Hulao Pass Secured: Reunions, Feasts, and Lu Bu's Shadow
With the death of the enemy general Seo Yeong at Hulao Pass and Sun Jian's army blasting through the front lines like madmen, the path to Hulao Pass was wide open. The entire anti-Dong Zhuo coalition was dead set on smashing through—no doubt about it. Emboldened by that certainty, they pitched camp grandly at the entrance to Hulao Pass. Sun Jian's forces, arriving first, boldly set up an advance outpost at the forefront. I was sticking with Sun Jian for now.
"Haaak... haaak... huuuk..."
Chun Seol, who'd hustled to keep up, collapsed on the ground, panting like crazy. No wonder—swinging that spear wildly while charging was exhausting work.
"Hoo..."
Gwang Yeom was sprawled out too, sweat pouring from his shiny bald head. God, I wanted to rub that slick dome... but nah, probably not.
"..."
The North Old Man was different, as expected. He knew exactly when to rest—sprawled flat and already dozing off.
But... something was off with the old man. He had the minimal breathing of sleep, but there was zero movement.
"Hey... Old Timer?"
Feeling uneasy, I reached toward his chest. But... his heart wasn't beating!!
"North Old Man!! Snap out of it!! Gramps!!"
This old guy's days were numbered, and he'd finally kicked the bucket!! I was slapping his cheeks desperately when—
"Y-yeah, Old Timer..."
"Otoké...!!"
The others were stomping around in panic too. A little while later, the North Old Man jolted awake, eyes bulging wide.
"Huuuuaaaak...!!!"
He scanned around with the look of someone who'd just seen the Grim Reaper.
"...I-I saw Grandma... she passed on first...!"
The old man shivered violently, shouting at the top of his lungs. He'd been right on the brink of crossing the River of Souls.
"......"
A squad with a dying old man—that was Kim Squad. So romantic, right?
While we were chatting idly, Gu Ryeok Geo returned from wherever he'd vanished to, carrying something. A rabbit and a fat field mouse.
"Dude, Gu Ryeok Geo. What the hell is that?"
Hunting in the middle of all this chaos?
"Ah, nothing much. Time to eat and rest, right? So I went hunting."
He shrugged casually. Fair point—even with official rations, portions were skimpy. And we weren't officially under Sun Jian anyway. Freeloading off another army's supplies felt off, like it'd give me indigestion. Gu Ryeok Geo's initiative—hunting on his own without being told—was ace material. Not just following orders, but seeking out work. He was the squad's one hope, the one and only ace.
"If we gut 'em, salt the bones and meat, and boil it into stew, it'll feed us all."
Gu Ryeok Geo started butchering like a pro. Chun Seol and Gwang Yeom glanced over, then ringed some nearby stones and tossed in dry twigs. They lit a campfire, and everyone geared up for chow time.
We all hummed along, watching the meat bubble away. Grilling would've been tastier, but with so many mouths, boiling was the way to fill bellies. Still, that protein-cooking aroma had some magic to it—pure happiness. My body was screaming for it: Protein. Now.
As we bonded over the pot, someone approached with a laugh.
"Kim Gong!! Fine battle out there!!!"
Sun Jian and Sun Ce came over, greeting me warmly.
Sun Ce's already in heir training mode, huh. Like every era back then, leadership was hereditary. Sun Jian was dragging him along to learn the ropes.
"Thanks to you slaying General Seo Yeong, the enemy's morale is shattered!! Plant the Sun banner on Hulao Pass like this, and it's all your功, Kim Gong!!! Ha ha ha!!"
Sun Jian laughed, clapping my shoulder.
"Not the Sun banner... coalition banner, right? Ha ha."
I teased with a grin. This guy's ambitions were so blatant—he couldn't hide them.
"Ah ha ha ha!! Right you are!!"
Sun Jian's face twitched awkwardly before he boomed with laughter, brushing it off. Good thing we weren't enemies; Yuan Shu or Yuan Shao would've flipped.
Too transparent. No wonder he loses the imperial seal and spirals to his death. Greedy but not cunning—the worst combo.
Sun Jian's Affinity: 35
[Friendly]
Looking at Sun Jian pulled up his affinity. That duel with Seo Yeong must've impressed him big time—shifted from slightly friendly to straight-up friendly. Perfect. Now I could join him into Luoyang, farm gear, and snag the imperial seal from the well. Affinity below friendly blocks invitations like that.
"Lord Liu Bei is lucky!! Having a warrior like you."
Sun Jian chuckled, slapping my shoulder again.
"Hmph..."
Some general behind him scowled our way. But damn, she was a stunner. Gal-like vibe—tanned skin, blonde hair, skimpy armor. Couldn't help a rude once-over as a guy.
Who's this beauty? Probably a named general. After Guan Yu, the Xiahou sisters, Dong Zhuo—high chance of genderbent warriors here. Likely Sun Jian's ace.
"My lord. I could've taken a punk like Seo Yeong."
She protested to Sun Jian.
"Mm. I know, Gong Fu. Ha ha. As if I'd doubt you."
Sun Jian laughed heartily, praising the scary dark-gal sis. Gong Fu clicked—Huang Gai! Jiangdong's ace from Sun Jian's day, a hardcore vet guarding the east. Solid record in histories and novels alike.
Why the dark gal look...? Eh, whatever.
"Ah. It's done."
Gu Ryeok Geo piped up, eyeing the bubbling stew.
"Slurp."
Chun Seol kept her shy face, but drool poured from her mouth. Shy demeanor, bold appetite. Same for Gwang Yeom and the old man.
Shit. No choice. I signaled the crew to dig in. Had to butter up Sun Jian first.
They tore into it ravenously. They saved some for me, right? I'll be pissed if not.
"Caring for your men. Mm. True warrior."
Sun Jian nodded approvingly on his own.
Sun Jian's affinity has increased by 1.
Little bump as a bonus.
"I'd love to rampage battlefields with a warrior like you, but can't steal another's lord, eh?"
Sun Jian pitched recruitment straight up. Three Kingdoms hypes loyalty hard, making him seem scummy, but generals back then were freelancers. Switching lords for better terms was normal. Even Zhang Liao swapped like Lu Bu.
Skill forgave a lot. But not with Sun Jian. Friendly was fine, but jumping ship? Hell no. Stuck in Jiangdong backwater forever—no rare gear or cash farms. More isolated than Shu. Unless for Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao, why bother?
"Already rolling with Lord Liu Bei. Can't decide lightly."
I smiled sweetly, politely declining.
"Hmph. Fair enough. Got ahead of myself."
Sun Jian grinned awkwardly, dropping it.
"Still, honored to fight together this time."
Sun Ce smiled, offering a courteous bao quan fist salute.
Once the Suns left, I checked the stew. Good—they saved my share. If not, I'd flip tables. No cap. Food made this era dead serious.
Days passed, other armies trickling in.
"Hubby!!!"
Bu Yong-hwa spotted me and scampered over.
"Ah. Yong-hwa."
Holy shit, how's anyone this gorgeous? I scooped her up, sneakily groping her ass through the skirt. Post-wedding itch—sight of her had me raging.
"Ahn... Hubby. Kids are watching."
She tossed classic genre lines, glancing aside.
"Hoee..."
A red-haired girl blushed nearby. Ah, Sun Quan. Makes sense—Sun Jian dotes on his daughter, kept her off vanguard. Bu Yong-hwa was babysitting.
"So what. Yong-hwa. Just playing house, right?"
Married WWE.
"Kyaa. What're you saying."
She giggled, smacking my chest.
"Still war. Can't waste energy."
Then she got stern. Yeah, sharp as ever. Perfect wife material.
"Kim Gong!! Heard of your victory!!"
"Aargh!! Shoulda followed Kim!!! He always scoops the glory!!"
Liu Bei and Yide joined.
"Kim!!!"
Guan Yu rushed over too, hugging me.
"Hee hee."
Seeing her, Bu Yong-hwa playfully shoved Guan Yu like baton pass.
"Talk war with big sis Guan. I'll prep dinner."
She hurried to the rear wagons, exchanging meaningful looks with Guan Yu.
"........."
Already ate, I almost said. But Bu Yong-hwa sulks if I eat light.
"Kim!! Sliced tons of enemies!! Those Xiliang scum!! Beasts, butchering civilians!! I judged 'em—over 500!!"
Guan Yu beamed innocently, chattering feats. Cute face, cute voice—pure chaos incarnate.
"Hah!! I got 500 too!!"
Zhang Fei flexed his arm, bragging. Exile vibes, but bantering with these buddies felt cozy.
We caught up, chilling hard. But as a possessor, fate nagged—tomorrow's event loomed.
Finally coming, huh.
The figure shocking players everywhere.
Lu Bu.
Hulao Pass locust, Three Kingdoms' martial peak.
Good karma here too.
Prime chance for Lu Bu grind. Bonus fate point secondary. Risky as hell, but worth it. This era demanded gambling lives anyway. I'd roll with it.
Okay. Crash hard for tomorrow.
Using Bu Yong-hwa as pillow? Sweet dreams. Sneak some naughty fun? Fingers crossed.
Heading to my tent, I hit a weird scene.
"Ah. Kim Gong!! Where you rushing off to."
"You the Kim guy?"
"Hmph. The one who beheaded Seo Yeong."
Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, and Yuan Shu blocked my path like Pokémon trainers.
"......"
Miss Yong-hwa, but world's cockblocking me.