Chapter 004: If I do not cling to Liu Bei's mighty thigh, may thunder strike me down!

“Yin Ping, do not act rashly!” Liu Bei stopped his niece with a warning, forcing a bitter smile.

“If Jing Sheng did not trust me, why would he entrust me with the defense of Fancheng?”

“Even if he truly wanted to plant a spy beside me, he could have done so discreetly. Why go to the trouble of using you, Yin Ping, to arrange for such an eccentric person?”

Guan Yin Ping paused, her bright eyes shifting thoughtfully.

Strangely dressed, mysterious background, covered in “celestial items”...

Sending such an obvious figure as a spy seemed inconsistent with Liu Biao’s intelligence.

“Then who exactly is this Xiao He?” Zhang Fei scratched his head, clearly anxious.

“Mr. Xiao said he is a disciple of a reclusive sage, having lived in the mountains since childhood,” Liu Bei replied with a dismissive smile, waving his hand slightly.

“Enough. You need not be so suspicious. I believe that although Mr. Xiao has a mysterious background and behaves somewhat oddly, he harbors no ill intentions.”

“Even if his prophecies prove to be false alarms, it will not harm us.”

“If he wishes to stay, I will treat him with due respect. If he wants to leave, I will provide him with some travel expenses and send him off courteously.”

Liu Bei made his stance clear. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei exchanged a glance, unwilling to argue further.

Naturally, Guan Yin Ping dared not act rashly. She muttered softly as she loosened her grip on her sword.

“Our lord honors the virtuous and treats others sincerely. Truly, he embodies the spirit of our great ancestor.”

Zhuge Liang cupped his hands in admiration, then shifted the topic:

“Regardless of whether Xiao He’s predictions are true or false, Cao Cao is advancing southward, and great upheaval looms over Jingzhou.”

“Lord, we must prepare and plan ahead.”

Liu Bei’s expression grew alert. He led Zhuge Liang to the main hall to discuss strategies against Cao Cao’s invasion.

As they were about to leave, Liu Bei suddenly recalled something and turned back to instruct:

“Yin Ping, since you rescued this Xiao Bowen, it is your responsibility to look after him.”

“Remember to treat him with courtesy; do not be disrespectful.”

Guan Yin Ping was momentarily stunned, wanting to refuse, but Liu Bei had already turned and departed.

“Uncle, why must I look after him? If I had known this would cause so much trouble, I wouldn’t have rescued him...”

She muttered complaints under her breath, her bright eyes secretly peering through the door crack into the room.

Xiao He was now full and content, leisurely sipping tea, enjoying the comfort after a satisfying meal.

His handsome face came into Guan Yin Ping’s view.

“This man is indeed strange, but he does have a fine appearance...”

---

“Comfortable~~”

Xiao He rubbed his belly, letting out several satisfied burps as he savored the rare pleasure of a full meal.

With his stomach filled, it was time to plan for the future.

As a lone wanderer, unfamiliar with this land and without connections, he needed to find a strong ally to cling to.

At first, it made sense to head to Xuchang and join Cao Cao.

But he had been driven away by inexperienced Cao army guards who mistook him for a madman, forcing him to suffer greatly and nearly starve in the wild mountains.

No chance of joining Cao Cao now.

As for Sun Quan, the King of Wu in Wei...

Forget it. A man must have some integrity.

That left only Liu Bei.

No one is perfect. Both Liu Bei and Cao Cao have their strengths and weaknesses.

The key is that Liu Bei treats his subordinates with kindness.

When Xu Shu was forced to join Cao Cao to save his mother, Liu Bei parted amicably.

When Mi Fang defected to Wu causing Jingzhou’s fall and indirectly leading to Guan Yu’s death, Liu Bei did not blame Mi Zhu and continued to employ the Mi family.

When Huang Quan was compelled to surrender to Wei, Liu Bei still treated his family with respect and care.

Such a benevolent lord is hard to find even with a lantern.

Following Liu Bei may not bring great wealth or honor, but it should guarantee safety and peace in old age.

No need to constantly worry about which words might offend the lord or which actions breed suspicion.

Living with a lord is like living with a tiger—it’s no pleasant experience.

Besides, he had been fortunate enough to be rescued by Guan Yin Ping, serendipitously meet Liu Bei, and be treated with courtesy.

This must be fate!

If he did not seize this chance to secure a long-term place at Liu Bei’s side, would he not fear divine punishment?

Yes, he would firmly grasp Liu Bei’s leg!

A gleam of determination shone in Xiao He’s eyes.

However, following Liu Bei meant he had to be prepared for hardship.

Cao Cao’s army was soon to march south. Liu Zong surrendered to Cao Cao, forcing Liu Bei to cross the river southward. On the way to Jiangling, Cao’s troops caught up, nearly annihilating Liu Bei’s entire force.

After narrowly escaping death multiple times, they retreated to Jiangxia.

Many civil and military officials had surely fallen beneath Cao’s cavalry during that time.

Following Liu Bei meant facing this calamity and walking through the gates of hell.

“This ticket to survival must be taken, but I want the main course, not the bitter greens...”

Xiao He murmured while sipping his tea.

---

Three days later.

In the government hall, Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang, along with others, gathered around a map discussing defensive plans.

---

Footsteps sounded as a strategist entered, his expression grave.

“My lord, Yi Jibo has news.”

“Liu Jingsheng passed away several days ago!”

Jian Yong raised a silk letter and shouted as he entered.

Liu Bei’s body trembled.

Zhuge Liang’s face shifted slightly.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei exchanged a look of surprise.

Their eyes quickly met.

Could it be that Xiao Bowen’s prophecy was true?

Liu Bei stepped forward and snatched the secret message from Jian Yong’s hand.

Zhuge Liang and the others crowded around.

Liu Biao, upon hearing of Cao Cao’s southern advance, died from fear!

Cai Mao and Kuai Yue declared they had followed Liu Biao’s orders to enthrone his second son, Liu Zong, as the new governor of Jingzhou!

The black-on-white message was clearly written by Yi Ji in the letter.

“Brother Jingsheng, that meeting months ago was never expected to be our last. Sigh...”

Liu Bei sighed deeply, a mixture of sorrow and regret on his face.

“Brother, that Xiao... no, Mr. Xiao is truly remarkable. He actually predicted this!”

Zhang Fei’s eyes widened in astonishment.

His focus was not on Liu Biao’s death but on Xiao He’s prophetic ability.

“Such crucial news—Cai Mao and Kuai Yue will surely keep it tightly sealed. Without Yi Ji’s insider information at the provincial office, you wouldn’t even know about this upheaval in Xiangyang.”

“How could Xiao He, merely a mountain hermit, have known such a secret before us?”

Guan Yu stroked his beard, voicing his doubts.

Zhang Fei gasped and exclaimed,

“Could it be that he truly studied under a mystical sage and learned the art of divination and foresight?”

Both brothers looked to Zhuge Liang, hoping the Sleeping Dragon could provide an explanation.

“I have always regarded ghosts and spirits with respect but distance. It is unwise to judge hastily,” Zhuge Liang said, neither confirming nor denying, though a hint of admiration gleamed in his eyes. Then he shifted tone:

“Nevertheless, Xiao Bowen’s prediction that Liu Jingsheng would die of fear and that Cai Mao and Kuai Yue would enthrone Liu Zong as Jingzhou’s new lord is an undeniable fact.”

“Whatever method he used to foresee this, it is clear he is no ordinary man!”

“My lord, I believe this man can be of great use to you!”