Vol 10 Chapter 44 (2/2)

Haha… An astounding piece of literature has been used for farm work rhythm.

“Eh? Then if you all did not compose it, who did?”

“Ah, it’s a hermit in the village.” The farmer said with respect, “She’s Zhuge Liang, Zhuge Kong Ming.”

Ah! I knew it!

“Xuan De, could this be–”

“Un un,” I nodded at Yi De and continued to ask the farmer, “Old man, I’d like to ask, where does this Zhuge Liang fellow live?!”

“Ah, toward the south.” He said as he pointed, “You see the mountain over there?”

“Un un.”

“There is a ridge behind the mountain. It’s called Crouching Dragon Ridge. There is a forest there and the hermit stays there.”

Ah… That really is secluded. As expected of a hermit. I looked into the distance. The way the farmer said it made it seem like a walk in the park but it was not close at all.

“Hu,” I exhaled and swallowed some saliva before turning to the other 2, “Well then, let’s go.”

“Un, let’s go.”

“Xuan De, are you alright?” Yi De asked with concern, probably because she saw that I looked to be in pretty bad shape.

“We have to go regardless.” I said as I mounted my horse and began riding. Within no time at all, I felt nauseous again.

Ah… A mountainous route again huh? I thought as I looked up, hoping that the mountainous dirt roads were easier than before.

“Jia!” I swung my reins and galloped ahead.

This should be the last step now. Even if I am not Liu Bei, I still have to seek her out due to the fan. And once I do, I should be able to get answers to a lot of unanswered questions that I still have. This was what I told myself to hold it together.

The dirt road was not easy to traverse. Not only was there an incline, there were rocks strewn around so we could not travel at a fast pace. The worse part however, has to be the shaking atop the horse.

“But really, do all hermits have to live in such places…” Yun Chang complained as she frowned.

“Not really. Teacher Sima lived beside a stream.” I replied with great difficulty and clenched my teeth to prevent my pain and torment from showing on my face, “Perhaps… Perhaps they just don’t want to be found.”

“But they will be no matter what.” Yi De added, “Given how famous they are, they can be found easily as long as someone tries to.”

Un~ That does make sense. Even though they call themselves hermits, being famous seems to run counter to their chosen lifestyles. It seems odd that even the average peasant in Longzhong would know about Zhuge Liang’s name and address.

But on the other hand, I do not recall any other feudal lord attempting to get Zhuge Liang to leave the mountains. This seems odd. Or is it that I am unaware of such efforts? Could Zhuge Liang have received prior invitations? From Liu Biao perhaps, or someone else who used to be from the region like Yuan Shu.

In the end, all I can say is this is how fate has decreed it to be.

“Ah, but the scenery here is really beautiful.” Yun Chang gasped.

I looked around when I heard this and agreed. Snowfall had just started over here and the pine trees were slightly covered in snow, making for a silvery white silhouette that was a drastically different sight from the barren forest between Xinye and Fan city.

The cries of various animals, birds and insects could be heard throughout the mountain. When I took a closer look at the tree branches, I could see some buds. Looks like the signs of spring are here.

“This place really does seem like a nice place to seclude oneself in.”

“Yes, the scenery is beautiful and one can take in nature as well.” Yun Chang agreed with what I said as she looked about and continued, “But where are now? Have we reached Crouching Dragon Ridge yet?”

“Eh?” I looked around, “But we haven’t come across any tablet that says ‘Crouching Dragon Ridge’ yet?”

“Could we have pa.s.sed by it?” Yi De asked as she pointed at the side, “But no matter what, we should be close now as there are signs of trees being chopped down all around us.”

Un~ I did not think that Yi De was so observant. But in that case, it should be here…

“Ah, big brother, look, there’s smoke up ahead!”

Un?! Smoke? I looked ahead and saw a small column of smoke rising up from the forest.

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