Vol 9 Chapter 12 (1/2)

VOLUME 9 CHAPTER 12: DON’T TELL ME THIS IS THE AWAKENING OF LIU BEI (5)

Liu Bei POV

“Thinks differently… From most people?”

Sima Hui shook his head helplessly.

“Yes, she sometimes spouts incomprehensible nonsense and doesn’t explain what she is thinking.” He said as he pointed at the feather fan, or perhaps the piece of paper with, “I don’t know where or how Kong Ming acquired The Essential Art of great peace but I wouldn’t it put it past her to have done so. It’s definitely the kind of material she would get involved with.” He got up as he said so, “For further details, you will have to ask her when you meet her.”

“Then,” When I heard him say this, I hurriedly got up as well and closed the distance between us, “Can you tell me where Zhuge Kong Ming is right now?”

“Hmhm.” He chuckled at my question, “That, I can’t do.”

Hai… I didn’t expect Sima Hui to reject me so easily when he seemed like he would tell me everything. As expected of a hermit.

“Umm, why not?” I asked while suppressing the rage inside me.

“Heavenly secrets cannot be revealed.” He shook his head and put on an air of mystery before continuing softly, “If you both are fated to meet, then you will.”

Un…

“Alright, I got it.”

Of course we are. If Liu Bei isn’t fated to meet Zhuge Liang. who else is? I wanted to deliver this tsukkomi quite badly but of course I couldn’t.

“By the way, may I ask if you have any plans from here on out?” I asked when a sudden thought hit me.

“Me?” He looked up with a slight smile when he heard my question before guffawing like an old man as he stroked his beard, “I’m just a hermit and have no plans to go anywhere.”

“I see…” I said softly and nodded.

I don’t remember if Sima Hui ever left to join Liu Bei but what he just said about what my retainers lack is right and so, rather than ponder about Zhuge Liang, I should try to recruit Sima Hui right here and now.

“Teacher Sima, I–”

“No, Imperial Uncle need not say it.” Before I could say more than 3 words, I was soundly rejected.

“Eh? I haven’t finished yet.”

“I know what you’re thinking without hearing you say it. I might be a little frivolous of a person but I know you want to recruit me right?”

Is it that obvious… It seems like anything I’m thinking about will be reflected on my face. Of course, there is also the possibility that I let these things slip while I’m thinking about them but I sure hope that this isn’t the case.

“You really can’t?” I bowed as I said so to appear as sincere as possible, “As you said, I lack someone who can formulate a complete strategy across both military and civil battlefields. If you could join me, I’m sure my faction will be greatly helped.”

“Kekekeke,” He laughed once more at my words, “I’m already 43 this year and am long past my prime. Worse, I might go into the soil before long. I did have ambitions when I was younger but time has long since worn away my wings.”

As he said so, he spread his arms out and shook his sleeves, “As you see, I am now merely Xiang Lang’s master and a normal villager living in the mountainous wilderness.”

“You’re being far too humble.” I said as I shook my head.

I’m not too sure who Sima Hui is exactly. From the Three Kingdoms stories I know, the only impression I have of him is

that he is the one who introduces the name of Zhuge Liang to Liu Bei.

But I can tell, from the sparkling gleam in Sima Hui’s eyes that he possesses a deep and profound intellect. Hermit scholars do not become hermits to get away from cities and people. Only those who have truly understood the world and people will seclude themselves and wait to see what fate has in store for them.

“So,” I thought and asked once more, “You don’t plan on leaving seclusion?”

“…” He looked at me wordlessly. He did not shake or nod his head and only sighed as he looked up at the night sky, “We’ll see how it goes in future. I leave it to fate.”

When he said this, I no longer had the will to continue persuading him. It was clear that his fate was not to be with me. At least not yet. In that case, nothing I can say will move him.

“Is that so?” I said and nodded.

“I don’t really think that you need me all that much.”