Bloodline Free Pass and Granary Assault
The so-called networking free pass that everyone in the world chased after. It was the school ties, regional ties, and bloodline free pass. Liu Bei had just punched through the bloodline free pass.
"Ah! You're from the imperial clan too? Well, well!"
Liu Yan showed a favorable attitude toward Liu Bei. Of course, it wouldn't have elicited such a reaction if it were just any blood tie. Not all imperial clansmen were precious. To earn real recognition as one, you needed a decent official position at least. But Liu Bei had personally led a volunteer army to rescue someone of the same bloodline. That was the likable part.
"It's tragic that a hero like you isn't in a key post..."
Liu Yan feigned a regretful expression.
"These are chaotic times, after all. Just staying alive is something to be grateful for."
Liu Bei smiled brightly as he replied.
"Once this is over, I'll definitely report to the court and pave the way for my brother Xuande."
Liu Yan stated it flatly.
"Haha, no need. Does doing the right thing require a reward?"
Liu Bei said that, but he couldn't hide his anticipation. The other volunteer soldiers felt the same. Maybe following Liu Bei had been the right choice after all. They all seemed to think so—about how the local bumpkin they'd tagged along with turned out to be someone extraordinary. It was like they were all picturing some cringey light novel plot.
But no way in hell...
I knew better. This Liu Yan was steadily preparing to bolt from the central court. He'd already judged that a regime shaken by mere Yellow Turbans had no future and planned to flee to Yi Province. There, he'd build his power and found a new kingdom with ambitions of his own.
He actually lived like a winner.
In Yi Province, he lived like a king. Amid all the factions clashing, Yi stayed out of the spotlight—too remote a backwater. No news is good news; Liu Yan probably just lived peacefully in the meantime.
Practically the pioneer of the 'abandon capital and hole up in Yi' meta!
He was the first to ditch the main base and head straight to Yi to build forces, embodying the "Yi lock-in" strategy. In that sense, he was ahead of his time. Even in the Book of the Later Han's section on Shu—which covers the Three Kingdoms era—Liu Yan and his son Liu Zhang appear before Liu Bei.
In the end, Liu Yan was an early escape artist. He'd talk big to Liu Bei, but there'd be no real gains. After the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Liu Bei just ends up as a minor county official in Pingyuan. Basically, a neighborhood office uncle.
Why am I spelling out all this well-known stuff?...
To steel my resolve to ditch Liu Bei.
---------
"We're in the midst of war, so supplies are scarce, but we'll provide the grain. Eat up, wash off, and rest well! Haha!"
Liu Yan clapped Liu Bei on the shoulder.
"Thank you."
Liu Bei smiled and expressed his gratitude.
Jie Castle's outskirts maintained some semblance of civilian life, but like anywhere in wartime, it was a mess. Our volunteer army got barracks nearby. Wait, we made it inside the walls, yet we had to tent up? After days of marching, though, it was a blessing.
"Alright, everyone, let's go wash up!!"
"Ugh, I'm covered in blood."
The soldiers dropped their gear and headed straight for the nearby riverbank.
Should I wash too?
Honestly, I was sticky all over. Especially under my nails—I wanted to scrub those. Killing a lot leaves dried blood caked in there. Who knew I'd learn this killer's petty annoyance here?
"Whoa!! Let's all go wash together!!"
Zhang Fei laughed as he said it.
"Hehe, it's been a while."
Liu Bei chuckled and mingled with the soldiers as they walked off.
But... Guan Yu was left behind.
Ah.
Guan Yu was a woman. She couldn't bathe with the group. She might feel left out. Eh, I'd check on her later.
------
Near Jie Castle's outskirts lay a stream.
"Kyaaa!! That's the stuff!!"
Zhang Fei scrubbed vigorously. Note: no soap in this era. Just rub hard with your hands.
"By the way... Kim. Man, are all foreigners like that? That's no joke down there."
Zhang Fei stared at my lower half with a stunned look.
"Oh."
That's when they got a good look at my prized possession. Kinda rude to comment on it like that, but damn, it was ridiculously built.
"Hmmm. That's the heroic spirit shining through even there."
Liu Bei jumped in with lip service right away.
But... Liu Bei too...
As a Three Kingdoms fan, I was seeing Liu Bei's size for the first time in my life. Probably. Impressive. So this was the virtue pouch that enchanted Sun Shangxiang? Anyway, Zhang Fei switched back to mine.
"Uhahat!! You could tie it around your waist and wear it like a belt!"
Zhang Fei roared with laughter. After some typical guy talk, we changed into fresh clothes—official military garb courtesy of Liu Yan—and headed back looking sharp.
-------
Back at camp, Guan Yu was ready for her bath.
"Sister Yun Chang!!!"
Zhang Fei rushed over like he'd seen something amazing.
"Kim's thing down there is insane!! Big enough to wrap around his waist!!"
Zhang Fei blurted it out innocently, face flushing.
"Hey!!"
My face burned red instantly.
"Yide!! You brute!!!"
Guan Yu's face flushed crimson.
"........"
Then her eyes flicked to my crotch. Her face turned even redder.
"I-it's... huge...!! I'm going to wash up!!"
Ears scarlet, she bolted for the stream.
"Yide... that's rude to Kim Gong."
Liu Bei cleared his throat.
"Aw... it was just too amazing, I had to say it."
Zhang Fei pouted. What are you, a kid? But his innocence made it hard to stay mad.
--------
After a good day's rest, Liu Yan got down to business as Jie territory's quest giver.
"The Yellow Turbans have seized the granaries near Jie. Could you handle them?"
Classic "use 'em while they're here" mindset. But with my Status Window, it looked different.
Fame +15
Affinity with Liu Bei's Forces +15
In a novel, we'd dive straight into retaking Nanpi... but reality's different.
Jie's official troops were already depleted. Nanpi would need regrouping first.
"Understood!"
Liu Bei eagerly accepted, knowing it was a fame boost.
Chance to level up the volunteer army.
These ragtag folks had stumbled into chaos by chance, but the world wouldn't go easy on them. They needed XP to grow.
Same for me.
Chop guys, raise stats and skills, loot for cash—easy.
The granary plains near Jie were prime Yellow Turban turf. No army runs without rice, so they prioritized it. Sure enough, basic wooden stockades ringed the fields.
"Men!! Let's punish these bandits plaguing the world!!!"
Liu Bei bellowed, drawing his sword. Galloping while unsheathing? Pretty badass.
"Wooooaaargh!!!"
Our volunteers charged with high spirits.
"Kim, brother!! Let's go!!!"
Guan Yu grinned beside me.
"Yeah!! Sis!!"
We're getting close now—I called her sis too.
"...Sis. Hehe."
Her face softened warmly. She liked the title.
"Hya!!!"
I kicked my horse's belly.
"Hiiihihihihing!!"
My mount went berserk and rocketed off. Yeah, no control yet. Solution? Hop.
I casually dismounted. Dying in horse practice here would suck. Later for that.
Hiiihihihihing!!!!!
The horse charged madly, rearing at the stockade.
Bam-crack!!
Its hind legs delivered a rolling Soviet kick, smashing the barrier.
Snap-crash!!!
Holy crap, insane horse!!
"Hiihihihhing!!"
It auto-hunted nearby Yellow Turbans. Nice, auto-farm.
If fighting on horseback makes a cavalryman, I count.
"What a temperamental beast."
Zhang Fei snickered.
"Yeah, that one's a man-killer."
Guan Yu looked exasperated.
Anyway, the gap let our cavalry pour in.
"Charge!!!!!!"
Liu Bei's cry unleashed them.
"Kieeeek!!!"
I screamed, sprinting wildly.
"Block 'em!! It's the regulars!!"
"No biggie!! Cannon fodder!! Don't wuss out!!"
Yellow Turbans yelled, fumbling weapons. But their bodies betrayed them—edging back. Heh, cute.
Our horse boys leaped the debris, trampling foes. Good—mooks handled. I eyed elsewhere.
Leveling's best in mob packs.
As expected, granary outskirts.
"Uh, uhh..."
"Damn it..."
Smarter Turbans were bolting.
"Halt!!!!!!!"
I charged them.
"H-he spotted us..!!"
"Just one guy!! Block him!!"
They panicked, freezing.
These bastards... golden goblins!
Mid-tier Turbans in decent armor. My prey!!!
Sword out, I leaped for their gear.
"Hup!!!!!"
The struck one spewed blood and toppled.
"Gimme that armor!!!!"
I was greed incarnate now!