The Three Kingdoms: The Oath of the Peach Garden, the Rise of the Han Dynasty

Li Changcai descended from the high platform, sheathed his sword, and turned around. He had just taken a step when he felt dizzy and his legs went weak, and he was about to fall.

"Fourth brother, be careful!"

Two figures rushed forward at the same time, and Guan Yu steadily supported his arm with one hand.

Zhang Fei then half-lifted, half-carried him up, his gruff voice filled with urgency:

"What's going on? Did that evil Taoist priest do something behind the scenes? I'll lead my troops into the city right now and chop that old bastard to pieces!"

"Don't be impulsive." Li Chang leaned against the two of them, and it took him a long time to catch his breath. His voice was weak. "I'm fine. I just jumped for a few hours and got tired."

He couldn't explain what was going on. He had only pretended to walk the steps and scatter talismans, but he felt as if all his strength had been drained, and even lifting his hand was difficult.

Could it be that there's some special technique involved in this doorway's footwork, and I unintentionally wasted my own vital energy?

Was it the combination of days of hard work and today's intense mental strain that finally broke him?

Liu Bei quickly stepped forward, reached out and touched his forehead. Seeing no fever, he breathed a sigh of relief and said with concern:

"It's all our fault for leaving you on stage alone for so long. Don't say anything more, go back to your tent and rest. No matter how big the problem is, we'll talk about it when you've recovered."

As he spoke, he and Guan Yu, one on each side, helped Li Chang walk toward the camp.

The commotion here naturally did not escape the notice of Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun.

The two looked at each other and saw shock and guilt in each other's eyes.

They had thought Li Chang was just a little weak, but they never expected that he had actually expended so much of his energy!

As expected, these kinds of extraordinary techniques always come at a price!

"Master Li has risked his life for the country and its people; he is truly a blessing to our great Han Dynasty!" Huangfu Song exclaimed.

"Pass down the order: prepare a separate serving of fresh meat and chicken soup for Master Li every day. All military supplies should be prioritized for Master Li's troops, and their treatment should be above that of me and General Zhu!"

These words caused an uproar in the room.

Fresh meat is scarce in the army, and only the highest-ranking generals can occasionally get to eat it. Now, Li Chang's treatment has even surpassed that of the two commanders-in-chief, which shows his importance in everyone's hearts.

But no one objected. If Li Chang hadn't broken Zhang Jiao's sorcery today, the morale of the entire army would have been dragged down sooner or later!

Back in his tent, Li Chang immediately fell asleep.

Several hours later.

Jian Yongzheng, who was sitting to the side organizing documents, saw that he had woken up and quickly put down his pen, bringing over a pottery jar from the table:

"Mingdao, you're finally awake. The two generals and Xuande specially ordered the kitchen to stew a chicken, which has been simmering for several hours. Eat it while it's hot."

Li Chang took the bowl, the steam hitting his face, and his stomach immediately started growling.

As he ate, he asked, "How long did I sleep?"

"It took a full three hours. During that time, the lord came to see you twice, and General Guan and General Zhang guarded outside the tent for an hour before the lord sent them back to rest."

Jian Yong paused, looked at his still pale face, and sighed:

"Mingdao, are you... truly exhausted today?"

Li Chang put down his chopsticks and remained silent for a moment.

"I'm not sure either," he said honestly. "Maybe I'm just tired, or maybe there's some real trick to that door-opening footwork."

He paused, then added, "Perhaps that old bastard Zhang Jiao is indeed just wasting my time."

He was genuinely unsure.

Jian Yong didn't ask any further questions, but simply nodded: "Eat quickly, then go back to sleep."

Silent all night.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, a deafening shout suddenly rang out from the top of Guangzong City.

"The Azure Heaven is dead! The Yellow Heaven shall rise! The year is Jiazi! Great fortune awaits the world!"

Tens of thousands of Yellow Turban soldiers shouted in unison, their voices rolling so loudly that the earth trembled slightly.

The Han army camp was instantly alarmed.

Li Chang suddenly sat up in bed, and just as he put on his clothes, the bed curtains were suddenly yanked open.

Zhang Fei stormed in, his face full of anger:

"Fourth brother! Something terrible has happened! That old scoundrel Zhang Jiao is performing his magic again!"

Li Chang's heart sank. He quickly walked outside the tent and looked up at the city wall of Guangzong.

On the high platform atop the city wall, Zhang Jiao, dressed in his yellow Taoist robe, was being supported by two disciples, barely managing to stand on the platform.

His face was ashen, his lips were cracked, and he coughed violently several times after each sentence, his phlegm containing obvious traces of blood.

On both sides of the platform, yellow talismans written in blood were hung everywhere. When the wind blew, the talismans fluttered and rustled, exuding an eerie and sinister aura.

But he still persevered, raising his nine-section wooden staff and shouting at the top of his lungs:

"The Azure Heaven is dead, the Yellow Heaven shall rise! In the year of Jiazi, great fortune will come to the world!"

As he chanted his incantation, the once clear sky darkened again, dark clouds gathered over Guangzong City, a strong wind suddenly rose, and a torrential downpour was imminent.

"Oh no, it's going to rain again!"

"Why isn't that sorcerer completely dead yet?!"

A commotion broke out in the Han army ranks, and many soldiers showed fear on their faces.

Inside the central command tent, Huangfu Song paced anxiously, and all the generals wore solemn expressions.

"Li Junmou is still resting, what should we do?" a general asked anxiously.

"What else can we do! We can only ask Li Junmou to come out of seclusion again! We can't just stand by and watch that sorcerer perform his magic and ruin our army's morale!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Liu Bei sighed and stood up: "I'll go and invite my fourth brother."

The group followed Liu Bei to Li Chang's tent.

Li Chang had already put on his blue robe and was standing in the tent waiting for them.

His face was still somewhat pale, but his eyes were very determined.

Even if you're just pretending, you have to make it look convincing!

"Master Li!" Huangfu Song quickly stepped forward and bowed deeply to Li Chang:

"Yesterday you exhausted your energy to break the demon's spell, so we shouldn't bother you again. But now that Zhang Jiao has taken the stage again, the army's morale is wavering, and among the entire army, only you can stand against him."

I, Huangfu Song, humbly beg you to ascend this platform once more! Whatever the cost, I am willing to bear it for you!

"I am also willing to share the burden with Master Li!" Zhu Jun also cupped his hands in greeting. "As long as this sorcery can be broken and the soldiers of my Han Dynasty can be saved, even if it costs me ten years of my lifespan, I will do it willingly!"

The other loyal generals also spoke up, their words earnest. They were all genuinely concerned for the Han Dynasty and could not tolerate Zhang Jiao's charlatanry and chaos.

Looking at the generals fighting so bravely before him, Li Chang felt a warmth in his heart.

He had been hesitant, afraid that he would really deplete his energy, but now he had no reason to back down.

Since you've all said that, what am I afraid of! At worst, I'll just write your names on every one of the twelve volumes of Taoist techniques!

"Generals, you flatter me," Li Chang said, bowing respectfully, his expression righteous and awe-inspiring.

"One who eats the emperor's food should bear the emperor's worries. As a Han official, it is one's duty to share the burdens of the Han Dynasty. Although Zhang Jiao is strong, he is already at the end of his rope."

Yesterday's duel with him exhausted most of his energy; today's fight is merely a last gasp. Since he insists on fighting, I'll fight him to the very end!

Everything is for the Han Dynasty!

Revive the Han!

Inspired by Li Chang's passion, everyone shouted in unison:

"Revive the Han!"