The Candy God and the Governor's Seal
They say even a ruined chaebol lasts three generations. Xuzhou had been utterly devastated by Cao Cao's invasion, but the main city still boasted its intact grandeur. The night market was bustling like crazy. Maybe it was relief from the Cao army's retreat. The vibe of "let's enjoy the moment" was everywhere.
"Whoa, it's lively," Zhao Yun said, his eyes sparkling.
"Yeah, it is." This game really shines at night with the city lights. "Our village only has about thirty residents, so seeing a sight like this is pretty meaningful."
Zhao Yun smiled brightly. "Heh, I see." Well, his village in Sang Shan was in the boonies even by Sang Shan standards. In the game, without Zhao Yun's guidance, you'd get lost for sure.
Every single one of them boasts insane martial prowess. Even the woodcutters and farmers from Zhao Yun's clan village in Sang Shan could take on a hundred men. It's bewildering.
"Ah! What's that?" Zhao Yun peered curiously at one stall.
"Oh, just tanggwa." High-end snack—fruits coated in honey. The ripening fruit and honey scents mingled into an overwhelming wave of sweetness.
Oof... that sugary aroma. In this post-apocalyptic late Han world, food was always bland and salty. No wonder the locals—poor as they were—were drooling and milling around the stall. And when they spotted Zhao Yun...
Zhao Yun's mouth hung open, drool pouring out. No choice, then.
"Hey, uncle. Two tanggwa, please." I called to the vendor right away.
"Ah!! Isn't this the hero of Xuzhou, Kim Gong?!" The vendor's eyes lit up as he shouted.
Yeah, Liu Bei's army held hero status here in Xuzhou.
"Ah! General Zhao's here too!! Uh... how much? On the house. Hehe." The vendor grinned.
"Nah, take the money. Times are tough for everyone." I pulled out some Warring States era coins. Even with the economy in shambles, these held value.
"W-wait... Sir Kim. This could buy ten tanggwa."
"Then give me that many." Bartering was a hassle.
"Order up—your tanggwa!" Soon enough, he handed over a pile. He was beaming already.
"Hey, kids." I beckoned the little ones.
"Eat up." And handed them out personally.
"Waaah!!!"
"Kyaaah!!!"
"In my next life, I wanna be born rich enough to buy tanggwa whenever!!"
The kids went nuts, screeching with joy at the free treat.
"Thank you, Sir Kim!!"
"The Great Hero!!"
They bowed deeply. Winning over kids is easy.
"I'm not Kim the Hero. From now on, call me the Candy God."
A being who bestows tanggwa? That's a god, right?
"Candy God!!"
"Candy God!!"
"Great God!!"
The kids scampered off, chanting and spreading the word. Heh. Careful not to trip.
"Hehe. Kim Gong, you sure know how to play with kids," Zhao Yun chuckled.
"Nah, just having fun myself." I glanced at him while replying.
Crunch crunch. He was devouring the sticky tanggwa with ferocious gusto. How bad did he want this?
"By the way, the kids here walk on the ground."
"Uh, people do that."
"Back in Sang Shan, kids swing from treetop to treetop. Adults hate it." Zhao Yun reminisced fondly.
"Ahh..." Yeah, that's Sang Shan. The Zhao clan trains kids like hell from childhood—parkour's everyday life.
"Miss home?" Classic affinity-boosting line from the game.
"Mm. I swore not to return till we bring peace to the world, but I do wanna visit sometimes."
"Heh. Then let's go together." More lines to max affinity.
Actually, gotta visit once anyway. Get the elders' approval for the Sang Shan Main Clan Sword technique.
And swing by Chang'an while using Zhao Yun as an excuse. Best route. Dong Zhuo's gone by now, Wang Yun's in charge—event chain triggered. Time to farm there too.
Lost in thought, Zhao Yun's booming voice snapped me back.
"R-really?!" His eyes shone as he stared at me.
"Ah, yeah. For real." I cleared my throat.
"Promise!!" He beamed.
Anyway, bellies full of treats, we wandered the market more.
"Come one!! Wood-splitting challenge!! This thick log—can you smash it in one hit?!"
No entertainment in ancient times, but games like this filled the gap. Simple: cleave a thick log into firewood in one strike. Tough but not frustrating, perfect for the thrill. Vendor makes money and gets free firewood. Smart guy.
"You there!!! Heroes of Xuzhou, General Kim and General Zhao!! Give it a shot?" The vendor beckoned us.
"Ooh, let's." Zhao Yun grinned innocently.
But snag.
"Aigoo... the axe handle's rotted." Vendor scowled.
Yeah, handle was mush. No chopping with that.
"What, no axe? Still gotta split the wood, right?" Zhao Yun said calmly.
"You planning to use that sword at your waist?" Vendor eyed it, chuckling.
"No." Zhao Yun raised his fist casually.
WHOOSH!!
He slammed it down like pounding a table. CRACK!!
Fist hit dead center. Snap crack. Log split neatly into four pieces.
"......"
What the hell? How?!
"Hehe. Haven't gone rusty. Hate splinters from axes, so I split barehanded often."
Zhao Yun smiled brightly.
"......"
Sang Shan... what kinda place is it?
"Th-that... our General Zhao split the log clean with mighty power!!! For our top prize... a handmade cloth doll!!" Vendor recovered, clapped, and handed over a big doll.
Weird design. Kind-faced with prominent earlobes; hedgehog-mustached brute; cool long-haired woman; bushy-haired guy.
Liu Bei siblings... and me. Bootleg merch? No license?
"This one. The Kim Gong doll." Zhao Yun pointed at the bushy-haired one.
"Ah... aha...!" Vendor smirked knowingly.
"Have to, then. Hehe." Handed it over with a grin.
"Hehe." Zhao Yun giggled at it.
"Thanks, Kim Gong." He smiled at me.
A beauty holding a doll, beaming... heartwarming sight.
"I'll treasure it forever." He hugged it tight.
"Uh... sure." Kinda much?
Anyway, we roamed the market with Zhao Yun, had fun, then headed home. Meant to teach him worldly ways, but we just played too hard. Slight guilt, but he enjoyed it.
The next day.
"Kim!! Starting today, we're on Xuzhou guard duty!! Let's do this!"
Morning. Armored up, morning kiss from Bu Yong-hwa, heading out—Guan Yu called.
"Ah... guard duty." Tao Qian was already assigning Liu Bei's army tasks. Time to work.
Patrol, then swing by Mi Zhu's before clocking out. Work sucks, but plans formed. Exchange Zhang Jiao's treasure coins. Stock essentials for quick escape. Or buy land from Mi Zhu, build a house. Bu Yong-hwa'd love owning a home. Hehe.
"Sis, you're energetic this morning." Work's a drag, but Guan Yu glowed.
"Ah... w-well, I get to be with you at 'work.'" She blushed, head down.
"Yeah, working with you sounds fun." Her smile melted me. I took her hand.
"....." Bu Yong-hwa looked jealous but stayed put—deal was home for her, work for Guan Yu.
We greeted Liu Bei, then headed to the Xuzhou offices. Quite the scene.
"Take it!!! The seal of Xuzhou command!!" Tao Qian clung to Liu Bei's ankle, bellowing.
"Lord Tao!! The world will mock this folly!!" Liu Bei desperately shoved the seal away.
"Please!!! I beg you, Lord Liu Xuande, to rule Xuzhou forever!!"
Xuzhou nobles prostrated, pleading. We watched from afar.
Game event, but live? Eerily absurd. Liu Bei's eyes glued to the seal despite pushing it...
We saw it all.