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Upon hearing the confirmation of their identities, the two individuals standing behind Shen Bao exchanged glances. Their eyes could not hide the joy of success; they finally had results! The climb they had just completed was not only a test of physical endurance but also a challenge to their mental limits. At one point, they even considered giving up and jumping down for relief. However, all that was now in the past; they gritted their teeth and persevered, ultimately reaping the fruits of victory. We succeeded!
Shen Bao turned his head to look behind Luzi and found no soldiers present. Seeing this outcome, he couldn't help but chuckle, "The renowned Lu Da Shan Ren is surprisingly careless!"
Luzi recognized the sarcasm in his words but merely smiled in response. He knew very well that those around him were future generals skilled in warfare. Their strengths lay in tactics rather than martial arts like Shen Bao's. Even with Li Xin and Shisan by his side, engaging in combat would be futile. This was a realistic assessment, not self-deprecation, as there was a professional distinction; expertise comes from specialization.
"Guests from afar! If you three do not enter, it would be rude of me."
Shen Bao turned to the two and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "In that case, I shall not stand on ceremony!" With that, he stepped toward the entrance.
The two behind him were concerned about potential ambushes in the courtyard. Hesitating for a moment, they saw Shen Bao already walking through the gate. They decided not to linger any longer and hurriedly followed him inside. Once they confirmed that only a few elderly men and some severely wounded individuals were present in the main hall, their tension eased. Spotting a well in the courtyard, they rushed over and drank deeply from it. As the cool, sweet spring water filled their stomachs, the burning sensation in their throats vanished.
Shen Bao first paid his respects to the elderly men before sitting down by a small stove. The aroma of boiling tea wafted through the air, making him lick his cracked lips in anticipation. He had discarded his leather water skin halfway up the cliff; if it weren't for fearing ridicule, he would have already gone out to fetch some cool water. Now that he represented Wei Kingdom, he could not afford to lose face here even if he died of thirst.
Luzi nodded with a smile; he greatly admired those with strong convictions. Sacrifice does not always mean death; it can manifest in many ways. Few truly understand this concept, but the person sitting before him did. Regardless of one's identity, understanding sacrifice itself is worthy of respect. He filled the teapot and handed it over with both hands as a gesture of respect. "Since ancient times, there has been a legend about Shennong using tea to detoxify; I believe tea can indeed counteract poison."
As Shen Bao received the cup and was about to drink, he burst into laughter upon hearing this. "Luzi is certainly no petty person; even if this bowl contained poison, I would still drink it!" With that, he tilted his head back and drank it all down. "Indeed, it is good tea!"
Tea originated from the south and was categorized by quality even back then. Poor people also drank tea but lacked the refinement of wealthy families. They couldn't afford good tea and typically served tea bricks to guests. Thus, regardless of status or wealth, everyone knew about tea. Shen Bao initially did not care much for this herbal-tasting beverage but gradually grew fond of it after becoming a retainer for Xingling Jun. He had his unique insights recognized by many peers; this flavor was akin to life itself—bitter at first yet leaving a lingering fragrance that made one reminisce.
Luzi had an eye for talent; true gifted individuals could not be pretended into existence. After refilling Shen Bao's cup with water, he remarked, "In China, there are talented individuals everywhere. It's truly unfortunate! Due to some people's narrow-mindedness, conflicts arise artificially. If this world could return to its former state—how wonderful would that be! If anyone could obtain even a fraction of that and use it wisely, governing the nation and bringing peace would no longer be a dream!"
Shen Bao was indeed thirsty and drank several bowls before feeling somewhat better. Upon hearing Luzi's words, he set down his cup. "Whether it's conflict or unity, as long as there is an unwavering belief within it, that's what matters most. Xingling Jun has treated me well; even if I were to sacrifice everything for him, I cannot repay him fully. I appreciate your kindness, Luzi!"
Luzi nodded and sighed deeply. Hearing this, he suddenly thought of his elder brother, Zi Zhi. He remembered how he was also grateful to King Wei for recognizing his talents, to the point that he could no longer return home after being separated from his body. Who was directing this series of tragedies? Or was it simply fate? Where did the crux of the problem lie? Perhaps if one delved deeper, they would ultimately find that it was a theory too heavy to bear! He raised the teapot in his hand to indicate that he would refill Shen Bao's cup once he finished.
"Whether now or in the future, these things are not important. Just like General Shen said earlier, as long as there is an unchanging belief within!" Luzi said, lifting his tea bowl. "For this statement, I toast to you!"
General Shen! It seemed unlikely that he would ever have the chance to realize this dream in this lifetime! Hopefully in the next life, he could be reborn into a good family and fulfill this wish! Shen Bao smiled bitterly and shook his head, raising his tea bowl in return: "This is a toast from Scoundrel to Luzi! Since we each have our own masters, it's hard to say who is right or wrong. If I am driven by fame and fortune, then one day I might betray Luzi for those very reasons." With that, he drank it all in one go. He stood up and looked at the elderly man in the room and Wounded, then bowed his head in thought. "The front lines are still engulfed in slaughter; it’s time to put an end to it. Luzi, please follow Scoundrel on your journey!"
"That sounds excellent!" Luzi understood that Shen Bao intended to spare everyone in the room and nodded gratefully before standing up to follow him into the courtyard.
As the four prepared to leave the temple for the battlefield ahead, they heard sounds of fighting coming from outside. While pondering what was happening, they saw a dozen bloodied individuals charging into the courtyard with swords drawn.
Li Xin looked up and saw Luzi caught among a group of strangers, momentarily stunned. Realizing he had been ambushed from behind, he charged forward fiercely.
Shen Bao noticed that the last remaining wooden door at the Temple Entrance had been pushed down and soon recognized that Wei Wujie had personally led the charge. He understood that these bloodied individuals were Qin People. His heart stirred; drawing his sword, he declared that anyone who dared approach would be killed without mercy!
Luzi raised his hand to stop Li Xin and others from rushing forward, signaling that the battle was over and they could rest now. Hearing sobs among the bloodied individuals made his heart tighten. Even if they had lost, they should stand like men; he could not let so many sacrifice themselves because of him! Each one of them was an elite of Great Qin's future; losing even one would be a tremendous loss! With this thought in mind, he gritted his teeth and ordered, "I have made up my mind; everyone retreat!"
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