Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1677: Chapter 1613: Among All at the Peak, I Alone Am Supreme (Part 2)

”Please wait a moment, I will go change my clothes.” After inquiry, Zhuge Liang spoke naturally without waiting for Juu Fu’s response, dispelling the previously slight aloof atmosphere.

”Then I will take my leave.” Juu Fu bowed to Zhuge Liang and said.

After dispatching an escort to send off Juu Fu, Zhuge Liang changed his clothes while thinking. However, he did not consider matters related to Wei Yan. Even though Zhuge Liang was not yet an adult, his cautious nature was deeply ingrained, allowing him to recover his composure instantly after the momentary surprise.

After changing into a moon-white long robe, Zhuge Liang went to Zang Ba’s military camp. However, before entering, he smelled a whiff of alcohol, and couldn’t help but shake his head. Nevertheless, seeing that the patrol and defense of the camp remained intact, he did not pursue the matter.

After all, alcohol was not explicitly banned in the military camp. Even if Zang Ba drank too much, as long as the camp defense remained complete, there was no need to pursue it.

The guard at the tent opened the door for Zhuge Liang, and a strong alcoholic smell hit him in the face. Zhuge Liang slightly frowned for a moment before resuming his usual calm demeanor.

”Kongming, you’re here.” Seeing Zhuge Liang at the camp entrance, Zang Ba greeted him with a loud laugh. To be honest, even though Zang Ba had drunk somewhat excessively, his mind was still clear. He had little contact with Zhuge Liang and didn’t have many opportunities to interact.

This time, besides inquiring about Wei Yan, Zang Ba also wanted to see what kind of person Zhuge Liang was. As someone on the outskirts of the Elder system, others might not notice, but Zang Ba had a vague feeling.

Especially since Zhuge Liang first learned from Chen Xi, then from Li Youu, and finally practiced with Lub Su, these three were the true Three Giants of the Political Office. On the surface, only Lub Su was present, but these three controlled the entire Political Office.

The time Zhuge Liang spent learning from these three was not long. Additionally, excellent students from the academy could intern at the Political Office, so at the beginning, no one thought much of it.

Only later, things changed. Those who studied for several months might only grasp the superficial aspects, but Zhuge Liang seemed to have absorbed the essence in just a few months, drawing certain attention.

Moreover, rumors of unknown origin led Zang Ba to feel that Zhuge Liang might become the next core of the Political Office. Simply put, there was a great possibility that Zhuge Liang was being cultivated with the goal of becoming the Prime Minister.

Zang Ba’s thoughts weren’t unfounded. He had witnessed Chen Xi’s calculations over the years. Thinking along these lines, Lul Xun might be heading towards becoming the Grand Commandant, Lu Yu is most likely the Imperial Censor, and Fa Zheng could either be the Minister of Works or Chief of Staff.

With this thought, when Zang Ba looked around, he realized that regardless of the current situation of the General System, the next phase of the Political Office seemed to be set, although he was curious whether Zhuge Liang could uphold it.

Seeing Zhuge Liang’s demeanor pleased Zang Ba. Regardless of anything else, his current charm could deter many people, augmented by the circulating rumors. Zang Ba was instantly confident that Zhuge Liang might truly have the potential.

”Greetings, Generals.” Zhuge Liang bowed and performed a salute. He noticed Zang Ba scrutinizing him but saw appreciation rather than malice, which reassured him.

After Zhuge Liang took his seat, Wei Yan and others didn’t express much surprise. However, Zhu Ling, Guo Huai, and others showed amazement. Zhuge Liang’s young age was indeed shocking; being a Secretary-General at sixteen was almost at the level of a Border Official.

”Come, come, don’t just stare, finish this glass of wine first.” Zang Ba said with a smile, ”He may be the youngest minister under my lord’s command, but don’t underestimate him. Despite the Northern Huns Elite Cavalry being twice the size of his infantry, he still defeated them, losing over five thousand!”

Guo Huai could not avoid being shocked. When he looked at Zhuge Liang again, there was no trace of disdain due to his age, but rather increased respect. They had witnessed the prowess of the Northern Huns Elite Cavalry, which deepened their understanding of Zhuge Liang’s achievements.

”It’s just a matter of taking the initiative; it was only luck.” Zhuge Liang said calmly. His battle against the Northern Huns Elite Cavalry hadn’t been excessively publicized, just mentioned in the context of the Battle of Jicheng, and Zhuge Liang understood the reasons.

According to Li Youu and others, it wasn’t Zhuge Liang’s time to become famous. They advised waiting a while longer.

”Luck, you say? I wish for such luck as well.” Xu Shu said with a hearty laugh, ”Respect to Secretary-General Zhuge.”

Zhuge Liang calmly toasted a few people, drank the cup in one go, and instantly blushed faintly. Seeing this, Zang Ba laughed and said, ”Eat, eat, eat and then talk.”

Initially intending to get straight to the point after drinking the wine, Zhuge Liang picked up his chopsticks upon seeing Zang Ba’s comment. While Zang Ba’s banquet was much better than the ordinary big pot meals, it couldn’t be too exquisite due to environmental limitations. Not everyone had the Chen family’s cooks capable of sourcing ingredients locally to make a good dish.

As the glasses clinked and the dishes were served, Zhuge Liang’s face showed a more evident flush. When it seemed about time, Zang Ba put down his glass and asked, ”Kongming, here’s the thing, I came to you mainly for Wen Chang.”

As soon as Zang Ba finished speaking, Zhuge Liang, who was slightly tipsy and with half-closed eyes, suddenly opened them. A flash of brilliance shone in his eyes, but it soon faded, and his expression no longer appeared fatigued.

”Please speak plainly, General Zang.” Zhuge Liang slowly sat upright and looked at Zang Ba.

”The thing is, Wen Chang inadvertently noticed that your gaze on him carried a hint of caution and apprehension. Wei Yan is concerned about potential misunderstanding between you two. After all, being under the same lord, personal misunderstandings are inconsequential, but it wouldn’t do if it interfered with the lord’s affairs.” Zang Ba said, tempering his intoxicated demeanor.

”So it’s this matter.” Zhuge Liang’s heart tightened. He could assure that he only revealed such an expression once, and it was just for a moment, but Wei Yan noticed.

”So there was indeed such a matter.” Zang Ba initially used this as a pretext without expecting it to be factual. Now, it had to be taken seriously. Wei Yan was an extension of the military general elders, and any discord could lead to disharmony between the civil and military officers, which would be undesirable.

”Indeed, that was the case. Since the General mentioned it, it’s good to clarify it. I’m overly cautious, so if I have offended, I hope Wen Chang can forgive me.” Speaking of this, Zhuge Liang got up first to salute Wei Yan, who hurriedly returned the greeting, saying it was no issue.

”In that case, I’ll briefly explain my Spiritual Talent. My Spiritual Talent allows me to use the Talent of all allies and friendlies, whether it be Legion Talent or Spiritual Talent, such as Yuanzhi’s ability to discern current and changing flaws in the Military Formation or General Zang’s ’Unmovable like a Mountain’ Legion Talent. I can use both.” Zhuge Liang said calmly to everyone.

As soon as he spoke, Guan Ping’s wine goblet fell onto the table, and others gasped, but Zhuge Liang continued speaking to himself, ”Since it’s a national war, Cao and Sunx count as one of our own, so I can also access their Spiritual Talent and Legion Talent.”

”Regardless of whether they are within my sight, I have all the capabilities of those who currently are oriented towards the world. However, what arouses my curiosity is that Wen Chang’s Talent did not appear in my Spiritual Talent,” Zhuge Liang said calmly, looking at Zang Ba.

”What a terrifying Spiritual Talent.” Xu Shu murmured to himself. Not mentioning anything else, just this fact alone meant that if his and Zhuge Liang’s intelligence were the same, he could never surpass Zhuge Liang. Precisely put, no one could match Zhuge Liang if their intelligence was the same.

”Are you sure that your Spiritual Talent is like this? That it records every talent of its own without an upper limit?” Wei Yan instantly understood Zhuge Liang’s meaning, saying that under such circumstances, even if he were in Zhuge Liang’s position, he would also be suspicious.