Mythical Version of Three Kingdom

After Zuo Ci left, Chen Xi curiously observed the lingering smoke, feeling a special sensation rising within him. It seemed like this technique would be quite effective for a quick escape.

Chen Xi didn’t enter the main hall of the Jingling Shrine. He only stood outside, observing it briefly. There was no eerie or cold feeling; instead, there was an aura that naturally commanded respect. He had to admit that ancient craftsmen were truly skilled. Chen Xi had only given a rough outline, yet they managed to convey everything he had envisioned.

Silently, Chen Xi thought that as long as he did his utmost, the spirit of the army would gradually be forged.

If soldiers die fighting on the front lines while those at home are carefree and indifferent, and if the warriors who bled for the country aren’t honored, or if their families suffer after their deaths, how could an undefeated spirit of the army ever be forged?

“May all of you rest in peace. I will do my best to give you everything you deserve. Your affairs after death will be properly handled. May your spirits bear witness to this!” Chen Xi said calmly, standing between the entrance and the massive black stele. He wasn’t one to believe in ghosts and gods, but sometimes people still needed such beliefs as their final moral boundary.

After completing his thoughts, Chen Xi prepared to leave. There wasn’t much to see in the Jingling Shrine. It was a place for the spirits of heroes to rest, with only rituals and caretakers present. It wasn’t a place for the living to disturb.

Chen Xi slowly exited through the front gate of the shrine. The soldiers guarding the shrine bowed respectfully to him before resuming their silent, statue-like stance.

After crossing the street in front of the shrine and turning onto the main road, Chen Xi, who had been solemn, suddenly let out a breath and returned to his usual carefree demeanor.

“The construction is really impressive. Even I couldn’t help but be affected by the atmosphere in there,” Chen Xi remarked with a smile. This was exactly the effect he had hoped for. If the shrine could make someone feel like their soul had been cleansed upon entering, it would be perfect. If it could even inspire fervent patriotism, that would be ideal...

Of course, this was just Chen Xi’s wishful thinking. He was already satisfied with the current outcome. To achieve that level of spiritual cleansing, it would take hundreds of years of worship and the honoring of countless heroes. For now, this was likely the best they could achieve, beyond which it would no longer be a matter of craftsmanship.“Hey, you there, stop!” Chen Xi was on his way to the library when he spotted a familiar figure on the street.

It was none other than the little rascal who had bumped into him months ago and stolen his wallet. Judging by the way the boy was glancing around, it was clear he was looking for a target to pickpocket.

Chen Xi’s enhanced memory wasn’t perfect, but it was good enough to remember faces, especially when he had made a point of remembering this one. After all, losing his wallet had been a nuisance, and he hadn’t wanted to tell Chen Lan about it.

The boy froze, clearly confused at first, but then recognition dawned on him. After all, it wasn’t every day he managed to steal a pouch full of gold pearls, so the memory was still fresh.

“Oh, trying to run, are we?” Chen Xi said, displeased. Although he hadn’t brought Hua Xiong with him today, he still had a few personal guards with him. “Catch that kid! Don’t hurt him, just grab him.”

“Someone’s trying to snatch me!” the boy yelled loudly as he saw three or four burly men rushing toward him.

“Grab that kid!” Chen Xi ordered his men, not bothering to explain himself. He was determined to catch the boy, find out if he had a gang, and then start the first wave of education for the city’s street children.

“Help! Somebody help me!” the boy screamed, but Chen Xi remained unfazed, and the surrounding onlookers didn’t intervene either.

Judging by Chen Xi’s clothing, it was clear he was someone of high status, and the boy was obviously a street urchin. In this situation, as long as Chen Xi didn’t go too far, the citizens of the Han Dynasty wouldn’t interfere.

Of course, Chen Xi’s earlier order of “Don’t hurt him” played a role in this. If he had said something like “Take him down, dead or alive,” the crowd would have undoubtedly stepped in to stop him. In this era, while strong crossbows were prohibited for private ownership, many people still kept weapons like spears and swords at home. The martial spirit had been ingrained in the populace for centuries.

“Take this!” Realizing no one was coming to his aid, the boy quickly pulled out a stone from his pocket and hurled it at the pursuing guards.

“Huh?” Chen Xi stroked his chin in surprise. His guards were battle-hardened veterans, skilled enough to dodge arrows, yet this boy’s aim was remarkably accurate, hitting them with every stone.

“What’s causing this commotion up ahead? With all these merchants, things are getting quite chaotic,” Liu Bei said, sighing as he followed Xu Chu through the crowded streets. Fenggao had become a bustling city, and Liu Bei was starting to understand why Chen Xi had emphasized the importance of city planning and management. Despite the wide streets, they were still prone to congestion.

“Lord, it seems that the military advisor is trying to catch someone,” Xu Chu said. Standing tall and strong, he had a clear view over the crowd, unlike Liu Bei, who was stuck behind a wall of people.

“Chen Xi is catching someone? Xu Chu, go help him,” Liu Bei ordered without hesitation. He could ask Chen Xi about it later.

“This kid is too slippery!” Chen Xi’s eyebrow twitched. How was it that a street urchin could have internal energy nearing the Refining Qi into the Gang level? This was getting ridiculous!

“Don’t worry, military advisor, Xu Chu is here!” Xu Chu roared, leaping over the crowd like a bear and landing near the boy, scooping him up in one swift motion.

“This is so embarrassing…” Chen Xi muttered. Everyone in Fenggao knew he was the military advisor, and with Xu Chu’s size and reputation, it wasn’t hard to figure out that the well-dressed youth giving orders had to be Chen Xi. The crowd fell silent, all eyes on Chen Xi.

“Let me go, you big oaf!” the street urchin yelled, kicking at Xu Chu’s stomach. Xu Chu, unfazed, shook his hand, causing the boy to go limp.

“Military advisor, I’ve brought him,” Xu Chu said, carrying the boy like a chicken and setting him down next to Chen Xi.

“Let’s get out of here. This isn’t the place to talk,” Chen Xi said with a sigh, bowing slightly to the crowd before leading his group away.