Transmigrating To Start As A Mountain Bandit Chapter 599: Returning to Handan - Novel Cool

Chapter 599: Returning to Handan

Chapter 599: Returning to Handan

2017-09-25

The advancement of the Dragon Soul Armor was within Lu HaiKong's expectations, but what he didn't anticipate was that the upgrade of the armor would also eliminate the aftereffects of using the Celestial Deity Talisman. This was indeed good news for Lu HaiKong.

Although Lu HaiKong's attributes might have improved slightly, and he might even have broken through in strength without the aftereffects of the Celestial Deity Talisman, Lu HaiKong didn't regret it.

It was known that after Lu HaiKong entered the 90s, he had essentially reached a bottleneck.

After all, Lu HaiKong had relied on skill experience and the Phoenix Tear to barely break through the 90s, so his foundation wasn't very solid. This led to Lu HaiKong's strength being difficult to improve after entering the 90s until he strengthened his foundation. This had always been a regret for Lu HaiKong.

Therefore, even if the upgrade of the Dragon Soul Armor could enhance Lu HaiKong's strength, he wouldn't be happy about it. Instead, he would feel a bit troubled because it would make his foundation unstable again and make his path to breaking through the 100s even more challenging.

There was no other way; this was the dilemma of those with wealth and talent. While others were hoping to break through the 80s, he was already aiming for the 100s.

After the Dragon Soul Armor's advancement was complete, Lu HaiKong's stats were fully restored.

This guy didn't waste any time and immediately set off on his journey back to Handan. He was in a hurry, but not because he was being chased; it was because he was eager to return.

Although this trip to Jule could be considered a perfect success, for some reason, Lu HaiKong felt like he had forgotten something, and there was a vague sense of dissonance.

However, when he tried to think it through, he couldn't pinpoint the problem, so a layer of gloom settled over Lu HaiKong's heart. He needed Xi ZhiCai to help him dispel this gloom.

Before Lu HaiKong entered Jule, it was arranged by Zhang Yan. Now that Lu HaiKong and Zhang Yan had parted ways, Lu HaiKong was traveling back alone, and it was inevitable that he would encounter some problems along the way.

Due to his unfamiliarity with Jule County, Lu HaiKong was spotted by Yellow Turban forces several times during his journey.

Of course, this wasn't a big problem for Lu HaiKong. He had already done what he needed to do, and he even had the Life-Changing Pill with him. He didn't need to hide like he did when he first entered Jule. If he was discovered, he could just fight his way out.

With Lu HaiKong's terrifying strength, no one in Jule could stop him, except for that old Zhang Jiao!

So, this guy who had arrived in a low-key manner was now returning in a highly ostentatious way, almost pushing his way back to Handan...

Ji Zhou, Wei Jun, Qu Liang.

From the assassination attempt on Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun, to Lu HaiKong's entry into Jule, and then his return from Jule, Dong Zhuo's actions in Luoyang never ceased. On one hand, he had people in Luoyang help him take over Huangfu Song's position, and on the other, he was trying to win over the officers and soldiers in Qu Liang to establish his authority.

The situation in Luoyang was well under control, as Dong Zhuo had some connections with He Jin, and now with Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun both being assassinated, one severely injured and the other in a coma, it was necessary to find a replacement. Although changing leaders in the midst of battle was not ideal, there were no other suitable candidates.

As for Ji Zhou, there were only a few people who could take on that position, and if not Dong Zhuo, then who else but Lu HaiKong?

Based on this consideration, He Jin fully supported Dong Zhuo, and it was easy to put Dong Zhuo in Huangfu Song's position.

While things in Luoyang went smoothly, the situation on Dong Zhuo's side wasn't ideal, especially at the beginning. Despite Dong Zhuo's efforts and even his contributions to the Han Dynasty's army, he still lacked authority among the soldiers.

Ultimately, the reason was the suspicion surrounding Dong Zhuo in the assassination attempt on Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun.

Although Dong Zhuo was also attacked that day, he was unharmed, and after the incident, he took over Huangfu Song's position. Within just five or six days, he had risen to power, which seemed suspicious to others.

In this situation, Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun's trusted subordinates were not fond of Dong Zhuo, and the soldiers under them had a sense of insincerity towards this nominal commander.

If Dong Zhuo were to handle this situation himself, it would be difficult, as there wasn't much he could do. However, if it were handed over to Li Ru, the situation would be different.

During these five or six days, the most significant thing Li Ru did was to spread rumors, drawing Lu HaiKong's attention away from Dong Zhuo and diverting the soldiers' focus.

Additionally, Li Ru worked to create divisions and buy off some of the soldiers under Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun.

In Li Ru's eyes, everyone had their weaknesses, and these weaknesses could be exploited. Within just five or six days, Li Ru successfully pulled some of Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun's generals to his side.

In just six days, Li Ru had gathered forty thousand troops for Dong Zhuo, adding to the two thousand cavalry already under Dong Zhuo's command. With this, Dong Zhuo now possessed nearly half the strength of the Han Dynasty's military might.

Dong Zhuo's actions, however, came at a cost. By almost directly implicating Lu HaiKong in the assassination attempts on Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun, he had effectively labeled Lu HaiKong as the mastermind.

There was no other way around it. If Dong Zhuo hadn't taken such decisive action, he wouldn't have been able to gain control of such a large force in such a short time.

According to Dong Zhuo's intelligence, the Yellow Turban leader, Zhang Jiao, was on the verge of death in Julu, and the Yellow Turban forces there were on the brink of collapse. Dong Zhuo couldn't let this opportunity for great merit slip away.

As for whether this move would offend Lu HaiKong, Dong Zhuo wasn't concerned at all.

He had never openly declared that Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun's assassins were sent by Lu HaiKong. If anyone suspected that, they could take it up with the soldiers themselves.

If this explanation didn't satisfy Lu HaiKong, there was nothing Dong Zhuo could do. He didn't care if Lu HaiKong was unhappy. After all, Dong Zhuo hadn't directly confronted Lu HaiKong, and what could Lu HaiKong do to him?

What Dong Zhuo didn't anticipate was that news of Lu HaiKong's powerful return from Julu to Handan quickly reached Qu Liang.

There was no other choice. Lu HaiKong's actions were too bold, and he had been too dominant. On his journey back, he had swept through everything in his path, violently killing anyone who dared to stand in his way.

If news of such a high-profile action didn't reach Qu Liang, the city's basic intelligence system would be considered useless.

When the news did reach Qu Liang, the entire city was in an uproar.

In the last few days, public opinion in Qu Liang had already been unfavorable towards Lu HaiKong. Now, with the news of his return from Julu, the situation became critical.

Although many in the Han Dynasty's military firmly believed that Lu HaiKong was a loyal hero who would never collude with the Yellow Turbans, there were also those who doubted him. Initially, these doubts were not strong, but with Li Ru's behind-the-scenes influence over the past five to six days, the voices of suspicion grew louder. By the time the news of Lu HaiKong's powerful return to Handan from Julu reached Qu Liang, the implications were clear to those who doubted him.

In their eyes, Lu HaiKong had likely fallen out with the Yellow Turbans over interests, leading to his ambush by them. Eventually, Lu HaiKong, with his formidable strength, managed to fight his way out of the Yellow Turban forces.

This explanation was perfect. It justified Lu HaiKong's presence in Julu and his violent journey back. More importantly, it branded Lu HaiKong as a traitor.

Once this narrative spread, the entire Qu Liang city became agitated. Countless soldiers demanded that Dong Zhuo seek an explanation from Lu HaiKong, and some even called for Dong Zhuo to capture Lu HaiKong to avenge Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun.

For Dong Zhuo, this situation wasn't necessarily bad. By positioning Lu HaiKong as an imaginary enemy, he could more easily unite the Han Dynasty's military forces, which served his interests well. However, what Dong Zhuo didn't expect was that Sun Jian, under Zhu Jun's command, would directly lead his troops to seek an explanation from Lu HaiKong.

When this news reached Dong Zhuo, he was furious.

Dong Zhuo had intended to draw Lu HaiKong out to divert attention, while also distancing himself from the matter. He never anticipated Sun Jian's sudden involvement.

"Someone, stop them immediately!" Dong Zhuo slammed his fist on the table and shouted.

"My lord, please calm down!"

As Dong Zhuo gave the order, Li Ru stepped forward.

"My lord, in Li Ru's opinion, you should let this matter go and pretend you don't know. Let them be!"

"That's not possible, Wenyou. You don't understand—Lu HaiKong is not someone to be trifled with. When Huangfu Song caused trouble for him in Ye City, Lu HaiKong slapped him repeatedly. At that time, the situation was in our favor, and it was not wise to offend him."

Dong Zhuo still vividly remembered the scene of Lu HaiKong slapping Huangfu Song.

"My lord, whether we offend him or not, we've already done so by drawing him out to divert attention. Even if you stop Sun Jian and his troops, it won't benefit us. It won't earn us any goodwill, and it might even make the soldiers here who believe Lu HaiKong is the mastermind of the assassination think that you're in cahoots with him."

Dong Zhuo was taken aback by Li Ru's words. "Then, in your opinion, what should we do?"

"If Sun Jian wants to talk, let him go."

Li Ru's face broke into a confident smile...

(End of Chapter)

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