Chapter 21

Chapter 655: The Taoists Seek Refuge with Lü Bu! (2)

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"You finally show your true colors. If you have any skills, come and challenge me."

As Ji Jian provoked, Zhang Fei gestured at him with his chin.

"I thought you would show me some respect, considering I'm an old man. It's a huge miscalculation. Pests that disrupt the world must be eradicated, whether they are young or old."

"It's laughable that someone like you, who follows false doctrines, worries about the peace of the world."

The Zhang Fei army and the Taoists both had high hopes for this fight. No one thought that the person they supported would lose.

Zhang Fei, a renowned general in Guanxian who had defeated Yan Xing, and Ji Jian, a Taoist with unparalleled sword skills, were both formidable.

However, Sun Wu could not watch this fight calmly. He stood between the two, preventing their clash.

"General Zhang is no longer Liu Bei's man."

"Do you think the bond of sworn brothers can be severed so easily?"

"General Zhang could no longer bear Liu Bei's evil deeds, broke the bond, and took the righteous path. When the Guandong army attacked and we were scattered, I fled with him."

Ji Jian gestured at Zhang Fei.

"Is that true?"

"What will you do if it's true, and what will you do if it's false?"

Zhang Fei spoke bluntly, and Sun Wu raised his voice.

"General Zhang! This is a good opportunity to clear up the misunderstanding."

"Is there a need to clear it up? I am now General Lü's subordinate. Isn't that enough to resolve everything?"

"If the misunderstanding isn't cleared, it will tarnish General Lü's reputation for taking you in."

"Damn it!"

Zhang Fei planted his crescent halberd into the ground, looking annoyed.

"I won't let you associate me, Zhang Yide, with Liu Bei anymore."

* * *

"Under General Lü's command? Nonsense! Master Pi, has General Lü ever taken in such a person?"

Wang Jin was skeptical about Zhang Fei and Sun Wu claiming they were under Lü Bu's command. He sought confirmation from Pi Zhangfang.

Pi Zhangfang approached Zhang Fei and Sun Wu, stroking his chin as he stared at them intently. He then shook his head at Wang Jin.

The atmosphere became tense again.

"I have never heard of General Lü taking in Taoists. However, I, Sun Wenruo, will not doubt the Master. I have only recently sought refuge with General Lü, and so has General Zhang here."

"I am Master Pi Zhangfang. Before I convey your message, I have one question. Where did you meet General Lü and join his ranks?"

"Hedong. It hasn't been a month yet."

"Hmm...! Then it's quite possible... Do you have any proof that you are under General Lü's command?"

Zhang Fei interjected.

"Master, it's frustrating. Do we really need to prove that we are under General Lü's command? They are just Taoists, after all."

Zhang Fei, who had studied Confucian classics, disliked Taoists. His decision to leave Liu Bei was partly because Liu Bei had been misleading the people by imitating Taoist practices.

Therefore, Sun Wu's attempt to clear up the misunderstanding with the Taoists was not to his liking. Moreover, he did not believe that the Taoists would be well-treated by Lü Bu.

He did not want to play along. Sun Wu then lowered his voice and whispered.

"If we get help from the Taoists, we might be able to send a message to General Lü."

It was a time when messenger birds could not be used. Furthermore, he had not sent any messages to Lü Bu for a while due to the use of the Shang Xiang Ji. Without knowing the situation, they were like blind men.

"Is there no way to prove it? We haven't received any seals or banners with 'Lü' written on them. Why would they believe us?"

Sun Wu, frustrated, slapped his chest.

"If we could use messenger birds, I would send a message right away to confirm... Ah!"

Sun Wu suddenly jumped in surprise and fell on his buttocks, crawling behind Zhang Fei.

His sudden fright was due to the appearance of the black-robed figures wearing ghost masks.

They appeared as if they had been there all along, wearing masks with multiple eyes. These were none other than Lü Bu's Fangshangshi unit, more precisely, the Gaozhu soldiers.

However, the Zhang Fei army, unaware of their true identity, pointed their weapons at them. The Gaozhu soldiers also drew their daggers, indicating they were ready to fight.

Pi Zhangfang stepped forward, knowing their true identity.

"King Gaozhu, please clear up the misunderstanding. They are said to be General Lü's forces from Tongguan."

The Gaozhu soldiers sheathed their daggers again. Mo Taibai, the King of Gaozhu, removed his Fangshangshi mask, revealing a face distinctly different from Han Ren. Sun Wu, sensing that they were Hu people, warned Zhang Fei.

"General Zhang, it seems we've fallen into a trap."

"A trap? What do you mean?"

"Huang Boshun's main force. I saw the red banners but not the Jiangyi banners. I mean the Jiangyi army. They are Hu people, and this place is Hongnong, in Yongzhou."

"So they are the Jiangyi army? Ah! I see. The Taoists, of course. This Taoist seems to be one of Huang Boshun's lackeys... I need to capture him alive and give him a good beating."

At that moment, Feng Xian interjected, unable to just listen to their conversation.

"I have seen these Hu people before. They came to the Zhong family's residence in Hedong with General Xi Zhang."

* * *

A short while later. The main hall of Xiandang Palace.

Laughter echoed through the hall.

"Ha ha ha! Master Pi, can things get this twisted?"

"We almost shed blood among allies. The fact that we avoided disaster with the help of heaven shows that General Lü's virtue is indeed great."

With the misunderstanding cleared, Sun Wu and Pi Zhangfang's hearts were in sync, and they formed a bond. Zhang Fei, however, broke out in a cold sweat when Ji Jian offered him a peach, and he politely declined.

To avoid embarrassing Ji Jian, Zhang Fei firmly declined the peach and quietly left the room.

Shangshan Chao'ong approached Ji Jian.

"General Zhang Yide seems more reserved than he looks. Don't you think so?"

"Chao'ong, I understand. With such a distinguished appearance, he would naturally attract attention wherever he goes."

"How about Master Ji Jian? What do you think of our alliance with General Lü Bu?"

"I know that you have already placed your heart with General Lü Bu. Among the Fengyunzhaohua, Yun is already under General Lü's command, isn't he?"

Shangshan Chao'ong nodded with a satisfied expression.

"Although Feng did not receive an official position, he is assisting Yun. Moreover, after observing the celestial phenomena, Cao is also by General Lü's side. If 'Hua (化)' joins General Lü... "

"Everything will go smoothly, like a fish in water. Ha ha ha! Now that the plan you, Chao'ong, have prepared for a hundred years is finally coming to light, I offer my congratulations again."

"It was an arrangement for the welfare of the people. However, I am not the only one who foresaw and prepared for the future."

"Who else...?"

Ji Jian said this and nodded before hearing the answer.

"I understand. It seems that Master Yin Gui, your teacher, made the arrangements."

"Is that all you can think of?"

"Speaking of which, will Lü Bu ally with us? Our current situation is truly deplorable..."

"Let's gather the leaders of each sect and have a discussion."

* * *

Late at night.

In the main hall of Xiandang Palace, a few Taoists remained: Ji Jian, Shangshan Chao'ong, Wang Jin, Pi Zhangfang, Dongguo Lianian, and Ji Zaxun. There were six of them.

They discussed the plan to seek refuge with Lü Bu.

"Master Pi, I couldn't find a way to join General Lü Bu during my discussion with Chao'ong, so I seek answers from all the Masters."

Ji Jian then specifically asked Pi Zhangfang.

"Master Pi, how can we be on the same boat with General Lü? You have observed General Lü for years, so you must know the answer."

"Master Pi, I can confidently say that if we show our skills, General Lü will certainly treat us well."

"Show our skills? How so?"

"I am not skilled in martial arts or military strategy, but I know a lot about the herbs needed for alchemy. I used this knowledge to create medicinal herbs and, together with a skilled person, established the secret Jin Chang Mountain."

Ji Jian slapped his knee.

"So you won General Lü's favor by treating the wounded soldiers?"

However, Pi Zhangfang shook his head.

"General Lü was pleased with that, but more importantly, he is a hero who always thinks of the people first. Everyone knows that the province of Yan suffered from floods and plagues after the drought."

Dongguo Lianian chimed in.

"Yan province is so desolate that it doesn't look like a place where people can live. There's no food, and the plague is spreading. People are still fleeing to the mountains or other provinces. I heard that at least in Henei... "

Dongguo Lianian's eyes widened.

"Anyone who goes to Henei can get food if they are hungry and medicine if they are sick... "

Pi Zhangfang nodded and said.

"Henei is General Lü's territory. The hungry can fill their stomachs with even a simple porridge, and the sick can receive treatment based on their symptoms. Don't you understand what this means?"

"By using his military supplies to help the people and generously providing medicine, General Lü is indeed a unique hero in the world."

"If it were just a pretense to boost his reputation, I, Pi Zhangfang, would not have stayed with General Lü. When Master Pi discovered the herbs to treat the plague, General Lü was more pleased than anyone else."

Dongguo Lianian made a silent resolution after hearing Pi Zhangfang's words. However, the conversation among the Taoists continued regardless of his decision.

"Ji Zaxun has a question. I only have strong legs. I can't handle herbs like Master Pi."

"Master Ji, everyone has different skills. The important thing is that if you sincerely want to help, General Lü will give you a suitable task. If you perform it diligently, you will be well-rewarded."

Ji Zaxun frowned.

"With my skills, I will probably only be a messenger. No matter how detached I am from fame and fortune, I cannot be a mere messenger."

"Master Ji, you are greatly mistaken. In General Lü Bu's army, the generals vie to serve the army, and General Lü secretly enjoys the humble food of the guards as if it were a delicacy."

Wang Jin supported Pi Zhangfang's words.

"Do you think that's all? Dahu discusses military strategies, and Hua Xiong, known as the first brave warrior of Xiliang, holds a high position."

Ji Zaxun bowed his head deeply and could not say another word. As the discussion concluded, Ji Jian stepped forward.

"Master Pi, since we have all agreed, you should go and meet General Lü. You know better than anyone what we, the Taoists, want. Please find out General Lü's intentions."