My brothers are all warriors capable of taking on ten thousand men; I'll roam freely in the Thr

After several rounds of drinks, the generals toasted each other and shared anecdotes from their time in the army.

Ji Xuanyuan's pale face flushed slightly due to the warmth of the hall and the slight smell of alcohol.

His gentle gaze swept across the hall below, looking at these brothers, advisors, and subordinates whose fates were closely intertwined with his own. The absurd feeling of "drawing a pie in the sky" in his heart was gradually replaced by real warmth.

As the banquet reached its climax, amidst the clinking of glasses, Ji Xuanyuan's gaze inadvertently swept past Guan Yu's side.

There stood a burly, dark-skinned man.

This man was over eight feet tall, with a face as dark as the bottom of a pot, a bushy beard, and bulging eyes like a leopard. Although he wore only ordinary soldier's armor, he possessed a fierce and valiant air.

Ji Xuanyuan paused slightly in his wine cup.

This man... is no ordinary bodyguard.

"Yun Chang".

Ji Xuanyuan put down his cup, his clear voice rising above the clamor of the room: "This valiant man beside you looks unfamiliar. I wonder who he is..."

Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look.

Guan Yu put down his wine cup, a smile flashing in his phoenix eyes, and stroked his beard, saying, "Brother, you have a good eye. This man's surname is Zhou, and his given name is Cang. He was originally a subordinate of Zhang Bao, the leader of the Yellow Turban Rebellion. I captured him alive during the Battle of Guangzong."

Before the words were even finished, the dark-faced man stepped forward, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and loudly proclaimed, "This sinful general, Zhou Cang, pays his respects to General Ji!"

He looked up, his dark face full of earnestness: "Cang was originally a minor leader under Zhang Bao, a Yellow Turban rebel. During the Battle of Guangzong, he was captured alive by General Guan! In the prison camp, Cang thought about it day and night, deeply regretting his past rebellion and feeling ashamed before his ancestors. Moreover, he had personally witnessed General Guan's divine might on the battlefield. Amidst the vast army, wherever the Green Dragon Crescent Blade passed, the rebels were routed. He was truly a god descended to earth!"

He spoke with great emotion, his dark face turning purple: "Though I am crude and uncouth, I know the principle that a good bird chooses a good tree to perch on. I humbly beg General Guan to take me in. I am willing to serve you, to carry your sword and lead your horse, to hold your whip and follow your stirrups, to go through fire and water without hesitation! General Guan is kind and generous, allowing me to atone for my crimes by serving you. Today, I have the honor of seeing General Ji's face. I... I..."

He seemed unsure how to express himself, and kowtowed deeply again.

Ji Xuanyuan nodded slightly, but his heart was already churning with emotions.

Zhou Cang?

Yes, after the Battle of Guangzong, Ju Shou and Tian Feng did indeed issue an order that all the trusted generals of the three traitors Zhang Jiao, Zhang Liang, and Zhang Bao must be captured alive for interrogation or pacification.

At the time, I was busy rescuing Lu Zhi, dealing with Zuo Feng, and planning the trip to Yingchuan, and I completely forgot about this matter.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Cang ended up by Guan Yu's side after going around in circles.

"So it was you, you black bastard!" Zhang Fei slapped his thigh, his big, round eyes wide with surprise.

"I remember now! Outside Guangzong City, you took three shots from Brother Zilong and ran away like nothing happened! Your speed was incredible, I thought some black bear had suddenly appeared out of nowhere!"

After Zhang Fei explained it to him, Zhao Yun suddenly understood.

He put down his wine cup, a look of reminiscence on his handsome face, and nodded, saying, "Yide is right. That day, the battlefield was chaotic, and I was ordered to intercept and kill the fleeing bandit general. I did indeed fight this man. He took three of my spear thrusts. I didn't kill him then, intending to capture him alive. But he used the momentum to roll into the chaotic army. I chased after him on horseback, and he actually..."

Zhao Yun paused, a rare look of confusion and helplessness appearing on his face: "We can't catch up with them."

His tone was calm, but the deeper meaning in his words sent a chill down the spines of everyone present.

Zhao Yun's spear is as fast as lightning and as accurate as a shooting star.

For an ordinary general, it would be difficult to dodge a single bullet, but Zhou Cang managed to survive three bullets and even escape from Zhao Yun's horse amidst the chaos of battle. Such physical strength and resourcefulness are extraordinary.

Xiang Yu narrowed his double pupils, sizing up Zhou Cang's imposing, mountain-like physique.

Ran Min's cold gaze swept over him.

A look of eager anticipation ignited in Li Cunxiao's eyes.

Lu Bu's lips curled slightly, seemingly disdainful, yet also subtly curious.

Yang Zaixing watched silently.

All eyes in the room were fixed on this dark-faced man.

Zhou Cang, however, remained unfazed and said in a deep voice, "General Zhang and General Zhao, you flatter me. I am but a rough man, possessing only brute strength and thick skin. But that day, witnessing General Guan slaying generals on the battlefield as if entering an empty field, with ten thousand troops fleeing under his Green Dragon Crescent Blade, I was deeply impressed. After being captured, I only wished to follow General Guan, to carry his sword and lead his horse, even unto death!"

He spoke sincerely, and a hint of red appeared on his dark face.

Guan Yu stroked his beard and smiled, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his phoenix eyes: "Although Zhou Cang came from the Yellow Turbans, he is upright and trustworthy. These days he has been by my side, working diligently and without slacking off. His strength is immense. My Green Dragon Crescent Blade weighs eighty-two catties, but in his hands it is as light as an ordinary sword. When we march, he carries my blade, as steady as a mountain."

Ji Xuanyuan listened quietly, but his heart was in turmoil.

Zhou Cang... Zhou Cang, who has been worshipped in the Guandi Temple for generations!

Historically, this person was loyal, righteous, brave, and fierce. After following Guan Yu, he never left his side.

At Changban Slope, carrying the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, he was able to catch up with Red Hare on foot. When the Seven Armies were flooded, he even went into the water and captured Pang De, a fierce general of Cao Cao's camp!

What shocked Ji Xuanyuan the most was Zhao Yun's words earlier: "hit by three spears in a row."

It should be noted that on the battlefield of Hanzhong in the 24th year of Jian'an, Zhao Yun, who was over seventy years old and very old, although his spear skills were no longer as sharp as they used to be, was still able to fire four spears in succession on the front line, killing the famous Xiliang general Han De and his four sons, a family of five, all of whom were taken off their horses.

Han De and his son were no ordinary fighters, yet they couldn't last more than four rounds against Zhao Yun's spear.

Zhou Cang was facing Zhao Yun at his peak, the unstoppable Zhao Zilong with his white horse and silver spear.

He withstood three shots and managed to escape unscathed...

Such physique and vitality are simply astonishing.

"What a brilliant Zhou Cang!"

Ji Xuanyuan suppressed the turmoil in his heart, a gentle smile appearing on his pale face. He coughed twice and slowly said, "On the battlefield, everyone serves their own master, and there is no right or wrong. Your ability to abandon darkness and follow Yun Chang shows that you have a discerning eye for heroes. With you by Yun Chang's side, I feel much more at ease."

He paused, his gaze deep: "Follow Yun Chang well, and your future... will be limitless."

These words, spoken calmly, sent a shiver down Zhou Cang's spine.

He was a defeated general and a member of the Yellow Turban Rebellion. It was already a stroke of luck that he was taken in by Guan Yu. He never thought that he would receive praise from the famous General Ji and be promised that his future was "limitless".

Unable to conceal his excitement, Zhou Cang kowtowed deeply, his voice booming like a bell: "Cang, thank you General for not abandoning me! I swear to follow General Ji and General Guan to the death, with my life devoted to them, without ever wavering!"

Guan Yu was also moved, and raised his cup to Ji Xuanyuan, everything was understood without words.

The banquet continued, but the atmosphere became somewhat subtle due to Zhou Cang's appearance.

Zhang Fei grabbed Zhou Cang and forced him to drink, shouting that he wanted to test his strength.

Li Cunxiao also came over, gesturing that he wanted to arm wrestle with him.

Zhou Cang welcomed everyone who came, emptying his cup in one gulp, displaying his generous and forthright nature.

When they were sparring with Li Cunxiao, the two of them pressed a newly replaced elm wood table so hard that it creaked. If Ji Xuanyuan hadn't stopped them, they would have turned the banquet upside down.

Ji Xuanyuan leaned against the thick fur coat, looking at the noisy hall, his mind filled with many thoughts.

In this chaotic world, heroes emerge in great numbers. Although I am aware of the general trend of history, it is inevitable that I will miss some.

The case of Zhou Cang is one example.

If not for a twist of fate, this person might have been lost in a prisoner-of-war camp, never to be remembered in history.

And his brothers... Xiang Yu, Ran Min, Li Cunxiao, Lü Bu, Yang Zaixing, Zhao Yun, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, each one of them was a military genius, one in a million.

Now, another Zhou Cang has been added. Although he is currently only Guan Yu's personal guard, his potential is by no means inferior to that of an ordinary fierce general.

only……

Ji Xuanyuan's gaze swept over Zhou Cang's dark and imposing figure, then over Guan Yu's smiling profile as he stroked his beard, and a sense of destiny suddenly arose in his heart.

Those who are meant to be followed will eventually be followed.

Those destined to meet will eventually meet.

As if by some unseen thread, these people and these events are slowly being guided onto their proper course.

Although I, this butterfly that has traveled through time, have stirred up the winds and clouds and changed many things, certain "connections" rooted deep in history still stubbornly take root and sprout.

"Senior brother, are you tired?" Guo Jia handed over a cup of warm medicinal tea, his peach blossom eyes filled with concern.

Ji Xuanyuan took it, took a small sip, and the bitter taste of the medicine melted on his tongue, relieving the itching in his throat.

He gently shook his head and looked out of the hall.

Night had fallen, and the snow reflected off the bare trees in the courtyard, turning them into a silvery white expanse.

New Year's Day has just passed, and the spring chill is still lingering.

But their journey is still long.

"Fengxiao," Ji Xuanyuan suddenly said in a low voice.

"Um?"

"Pass down the order that, starting tomorrow, any talented person in the army, regardless of their background, may be recommended to the commanders of each battalion. The commanders of each battalion should also pay close attention and, if they find any good talent, record their names and report them."

A glint flashed in Guo Jia's eyes: "Senior brother intends to... recruit many outstanding talents?"

"Not bad." Ji Xuanyuan's gaze was far-reaching.

"The foundation of Zhuojun is newly established, and the need for talent is urgent. The matter of Zhou Cang reminded me that the heroes of the world are not necessarily in the open, but may be right beside us, but we just haven't noticed them."

He paused, coughed twice, and a faint blush rose on his pale face: "You will be in charge of this matter. Remember, only talent matters, not background."

"Yes, sir." Guo Jia replied solemnly, but a sly smile crept onto his lips as usual.

"However, senior brother, if we were to find a few more as 'thick-skinned' as Zhou Cang, I'm afraid the stone tables and benches in the mansion, and even the courtyard walls..."

Ji Xuanyuan chuckled, shook his head, and sighed softly, "Then... let them dismantle it at the training ground."

The banquet lasted until midnight.

After everyone took their leave, the hall gradually quieted down.

With Dian Wei's help, Ji Xuanyuan got up and slowly walked towards the inner room.

As he passed under the corridor, he inadvertently caught a glimpse of Guan Yu and Zhou Cang walking side by side from behind.

The moonlight, like frost, shone on the cold scabbard of the Azure Dragon Blade, reflecting a dim luster.

Zhou Cang carried the heavy weapon, weighing eighty-two jin, with steady steps, as if he were carrying an ordinary wooden stick.

Guan Yu walked ahead, his red face and long beard making his silhouette as imposing as a mountain.

The master and servant, one in front and one behind, gradually disappeared into the night.

Ji Xuanyuan stood still, gazing in the direction they had gone, remaining motionless for a long time.

"General?" Dian Wei called out in a deep voice.

"It's nothing." Ji Xuanyuan withdrew his gaze and gently shook his head.

"I just think... the moonlight is particularly beautiful tonight."

He turned and walked toward the warm but empty inner room.

In the palm of his hand, the mutton-fat jade pendant given to him by Zhen Mi remained as warm and lustrous as ever.

Chaotic times are like a long night, and these people are the stubbornly burning sparks in that long night.

Perhaps faint, perhaps shaky.

But when they come together, they become a wildfire.

What he had to do was to find the right place for every spark before the wildfire started.

The wind and snow are still there, and the road ahead is long.

But at least tonight, one more person has returned to their place.