Journey to the West: Sun Wukong's Advice System
Chapter 277 - 257: Wishing to Acknowledge (Someone) as a Foster Father and Searching for Zhu Geliang

Chapter 277: Chapter 257: Wishing to Acknowledge (Someone) as a Foster Father and Searching for Zhu Geliang

Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Sun Jian?

Wukong’s gaze swept over the three, and indeed, as netizens had said, these individuals carried their own fate, some of them already flourishing.

At the pinnacle of power in the Han dynasty, two of these men were leaders of the major groups mentioned by netizens earlier: the Cao Wei group’s Cao Cao and the Shu Han group’s Liu Bei.

Sun Jian had not been mentioned by the netizens, but given the shared surname with Sun Quan, it’s likely they were related by blood.

Now, Cao, Liu, and Sun could only see Liu Xiu, watching him with eyes full of reverence for the person who had once revived the Han dynasty.

In the nearly two hundred years since, Emperor Liu Xiu had become a towering mountain in the Han dynasty, a mythic figure, with countless legends circulating about him.

Although they were prime ministers of the Han court, the number of times they had seen Liu Xiu could be counted on one hand, so their excitement at seeing him now was understandable.

At that moment, Liu Xiu said to them, "I’ve summoned you because Ancestral Martial has a matter to consult about."

Ancestral Martial?

Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Jian were even more astonished; this was a legend that existed only in historical texts and mythological tales!

The historical records reveal that in the First Year of the Jianwu Era, one hundred eighty-five years ago, Emperor Liu Xiu, right after the revival of the Han dynasty, had met with Ziwei Great Emperor at Weiyang Palace, drank a pot of immortal wine, was taught various laws, and learned of the world’s vastness, which brought great fortune to the Han dynasty.

In the thirty-first year of the Jianwu Era, with the aid of Ziwei Great Emperor, Emperor Liu Xiu decreed the Dragon Race and myriad tribes as totems of the Human Race, manifested the Human Path, established a prosperous era, and quelled heavenly retribution—as a result, heaven and earth changed colors.

In the eightieth year of the Jianwu Era, Emperor Liu Xiu was taught the way of martial arts, which he then spread throughout the world, and revered Ziwei Great Emperor Wukong as Ancestral Martial.

In the hundred years that followed, although there was an Ancestral Martial Palace in Chang’an City, no one had ever seen Ancestral Martial.

Yet today, they were unexpectedly summoned by Ancestral Martial!

Whoosh!

Suddenly, in the palace, the void stirred, and a golden-armored figure appeared before them.

Upon seeing the figure, the three intuitively knew it was the Monkey King and promptly paid their respects, "Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Jian greet Ancestral Martial!"

Wukong nodded slightly, then recounted the situation in the Western Cattle Hezhou, finally saying, "Now that the Kingdom of Tianzhu has been established in the west, it will surely compete with the Han dynasty in the future. My visit is to remind you to start making preparations early."

The three exchanged glances, with Liu Bei being the first to say, "Ancestral Martial, Your Majesty, if the west dares to infringe upon our great Han, I vow to defend our territory to the death!"

Sun Jian then declared with a clenched fist, "Our great Han’s strength far surpasses that of the western nations, rather than waiting for enemies to attack, we should strike first, advancing into the Western Cattle Hezhou!"

After pondering for a moment, Cao Cao said, "Ancestral Martial, our great Han had interactions with some kingdoms in the Western Cattle Hezhou early on.

Back when the Duke of Dingyuan advanced into the Western Regions, he also marched into the Western Cattle Hezhou and took over Elephant Country and Ussang Country, but the army was halted at Yellow Wind Ridge and had to retreat.

However, for over a century since, we’ve had trade relations with those western kingdoms near the Han dynasty, so they are not unfamiliar to us.

According to information gathered over the years, the geography of Western Cattle Hezhou is complex, often inhabited by a mix of demons and the Human Race, with demons sometimes entrenched in certain mountains and great swamps between the kingdoms.

If we are to truly become enemies with Western Cattle Hezhou, these are all troublesome problems that need to be considered."

After listening, Wukong got a general impression of the three, concluding that Cao Cao appeared to be the strongest in ability. However, Liu Bei and Sun Jian must also have their exceptional qualities to serve as prime ministers.

Afterward, he inquired about the talents mentioned by netizens.

The three were surprised. Why would Ancestral Martial care about these individuals?

But they answered truthfully.

Liu Bei said, "Ancestral Martial, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are my sworn brothers, and there are also Zhao Yun, Fa Zheng... and others, who often take orders from me, but they are all servants of the Han as well."

Sun Jian added, "Ancestral Martial, the Sun Quan you mentioned is my youngest son, Zhou Yu is the brother-in-law of my eldest son Sun Ce, and there are also Tai Shici, Gan Ning... and others under my command."

Cao Cao replied unhurriedly, "To report to Ancestral Martial, Xun Yu, Guo Jia... Dian Wei, Xu Chu... and others all serve loyally under my command."

Wukong realized, it seems that this was the historical inertia netizens had referred to. Even with the altered timeline, these remarkable individuals had all aligned themselves with the original leaders of the three major factions.

And Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Jian became prime ministers, likely for the same reason, since they originally were leaders of those three factions.

However, he hadn’t heard them mention the names of Lu Bu, Zhu Geliang, or Shi Mayi, all of whom were individuals the netizens emphasized.

So Wukong inquired again, "Where is Lu Bu?"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the three men shifted; they could tell that Ancestral Martial seemed particularly interested in Lu Bu!

Liu Xiu, smiling, interjected, "Master, the Lu Bu you speak of now has quite the reputation. He is the strongest martial genius the Han dynasty has seen since the establishment of the martial path.

His talent isn’t any less than that of the Demon King; having cultivated for only thirty-odd years, he has already reached the peak of the Celestial Man boundary, just one step away from becoming a Celestial God."

"Oh?" Wukong’s interest piqued, "Bring him to me at once."

Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Jian looked at each other with varying expressions.

Soon, a towering and formidable figure burst into the Ancestral Martial Palace, visibly excited.

Yet upon noticing Cao, Liu, and Sun, Lu Bu’s expression immediately stiffened.

When he saw Emperor Liu Xiu, he respectfully paid his homage.

At the same time, he curiously glanced at the Monkey King beside him, speculating in his mind but not daring to confirm.

Liu Xiu grinned and said, "Lu Bu, Ancestral Martial specifically summoned you here today, hurry and pay your respects."

Lu Bu promptly performed a grand bow, "I pay my respects to Ancestral Martial!"

Wukong looked him over and praised with a smile, "Truly a martial arts genius."