Chapter 151 Old Friends

　　The Zhuge family finally broke through the encirclement of the chaotic army.

　　The Daoist with a refined temperament leaned on his bamboo staff, his face pale, blood flowing from the corner of his mouth.

　　He looked at the dazed boy beside him, reached out, and, imitating his teacher Zhang Jiao, rubbed the child's soft black hair. Then, he unwrapped his Daoist robe, simple yet clean, and without looking, shook it out to cover the two girls, concealing their exposed shoulders.

　　The older girl thanked him and nudged her younger sister.

　　The girl with gentle eyes and a pure aura was stunned.

　　The faint scent of blood still lingered in the air, but the Dao robe's subtle, heavy herbal fragrance inexplicably calmed her. She instinctively reached out, clutching the robe tightly, and whispered her thanks, her eyes fixed on the Daoist.

　　The Daoist coughed and moved forward, saying:

　　"We need to leave immediately."

　　"We can't stop."

　　Because of the appearance of Liu Bei's army, and because Yuan finally stopped concealing himself at this moment.

　　His judgment, honed in the midst of war, allowed him to avoid danger and, when necessary, to strike down enemies.

　　They successfully arrived in Jingzhou. Here, the boy, who was still a child at heart, locked himself away. He emerged after a long time, no longer looking at the clear breeze and bright moon, no longer playing, and rarely even playing the zither.

　　Instead, he began to study the true art of governance.

　　The only ripple in these days was that the boy's second sister seemed to have a good impression of the Daoist because of what he had done that day. However, the Daoist's eyes remained calm, and this peaceful life came to an end several years later.

　　Zhuge Xuan passed away.

　　They had no choice but to retreat to Longzhong to live in seclusion.

　　Although Yuan was the oldest, Zhuge Liang, who was already sixteen, was taller than the Daoist who had watched him grow up. His appearance had matured somewhat, possessing both the vitality of youth and the handsomeness of a young man, his eyebrows and eyes bright. He spent his days traveling and studying with friends.

　　Among them, Mr. Shui Jing, Sima Hui, and Pang Degong were naturally highly respected.

　　The latter's cousin, Pang Tong, and the young Zhuge were quite like-minded, and later there was also Xu Shu. At that time, Yuan would occasionally discuss various principles with the hermits there, but only a few people agreed with his views.

　　But this year, someone came to visit again.

　　In fact, Yuan had already sensed the person's aura approaching, because it was extremely similar to the aura of the woman he had seen on the mountain outside Langya when he was a boy. It was a kind of high-altitude, open aura, impossible to forget.

　　He thought of what the woman had said back then.

　　She would come to ask him that question again.

　　The Daoist, no longer naive, had a peaceful expression. He put down the book in his hand.

　　And dusted off his Daoist robe.

　　He got up to greet the guest.

　　He opened the door, and sunlight streamed down through the gaps in the leaves. Outside the door was not a graceful woman, but a girl of only fifteen or sixteen years old, with a cold and quiet temperament, dressed in simple, elegant clothing of green and white, like a high wind swirling in the nine heavens.

　　Tassels hung from the girl's waist.

　　Attached was a piece of white jade, and beside the white jade was half of a Qin Dynasty thumb ring.

　　Their movements made a crisp sound.

　　The girl had not yet knocked on the door when she saw Yuan open it directly. A trace of surprise and bewilderment flashed in her eyes, as if she didn't know what to do next for a moment, and then she quickly restrained her emotions, with a polite and distant smile, she nodded slightly and said:

　　"My name is Jue, two jades make Jue."

　　She paused, remembering the question that the Queen Mother of the West had entrusted to her.

　　Thus, in this secluded place in Longzhong, amidst distant mountains, flowing water, and gentle breezes, a refined girl stood by the door, while on the other side, a Daoist with the scent of herbs turned his sleeves slightly, and a gentle, quiet voice asked:

　　"I wonder, do you still remember the agreement from back then?"

　　……………………

　　Yuan naturally recalled what had happened back then.

　　He thought of the words the graceful woman had asked him when he went down the mountain.

　　He didn't expect that the woman wouldn't come herself, but would actually send her daughter?

　　Truly persistent.

　　Even the Daoist, whose heart was as沉水deep as still water, felt a little helpless. The corner of his mouth twitched, and he suddenly felt that this woman was really petty. He had no choice but to invite the somewhat restrained girl into the house, but before he could ask a few questions, there was a knock on the door.

　　Yuan went to open the door.

　　Outside the door was a girl with gentle eyes and a scholarly air, even though she was dressed in coarse cloth and wore simple hairpins.

　　Her tone was soft and gentle: "I heard that Brother Yuan has a friend visiting."

　　"I've come to bring some refreshments."

　　Yuan took the refreshments and thanked her. After the girl left, Jue, who had come down the mountain alone for the first time, curiously sized up the Daoist in front of her. She could tell that the girl seemed to have feelings for the Daoist, but she saw that the Daoist's eyes were dim.

　　It was said that his heart was as still as water, but this person's heart was almost like stagnant water.

　　She wondered what he had experienced.

　　At this time, the Heavenly Maiden Jue seemed to have sensed something. She smiled apologetically, reached out, took out a hairpin, and gently drew it in the void. It was as if a flowing wind had bloomed, and several other women appeared directly here.

　　Although their appearances were different, their temperament was similar to that of the graceful woman from before.

　　Jue looked at the Daoist and asked:

　　"Then, do you regret it now?"

　　The Daoist shook his head and answered the girl's question: "I don't regret it."

　　Jue knew a little about the Daoist's experiences and looked curiously at his dim, lifeless eyes. One of the women exclaimed: "It's really strange. I just went to see Zhuge Liang's betrothed wife. I felt that her appearance was very, very ordinary. He's so good-looking, why didn't he find a great beauty?"

　　"Because he himself is good-looking enough."

　　The Daoist replied calmly, "If he still intends to find a beautiful woman, he should look in the mirror himself."

　　"Only when talent and virtue are equal can his future be less boring."

　　The Heavenly Maidens looked at the Daoist in astonishment.

　　The Daoist curled the corner of his mouth and said, "That's what he said himself."

　　On this afternoon, Zhuge Liang, having learned the news, rushed back, carrying his zither. He sat directly on the big rock outside the Daoist's door and sang loudly:

　　"The moon rises bright, a beautiful person is graceful, her figure is slender and winding, my heart is troubled and sad."

　　He also sang loudly: "Guan Guan cry the ospreys, on the islet in the river. A virtuous and gentle maiden, a good match for a gentleman."

　　The melody was melodious, and the song was loud and clear.

　　Jue was a little lost.

　　This little brat.

　　The Daoist's forehead twitched. He got up and politely said, "Please wait a moment."

　　He stepped out, picked up the medicine hoe next to him, thought for a moment, and changed it to the nine-section staff.

　　It was easier to hit with this.

　　The triumphant young man sat cross-legged in the setting sun, winking.

　　Yuan drew out the nine-section staff and was about to hit him.

　　The young man turned and ran.

　　Unfortunately, Yuan lacked the strength and couldn't catch up with the young man. Only the young man, carrying his zither, ran quickly ahead, laughing and asking, "Yuan, who are those people? Could it be that they are the people you desire in your heart, which is why you rejected my second sister? If that's the case, I can ask Mr. Shui Jing and Pang Degong to propose marriage on your behalf."

　　"How about it?"

　　Yuan leaned on the nine-section staff, panting as he supported his back, and said:

　　"You, come here, give me a hand."

　　The young man hesitated for a long time, but still approached reluctantly. Finally, Yuan grabbed him and gave him a good beating, lecturing him on what a gentleman should say carefully. When the two returned, the girls had already left.

　　Under the moonlight, only Jue, the youngest, was still there. She turned around, smiled, and nodded:

　　"Then, Daoist, Young Master Zhuge, farewell."

　　"I will come back to ask you that question."

　　"We will see you again another day."

　　Yuan looked at the girl and nodded, saying, "We will see you again another day."

　　These women, whose identities were unknown, left. The days in Nanyang passed slowly. Eventually, the young man's second sister left Nanyang and married Pang Shanmin, the son of Pang Degong. On that day, the Daoist only sent a sachet of insect repellent, and the gentle girl returned an old but clean Daoist robe.

　　The young man was silent that day, only saying, "Teacher Yuan, why?"

　　The Daoist stroked the fine stitches on the Daoist robe, saying in an indistinguishable tone:

　　"The world is not yet settled."

　　"How can I have a family?"

　　"Besides, you know my health. I don't know when I will die."

　　"Naturally, I can't burden others."

　　The young man was silent for a long time, pursed his lips, and said, "Don't worry."

　　"I will take care of you in your old age."

　　"My sons and grandsons will also offer incense to you."

　　"As for burdening you... this is nothing. Just live a good life."

　　"When you get old, I will take care of you."

　　The young man turned and left, his footsteps heavy. Slowly, only he, Zhuge Jun, and the Daoist were left in Nanyang. This peace lasted until one day, when that man reappeared in the lives of Yuan and Zhuge.

　　It was the young wanderer who had told Yuan about the wishes of the common people when he was a boy.

　　He had once stopped Cao Mengde, and now he had a reputation in the world.

　　The young man, now twenty-seven years old, told Yuan solemnly, "I'm going to help him."

　　Yuan was silent, his tone stiff, "He only has a small number of troops and is wandering everywhere."

　　"I forbid it!"

　　His tone paused, and his voice softened, comforting him, "Your talent is rare in my life."

　　"If you cultivate in peace, you will definitely become a true cultivator, a rare sight in a thousand years, who can found a sect and establish a school."

　　"But if you enter the world, you will definitely face a deadly disaster."

　　Therefore, the young man hesitated for a long time, but he finally decided to leave the mountain after being invited by that hero again and again. Yuan was physically weak and could only watch him leave. Only he and Zhuge Jun were left in Nanyang. As he watched the young man leave, he suddenly remembered something from almost thirty years ago.

　　At that time, the young Daoist with dimples when he smiled told him.

　　When he went down the mountain, his teacher had told him not to get close to war and matters of fortune.

　　Otherwise, he would face a deadly disaster, but as long as he cultivated in peace, he would have the Daoist attainment of a thousand-year-old true cultivator.

　　And now,

　　The child who once listened to his teacher's stories was now advising his own disciple.

　　And the disciple also did not listen to him.

　　And stepped into the world.

　　"Yuan, don't worry."

　　"Although the world is in chaos, I will definitely be able to bring stability to the people. When that time comes, I will return to Nanyang. I won't be an official. We will cultivate the land ourselves, read books, play the zither, and continue to have a big dream in the afternoon. By then, you should be old, right?"

　　He smiled and said, "It doesn't matter, I'll take care of you."

　　He waved his hand.

　　Then he turned around and walked away, gradually disappearing into the distance.

　　ps: Today's update is three thousand four hundred words. Please take a half-day off to polish it……… Thank you Alkander for the 50,000 starting coins~

　　Regarding Zhuge Wu Hou's character, from my personal point of view, I trust historical records, but I won't over-speculate with my own judgment. I trust the reactions of people of that era more.

　　The evaluations of people of the same era are more reliable than those of later generations, and the evaluations of people from the Shu region are more reliable than those of the other countries.

　　The reactions of people without political positions or family interests are even more valuable.

　　The Ji Han Dynasty is gone, but the people of Shu spontaneously worship Wu Hou, and the incense has been burning for two thousand years. Among the emperors and generals of the world, who else can do this? If this is all against the will of the people, what is it? The people of this land are mostly simple. If you are good to me, I will remember it... If it is said that this can be done through power and conspiracy, can the two cross two thousand years?