Mythical Three Kingdoms

”Zilong, why do you look so downcast?” A few comrades in victory asked in confusion as they noticed Zhao Yun’s despondent expression.

Wasn’t he fine earlier? Though charging single-handedly into the enemy’s army was indeed a bit excessive, returning unscathed wasn’t that proof of bravery? Why then, the melancholy?

”When will this war end? When will valiant and loyal warriors cease to perish?” Zhao Yun asked with an expression of bewilderment, almost philosophical in nature.

Compared to Lyu Bu and Guan Yu, those superior military generals, Zhao Yun—equally a top-tier master—was clearly more prone to inner conflict. Others possessed unshakable determination, but Zhao Yun could easily be swayed by external factors.

”The departed are gone forever; the living flow onwards like this.” Chen Xi turned his head slightly and sighed, ”Such is the nature of chaos in wartime. We are all striving, aren’t we? Still, Zilong, your earlier feat of single-handedly forcing your way into Yuan Shao’s Army and dueling with Yann Liang in the midst of their formation, emerging victorious—it was truly unexpected.”

”I was simply angry at the time. I just wanted to charge in and vent,” Zhao Yun waved his hand, unwilling to explain further. The actions he took earlier—he wouldn’t be able to replicate them, at least not now—he couldn’t summon the radiance he had back then.

”Oh.” Jia Xu responded from the sidelines, saying little more. After so many years, he still didn’t completely understand the phenomenon of Inner Qi Manifestation. Zhao Yun’s performance earlier had clearly surpassed that realm, seemingly ignoring the constraints of Cloud Qi.

The others refrained from questioning further, while Guan Yu cast Zhao Yun a couple of glances without inquiry. The pressure that Zhao Yun had exhibited within Yuan Shao’s Army earlier seemed distinctly different from his demeanor now.

[This, perhaps, is Zilong’s true strength. It is just unfortunate that even Zilong himself cannot fully harness his power,] Guan Yu mused, shaking his head slightly.

After all, if that level of power were derived from some secret technique or forced ability, it would undoubtedly carry hidden dangers. Yet Zhao Yun’s current aura was just as before, showing no discernible changes.

This proves that such power inherently belongs to Zhao Yun. It also explains why, regardless of how fierce a battle he engages in, Zhao Yun remains unscathed and his armor intact.

”Xianhe, go and tally our casualties. Instruct the medics to swiftly treat the soldiers, including the captured members of Yuan Shao’s Army,” Liu Bei commanded upon returning to camp. He immediately began arranging the celebration banquet, the treatment of the injured, and the burial of the dead. Despite significant casualties, the atmosphere following their major victory was less one of grief and much more jubilant.

That evening, Liu Bei rewarded all the soldiers with meat, promoted those who had excelled in service, and then ordered Guan Yu and Zhao Yun to intensify patrols. The next day, according to Chen Xi’s original plan, they would feign construction of a pontoon bridge in the Chiping area.

”What are you looking at?” Lub Su, prepared to return to camp for rest, noticed Chen Xi sitting on the grass gazing at the stars. He approached, asking inquisitively as the chill of spring lingered on the Yellow River’s banks.

”Watching the stars while contemplating a name for my child... and, incidentally, observing celestial phenomena to divine the nation’s fate.” Chen Xi sat upright with a smile, though his latter comment was more a jest.

”You understand celestial phenomena?” Lub Su asked, surprised.

”Pfft, a general who does not comprehend astronomy, does not recognize geography, does not understand mystical tactics, does not grasp Yin and Yang, does not study formation diagrams, nor comprehend military momentum—is but a mediocre talent!” Chen Xi recited fluently the words Zhuge Liang had once used to awe Lub Su, elevating his tone by several levels. Lub Su’s expression carried hints of admiration.

”Nonsense.” Lub Su scoffed, skeptical. Unlike his historical counterpart—awed by Zhuge Liang’s rhetoric—the experienced Lub Su of this narrative was not easily fooled.

”Your demands are too high; it’s bound to make people suspicious instead.” Carrying a small wine jug and drenched from head to toe, Guo Jia suddenly appeared.

”That’s the original phrasing—I merely repeated it casually. Did you fall into the Yellow River?” Chen Xi, seeing Guo Jia soaking wet, frowned incredulously.

”Guo Military Advisor, you’d best change into dry clothes before coming back. If you fell into the Yellow River, I wouldn’t know how to explain to General Liu.” Zhou Cang’s conflicted voice emerged, prompting Chen Xi and Lub Su to regard Guo Jia differently. He really had fallen into the Yellow River.

”You chat first—I’ll return shortly.” Guo Jia shook out his dripping sleeves with an air of resignation, recounting how his evening drinking escapade by the Yellow River involved raucous singing until Zhou Cang unexpectedly frightened him into the water. Fortunately for Guo Jia, Zhou Cang was a skilled swimmer...

After Guo Jia departed, Chen Xi no longer bothered regarding celestial phenomena. He wasn’t particularly adept despite having studied books; some knowledge cannot be acquired simply by desire. To those well-versed, celestial observations carry meanings entirely distinct from those perceived by the untrained.

As Chen Xi gazed at the moon, on the far bank of the Yellow River, Ju Shou commenced stargazing. In this era, among civilian officials genuinely proficient in celestial studies were Ju Shou and Zhuge Liang; others merely displayed a passing familiarity.

”Gong Yu, are you still brooding over today’s events?” Tian Feng approached Ju Shou, joining him in observing the stars.

”I’ve grasped it—it’s not much of an impact, merely a slight dip in morale. We’ll station troops along the Yellow River and maintain our position for a time; everything should recover. What puzzles me, however, is why two Xuanyuan Cauldrons have emerged, yet neither side nor Mount Tai displays the bearing of an emperor,” Ju Shou remarked, his expression unusual.

”Huh?” Tian Feng was taken aback; his grasp of celestial studies was limited, but he held Ju Shou’s judgments in high esteem.

”Neither us nor they demonstrate imperial bearing? What about the Northwest?” Tian Feng hesitated before asking.

”The Northwest remains unchanged; the Imperial Star is dim. By contrast, Cao Mengde’s General Star continues to radiate brighter, seemingly indicating a movement toward occupying Yongliang,” Ju Shou replied helplessly. ”But who knows whether, after assuming Yongliang, Cao Mengde might still align with us as before.”

”The tail grows large and unwieldy; now is not the time,” Tian Feng mused, shaking his head. ”No one fits the criteria for an Imperial Star?”

”Though some General Stars exhibit brilliance exceeding the normal glow of an Imperial Star, their configurations lack imperial bearing. Regardless of their radiance, advancing further seems impossible in their lifetimes,” Ju Shou remarked resolutely, well-versed in his analyses.

”Hmm…” Ju Shou paused in surprise, rubbing his eyes. [Perhaps I misread it. An Imperial Star? No, it doesn’t seem so. Could it be, for that brief moment, the star representing Liu Xuande approached Imperial Star magnitude? That shouldn’t be—the configuration of his palace position precludes him from being an Imperial Star!] (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest driving force. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)