Chapter 16: You’ve Brought Your Uncle Back a Priceless Treasure!

North Bank, atop the South Gate tower of Fan City.

Dawn was breaking faintly.

The garrison soldiers under Liu’s command, from the venerable Guan Yu to the lowliest recruit, all stared intently across the river.

They awaited news of the surprise attack on Xiangyang.

Anxiety was etched on every face.

Even Guan Yu, steady as a mountain, bore faint lines of concern between his brows.

A yawn broke the tension.

Guan Yu glanced sideways to see Xiao He sitting on the threshold of the tower door, propping his chin with his hand, dozing off.

His sleepy demeanor clashed oddly with the tense atmosphere atop the wall.

“In such a life-and-death battle, even I am restless—yet this youth dares to nap?”

“Hmm, he must be feigning it, to make others believe he is confident in victory, thereby steadying their hearts.”

“Xiao Bowen truly lives up to the strategist Kongming’s words—seemingly carefree, yet concealing depths beyond measure…”

Guan Yu mused inwardly, stroking his splendid beard as he nodded slightly.

Nearby, Zhao Yun, Sun Qian, Mi Zhu, and others, seeing Xiao He’s languid, sleepy posture, felt their own tension ease somewhat and were somewhat reassured.

“If I’d known this battle would only begin at daybreak, I wouldn’t have come last night. I should have stayed inside, well-rested. Now, coming back out is troublesome…”

Xiao He muttered regretfully.

Unlike Liu Bei and Guan Yu, who were seasoned warriors accustomed to sleepless nights, Xiao He was used to a nine-to-five routine. Suddenly staying awake had left him so exhausted that his eyelids struggled to stay open, and he feared he might collapse at any moment.

“The day is already breaking; I wonder if my uncle’s raid on Xiangyang succeeded.”

“Uncle Zilong, do you see if our banners have been raised over Xiangyang?”

A clear yet anxious voice came from nearby.

Xiao He forced his eyes open and saw Guan Yinping shading her eyes, her almond-shaped eyes wide as she gazed across the river.

“Yinping, you jest. Fan City and Xiangyang are separated by more than just the river; it’s some distance. I’m no clairvoyant—how could I see if the banners atop Xiangyang have changed?”

Zhao Yun smiled wryly.

Guan Yinping paused, realizing her question was fanciful, and sighed softly.

They all widened their eyes toward the ferry crossing, eagerly awaiting the messenger bearing Liu Bei’s victorious news from the south bank.

“I almost forgot!”

Suddenly remembering something, Xiao He’s fatigue vanished.

He sprang up beside Guan Yinping, pulled a telescope from his bag, raised it to his eyes, and peered toward Xiangyang.

This sudden, strange action immediately drew everyone’s attention.

Guan Yinping, Zhao Yun, and a few paces away, Guan Yu and Sun Qian all looked on with surprise.

“Xiao Bowen, what… what are you doing?”

Guan Yinping’s eyes widened as she looked at the “strange object” in Xiao He’s hands.

She knew it came from his backpack, but when Xiao He had woken abruptly, they hadn’t had time to examine his belongings closely, including this very item.

Xiao He said nothing, focusing intently to adjust the focus until he could see the realities of Xiangyang clearly.

From the north gate tower, they could plainly see Liu Bei’s military banner flying high!

“Liu Yuzhou has triumphed! Xiangyang has been taken!”

Xiao He’s face brightened, and he shouted joyfully.

His sudden loud cry stirred a wave of whispers.

Guan Yu and Sun Qian exchanged glances, eyes filled with astonishment.

How could Xiao Bowen be so sure that Liu Bei had already captured Xiangyang before any news had arrived from the south bank?

“Xiao Bowen, how do you know Uncle has taken Xiangyang? Did you divine it by calculating the stars?”

Guan Yinping snapped back to herself and voiced the doubt everyone shared.

“If I could divine it by calculation, wouldn’t I be a sage?”

Xiao He smiled and handed her the telescope. “Look for yourself.”

Guan Yinping looked down at the strange device in her hands, bewildered.

Xiao He sighed and moved beside her, taking her hands gently to help raise the telescope to her eyes.

Though modern times had enlightened customs, and Guan Yinping was a spirited woman, she was still a young lady.

Being touched so intimately in public by Xiao He flushed her cheeks, and her heart suddenly fluttered wildly.

Zhao Yun and others subtly glanced at Guan Yu, fearing the bearded general’s wrath.

Seeing his daughter seemingly affronted, Guan Yu’s face darkened.

Just as he was about to react, he recalled Liu Bei’s words that Xiao He was no ordinary man, that his conduct was always unconventional and should be met with tolerance.

With that thought, Guan Yu suppressed his displeasure and watched silently to see what Xiao He intended.

“Look deeper inside. Do you see Xiangyang city?”

Xiao He’s voice whispered near her ear.

The breath stirred the fine hairs beside her face, setting Guan Yinping’s heart racing again.

“That rascal! How dare he touch me in public like this…”

Guan Yinping flushed with shame and anger, about to lash out.

At that moment, the scene of Xiangyang city came sharply into view.

One by one, Liu Bei’s banners flew proudly, and even the soldiers of Liu’s army were clearly visible.

“Our banners fly over Xiangyang. Uncle has taken the city!”

Guan Yinping’s anger dissolved into joy as she looked at Xiao He in amazement.

“What kind of magical device is this? It lets you see so far, just like having eyes a thousand miles away?”

Xiao He offered no explanation but returned the telescope to his bag, covering his mouth as he nodded off again.

“Since Xiangyang is taken, there’s no need to be tense. Let’s rest while we can. Soon, Lord Liu Yuzhou should send orders for us to cross the river.”

“Miss Guan, General Zilong, I’ll rest inside a bit first. When it’s time to cross, wake me…”

Exhausted, Xiao He yawned and entered the tower, collapsing face down on the desk to sleep.

Within moments, snores filled the room.

“Yinping, what exactly is going on?”

Guan Yu’s displeasure had fully given way to deep curiosity.

“That strange device—like eyes that see a thousand miles—allowed her to see the banners flying over Xiangyang.”

“My daughter saw it with her own eyes. That’s how he knew Uncle had captured the city!”

Guan Yinping’s excitement showed as she recounted the entire story.

Guan Yu and Zhao Yun exchanged doubtful looks.

“Messenger! Messenger!”

Just then, a breathless courier arrived from the south bank, scrambling up the tower.

“Reporting to General Guan, our army has won a great victory and successfully seized Xiangyang!”

“The lord commands General Guan to hold Fan City and immediately escort Mr. Xiao and the strategists across the river to discuss plans against Cao.”

The tower erupted in cheers and jubilation.

Even the usually stern-faced Guan Yu’s flushed cheeks showed a trace of joy.

Guan Yinping smiled brightly. “Father, I was right—Uncle really did take Xiangyang!”

Guan Yu’s smile faded as his gaze shifted to the young figure now lost in dreams within the tower.

“I wonder what other unfathomable skills this youth harbors. Kongming was right—Xiao Bowen is truly inscrutable…”

“That girl Yinping has brought us a priceless treasure indeed…”

Guan Yu stroked his beard and nodded slightly.

Guan Yinping stepped forward to awaken Xiao He.

“Wait!”

Guan Yu stopped her with a smile.

“Xiao Bowen is unlike us. Let him sleep a little longer. You and Zilong can escort him across the river when he wakes.”

Having said this, Guan Yu turned and descended the tower.

Guan Yinping entered the tower and suddenly thought of something.

She took off her cloak and gently draped it over Xiao He.

“Good thing you didn’t mean to be rude. Otherwise, even if you were Uncle’s priceless treasure, I’d have to give you a good beating…”

She murmured to herself, recalling the moment Xiao He “offended” her.

Biting her lip, a faint blush quietly warmed her cheeks once more.