Mythical Version of Three Kingdom

Amid the cheers around him, Guan Hai looked up at the sky, as a yellowish-brown internal energy began to emanate from his body. Gradually, the energy’s color faded until it became colorless, and the martial aura that had surrounded him dissipated, leaving him appearing ordinary.

Guan Hai couldn’t help but mock himself. There was no great joy in achieving ”Internal Energy Released.” Instead, he felt only calmness.

”The duty of righteousness, even in death, leaves no regrets.” This phrase echoed in his mind, and the bitter smile that had once graced his face disappeared. Someone had to bear the burden, and Guan Hai had come to understand that it was his turn.

In that moment, Guan Hai realized the transformation happening within him. His mindset had changed, and he had let go of his attachment to life.

”Take the grain!” Guan Hai’s newly acquired ability to project his voice through internal energy allowed his words to reach all corners of the camp.

The Yellow Turban leaders erupted in cheers. Even the least observant among them realized that Guan Hai had reached the pinnacle of martial arts, achieving ”Internal Energy Released.”

”Congratulations, Dashi! Congratulations!” The leaders rushed forward, bowing to Guan Hai with faces full of excitement. It was unimaginable that someone from the Yellow Turbans had reached such a level.

”Hahaha...” Guan Hai smiled calmly. Death no longer frightened him. Compared to the future of the million Yellow Turbans, his own life seemed insignificant.

Guan Hai handed out steamed buns to each of the Yellow Turbans, then found a spot to eat his own. There were no other dishes, but for the starving Yellow Turbans, nothing was more satisfying than a simple bun.

”How refreshing!” one of the leaders exclaimed after devouring two large buns in just a few bites. He eyed the steaming basket, tempted to take another, but sighed deeply and sat back down.”This reminds me of when I was working on the infrastructure projects in Taishan. Having steamed buns to eat was such a luxury,” Jiang Gong said as he broke his bun into pieces and ate slowly.

These Yellow Turban warriors had all reached the level of ”Refined Qi into Steel.” If not for their background as Yellow Turbans, each of them could have lived in comfort, eating lavish meals every day. In fact, they could have easily hidden their identities and joined any warlord, who would likely overlook their past and accept them.

But the Yellow Turbans who had survived to this point were burdened by the presence of women, children, and the elderly under their care. They couldn’t abandon them, and so they sought a ruler who would accept them all, rather than just taking the able-bodied and leaving the rest to starve. This was why they were drawn to Liu Bei, the only leader who didn’t mind caring for those who couldn’t contribute much.

”It won’t be long now,” Guan Hai said calmly. He no longer felt sorrow, only peace—he had come to terms with everything.

”Yuanjian, come with me,” Guan Hai said after finishing his bun, addressing Liao Hua, who had just divided a bun into four pieces to share with Du Yuan and the others.

”Alright,” Liao Hua replied. He had intended to joke around with Du Yuan, Sima Ju, and Guan Cheng, but Guan Hai’s request put an end to that. He handed out the remaining pieces of his bun and then followed Guan Hai.

”What is it, Guan Hai?” Liao Hua asked curiously as Guan Hai led him to a remote spot.

”Is Guan Yu a man of righteousness and trust?” Guan Hai asked as he leaned against a stripped tree.

”General Guan is indeed a man of loyalty and righteousness,” Liao Hua replied, sensing the seriousness of Guan Hai’s question. He recounted everything he knew about Guan Yu.

”That’s good,” Guan Hai said, a small smile forming on his lips. ”When you return, tell Guan Yu that I am willing to follow in the footsteps of our late leader. But unlike him, I can’t be as calm. I want to die by Guan Yu’s blade. I want to see what the peak of ’Internal Energy Released’ is truly like.”

”Guan Hai?” Liao Hua was startled, immediately standing up.

”Don’t be surprised,” Guan Hai said as he leaned back against the tree, gazing up at the clouds. ”I used to be unwilling, but I’ve come to understand. The Yellow Turbans don’t need a hero who can rally the masses; they need a peaceful life, a piece of land to farm, and food to eat.”

As Liao Hua listened to Guan Hai’s casual words, he felt a wave of sadness well up inside.

”Yuanjian, I won’t see the life the Yellow Turbans will have in the future, but I know many of our leaders will still go to war. I hope General Guan can look after them a little because of my sacrifice,” Guan Hai said calmly, delivering his last words without fear or regret.

”We Yellow Turbans only ask to be treated like ordinary people. Tell Guan Yu that if he agrees to this, I will give Taishan the assurance they seek, just like our late leader did. But I have more influence than he did—Chen Bai and Fu Yun only had small groups following them, while I have seventy loyal leaders under me.” Guan Hai’s face showed a glimmer of hope as he felt he finally understood the righteousness and kindness of their late leader.

”Guan Hai, I...” Liao Hua knelt before Guan Hai, fully aware that this iron-willed man was willing to die for the million Yellow Turbans. His resolve filled Liao Hua with admiration—another hero had emerged among the Yellow Turbans.

”Go and tell Guan Yu all of this. Let him know that even if he can’t fulfill my request, I will still give my life. The life you described in Taishan seems worth dying for to give the Yellow Turbans a chance at it,” Guan Hai said with a wry smile. He didn’t have the leverage to negotiate with Guan Yu, but for the sake of the million Yellow Turbans, he was willing to die, just like their late leader.

”Guan Hai, I, Liao Yuanjian, swear to relay your words to General Guan without omission. I will use my own life to plead for this!” Liao Hua vowed, tears streaming from his eyes as he knelt before Guan Hai.

”Go, hurry and tell Guan Yu what I’ve said. Someone needs to step up when the Yellow Turbans face death. Last time, it was our late leader; this time, it’s me, Guan Hai. The flame of righteousness will not extinguish... the flame of righteousness will not extinguish...” Guan Hai murmured to himself. He had earned the right to say these words.

”I’m going. I’ll tell General Guan everything about the Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou. Guan Hai, wait for my message. Even if you die by General Guan’s blade, I will look after the brothers in your place. We Yellow Turbans of Qingzhou are fortunate to have had both our late leader and you, stepping up in our darkest times,” Liao Hua said as he knelt and bowed three times before standing, his voice filled with both bitterness and determination.