https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-600-The-First-Talent-Among-Historical-Warriors/13041882/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-603-Postnatal-Golden-Qi-Divine-Sword/13041884/
Chapter 601: Xi ZhiCai's Solemnity
Chapter 601: Xi ZhiCai's Solemnity
September 25, 2017
Lu HaiKong spent over an hour opening the four chests, and by the time he finished, Xi ZhiCai's work was also almost done.
But Lu HaiKong looked at the sky, and today, he had returned to Handan early in the morning. It was already afternoon, and in a couple of hours, the night would fall.
Lu HaiKong asked Chen Ping to prepare a simple meal, and Lu HaiKong went directly to Xi ZhiCai's residence in Handan to wait for him.
Regarding Xi ZhiCai, Lu HaiKong was very attentive to every aspect of his life.
Xi ZhiCai's residence in Handan was a small courtyard tastefully decorated. When Lu HaiKong arrived, Xi ZhiCai had not yet returned, and there were only a few female attendants arranged by Lu HaiKong to take care of Xi ZhiCai.
After Lu HaiKong arrived, he didn't treat himself as an outsider at all. He asked the attendant to bring a pot of tea, and he started reading a book that Xi ZhiCai had left unfinished.
Interestingly, the book Xi ZhiCai was reading was not a classic or historical text but a novel about ghosts and spirits, a very bizarre story.
With Lu HaiKong's experience, he immediately recognized that this novel was written by an Outsider, as many of the details and even the plot differed greatly from this world.
Lu HaiKong couldnhed and said, "That guy actually reads this kind of novel? It's unbelievable!"
"What's unbelievable about it? There are many interesting things in this book. Through some details, it's as if you can see a completely unknown world."
Xi ZhiCai's voice suddenly sounded from behind Lu HaiKong, but this sudden remark didn't startle Lu HaiKong, as he seemed accustomed to Xi ZhiCai's behavior.
However, Lu HaiKong, who had his back to Xi ZhiCai, didn't see that Xi ZhiCai's face had turned solemn, a rare expression for him.
"Did you encounter something in Jule?"
Lu HaiKong paused, flipping through the book in his hands, and after a while, he put down the book, turned his head, and looked at Xi ZhiCai.
"Why do you say that?"
When Lu HaiKong turned around, he saw the rare solemnity on Xi ZhiCai's face, and his heart couldn't help but feel a sudden unease.
After the [Realm of Heavenly Peace], he had always felt a sense of dissonance, and Lu HaiKong originally thought he was being too sensitive. But now it seems that it's not just his imagination.
At this moment, Xi ZhiCai carefully examined Lu HaiKong from head to toe, from the initial seriousness to later when Lu HaiKong vaguely smelled a trace of rare urgency from Xi ZhiCai's body.
After a while, Xi ZhiCai closed his eyes, "Tell me about your journey to Jule."
From Xi ZhiCai's solemnity, Lu HaiKong understood the seriousness of the matter and didn't dare to be careless. After straightening himself, he recounted his journey to Jule.
Although Lu HaiKong described his journey to Jule in great detail, perhaps Zhang Jiao's performance was too good, and Xi ZhiCai had too little information in his hands. Xi ZhiCai felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't connect the dots, so his eyebrows furrowed slightly.
Just as Xi ZhiCai was frowning in deep thought, Lu HaiKong suddenly burst out laughing.
"That's enough, stop frowning. What's the big deal? Maybe we're both being too sensitive. It's not a big issue, even if Zhang Jiao's Dao has some tricks up his sleeve. We'll deal with it when the time comes."
Lu HaiKong's words didn't relax Xi ZhiCai's frown, and he looked at Lu HaiKong even more carefully. After a moment of silence, he spoke again.
"Where's the book 'Peaceful Heavenly Scripture' that you had last time?"
"It's with Chen Ping. I'll ask him to bring it to you later." Lu HaiKong sighed and replied, unable to change the topic.
"Okay, as soon as possible. Also, I might need to rest for a few days. You'll have to take care of the affairs in Handan."
This was the first time Lu HaiKong had seen Xi ZhiCai looking so serious. He couldn't help but feel a sudden unease, a vague sense of foreboding, not about himself, but about Xi ZhiCai.
After that, Lu HaiKong and Xi ZhiCai had a meal together, the first time Xi ZhiCai remained silent and frowning throughout the meal. After the meal, when Chen Ping brought the 'Peaceful Heavenly Scripture' to Xi ZhiCai, Lu HaiKong was sent out by Xi ZhiCai.
Only Xi ZhiCai would dare to send Lu HaiKong out like this. Nowadays, no one else would do that except Xi ZhiCai.
The next thing that happened made Lu HaiKong feel a bit concerned. After meeting Xi ZhiCai, the following day, Xi ZhiCai shut himself in and handed over all the affairs in Handan to Lu HaiKong.
Lu HaiKong didn't mind the affairs, but what worried him the most was that Xi ZhiCai seemed to have discovered something and was working hard on it. This should be a welcome situation for Lu HaiKong, but he was genuinely worried about Xi ZhiCai's small and delicate body, hoping he wouldn't get into any trouble.
Even if Lu HaiKong went to Xi ZhiCai's place himself, Xi ZhiCai wouldn't let him in. In this situation, Lu HaiKong had no choice but to wait.
As Lu Haikong returned to Handan, Xi Zhicai remained secluded, refusing to see anyone. On the very next day, Sun Jian arrived with his troops, seeking an audience with Lu Haikong.
Lu Haikong was intrigued and considered meeting Sun Jian.
However, to Lu Haikong's surprise, Sun Jian arrived under the pretext of demanding an explanation for the assassinations of Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun. Moreover, before Sun Jian's arrival, someone else had already sought Lu Haikong's attention.
In this situation, Lu Haikong, already in a foul mood, didn't even bother to meet with Sun Jian.
What Lu Haikong didn't expect was that Sun Jian, instead of leaving after being refused an audience, decided to stay in Handan with his troops.
When Lu Haikong's subordinates reported this situation to him, Xi Zhicai had already been secluded for two days. Although Lu Haikong couldn't enter, he learned through the female attendants that Xi Zhicai had been awake for two days and nights, constantly poring over the 'Peaceful Heavenly Scripture'.
Lu Haikong was already in a bad mood, and upon hearing this news, his anger flared. He immediately ordered his subordinates to expel Sun Jian.
Jiuzhou, Zhao State, outside Handan City.
Sun Jian and his troops camped outside Handan City, staying there for two days.
In reality, Sun Jian's intention wasn't solely to confront Lu Haikong for an explanation. His primary purpose was to seek aid.
Sun Jian wasn't a fool; he was well aware that this matter had less to do with Lu Haikong and more with Dong Zhuo.
But he had no choice; he couldn't confront Dong Zhuo. In Qu Liang, Li Ru had orchestrated Dong Zhuo's control over a formidable force. If Sun Jian dared to oppose Dong Zhuo, he would immediately be branded a traitor.
In this situation, Sun Jian couldn't just stand by and do nothing. Zhu Jun was his mentor, and he couldn't bear to see him fall victim to a plot without taking action.
Moreover, it was evident that Dong Zhuo had colluded with the Yellow Turban Army, and no one knew what Dong Zhuo planned next.
Out of desperation, Sun Jian brought his troops to confront Lu Haikong, intending to question him. In truth, it was more of a plea for help, as Lu Haikong was the only one in Jiuzhou who could rival Dong Zhuo, and he held significant influence among the tens of thousands of soldiers in Qu Liang.
What Sun Jian didn't anticipate was that Lu Haikong not only refused to meet him but also intended to expel him from Handan.
Sun Jian found himself in an awkward situation, and to his surprise, Lu Haikong not only refused to meet him but also ordered his expulsion from Handan.
After just two days in Handan, Chen Ping arrived with Lu Haikong's command.
"General Sun, my lord has issued an order. You must leave Handan today!"
Upon receiving this command, Sun Jian was stunned. He hadn't expected Lu Haikong to directly expel them. Was this appropriate?
At this moment, Sun Jian couldn't fathom Lu Haikong's thoughts. He hesitated, then waved his hand for his troops to leave, leaving only himself and Chen Ping in the tent.
Once everyone had left, Sun Jian spoke, "General, please inform your lord that Sun Jian pleads for the Governor's aid to save the tens of thousands of soldiers in Qu Liang..."
"General Sun, I don't understand what you're saying. My lord has no intention of meeting you. Please leave!" Chen Ping's words caused Sun Jian's eyes to narrow.
He had initially thought that Lu Haikong's refusal to meet him was due to his anger over Sun Jian's confrontational approach. Now, it seemed that Lu Haikong fully understood Sun Jian's intentions.
Despite this, Lu Haikong still refused to see him, which warranted further investigation.
Either Lu Haikong and Dong Zhuo were in cahoots, or Lu Haikong had something else planned, choosing not to intervene in the Qu Liang affair.
The first possibility seemed unlikely. If they were indeed allies, Dong Zhuo wouldn't have used Lu Haikong as a decoy to draw fire. Moreover, Lu Haikong wouldn't have remained unmoved during this period.
This left only the second possibility.
If this was the case, the situation might be far more complex than Sun Jian had initially imagined, potentially a massive vortex.
"Regardless of the possibility or the circumstances, I must see Lu Haikong today!"
Sun Jian had his first moment of clarity, but instead of backing down, his eyes flashed with determination.
"If I must leave, I wish to see the Governor before I go..."
"General Sun, have you misunderstood something? We're not here to negotiate; we're giving you an order. You will leave today, one way or another!" Chen Ping, who had served Lu Haikong for a long time, interrupted Sun Jian without hesitation.
(End of Chapter)
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