Zhuge Liang briefly activated his spiritual abilities and then turned to Chen Xi. "There are three Inner Qi practitioners and two top strategists waiting for us dozens of miles ahead." After saying this, Zhuge Liang felt a slight headache. "One of them is a familiar face, though I can't fathom why he is here."
"You have familiar faces? Is it your brother?" Chen Xi raised an eyebrow. He had sensed something off with the dispersing fog and guessed that Zhou Yu was waiting for them a few dozen miles away. However, Zhuge Liang's perception was even sharper. "Why would there be three Inner Qi practitioners, though?"
"It's not my brother—it's another familiar face who always gets under my skin." Zhuge Liang's expression darkened. "That guy should be studying at Lumen Academy right now."
"Lumen Academy?" Chen Xi couldn't help but recall Xu Shu, who had boasted confidently in front of Liu Bei. It's been over three years—he wondered how Xu Shu had progressed.
"Achoo!" Xu Shu sneezed loudly in front of Cui Jun, his companion. Despite three years of cultivating himself, Xu Shu couldn't quite shed his streetwise demeanor.
Rubbing his nose furiously, Xu Shu gave Cui Jun an apologetic look. "Zhou Ping, my bad. I didn't mean to, but your reflexes are slow. You should've dodged when you saw me sneeze."
Cui Jun wiped his face impassively, having grown accustomed to Xu Shu's shameless antics. It was precisely this carefree attitude that had helped Cui Jun let go of the guilt over his father's death, which had been caused by his own mistake. "Forget it, let's just drink. I don't feel like arguing with you."
As they spoke, Cui Jun pulled out a white porcelain bottle and poured wine into several cups, handing one to Xu Shu. "Here, drink up. This is new wine from Taishan. It's good, but I only have this much."
"Big families sure have their perks." Xu Shu downed the cup in one gulp. "This stuff is great."
"I'm still the legitimate heir, after all. The Cui family can't get around me. I should probably head back and take over as head of the family. It's a shame that even with the combined strength of several families from Ji Province, we still can't match the Zhen family." Cui Jun and Xu Shu continued drinking without restraint, discussing the situation in their northern homeland.
"Hahaha, well, you were all in the wrong with the Yuan family, so it's no surprise. Under Yuan Shao's indulgence, none of you would want to offend the Zhen family, right?" Xu Shu's eyes gleamed briefly before he laughed.
"The Zhen family has sided with Liu Bei," Cui Jun stated calmly, and sure enough, Xu Shu's hand trembled as he held his cup.
"Don't worry, I haven't told anyone about it. After all, you're slated to be Liu Bei's future commander-in-chief. As for my father, who was the Grand Commandant, his death was due to my actions. I've already come to terms with everything. The Zhen family's true backer is Liu Bei, even though they seem to stand behind the Yuan family," Cui Jun continued calmly. "I'm planning to return to Ji Province and become the head of the Cui family."
"No wonder you brought so much stuff today," Xu Shu said, suddenly understanding. "Leave the goods here, and you can go. Just don't go blabbing about anything."
"Do as you wish. I'll leave after finishing this drink," Cui Jun sighed. "One can't live in the past forever. My father's legacy of glory—I'll rebuild it. Farewell, Yuan Zhi."
After downing his drink, Cui Jun nonchalantly shed his outer robe and walked out the door without any hesitation.
"Master, are we really leaving just like that?" Cui Jun's servant hurried after him.
"I must reclaim my position as head of the Cui family," Cui Jun said, gazing northward with determination. "Only I, Cui Jun, as the head of the Cui family, am the rightful heir!"
In that moment, the aura of dominance emanating from Cui Jun was far from the image of the drunken man he had been for years—it was befitting of a true scion of a thousand-year-old aristocratic family.
"But sir, Cui Ying and the others have been in charge for years. Returning now might not be easy," the servant cautioned, unaware of the cold smile playing at the corners of Cui Jun's lips. Did they really think he didn't know?
Cui Jun climbed into his carriage, recalling a letter from Licheng in the north. He couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion. Though he had always considered himself brilliant, a letter from Guo Jia had pierced straight to his core, leaving him in awe. The letter contained a plan—not aimed at conquering lands but at something more subtle—that made Cui Jun completely yield.
Reflecting on Guo Jia's words about Yuan Shao's virtues, Cui Jun was filled with admiration. Such a man would have been a formidable lord in any era.
Even figures like Xun Yu and Guo Jia had acknowledged that they had initially underestimated Yuan Shao when they were in Ji Province. Back then, Yuan Shao, who had been living under someone else's roof, lacked the charisma he now possessed. If they had seen him as he was today, they would never have left such a dominant figure. It could only be said that fate had played its hand.
After reading Guo Jia's letter one more time, Cui Jun made up his mind and then burned the letter to ashes, mixing them into his inkstone as he began to grind ink.
Meanwhile, in Licheng, Guo Jia was drinking with Guan Yu when suddenly a flush of red appeared on his face. Without warning, he coughed up a mouthful of blood and collapsed onto the table, shocking Guan Yu so much that he immediately ordered Wei Yan to fetch a doctor. But just as Guan Yu was about to rise, he saw Guo Jia, lying in a pool of his own blood, weakly raising a hand to wave him off, signaling that he was fine. Then, with blood still dripping from his face, Guo Jia slowly lifted his head.
"Go get the doctor! Why are you still drinking?!" Guan Yu shouted, panicking. If Guo Jia died here, it would be a disaster. Guan Yu still didn't understand what had happened. Just moments ago, Guo Jia had been talking about going to the Manhua Brothel to digest his food, and now this!
"General, Doctor Hua's apprentice is here," Wei Yan announced, carrying Li Dangzhi into the room.
"Hurry, hurry! Military Advisor Guo is on the verge of death—Li Dangzhi, save him!" Guan Yu urgently urged as he stepped aside, terrified that Guo Jia might die. Up until now, Guan Yu had no idea what had gone wrong. Just moments ago, Guo Jia had been boasting about his plans, and now this sudden collapse had left him completely at a loss.