CHAPTER 430: 232, IS IT OVER?

"Sir, those rats from Eastern Wu... they killed my second brother, killed my second brother, Guan Yu!

How dare they? How dare they?

Crossing the river in white robes... crossing the river in white robes... who could use such a vile method!

Those rats from Eastern Wu!!! That brat Lü Meng!!!"

At this moment, tears welled up in Liu Bei’s eyes, and Chen Che remained silent.

Liu Bei’s "how dare they" could either mean how dare those rats kill his second brother Guan Yu, or how dare those rats use the tactic of crossing the river in white robes.

The people in the council were perplexed about the so-called crossing the river in white robes and were shocked by the death of Lord Guan.

During their fast-forward journey through history, they witnessed Lord Guan’s mighty presence that shook all of China.

His death was enough to shock the soul.

"What is crossing the river in white robes?" Xu Ziang instinctively questioned.

Xia Na glanced over and said faintly, "General Lü Meng of Eastern Wu, to seize Jingzhou, dressed himself and his subordinates in white robes, disguised as merchants, infiltrated Jingzhou, and when Lord Guan was fighting at the front lines, they stabbed him in the back to seize Jingzhou.

In the end, they killed Lord Guan."

"Why would this be considered a disgrace? How could it be regarded as a vile scheme? Isn’t it just normal deception?" Xu Ziang instinctively retorted.

Xia Na let out a cold laugh and said, "That was an ancient feudal dynasty, not like us who have been through an apocalypse with no humanity in the Wasteland.

There, the law had stronger binding force, and at the very least, people followed certain rules there.

During the chaos of war among various forces, the common people were the most innocent, and merchants were the easiest to be robbed.

If before the crossing of the river in white robes, there were commoners who fled when a city fell, and encountered foreign soldiers, usually those soldiers wouldn’t bother to kill the commoners or the merchants, at most just conscript for manpower.

But after the crossing of the river in white robes, such a retreat for the common people was completely blocked.

This is an act without any bottom line, and no one knows if people from other forces would deliberately disguise their soldiers as refugees to infiltrate the other side’s city.

No one dares to gamble whether you are a refugee or an enemy soldier? Imagine you were just a regular commoner in this city, hearing that another force is coming to attack, and in order to survive, you’re forced to flee the city, but on the way out you encounter a troop.

In the past, even if you shouted twice to beg for your life from these soldiers, they wouldn’t bother to kill you nor draw down their blades.

No one is a killing demon.

But after the crossing of the river in white robes, they don’t dare to gamble whether you are a refugee or an enemy soldier? Even if it means your bones will break from their blades, they would still cut down your bones without hesitation.

This brat Lü Meng used such a simple tactic of crossing the river in white robes. Do you think others couldn’t have thought of it either? Of course not, even during the chaotic era, the most city-slaughtering Cao Cao wouldn’t stoop so low as to use such tactics to completely block the escape of all commoners!

Rats from Eastern Wu!"

Hearing Xia Na’s explanation, everyone snapped back to reality.

In this light, those from Eastern Wu truly are a bunch of rats!

Since they used such a vile scheme.

Such a poison that reaches the utmost degree.

Once again the focus returned to the Illusion Realm, and Chen Che sighed once more, declining Liu Bei’s earnest request for him to come out and help him seek revenge.

The timeline continued to roll like a torrent through the course of history.

Cao Cao passed away, and Cao Pi usurped the Han and proclaimed himself emperor, while Liu Bei regretfully declared himself emperor in Chengdu.

The tripartite confrontation began.

Zhuge Liang earnestly advised Liu Bei not to let hatred cloud his judgment, but Zhang Fei’s death deeply agitated Liu Bei, making him resent Zhuge and feel that if not for Zhuge Liang’s restraint, he would have avenged their brother.

How could Zhang Fei have died so tragically?

Once more seeing Liu Bei, his entire being was consumed by malignancy.

"Sir, my second and third brothers are both gone, and yet Zhuge Liang stops me, preventing my revenge, do you think that’s right? Those insignificant rats from Eastern Wu harmed my second and third brothers, and if I don’t avenge them, how can I, Liu Bei, face living in this world?

If not for my second and third brothers, could I have built this foundation?

Sir, Liu Bei must seek revenge! Sir, please judge for me, is it I, Liu Bei, who is right, or is it Kongming?"

Chen Che was silent for a moment and simply raised the wine in his hand, saying, "Your Majesty, please."

Without an answer, Liu Bei merely rose to bow respectfully and did not drink the wine in his cup.

Both sides knew this was their final meeting.

Truth be told, watching Liu Bei’s departing figure, Xia Na couldn’t help but want to open her mouth and warn Liu Bei not to go, not to go!

The fire burns through 800 miles of camps!

That fire would consume the three brothers, would burn away Zhuge Kongming’s life’s work!

History shouldn’t be like this!

Yet history was just like this.

At this moment, Xia Na finally understood Chen Che’s inner torment. To foresee history is indeed a great advantage, able to prevent everything from happening, yet can only watch as everything unfolds.

Too cruel, it was really too cruel.

Such temptation and enticement, how many people could resist?

Xia Na let out a final sigh.

"Liu Bei should have long avenged them! He already has considerable strength, yet when his best brothers die before him, he suppresses his wrath and remains inactive, how can he be called an emperor?" Xu Ziang instinctively said.

They had already witnessed the entirety of the Three Kingdoms.

What he said was indeed the thought in many people’s hearts at the scene, but when the fire broke out, everyone felt like they were struck right at the heart.

The fire burned through 800 miles of camps, the towering flames went on endlessly.

Chen Che stood high on the peak, silently watching the fire, watching the fire that completely burned away the hope of the Han’s revival, watching the fire that completely burned away Kongming’s life’s work, watching the fire that thoroughly extinguished Liu Bei’s chance at life.

He simply raised the wine in his hand, offering the cup Liu Bei hadn’t drunk to Liu Bei.

In honor of the burning Shu Han.

At Baidi City, when Liu Bei entrusted his child to others, he was lying on the bed with only a breath remaining, filled with regret upon seeing the weeping A’dou. His eyes were enveloped in despair as he held Kongming’s hand for the succession.

"If A’dou is truly beyond saving, I implore you, Kongming, never forget the will of our troubled Han. You should ascend the throne if necessary!"

When these words were spoken, the hearts of those witnessing in the council were pounding like drums.

What kind of despair

would lead to such words?

If Zhuge Liang had actually done so, he would not be called Zhuge Liang.

A lifelong allegiance to Han.

Made A’dou kneel down, prostrate on the ground, crying out, ’Aging Father.’

A salute with the words ’Liu Bei greets Mr. Wolong.’

Tied Zhuge Liang’s life to the first half of the Han.

A cry of ’Aging Father’ bound Zhuge Liang’s second half of his life.

To meet Zhuge Liang again.

This once spirited Mr. Wolong now wore a face full of sorrow. Coming here earlier, he never spoke with Chen Che about national affairs, only playing chess and drinking wine with him.

But this time, during their game of chess, Zhuge Liang rarely asked, "Sir, do you think Kongming can restore the Han and fulfill the late emperor’s will? What should Kongming do?"

Chen Che, pausing momentarily with the chess piece in hand, placed it down, only saying, "Just try your best."

The scene progressed again.

People saw everything the Prime Minister had done. He truly upheld the late emperor’s will, always striving to restore the Han.

Five consecutive Northern Expeditions.

Even those in the council were drawn to the Prime Minister’s charisma, yet failures after failures wore down his spirit.

Until the last attempt, the fifth Northern Expedition.

The Prime Minister, now but a flickering flame in the wind.

Yet it was the most hopeful one.

Had the potential to kill Sima Yi in one move.

The great rain in Upper Valley doused all hopes of Shu Han.

When the fire ignited, the council rejoiced for the Prime Minister.

When the rain started to fall.

Sighs resonated through those present.

At this moment, even the energy of the spectators seemed to collapse.

Let alone the Prime Minister.

"That year, the eastern wind, yet this rain of Upper Valley demands its price..."

Xia Na sighed, her heart breaking.

When Chen Che saw Zhuge Liang again, Zhuge Liang had voluntarily stepped down from the wooden house and went to Wuzhang Plains.

A’dou knelt by the bedside of the Prime Minister, crying until his eyes were red and swollen, and the ministers around him were also in tears.

The sobbing sounds were ceaseless.

On the bed, Zhuge Liang was already breathless.

The air was thick with sorrow.

Upon seeing Chen Che enter at that moment, Zhuge Liang’s vitality was suddenly renewed, and he supported himself to sit up, reaching out his hand.

Chen Che slowly approached, holding Kongming’s hand, clasping the hand of this dear friend, "Kongming, I’m here, speak your mind."

"Sir... the Han must not fall...the late emperor’s will must not cease...sir, though the late emperor advised you, Kongming never spoke.

But today forgive Kongming for speaking out.

Sir, please... please... please come out and support my Han, would you?"

Seeing Chen Che with his eyes closed, speechless.

"A’dou!" Zhuge Liang shouted, making A’dou kneel suddenly before Chen Che, Zhuge Liang clasped A’dou’s hand onto Chen Che’s.

He looked at Chen Che with hope as he slowly took out that report filled almost with his name...

On the sickbed, the Prime Minister reached his very last moment.

Yet until this moment, he still did not forget the late emperor’s will.

Chen Che’s lips trembled, and when holding that report filled with his name, he knew this Illusion Realm had to end.

It had to end in the cruelest way.

Looking at A’dou’s eyes, the eyes of the civil and military officials, looking at Zhuge Liang, the light gradually fading from his eyes.

Chen Che slowly raised his head, closed his eyes, hiding his tears, and slowly tore the report to pieces.

Upon witnessing this, the Deputy Director of the Finance Bureau, Guan Ning, almost instinctively stood up, muttering "Don’t do it"... but she paused, clenched her fist, and sighed.

If even the onlookers felt this way, how turbulent must it have been in the heart of Chen Che, the one experiencing it?

How did he find the strength to tear apart the report filled with his name?

Yet, as the report was shredded to pieces, the Illusion Realm collapsed under A’dou’s despairing gaze...

"It’s over... A great dream of the spring and autumn..."