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80.98% Reborn In The Three Kingdoms / Chapter 537: 515. Oriole Agents Protecting Zhuge Liang Whereabouts

Capítulo 537: 515. Oriole Agents Protecting Zhuge Liang Whereabouts

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___________________________

Liu Bei was deep in thought when a court official entered the hall, bowing respectfully before stepping forward with a scroll in hand. "My lord," the official began, his voice steady but carrying an undercurrent of urgency, "a traveling scholar has arrived from the southern regions of Jing Province. He brings news of three hermits who are said to possess unparalleled wisdom and insight. It is also said that these men have trained students who are now becoming renowned as the brightest strategists in the land."

Liu Bei's interest was piqued immediately. He had always placed great importance on surrounding himself with skilled advisers, recognizing that he needed such people who could be the difference between victory and defeat in realizing his ambition. The prospect of discovering men who could offer him that kind of wisdom was too tantalizing to ignore.

"Tell me more," Liu Bei said, sitting up straighter in his chair, his eyes focused intently on the official. "Who are these hermits, and what do we know of their abilities?"

The official unfurled the scroll and began to read. "The scholar spoke of three men, recluses who live near the southern mountains of Jing Province. They have lived in seclusion for many years, shunning the politics of the land, but those who have spoken to them claim their knowledge of governance, military strategy, and philosophy is unrivaled. Among their students are two men who have already garnered significant attention in the surrounding area. One is known as the Fledgling Phoenix, and the other as the Sleeping Dragon. These young men are said to be destined to shape the future of the land."

Liu Bei's brow furrowed in contemplation. He had heard vague rumors about these hermit figures before, whispered among scholars and travelers, but this was the first time he had received a direct report. The names "Fledgling Phoenix" and "Sleeping Dragon" intrigued him deeply.

"The Fledgling Phoenix and the Sleeping Dragon..." Liu Bei repeated, the weight of the names lingering in his mind. "What do we know of them specifically?"

The official nodded and continued, "The Fledgling Phoenix is said to be a man of unparalleled intelligence and strategic insight. Despite his youth, those who have met him say that his grasp of statecraft and military affairs rivals even the most seasoned advisers. As for the Sleeping Dragon, his wisdom is considered so profound that he is said to be able to foresee the movements of the world, anticipating shifts in power and events with an almost mystical clarity with a high understanding of statecraft and military affairs."

Liu Bei leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. He had been struggling for years to find his footing in the war-torn land and realize his ambition. Despite his charisma and the loyalty of his men, he lacked the kind of grand strategist that other warlords like Cao Cao, Sun Ce, and Lie Fan possessed.

If even half of what the official was saying about these men was true, gaining the loyalty of either the Fledgling Phoenix or the Sleeping Dragon—or both—could change everything.

"And these men," Liu Bei asked, "are they still in Jing Province? Is there any indication of where we might find them?"

The official looked up from the scroll. "According to the scholar, they remain near the mountain where their hermit masters live. However, their whereabouts are closely guarded. It is said that they only reveal themselves to those they deem worthy. Many have sought their wisdom, but few have been granted an audience."

Liu Bei stood, his eyes blazing with determination. "I must meet them. If what this scholar says is true, then these men could be the key to securing the future not just for Jing Province, but for all of China. Send word to the scholar and offer him whatever resources he needs to locate these hermits and their students. I will make the journey myself if necessary."

The court official bowed deeply and hurried to relay Liu Bei's instructions. As he left, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, who had been standing quietly at the edges of the hall, stepped forward.

"Elder Brother," Zhang Fei said, his booming voice echoing through the chamber, "do you truly believe these recluses will make a difference? We've fought with strength and honor for years now. Do we really need more scholars like Kuai Liang and Ju Shou whispering in our ears?"

Liu Bei turned to his sworn brothers, his expression earnest while inwardly his heart was a bit gloomy with the stupid words Zhang Fe had just said. "Third Brother, strength and honor have carried us this far, but the world is changing. Cao Cao, Sun Ce, and Lie Fan have advisors who shape their strategies, men like Xun Yu, Guo Jia, Jia Xu, Xun You, and Zhou Yu. Without wisdom to match theirs, our swords alone will not be enough to secure victory. We need men who can see beyond the battlefield, who can help us navigate the currents of power in this land."

Guan Yu, ever the more contemplative of the two, nodded slowly. "Elder Brother is right, Third Brother. A general like us can win battles, but a strategist can win wars. If these men are truly as wise as the rumors suggest, they could give us the edge we need in battling against Cao Cao, Sun Ce, and Lie Fan."

Zhang Fei crossed his arms and huffed, though he did not disagree further. "Fine, fine. But I still say we don't need any sleeping dragons or fledgling phoenixes. Just point me toward the enemy, and I'll take care of the rest."

Liu Bei with his acting skills smiled faintly, knowing that despite Zhang Fei's gruff demeanor, brashness, and idiotic thinking, he would support any course of action that Liu Bei deemed necessary.

His trust in Liu Bei was absolute, and that loyalty was much more valuable than any number of strategies for Liu Bei, because he was an idiot that he could fully control for him.

Unfortunately for Liu Bei, fate had other plans. As the wheels of his ambitious search for the reclusive Zhuge Liang and his masters began to turn, far more sinister forces for him were already in motion.

The Oriole agents had been operating in Jing Province for some time, gathering intelligence and keeping a watchful eye on anything that might shift the balance of power in the region. When they caught wind of Liu Bei's search for these famed hermits, they moved swiftly and silently.

The Oriole agents were skilled in the art of espionage, trained to blend into the shadows and strike without warning. They knew that if Liu Bei succeeded in contacting Zhuge Liang, their heads rolling would be the outcome.

For their lord, Lie Fan, Zhuge Liang is already his advisor, and could not afford to allow his handpicked advisor to fall into Liu Bei's hands. The agents wasted no time in following Liu Bei's men, who had been dispatched to negotiate with the traveling scholar.

For three days, the Oriole agents tracked Liu Bei's men through the rural roads of Jing Province. They kept their distance, moving with the precision of seasoned hunters. The men they followed had no idea they were being watched. On the third day, their patience paid off. Liu Bei's men finally met with the scholar who had brought news of Zhuge Liang and his masters.

The meeting took place in a small, unassuming village nestled between the hills. The village was quiet, and the sound of wind rustling through the trees was the only thing that accompanied their conversation.

The leader of Liu Bei's men, a grizzled veteran named Chen Hong, approached the scholar, handing him a pouch filled with silver coins and scrolls of promises for more resources.

"This is from Lord Liu Bei," Chen Hong said in a low voice, glancing around cautiously, as though expecting prying eyes. "He is deeply interested in what you've told him. These resources are yours as agreed upon. In return, he expects you to provide any further information you uncover about the hermits and, most importantly, the location of this Sleeping Dragon, Zhuge Liang."

The scholar, a wiry man with sharp eyes and a weathered face, nodded, pocketing the silver with a satisfied smile. "You have my word. I will continue to seek out more information. Zhuge Liang is elusive, but I have friends in the region. I will find him."

Chen Hong bowed his head slightly. "Good. Lord Liu Bei believed that this Zhuge Liang could be the key to restoring the Han and bringing peace to the land. He will be generous to those who help him in this endeavor."

As Chen Hong and his men turned to leave, the Oriole agents, hidden among the nearby trees, exchanged knowing glances. They had heard enough. They waited until Chen Hong's group disappeared down the road before making their move.

The scholar was walking toward his horse, preparing to depart when the Oriole agents struck. They moved swiftly, surrounding him before he had a chance to draw his weapon or call for help. One agent, dressed in a simple villager's tunic, pressed a dagger to the scholar's throat while another, their leader, stepped forward.

"Stay quiet, and you'll live a little longer," the leader hissed, his voice cold and sharp.

The scholar froze, his eyes wide with fear. "Who… who are you?"

The leader of the Oriole agents smirked. "That's not important. What is important is the information you've been feeding to Liu Bei. We know you've been looking into the hermits of Jing Province. We know you're trying to find Zhuge Liang. Tell us how you came by this information. Now."

The scholar, trembling, stammered, "I… I swear, I don't know much! I overheard rumors from traders traveling through the province. Some spoke of a reclusive strategist in the mountains. I pieced together what I could and brought the information to Liu Bei. I thought… I thought it might earn me a reward."

The leader narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the scholar's words. "And these rumors, where exactly did you hear them?"

The scholar gulped, beads of sweat forming on his brow. "Near Xiangyang. A group of traveling merchants spoke of three hermits living in the mountains south of the city. That's all I know, I swear!"

The leader of the Oriole agents nodded to one of his men, who promptly produced a piece of parchment and a quill. "Write down the exact details of what you heard, the names of these merchants, and the location where you met them."

The scholar's hands shook as he quickly scribbled down the information, his mind racing with the hope that he might somehow escape this encounter alive.

Once he finished, the leader glanced at the parchment, then folded it and slipped it into his tunic. "Thank you for your cooperation," he said with an unsettling smile. Then, without warning, he nodded to the agent holding the dagger.

The scholar's eyes widened in shock as the blade sliced across his throat. He collapsed to the ground, blood pooling beneath him as he gasped for air, his life quickly slipping away. The Oriole agents watched in silence as the scholar's final moments played out.

The leader of the agents wiped the blood from his blade and turned to his men. "Burn the body. Make sure there's nothing left for Liu Bei's men to find." One of the agents immediately set to work, gathering kindling from the surrounding area to start a fire.

The others dragged the scholar's body deeper into the woods, where they set it ablaze, ensuring that all traces of the man and his information were erased. The leader of the Oriole agents watched the flames for a moment before turning to his second-in-command. "We need to report this to Lord Lie Fan immediately. If Liu Bei is looking for Zhuge Liang, we need to ensure that he never finds him."

____________________________

Name: Lie Fan

Title: Overlord Of The Central Plains

Age: 32 (199 AD)

Level: 16

Next Level: 462,000

Renown: 1325

Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)

SP: 1,121,700

ATTRIBUTE POINTS

STR: 951 (+20)

VIT: 613 (+20)

AGI: 598 (+10)

INT: 617

CHR: 96

WIS: 519

WILL: 407

ATR Points: 0


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Capítulo 538: 516. Liu Bei's Suspicion

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___________________________

The others dragged the scholar's body deeper into the woods, where they set it ablaze, ensuring that all traces of the man and his information were erased. The leader of the Oriole agents watched the flames for a moment before turning to his second-in-command. "We need to report this to Lord Lie Fan immediately. If Liu Bei is looking for Zhuge Liang, we need to ensure that he never finds him."

Back in Xiapi, Lie Fan was reviewing a map of the region when an Oriole agent interrupted him with a letter filled with the report of the Oriole agents in Jing Province. The agent stepped forward, kneeling before Lie Fan.

"My lord," he said, "we have revived a letter from Jing Province, where the Oriole agents there have dealt with a scholar who was providing information to Liu Bei. He will no longer be a problem."

Lie Fan's eyes narrowed as he looked down at the agent and took the letter from the agent's hand. "And what of Zhuge Liang? Has Liu Bei discovered his location?"

The agent shook his head. "No, my lord. The scholar had only rumors to go on. He had no solid information about Zhuge Liang's exact whereabouts. We made sure to eliminate him before he could learn more."

Lie Fan's lips curled into a satisfied smile. "Good. Zhuge Liang is too valuable a prize to fall into Liu Bei's hands. We cannot allow him to gain such a future brilliant strategist."

The Oriole agent handed Lie Fan the parchment with the details the scholar had provided. "These are the locations where the scholar heard the rumors, but they are vague at best."

Lie Fan scanned the parchment, his eyes flicking over the names and places. "Even vague rumors can lead to something concrete if pursued. Send a team to investigate this further. But for now, Liu Bei is chasing shadows. He'll waste his time searching for a man who may as well be a ghost."

The Oriole agents bowed and took their leave, confident that their mission had been a success.

Lie Fan stood by the map, deep in thought. He held Zhuge Liang to the importance of his mind. His reputation from his past life as one of the brightest minds of this time was known across the land.

If Liu Bei managed to persuade or influence Zhuge Liang and recruit such a figure, it could shift the tide of power. But with the scholar eliminated and Liu Bei's information disrupted, Lie Fan felt secure, at least for the moment.

Several days later, Liu Bei grew anxious. Despite the resources he had provided to the scholar, there had been no further word. Chen Hong's men had scoured the area where they had last met the scholar but found no trace of him. It was as if he had vanished into thin air.

Liu Bei could not shake the feeling that something had gone terribly wrong.

The unease that gnawed at Liu Bei's heart was growing unbearable. He had always prided himself on his instincts, and right now, those instincts were screaming that something had gone terribly wrong with the scholar.

Despite his outward composure, Liu Bei was increasingly troubled by the lack of contact. A man driven by his ambition to restore the Han dynasty could not afford to lose such a promising lead on someone as valuable as Zhuge Liang.

One evening, after yet another day of waiting for news, Liu Bei could no longer suppress his anxiety. He summoned Kuai Liang, one of his trusted advisers, to discuss the matter. Kuai Liang had been with him through many trials and was known for his keen intellect and even-handedness in situations that often tested the patience of lesser men. Yet, even Kuai Liang, for all his wisdom, could not see past Liu Bei's carefully constructed facade of virtue and kindness.

When Kuai Liang arrived, Liu Bei greeted him with his usual serene and benevolent expression, masking the storm of emotions that roiled beneath. He gestured for Kuai Liang to sit, and once the adviser was settled, Liu Bei began.

"Master Kuai Liang, I have summoned you today because a matter weighs heavily on my heart. You may recall the scholar who visited us recently, bringing word of the reclusive strategists in Jing Province, most notably this 'Sleeping Dragon,' Zhuge Liang."

Kuai Liang nodded. "Yes, my lord, I remember. His information was intriguing, and if even half of it proves true, such a strategist could be invaluable to your cause."

Liu Bei sighed deeply, placing his hands on his knees as if burdened by the weight of responsibility. "I fear that something may have befallen the scholar. It has been days, and we have received no word from him or the men I sent to assist him. I wonder… could there be forces at work trying to thwart us? Could someone be preventing us from finding Zhuge Liang?"

Kuai Liang studied Liu Bei's face, unaware of the true calculation behind his master's seemingly virtuous concern. He was, after all, used to seeing Liu Bei as a paragon of righteousness, a leader driven by duty and compassion. With that perception in mind, Kuai Liang began to weigh the possibilities.

"My lord," Kuai Liang began carefully, "there are two likely scenarios that come to mind, and I offer them to you as objectively as I can. The first is that your instincts are correct—that something unfortunate has indeed befallen the scholar. It is possible that a rival warlord or some other party with vested interests may be working against us. Such men would have much to gain by keeping someone like Zhuge Liang from joining your cause. If this is the case, we must act swiftly and decisively to investigate further, for it may be that we are being watched or hindered without our knowledge."

Liu Bei's face remained calm, though inwardly, he considered the possibility. There were certainly many who would have cause to disrupt his plans—Cao Cao, Sun Ce, and now Lie Fan, all of whom had ambitions as grand as his own. But as Kuai Liang continued, Liu Bei felt a different, more personal doubt creeping into his mind.

"The second possibility," Kuai Liang said, after a brief pause, "is that the scholar may not have been entirely trustworthy. It is not uncommon for men to exploit the hopes and ambitions of others for personal gain. He could have been a trickster, feeding us rumors he had overheard with the sole intention of enriching himself by way of the resources you provided him. Having received what he sought, he may now have fled, never intending to fulfill his promises."

The words hit Liu Bei like a bolt of lightning. His serene expression wavered, and for a brief moment, a flicker of anger and frustration crossed his face. The idea that the scholar had played him for a fool was infuriating. His mind raced through the possibilities. What if this man had been nothing more than a charlatan, taking advantage of his generosity? It wasn't the loss of resources that stung—it was the humiliation. How could a mere opportunist have tricked him so easily?

For a moment, Liu Bei's mask nearly slipped. His fingers tightened on his knees, and his jaw clenched as the anger rose within him. Yet, just as quickly as the fury had surged, he forced it down. He had spent years mastering the art of control, and now was not the time to reveal his true emotions. Instead, he did what he did best: he turned his anger into something more palatable—righteous indignation.

"No," Liu Bei said, his voice calm but tinged with conviction. "I do not believe the scholar was a trickster. I believe there are darker forces at play here. Someone does not want us to find Zhuge Liang. Someone who fears the potential of such a brilliant mind aligning with us. We must remain positive, Master Kuai, and trust that the scholar's intentions were good. There are sinister forces working against us, and I will not allow them to succeed."

Kuai Liang, convinced by Liu Bei's unwavering faith in the scholar's integrity, nodded solemnly. "If that is your belief, my lord, then I will do all that I can to assist in uncovering the truth. It is possible that agents of a rival warlord are involved. I will begin by investigating any suspicious movements in Jing Province and see if I can uncover any signs of foul play."

"Thank you, Master Kuai," Liu Bei said, a small, humble smile gracing his lips. "Your wisdom is invaluable, as always. Let us proceed with caution, but with hope that the truth will soon be revealed."

Kuai Liang bowed his head and left, unaware of the turmoil his words had caused within his lord's heart. Liu Bei sat in silence for a long time after Kuai Liang's departure, the smile on his face slowly fading. The idea that the scholar might have been a mere opportunist gnawed at him, and the anger he had suppressed began to simmer beneath the surface once more.

If Kuai Liang's second theory was true, then Liu Bei had been deceived. Worse, he had been made a fool in front of his sworn brothers and advisers, all of whom had trusted his judgment. He could not allow such a slight to go unanswered. But, if Kuai Liang's first theory was correct, and a rival was actively working against him, then the threat was even greater than he had initially thought.

As Liu Bei pondered the situation, a new idea began to form in his mind. If someone truly was trying to prevent him from finding Zhuge Liang, it would make sense to double his efforts. But this time, he would proceed with more caution.

No longer would he trust a single scholar or rumor to lead him to the brilliant strategist. He would send out multiple agents, including some of his most trusted men, to scour Jing Province for any trace of the Sleeping Dragon. He would also dispatch spies to monitor the movements of his rivals, particularly Lie Fan and Cao Cao.

If they were the ones responsible for the scholar's disappearance, Liu Bei would find out soon enough.

Over the following days, Liu Bei began to implement his new plan. He sent trusted envoys to Jing Province, instructing them to search discreetly for any leads on Zhuge Liang or the hermits rumored to be his teachers. At the same time, he ordered his spies to begin observing the movements of his rivals. If there were forces actively working against him, they would reveal themselves soon enough.

As the days turned into weeks, Liu Bei's anxiety did not abate. He received reports from his envoys, but none bore any substantial news. The trail seemed to have gone cold, and the scholar's disappearance remained a mystery.

However, Liu Bei's spies brought back some interesting information—there had been unusual movements from an unknown group inside Jing Province around the time of the scholar's disappearance. While the reports were vague, they hinted at the possibility that there was a warlord who was involved in this matter.

____________________________

Name: Lie Fan

Title: Overlord Of The Central Plains

Age: 32 (199 AD)

Level: 16

Next Level: 462,000

Renown: 1325

Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)

SP: 1,121,700

ATTRIBUTE POINTS

STR: 951 (+20)

VIT: 613 (+20)

AGI: 598 (+10)

INT: 617

CHR: 96

WIS: 519

WILL: 407

ATR Points: 0


REFLEXIONES DE LOS CREADORES
Tang12 Tang12

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