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World's First Traitor System (324)
🕑 Added 2024-10-16 17:00:06 +0000 UTCChapter 324 - A Subject’s Loyalty
The Great Chu army halted its advance. They were now less than fifty miles from the Three Kingdoms’ camps. But Fan Li didn’t press them to continue. He knew that no more military reports would arrive.
The last report had been sent by a Fan Clan spy embedded in Yunzhou City. The man had died from his injuries, his mission incomplete.
There was only one person in the Chu army who could gather more information – Wu Gang, the Great Vehicle Realm expert.
“Master, shall I scout ahead?” Wu Gang asked.
“There’s… no need,” Fan Li replied frimly.
The army had set up camp along a riverbank. The river flowed eastward. The Chu army was positioned to the west. The Three Kingdoms’ camps were to the east.
The river… was red with blood.
How much blood did it take to stain an entire river?
Fan Li didn’t know.
But he recognized the debris floating downstream – severed limbs, broken weapons, all belonging to the armies of Wei, Han, and Wu.
Had the battle truly ended?
“Third Brother, order the troops to prepare for battle,” Fan Li said coldly.
“Yes!”
Fan Chun obeyed immediately.
Fan Li sat in his command tent. His mind was in turmoil. He hadn’t expected the Three Kingdoms Alliance to be defeated so quickly, so decisively.
Zhuge Liang, Zhou Yu, and Guo Jia…
How had Wanli managed to defeat them?
The situation in Yunzhou had spiraled out of control. The feeling of uncertainty gnawed at him.
He searched for his mistakes.
Where had he gone wrong?
What had he overlooked?
He had misjudged Wanli’s strength, underestimating his ability to defeat the Three Kingdoms’ forces.
“Damn it…”
Fan Li clenched his fists. He didn’t understand. How could Wanli possibly be this strong?
The Fan Clan’s intelligence network in the Great Ming was the most extensive in the land.
He had known about the Ming army’s movements, their generals’ deployments.
Emperor Jiajing had only given Wanli three hundred thousand Wolf Troops. He hadn’t assigned any exceptional experts to assist him.
The Great Ming’s most powerful figures – Grand Secretary Yan Song, Junior Grand Secretary Xu Jie, Lu Bing, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, as well as Gao Gong, Chen Yiqin, and other high-ranking officials – none of them had accompanied Wanli.
Zhang Juzheng, although his cultivation had increased significantly at Mount Yunmeng, wasn't powerful enough to single-handedly turn the tide of battle.
How had Wanli achieved such a decisive victory?
A pair of cool hands gently massaged his temples. The soothing touch calmed Fan Li’s racing mind.
“Master, do not worry,” Wu Gang said softly.
She had served Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu. She had often witnessed his anger lead to rash decisions.
“Anger cannot defeat your enemies. But calmness can help you see through their schemes.”
Her clear voice, like a splash of cold water, brought Fan Li back to his senses. He looked at Wu Gang gratefully.
“Thank you.”
He gathered his thoughts. He couldn't understand Wanli's strength. He would have to accept it.
What could he do now?
He had come to rescue his allies. Had the Three Kingdoms’ forces been completely annihilated? Was there truly no hope?
No!
He had to do something!
Fan Li began to think.
He was in a state of heightened awareness, his mind unconstrained. Any solution, as long as it achieved his goal, was worth considering.
Suddenly, a bold idea formed in his mind.
It was inspired by the system reward he had received recently. He retrieved three items from his storage box and placed them upon the table.
“Master, are those the Great Jin Immunity Talismans?” Wu Gang asked curiously.
Why was he taking them out now?
“Yes.” Fan Li nodded. “I’m going to use them to save Zhuge Liang, Zhou Yu, and Guo Jia.”
“But…”
Wu Gang knew how the talismans functioned.
They could only be used by those loyal to Great Jin. They granted the user immunity from death once, teleporting them to the capital.
In Fan Li’s previous life, they would have been called “Hearthstones.”
“System.”
“Host, I am here.”
“Hypothetically, if I were to give these talismans to individuals who are not currently serving Great Jin, but they are willing to pledge their loyalty, would the talismans function?”
“Host, your hypothetical situation aligns with the talismans’ fundamental rules. It is feasible.”
Fan Li was delighted.
“Excellent!
I intend to give these talismans to Zhuge Liang, Zhou Yu, and Guo Jia. Please explain how they work. I wouldn't want them to…”
“There’s no need to worry, Host. The system can establish a one-on-one communication channel during the talisman transfer.
You can personally convince them to pledge their loyalty. Surely that will be more effective.”
How thoughtful!
Fan Li almost wanted to hug the [Number One Traitor System] and kiss it.
“Initiating talisman transfer. Target: Guo Jia.
Countdown: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…”
A holographic projection appeared before Fan Li.
It showed a vast, desolate desert, a sandstorm raging.
Fan Li recognized it instantly. This was a desert created by a formation.
The sand might be an illusion, but the formation's killing intent was real.
The corpses of Wei soldiers littered the ground. There were no survivors.
Fan Li’s heart sank. Had he been too late? Was Guo Jia’s army truly annihilated?
He searched frantically, scanning the projection, until he finally found a single survivor.
He was standing atop the highest sand dune!
His chariot lay broken, the horses dead.
But Guo Jia still stood, his body supporting a large banner bearing the character “Wei.”
He was covered in blood, his mouth and nose oozing a strange, green fluid.
He had been poisoned.
In fact, all the dead Wei soldiers shared the same gruesome symptom. They had been poisoned.
But Guo Jia was still alive. His life force was weak, but he was alive!
His eyes, though bloodshot, were sharp and alert, scanning his surroundings. He was searching for his enemy.
Fan Li held his breath. He didn't want to distract Guo Jia.
But there was nothing.
Only the endless desert, the corpses of Wei soldiers, and the raging sandstorm.
Guo Jia’s face, pale and haggard, finally twisted into a bitter smile.
He seemed to have accepted his fate.
“Guo Jia! Guo Fengxiao!” Fan Li called out.
Guo Jia’s eyes widened in surprise. He had heard Fan Li’s voice.
“Duke… Duke Jin? Is that you?”
“Yes, it’s me!”
Fan Li quickly explained the function of the Great Jin Immunity Talisman.
“Accept this talisman, and you will be safe. But Great Jin has closed its borders for ten years. You will not be able to return to the Central Plains. After ten years, you are free to go wherever you please. I will not force you to stay.”
As he spoke, a thought occurred to him.
Ten years?
In ten years, couldn't he convince Guo Jia to serve Great Jin?
It was a betrayal of his friendship with Cao Cao. But he was offering a life-saving talisman.
Surely that justified his actions?
Fan Li assumed that Guo Jia, facing imminent death, would accept his offer.
But Guo Jia simply shook his head, a sad smile on his lips.
“Duke Jin… No, Your Majesty… Your kindness is appreciated. But… I cannot accept.”
Fan Li was startled.
“You want to die?”
The formation surrounding them, the Beacon Fire Yellow Sand Formation, was Guo Jia’s creation.
But something had gone wrong. A pocket of poisonous gas had formed within the formation, a trap within a trap.
The entire Wei army had been poisoned.
And Guo Jia himself was now succumbing to the effects of the poison.
There was no way to break the formation.
“Guo Jia, please reconsider! Ten years. I… I give you my word. You only need to stay in Great Jin for ten years! Once that time has passed, I will personally escort you back to Great Wei.
Emperor Wei will understand. A temporary allegiance to ensure your survival… He will not blame you!”
Fan Li couldn’t believe that Guo Jia, a man known for his wit and adaptability, would choose to cling to his principles at such a moment.
Why wouldn’t he simply adapt to the situation?
Surely their friendship with Cao Cao was enough to justify a temporary allegiance to Great Jin?
And although Fan Li intended to use those ten years to convince Guo Jia to serve him permanently, that was a matter for the future!
Had Guo Jia seen through his scheme? Was that why he refused to accept the talisman?
“Your Majesty.”
“Yes?”
Fan Li’s eyes were filled with anxiety and hope. He prayed that Guo Jia would change his mind.
Guo Jia, as if sensing his thoughts, smiled sadly.
“Your kindness is appreciated. But Emperor Wei has treated me with great generosity. Even if I were to die, I couldn’t repay him. How could I possibly tarnish my loyalty, even for a moment? And the world is changing. Ten years is a long time. I cannot afford to be idle.”
The Immunity Talisman, propelled by the system, floated before Guo Jia.
It was a chance for survival, a promise of a future.
He only needed to accept it.
But Guo Jia refused.
The golden talisman, as if sensing Guo Jia’s unwavering resolve, began to decay, its brilliant light fading.
Finally, it crumbled into dust, disappearing into the sand.
“Ding!
Great Jin Immunity Talisman transfer failed. The talisman has been destroyed. It cannot be transferred to another individual.”
It was the first time Fan Li had lost a system reward.
But he was too heartbroken to care. He stared at Guo Jia, his eyes filled with sadness and regret.
Guo Jia looked back at him, as if he could see Fan Li’s expression through the holographic projection.
A legendary strategist, his life nearing its end.
“Thank you,” Guo Jia whispered. “Before I die… allow me to offer you a small gift…”
He closed his eyes.
A faint spark of light, defying the formation's constraints, flew towards Fan Li.
It entered his forehead, vanishing from sight.
Fan Li closed his eyes. After a long moment, he opened them.
His face was still filled with sadness. He whispered.
“Fengxiao, thank you for your kindness.”
Yes, Guo Jia’s final gift, it was a gift indeed.
“Ding!
Initiating second talisman transfer. Target: Zhou Yu.
Countdown: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…”
The projection shifted.
It showed a frozen river.
The ice was thick, its coldness radiating outwards.
Fan Li saw countless soldiers, frozen solid, their expressions lifelike, trapped within the ice. They were wearing Wu army uniforms.
“The… The Wu army… They’re all dead…”
He spoke through gritted teeth.
Tens of thousands of soldiers, frozen to death within Zhou Yu’s Iron Chain River Crossing Formation.
Another trap within a trap?
On the riverbank, he found a single survivor – Zhou Yu.
This time, Fan Li was even more careful with his explanation. He emphasized that there would be no obligations, no expectations.
“Remain in Great Jin for ten years, and I will provide for you. You will want for nothing. After ten years, you are free to return to Great Wu. Life is precious. Please, Governor, do not hesitate.”
His voice trembled slightly.
Please don’t refuse me!
Please don’t refuse me!
Please don’t refuse me!
Fan Li stared at Zhou Yu. He was covered in ice and snow. The coldness had almost reached his heart.
If not for his strong cultivation and his unwavering willpower, he would have already perished.
“Your Majesty?”
“Yes, Governor. Speak freely.”
Fan Li’s heart was pounding. He was terrified of being rejected again.
Zhou Yu, as if sensing his anxiety, smiled sadly.
“Did Kongming and Fengxiao… did they accept the talismans?”
Fan Li was speechless. He had heard of the rivalry between Zhou Yu and the two strategists, their constant competition for recognition.
But was this truly the time to ask such a question?
His life was on the line!
“I… I haven’t met with Kongming yet. As for Fengxiao… he didn’t accept.”
Fan Li had initially wanted to lie, to claim that both Zhuge Liang and Guo Jia had accepted the talismans, that they were waiting for him in the Great Jin palace.
But looking into Zhou Yu’s clear eyes, he knew that any lie would be instantly detected.
He couldn’t deceive a man as intelligent as Zhou Yu.
“Oh?”
Zhou Yu’s smile widened. He was a handsome man. Now, covered in ice, his beauty was even more striking, his aura aloof and ethereal.
“Does Your Majesty believe that my integrity is inferior to Guo Fengxiao’s?”
Fan Li was speechless.
But he couldn’t simply watch two generations of brilliant strategists die without offering them a chance to live.
“Governor! I swear by Heaven, I will never compete with Emperor Wu for your loyalty! After ten years, I will personally escort you back to Great Wu!”
He didn’t know Zhou Yu well. But Zhou Yu’s unwavering loyalty had moved him.
He even thought of the famous poem, “Ode to the Red Cliffs.”
“Remembering Zhou Yu of that time, Xiao Qiao newlywed, in heroic splendor…”
He began to recite the poem.
Zhou Yu was startled. A look of gratitude and appreciation appeared on his face.
Fan Li assumed that the poem had moved him, that it might even convince him to accept the talisman.
But he was wrong.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. I have already found a worthy ruler. Therefore, I cannot follow you.
But you are a kindred spirit. Before I depart, allow me to offer you a small gift. Please, do not refuse…”
Zhou Yu’s voice faded.
His body transformed into a beautiful ice sculpture, forever frozen on the riverbank, eternally guarding his fallen comrades.
A spark of light, emanating from Zhou Yu’s body, flew across the battlefield, entering Fan Li’s forehead.
