Chapter 347

In the Zhongping First Year, August, Dong Zhuo's two‑month siege of Zhang Bao failed, he was dismissed to the Court Marshal for trial, and sentenced to a first‑class reduction of the death penalty.

The court issued an edict ordering Huangfu Song to lead troops to attack Guangzong City.

In the meantime, Zhang Jiao "died of illness".

Now, in October deep autumn, the cold is gradually intensifying.

Huangfu Song stood on the high ground before the camp, gazing at the nearby Guangzong City still occupied by the Yellow Turban Army, his brows tightly knit.

Earlier, he had already clashed with the Public General Zhang Liang, who had taken over command from Zhang Jiao; Zhang Liang's troops fought with extreme ferocity and vigor, and in the first direct engagement the Imperial Army failed to gain any advantage, ending instead with a temporary retreat!

After that, Huangfu Song cautiously stationed troops here, without rashly attacking; he waited, waiting for the optimal moment.

And now, the opportunity seems to have arrived.

"Zhang Jiao died of illness… good." Huangfu Song ran a hand through his long beard, a flash of brilliance in his eyes, murmuring softly.

The enemy's chief commander is newly lost; no matter how the opponent masks it, the troops' morale will inevitably be greatly affected—this is precisely a chance to exploit!

He turned and strode back to the Central Army Big Tent.

The generals inside the tent had already stood solemnly awaiting, their gazes all flashing onto him.

Huangfu Song surveyed the generals, his voice steady and powerful: "Send the order down: the whole army close camp and rest soldiers, external loosen, internal tighten, adopt a long‑term siege posture, and observe their changes!"

He paused, his tone turning grim, "The rebel leader is newly lost, his troops' morale must be chaotic; when they become slightly lax and complacent—"

He slammed the table hard: "Our army shall reorganize tonight, and at tomorrow's cock‑crow, while the sky is still dim and people are most exhausted, the whole army will launch a surprise attack and break the city in one stroke!"

The generals in the tent, hearing this, were greatly invigorated, and in unison replied: "We will strictly follow the general's command!"

The order was swiftly transmitted down.

Within the Imperial Army's massive camp, there was a modest but relatively well‑equipped unit that also received the rest‑and‑standby directive.

In a small tent of the unit, the atmosphere was somewhat restless.

"Elder brother, second brother! Fourth brother said he'd wait for us at Julu, now we've all arrived at Guangzong, where is he? Not even a shadow! It's driving me mad!" Zhang Fei, like a trapped Ferocious Tiger, paced back and forth before Liu Bei and Guan Yu, his large hand fanning like a palm fan, looking extremely impatient.

It was precisely Yu Lin's earlier words, "wait for the brothers at Julu," that caused the three historically uninvolved Liu, Guan, and Zhang to inadvertently alter their path, join Huangfu Song's command, and arrive at this Guangzong front.

Guan Yu sat upright beside them, one hand stroking his two‑foot beautiful beard, his phoenix‑like eyes slightly narrowed, his voice deep as he soothed: "Third brother, do not be impatient."

"Fourth brother's actions have always been like a divine dragon seen at the head but not the tail; perhaps he was delayed by some urgent matter, unable to break away."

He analyzed, "Furthermore, in the previous encounter with Zhang Liang, we did not see Fourth brother's trace at the front, indicating he has not joined the Yellow Turban rebels; we need not be overly concerned."

Seated at the main seat, Liu Bei also gave a slight nod, replying, "Guan Yu's words are indeed apt. Fourth brother's abilities are extraordinary; there must be a reason for him."

"Third brother, you sit down; we can discuss how to proceed if we truly attack tomorrow…"

Before he could finish speaking, the tent curtain was lifted, and a messenger from the military academy entered, clasping his fists to the three and saying, "Gentlemen, General Huangfu has ordered: the whole army close camp and rest, external loosen, internal tighten, each unit inspect weapons, nourish spirit, store sharpness, and be ready to receive deployment at any time!"

"Perhaps there will be a great battle tomorrow night; please make preparations early!"

Having said that, he turned and hurried away to convey other orders.

Hearing this, Zhang Fei could only temporarily suppress his remarks about Yu Lin, straightened his expression, and prepared to discuss the concrete battle details with Liu Bei and Guan Yu.

However, as he turned, before he could speak, clear footsteps sounded again from behind the tent curtain.

Zhang Fei, already irritable from not finding Yu Lin, now thought it was another messenger coming and going.

Perhaps there was another trivial matter; instantly quite impatient, he turned sharply and grumbled loudly, "What else now? Can't one thing be said all at once? Back and forth, this…"

His words halted abruptly when he saw the newcomer clearly.

A figure, whose presence had quietly taken shape there, wore a familiar calm smile—was it not the Yu Lin they had been searching for, or who else?

"Ah!" Zhang Fei's impatience instantly melted like ice, giving way to huge delight; his dark face smiled like a blooming chrysanthemum.

He strode forward, spreading his arms to give Yu Lin a solid bear hug: "Fourth brother! Hahaha! Not seeing you these days, I thought I'd die, old Zhang!"

Yu Lin, seeing this, shifted his foot slightly, his body slipping half a step to the side and back without a trace, just avoiding Zhang Fei's over‑enthusiastic embrace, and while bowing he smiled and said:

"Brothers, months without seeing each other, are you all well?"

"Is your cultivation still going well?"

"Fine, fine, never slackened." Liu Bei and Guan Yu, seeing Yu Lin return, both showed delighted expressions and immediately rose.

Not allowing Yu Lin to speak further, the two, one on each side, enthusiastically pressed him onto the only chair inside the tent.

Guan Yu handed a bowl of clear water, and Liu Bei, unable to wait, asked curiously, "Fourth brother, where have you been all these days? We have been truly worried."

He paused, recalling the biggest rumor circulating in the army lately, and lowered his voice, with a hint of probing and disbelief, asking, "Also… this sudden death of Zhang Jiao… has shaken the world, but… does it involve you, Fourth brother?"

The three—Liu, Guan, and Zhang—six gazes simultaneously focused on Yu Lin's face, full of curiosity and inquiry.

Under the three's scorching gazes, Yu Lin took the bowl, did not drink, but gently rubbed its rim, then calmly nodded and said softly:

"The matter of Zhang Jiao's death, indeed it was done by me."

"This! This! This!" Zhang Fei exclaimed, his leopard eyes widening to circles, his mouth opening enough to fit a fist, pointing at Yu Lin, stammering for a long while before managing a complete sentence:

"Fourth brother! When did you… acquire such ability? To be able to… to be able…"

He wanted to say "take a life from a thousand li away," but felt it was wrong, and for a moment didn't know how to phrase it.

Liu Bei and Guan Yu were also deeply shocked; although they had long suspected, hearing it directly from Yu Lin still left them utterly astonished.

What kind of figure was Zhang Jiao? The Yellow Turban Leader who stirred the heavens, the Great Sage Benevolent Master bearing strange arts; his life and death affect the entire campaign! Yet Fourth brother brushed it off so lightly…

However, before they could digest this shocking news, Yu Lin shifted his tone and added:

"But this 'death from illness' was not a true death."

"It was merely the death of the flesh."

"Death of the flesh?" Guan Yu's hand stroking his beard paused, the phoenix‑like eyes flashing, he pressed, "Fourth brother, what exactly is this situation? Please clarify!"

Yu Lin looked at the three brothers' inquisitive eyes, gave a slight smile, teased them, drained the clear water from the bowl, and then leisurely said:

"In a few days… you will naturally know."

His smile was unfathomably profound, leaving Liu, Guan, and Zhang feeling as if cat claws were scratching their hearts, yet helpless.

Could it be that we cannot strike him?

Whether we can win or not still needs to be discussed..........