Mythical Three Kingdoms

"Yo, a new guy has arrived. Haha, wearing Shu Brocade silk like this—what a talent!" Chen Xi stared at the man outside the city gates, who rode in on horseback dressed in extravagant Shu Brocade silk but exuded a roguish flair. Could this be the aura of a professional rogue?

"He looks somewhat familiar. Let me think... Where have I seen him before?" Liu Bei squinted as he gazed at the man below, whose luxurious attire was matched by a delinquent, carefree demeanor. Why Liu Bei could immediately recognize such an aura was simple—he too had once been like this.

"Seen him before?" Chen Xi scratched his head. "One of our men? If someone in our ranks dresses so ostentatiously, I'd surely remember. Lord Xuande, where did you see him?"

"I've forgotten… I just feel like his face is familiar." Liu Bei furrowed his brow, clearly having an impression but unable to pinpoint where he had encountered him.

"Maybe it was a long time ago, or perhaps just a fleeting glance one year. Such a strikingly dressed individual, you'd think they'd leave a lasting memory." Chen Xi leaned forward to study the man, whose pace slowed as he approached. With palpable curiosity, he spoke again.

"Perhaps," Liu Bei murmured with a nod. As Chen Xi pointed out, someone dressed like this is indeed unforgettable upon first sight.

While Chen Xi and Liu Bei were chatting idly, the rogue below the city gates began restrainedly shedding his roguish air. He quietly adjusted his outfit, and before long, the bizarre aura faded. Replacing it was an understated sense of calm confidence.

This sudden transformation left Liu Bei and Chen Xi stunned. Upon a closer look, the man on horseback, who had once seemed an incongruous rogue in refined clothing, now looked like a cultured and self-assured scholar.

"What a stark contrast!" Chen Xi clicked his tongue in amazement. If he hadn't been watching closely, he would never have guessed that the previous disheveled rogue could suddenly morph into someone with such a lofty, scholarly gravitas.

"Unbelievable, it's like he's become a different person. That inherent rogue-like aura has been swept away, replaced by the elegance of a learned sage, reminiscent of Zichuan and Wen Ru," Liu Bei exclaimed in astonishment. "Let's go down and meet him—someone of this caliber is surely worth an introduction!"

"I think I know who he is now." Chen Xi stroked his chin and smiled. "Lord Xuande, the esteemed scholar you've been waiting for has arrived."

Xu Shu adjusted his outfit atop the White Horse before stepping forward to the gates of Fenggao City. For four years, he had waited for this moment. At last, he was qualified to stand here.

"I'm here," Xu Shu remarked, his steed standing still at the imposing city gates. Gazing upon the lavish sights of Mount Tai and the camps stationed in the distance, he whispered solemnly to himself. He had managed to arrive just before Liu Bei's northern campaign against Yuan Shao.

"What's the deal with this guy standing here neither going in nor leaving? Sure, the gates are large enough for one person to block them without much issue, but if everyone acted like him, Fenggao's passage would be impossible!" complained Wei Yan, who held a conscription order and had recruited a city management squad before heading out to gather soldiers. He was visibly annoyed by Xu Shu obstructing the gates.

Wei Yan didn't bother to lower his voice when speaking. The uninhibited demeanor inherited from Guan Yu's "respect for ability" was alive and well in Wei Yan, though Guan Ping, his own son, didn't inherit it to the same extent.

Guan Ping sighed helplessly. He was used to Wei Yan's brashness and found little worth saying about his behavior. On the other hand, Guan Ping made no attempt to intervene, as his upbringing had shaped his tolerance for such matters.

"Brother, would you mind moving aside? Standing in the middle of the city gates obstructs the flow of others," Guan Ping stepped forward and spoke courteously, bowing his fists in salute.

"Just feeling a bit nervous," Xu Shu seemed only now to snap out of his thoughts. He then slowly turned his gaze toward Wei Yan, causing him to suddenly feel an overwhelming pressure. Afterward, Xu Shu shifted his attention to Guan Ping.

Wei Yan's expression darkened. Xu Shu's glance revealed far more than it should have. Not even a top-tier sage can channel spiritual power so effortlessly before experiencing its first transcendence. Yet Xu Shu had done so effortlessly, leaving Wei Yan with a lingering sense of awe. Among Mount Tai's civil officials, few possessed such ability.

"I beg your pardon, sir. Standing in the gates does somewhat hinder traffic flow. As for my earlier blunt words, I ask for your forgiveness," said Wei Yan, bowing his head decisively to Xu Shu.

Respecting talent had always been a guiding principle for Wei Yan, and the young, seemingly weathered man before him radiated a strikingly intimidating capability.

"Four years... Only upon reaching here did I find myself unable to take a single step further. Many words were spoken before, but now all I can do is quietly stand here," Xu Shu murmured to himself, ignoring Wei Yan as he sank into his own thoughts.

[Four years?] Wei Yan's immediate reaction was to associate the man with the early days of Mount Tai's establishment. To Wei Yan, anyone who had pledged loyalty to Liu Bei during that era was essentially a miraculous figure.

"May I know your name, sir? I am Wei Yan, Wei Wenchang, and this gentleman is my brother, Guan Ping, Guan Tanzhi." Wei Yan addressed Xu Shu directly.

"Xu Yuanzhi, you've finally arrived!" Just as Xu Shu was about to reply, Liu Bei's hearty laughter rang out. Xu Shu dismounted quickly and bowed deeply toward Liu Bei. "Lord, your humble servant has finally completed his studies and now dares to meet you. I beseech your forgiveness!"

This was the cleanest approach Liu Bei had ever experienced in recruiting top talent. As soon as Liu Bei arrived, Xu Shu knelt and openly addressed him as "Lord."

"Yuanzhi, please rise! Please rise! Back then, I vowed to leave a seat vacant for you. After all these years, the position remains unfilled, awaiting your return," Liu Bei stepped forward hastily to help Xu Shu up. Though the assistant official's position technically no longer needed filling due to Li Youu's excellent management, Liu Bei had truly reserved it for Xu Shu—so long, in fact, that he'd almost forgotten.

"Ahem." Chen Xi coughed lightly twice. "Yuanzhi, if you keep loitering here, you're bound to attract a crowd. Let's head to Lord Xuande's home and discuss things further. You two, come along as well—there are matters to sort out."

With that, Chen Xi smiled and led the way. Lingering here would inevitably draw attention. Liu Bei's growing reputation in Mount Tai, coupled with his approachable nature, meant many knew him personally. Staying put would certainly result in onlookers gathering.

"Come, Yuanzhi, let's go to my home and recount the sorrows of these separated years," Liu Bei said with a booming laugh. Whether it was "spending gold for a worthy steed" or Chen Xi's remark that "Xu Yuanzhi is a rare talent," all of it justified Liu Bei's joyous reception toward Xu Shu.

Seeing Xu Shu reminded Liu Bei of his earlier journey to Yingchuan in search of talent. Accompanying him then had only been Chen Xi—and ultimately, the only person Liu Bei recruited was Chen Xi. Looking back, Liu Bei reflected on how truly lucky he was to have met Chen Xi lost on the road. Who knows where history would have veered without that serendipitous encounter? (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian.com to vote for recommendations and tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)