Three Kingdoms Lords: Starting by walking into the mouth of a giant python

Chapter 92 Rats

Chapter 93 Rats

May 30th.

In the Chongde Hall of the Northern Palace in Luoyang, the inner court held political discussions.

Grand Commandant Zhang Hao reported: Tens of thousands of Xianbei cavalry from the northern frontier have marched south, intending to capture Chicheng in Shanggu Commandery. A million Yiren (a type of enemy force) are defending Chicheng. Liu Bei of Zhuo County, Gongsun Bogui of Liaoxi, and Xia Yu, former Wuhuan Commandant, have marched north to aid them.

After a moment's thought, Liu Hong promoted Lu Zhi, the Minister of Works, to the position of General Who Destroys the Xianbei, and ordered him to remain stationed at Juyang. He was to observe from the sidelines and act only when the time was right.

He ordered the Imperial Secretariat to draft an edict. Then, Liu Hong suddenly asked about the fate of the "emperors and princes" in the "History of Strange People"—Cao Cao, Sun Quan, Dong Zhuo, Yuan Shao, Zhang Fei, and others.

Zhang Wei, a court official, submitted a petition—

Cao Cao lived in seclusion in Qiao County, only associating with his clansmen and avoiding contact with other people or strangers.

Sun Jian, the magistrate of Xiapi County, abandoned his post and fled. At that time, Qu Lian, the magistrate of Xianglin County in Rinan Commandery, rebelled, killing the county magistrate and declaring himself King of Linyi. The governor of Rinan Commandery was unable to subdue him. Sun Jian gathered a million extraordinary men, killed Qu Lian, and occupied Xiapi County.

Dong Zhuo of Xiliang was suppressed by Duan Qirui and Gai Qirui, and accomplished little. It is said that he had many conflicts and disagreements with Yiren.

Zhang Jiao established the [Taiping Immortal Sect] in Yunmengze and planned to hold the [Spiritual Elixir Gathering] in August.

The Yuan family of Runan recently took in a remarkable son-in-law and established a territory outside Ruyang City called Juxian Manor. Yuan Shao, a son of a concubine, and He Yong, a member of the He faction, were among those who frequented the estate.

As for the eldest son of the Yuan family...

When Zhang Wei mentioned Yuan Shu, he suddenly hesitated. Only after Liu Hong looked over did he continue, saying that Yuan Shu had a conflict with the little princess yesterday.

Liu Hong was taken aback.

Did Yuan Jiazi and Shu'er have a conflict?

How so?

He asked Zhang Wei.

Zhang Wei replied, "To expand the [Xiyuan Girls' School], the little princess selected girls from good families in the prefectures and kingdoms to study in Luoyang. That Yuan Gonglu insisted that one of the girls was his unmarried wife. The little princess said that the young lady was still unmarried and had not yet been betrothed. Yuan Gonglu still wouldn't accept it and made a scene at [Xiyuan].

"How can this Yuan family brat be so ignorant?" Liu Hong frowned. "Is Shu'er alright?"

He was puzzled. Why didn't Shu'er mention this matter when she returned to the palace yesterday?

Zhang Wei said, "Princess Wannian is unharmed. On the contrary, Yuan Gonglu was beaten out of [West Garden] and left in a rage."

Liu Hong breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "Was it Wang Yue and Taishi Ziyi who made the move?"

Zhang Wei shook his head.

Liu Hongyi exclaimed in surprise, "Although the Yuan family scion is mischievous, he has always had a chivalrous spirit and is quite brave. Besides Wang Yue and Taishi, who else can subdue Shu'er [the girl from the school]?"

Zhang Wei said, "It was student Wang Rong, who is unparalleled in both spear and sword, who drove away Yuan Gonglu and his entourage."

Liu Hong was taken aback, then smiled inexplicably.

Zhang Wei continued without looking to the side, "Before leaving, Yuan Gonglu made some wild remarks, saying that once he found a [Heavenly Grade] martial general, he would kidnap his unmarried wife and the student Wang Rong together."

Liu Hong's face turned green: "You brat! Are you looking for death?"

The Grand Commandant and the others were puzzled and were about to ask him when Liu Hong turned and left.

…………

Inside the Glazed Palace, in the [square pot].

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'Five Bright Bags'

[Rank] Mystic

[Attribute] Use the dew from the grass to wash your eyes; it will brighten your vision and relieve fatigue. If you collect all the dew, you will be able to see ghosts.

[Description] Deng Shao of Hongnong once went to Mount Hua to gather herbs on the first day of the eighth lunar month. He saw a boy holding a five-colored bag, filled with dew from cypress leaves, each drop like a pearl. Shao asked, "What are you using this for?" The boy replied, "Master Chisong took it to brighten his eyes." After speaking, the boy vanished. The custom of making eye-brightening bags on the first day of the eighth lunar month today is a remnant of this. — *Sanfu Huangtu*

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This treasure is equivalent to a bag of natural, pollution-free eye drops. And once you have more than a hundred kinds of flower and grass dew, you can temporarily gain "yin-yang eyes"—eyes that can see into the underworld and see ghosts.

It's not exactly good, but in certain special situations, this bag might be very useful.

Unfortunately, there is no distinction between day and night in the [Fanghu], and although there are many flowers and plants, there is no dew to be found.

After handing the [Five Bright Pouch] to the young lady for safekeeping, Li Yu did not leave Fanghu for the time being, but instead rushed to [Canghai Island].

On the island, a small peak is ablaze with the [Eternal Forest], its flames turning the hill into a volcano.

Li Yu came here not for the [Eternal Wood], but because today is the [Day of Falling Rocks in the Sea].

With a loud thud, a stone fell.

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'Heavenly Ear Stone'

[Rank] Mystic

[Attribute] Through this stone, one can hear the whispers of the mountains.

[Description] Tian'er Mountain is located north of Menghua Hall. Legend has it that whenever someone speaks in secret, even if it is kept confidential, it will be relayed through the mountains. — *Nanzhao Unofficial History*

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Li Yu was not entirely satisfied, so he summoned the [Long-haired Man] to move the stone to the [Jade Maiden Mountain Temple]. Afterwards, he exited the pot and entered the fourth level of the [Palace of Golden Jade and Glazed Glass].

The first thing you see is a small hill.

It is thirty or forty feet high, with mountain springs and pine forests.

Just as Li Yu was about to climb the mountain to explore, he suddenly saw a large rat, about half the height of a person, crawl out of a cave at the foot of the mountain.

The rat stood upright and shouted at Li Yu, "Li Yu, you will die at the hour of Xu (7-9 PM) on the second day of the sixth lunar month!"

Li Yu was amused upon hearing this.

Good heavens! We've made it to the fourth level, and finally we've met a "familiar face".

After speaking in human language, the big rat immediately crouched down and quickly scurried back into its burrow.

Li Yu did not chase after it, but went straight back to [Fanghu].

Let's just wait and see.

Next, Li Yu seemed to ignore the [challenge] matter and immediately got busy in the [square pot].

Catch a fire rat, shave its fur, and ask the bear mother to weave it into a fire-resistant garment.

Then, I read JianShu and browsed LingTa.

"[System]: Congratulations to the player for increasing [Strength] to 69."

……

"[System]: Congratulations to the player for increasing [Intelligence] to 55."

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"Power Ranking"

1th Place: [Li Yu] Strength 69

2rd Place: [Victor Vladimir] Strength 59

3th Place: [Chu Tiankuo] Strength 58

4th Place: [Bah Ah] Strength 56

……

6th Place: [Yatsuki Mizutama] Strength 55

……

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The gap between Li Yu and the second and third place [martial prowess] is already as much as 10 levels. I wonder what Victor and Chu Tiankuo think about this.

The top ten players on the leaderboard are approaching a [Strength] 59, and are about to face a [Bottleneck Test]. It's unclear how they will choose their mode; if they choose Li Yu as the [Examiner], that would be quite interesting.

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Intelligence Ranking

1st Place: [Li Yu] Intelligence 55

2nd Place: [Zhang Wei] Intelligence 52

……

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In the Intelligence Ranking, Li Yu wasn't far behind the second-place player. However, with the bonuses of 340 points in [Literary Style] from his territory and 641 points in [Literary Affairs] from his title, Li Yu's [Intelligence] experience gain rate was nearly ten times faster, allowing him to firmly maintain his position at the top of the rankings.

……

On the first day of the sixth lunar month, the cold peaches ripened on [Canghai Island]. Ginger-red fish were fed to them, which gave them the ability to [petrify].

On the second day of the sixth lunar month, in the morning, a pregnant woman was about to give birth. Li Yu picked a plum and gave it to her to help with the delivery.

What was born was not a hairy baby, but a fish.

With long whiskers, black scales, and a red tail, it is a black dragon carp about a foot long.

At the same time, [pregnant hair] transforms into [fish hair].

[Fish Hair] picked up the black carp and put it into the pond.

Although the small carp was only about a foot long, it was exceptionally fierce and soon chased after schools of fish of all sizes all over the place.

The entire pond was stirred up, becoming turbulent and chaotic.

It wasn't until [Thirteen Ants] and Horse-faced Little Green Tail arrived that Little Green Tail grabbed the Black Dragon Carp's head and slapped it repeatedly, finally calming it down.

Halfway through the hour of You (5-7 PM), a system notification sounded—

"[System]: One month has expired, the [Escape Nest] trait has been activated - Attracted by [Immortal Abode], a being is on its way."

"Countdown: 23:59:59".

A living being?

[Heavenly Grade] is coming soon!

Li Yu was greatly encouraged.

With a touch of joy, I stepped into the [Glass Palace].

"Li Yu, it's almost dusk. Come quickly to meet your death!"

The large rat, dressed in a tall crown and wide belt, stood up, pointing at Li Yu and shouting loudly.

They were calling out.

Li Yu ignored it and transformed into a [gray goose], leaping into the air.

"Why...why are you ignoring me?"