Liu Bei POV

“Un… I see.” He nodded and said these words which left me wondering what led to them.

“Teacher Sima, may I ask if you know anything about what has happened at Xinye? My companions are there and I don’t know what they might do if they think that I am dead.”

“Xinye? You mean the city to the north?”

“That’s the one!”

“I believe they should have gotten news of your death by now.” Sima Hui nodded, “Not just them, I’m afraid the whole world already knows that you are dead.”

“Eh?!”

It’s only been 10 days. Shouldn’t the transmission of communications be slow in this era? It took so much effort and time just to get a letter from Xiangyang to Jiangxia yet this news has spread so far so quickly?!

“There’s no need to be so surprised. Though Imperial Uncle Liu isn’t one of the strongest feudal lords, your status and acts have earned you fame nationwide. Your subordinates are all renowned heroes as well. A tattle there, a tale here and soon it will have spread throughout the country. It won’t just be your companions in Xinye. I’m afraid that Cao Cao to the north, Sun Quan to the east, and the father-son pair of Liu Yan and Liu Zhang to the west, all of these parties should know of it by now.”

Un… This can’t be good news.

Though it’s the first time I’m experiencing this, my intuition under such critical situations has been rather accurate. And my gut feeling is that having news of my death spread this far and wide cannot bode well.

I have a strong feeling that if I don’t do something soon to rectify the situation, something might happen and it might eventually become something I can’t stop.

“Teacher Sima, I’m going to go to Xinye…” I said as I tried to get up once more. But just as I was about to leave the bed, I could feel like my body was becoming deadweight and I wasn’t able to lift myself up fully.

Geh… After struggling for a while, I gave up and lay back down.

“I know Imperial Uncle is concerned for his friends but please don’t be too hasty.” Sima Hui said as he pulled back his sleeve and pressed 2 fingers against my wrist. He then closed his eyes and concentrated as he felt my pulse.

After some time, he opened his eyes.

“Your vital signs are mostly normal and colour has come back to your face. Your body is still weak but you should be much better after you have some food.” He said as he nodded and looked at me, “If you must leave, then rest for one day at least before leaving tomorrow.”

“Ah… Alright. Many thanks to Teacher Sima.”

“No need for thanks.” He smiled stiffly, “I’ve heard of your exploits and adventures. Your journey must have been very difficult.”

Hahaha… We both laughed at this.

“Maybe my luck isn’t very good.” I said, thought I felt that this was more of a prank that history was playing on me. As though I was made to go through all this because Liu Bei ought to go through these experiences.

Of course, I didn’t expect that Dilu couldn’t make the jump.

“Hmhm, luck huh…” He laughed at what I said, “I don’t feel that is the case.”

“Eh?”

I couldn’t help but feel surprised at his response. He doesn’t really act the part really well but he’s still a hermit scholar after all. Could it be that he knows something already?

As I looked at him, I began t

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o feel anxious. If he manages to get what I’m thinking and what my origins are, then I’m not sure how to respond.

“Imperial Uncle,” He said softly after sinking into silence for a moment, “What you lack is a wise and judicious retainer.”

“Eh?”

Before I could react, the curtains at the doorway of the room parted and Xiang Lang came in with tea.

“Teacher, Imperial Uncle, tea is here.”

“Hoho, good.” Sima Hui said and then held the back of my head as he gently helped me up, “Come, Imperial Uncle. Wet your throat before you have a drink of tea.”

“Ah–”

“Here, for you.”

I wanted to keep questioning him but then Sima Hui quickly brought the tea to my face and urged me to drink so I had no choice but to oblige first.

Thereafter, it was as if our prior discussion never took place.

Dinner was naturally made by Xiang Lang. Even though she looks disinterested in everything, she’s actually rather good at cooking.

“How is it?”

She asks this everytime I pick up a piece of a dish for the first time. I could feel an intense pressure emanating from her eyes and shakily took a piece of food everytime, anxiously ate it and smiled as I said ‘Great’ after I swallowed the food.

“Xiang Lang, this dish is a little undercooked.”

And everytime I gave my opinion, Sima Hui would say something adverse about the dish I just ate. Some were too salty or bland, over- or undercooked. Xiang Lang never paid him any heed however, so this is probably something he does everytime. Perhaps it’s an occupational hazard of being a teacher.

I was quite bothered by his criticism however, as the food was actually rather good but after hearing what Sima Hui said, doubt would sprout in my heart and I would eventually take notice of the points he mentioned.

After we finished, I wanted to help clear the dishes but Sima Hui stopped me.

“Imperial Uncle is a guest. Just leave these things to my disciple.” He smiled and frowned as he did a pus.h.i.+ng gesture.

“Like you ever help anyway.” Xiang Lang complained as she got up.

“Do you have anything to say?”

“I do, and a lot too. I hope that Teacher Sima can stop his habit of waking up everyday and…”

“Ahem, Xiang Lang. Our guest is still present. If there is anything, please discuss it with me in private later on.”

I don’t know what Xiang Lang wanted to say as she was interrupted abruptly by Sima Hui, who then got up and helped Xiang Lang clear the table. Seems like this Teacher has some weakness that Xiang Lang has a hold of.

Earlier today, I wasn’t able to ask him what he meant when he interrupted nor was I able to later on as well so I thought that he meant for me to think about what he said and then when the time came, he would explain further.

— A wise and judicious retainer… Huh?

After dinner, I walked out of the house and looked at the stream in the distance as I pondered what he just said.

I’m feeling much better than before when I just woke up. However, whenever I listen to Xiang Lang and Sima Hui’s bickering, I’ll start thinking about my companions in Xinye. I really couldn’t wait for tomorrow to come and get there as soon as possible to tell them that I’m still alive.

Thinking about this made me recall the prank we did some time ago. There were tears and fights that ensued as a result. Now that 10 days have pa.s.sed, the situation isn’t optimistic at all. It’s not that I have a high opinion of my abilities but with the disappearance of unifying force and overall leader, the impact to morale and cohesion can’t be good at all.

Right now, all I can do is hope that Yun Chang and Zi Long can keep everyone in check. Especially Feng Xian.

*Neigh*~

Un? A familiar neigh came from my right and when I turned, the sight of my old nemesis came into view.

“Wow! You’re still alive!” I exclaimed in surprise as I began to jog over to it.

As I looked at the treasured horse, I felt rage at first but then it went away before long. It was my fault after all, as common sense dictates that a leap up a sheer cliff several dozen meters tall is impossible. I shouldn’t be blaming it for my delusions. If it weren’t for it, I would have probably been caught and slaughtered by the pursuers long ago.

When I thought about this, I began to feel relief and comfort. It is, after all, the only companion I have with me now. Though it has brought bad luck to me, I’m still alive. Does this mean I’m considered an extraordinary person?

I couldn’t help but to laugh when I thought of this as I stroked Dilu’s mane.

“I was wondering why Imperial Uncle wasn’t waiting somewhere in the house. I see you came to find your companion.”

When I heard the voice behind me, I turned around. Seeing that it was Sima Hui, I hid some of the elation on my face and bowed, “Yes. It’s fortunate that it too has survived.”

“It too still had more to live.” Sima Hui said softly as he walked up to Dilu and inspected it, “It’s a good horse, and obedient too. However, it’s a little stupid so training it will be difficult.”

*Pu*

“Eh! Why did this horse spit at me!”

Just as Sima Hui finished, Dilu shook its lips and sent spittle flying at Sima Hui.

“I don’t think Dilu is stupid. It can even recognise insults so I hope Sima Hui can understand and forgive it.” I said as I respectfully bowed, all the while stifling my laughter as best as I can.

“Hmhm, that’s fine.” Sima Hui smiled stiffly as he wiped the spittle off his face with his sleeve, “My disciple is the one was.h.i.+ng my clothes anyway.”

No wonder he doesn’t seem angry…

“Ah right, I have a question but I don’t know if it’s fine to raise it now.”

“Un? What’s the matter?” Sima Hui asked even though he looked like he knew what I was going to ask as he sat down on a stone chair in the courtyard.

There was no stone table around, only a couple of stone chairs strewn around. A couple were toppled over and covered with dirt so I picked one that was still relatively clean, wiped it before I sat down and asked.

“In the afternoon, you said I lacked a wise and judicious retainer. I don’t understand what you mean.” I said and stared at Sima Hui.

He gestured for me to continue and so I told him what I thought, “Ah, I believe the retainers I currently have more or less possess every possible quality and skill that I require to face any challenge that may come my way. Amongst my administrative retainers, I have Sun Qian, Mi Zhu and Jian Yong who are skilled in policy and administration. I also have Chen Gong who serves as a strategist. Amongst my warrior generals, I have Guan Yu, Zhao Yun and many more who are both smart and talented in martial arts. Lu Bu, in particular, is equivalent to a thousand men. All in all, I have more than 10 of such brilliant individuals under my command. How could I want for more?”