Vol 10 Chapter 29 (2/2)

“Un?”

I thought that Yuan Zhi would just mount her horse and gallop off like how heroic swordsmen usually do but she stopped at the gates and called out to me.

I looked at her and saw that she looked a lot more serious than she was usually which meant that she had something to tell me. Something that was undoubtedly important.

“By right, I ought to just say one last word of farewell and then leave.” Yuan Zhi said as she lowered her head and then looked up at me with resolve in her eyes, “But at the very end, I have 2 more things to tell you.”

“Un, I am keen to listen.” I said as I took 1 step towards Yuan Zhi.

“I had no intention of saying this at first but the situation that you are in is rather precarious so I think it’s better that I tell you this.” Yuan Zhi explained, “Do you remember me mentioning that someone told me about what would happen in future?”

“Ah, un.” I was surprised at her mentioning this and vigorously nodded. If my guess is correct, then she must be–

After some internal wrangling, Yuan Zhi finally spat the name out, “That person is a good friend of mine. Her name is Zhuge Liang, Zhuge Kong Ming.”

“…”

I involuntarily took a deep breath when I heard this. As I expected huh? I had once thought that it might be Yu Ji but it was far more likely to be Zhuge Liang after all.

“I can’t tell you about the specifics but if you think that fate is in your favour, you can try to look for her. She is, in various ways, superior to me. And she can definitely help you in special ways as well.”

(TL: In some way, Xu Shu/Yuan Zhi is probably the kind of person who is as gifted as can be without seeming too weird. Anything more and you have to deal with the eccentricities that come with geniuses.)

Fate is most definitely in my favour. And I am not called Liu Bei for nothing after all. Besides, no matter how poor my knowledge of the Three Kingdoms is, I still know about that name.

“Ah, un.”

But there is no way that I can let these feelings show and all I can do is nod and act like I am committing what she said to memory. On the other hand, the ‘special help’ Yuan Zhi mentioned might be more special than she can imagine.

I instinctively reached down to my waist as I thought so but found that my feather fan was not here as I had left it in Xinye.

Ah… Why did I have to leave it there today of all times? Though it is all but certain now, I should still confirm it.

“Ah, Yuan Zhi, do you remember the feather fan I showed you the last time?”

“… I do.” Yuan Zhi said and nodded after she thought about it for a moment.

“Let me ask you one final question.” I said as I held my breath and did my best not to seem too excited, “Back when I showed it to you, was the friend you mentioned–”

“Yes.” She nodded her head again, “It was Kong Ming.”

Good. Everything is now in place. Now all I need to do is return the feather fan to Kong Ming… It has been more than a year now and I am finally getting somewhere with it.

“Then–”

“About that.” Yuan Zhi said as she placed a finger on my lips and stopped me from saying any further, “I do not intend to say anything more than this.”

“Ah, un.”

I hurriedly nodded and only then did Yuan Zhi remove her finger. This did not bother me as I had no doubt that she was not supposed to tell me what she just did in the first place.

“As for the rest, you can just ask Kong Ming when you meet her.”

“Ah, I will of course.” I nodded. I am afraid I will ask her a lot more than you can ever imagine, Yuan Zhi.

“Un,” Yuan Zhi nodded and continued, “As for my second part, it doesn’t have any real meaning and it’s just a piece of advice.”

“As always, I am keen to listen.” I said as I lowered my head respectfully.

I do not know if it is just me thinking too much or if I have learnt how to read facial expressions too well from being with Gong You but I can see a tinge of sorrow in her expression. This sorrow is not directed at her own circ.u.mstances but at me.

“Xuan De, or perhaps I should call you Lord Liu Bei just for this. Though I have no basis for saying this nor do I even know why I am saying this but please, I beseech Lord Liu Bei to engrave these words in his heart. Whenever you feel troubled or frustrated, please recall these words.”

Haa… Yuan Zhi took a deep breath as she said this before she continued.

“I hope that Lord Liu Bei can continue to treat his companions as he is doing so now. If you want to achieve great things, you have to start by protecting your retainers. Whatever happens from here on out, do not ever forget your promises, your values and your companions. You must be able to admit and express what you truly think and feel.”

When Yuan Zhi finished, she remained silent with her faintly sorrowful expression.

To me, it just sounded like an ordinary piece of advice but if Yuan Zhi wants me to engrave it into my heart then I will do so. And so, I closed my eyes and recited her words 3 times over and let it wash over me. When I finished, I opened my eyes.

“Alright, I’ll remember it.”

When I said these words, Yuan Zhi immediately swung her reins and galloped off. I blinked from the sudden motion and when it was over, all I could see was a red horse in the distance.

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