Chapter One Hundred: Secret Meeting

  Back at the Jingying camp, Gao Yuan and Li Yinghong also came to find Li Mu immediately.

  At this time, Li Mu was reading a book in his own account, and saw two people coming in hand in hand, also smiling: "You're back, it's been hard for you these few days."

  Gao Yuan smiled wryly and said, "General, it's all because I thought things were too simple. We returned without accomplishing anything, which is truly shameful to you, General." Although Gao Yuan had already married Li Yinghong, he still addressed Li Mu as General.

  Li Yinghong also said: "Yes, father, you clearly know it's useless, why do you still want us to go and suffer for nothing these past few days."

  Li Mu smiled and said: "Why did you guys work so hard for nothing?"

  Li Yinghong pouted and said, "Haven't we suffered in vain? We've been busy outside for six or seven days, but we haven't even won a decent battle. If I had known it would be like this, I wouldn't have gone, let him suffer the consequences instead."

  Li Mu burst out laughing and hugged Li Yinghong in his arms, laughing: "I asked you, if under normal circumstances, the Qin army would need how many days to get from Chouyu to Jingxing?"

  Li Yinghong thought for a moment and said, "Two or three days."

  "How many days are left now?"

  Li Yinghong said: "Six or seven days."

  Li Mubai said, "Isn't this your achievement? A journey that could have been completed in two or three days was delayed for six or seven days by the Qin army's 300,000-strong force, using only a mere 10,000 men. And now, you still haven't reached Jixing. Think about it, what kind of mood do you think the Qin army is in? Can you say that your efforts over the past few days have been in vain?" He looked at Gao Yuan and said, "The victory of a war does not necessarily require winning every battle. The Art of War says: 'Victory in every battle is not the ultimate excellence; the ultimate excellence is to subdue the enemy without fighting.' Being able to find such a great opportunity on Wang Jian's body is already quite good."

  Changping heard this and seemed to have an epiphany, realizing that he had been too focused on winning a few battles and killing many Qin soldiers, but had neglected his own actions. Although he hadn't caused much damage to the Qin army, he had slowed down their advance, making them anxious and hesitant along the way, only able to march 20-30 miles a day. To exaggerate, it was as if they had to keep one eye open even when sleeping at night. From the Qin army's perspective, this was indeed a significant blow to their morale. Although the Qin army wouldn't be disheartened by the delay of these few days, compared to their initial state of high spirits, they would definitely have to deduct some points. For the Zhao army, this was naturally beneficial.

  Of course, compared to winning a few victories and killing several thousand Qin soldiers, this result is not considered great. However, the opposing commander was Wang Jian, a famous general who could be mentioned in the same breath as Li Mu. Being able to make him suffer such a setback is also a pretty good outcome. After all, fighting against the Qin army is a protracted war that can only be won step by step. It's impossible to expect to defeat the Qin army with one blow and kill their commander with a single strike.

  Li Mu continued, "Moreover, this time under the strict precautions of the Qin army, you did not force an attack on the Qin army, which made our troops almost without any losses. This is what makes me most delighted. As a commander-in-chief, the most important thing is to remain calm at all times and not let emotions dictate one's decisions. Therefore, your performance this time has actually made me very satisfied. Given time, you can become an unparalleled great general, second only to myself."

  At this time, Gao Yuan also sincerely admired Li Mu and said: "The general's teachings, I will remember for the rest of my life."

  Li Mu smiled and said: "Alright, you've all worked hard for several days, go back and rest now, there's another tough battle coming up soon."

  Gao Yuan Dao: "Another tough battle ahead?"

  Li Mu nodded and said, "If I'm not mistaken, within three days, the Qin army will launch a challenge against us to boost their morale. Therefore, we must also engage in a fierce battle with the Qin army. For this battle, I still need your troops to make an effort."

  Gao Yuan also nodded and said: "General, rest assured that we will not disappoint you." After finishing speaking, he bid farewell with Li Yinghong and left together.

  After they left, Li Mu was also lost in thought. At this time, the tent flap opened and Zhao Xuan came in from outside, whispering a few words into Li Mu's ear.

  Li Mu's expression changed slightly, and he nodded, saying: "Alright, we'll go right away." He took off his armor, changed into casual clothes, hung a precious sword at his waist, and left the big tent with Zhao Xuan.

  At this time, the sky had already darkened, and most of the soldiers had rested. However, tonight's weather was good, with a bright moonlight illuminating the surroundings clearly. Li Mu did not disturb others and only brought Zhao Xuan out of the camp, heading directly northeast.

  After crossing a mountain ridge, I saw an old man in green clothes sitting cross-legged on a large bluestone under a big tree.

  Li Mu stepped forward two steps, bowed his head and saluted the old man, saying: "Teacher, it's been ten years since we last met."

  The old man in the green robe looked at Li Mu and nodded, saying: "Yes, time really flies, it's been ten years in the blink of an eye. Li Mu, your temples have already turned white. Sit down and talk."

  Li Mu smiled slightly and sat down on a nearby bluestone, while Zhao Xuan stood behind him. Li Mu said, "All of you are already over fifty years old, so white hair is nothing unusual." He turned his head to look at Zhao Xuan and smiled, saying, "I still remember when Master sent Zhao Xuan to my side, he was even younger than Gao Yuan back then. Now he's completely grown up too. Speaking of which, in these ten years, he has helped me a lot."

  Zhao Xuan also slightly bowed his head and said: "There, in these ten years, I have been fortunate enough to receive General's teachings, which has benefited me greatly."

  Li Mu smiled faintly and said, "It's just that this burden, I've carried it for ten years, now I can finally put it down, but you still have to continue carrying it. Gao Yuan is still young and can't bear the responsibility yet, so you still need to help him along the way."

  Zhao Xuan was taken aback for a moment, his voice choked with emotion, saying: "General."

  Li Mu waved his hand to stop him from speaking, saying: "There's no need to say anything more. Life and death are predetermined by fate, and the timing of one's demise is already set in heaven. When I descended the mountain, my teacher had already divined a course for me, and I've been waiting all these years for that day to arrive. Now it shouldn't be far off. However, this chaotic era has just begun, and the plateau can't bear the responsibility yet. But I won't be able to help you end this chaos anymore."

  The old man also let out a soft sigh and said, "Being able to see through one's fate can sometimes be a very painful thing. I'm really regretful now. If I could go back in time, I might not have learned divination, but now it has become my biggest burden."

  Li Mu smiled and said, "It's already come to this point now, Teacher. Regret is probably too late. My time isn't much anymore. Since you've come to find me, just say what you want directly. Take advantage of my remaining abilities while I still can, and get as many things done as possible."

  The old man also smiled bitterly and said: "He has been by your side for more than half a year, what kind of person do you think he is."

  Li Mu sank into thought for a while before saying, "He's a very interesting person."

  The old man was taken aback for a moment and couldn't help but laugh: "Is your evaluation of him just 'interesting'?"

  Li Mu also smiled and said, "Of course not. Actually, Gao Yuan is an excellent person with great talent, especially in terms of military strategy. His potential is no less than mine. Although he's still young, his vision and insight are remarkable. He can often hit the nail on the head with just one sentence, and his experience seems quite rich. Sometimes I even feel that his views on many things are more profound than mine, but he lacks some experience."

  The old man murmured: "Experience?"

  Li Muzhang said: "It should be said that it is his experience in our world, according to his words, he is from another world, a completely different world from ours. Therefore, his behavior and way of dealing with the world are very different from us, but he is still unfamiliar with our world. I think that after at most one more year, once he becomes familiar with our world, he can do better than me. However, let's listen to Zhao Xuan's opinion, as he has been teaching him high-level martial arts for the past few months."

  Zhao Xuan smiled slightly and said, "I don't dare to comment on other things, but when it comes to martial arts, he is indeed a person with extraordinary talent. If he can receive guidance from his teacher, in at most five years, he will surpass me. However, there is one thing that has always made me worried."

  The old man said: "Oh, what's worrying you?"

  Zhao Xuan then told the old man about the incident with the amulet on the plateau.

  After listening, the old man's eyes also flashed a surprised light, but soon returned to normal, nodded and said: "This is indeed an interesting thing, but I believe that a mere amulet will not affect him. Let me talk to him later."

  Li Mu was also stunned for a moment and said: "Teacher, aren't you going to see him now?"

  The old man shook his head and said, "It's not the right time to see him yet. When the time is ripe, I will naturally appear. You don't need to mention it to him either."

  Li Mu also smiled and said, "Alright, anyway the teacher can also divine, should be able to calculate when it is most suitable to see him. As long as the teacher thinks the time is suitable, I can arrange it at any time, it doesn't have to be when I'm still around."

  The old man nodded and said, "I'll be careful. Alright, you can go back now. If anything happens in the future, I'll come to the main camp to find you. Li Mu, it's been tough on you all these years."

  Li Mu smiled slightly and said, "I just hope I can live a few more years, help Teacher with some things. It's great to see you again today, so I'll take my leave." He bowed to the old man once more before leaving with Zhao Xuan.