Vol 10 Chapter 40 (1/2)

Chapter 40

VOLUME 10 CHAPTER 40: DON’T TELL ME THIS IS MY REUNION WITH SIMA HUI (2)

Liu Bei POV

“Un…”

If she were not a weirdo, she would not choose to be a hermit scholar. But I do understand what Sima Hui means. Even though he said as much, he clearly hopes for me to go to meet Zhuge Liang. She is supposed to be an extraordinary talent after all and deserves a proper lord–

“So if Xuan De is willing, I can introduce you to Cui Zhou Ping and the rest. They are not inferior to Yuan Zhi at all.”

“… Eh?”

“Is there anything wrong?”

“No, no.” I hurriedly waved my hands, “Teacher Sima, why don’t you talk to me more about Zhuge Liang?”

“Why are you so interested in Kong Ming? Didn’t I tell you? She’s not interested in officialdom at all so it’s no use seeking her out.” Sima Hui said in the most plainest of words, “Compared to Kong Ming, you will have a better chance of recruiting the rest.”

No… Be that as it may… This is not supposed to be how this story should go…

“Ah… It’s because of what you said before that Zhuge Liang is a cut above all the rest. If possible, I would really like someone who is wise and talented.”

“Wise huh…” Sima Hui said as he smiled stiffly.

Eh? What’s with this reaction?

“Even though she is indeed better than the rest…” Sima Hui said hesitantly as he looked up slightly, not daring to meet my gaze, “Xuan De… Do you remember what I said to you before? About Kong Ming’s flaws?”

“Eh?” I was caught off-guard by this question and thought for a bit before I replied while doing a knocking gesture against my head, “Ah… Do you mean…”

Sima Hui nodded, “That is the reason why I don’t recommend you to go and seek out Kong Ming?”

Un… Speaking of which, is the historical Zhuge Liang an eccentric as well? From what I can remember, he seems like a cool and well-adjusted person. But I really do not know what to say when I see Sima Hui’s expression.

“Teacher Sima, you’ve already told me this much. I really am compelled to go and see Teacher Crouching Dragon.” I said as I met his gaze.

“… Hu.” After a while, Sima Hui sighed as he gave in, “Alright, if you must find Kong Ming, I won’t hinder you but… Why?”

“The reason is as we just discussed.” I said and took a deep breath before I spat it out, “Fate compels it.”

“Fate…” Sima Hui mumbled this word under his breath and sank into thought for a moment before chuckling, “Looks like the joke I made from before has come true huh?”

“Eh? What joke?”

“That Kong Ming has found a lord. Well then, though Kong Ming may be rife with problems, if Xuan De is able to tame her, there’s no telling what you can achieve.” Sima Hui said and opened up a blank bamboo scroll, “Xuan De, do you have ink and brush here?”

“Ah… Ah, yes!” I exclaimed when I realised what he wanted and scrambled to my table and pa.s.sed Sima Hui a brush that was wet with ink, “Here.”

“Un,” Sima Hui grunted and began writing on the bamboo scroll, “It’s not too far to Longzhong from here. If you go on horseback, you can make a return trip within a single day. Additionally, Kong Ming hates crowds so try not to bring too many guards with you.”

“Un, I got it.” I said while Sima Hui spoke to me at the same time as he drew a

map. even if he did not tell me that, I would have done so anyway.

“Alright, here.” He said as he handed me a map, “This is Xinye and this is Longzhong. If you gallop there, you can reach within 2 hours. For the exact address, just ask the locals. No one there hasn’t heard of Kong Ming.”

“Un un, I got it.” I said as I memorised the map and rolled the scroll.

“But are you certain you have to seek out Kong Ming?” Sima Hui asked and frowned while I rolled the scroll, “The individuals I named before are all talented as well.”

“No, my will is set.” I said as I kept the scroll, “I absolutely must find Kong Ming.”

“Un… Hai~” Sima Hui sighed once more and smiled as he looked at me, “Alright, I won’t talk about this any further. Since your fate is so intertwined with Kong Ming’s, then you should have some fate with s.h.i.+ Yuan as well.”

s.h.i.+ Yuan is… Pang Tong right…

Un… To be honest, even though this person’s name appears together with Zhuge Liang’s name, I do not actually know this person or what this person did in history.