Chapter 323: Liu, Guan, and Zhang: The Three

Regarding the conversation with Zhang Tianshi and his group.

Yu Lin doesn't know that Meimei slept through the night, or rather, compared to that, he cares more about whether he can get a good sleep.

It is said that today all the sects and the Civil Affairs Bureau and other high officials have gathered, so let the disciples under their doors hold a contest, each bringing out something good to motivate them.

Yu Lin, after watching for a morning, thought it was just so‑so.

After all, he had once gone through a similar incident, such as the "friendship exchange" with America.

But now Yu Lin, being a senior figure, naturally cannot be stingy.

A storage ring refined three times was made on the spot as a reward, and it is said that after Zhang Tianshi and his group evaluated it, it became the first‑place prize.

A storage ring that can accelerate cultivation speed could certainly be passed down as a family heirloom.

After several days of contests, the first place was indeed unexpected to everyone.

It was neither an official body like the Civil Affairs Bureau nor a major sect such as Daoism or Buddhism, but a grassroots group from the Tianxuan Club, even less reputable than Ning Ya!

A girl of about eighteen possessed the heavenly destiny that was once thought to be Yu Lin's Heavenly Authority!

But Yu Lin only heard a brief mention of what happened afterward, because he had left long ago.

He went with Francis to the Vatican for a ritual, and also had a meal with Satan.

As the days passed one by one.

Today is the day when the countdown reaches zero.

Yu Lin was thinking about entering the mission when he suddenly felt someone watching him from the sky, so he looked up.

A white cloud shaped like a human slowly drifted by.

Hmm, either the Jade Emperor or Lao Jun.

Yu Lin, too lazy to care what they intended, directly led Long Ye and the others into the mission.

Accompanied by a flash of WhiteLight.

He vanished.

【Mission: Obtain the Peace Technique from Zhang Jiao】

【Reward: Trait — Words Become Law】

Late Eastern Han.

Zhuo Commandery (present‑day Zhuozhou, Hebei).

Yu Lin sat at a modest roadside food stall, not in a hurry to go to Julu Commandery (present‑day Pingxiang County, Hebei) to find Zhang Jiao.

He leisurely sipped the bland porridge water, his gaze curiously following the clerk as he carried a proclamation through the dust‑choked street, finally pasting the document announcing the onset of chaos on the wall beside the city gate.

The crowd immediately swarmed like iron filings, and a noisy murmur buzzed.

In these days, literacy is a rare talent; most of the spectators could only stare blankly at the proclamation, fidgeting and pulling at their ears.

"Who can read? Read it quickly!" someone shouted.

A middle‑aged man in a scholar's robe washed so white cleared his throat, pushed forward, and began to read with measured cadence.

It merely announced that the Yellow Turban Bandits were rebelling, the court was recruiting volunteer soldiers to jointly suppress the rebels and bring peace to the realm.

When the proclamation finished, the crowd erupted like a pot about to boil over.

Some wore worried expressions, some were eager to try, and many more were numb and bewildered.

In these chaotic times, taking up arms is just another way to struggle for survival.

At that moment, a long, heavy sigh reached everyone's ears.

Following the sound, they saw a tall youth with ears hanging to his shoulders, setting down the straw mat and sandal basket he carried, staring at the proclamation with a veil of inexpressible melancholy over his brows.

The sigh attracted the attention of a burly man nearby.

The man stood eight feet tall, with a leopard‑patterned head, hawk‑like jaw, and tiger whiskers, truly imposing.

His voice boomed like a great bell as he shouted, "A true man does not shirk his duty to the nation; why the long sigh?"

The youth turned, his eyes tinged with loneliness, and with a wry smile said, "I am of the Han Clan Kin, surname Liu, given name Bei, courtesy name Xuan De. Hearing the Yellow Turban uprising, I aspire to crush the bandits and protect the people, but I lament my insufficient strength, hence the sigh."

"Han Clan Kin?!" Before he finished, a chorus of snickers and doubts erupted around him.

Everyone examined Liu Bei's tattered clothes and the straw‑sandals basket at his feet, their gazes full of contempt and mockery.

"Whose Han Clan Kin has fallen to selling straw mats and sandals?"

"Probably has lost his mind!"

Facing the thousand pointing fingers, doubt and contempt rained down like cold rain, yet Liu Bei merely straightened his spine slightly, his expression still calm, even bearing a stubborn serenity as if those harsh voices were separated from him by an invisible shield.

His demeanor caused the leopard‑headed burly man's eyes to flash with a hint of admiration.

With a sweeping gesture, the burly man's voice rumbled like muffled thunder: "Brother, your bearing is extraordinary; to remain so composed under a thousand accusations, I, Zhang Fei, believe your words are true!"

He pointed to a tavern with a wine banner nearby and asked, "May we go there for a chat?"

Liu Bei, seeing his generosity, did not decline, nodding, "Very well, please."

"Please!" Zhang Fei laughed loudly, and walked side by side with Liu Bei toward the tavern.

The onlookers, seeing the excitement fade, gradually dispersed, leaving only the proclamation fluttering gently in the wind.

Yu Lin, seeing this, curled a playful smile at the corner of his mouth, set down a few five‑zhu copper coins, and rose at a leisurely pace toward the tavern.

This firsthand prelude to the Peach Garden Oath was rather nice.

Just as he reached the tavern's entrance, before stepping inside, a sudden foul wind brushed past him.

A figure, moving like a dragon and tiger, surged ahead of him and burst inside!

The person stood over nine feet tall, immensely robust, face like a heavy jujube, lips as if painted, and most striking was a two‑foot‑long, jet‑black, glossy beard that fluttered in the wind—truly a dignified and imposing visage!

Upon entering, he shouted so loudly that the roof shivered:

"Quick, pour the wine! I'm rushing into the city to enlist!"

The waiter, intimidated by his presence, hurriedly responded and began preparations.

That red‑faced, long‑bearded Han Empire let out a shout, voice like a Hong bell, shaking the dust on the tavern beams so that it seemed to flutter down.

His astonishing physique and imposing aura instantly drew the eyes of everyone in the establishment, naturally including the newly seated Liu Bei and Zhang Fei.

Zhang Fei, ever bold, saw such heroic bearing and his leopard eyes instantly brightened; he could not help but slam the table and exclaim, "What a fine man! Truly imposing!"

Liu Bei felt a stir in his heart; he had always been adept at judging people. Though this man's clothing was plain, his stride was like a dragon's and a tiger's, his gaze like lightning, and his brows bore a chilling righteousness—far from ordinary folk.

He also heard that the man intended to enlist, a kindred spirit, and his mind was set on befriending him.

He rose at once, bowed his palm to the red‑faced Han Empire, and spoke with humility yet poise, "Sir, I am Liu Bei, Liu Xuan De. Seeing your lofty bearing and desire to enlist for the country is admirable. If you do not mind, may we step aside for a drink and discuss great matters?"

The red‑faced Han Empire turned his head at the words, seeing Liu Bei's simple attire but refined visage, steady bearing, and sincere speech, and also noting Zhang Fei beside him, towering and extraordinary, he felt a few sparks of goodwill.

Being a man of feeling, he did not decline, clasped his fists in greeting and replied, "Certainly, there is no objection."

"I, Guan Yu........."

Outside.

Yu Lin stood at the doorway, watching the gathering storm inside the tavern; he adjusted his clothing, then calmly stepped over the threshold.

Then, amid the puzzled gazes of Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, he sat beside them and smiled, saying:

"Hello, you all."