The atmosphere outside the Pingyuan army's temporary camp was heart-wrenching. The Xuzhou sky had just cleared after days of being covered by the smoke and dust of war. But the dirt road in front of the camp’s barricade was filled with thousands of civilians and local soldiers. They were kneeling en masse, bowing their heads until their foreheads touched the filthy ground. Cries and wails filled the morning air, creating a chorus of despair thicker than the screams on the battlefield. “Imperial Uncle, we beg you! Don’t leave us!” an old woman shrieked, hugging the leg of a Pingyuan soldier who was rolling up a tent. “Lord Liu Bei! If you leave, those greedy officials will have their hands around our necks again! The Wei army might come back! Who will protect us?!” a Xuzhou militia lieutenant roared, his tears soaking his leather armor. At the edge of the camp, Liu

The muscles in Liu Bei’s arms screamed under the strain. The Imperial Uncle summoned all his remaining strength, pulling Jo Fan’s thin body from the edge of the deadly chasm. Liu Bei’s straw boots scraped against the stone floor of the wall, creating a heart-wrenching screech. With one final, brutal heave, Jo Fan’s body was finally lifted and fell onto Liu Bei’s chest. The two of them collapsed backward, landing hard on the cold stone floor. Liu Bei’s breath was wild. He hugged his advisor’s body tightly, tears soaking his face, which was dirty with the dust of war. “Master Jo! Calm yourself! I’ve already promised, I will take this city!” Liu Bei shouted in a panic. But there was no answer. Jo Fan’s body lay limp in Liu Bei’s arms. The white-haired young man’s head lolled to the side. Jo Fan’s eyes were closed tightly

The main residence of the Mi family in the center of Xuzhou city radiated a luxury that stood in stark contrast to the rest of the war-torn city. The smell of blood in the streets could not penetrate the fragrance of sandalwood incense that was burned in every corner of this pavilion. Jo Fan limped down the teakwood-floored hallway. The cane in his hand tapped the floor with a constant rhythm. The white-haired young man let out a soft snort, looking at the gold carvings on the wall. He had come this afternoon to handle his boss's prenuptial conditions. In his head, he had already prepared dozens of threatening, manipulative, and persuasive lines to deal with a noble girl who must be crying her eyes out for being forced by her brother to marry a poor, middle-aged man. The sliding door of the pavilion opened. Jo Fan stepped into a room filled with shelves of bamboo scrolls. In the middle of the room sat a young woman dress

The atmosphere inside the main hall of Xuzhou that night truly felt like a piece of heaven had descended into the hell of war. Red lanterns cast a warm glow that swept across the relieved faces. The gentle melody from the zither players floated in the air, masking the remnants of trauma that still lingered outside the city walls. At the main seat, Liu Bei sat side-by-side with Lady Mi. The Imperial Uncle, who was usually stiff and always thinking about the fate of the people, now couldn't hide his awkward smile. Lady Mi gracefully poured wine into her husband’s cup, her movements so elegant they charmed several of the local lieutenants present. “First Brother! Finish the wine in your cup!” Zhang Fei roared. The black-armored giant stood unsteadily, holding a large wine jug with one hand. His face was already flushed from being drunk. “Tonight we celebrate your wedding! Our victory over that Shorty Cao Mengde, and our

Liu Bei frowned after hearing Lu Bu’s baritone voice. He immediately raised his hand and held Zhang Fei’s bow so it wasn't aimed down. “Hold on, Yide. Don’t be rash,” Liu Bei commanded in a firm tone that was laden with an internal conflict. The Imperial Uncle looked down at Lu Bu. His eyes radiated a very deep moral dilemma. “They did not come in an attack formation. They came as refugees who have lost their home. To shoot a person who is asking for help is not the way of a knight.” “A knight?!” Zhang Fei argued stubbornly. “Brother, he is a mad dog! If you feed him today, he will bite your hand tomorrow! Remember how he slaughtered our army at Hulao Gate!” “Third Brother is right, First Brother,” Guan Yu finally spoke up. The God of War looked at Liu Bei with a very serious gaze. “Lu Bu knows no meaning of loyalty. He killed his own ado