Chapter 10

【Forced to push the rankings, I still have to ask for votes and collections from my fellow readers!】

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The mountains of Rangshan undulate continuously, one peak after another, stretching for fifty to sixty miles. Liu Jing carried Zhao Yun for nearly two hours, covering over twenty miles, and had long left the pursuing soldiers far behind, out of sight.

At this moment, Liu Jing was also exhausted. Seeing the dawn about to rise, he found a tree with intertwined vines and slowly laid Zhao Yun down.

With the medicine and water, Zhao Yun's injuries did not worsen, and he even managed to sleep, looking much better. Although his face was still very pale, the dark bruise had faded.

"Master Jing, you should rest too!"

Zhao Yun smiled and said, "I feel a bit stronger. Perhaps I can walk by myself later."

After this night of escape, the two had developed a bond of life and death. Liu Jing also drank some water and handed the water flask to Zhao Yun. He had found a clear spring on the way and refilled the flask.

He gazed at the rising sun, the magnificent rays of light painting the sky and the earth in a stunningly beautiful scene. Despite the picturesque landscape, Liu Jing seemed preoccupied.

Wu Xiu was dead. Could he still go to Jingzhou? Although the body was still on him, without Wu Xiu's recommendation, would Liu Biao still trust him? Perhaps, perhaps not. Everything was uncertain. If he didn't go to Jingzhou, where else could he go?

"Master Jing should still go to Jingzhou!"

Zhao Yun smiled gently and said, "You are Liu Biao's nephew. Whether Wu Xiu is there or not, this fact cannot be changed."

Zhao Yun sighed lightly, "Master Jing, your journey to Jingzhou is not to rely on Liu Biao's patronage, but to find an opportunity to showcase your talents. After this night, I, Zhao Yun, have seen a man of integrity, righteousness, and loyalty, who does not abandon or forsake. I respect you, and I hope you can find a good place to settle."

Zhao Yun's words made Liu Jing's heart glow with the morning light. He stared at the rising sun, a sense of grandeur and determination rising in his chest.

Indeed! There might be some risks, but what endeavor is without risk? The greater the risk, the greater the reward. As the Marquis of Jiping and Liu Biao's nephew, the potential gains far outweigh the risks.

If a man cannot bear such risks, what can he do? Going to Jingzhou is not bad. He could seek to establish himself in Liu Biao's domain and build his own achievements, making his journey to the Three Kingdoms worthwhile.

Thinking of this, Liu Jing turned to Zhao Yun and smiled, "If one day, Brother Zilong also gets the opportunity to showcase your talents and achieve great things, would you seize this opportunity?"

Zhao Yun smiled faintly. He understood Liu Jing's deeper meaning. He was not foolish. The words Wu Xiu said before his death made everything clear.

After a moment, he said calmly, "I will not betray my lord. Just as you do not abandon or forsake me, I will do the same for him. My lord is now facing great setbacks and is in the most difficult time. How can I abandon him!"

Zhao Yun's answer made Liu Jing somewhat disappointed, but he soon understood. If Zhao Yun really betrayed Liu Bei, he would not be the Zhao Zilong of Changshan.

More importantly, he was thinking too far ahead. Now was not the time for grand ambitions, but to find a way to make Liu Biao recognize him and establish himself in Jingzhou. This was the current issue he should consider.

Liu Jing's mood gradually calmed down, and he regained his composure. He smiled and said, "My greatest wish is to achieve the martial arts skills of Brother Zilong, but unfortunately, I do not have the opportunity."

Zhao Yun fell silent. After a moment, he looked at Liu Jing and said calmly, "You will have it."

Liu Jing was just speaking casually. At this moment, he thought of another matter and said, "I am also going to Xiangyang. Perhaps I will meet Lord Liu. If I do, for Brother Zilong's loyalty, I will do my best to help him stay in Jingzhou."

Zhao Yun was delighted. If Liu Jing could persuade Liu Biao to keep his lord, his lord would not be in a desperate situation and would have new opportunities.

"Thank you, Master Jing, for your righteousness."

Liu Jing nodded. He noticed that Zhao Yun's voice was no longer as weak as last night and had clearly improved. He smiled and said, "That bastard's hidden medicine was quite good, but it's all gone. I wonder if there are any herbs nearby?"

He stood up and looked around. At this moment, he saw a young Taoist carrying a bamboo basket walking towards them. Liu Jing was overjoyed; he was just worried about not finding the way!

He immediately went forward and bowed, "Please stop, Daoist Master!"

The young Taoist was about fourteen or fifteen years old, of medium build, with thick lips and a flat nose, looking honest and simple. He held a medicinal hoe.

Suddenly encountering two soldiers in the wilderness, he was startled and quickly clasped his hands in greeting, "Boundless Heaven! Where do the two benefactors come from?"

"We are Lord Liu's subordinates, scattered by the Cao army. We have been fleeing over mountains and ridges. Our companion is seriously injured. Can the Daoist Master help us?"

Both he and Zhao Yun were wearing Cao army armor and could not hide it. They could only take a chance. Since Liu Bei's reputation for righteousness was known throughout the land, they hoped the young Taoist would be sympathetic.

The young Taoist, upon hearing they were Lord Liu's subordinates, immediately showed respect and bowed, "It turns out you are Lord Liu's subordinates. I will do my best to help. Please follow me to the Taoist temple at the foot of the mountain. My master can treat injuries."

Liu Jing secretly cursed, 'Liu Dari's reputation is not bad, no wonder he is so popular everywhere.'

He and the young Taoist supported Zhao Yun and slowly walked towards the foot of the mountain.

...

At the foot of the mountain, there was a Taoist temple called Tianxuan Temple, with about twenty Taoists. They usually collected herbs and farmed, living a peaceful and self-sufficient life, unaffected by the turmoil at the end of the Han dynasty.

The abbot was an old Taoist, known as Rangshan Zhenren. He was originally a famous doctor. Although he could heal others, he could not heal himself. After his wife and son died of typhoid, he became a Taoist and traveled far and wide, eventually settling in Rangshan. He often treated the local villagers for free, earning a high reputation.

Rangshan Zhenren had long heard of Liu Bei's righteousness. Upon hearing that Liu Bei's subordinates were in trouble, he immediately ordered the preparation of a quiet room and personally treated Zhao Yun. Although the arrow poison was strong, the arrowhead did not damage the tendons or bones. Thanks to Liu Jing's timely treatment, the poison was stabilized, and Zhao Yun's condition was not serious. He would recover in a month with rest.

However, Zhao Yun was very worried about Liu Bei. After this defeat, all his foundations were lost. He did not know if his lord could withstand this blow.

He earnestly asked Liu Jing to deliver a message to his lord, hoping that Liu Jing could help Liu Bei stay in Jingzhou. Since Liu Jing had already promised, he would not back out. After resting for a night, Liu Jing set off for Jingzhou the next day.

...

From Rangshan to the west, there was a curved official road. After winding for over three hundred miles, one could enter Jingzhou territory and reach Bishui. Bishui was a tributary of the Han River. Following Bishui south for over a hundred miles would lead to Xiangyang.

However, Liu Jing took a shortcut, saving half the distance. He took large strides, rapidly moving west through the low hills, constantly checking the map drawn by Rangshan Zhenren. By noon the next day, he felt he was close to Bishui.

Liu Jing sat on a large rock and carefully examined his position on the map. According to the map, he was near Bishui, but... why couldn't he see the river?

Liu Jing stood up and looked around. About a hundred steps away, there was a small hill with a tall, straight tree, about four or five zhang high. He immediately ran towards the hill.

Soon, Liu Jing climbed the tree and cupped his hands to look west. The view suddenly became vast. A few miles away, a river like a jade belt flowed quietly across the wilderness. He also saw the official road, and at the end of the road, there seemed to be dozens of small black dots, like tents, set up by the Bishui River.

"Found it!"

Liu Jing shouted in joy, slid down the tree, and ran down the hill towards the distant official road.

Half an hour later, Liu Jing finally reached the camp of Liu Bei's army. About a hundred steps from the camp, two cavalrymen galloped over and stopped him.

"Forward camp, no entry!"

Liu Jing slightly bowed and said, "Please inform Lord Liu that General Zhao Yun has sent me to deliver a letter."

"Please wait a moment, sir!"

The cavalrymen turned their horses and returned. Soon, a scholar approached and bowed deeply to Liu Jing, "Does this gentleman know about General Zhao's situation?"

Liu Jing saw that the scholar was about thirty years old, with a long beard, clear eyes, and a calm demeanor. He smiled and said, "I was saved by General Zhao and escaped the battlefield. Unfortunately, General Zhao was injured. We fled from the Cao army's pursuit, and now General Zhao is recuperating at Tianxuan Temple on Rangshan, sending me to inform Lord Liu of his safety."

"Is that so? Please follow me, sir."

The scholar led Liu Jing towards the camp. Liu Jing couldn't help but ask, "May I ask the gentleman's name?"

The scholar smiled slightly, "I am Sun Qian, styled Gongyou, from Beihai."

Liu Jing nodded inwardly, 'So he is Sun Qian!'

Sun Qian then realized he had forgotten to ask Liu Jing's name and quickly smiled and asked, "I am truly impolite, I forgot to ask the gentleman's name."

"I am Liu Jing, the nephew of Liu Biao, passing through Runan, and was saved by General Zhao Yun."

Upon hearing that he was Liu Biao's nephew, Sun Qian showed great respect, "It turns out you are Master Jing. I am truly impolite."

The two entered the camp. In the distance, they saw a group of people gathered by the river. Sun Qian apologized, "Please wait a moment, sir. My lord is talking with everyone and will soon meet you."

"No problem, sir. Please attend to your business."

Sun Qian apologized and hurried away.

About a hundred steps from the group, Liu Jing leaned against a grain cart, hands crossed, and calmly watched Liu Bei and his subordinates in a meeting. He was a bit curious, wondering if it would be as he imagined: Liu Bei would first express despair and sorrow, and then his subordinates would pledge their loyalty.

However, logically, it should be like this. Liu Bei would give his former subordinates a choice. He wanted to go to Jingzhou but could not force others to follow. At the same time, he could test their loyalty, achieving two goals at once.

At this moment, he heard someone angrily shout, "Brother, what are you saying? We have fought for over ten years. When have we ever complained about you? If you say this again, I, Zhang Yide, will jump into the river and commit suicide!"

This was Zhang Fei. Liu Jing smiled in understanding. He sounded straightforward and honest, but what was his true nature?

Then a calm voice followed, "Brother, have you forgotten the story of Gaozu? He suffered many defeats before his final victory at Gaixia. Brother has faced many hardships but still stands strong. What do Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao's foundations matter? Brother is now facing a small setback. Just stand up again. Since we are already in Jingxiang, we can temporarily rely on Liu Biao and plan for a comeback!"

This must be Guan Yu. From his back, he looked very imposing.

Liu Jing sighed inwardly. Although Liu Bei had faced many setbacks, his perseverance was truly admirable. Moreover, he was very good at dealing with people. He had already escaped but still ordered Zhao Yun to save Liu Pi, unwilling to give up easily. This way of treating people was why so many followed him.

"Master Jing!"

Sun Qian approached again, smiling and bowing, "My lord invites you to come over. Could you please come?"

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