Chapter 2

Liu Bai heard the chaotic footsteps outside, and in his panic he pulled the blanket back over himself and lay on the bed pretending to sleep.

A burly black‑faced man hurriedly dragged an old doctor carrying a medicine box inside.

"Elder brother, elder brother."

Shortly after, several more people came in one after another.

"Third brother, don't shout, elder brother needs to rest."

The leader stood nine chi tall, wore green robe armor, and had a green parrot‑feather cap on his head; his crimson face bore a pair of imposing phoenix eyes. Though his eyes were usually half‑closed, the sharp light in them made people dare not slight him, and his flowing beautiful beard hung down to his belly.

"Oh dear, second brother, the elder brother has fallen ill, and I'm not just worried for nothing. Doctor, please examine my elder brother properly."

The sturdy man pulling the doctor stood eight chi tall, with a leopard‑head and ringed eyes; his thick beard on a large black face matched his loud voice, making his imposing stature even more remarkable.

"Alright, generals, don't worry; let me take a careful look."

The old doctor stepped forward, his withered fingers grabbing Liu Bei's wrist.

With one hand he sensed Liu Bei's lively pulse, with the other he stroked his sparse beard, closed his eyes and pondered briefly. After a moment, the old doctor turned to the crowd and said,

"This… General Liu's pulse beats normally, his breathing is even, his complexion is ruddy—he doesn't seem ill."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fei grew anxious and shouted.

"Have you looked carefully? My elder brother has been vomiting blood—how could he be fine?"

Guan Yu, his crimson face also leaning in, the two peerless warriors approaching made the feign‑asleep Liu Bai suddenly feel an inexplicable pressure.

"Or perhaps I should give General Liu another acupuncture treatment?"

Guan and Zhang exchanged a glance, then nodded.

"I think it'll work!"

The old doctor then opened his wooden chest, which seemed older than he was, and counted out his silver needles one by one from an old piece of cloth.

Liu Bai's heart tightened at once; in this day and age, how many die from poor sanitation, let alone the thought of disinfecting with medical alcohol.

No, this needle must not be inserted!

At that moment, Lu Ban's contemptible voice sounded.

"The system detects that the host needs help right now; you can open the resource panel, and a beginner's gift package is included."

"Fine, fine, open it."

"The beginner's gift package includes item one: a chromium‑steel alloy sword, sharp enough to cut iron like mud—who can rival it?"

"Item two: a set of black‑silk gold armor; in this era, it's hard to find a weapon that can harm anyone wearing it!"

"Item three: the precious horse Wu Yun, the Black Cloud Treading Snow, capable of covering a thousand li a day, rivaling Lü Bu's Red Hare!"

"Moreover, the system automatically opens a storage space; would the host like to store the beginner's gift items there?"

At this moment the old doctor had already drawn out a silver needle, and the eyes‑closed Liu Bai clearly felt the needle tip drawing ever closer.

"Take that horse from your beginner's gift package outside and make a big commotion."

"Okay, the system is distributing the beginner's gift package…"

"Gift one,"

Shush shush shush!

A proud horse neigh rang from the courtyard, then outside voices grew noisy with shouts and rebukes; immediately the sound of hooves drew nearer to this room, as if that black‑cloud horse was charging toward the house.

The old doctor inside was about to perform acupuncture when these sounds interrupted him.

Guan Yu rose, stroked his beard, and said to the old doctor,

"Please continue the treatment, third brother; let's go take a look."

Guan and Zhang hurried out of the room, and the others followed behind them.

The old Chinese doctor shook his head, about to continue the needle, when a large hand reached out from under the blanket and grabbed his wrist.

……

In the courtyard, the tall black‑cloud‑treading‑snow horse reared up, and the dozen or so guards around could not approach it.

Seeing this, Guan and Zhang secretly cheered in their hearts.

"What a fine horse!"

Just as Zhang San ye rolled up his sleeves, adjusted his belt, and prepared to step forward to subdue the steed, someone suddenly pressed down on his shoulder.

"Second brother, let me go up and try first!"

Zhang Fei thought it was Guan Yu intending to act himself; in such a moment, only his second brother would dare to stop him.

"Third brother, don't be anxious."

Hearing the elder brother's voice, Zhang Fei reacted instantly, turned his head, saw the smiling Liu Bei, and eagerly grabbed his arm.

"Elder brother, you're awake."

Afterwards Zhang Fei let out a near‑roaring laugh, and together with Guan Yu's hearty laughter they surrounded Liu Bei.

Liu Bei grinned, looking at Guan and Zhang surrounding him and the crowd around, feeling a warm surge in his heart.

But!

Zhang San ye, your grip is really strong!

Although Liu Bei had some courage, he was no match for Guan and Zhang, those peerless warriors; he wasn't the Liu Dali from old TV dramas who could separate Guan and Zhang in a fight.

"Alright, two worthy brothers, I'm fine. While unconscious, an old immortal told me I should wake; now that the Han house is weak, I must go to support it, and he has bestowed treasures upon me."

Liu Bei smiled at the crowd, and the courtyard's precious black‑cloud horse came running over, its big head nuzzling affectionately against him.

Hearing these words, the surrounding crowd noted that Liu Bei's illness was improving quickly, and moreover this divine steed, the black‑cloud horse, was so close to him; they all bowed and offered congratulations.

"My lord, this is heaven's mandate; naturally it is the blessing of our ancestors."

"Not bad; the lord is himself a descendant of the Han house, so this heavenly auspicious sign is something the Han line ought not to lose!"

……

Afterwards, Liu Bei had someone lead away the black steed.

Liu Bei watched Sun Qian, Jian Yong, and the others congratulating him, and also stood to one side, unable to refrain from sighing, 'Really, these ancients! They are simply so honest and unsophisticated!'

"Hahaha, summon everyone to the government office to discuss affairs!"

Everyone responded and withdrew, while Guan Yu and Zhang Fei stayed behind to accompany Liu Bei in the courtyard.

"Two worthy brothers, since we swore brotherhood in the Peach Garden, we have always shared blessings and borne hardships together. Today, as elder brother, having obtained several treasures, I ought to share them with you two."

Zhang Fei looked somewhat embarrassed, rubbing his big hands with a shy expression.

"Elder brother, because I am quite heavy, my horse has always been unable to bear the load……"

Liu Bei smiled and looked at Zhang Fei's shy big face.

"Third brother, you always charge ahead in battle, so you naturally need a fine horse. We brothers are as one; this black steed I give to you."

Zhang Fei's heart was moved in an instant; indeed, it's still our elder brother who cares for me! He knows that it's not easy for Old Zhang to charge into battle!

A good horse can be said to be a warrior's second life; Lü Bu's betrayal of his first foster father Ding Yuan can be said to have been due to the Red Hare horse sent by Dong Zhuo being a crucial factor. Therefore, Zhang Fei's deep emotion is quite understandable.

Liu Bei gazed at the eager second lord beside him, then took hold of his arm and led the two of them into the room.

"Second brother, for now there is only one fine horse, so later I, as elder brother, will certainly find another good horse for you. Besides, I have another treasure to present to you."

Having said that, Liu Bei picked up the black silk gold armor from the table; one could see the tightly woven, soft treasure armor flashing with a dark luster, the black gold rings interlocking like a mesh.

"Third brother, swing your sword hard at this gold armor!"

"All right! I'm coming!"

Zhang Fei gripped his sword with both hands and struck hard at the treasure armor; sparks flew…… After the strike, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei stepped forward to see that not a single scratch had appeared on the armor.

"This!"

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei both opened their mouths wide, staring at Liu Bei in astonishment.

Liu Bei picked up the treasure armor and handed it to Guan Yu, smiling as he said,

"This black gold armor can be said to be impervious to blades and spears; although you, second brother, are highly skilled in martial arts, you also need to guard against injury from hidden arrows!"

Liu Bei considered that the second lord's arrow defense was indeed low, having been ambushed several times by hidden arrows later on, and hoped that this treasure armor could improve the second lord's arrow defense attribute.

Guan Yu held the black gold armor, his eyes also full of deep emotion. Knowing that the second lord had never been willing to part with the green robe Liu Bei gave him, now that the elder brother presents him with such a treasure, how could his heart not be moved?

"Elder brother's great kindness, Yun Chang has no way to repay!"

Zhang Fei beside him also clasped his fists and shouted loudly,

"Me too!"

Liu Bei spoke with a smile, his eyes full of determination.

We're brothers after all—why stand on ceremony with elder brother? The three of us share weal and woe; if we work together wholeheartedly, we'll surely achieve something great.