Chapter 789: The Arrival of Xu Shu

"Hey, look, someone’s arrived. Haha, being able to wear silk like that and still look like a thug—that's a talent!" Chen Xi remarked, watching a man riding a horse beneath the city walls, dressed in fine Shu brocade but exuding the aura of a street rogue. Could this be the essence of a professional thug?

"He looks familiar... let me think, where have I seen him before?" Liu Bei squinted his eyes at the man below, who, despite his luxurious attire, carried a roguish and casual air. Liu Bei was certain of this demeanor—after all, he had once carried himself the same way in his younger days.

"Seen him before?" Chen Xi scratched his head. "One of ours? I’m sure I would remember if we had someone this arrogant in our ranks. Where did you see him, Lord Xuande?"

"I can't remember, just a feeling that he looks familiar," Liu Bei frowned, clearly racking his brain, but unable to pinpoint where he had seen the man.

"Maybe it was a long time ago, or just a passing glance. With someone dressed like that, you'd definitely remember seeing them once," Chen Xi said, leaning forward with interest to observe the man who had now slowed his pace.

"Perhaps," Liu Bei nodded thoughtfully. As Chen Xi had said, a person dressed so flamboyantly would indeed be hard to forget.

While Liu Bei and Chen Xi were chatting, the man at the city gates gradually composed himself, adjusting his clothes and slowly shedding his previous roguish air. Soon, the once thuggish demeanor disappeared, replaced by a calm and confident aura.

This change left Liu Bei and Chen Xi dumbfounded. When they looked again, the man who had just seemed like a rogue in silk was now sitting atop his horse, exuding the demeanor of a learned scholar, refined and proud.

"The transformation is too extreme!" Chen Xi exclaimed in amazement. If he hadn’t been watching the entire time, he would never have believed that the thug had turned into a dignified and self-assured scholar.

"It’s almost like he’s a different person entirely! That roguish air is completely gone. Now, he’s nearly on par with you, Zi Chuan, or Wenru—truly a learned man," Liu Bei said in surprise. "Let’s go down and meet him. It’s worth it to see someone like this."

"I think I know who he is now," Chen Xi smiled, rubbing his chin. "Lord Xuande, the one you’ve been eagerly waiting for has arrived."

Xu Shu, riding his white horse, straightened his attire as he stood before the gates of Fenggao. After four long years, he had finally earned the right to stand here.

"I’m here," Xu Shu murmured to himself as he gazed at the bustling Mount Tai and the camps of soldiers stationed outside. He had made it just in time, arriving before Liu Bei launched his campaign against Yuan Shao.

"Why is this guy just standing there, not coming in or going out? Even though the gate’s big enough, if everyone were like him, Fenggao would be blocked," Wei Yan grumbled as he and Guan Ping prepared to head out on a recruitment mission, having already recruited a group of city management troops.

Wei Yan didn't bother lowering his voice, and his tendency to only respect those with capability seemed to be an inherited trait, especially from his admiration for Guan Yu. On the other hand, Guan Ping, Guan Yu’s own son, wasn’t as intense in this aspect.

Guan Ping sighed, used to Wei Yan’s behavior. He saw no point in objecting. After all, he had grown up in a family where strength was respected.

"Excuse me, sir," Guan Ping stepped forward and cupped his hands politely. "Standing in the middle of the gate does obstruct others from entering and leaving."

"Just a bit nervous, that's all," Xu Shu replied, as if only now realizing his situation. He then glanced at Wei Yan, who immediately felt an overwhelming pressure. Xu Shu’s gaze was enough to make Wei Yan cautious, something only the highest level of strategists or individuals with extraordinary mental strength could accomplish. Such an ability to exert pressure through a mere glance was rare in Mount Tai.

"I apologize, sir. Blocking the city gate does cause some inconvenience. As for my earlier rudeness, please forgive my bluntness," Wei Yan quickly bowed and apologized. He had always respected those with real ability, and this young man before him, though youthful in appearance, carried an aura of immense experience and power.

"Four years... it’s been four years. Only now that I’ve arrived here do I find it hard to move forward. I’ve said so much before, but now all I can do is stand here in silence," Xu Shu spoke, more to himself than to anyone else.

"Four years?" Wei Yan’s first thought was that this man must have been part of Liu Bei’s early team when Mount Tai was first established. In Wei Yan’s mind, all the scholars who had followed Liu Bei from the beginning were monsters.

"May I ask for your name? I am Wei Yan, Wei Wenchang, and this is my brother, Guan Ping, also known as Guan Tan Zhi," Wei Yan introduced himself respectfully.

"Xu Yuanzhi, you’ve finally arrived!" Just as Xu Shu was about to reply, Liu Bei’s voice rang out, full of joy. Xu Shu immediately dismounted and bowed deeply.

"My lord, after years of study, I am finally ready to serve. Today, I have the courage to stand before you. Please forgive me for my tardiness," Xu Shu said, addressing Liu Bei as his lord without hesitation.

This was the most direct acceptance of service Liu Bei had ever experienced from any of the top talents he had recruited. Xu Shu knelt and called him "lord" right from the start.

"Yuanzhi, stand up! I’ve kept a seat empty for you all these years, waiting for your arrival!" Liu Bei quickly stepped forward and helped Xu Shu up. Indeed, the position had always been reserved for him, though over time, Liu Bei had almost forgotten about it, especially after getting used to Li You managing many affairs.

"Ahem," Chen Xi cleared his throat, "Yuanzhi, if you keep standing here, we’ll draw a crowd. Let’s head back to Lord Xuande’s residence to talk. You two should come as well, as there are matters that need addressing."

With that, Chen Xi smiled and led the way, knowing that if they stayed any longer, they would attract too much attention. Liu Bei’s reputation in Mount Tai had grown tremendously, and with his approachable nature, many people would recognize him, making it hard to leave.

"Come, Yuanzhi, let’s go to my residence and catch up on these years of separation," Liu Bei said, laughing heartily. Whether it was because Xu Shu was a talent worth his weight in gold or due to Chen Xi’s repeated praise of him, Liu Bei welcomed Xu Shu warmly.

Seeing Xu Shu brought back memories for Liu Bei—memories of his journey to Yingchuan to seek out talent. In the end, the only person who had gone with him was Chen Xi, and the only one he had brought back was also Chen Xi. Looking back now, Liu Bei considered himself incredibly fortunate to have met Chen Xi on the road that day. If not for that chance encounter, who knows where history might have turned?

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