Life in Pingyuan
Life in the plains, and several months passed before the Yellow Turban Rebellion was officially declared over. In truth, there were a few more episodes after that. The bandits didn't all vanish just because Zhang Jiao was dead. His brothers, Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang, rallied the remaining soldiers for one last uprising, but heaven ultimately refused to side with the Yellow Turbans. I'd heard Captain Cao Cao had shone in the fighting—winning all five battles he fought. Under the imperial army's relentless assault, Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang were beheaded, and the surviving Yellow Turbans scattered to the winds.
With that settled, it was time to avenge my own grudge as well. Our group headed to a certain place—Pingyuan.
"Brother-in-law... it must have been so hard for you. Losing your parents like that..."
Bu Yong-hwa was deeply moved by the backstory I'd spun up on the spot, stroking my head tenderly. She'd been like this for days now, ever since we set out for Pingyuan.
"But you picked yourself up and thought of revenge anyway. Such a strong man."
Bu Yong-hwa showered me with affection, hugging me tight. She was so immersed in the story that her eyes glistened with tears.
It was a bit overwhelming, but her body was softer than expected, and she smelled amazing, so I didn't stop her.
"Mm. Kim's exploits are impressive. A man who dives into the heart of the jianghu to avenge his parents... If my father were alive, he'd have chronicled your tale in the Spring and Autumn Annals."
Guan Yu nodded enthusiastically, full of admiration.
"Ahahat! Revenge taken! Rank secured, limbs intact. Smooth sailing ahead!"
Zhang Fei laughed as he spoke.
"Mm. With everyone together, I feel certain we can overcome anything."
Liu Bei smiled as he said it.
Together...
Now that my "revenge" was wrapped up, Liu Bei was working overtime to tie me to his faction. I'd had nightmares like:
'Damn it!! Kim!! I like you!!!'
'Yu-ha-ha-ha!!! My lord!!!! I like you too!!!'
'Into my arms...!!!'
Stuff like that—scary enough to jolt me awake. In some ways, worse than army dreams.
Anyway, Liu Bei had finally received an official Han dynasty post. In the south of Youzhou, in Pingyuan, the position of Xiang.
What was a Xiang? To put it in terms a modern conscript would get: the sergeant of Pingyuan region. He handled the practical work. Not the top dog in Pingyuan, but every little administrative matter passed through the Pingyuan Xiang's hands.
Honestly, not a high rank. But Liu Bei didn't seem discouraged.
No. It's awesome, though?
From a modern perspective, it was solid career progression. Liu Bei was barely in his early twenties, right? Landing a civil service gig in your twenties. Sure, for a dynasty on its last legs, but for a bumpkin background, it was impressive.
"Aigoo... Dong Zhuo's thugs who barely fought get higher posts. Doesn't make sense."
Zhang Fei had been enjoying himself but suddenly soured, chewing on his whiskers.
Yeah. After the rebellion ended, the court handed out posts to calm the people. But the Ten Eunuchs meddled, turning it tragic. Positions went to the highest bidders, leaving "tasteless" ones like Pingyuan Xiang for Liu Bei to wash the dishes.
"Yide. There's no high or low in serving the nation. And think of where we started. Better than being gangsters in a garrison."
Guan Yu scolded Zhang Fei.
"Aigoo, sis acts all big-sis-like whenever she's near Kim."
Zhang Fei grinned and teased her.
"What...!"
Guan Yu flushed, opening and closing her mouth like a fish, trying to retort.
Watching their usual WWE antics, I planned ahead.
Taiping Yaoshu...
I needed to deliver it to Yu Gil for the Taiji Swordsmanship. Problem was, Yu Gil first appeared in Jianye. To meet him, I'd have to dash there straightaway or wait for him to roam nearby. That mysterious immortal NPC wandered all over the Central Plains. Luck out and you meet him quick, but players usually raced to spawn-point Jianye to skip the RNG.
How to get to Jianye from here?
This apocalypse world meant bandits everywhere on the roads—daunting. In-game, just keyboard away; on foot, nightmare.
Hope Yu Gil paths through Pingyuan by luck.
I caught myself wishing for plot convenience. I mean, I was the isekai'd webnovel protag. Surely some protagonist buff for that?
I smacked my lips at the thought.
"Oh, and Yong-hwa."
Another thing I'd overlooked.
"Oh my... brother-in-law. Calling me by name."
Bu Yong-hwa blushed fiercely.
"When are you going home?"
Forgot. She'd run away. And she was daughter to a local豪族 with ties to us—Bu Dain. Keeping her meant wronging him.
"Huh? I'm already home. Your arms are my home."
Bu Yong-hwa beamed stickily, refusing to peel off.
No talking sense with her.
Tsk.
Guan Yu shot her a dirty look, displeased.
Ah. Sisters who dote on little brothers get jealous when he gets a wife... Guan Yu seemed the type.
"No, won't you see your father ever? Talk face-to-face."
I tugged her twin tails straight. Damn, her hair was silky.
"Hmm... true. You'll have to greet Father-in-law too."
Bu Yong-hwa said.
"No. No marriage."
Why'd she treat it like a done deal?
"Hmph. Guess I can't go back yet then."
She'd anticipated it, turning away with a smile.
"Not till I make you fully mine. That's my resolve as a woman."
Bu Yong-hwa flashed an irresistibly cute expression. She knew she was cute... and exactly how to play it.
Sigh. So familiar.
Liu Bei's crew were all like that—strong-willed. Bu Yong-hwa fully assimilated. Hated how used to it I was getting.
Pingyuan. We'd barely settled in our new base when a month slipped by.
Fuck.
Felt like I'd blinked and it was gone. That busy.
Liu Bei went full workaholic as soon as he took the Xiang seat, normalizing Pingyuan affairs. First, corrupt tax skimming—standard for officials. Newbie Xiang pulling a sword for reform? Vets would rebel. But chaos times. And Liu Bei, ex-gangster, did draw steel.
Hired private muscle to flip the script on our would-be ambushers. Took a week; once ringleaders drum-barreled, the rest tucked tail. Abuse of power? In apocalypse world? With 500 armed men, the mystery Xiang's temper earned respect. Officials got polite.
With muscle secured, Liu Bei dove into reforms. Over-taxed funds from public granaries, returned to folk—"Yours originally." Master of hearts-and-minds. No wonder absolute Shu support. Nearly got Liu Bei-pilled... snapped out. Romance don't feed you.
Then, idle volunteers: plowed fields, improved irrigation, paved muddy roads. Locals loved self-improvement works.
This hustle built Pingyuan support fast.
Me? Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and I got lighter duty—perks of rank. Militia toughs patrolled borders for security. Rebellion over didn't end bandits; just ditched yellow scarves. Brigands lurked everywhere.
"Damn... imperial troops...!"
Me, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei led a small strike team raiding umpteenth bandit nest. Spot one, expect ten—like roach ads. Sight a few meant a lair. Elite militia dozens stormed it; lookouts panicked.
"Don't scatter! Up, you fucks!!"
Lookout tried rallying.
"Where?!"
Ten archers loosed volley. Thwip! Thunk!! Lookouts honeycomb-screamed and dropped.
Yeah. Pingyuan had a drill field now. Militia leveled up—not just spearmen/cav anymore. Archers added. Infantry, cav, archers? Proper army now.
"Charge!!!"
Guan Yu bellowed; troops surged. One-sided slaughter followed.
This routine blurred the month away.
"Hey!! Kim!! Job's done—dice and drinks!!"
Post-raid, Zhang Fei slung an arm over me.
"Nah. Not my night."
"Scared?"
Unmanly provocation.
"Fine. Tonight, you'll strip to skivvies."
Liu Bei and more joining for dice party.
"Ehehehet!! All talk, Kim!"
Zhang Fei roared, ribbing me.
"Really... moderate the gambling."
Guan Yu nagged, trailing us. Said that, but hated missing out—joined as spectator. Cute trait.
Ordinary days. But the real horror? Me enjoying Liu Bei crew life. Body and soul Shu-ifying. True terror.
Wake up one day a full Shu bro?
Shuddered at the thought, sighing.