Strife of Chaos Chapter 83: Discussing the World over Humble Tea

The next day, Liu Bei and Guan Yu arrived at Li Qiutong’s cabin as agreed.

“General Li, how is your health lately?” Liu Bei inquired after being invited to sit.

“It’s alright, nothing life-threatening,” Li Qiutong replied.

“That’s good to hear.” Liu Bei then turned to Guan Yu and said, “Second Brother, step outside for now. Let me speak with General Li alone.”

“Yes, Elder Brother.” Guan Yu nodded and left the cabin.

“General Guan is truly a hero among men. How did Your Highness come to meet him?” Li Qiutong asked with curiosity.

Liu Bei nodded, “Second Brother is indeed a rare general in the world, though his temperament is rather proud. The three of us first met in Zhuo City, and bonded over shared ideals, forming a brotherhood in the Peach Orchard. If not for the unwavering support of my two brothers over these many years, I would never have become the King of Shu.”

“That’s quite a coincidence. I too have two sworn brothers, though my second brother is not currently at Beitong Pass.”

“So that’s the case. I imagine your brothers must be men of great martial skill as well, given you could contend with the Overlord himself.”

Hearing this, Li Qiutong realized Liu Bei’s familiarity with him. He replied modestly, “Your Highness flatters me. The Overlord held back, and we were merely fortunate. But I am truly grateful for your righteous rescue this time. Today I cannot drink wine, so let me toast you with this tea.” With that, Li Qiutong raised his cup and drank it in one motion.

Seeing Li Qiutong’s gesture, Liu Bei sensed the formalities were complete and it was time to broach the real subject. He too raised his cup and drained it, then set it down and began, “Since you speak so, I won’t hide my intentions. I came to Beitong Pass to discuss something with you.”

Li Qiutong grew serious. “Please, go on.”

Liu Bei glanced at the sky outside the window and spoke slowly, “What does General Li think of the world as it stands today?”

“The world today only appears peaceful, but beneath the surface lies chaos,” Li Qiutong replied, recalling Ren Xingtian’s words and borrowing them.

Liu Bei was surprised by this answer. “Indeed, since the War of Gods three hundred years ago, the division of the eight nations was established. Over these centuries, grudges have accumulated, all awaiting a single spark. But that’s not what I mean.”

“Then what are you referring to, Your Highness?”

“I speak of the common people. The people are the foundation of the nation. Now that the world is divided into eight, politics and economies differ everywhere. These differences inevitably affect people’s lives. Furthermore, the dominance of martial artists increasingly squeezes the livelihood of ordinary folk.”

Li Qiutong listened quietly, saying nothing, and Liu Bei continued, “Now, the strongest powers are Qin and Chu. The ambition of the King of Qin is well known: he has allied with Tianguo, destroyed the Han, and fights with Chu, all in pursuit of unifying the East. If he can govern kindly and treat the people well, building a new dynasty would not be impossible. But the King of Qin is obsessed with war and military power. Should he unite the realm, I fear he would neglect the welfare of the people, driving them into greater hardship with endless campaigns—north, south, west, none would be spared. The Overlord, on the other hand, has no desire to unify the world. He merely wants to maintain the status quo and pursue his own path of dominance. Both Qin and Chu are nations that value martial prowess, and in Qin, ordinary people have no status at all.”

“And you? What do you think should be done?”

Liu Bei smiled. “I possess neither the ambition of the King of Qin nor the martial might of the Overlord. But I have the people in my heart. The common folk are the most ordinary, yet also the most remarkable. They may not have earth-shattering abilities, but they are indispensable. Without the people, there is no peace, no progress. Martial artists are born to protect the people, to defend the weak. That is the true path of the warrior in my heart. Yet now, martial artists stand above others, bully and dominate, worship only themselves. This is a mistaken path. My lifelong wish is to realize a peaceful era, to bring tranquility and safety to the people.”

“There was someone who once said something similar to me. She taught me the way of the warrior: to oppose the strong and help the weak.”

Liu Bei nodded, “I did not expect to find another in this world who thinks as I do. If the opportunity arises, I’d like to meet her.”

“Yes, I would like to see her again as well.” Li Qiutong looked at Liu Bei, “So, Your Highness, is your purpose here to have me join you?”

Liu Bei was surprised by Li Qiutong’s candor and replied directly, “General Li, you are indeed straightforward. Yes, after hearing from my friends at Jietian Mountain about your deeds in fighting the Overlord for the sake of the Zhou people, I felt we walk the same path. A great dream cannot be achieved by one alone; it takes countless like-minded souls striving together to bring it closer.”

Li Qiutong was silent for a long time, lost in thought. Liu Bei’s words reminded him of Yun Luoxuan; perhaps their visions of the world were alike.

After a while, Li Qiutong finally spoke, “To be honest, I’ve never thought so far ahead. I just want to survive in troubled times, to protect myself, my brothers, and those I care about. Compared to Your Highness, my goals are selfish. But today’s conversation has opened my eyes. Back then, I was just a naive boy, often accompanying my grandfather to the market to sell medicine. I saw martial artists bullying others, and ordinary people powerless. I wanted to become stronger, the strongest, so I could protect those around me. But thinking back, I was truly naive. Even if I became the strongest, how could one person guard all those suffering?”

“Then General Li’s meaning is?”

“I agree with Your Highness; you’ve enlightened me. I am willing to join you in pursuing that great dream.”

Liu Bei was overjoyed at Li Qiutong’s answer, raising his cup, “With your support, General Li, I am deeply grateful. Let me toast you, and when you come to Shu Han City, we shall drink to our hearts’ content.” He drank the tea in one motion.

Li Qiutong did the same, then returned to the main issue, “But Your Highness, as you’ve seen, someone in Tang seeks to harm me. If this is not resolved, trouble will follow. Once I uncover the mastermind, I will leave Tang and seek you in Shu Han City.”

Liu Bei understood the gravity of the matter and replied, “General Li is absolutely right. Whoever could lure the Mongol army here must have a grand scheme behind them. Be cautious. If you need help, speak out.”

“No worries, thank you for your concern.”

“Then I shall await your good news.” Liu Bei stood to leave.

Li Qiutong struggled to rise and wanted to escort Liu Bei from the city, but Liu Bei steadied his shaky figure, saying, “I appreciate your intent, General, but your health must come first. Rest well in the cabin.”

Seeing Liu Bei’s insistence, Li Qiutong could only stay, watching him depart.

As Liu Bei’s figure receded, Li Qiutong’s thoughts were not on Liu Bei, but on Yun Luoxuan. Rationally, his acceptance had been too hasty; joining Liu Bei seemed simple, but there were many issues—not only with the soldiers, but also Yang Ruiyun and others who likely would not wish to pledge themselves to another.

Yet he agreed, not because Liu Bei’s dream moved him, but because Liu Bei’s words reminded him of Yun Luoxuan and her aspirations.

“Sister Yun once said, a warrior’s duty is to protect the weak. What she needs is not my protection, but my ability to protect the weak, to guard her dream. As long as our goals align, I will carry your dream and meet you again.”

The tea in the pot still steamed, but Li Qiutong’s thoughts had already drifted far away.

Just outside, Liu Bei was astonished by the sight before him. The once-level training ground was now full of pits and hollows, and amidst the ruins stood two figures. One had a face like a red date and a long beard reaching his waist; the other was broad-shouldered and muscular, tall and resolute. It was Guan Yu and Deng Zhanxuan.

“What happened here?” Liu Bei thought anxiously. He had just convinced Li Qiutong; if his brother injured Li Qiutong’s comrade, it would be disastrous.

Ren Xingtian, seeing Liu Bei emerge, approached to explain, “Don’t worry, Your Highness. Ah Xuan was just sparring with General Guan.”

Hearing this, Liu Bei finally relaxed.

“How long have they been fighting?” he asked.

“Since you went inside.”

Half an hour earlier,

When Guan Yu had stepped out of the cabin, Ren Xingtian and Deng Zhanxuan were waiting outside. Guan Yu walked past them, silent and with eyes closed, standing quietly to the side.

The three were momentarily awkward. Ren Xingtian broke the silence, “I’ve long heard of General Guan’s reputation; seeing you today, your courage is indeed unmatched.”

“Overpraised,” Guan Yu replied coldly, paying Ren Xingtian little heed.

Ren Xingtian continued, “The great blade you wield must be the legendary Four Sacred Divine Weapon, the Green Dragon Crescent Blade.”

At the mention, Guan Yu’s eyes opened slightly, glancing at Ren Xingtian, “Indeed.”

“General Guan also holds a Four Symbols Divine Weapon—no wonder you can manifest the Azure Dragon,” Deng Zhanxuan exclaimed with excitement.

Guan Yu glanced at the giant axe behind Deng Zhanxuan, “Yours must be the Black Tortoise Earthshaker Axe.”

“That’s right! I never expected to meet another owner of a Four Symbols Divine Weapon—this is fate.”

Guan Yu merely smiled faintly, saying nothing further.

Ren Xingtian suddenly asked, “General Guan, you haven’t yet formed a contract with the Azure Dragon Divine Beast, have you?”

Guan Yu’s eyes snapped open, staring at Ren Xingtian. “How do you know this?”

Before Ren Xingtian could reply, Deng Zhanxuan interjected, “Impossible, with General Guan’s strength, how could he not have a contract?”

“Though General Guan has reached the realm of a three-star Saint Martialist, his blade shows no trace of divine essence. That means the Green Dragon Crescent Blade has chosen its master, but the Azure Dragon Divine Beast has not yet acknowledged General Guan. Am I correct?” Ren Xingtian explained seriously.

Guan Yu did not hide the truth, readily admitting it. His tone toward Ren Xingtian changed, “Indeed, the Azure Dragon Divine Beast has not yet formed a contract with me. Do you know why, Master?”

Ren Xingtian shook his head. “Divine beasts choose their hosts according to their own will. In the records of Jietian Mountain, the Azure Dragon Divine Beast is the lord of the Four Symbols: powerful and exalted. You can wield the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, so it has accepted you, but why it hasn’t appeared to communicate may be due to your own circumstances.”

Guan Yu sighed helplessly. “And does General Deng have a symbiotic contract with the Black Tortoise Divine Beast?”

Deng Zhanxuan nodded, “When I was five, Lord Black Tortoise appeared and formed a contract with me, becoming my symbiotic divine beast. But my strength has not reached the Grandmaster realm, so I cannot use its power.”