Mythical Version of Three Kingdom

A cold smile appeared on Jia Xu’s face. Although Zixu had provided information, Jia Xu, being as cautious as ever, would verify everything.

”Withdraw the troops,” Jia Xu called to Wu Anguo with a relaxed expression. He had obtained all the intelligence he needed, and as for Zixu, if he wanted to leave, Jia Xu wouldn’t stop him. Jia Xu understood that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Zixu would eventually return to Liu Bei’s side.

”Yes!” Wu Anguo saluted and then, without hesitation, summoned several hundred Tiger Guard soldiers under Xu Chu’s command from all directions.

To obtain the information he sought, Jia Xu had not hesitated to mobilize the Tiger Guard without alarming Liu Bei, stationing them here. The timing was also chosen because Jia Xu believed that Liu Bei’s tour of the area should be wrapping up.

”Indeed, if it had been confirmed that I was in danger and Jia Wenhe had decided to fight desperately, he would have had no qualms about using his mental energy to shatter my mind, leaving me mentally broken, perhaps even insane, and then Wu Anguo and the others would have rushed in to finish me off,” Zixu thought as he watched Wu Anguo and his men leave. He let out a long sigh of relief. The longer one lives, the less one wants to die—especially someone like Zixu, who still had unfulfilled ambitions.

Jia Xu silently pondered the information he had extracted from Zixu. The next step would be to go and offer an explanation to Liu Bei. Although he had only mobilized 500 soldiers, it was still best to provide a proper account.

That night, Xu Chu was sleeping when he heard the sound of footsteps outside. His military instincts immediately alerted him that a group of soldiers was surrounding them. Shocked, he broke into a cold sweat, all his sleepiness evaporating.

Grabbing the large knife at his bedside, Xu Chu felt slightly reassured. He jumped out of bed, flew to the roof, and shouted, ”Who dares to cause trouble here? Your grandpa Xu will teach you a lesson today!”

His voice boomed across the area, alerting both the soldiers surrounding him and those guarding Liu Bei, including Liu Ye.

Meanwhile, Hua Xiong, who had just arrived in the area and was about to release his aura, heard Xu Chu’s shout and was startled. Knowing Xu Chu well, Hua Xiong understood that if Xu Chu was shouting like this, something serious must have happened. He quickly urged his horse in the direction of the shout, releasing his full aura as he went.”Zhongkang, it’s me!” Wu Anguo’s voice rang out. He had already sensed Hua Xiong’s presence and, though puzzled, paid it no mind as he walked toward Xu Chu.

”Stop right there, Anguo! What are you doing here with so many soldiers at this hour?” Xu Chu remained vigilant. Although he recognized the Tiger Guard soldiers under his command, his loyalty to Liu Bei made him extra cautious. ”And why is Zijian here?”

”How would I know why Zijian is here?” Wu Anguo stopped, looking confused as he addressed Xu Chu, who stood on the rooftop.

”I ordered him to lead the troops here. A few days ago, I commanded Anguo to go to Beihai and bring the Tiger Guard here to ensure the lord’s safety,” Jia Xu stepped forward and explained.

Jia Xu had already realized his mistake. Although Xu Chu wasn’t the sharpest, he was exceptionally loyal. It was clear that Xu Chu was worried that the soldiers led by Wu Anguo might pose a threat to Liu Bei’s safety. Even though they were all familiar faces, Xu Chu remained as cautious as a proper bodyguard should be.

”Jia Changshi,” Xu Chu nodded slightly. ”Please forgive me for not showing proper courtesy. However, Jia Changshi, please order Anguo to retreat 100 steps and explain why Zijian is here.”

”Zhongkang, what’s going on?” Liu Bei, dressed in a long robe, came out of the back courtyard. He looked up at Xu Chu, who was standing on the rooftop in just his shorts, holding a large knife.

”Reporting to my lord, Jia Changshi and General Wu have brought troops here. I feared for your safety, so I ordered them to retreat 100 steps,” Xu Chu said cautiously, still holding his large knife. Even though Jia Xu and Wu Anguo had retreated, he remained vigilant, embodying the perfect protector.

After Xu Chu briefed Liu Bei on the situation, Liu Bei was stunned. Troops arriving in the middle of the night—it was hard not to imagine the worst. ”Come down, come down. Wenhe and Anguo wouldn’t harm me. Let’s go out and ask them.”

”Zhongkang, is the lord here?” came the distant shout of Hua Xiong, his voice filled with concern and worry.

”Why is Zijian here too?” Liu Bei’s heart skipped a beat. However, trusting his men, Liu Bei opened the courtyard gate. Xu Chu quickly jumped down from the roof to follow him, while Liu Ye, who had just woken up, rushed out, his clothes disheveled.

As soon as Liu Bei stepped outside, Jia Xu quickly approached, pulling Wu Anguo along. ”Greetings, my lord.”

Before Liu Bei could ask anything, Jia Xu immediately pushed all the blame onto Zixu. After all, if Zixu died, Jia Xu wouldn’t care—his usefulness was gone, and he knew too much. So, without hesitation, Jia Xu threw Zixu under the bus.

”So, you’re saying that Zixu joined us to protect himself?” Liu Bei sighed. ”In that case, bring him along. Once he recovers, we’ll discuss it further. Even if he harbored harmful intentions, he hasn’t acted on them yet. We shouldn’t be too harsh.”

”My lord is truly merciful,” Jia Xu said with a bow. ”However, my lord, now that your identity has been exposed, perhaps it would be best to return to Beihai quickly.”

Liu Bei looked around at the townspeople peeking out of their homes and sighed. ”Very well, I’ve learned what I needed to. Let’s return to Beihai and focus on developing Qingzhou. As for Zixu, let’s not hold any grudges. Provide him with the same supplies as before. If he wishes to stay, let him stay. If not, he should still receive the treatment he deserves based on the advice he’s given us.”

Jia Xu lowered his head. He had known Liu Bei wouldn’t hold a grudge over something like this. After all, he had only mobilized 500 soldiers, and it was Wu Anguo, not Jia Xu, who had taken the initiative for Liu Bei’s safety. Nevertheless, Jia Xu now had a better understanding of Liu Bei’s magnanimity.

”Greetings, my lord!” Hua Xiong arrived with his horse, dismounted, and saluted Liu Bei.

”Zijian, why have you come to Qingzhou?” Liu Bei asked, puzzled. ”Has something happened in Taishan? Has Lu Fengxian attacked, or has Yuan Benchu launched an offensive?” Liu Bei’s voice carried a hint of anxiety. In his mind, something urgent must have happened for Hua Xiong to come all the way here.