Chapter 188: Chapter 179: Lifebound Character, Foster Father Above, Dong, Cao, and Liu
Seeing Lü Bu unexpectedly voice such a unique insight about the "chaotic world."
Liu Bei was stunned, lowered his head, and fell into deep thought.
For him, is this world truly chaotic? Or a prosperous era?
His family background declined, and he grew up in poverty, with unforgettable memories.
He often woke up hungry in the deep night, that profound hunger left him unable to think; at that time "living" and then "getting enough to eat" was his greatest wish at heart.
In his teens, he made shoes and sold footwear to sustain his life, with help from family uncles, yet he lived so arduously.
Liu Bei considered himself having borne adversities from childhood, persevered, and after studying, traveled sword-in-hand for some time, suddenly realizing his difficult times were simply nothing.
His youth was practically the life others dreamed of!
At least he hadn’t been reduced to eating dirt... In extreme starvation, one truly can eat anything.
Liu Bei’s gaze gradually became firm.
This is truly a chaotic world!
He must put an end to this damned chaotic world!!
"Mr. Lü!! This isn’t a prosperous era!! Rather it is an unmitigated purgatory of chaos! Look outside, and see this world; corpses starve in the fields, ten rooms are empty! My heart aches, I only hate my weakness and inability to end this chaotic world!"
Liu Bei’s eyes turned red, he stared dazedly at Lü Bu, with emotions surging through his heart.
Before him, this gentle young man, he had the might to overturn the heavens and earth.
Liu Bei no longer hesitated, he suddenly rose, bowed deeply to Lü Bu, and earnestly pleaded:
"For the people of this world, I boldly beseech Mr. Lü to take action, save the masses from distress and danger. I am willing to give my all, to serve tirelessly, regardless of hardships; only hope the suffering of this chaotic world ends soon, returning the world to a prosperous era!"
"Big brother!"
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei rose simultaneously.
Liu Bei however, remained bowed deeply, lingering unwilling to rise.
Lü Bu gazed at the fervently resolute Liu Bei, as if a blazing flame surged from within Liu Bei, transforming into a red True Dragon, spiraling into the sky. Lü Bu’s face unwittingly showed a hint of incredulous surprise.
This man... With a single statement he reached the "Human-God Boundary"?
Could this truly be the charisma a Martial Artist should possess?
Interesting.
Deep in thought nearby, Zhao Yun suddenly rose, and bowed:
"Mr. Lü, gaining fiefdom was never my wish. I descended from the mountain knowing my strength alone was insufficient to pacify the chaotic world, thus I wish to find a wise lord, aiding him in ending this chaotic world."
"I respectfully ask Mr. Lü to descend the mountain, save the people! Yun is willing to serve unwaveringly, even through the mountain of blades and sea of flames, broken into pieces, without hesitation!"
Guan Yu standing behind Liu Bei, bowed: "Yu is willing to serve unwaveringly for Mr. Lü!"
Zhang Fei gritted his teeth and clasped his fists in salute: "Fei is also willing to serve unwaveringly for Mr. Lü!"
Long united, divided; long divided, united; this "Three Kingdoms" is not so glorious, nor commendable. Every hero and warrior tread upon countless corpses. Yang Jin finally awoke:
"Mr. Lü, this isn’t a prosperous era!"
"This is merely chaotic years with tens of millions dead but no good outcome, I respectfully ask you to emerge, quickly unite the mountains and rivers, return the world to a prosperous era!"
"Although unworthy, Jin is willing to serve unwaveringly for Mr. Lü!"
Yang Jin bowed deeply.
Lü Bu, who could govern a city into prosperity, possessed the might to turn the heavens and earth upside down yet remained disciplined and self-restrained, and held such clear insight into the world, evidently was not an uneducated brute.
Only sincerity might move Lü Bu to emerge swiftly, putting an end to this damned chaotic world.
Wuyou witnessed this scene and quietly faced the seated Lü Bu, refraining from speaking to persuade him.
"Save the people?"
Lü Bu himself wasn’t too keen, his gaze leisurely skimmed over everyone’s heads.
A resilient will was slowly ascending, a flash of golden light passed in Lü Bu’s pupils, he clearly captured the characters emerging above everyone’s heads.
Above Liu Bei’s head, two radiant characters—"Benevolence" and "Vehemence"!
Above Guan Yu’s head, also two characters shone—"Loyalty" and "Justice"!
Above Zhang Fei’s head, a single prominent character—"Fierce"!
Above Zhao Yun’s head, two characters intertwining—"Courage" and "Victory."
And above Yang Jin’s head, simply, a single character—"Spring"!
This is... Lifebound Character?
Lü Bu looked at the people lingering and unwilling to rise, a faint smile appeared.
"And then?"
"Uh..."
Yang Jin looked up and met Lü Bu’s gaze.
"Then... Mr. Lü should be the Taiping Emperor..."
"I mean, once the world is united, what then?" Lü Bu interrupted.
"No exploitation, oppression, education for all, labor compensated, treatment for diseases, care for the elderly, shelter for all, and freedom, happiness for everyone."
Yang Jin’s eyes lit up confidently, he harbored many innovative ideas for improving people’s lives, and only needed the world united to showcase them.
"Although unworthy, Jin dares solemnly promise Mr. Lü, that prosperous era will be a hundredfold, even a thousandfold better than now."
"Oh? Then what?" Upon hearing this, Lü Bu’s mouth curved with a smile.
"After that..." Yang Jin was filled with excitement, but suddenly paused as the words reached his lips.
"After that, three hundred years of discontent and five hundred years of division among the heroes," said Lü Bu.
Yang Jin fell silent.
Lü Bu continued:
"Moreover, I heard you say that my Divine Thought at the Battle of Hulao Pass resulted in the death of hundreds of thousands of soldiers. Although this fame greatly elevated my reputation, behind those lost lives were countless wives, children, and elders with their own griefs, vibrant lives that were lost."
"The people of these Thirteen States and I share an unresolvable enmity. How can I become the Taiping Emperor?"
With these words, everyone was taken aback, raising their heads to look at Lü Bu, unable to hide their disappointment. Even so, Lü Bu firmly refused the proposal to come out of seclusion.
But this is the fact.
Lü Bu himself admitted this frankly.
Liu Bei, Yang Jin, and others did not defend Lü Bu, each remaining silent.
If Lü Bu wanted to unify the world and become the Taiping Emperor, this would be an indelible stain. Should we wipe out the families behind those hundreds of thousands of soldiers?
"However—"
Lü Bu stared at the disappointed crowd and suddenly changed his tone.
Under Mr. Wuyou’s guidance, he too saw "reincarnation" and questioned in his heart whether he could solve "reincarnation."
Also.
Although this world is a "chaotic time" for the masses, it is a "prosperous time" for Lü Bu. In this chaotic world, martial artists of unprecedented power emerged, and his "Lifebound Character: Wu" was constantly strengthening.
If Lü Bu pursued power single-mindedly, this "prosperous time" should last as long as possible, with the Dukes’ battles becoming more intense, and the clash of wars, struggle, and beliefs being frequent, all of which provided fertile soil for his power growth.
By conventional logic, Lü Bu should add fuel to the flames, letting his "prosperous time" continue for eternity, cultivating more martial artists capable of breaking through the Human-God Boundary.
This would maximize the benefits.
However—
He saw the crowd awakening their Lifebound Character through "Li Yan," and this aroused his keen interest involuntarily.
And this slight change of mind today by Lü Bu meant the multitude in the future would not have to face that fearsome, desireless shadow pressing throughout the ages!
Lü Bu laughed, "However, I can lend my power to you all, and then you can end the chaotic times, unifying the world. I want to see to what extent your convictions can lead you."
"Are you willing to be my disciples, underlü Bu?"
The crowd was stunned, then rejoiced.
They had witnessed the power of a wisp of Divine Thought with their own eyes, indistinguishable from Lü Bu’s own presence, everything being swept aside effortlessly.
Though Liu Bei already had a school, he never received the True Inheritance. He exchanged glances with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, then cupped his hands and bowed: "Willing to heed Mr.’s teachings."
Lü Bu’s gaze turned to Zhao Yun.
Zhao Yun cupped his hands in salute, speaking frankly: "I already have a mentor and do not wish to pledge to another."
"Very well."
Lü Bu was indifferent, looking at Yang Jin.
"Mr., if you do not refuse, I am willing to become your foster son," Yang Jin said, staring at Lü Bu for a moment, then suddenly kneeling, making a grand salute to heaven and earth.
"You want to call me foster father?"
Lü Bu was stunned by the words.
The feeling was quite peculiar, after all, he had no children of his own.
Seeing this, Yang Jin seized the opportunity, calling loudly, "Foster Father, above, please accept my bow!"
Though Lü Bu appeared young, he was in his thirties by now, whereas Yang Jin was just a sixteen-year-old youth, so calling him "Foster Father" was not undeserved.
This thigh must be tightly held, with no room for error.
"Alright then."
Lü Bu did not care about how Yang Jin addressed him and extended a strand of Divine Thought to Yang Jin, "Remember, do not recklessly abuse my power. You may go."
If Liu Bei and the others acted like him, it would be better for him to enter the fray himself, without restraint.
Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei bowed in respect, displaying a humble attitude.
"Foster Father, Heavenly King Covers the Earth Tiger!"
As Yang Jin reached the courtyard gate, unwilling to give up, he suddenly turned back and shouted.
"Get out," Lü Bu said, expressionless.
Yang Jin had to leave, full of disappointment.
...
[Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Yang Jin failed to persuade Lü Bu to come out of seclusion.]
[Because of the internal chaos among the Dukes of the Thirteen States, within ten months, Liu Bei and others effortlessly took control of the Three States.]
[Though Yang Jin lacked astonishing talent, he had a unique eye for recognizing and utilizing talent, gathering remarkable individuals under Liu Bei’s command.]
[Another Duke, Cao Cao, moved with unstoppable momentum, swallowing up the world, recruiting troops from all over, and unifying the Five States.]
[Thus, Dong, Cao, and Liu were stalemated in a tripartite confrontation.]
[Three years later, strategist Zhuge Liang raised an army of three hundred thousand, leading a northern expedition with the intent of unifying the world.]
...
