"Peach Blossom Spring?!" Huang Zhong's pupils contracted sharply. He instinctively tightened his grip on the hardwood bow beside him, his body tensing slightly. "You're the one who... wiped out the Water Ghost Gang..."
"I had no choice but to rid the people of that menace," Chen Yu finished for him, his tone sincere. "I haven't come to provoke trouble. I heard of your plight, old general, and came expressly to help."
"Help?" Huang Zhong gave a cold laugh, his eyes wary. "I'm merely a commoner, reduced to this state. What about me warrants your help? Or do you also want to recruit me to rob and plunder?" He clearly regarded Peach Blossom Spring as just another bandit force.
Chen Yu shook his head and said solemnly, "You misunderstand, old general. We of Peach Blossom Spring are no bandits. We have banded together only to find a place to settle in these troubled times and protect the peace of the local people. I can see that you are no ordinary man. Would you truly resign yourself to having your descendants trapped forever in this filthy place, bullied by petty villains? Ordinary medicines may struggle to cure your son's illness at its root. I may have a method worth trying."
As he spoke, Chen Yu extended a finger. With a slight stir of his will, a barely perceptible wisp of Arceus's power (Life Creation), brimming with vitality, curled around his fingertip. He gently touched the earthenware pot in which the medicine was brewing.
In an instant, the medicinal liquid seemed to be infused with vitality, bubbling even more fiercely as a medicinal fragrance several times richer than before spread through the air. Even a few wilted, yellowing herbs on the neighboring stall visibly unfurled some of their leaves!
Huang Zhong's eyes widened as he watched in disbelief. He had weathered many storms in his life, yet he had never seen such a miraculous feat! This was not martial prowess or medical skill. This was simply... Immortal Arts!
"Th-this is..." Huang Zhong's voice trembled a little.
"Merely a small ability of mine." Chen Yu withdrew his finger and said calmly, "I can do my utmost to treat your son. If you are willing, old general, you may also bring him with me to Peach Blossom Spring. Life there may be austere, but there is no oppressive rule or bullying, and we have skilled physicians and good medicine. Your abilities ought to be used to uphold justice, not buried here."
Looking into Chen Yu's clear, sincere eyes, sensing the rich medicinal fragrance and seeing the changes in the surrounding herbs, Huang Zhong felt his wariness gradually give way to tremendous hope and astonishment. Proud all his life, he had never readily submitted to anyone, but the youth before him was mysterious, powerful, and benevolent (at least, so it currently seemed). More importantly, he had offered hope of saving his son!
Just then, the coughing inside the shack grew worse, and Huang Xu began to groan in pain. Huang Zhong's expression changed, and he hurried inside.
Chen Yu did not follow him, waiting quietly instead. A moment later, Huang Zhong emerged, his face marked by struggle and resolve. He bowed deeply to Chen Yu. "If... if you can truly save my son, Master Chen, then Huang Zhong... this old life of mine is yours!"
[Huang Zhong loyalty +50, current loyalty 60 (gratitude)]
Chen Yu hurried to help him up. "That is far too much, old general! Saving lives and tending the injured is only my duty. There is no time to lose. Let us treat your son now."
Just as Chen Yu was about to follow Huang Zhong into the shack, a youthful voice, languid and faintly teasing, sounded from beside them:
"Tsk, tsk. What an impressive display of Immortal Arts, 'turning stone into gold'! No wonder you could wipe out the Water Ghost Gang without a sound. Master Chen... the lord of Peach Blossom Spring, you certainly live up to your reputation."
Startled, Chen Yu abruptly turned his head. At some unknown point, a delicate-featured boy of about ten had seated himself on a battered wooden crate piled with odds and ends nearby. He wore a scholar's robe washed pale with age, and his face had a sickly pallor, yet his eyes were extraordinarily keen, as though they could see through everything. He lounged against the crate, watching Chen Yu with a smile while toying with a blade of grass.
Chen Yu had completely failed to notice when he had appeared! Even Zhao Yun, who possessed Reshiram's power and was exceptionally sensitive to "truth," had not noticed this person watching them!
This boy was no ordinary person!
Huang Zhong also tightened his grip on his bow warily, positioning himself between Chen Yu and the shack.
The boy slowly slid off the crate, brushed the dust from his clothes, and yawned before lazily cupping his hands in greeting. "Don't be alarmed, you three. I am Guo Jia, courtesy name Guo Fengxiao, merely an impoverished scholar. I mean no harm. I simply saw this gentleman's miraculous ability and came to meet him out of curiosity."
Guo Jia?! Guo Fengxiao, the uncanny strategist!
Chen Yu's heart stirred once more! The system interface flashed again:
[Potential bestowal target with high compatibility detected! Guo Jia (compatibility 95%, recommended template: Uxie (knowledge/forgetfulness))]
It really was him! No wonder he possessed such stealth and insight! Uxie, the god of knowledge and forgetfulness, was a perfect match for Guo Jia's flawless calculations, insight into human hearts, and penchant for daring, unconventional schemes!
Suppressing his shock, Chen Yu kept his expression composed and returned the greeting. "So you are Master Guo. What advice brings you here?"
Guo Jia approached, studying Chen Yu with interest before glancing at the wary Huang Zhong. Finally, his gaze settled on the medicine pot. He drew a deep breath, an entranced expression spreading across his face. "Such pure life energy... your ability borders on the Dao, sir." Then he changed tack, a glint of sharpness flashing through his languid eyes. "But do you know that possessing a treasure can itself invite trouble? There are quite a few people in Bluestone Town, and even among the upper ranks of the Flower Country, who are coveting this 'treasure' of yours."
At these words, Huang Zhong's expression grew even graver.
Chen Yu's thoughts raced. Guo Jia seemed languid and unrestrained, but his words revealed a thorough knowledge of Peach Blossom Spring and Chen Yu's attempt to recruit Huang Zhong. He had even pointed out their current crisis! If such an ingenious man could be brought into his service, he would surely make a first-rate military adviser! Yet he was also unpredictable in temperament and difficult to fathom.
"You are well informed, Master Guo," Chen Yu said calmly. "What counsel would you offer me?"
Guo Jia smiled, stepped closer, and lowered his voice, his tone carrying a hint of irreverence. "I wouldn't presume to offer counsel. I merely thought that rather than wait for the Happo Navy to come knocking, why not... strike first? For instance, make certain people who keep sending reports... shut their mouths forever?" He drew a hand across his throat, yet his eyes remained utterly clear, as though he were discussing something trivial.
Chen Yu inwardly tensed. Just as in history, Guo Jia truly excelled at unconventional schemes and risky moves! Dangerous though this plan was, it might be the quickest way to break the current deadlock! But the risk was immense. One failure would mean utter ruin.
Should he take the risk of accepting this "uncanny strategist" and use his dangerous plan? Or play it safe, avoid the immediate threat, and accelerate development?
Chen Yu looked into Guo Jia's eyes, which seemed capable of seeing through people's hearts, then glanced at Huang Zhong beside him, filled with hope over his son's illness. In an instant, he made his decision.
Seeking victory amid danger was what showed a hero's true mettle! He would recruit Guo Fengxiao, no matter what!
"Your words are like sunlight breaking through the clouds." The corners of Chen Yu's mouth lifted, and a sharp light flashed in his eyes. "Would you be willing to join us in playing this 'risky move'?"
At this, Guo Jia laughed heartily, his laughter filled with the delight of finding a kindred spirit. But then he coughed twice, a faint flush rising to his pale cheeks. "Wonderful! Wonderful! That is precisely what I wished for, but dared not ask! It is time this stagnant pool was stirred! I am willing to follow you, sir, and see just what sort of blessed haven this Peach Blossom Spring truly is! I only hope you won't consider my frail, sickly body a burden."
[Guo Jia loyalty +45, current loyalty 55 (curiosity/opportunism)]
Recruiting Huang Zhong and unexpectedly meeting Guo Jia, all in such a short time-Chen Yu's gains from this infiltration of Bluestone Town far exceeded his expectations. Yet danger was also imminent. Under this uncanny strategist's planning, a storm aimed at the key figures of the garrison headquarters was about to unfold in silence. Peach Blossom Spring's fate had reached a critical crossroads.
Before you continue