Chapter 2164 - 1919: Scheming
"You all saw those people, didn't you? They arrived a little earlier than you, and now they can wander around and even climb the mountains. Of course, their strength has increased significantly compared to before. You can train here!" Li Jue pointed to Gao Lan who appeared behind him and said.
"Now, each of you set up camp. You now have the qualifications to reside here." Li Jue roared with satisfaction at those in front of him. The quality of this group is already very high.
With Li Jue's command, all soldiers who could still stand began to camp on the spot. Zhuge Liang, on the other hand, took the carriage to the residence Li Jue had prepared long ago. It must be said that although this army allowed military officers of a certain rank to bring their families, only Zhuge Liang did so this time.
After Li Jue finished giving orders, Gao Lan brought his deputy general to greet Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, and others. As for Liu Bei's side, Gao Lan seeing Wei Yan recalled Guan Yu.
"Wen Yuan, Gongzheng, it's been a long time." Gao Lan clasped his fists and saluted, no longer having the previous decadence; his aura now rivals anyone present.
"Congratulations, it seems you've recovered." Zhang Liao rode over and saluted. When Gao Lan was dispirited, Zhang Liao felt it was a pity, but now it is clear Gao Lan has recovered and is stronger than before.
"Don't resent him. This place is a treasure trove where soldiers can improve even while resting. Willing to bring you here means recognition of your abilities. But whose soldiers are those?" Gao Lan pointed in the direction of the Elite of Danyang and said.
The entire army now seemed incredibly exhausted, except for two legions that still scanned left and right with sharp eyes.
"Those are the Elite of Danyang." Gao Shun glanced at the Danyang Troops, which are among the few that can challenge his Super Elite Legion.
"Indeed formidable. But everyone who's come this time has very high qualities." Gao Lan watched the soldiers within the legion and said softly.
"Regardless of whether it's generals or soldiers, their quality is very high because they are meticulously selected from the next generation." Zhang Liao said with a smile.
As Zhang Liao and Gao Shun chatted with Gao Lan, Guo Si and Fan Chou hurriedly with sword and blade, ready to kill the shamaness Li Jue picked up.
Listening to the noise outside, the shamaness knew the army had returned. Silently, she flicked her sleeve and knelt before a case, recalling the past. An indescribable resentment rose in her heart but quickly returned to normal.
"Marquis of Meiyang and the others will probably come looking for me soon." The shamaness knelt before the case, quietly waiting for the two to arrive. Soon, there was a clattering sound, not dense but indicating more than one person.
"Indeed these two came together, probably intending to kill me." The shamaness calmly closed her eyes as she heard the door of her room open with a crash.
"Don't know what business brings the two generals here?" The shamaness said slowly, eyes closed and back turned to Guo Si and the others.
"Still pretending to be mystical. I'll give you a slash today and see if you can continue. Zhiran trusts divination, but losing a shamaness can be replaced. Can you foresee this is your day of death?" Guo Si said arrogantly.
The shamaness rose slowly, her dark Confucian Robe swaying slightly as she stood, then turned to look at Guo Si and Fan Chou. An inexplicable aura made them pause.
In the darkness, one couldn't see her face, but could sense the sinister demeanor, a cold aura – a scent familiar to Xiliang's various generals. At this moment, the shamaness in dark robes suddenly had seven-tenths of Li Ru's former aura.
"Who are you!" Guo Si hesitated. These people had obvious shortcomings, either being suspicious or lacking intelligence. The aura the shamaness displayed clearly made Guo Si hesitate; her demeanor gave him a feeling of closeness.
"General, no need to know who I am. What might interest General more is whether I am harmful or beneficial. Divination is merely for survival. If General wants the divination's answers, feel free to ask." The shamaness said coldly.
Guo Si and Fan Chou hesitated; finally, Guo Si decided, "You should not speak aimlessly to Zhiran. If I find you speaking recklessly next time, I will stab you!"
"What if my words are reasonable?" The shamaness asked, eyes closed as everything proceeded as she predicted, without deviation. [Next should be Zhuge Liang, Sima Yi, and the others. They will be smarter than Guo Si and Fan Chou but also easier to deal with. Precisely because they are smart, it makes them easier to handle.]
"If your words are reasonable, then I won't stop you." Guo Si snorted coldly, unaware that this sentence, given the shamaness's association with Li Jue, upon getting these two's acknowledgment, with real talent, she could implicitly control the army.
"Thank you both. Please remember today's promise for future days." The shamaness bowed slowly. Guo Si and Fan Chou gave her a cold glance. If before, she had seven-tenths of Li Ru's aura, this bow completely removed it.
Precisely because this aura was gone, this contrast change made Guo Si and Fan Chou deeply remember this scene; they snorted coldly and left directly.
Watching Guo Si and Fan Chou's backs, the shamaness silently sat down again. So much was lost, so much growth achieved, and now she finally obtained what she wanted as quickly as possible. From now on, simply revealing her abilities step by step would be enough.
If only she hadn't wasted so much time in the beginning, she only came a little earlier than Zhuge Liang and others. She would have long succeeded in gaining this group's trust; otherwise, she wouldn't have been forced into such a situation, having to take risky measures. But in the end, she has crossed this hurdle.
[What makes Zheng Nan formidable isn't planning, Chen Gongtai is inconsistent in strength, but Zhuge Kongming and Sima Zhongda excel in all aspects. Their suspicions must be eliminated; otherwise, if targeted by them, her skills cannot be fully utilized.] The shamaness thought silently in the darkness.
[No, if given their trust, there would be more issues; Sima Zhongda is exceptionally suspicious. Zhuge Kongming supposedly has higher wisdom, but isn't suspicious. Make him doubt, yet reveal some things, enticing him to speculate, then perhaps some problems can be washed away.] The shamaness quietly picked up the black folding fan at her waist.
"Jia Wenhe, now is the time to see your status." The shamaness whispered coldly, turning the dark, heavy folding fan in her hand, [However, damn you, Jia Wenhe!]