Mythical Three Kingdoms

”Thank you, thank you.” Hua Xiong was overjoyed; it seemed Mann Chong finally gave him some face.

”Withdraw the troops and strengthen training.” Mann Chong glanced at Li Liang and the others; these veterans managed to take down three patrol teams without sustaining any injuries.

The patrol veterans remained silent. Although they knew before that Xiliang Soldiers were very capable, it was only after an actual confrontation that they realized they weren’t just average fighters.

After seeing Mann Chong and the patrol veterans leave, Hua Xiong’s intelligence seemed to suddenly soar to new heights, ”Everyone, follow orders and return to the camp for additional training!”

Then he mounted a horse and led Li Liang and the others to the military camp outside the city, hiding Li Liang’s group in the Xiliang Army camp so that not even an Immortal could find out where the issue was.

Although Li Liang and the others didn’t understand why Hua Xiong didn’t ask them anything and just led them out of the city, they trusted Hua Xiong and did not ask further as they headed out.

”Zhiran, why did Aduo and the others send you here?” After walking over a hundred steps, Hua Xiong immediately grabbed Li Liang and asked, ”Did something major happen in the Western Regions?”

”The General asked me to deliver a letter; there’s no major event. We conquered a small country in the Western Regions and then helped Parthia and Great Qin in a battle, and withdrew afterward.” Li Liang did not hide anything from Hua Xiong, as this was all within their own group.

”Conquered a small country?” Hua Xiong asked lowly, ”We didn’t suffer significant losses, did we?”

”Not many losses when taking the small country, but quite a few with Great Qin. General Li asked me to hire some troops because our numbers are somewhat lacking. It’s fine for ordinary battles, and the general has a letter for me to deliver to the strategist or the chief historian.” Li Liang scratched his head.

”Give me the letter, I’ll pass it to the strategist. You all stay in the camp; your comrades are inside. Let Duan Wei help you integrate into the roster.” Without a second thought, Hua Xiong took the letter from Li Liang, who handed it over readily.

Putting Li Liang’s group in the camp didn’t attract much attention, and it wasn’t until they entered the camp that Li Liang truly felt the difference in rations—free access to buns, and abundant meat and liquor during holidays.

Hua Xiong merged Li Jue’s personal soldiers with his own, took the letter, and hurried to find Li Youu.

”Bang!” Hua Xiong pushed open the door, straightened his clothes at Li Youu’s study entrance, and then strode inside.

”Strategist, there’s a letter from the Northwest.” As he spoke, Hua Xiong handed the long wooden tube to Li Youu, who pulled out a roll of silk from it and slowly spread it open.

”Zijian, go find Jia Wenhe.” As Li Youu looked at the information, his usually indifferent and cold expression slightly changed; the news was very important.

”Understood!” Hua Xiong, who had been standing still, bowed respectfully and immediately retreated.

”Zhiran has acquired Legion Talent, a very powerful one.” Li Youu suddenly smiled at Hua Xiong, startling him; he knew Li Jue’s martial skills weren’t too bad, yet nowhere near a Martial Artist’s ultimate level.

”Just as Jia Wenhe speculated, Legion Talent doesn’t require Inner Qi Manifestation as its foundation, although having that level makes awakening easier.” Li Youu sighed deeply, acknowledging the true terror of the first person who achieved this.

”Zhiran, truly the leader among us.” Hua Xiong finally came to realize and said with emotion after a long pause.

”Go summon Jia Wenhe.” Li Youu gestured for Hua Xiong to inform Jia Xu, as he needed to confer with him.

When Hua Xiong knocked on the Jia Family’s door, Jia Xu stood opposite him.

”Master Jia, the strategist requests your presence.” Hua Xiong saluted respectfully.

Jia Xu’s eyes narrowed; he knew who Hua Xiong meant by strategist, but it was undoubtedly a major matter if Li Youu sent Hua Xiong to fetch him.

”Come with me.” Jia Xu no longer concealed anything, immediately striding towards the Li Family, knowing that matters discussed afterward wouldn’t be hidden from the other party.

Upon entering Li Youu’s study, Jia Xu saw the world map hanging on the side wall, identical to the one Chen Xi showed them earlier.

This was essentially Chen Xi’s oversight. The group had carefully observed the map; their memory made preserving it trivial, considering its significance, they each made a copy afterward.

”Why did you bring out this map?” Jia Xu frowned.

Although Jia Xu would lay the map out to stimulate his Spirit when weary, providing motivation, he wouldn’t openly hang it there.

”Read this through.” Li Youu tossed the silk to Jia Xu, who glanced down, grew more astounded as he read, and finally pondered.

”Didn’t expect Li Zhiran to have such a fortune, Great Qin?” Jia Xu murmured, then his eyes flashed as he looked at the map showing Parthia, ”We must persuade the Lord to lend them troops.”

”Great Qin’s ambitions are too large, and they’re too strong, too—a mere Border Commandery Feudal Lords dare decide another nation’s rise and fall.” Li Youu nodded in agreement.

”I admire this spirit, and I’m also shocked by Zhiran’s impressive execution; it’s truly remarkable.” Jia Xu chuckled, but the shadow in his eyes persisted, growing heavier.

”Perhaps, as Zichuan said, if we don’t leap from the bottom of the well, we won’t know the vastness of the heavens and earth. We once were just frogs in the well, Zhiran’s response did surprise me, maybe only by venturing out ourselves can we truly understand.” Li Youu now understood the ridicule Chen Xi once had.

”A swallow doesn’t know how high the heavens are, nor a frog, the breadth of seas.” Jia Xu sighed softly, reflecting that not stepping out of the Central Plains leaves one unable to truly grasp the world, viewing it through closed eyes impedes understanding.

”It’s not an issue with our own intellect, but our view and mindset being confined for millennia within the Central Plains. Land capable of nourishing an Empire is bound to be extraordinary.” Li Youu stared at Jia Xu without hiding his battle spirit.

”Yet compared to predecessors, compared to Pre-Qin Various Masters, compared to Former Han sages, we’ve advanced greatly, Central Plains is not the world entirety, be it Parthia or Great Qin; us Huaxia men fear no battle!” Li Youu declared, once more reaffirming his vow!

At this moment, Li Ru—who once served under Dong Zhuo with humble beginnings, rising to craft ambitions to swallow the world—had returned again, with grander aspirations. (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets; your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)