereby swear that I will uphold the ’Nine Virtues of the Feudal Lords’ as said by Chen Gongtai that day. The act of slaughtering a city will not be repeated in the Central Plains!" The oppressive silence of the courtyard was at last broken with these words from Cao Mengde.
"With this, I can rest assured." A flush of life returned to Xi Zhicai’s face, and he seemed much invigorated, "This is the best news I’ve heard since the beginning of the year. My lord, Zhicai takes his leave."
As Xi Zhicai cried out, everyone present felt a sudden oppression, and in an instant, the wind rose and clouds surged; the entire sky underwent wild changes, with even the dark clouds above churning into rolling thunder dragons as the Celestial Phenomenon became violently tumultuous.
"Trace back to the origin!" roared Xi Zhicai, his eyes nearly bursting and blood seeping from his clenched gums, his immense Free Spirit Energy forcing Cao Cao and others to step back.
"How can it not come to pass at this point!" Xun Yu’s eyes shone with a cold light; standing beside him, Cao Cao for the first time felt a heavy pressure emanating from the normally refined and elegant Xun Yu, as an enormous Spiritual Capacity radiated from him, causing his robes to puff up as if caught in a breeze.
Following this, all civil and military personnel under Cao Cao’s command felt their own Spiritual Capacities diminishing uncontrollably.
"Alas..." Xun You sighed, unfolding his Spiritual Talent encompassing Xi Zhicai. A neglected surge of Spiritual Capacity pierced through Chen Xi’s defenses before his outermost Free Spirit Energy could even respond.
"Pu..." A dark red blood burst forth from Xi Zhicai, yet his eyes shone with an astonishing brilliance, and in an instant, like a light returning to a dim lamp, he was restored to his peak.
"It’s done..." The moment the sky returned to normal, Xi Zhicai slumped forward, but the relieved smile he wore let Cheng Yu and the civil and military officials who knew the truth feel a surge of joy.
Xun Yu, regardless of his disheveled appearance, rushed to Xi Zhicai to support him as he fell.
"I have done it, the rest is up to you..." Xi Zhicai gently patted Xun Yu’s hand, then his hand slipped away, never to be lifted again. (To be continued. If you like this work, I invite you to vote for it with recommendation or monthly tickets at qidian.com. Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
