Mythical Three Kingdoms-Chapter 1759 - 1654: With Laughter, Old Grudges Fade Away (Part 2)

"Meng Qi, it seems you’ve become much stronger than before." Liu Bei smiled and complimented Ma Chao, who was very pleased upon hearing this, though his quick glances around couldn’t be hidden from Liu Bei.

"Why, Meng Qi, are you looking for someone?" Liu Bei felt a pang, wondering if Fa Zheng wasn’t going to trouble Ma Chao, but Ma Chao might be looking to trouble Fa Zheng. Considering Ma Chao’s martial prowess and Fa Zheng’s intelligence, a clash would be expected.

"Strange, why is Fa Xiaozhi missing this time?" Ma Chao glanced around, couldn’t find Fa Zheng, and then straightforwardly said to Liu Bei.

"Xiaozhi has been feeling unwell recently, recuperating at the back." Liu Bei said after a moment’s hesitation, while Chen Xi on the side rolled his eyes in disbelief. Ma Chao looking for Fa Zheng was certainly not to pick a fight, at most to flaunt a bit verbally, never to actually make a move. Moreover, if Ma Chao were to act out of line, Fa Zheng wouldn’t bother, the one embarrassed would be Ma Chao.

"Recuperating?" Ma Chao was taken aback. In this era, the most feared thing was not acclimatizing; regardless of being a high-rank civil officer or a top general, once plagued by not acclimatizing, one might be done for. So Ma Chao was shocked upon hearing this.

"Lord Xuande, I’ve got matters to attend to, I’ll be off, Bofu, I’m leaving now." With that, Ma Chao hurriedly left, belonging to the type of brute who values loyalty. Although Fa Zheng wasn’t pleasant in his words last time, he did help solve Ma Chao’s problems.

After Ma Chao became the King of Qiang and the Divine Might General, he indeed rose high. Though feeling somewhat displeased, he wasn’t keen to see Fa Zheng. Yet really, he didn’t care as much as before; it was merely a matter of pride.

Upon hearing Fa Zheng was unwell, he instantly imagined Fa Zheng not acclimatizing and potentially being at death’s door, thus rushing to see him one last time.

However, as Ma Chao charged all the way to Fa Zheng’s independent camp, he saw Fa Zheng scooping a slice of mutton from a heavily spiced hot pot and preparing to blow it before eating it. Upon Ma Chao’s sudden appearance, Fa Zheng stuffed it in his mouth in shock, almost getting scalded to death.

"Water, water!" Half-dead from the scald and choke, Fa Zheng fumbled about, inadvertently spilling the prepared water cup. Fortunately, Ma Chao had just returned from battle, with a water bag hanging at his waist, swiftly pouring half a bag for Fa Zheng, finally easing his breath.

"Whew..." After gulping down a large amount of water, Fa Zheng finally relieved himself from the spicy seasoning choking sensation yet couldn’t avoid his face crumpling into a mass.

"Almost died." Fa Zheng slumped by the hot pot table, hands on the ground, looking halfway to death, with his flushed complexion showing no sign of recovering soon. Only after Ma Chao patted Fa Zheng’s back, did Fa Zheng genuinely come back to life.

"Ah, Meng Qi, oh, it hurts..." While slumping with hands on the ground earlier, Fa Zheng hadn’t paid attention, now realizing the skin on the roof of his mouth was scalded off.

"Why are you here looking for me without any reason?" Fa Zheng resentfully gazed at Ma Chao, devoid of the previous pose of a noted scholar, now merely a dejected youth.

"Are you okay?" Ma Chao, as if stunned by Fa Zheng, continued watching in silence despite Fa Zheng’s scorching chaotic actions.

Fa Zheng couldn’t be bothered to even close his mouth, saying unclearly, "Do I seem fine? This hot pot can’t be eaten anymore. Such a waste of all my spices and peppers."

Ma Chao watched Fa Zheng carelessly flaunt his mouth open, suddenly realizing all his previous perceptions of Fa Zheng were incorrect; this guy was simply an entertainer.

The last time he’d seen Fa Xiaozhi, who rarely laughed, deep-thinking, extraordinarily confident, effortlessly suppressed him so deeply he didn’t dare speak out, leaving him stewing inwardly yet had to express gratitude, the place seemed altogether different this time. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"Hey, why are you silent now?" Fa Zheng spoke weirdly to Ma Chao before finding chopsticks from one side and offering them to Ma Chao, "If you don’t mind, have a taste."

Ma Chao hesitated but accepted the chopsticks, then scooped mutton from the boiling pot, tasting it; his eyes lit up. Though overcooked, the texture was reliable!

Immediately, he began feasting eagerly, consuming all the ingredients Fa Zheng prepared and filling his stomach, but later realized it seemed he wasn’t here to freeload a meal from Fa Zheng, his real intent was to showcase his excellence.

"Ahem, ahem, well." Ma Chao suddenly felt awkward, having eaten someone else’s food and visiting to provoke the host, felt a bit inappropriate.

"If there’s anything, just say it." Fa Zheng casually said, showing no concern.

"Ahem, ahem, I’m here to congratulate you, heard you’re marrying the Jiangg Family woman, is there anything you desire, and I’ll give it to you as a gift when the time comes." Ma Chao awkwardly said, originally intending to provoke, but was genuinely preparing to marry the Wang Family Woman as his legal wife.

"Thanks, I’ll remember to send you an invitation then, but also, congratulations on probably marrying the Wang Family Woman." Fa Zheng commented slightly surprised, yet having recovered from being scalded to a sensible state, quickly understood Ma Chao’s intent.

His initial intention might’ve been to provoke, then upon being fed by Fa Zheng, softened, choosing warm wishes instead.

Ma Chao fell into silence, only later asked, "You don’t mind?"

"Mind what?" Fa Zheng rolled his eyes, saying, "You’re entirely overthinking it. Why bother worrying over such minor matters?"

The same event happening to different people brings differing outcomes; if Fa Zheng were still a minor official in Sichuan and Shu, being jilted certainly required pursuing, or face ridicule for timid weakness.

But now it didn’t matter; pursuing was reasonable, not pursuing showed generosity. Once reaching a certain level, everything seemed insignificant.

Ma Chao suddenly felt entirely estranged from Fa Zheng’s mindset, yet Fa Zheng’s composed demeanor reassured him immensely, thus extinguishing any urge to provoke, moreover, with Fa Zheng’s cordiality, Ma Chao willingly bent, saying, "Regardless, thank you greatly for your previous guidance."

"You mean the last plan?" Fa Zheng rubbed his chin, "I just wanted to see if you’d get beaten black and blue, but proving your potential was down to your ability, having little relation to me."

Ma Chao suddenly realized Fa Zheng was actually quite decent; his prior view of this guy being bad was probably due to preconceived biases.

[Thinking about it this way, maybe I shouldn’t act foolishly by saying I’ll marry the Wang Family Woman as my legal wife carelessly; Father might even punish me upon hearing it, entirely unnecessary.]

"You’re a good person, it was mostly my preconceived notion of you being dark-minded, not a good man." Ma Chao solemnly said, "If there’s anything in the future, as long as it’s within my capacity, don’t hesitate, I’ll definitely help."

Fa Zheng appraised Ma Chao from head to toe, and Ma Chao instantly showcased various muscles and aura, bringing Fa Zheng satisfaction; "The combat power seems decent, might genuinely need your help someday, quite often."

"Of course, now I nearly possess world-class combat power, henghengheng, I’ll settle problems solvable by fists." Ma Chao guaranteed, thumping his chest, as Fa Zheng, pleased with Ma Chao’s brainless promises, favored such individuals.

"Come, I’ll treat you to some drinks; considering your prowess, a small meal earlier should only serve as a starter, I’ll host you at the rear camp." Fa Zheng said elatedly while tidying his clothes and addressing Ma Chao, such a good offer Ma Chao naturally wouldn’t refuse.