Finally Meeting the Heroes (1)
Heavenly Mandate. Literally, the voice of heaven... but in game terms, it was a class. True to its open-world freedom, the game offered all sorts of era-appropriate jobs from the late Han dynasty. You'd seek out a senior in that profession, complete quests, and choose your Heavenly Mandate. Depending on it, you could pick various traits and perks.
First up, Wanderer. A kind of freelancer. No affiliation, just roaming free. You could even build your own faction for that extra fun. That was my target.
Next, Merchant. Traversing the chaotic Central Plains, selling goods and raking in profits. Personally, that was my real aim.
Play mercenary for a bit, make some cash, then lead the crew and start a caravan.
Then trade in peaceful spots. That was my life plan.
And one more: Warrior. Swearing loyalty to a faction, rising as a general, swinging sword and spear for your lord. Most popular class in the game... but it was a trap card.
The hardest one.
Just join a winning faction and you're set, right? Wrong. That underestimates the game's pointless realism.
"Take these few thousand troops and hold these spots." No choice when your lord issues orders. Defy them, and unless you've built serious standing, his affinity plummets. Push too hard, and military law gets you executed.
So to climb ranks, you swallow every order, no matter how suicidal. Get thrown into death-trap ops, roll around till you die or quit from grunt work. That's the default path. Unless you grind stats hard to grow or promote, you're just cannon fodder till discarded.
Everyone wants to be Zhao Yun. Reality? Foot soldier or worse. Same in any faction.
The process sucked. Stuck in one region, clashing with RPG adventure vibes. One reason the game flopped. High-quality trash—just slapped open-world onto Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
Messed up the core general system, so similar classes were the same. Strategist. Intel-focused tech tree. Zhuge Liang vibes, yeah. But if generals were frontline slaves, strategists were paperwork drones. No talent? Exploited till the end.
Subs like Physician or Taoist could be dual-classed, so skip. Definitely Wanderer. Never join any org. Best unless you commit to one.
Sticking with Liu Bei was for variety... but I'd ditch them for freedom!
Wanderer quests start after safely escaping Liu Bei. Brushing blood and flesh from hair and clothes, that's what I thought.
My mind had just two words: Escape. Liu Bei wins, or I do.
Snapping back to reality.
Clop-clop!! Clop-clop!!
Cheongju gates swung open, and a man in official robes rushed out.
"You've shaved ten years off my life!! Truly grateful!!"
Obvious civilian official, eyes misty, dismounting with trembling legs. Severe ordeal.
"No need. Honored to help."
Liu Bei cupped fists, smiling benevolently. Showed credit without bragging—perfect Liu Bei balance.
"I've been too busy grasping the world's chaos to ask... what faction are you with...?"
He eyed us suspiciously. Makes sense. Our volunteers looked like bandits. Some wore official armor, but outfits were mismatched—scavenged or from Xiao Shuang and Zhang Shiping. Zero uniformity.
"Ah, late introductions. I'm Liu Bei, Xuan De. Raised volunteers in Zhuo Commandery."
Liu Bei smiled.
"Such spirited souls in these times!!"
Impressed expression.
"I'm Gong Jing, Governor of Cheongju. Thank you for the rescue."
He cupped fists back. Governor—high rank, below marquis.
"Heading to Guangzong to crush Yellow Turbans, spotted refugees fleeing Cheongju. Good call coming here."
"Yes. Without Lord Xuan De, disaster."
Gong Jing eyed us, then signaled rear troops.
"Nothing grand, but to aid your righteousness, we'll supply remaining grain from the city!"
Couldn't send heroes empty-handed. He ordered granary opened.
"We didn't expect repayment..."
Liu Bei looked flustered. His trait—formally refuse once.
"Tch. Can't send such heroes away bare-handed or the world mocks us."
Gong Jing cut it short, troops hauling rice sacks. Under his guidance, we volunteers resumed march.
Whew. Hope smooth sailing from here.
Before parting, he shook hands one by one, me smiling innocently with that hope.
No. Cheongju can't be happy... Nearly said it aloud.
Yellow Turban remnants hit Cheongju again later. Cao Cao suppresses, absorbs them. Then Cao Cao tightens discipline, clashes with local clans, unleashes bloodbath. No peace for Gong Jing. Turbulent times.
Anyway, rewards were huge.
Months of rations.
More food meant longer marches. Liu Bei crew could relax.
"Bu So-jeo."
At wagons, called Bu Yong-hwa.
"Ah! Gong-gong!"
She grinned, wriggling from grain cart. Stuck in storeroom, millet stalks in hair. But obeyed, hid well. Good.
"Aigoo. Hair's a mess."
Instinctively plucked straw from her head. Something about her made me want to. That harmless, innocent smile? Weird urge to pamper. If intentional, terrifying. Aware beauties are scariest.
"Oh... Gong-gong's so kind."
Bu Yong-hwa blushed, accepting touch.
"Anyway, you're a mess from fighting. Let me clean you."
She inspected me. Yeah, blood-soaked. But... sheltered clan girl won't handle gore.
"Eep..."
Her face paled openly. Stiffened at flesh chunks.
"Heh. Guess you and Kim aren't the perfect pair. Can't stomach this?"
Guan Yu approached smugly.
Pat-pat. Casually brushed gore from my chest.
Yeah, she's used to it.
Chops people all day.
Close sis, but she's a bit psycho. Triple-digit kills, utterly calm. Not senseless killer or looter, though.
Just chaos-optimized talent. No hesitation killing foes. Kind to allies. Our Guan Yu sis.
"Hmph..."
Bu Yong-hwa puffed cheeks, frustrated.
No. Rivalry over this? Just differences.
"Hmph... Think I can't?!"
She strode up boldly, swiping flesh clumps.
"Hehe. Gong-gong's clothes... urk... so rough... guk... wear them...!"
Gagging but wife-like lines. Bonus.
"......"
No need to push that hard. What drives you, Bu Yong-hwa!!
She diligently cleared armor gore, but delicate upbringing won.
"Gueeeh...!!"
Finally hurled right in front of me.
Ah. Knew from her stubbornness.
"G-Gong-gong... don't look...!"
Blushing, teary-eyed.
Silently patted her back, wiped mouth with nearby rag.
"Gong-gong...!"
She gazed感動fully.
"Kyaah...!!!"
Guan Yu swung Green Dragon Crescent Blade furiously, venting.
Hey. Why, sis? Scary.
--------
After wrapping Cheongju quest.
Resumed to Guangzong.
Clop-clop!! Clop-clop!!!
Cavalry ahead, infantry following. Planned faster, but ample rations allowed leisure. No mid-march starvation.
Tension lingered. Guangzong in Jizhou, Zhang Jiao's direct turf. Yellow Turban heartland.
Obvious. Yellow flags everywhere, half-looted city littered with executed corpses. Turban sweep.
Utterly stripped. Not a grain left.
"Ahh... Yellow Turbans this mighty. Worried for Master."
Liu Bei sighed deeply.
"Hah!! Bro!! Uncle said Turbans are done for!"
Zhang Fei laughed, relaying Zhang Shiping's news. Early Three Kingdoms flow.
Official army under Zhu Jun and aide Sun Jian crushed them at Wancheng. Killed named foe Ju Hu. Good news.
"West pacified already. General Huangfu Song's army heads to Jizhou aid. Zhang Jiao trapped here. Desperate resistance."
Zhang Fei guffawed.
Not slacking, but easing kids' nerves. Simple but deep guy.
True. Overstretched lines shrank Turbans fast. Clustered in Jizhou, on candle's edge.
"Yes. But cornered rat bites hardest. Fear it'll hit Master."
Liu Bei fretted.
"Haha!! No worries!! Great teacher of bro! Alive for sure!"
Zhang Fei clapped Liu Bei's shoulder heartily.
"...Hm. Maybe."
"Aww! Bro down again!!!"
Guan Yu and I trailed, listening. She joined? No, staring at Turban-ravaged Jizhou horrors. Pity for ravaged folk.
"Nu-na."
Coughed, called her.
Men weak to sad women. Fumble awkwardly.
"Ah. Kim."
Looked up.
"We'll end this tragedy ourselves."
Straight to point.
"...Ah."
Moist eyes fixed on me.
"Mm! Let's!"
Nodded, bright smile. Much better. Women shine smiling.
Sharing resolve, we headed to Guangzong.
