The People's Hero Returns

In a remote corner of Yuzhou lay an unremarkable little village. It wasn't particularly large, nor was it crowded with people, and its farmland wasn't especially fertile. It was the kind of place that barely registered on anyone's map—utterly ordinary in every way. Yet right now, that same sleepy village had been transformed into a chaotic sea of humanity. Waves of people packed every inch of ground, turning the once-quiet streets into something unrecognizable.

But for a village like this, such overwhelming chaos wasn't entirely a bad thing. When this many people gathered in one place, money inevitably began to circulate. Travelers would need to eat, quench their thirst, or find a place to sleep. Merchants and peddlers smelling profit would swarm in like flies to honey.

"Whoa~! I didn't know this place could get this packed! There are way too many people! I can't even see anything!"

"Don't worry, Ikdeok. This big sister will carry you on her shoulders like a pony."

"Wow! Unni is the best!"

"Our little Ikdeok is so cute~."

Amid that massive crowd stood three particularly eye-catching figures. At a glance, they radiated an aura that set ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠them apart from ordinary folk. Yet with so many bodies pressing together, most people were too busy minding their own affairs to pay them much attention. More importantly, everyone's focus was fixed on something else entirely.

The reason so many had flocked to this nothing-special village was simple: General of the Household Yuan Shu, the one who had marched north to crush the greatest nuisance plaguing the northern borders—the barbarian tribes—had achieved a staggering, overwhelming victory. Word had spread that he would pass through this very village on his way back to his post at Geyong County. That single piece of news had drawn this enormous crowd.

Some might wonder why people would bother gathering for such a thing. But the truth was that the northern horse-riding tribes had tormented Hebei for years with their relentless raids and invasions. Countless attempts had been made to deal with them, yet none had produced any real results. Then Yuan Shu appeared. He had ground the majority of those tribes beyond the border into paste as if tossing ingredients into a blender, completely shattering their power. On top of that, he had seized their wealth and dragged the survivors back as prisoners. How cathartic must that have felt for the people of Hebei—especially those living near the border?

Of course, in the long run, the southward migrations of nomadic peoples were an unstoppable tide driven by desperation for survival. But for ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠now, thanks to Yuan Shu and his three unparalleled ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠human weapons—plus several other capable generals—those tribes had been reduced to a shadow of their former selves. They wouldn't dare stir up trouble for quite some time. Rebuilding their strength would take years.

Even if other tribes like the Qiang, who had avoided this campaign, tried to expand into the power vacuum, that too could be kept in check. Not every nomadic group had dared challenge Yuan Shu. Some had even sided with him and ended up living better than before. With far fewer survivors than the number of tribes he had pulverized, they would be keeping their heads down for the foreseeable future.

On top of eradicating a long-standing headache, Yuan Shu had also swept up every local bandit and thief along the return route, restoring public order. How could the people not feel gratitude and excitement? It had been a long time since anyone had achieved such a decisive victory. With the Han court itself mired in chaos and unable to spare attention for the borders, this triumph made him even more popular.

That was precisely why Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei—the three sworn sisters—had traveled so far to catch a glimpse of the triumphant Yuan Shu.

"Hmm... Looks like we won't get a front-row spot..."

"It's a shame, but what can we do? At least we'll still be able to see him!"

"The position isn't bad. From here, we should have a clear view."

They had come as quickly as the news allowed, but many others had arrived even earlier. Still, the three of them were far from average in stature, and Yuan Shu would surely be riding a horse. They figured they would at least be able to see his face, so they waited patiently in their spot.

After some time, they finally spotted the massive army slowly approaching from the distance.

An endless column of soldiers. Men who ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠had won victory after victory against the nomads, reaped enormous spoils, survived a battle that would be recorded in history, and returned alive. Their faces glowed with a mixture of joy, pride, anticipation for the future, and hard-earned confidence. The generals who had been chosen by Yuan Shu looked exhilarated, finally able to repay the favor of their selection and prove their worth as commanders.

And then there were the three human weapons who couldn't care less about any of that. Xiang Yu, Richard, and Choe Jun-gyeong were still riding the high of slaughtering barbarians, licking their lips as if wondering where the next batch of enemies might be hiding.

Behind them came the shocking sight of defeated and ruined nomadic prisoners, now treated like mere goods, alongside those opportunistic warriors who had wisely chosen the winning side and now basked in the victor's glory.

At the very front of that enormous procession rode Yuan Shu.

His armor gleamed brilliantly. Overflowing confidence poured from him—so much that it might even appear arrogant. Yet who in the world could possibly call him arrogant right now?

Still so young, relying solely on his own martial prowess and keen judgment of people, he had achieved a victory that would be remembered throughout the history of the Han. And not just any victory—he had utterly crushed the nomadic tribes that had repeatedly invaded the borders, plundered at will, and tormented the people for generations.

His dazzling background only amplified the feat. The name of the Yuan family—holders of the Four Generations of Three Dukes—added such weight that even his apparent arrogance seemed like a perfectly natural virtue.

Completely different from the historical figure who had been nothing more than a spoiled rascal rampaging through Luoyang. As he passed through the gathered crowd, he spontaneously scattered spoils taken from the nomads, easing the exhaustion of the common people who had suffered under both corrupt officials and endless barbarian raids.

How could anyone not cheer for such a magnificent, triumphant general?

The combination of a glorious victory and visible spoils had driven quite a few people into a frenzy. Still, with Yuan Shu's army full of human weapons capable of crushing bandits and barbarians alike, no one was foolish enough to cross the line too blatantly. Despite the wild chaos, a strange sort of balance was maintained.

And among those watching Yuan Shu depart with a satisfied smile on his face were three particular pairs of eyes that never once strayed toward the glittering treasures being scattered. They cared for nothing else. Their gazes were locked solely on him.

"Heeeh...!!"

Zhang Fei stared at Yuan Shu with sparkling eyes full of pure admiration. If this were the modern era, it would have been the exact expression of a child meeting their favorite idol or ultimate role model.

I want to become a hero like that too...! I want to live as a renowned scholar whose name echoes through the ages, a general whose four-character name is carved into history...!!

Zhang Fei, who idolized great heroes, looked at Yuan Shu and dreamed of becoming someone just like him.

As one who stands above others, he leads armies and solves the people's problems with a single decisive stroke. As a loyal subject, he carries out his duties perfectly and devotes himself to His Majesty. He is truly an example for all...! Ah, if only all the powerful clans of the world were like him...

Guan Yu watched Yuan Shu with deep admiration in her heart. She had once burned with righteous fury at corrupt nobles and greedy officials who hoarded precious resources like salt for their own gain. Unable to contain that fire, she had slain them with a single stroke, changed her name, and fled—only to meet Liu Bei and Zhang Fei and form a bond as close as sisters. By nature, she was cold toward the strong and generous toward the weak. Yet seeing Yuan Shu now, she could not help but feel awe.

He might not be perfect, but he was a great man worth learning from and following in every way.

Whoa~ He's so cool~! I want to become someone that impressive and magnificent too~!

Liu Bei smiled warmly as she clapped for Yuan Shu, though her eyes subtly revealed the burning ambition to one day stand in a similarly exalted position. As a child who didn't know any better, she had once declared she wanted to ride in a grand carriage with a majestic canopy—essentially saying she wanted to become emperor. After growing older and receiving proper guidance, she had changed her words, saying she wished to become a sapling that would one day grow into a mighty, deep-rooted tree nourished by the veins of the land.

So even as she admired him purely, she secretly yearned to become a giant among men just like Yuan Shu.

In this way, the three extraordinary sisters each gazed at Yuan Shu, filled with admiration and dreams of their own. Unfortunately, at this moment they were merely three faces among tens of thousands. Their fateful meeting with him would have to wait for another day.