Disclaimer: I don't own DW/ROT3K.
A/N: We're finally in the last chapter of this fic. It's a shame that the previous chapter has very low hits. Seems nobody liked the Cao Pi x Zhen Ji chapter as I anticipated. That chapter is suppose to encourage readers on Zhen Ji's endurances into serving the Cao family and her honest behavior with Cao Pi. Now all I have left is Zhao Yun. Some of this come from the Zhao Yun Chinese 3k comic, thanks to my translator.
Zhao Yun: If my chapter doesn't do her romantic life to justice then Zhen Ji is truly the weakest female character in Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
Zhen Ji:……
SilentNinja: By the way, Zilong. You're going to use the DW6 outfit in this chapter. I still don't like it….
Romance of the DW Pairings 2
Chapter 16: Zhao Yun and Zhen Ji
Chang Ban….
Bloody slope is what this place is called. The ground fill with blood and dead bodies of innocent peasants and brave soldiers. Cao Cao's soldiers are attacking the retreating Liu Bei army when the solution has become beyond impossible to resist. So little hope of the helpless and only some has survive.
"Yuanrang, is this the man?" Zhang Liao asked.
An unit from the other side of the slope observe a single man surrounded by less than a hundred troops. These nameless soldiers were taken aback by the man's prowess. There are a few who could last long enough to make their escape from death while others refuse to go the cowardly way and follow orders under Cao Cao to capture that man.
"A single man surrounded like a rabid wolf being the prey," Xiahou Dun stated.
"From the looks of it, our troops the prey and he becomes the hunter…" Zhang Liao said.
"Meh, he's just luck, Wenyuan! Our men were supposedly highly trained elites. We started five thousand at the first pursuit and that bastard murdered our officers to struck confusion and demoralization of that unit. If we reinforce those five thousand then Liu Bei has no chance in hell to escape!" Xiahou Dun argued.
Xu Huang joined the two generals and watch as he thinks about that man's potential. Who is this man? Why isn't he fleeing like the rest of the Liu Bei army?
"Gongming, where the hell is Cao Cao?!" Xiahou Dun asked. He is still enrage by the continuous demoralization of the troops watching that single man slaughtering at will.
"The Prime Minister at the hills on the other side of the battlefield with Jia Xu," Xu Huang answered.
"What ever our lord is up to, we're still standing by to await his orders," Zhang Liao said.
"Did he make up his mind to capture that scoundrel?" Xiahou Dun asked.
"No, our orders are to capture him alive. No one is to object his lord's authority," Xu Huang said.
"His authority to have our men charging towards their unnecessary demise! Damn it all!!" Xiahou Dun uncontrollably threw the private's spear he snatched out towards the crowd of soldiers fighting the lone warrior.
"His form of display shows no blind spot. What extraordinary martial art…" Xu Huang said. He is overwhelm by that man's style.
"Definitely different to my style, Gongming," Zhang Liao added.
At Cao Cao's side, he watches as his men tried their best to capture the warrior. Moments ago, he learned that warrior's name is Zhao Yun and broke through the front lines several times gathering the peasants to their escape. This is what Cao Cao has been looking for after years of searching for talented officers. This man is the true example of the perfect soldier unrivaled by many of Cao Cao's best. The man's motivation is saving those who had nothing to do with the chaos and those who don't leave their assistance behind.
"What do you think, Wenhe? His might is most impressive," Cao Cao said.
"Impressive indeed, but vicious also. He shows no remorse," Jia Xu said.
"Just like the strategist you did against me," Cao Cao smirked.
Moments have passed and the soldiers have been warn out of their stamina. This is the perfect opportunity for Zhao Yun. One more break through to rescue the remaining peasants and he must flee to Liu Bei and the others. True Loyalty is at his side. It disgust him to see Cao Cao's troops in Han uniforms all are a bunch of puppets terrorizing innocents. Even if he continues killing officers serving Cao Cao, there is no excuse to his point of view.
"…." Zhao Yun scan around to see three peasants helplessly surrounded by soldiers. They must be the last ones left to flee. Without hesitation, he dash through the crowd swing his spear like a motion typhoon.
"Uggh…help us!" the commoner cried.
While Zhao Yun dashes through the mob to rescue the last remaining peasants, Zhen Ji arrives after she met Zhang He from the woods. Her horse stopped next to where Cao Cao and Jia Xu are. As soon as she look down to the massacre, the sheer amount of carnage display. It's the most barbaric display of violence she'll never forget. The horrible fate those innocent peasants suffered makes Zhen Ji frown. She'll pray for them to redeem their lives later when she gets back to the city. More importantly, there's a lone figure making it's way to the three helpless individuals.
"That man running towards a crowd of soldiers; Who could it be?" Zhen Ji thought. She took a clearer look. It's hard to identify him when his face is focusing on the peasants. But, a few things she sees show hints. The color of his hair is familiar, but not the headband.
Zhao Yun finally made it to aid the last of the peasants make their escape from the mob of soldiers. Lengthen his stance facing directly at Cao Cao's army with the peasants behind his back; Zhen Ji now gets a better look at the officer and the appearance becomes more familiar. It couldn't have been HIM. The same man she met long ago before her marriage off to the Yuans.
"So it was you all along….." Zhen Ji gaze at the face of the warrior.
Zhao Yun check to make sure no one breaks through his defense as he turn to the three peasants, "Hurry now, get away from this place and take shelter at Jiang Ling!"
"R..right, we can't thank you enough for saving us! We'll be indebt to you," one of the commoners said. The three of them ran leaving Zhao Yun alone with those demoralize soldiers of Cao Cao. With much less morale left, the troops will desert Cao Cao.
He moved back slowly as he draw his Dragon Eye spear left to right scanning the solution. When he look up the hills, he sees one of his opponents from Bo Wang. How delighting of Yuanrang joining his big sideshow as the main guy! Hope he enjoys it while it last. There will be plenty of other things he'll show Xiahou Dun what he is capable of. He brought two buddies with him, Xu Huang and Zhang Liao. He heard of those two as Guan Yu's friends.
"He's staring at us," Xu Huang said. Xiahou Dun is still furious watching the cocky bastard intimating him.
"Another way to lower the morale of our troops," Zhang Liao nodded.
Zhao Yun then look to the other hill where three figures stood and one of them is a woman. He stopped moving and stare at the woman. She wore a dress of white and blue fashion with the blue ribbon tie on her silky black hair. It is said that too much make up makes you depressed. She felt that way for like an eternity. Of all the people he knew in Ji zhou…
"And you too my lady? So…it has come to this. You may not have a choice, but here you are safe so I'm relieve…Zhen Ji," Zhao Yun thought. They lock each other in the eyes and thoughts about that time before fate ravages.
Flashback...
Years ago while Zhen Ji was still a teenager. She spend time alone in the forest that afternoon thinking about what her late father had gone through before he died. The family could not survive long enough while her mother continue the fundaments when her eldest brother succeed. It's awkward when the Yellow Turban Rebellion continuously plague the lands while her family were recovering.
"I wish I was born a male. Being female is useless…" Zhen Ji sighed.
Are men and women alike in these kinds of solutions? Beauty, Literacy, and art were all women can possess. She wanted to acknowledge politics. You can't save a dynasty by just warfare that brings only more chaos. She hates corruption as much to the next person. But, beauty can also be corrupt.
"I better get back in town. Mother brags about me going out alone in dangerous places. Can't women wander anywhere, but in dull places?" She got up straighten her garments. It's of purple design mixed with yellow collars. It covers most of her skin compare to other rich girls, her style is dull. But her beautiful face makes up the flaws of her attractiveness. Still, she's a phenomenon pure of queen-like hood.
On the way to the village, Zhao Yun happen to be heading to the same place Zhen Ji went, only with his own business. Despite his influence in Gongsun Zan's army, Yuan Shao has warrant him a fugitive. Everyone in Ji zhou heard bad rumors about Zhao Yun just to lust after the reward by capturing him. Traitor to a distinguish family with many ties, but Zhao Yun had a good reason to leaving Yuan Shao after the Han Fu incident. The people of Ji zhou are still confused to even consider Yuan Shao a corrupted general because of his damn family name.
"With my eldest brother gone to the afterlife, I'm alone carrying out the secession of the surname. However, with no ties, no private army of my own and I couldn't return to Gongsun Zan after Liu Bei went to Xu zhou. Is this heaven's will?" Zhao Yun thought. His conscience always his greatest weakness. Doing what he believed to be the right path ends up with unforeseeable consequences.
What is going to happen after his return to Chang Shan?
Zhong Shan, this place was one of the ancient cities of the Spring Autumn Period along with his hometown. How delighting it is to visit a relic site he considers a part of his ancestral land. Someday, just some day he will liberate it. But how will he do that?
On Zhen Ji's side, she made it back into the city as she drop by to the marketing district, a merchant greet her appearance and offered her purple silk weaving for her natural beauty as a gift. Thankfully, it's not pink. She hated pink since such a color is too generic for women and girls alike. Furthermore, pink is the term for slutty.
"Thank you, kind sir. How is the revenue this week by the way?" Zhen Ji asked.
"It's going smoothly. The amount of gold is much sufficient than the last time since wars plague our province, Lady Zhen," the merchant said.
"Yes, finally my family's fortune had paid off after ten years," Zhen Ji smiled. She felt the passion of supporting the people she grew up with.
In that case, she bow to the merchant and walk across the district greeting by everyone. If her father was alive, he'll be right next to her proudly inheritance a talent woman that matches male prefects.
Zhao Yun got off his horse while Zhen Ji's celebrity appearance fathom the common folks. He has an appointment with the blacksmith on his weapon upgrade. How will the upgraded version of his spear possess compare to the downgraded counterpart? He put a lot of speed into the old one since the weight of the metal got lighter after years of practice.
"Smith master," Zhao Yun bowed.
"Ah, you finally came to claim your spear. You'll be most pleased in the change of weight the spear attribute," Smith master said.
"So it measures 120 lbs from the original 92. Closes to the weight of the halberd," Zhao Yun analyzed.
"Why do you want the spear's weight of that caliber? It was perfectly fine before I re forge it," Smith master said. He moved back a few spaces so his client can test out the effectiveness of the weight.
"Yes, it was perfect before, but later I had already mastered that level of speed. With a heavier version, I can ascend to that new level of speed and effectiveness. The heavier it is, the more opportunities I can master the spear," Zhao Yun stated.
He swing it faster as the grip becomes strainer. It is different to the perfection of the original. He now moves at normal speed while it was the highest speed he could swing the spear at it's downgraded form. This should be great to start trying out some new ways to master it's weight. How powerful will he become after he master it?
"Lord Zhao Yun…" Smith master honorably called him by heritage.
"I'm not a lord. Just Zhao Yun, a commoner who only value loyalty over fame," Zhao Yun sighed.
"But you are the son of the former lord of your hometown. If he were alive today, you'll be richer than that foul Yuan Shao. Heroes having ties with eunuchs and corrupted ministers don't deserve recognition!" Smith master shook his head as he sat down the stool. It turn out worst after the Anti Dong Zhuo coalition, military leaders took that as an excuse to start rival wars across the land. Yuan Shao started it.
"And some of them claim to be loyalty to the Han Dynasty. The Anti Dong Zhuo became an excuse at best…" Zhao Yun scoffed as he continue testing his upgraded spear.
"That was your main reason for joining Yuan Shao," Smith master sighed.
"Until I saw Liu Bei…" Zhao Yun finished testing the spear and prepares to make his leave.
"Liu Bei? Is it really the Liu Bei, son of Liu Sheng?" Smith Master questioned.
"The one and only," Zhao Yun grinned.
" The son of the former governor of this town," Smith Master rubbed his chin.
"He's now at Xu zhou protecting the province from Cao Cao. Barely we stopped the massacre before it reach Xia Pi. I'm surprise his army is even more formidable than Yuan Shao's," Zhao Yun crossed his arms laying behind the wooden wall.
"Both of those men are He Jin's generals…." The Smith Master then stood up and walk outside to see the brighten sun light.
"My father; it's unknown about his involvement on the rebellion against the eunuchs before I was born until later I learn from my mother that he was executed," Zhao Yun assumed.
"That was when Emperor Ling succeed the throne a couple of years till the Yellow Turban Rebellion. I shall never forget about that moment. The Han is getting a lot corrupter, however…" Smith Master turned to see the beautiful maiden from the crowd.
"Hm?" Zhao Yun went outside and saw what the Smith Master's attention at. The girl being surrounded by the crowd greeting her as she pass by.
"That girl with the most beautiful features this province has ever seen. She's a proportion of light among the people," Smith Master said.
"Lady Zhen…" Zhao Yun thought. It's been years since he last saw her with her family helping that charity she advice. She has grown up to be a woman and a seductive appeal.
"Zhao Yun, have you made up your mind yet?" Smith Master throw out a curious question. He looked at the young man suspicious.
Zhao Yun still staring at Zhen Ji's appearance. Many questions raise about the future. The path Zhao Yun takes will be a long unbearable lonely path. Just this once, let the future be what he wanted. Patience love…this is not the right time for Zhao Yun to fall in love with Zhen Ji when the world is at sake. The path of a true hero of the Han Dynasty has many objectives, but Zhao Yun choose the most difficult objective men couldn't achieve, True Loyalty. True Loyalty or a nobody, which part will he fall.
"No, I haven't," Zhao Yun went to greet Lady Zhen. He's been eager to meet her in person again. This time they can interact like adults communicating each other.
Zhen Ji passed by every individual till she almost reach the estate when a male voice catches her up. She turn around to find a handsome man wielding a spear. What does this man want with her? Does he know her before? She can't remember everyone outside of her hometown especially visitors rarely come here to see her natural appearance.
"Lady Zhen, you may not remember me, but I saw you before raising a charity with your family when you were little. Can't say I knew you since we're so apart from society, so forgive the sudden confusion," Zhao Yun bowed.
Of course, it was that time. She was too young to talk to strangers, but that same young man was really the one standing right in front of her. After the Battle of Jie Qiao, she learned that was the same man named Zhao Yun. At first, she took him for another barbaric warmonger, but his personality told the different. Amazed how she could barely remember him let alone his looks hadn't change when he age and she grown up to be 3 inches shorter than him, unless she want to include her hair.
"I remember you now! Zhao Yun from the Battle of Jie Qiao. What brings you here, my lord? I haven't heard from you since that time," Zhen Ji said. She's puzzled of Zhao Yun's whereabouts in Gongsun Zan's army. The last thing she heard of Gongsun Zan's army was that they attacked Liu Yu and then things turned the tables to Yuan Shao's favorite.
"It's a long story, but to make it short I return to retrieve my spear at the blacksmith. My destination is unknown, so I wanted to have a chat with you in person, my lady," Zhao Yun said.
"By all means, speak. I always wanted to hear out from you. There has been too much Yuan propaganda in this province," Zhen Ji showed him a private place near her house so they can chat.
Later near Zhen Ji's house…
"You see my lady, I didn't take all the credit on Jie Qiao since it was mostly Gongsun Zan's strategy to hold out the frontlines across the river till Liu Bei's reinforcements came. I only took part to give my answer to Yuan Shao's deception. Wen Chou, he was my first opponent," Zhao Yun chuckled as he slip a drink of tea.
"What really happened to Lord Han Fu before the battle?" Zhen Ji asked. Nothing was made clear about the incident except she heard he surrendered.
"Yuan Shao robbed him and scold at his uselessness as a government. I don't get why he did that when Han Fu was a member of the Anti Dong Zhuo coalition. When Han Fu flee from Ye abandoning his family, Yuan Shao ordered a manhunt just right before Han Fu made it to Yan zhou. That's the last I heard of Lord Han Fu. The men who served him joined Yuan Shao's side, including Junyi…" Zhao Yun explained. He swallowed hard when he phrase Zhang He's style name.
"So now he claim to be Governor of Ji zhou by just robbing his own allied officer…" Zhen Ji sipped her tea. The taste of power grew bitter as she started to have this eerie aura consuming her.
"Um…well, I better be going, Lady Zhen. It's dangerous of me to be near you now that I'm a wanted man," Zhao Yun finished his tea and got up and take his spear.
"Wait…" She place her hand on his quickly till it slowly drags off. Zhao Yun felt his heart seals him from ever showing his feelings for her. He's still not ready to fall in love, this isn't the right time nor Zhen Ji would ever wanted to be around with a commoner.
"My lady, you should go home now. Your mother is getting worried along with your sisters," Zhao Yun shrugged her hand off of his and walked out of the yard of her house.
"The only person I'm worrying is you. You'll hurt yourself more if you abandon your home and people from Yuan Shao," Zhen Ji urged.
"There isn't anything I can do to oppose him. People believe his malicious rumors about me," Zhao Yun said.
"And Gongsun Zan?" Zhen Ji glance as she question his ties with the White Horse General.
"Gongsun Zan believes I betrayed him. Couldn't return to his side and fight Yuan Shao…" Zhao Yun said.
"….." Zhen Ji couldn't think of anything else in her mind.
"Good day, my lady," Zhao Yun finally left leaving Zhen Ji stumble in defeat. She wish she could do something, but she wasn't trained for war. Women and war at times don't mix, but why do females exist when men selfishly push them away from ambitions.
"If only my mother can arrange a marriage with you, there is one person who supports your crusade out of many in Zhen Ding," Zhen Ji thought. The chat was enjoyable while they both haven't spoke in a deeper attraction. How she wanted to know more about him and what's his motivation. This is no ordinary commoner as the rich overlook; just who is he really?
Inside Zhen Ji's house…
"Zhen Ji, you have a guest," her Mother called out.
So who could it be this time? Another peasant bring gifts to her beauty perhaps? She went to the living room there a group of ministers and a young man next to the older man all bowed to her.
"Well well, Lord Zhen Yi's daughter has all grown up more beautiful than any women in the face of this region as my wife told me, she's right!" Yuan Shao praised.
"Certainly she is, my lord. This is the rare beauty in the north," Tian Feng said.
"Dear, Lord Yuan Shao proposal a marriage that includes his son and yourself," Zhen Ji's mother revealed.
"What?!" Zhen Ji took the whole news as a twist of fate. Her thoughts echoed saying the same word as she finally spoke her reaction, "That is rather unexpected of, mother."
"I know, we're pleased to have our support with the Yuan family. We will not have to suffer our lack of fundaments after years of your father's death," Zhen Ji's mother said and she took Zhen Ji's hand to greet the most powerful man in the north.
"My lady, you're now on behalf of the Yuan family, a jewel of our finest eminent. Allow me to introduce you my son Yuan Xi, he governed Nan Pi along with his eldest brother Tan who governor Qing Zhou. And now that we defeated Gongsun Zan, he's the new You zhou governor." Yuan Shao said.
"Gongsun Zan has been defeated?" Zhen Ji shockingly thought. So there Zhao Yun not returning to Gongsun Zan brings the sudden fall of the White Horse General. But Zhao Yun didn't betray him, how did Gongsun Zan believe he did?
"Excuse me General, I should also take the credit for defeating Gongsun Zan," Zhang He interrupted.
"Yuan Xi is your commander and don't you dare interrupt our important history in the making," Yuan Shao glared at one of his competent officers.
"Oh dear, forgive me and you're so full of beauty by the way, my lady," Zhang He bowed to Zhen Ji.
"Thank you um…" Zhen Ji didn't get his name yet.
"Zhang He, style name Junyi," Zhang He politely introduced.
"Junyi? So this is the guy Zhao Yun mentioned," Zhen Ji thought.
"Junyi, what are you doing there still interrupting my moment?" Yuan Shao still glaring at his officer's annoyance. Zhang He back away letting Yuan Xi introduce himself.
"I'm Yuan Xi, I heard a lot about you, my lady. It'll be an honor to be your husband," Yuan Xi bowed.
So this is Yuan Xi, though he's an interesting one, but doubtfully romantic. How long will they be together as a loving couple? What qualities does he present?
"It's a pleasure to be your newly wed spouse my lord," Zhen Ji said.
"So then it's arranged," Yuan Shao justified.
"Not only you're the most powerful man in the north, you also claim one of the greatest beauties in the land, Benshu," Shen Pei said.
"We shall get ourselves ready for the victory celebration at Ye, father," Yuan Shang crossed his arms showing the arrogant nod to his father.
"Precisely; and Lady Zhen shall be moving in with us. Be ready to say your farewells to your mother," Yuan Shao turn around and head his way to the door. The men make space for their Lord as he walk as a King of Kings.
Yuan Xi almost forgot that there is something he wants to show his soon to be bride a present for their relationship.
"Zhen Ji, I almost forgot. Here is a wedding gift for you," Yuan Xi showed her a pink dress with the most flashy design. However, the dress is horribly unflattering and the fact that she hates pink. A pink low plunge garments that's just great. Her new husband is a wannabe pimp and she is expecting to be a shank.
"That's rather…sweet of you, my lord…" Zhen Ji took the dress and bowed awkwardly. It's amusing how this man had no idea what her taste in clothes really are. After the marriage proposal she prepare herself to move to Ye castle.
The next day at Ye castle…
"Halt, state your business!" the guardsman demanded.
"I come here to seek an audience with Yuan Shao…Move!" Zhao Yun warned.
"Lord Yuan Shao is having an important meeting with his guests. If you're one of them then we'll let you asset," the guardsman said.
"I said MOVE!" Zhao Yun scornfully gritted. This is personal. Yuan Shao has made Zhao Yun very angry and what's more is that this is the lowest Benshu could possible go far to Zilong's hatred. They never get along since this land and it's people means more to Zhao Yun than Yuan Shao's ambition.
"What the…arrgh!!" the guardsman felt to his knees and his assistance attacked Zhao Yun until his spear was caught by the hands Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun threw him to the other guardsman to add damage to their meddlesome. He race inside the castle breaking through the guards across the hall. There's hell to pay for Yuan Shao's greed.
At the audience…
The ceremony begins as Yuan Shao and the rich guests surround the grand hall in the castle. His generals, ministers, and families await the arrival of the bridge. Yuan Xi remain calm next to Yuan Shang while the eldest brother Yuan Tan is on the opposite side next to his wife. Most high classed people are here and this is a tremendous moment in the Yuan family history.
It's taking an hour for Zhen Ji to show up at the grand hall. What is taking her so long? Zhao Yun is getting closer to the grand hall. He break through every guardsman while scoff at the lack of how they were skillfully trained. Nothing could prepare Yuan Shao's men against the rage of the Dragon of Chang Shan.
"Hm? I thought I heard some yelling," Wen Chou said. Wen Chou and the rest of the generals turn to where the noise is coming from. Right in that huge door comes a slamming effect that opens to introduce itself. Two guardsmen threw themselves a couple of feet through the audience and laying next to where Yuan Shao and Lady Liu are standing.
The people glances at the man in slow motion. What stood before them is the young man full of rage. He stares at Yuan Shao emotionlessly.
"You! What the hell do you think your doing bring such a barbaric feat in front of the noble people!? I should have know that you're the least to show your matters in front of me!" Yuan Shao angrily shouted.
The generals are prepared to defend their lord while the people became terrified of the lone stranger. This has never been expected by the Yuan family and surely Zhen Ji wouldn't either. Zhao Yun is in a completely different side of him, a wrathful vigilante which is not heroic, but outlawed.
"Answer me, child?! What brings you here rampaging my castle like a blind tiger?!" Yuan Shao demanded.
"On a decent afternoon, there was a lonely man and a beautiful rich woman separated by society because of our class. That man was descended to have a extraordinary future ahead of him if he choose the most challenging path and the rich woman is the one that inspires him to carry that journey. Today, I have come…Benshu…." Zhao Yun slowly moved a few steps threaten the generals to back away abit.
"……." Yuan Shao doesn't understand what he mean by that as his face coldly stares at the young man. He does not care what this man say.
"….TO CRASH THIS MISERABLE WEDDING OF GREED, CORRUPTION, AND LIES!! MARK MY WORDS TRATIOR! THIS IS ONE WEDDING CRASH YOU'LL NEVER FORGET!" Zhao Yun charge towards Yuan Shao hoping he'll take his head for Gongsun Zan and avenge those that died due to confusion, lies, and bad rumors. How could this arrogant, self centered man have so many ties and support in the imperial court when he's just another damn corrupted minister who turn his back on those who look up to him at the Anti Dong Zhou Coalition and lie?! Now Zhen Ji is another victim of this man's ambition.
"Zilong, you fool, stop! You're making a big mistake in front of these people who have ties to the Han court!" Zhang He thought. It shocked him more than everyone in the audience to see his rival gone blindly insane. He fear the worst of Zhao Yun's reputation. Junyi hurried to stop him from getting close to his lord. Yan Liang and Wen Chou clashed with Zhao Yun's weapon as they exchange parries from every strike they thrown. Gao Gao, Jiang Yiqu, Gao Lan, and Chouyu Qiong joined the two generals and restrain an insane Zhao Yun.
"You guys just don't quit do you! Serving this man because of your loyalty, but my loyalty is greater and you call yourselves Han officers?!" Zhao Yun valiantly breakthrough the mob by dodging just about every attack Yuan Shao's men did. If he had stayed in Yuan Shao's side, he'll be the number one general there, no doubt about it.
"Zilong, you got to stop this insanity! It's not beautiful at all nor Zhen Ji could ever bear seeing you like this!" Zhang He protested. This is not the Zhao Yun he knew since the Coalition. They often clash with each other in battles like friendly competition.
"Junyi, this has nothing to do with you! Your reasons are only fame! Don't patronize me now move!" Zhao Yun warned.
"Zilong!" Zhang He winced. What is wrong with him? When Zhen Ji arrive the scene, she gasp at the disturbance and sees Zhao Yun and Zhang He locked in a fight. What the hell is going on?!
"What else is it do you desire, Yuan Shao? More lands!? More bloodshed!? Taking the imperial throne!? You already stolen Ji zhou, you've brought disaster between Liu Yu and Gongsun Zan because of the envoy's delay, and now you've stolen the very heart of this province, Lady Zhen!! Is this honor?!!" Zhao Yun urged. As everyone look at each other in a state of confusion, Zhen Ji tears starting to come out slowly. She hurried after him before more damage is done to the wedding crash. She never felt this miserable in all her life. What can stop this man from destroying himself for what he fights for and what he stand?
"Stop it! Please…!" Zhen Ji grabs hold of him close with both of her arms. She is frighten by the public's witness.
"…." Zhao Yun surprisingly stop his disturbing behavior. Someone had both arms locked on him. He stood there quietly, but emotionless.
"I beg you, Zhao Yun…! No matter what you said, those people don't believe you because you're a fugitive and had betrayed the Yuan fraction! But,….I consent you…" Zhen Ji wepted.
Zhao Yun break up the hug and put his hand on Zhen Ji's chin. She's very disappointed by his actions. It won't change a thing at all, as long as she still believes him.
"You're crying my lady," Zhao Yun whispered.
"I'm not…I'm just…why, why are you doing this?" Zhen Ji asked. Her tears could not stop. She's so confused and frighten.
"Zhen Ji… I loved you that's why," Zhao Yun said. Yuan Shao changed his anger face into an evilly grin. He finally brought this runt down for good. If there's one sign of weakness to this man, it's his conscience. Now, he'll know why he dares to challenge the Yuan Family.
"I was right about you," Yuan Shao said. The couple turn to look at Yuan Shao walking a few steps next to his generals.
Zhao Yun looked at Zhen Ji who glance at him.
"The first time I saw you, you were like a lost child wandering from the scums. A bum who'll never be what he is not meant to be," Yuan Shao crossed his arms and chuckled. His wife joined him along with his son Yuan Shang.
"….." Zhao Yun can not get enough of listening to Yuan Shao's bull.
"You will never get what you want as long as you're serving me. These men here are loyalty because they serve me like they idolize a true hero," Yuan Shao said. His lecturing is really getting on Zilong's nerves, but why ignore all this when what he said is sadly true.
"My loyalty is only of those true and abide by the Emperor's will! That is the epitome of True Loyalty!" Zhao Yun objected.
"Blind fool, I AM the will of the Emperor! And these ministers were given legitimate positions by me!" Yuan Shao boomed. The whole audience stuck the god fearing statement.
"He's right…." Zhen Ji sighed, "Please don't take this any farther, Zilong."
"……" Zhao Yun turned to the door way and walk through the confusing people. He get a lot of hostile exchanges from the Yuan fraction as he pass by.
"Haha Zhao Yun, I'll clear your name and let you return your post in my royal army," Yuan Shao said.
"……"
"You can do whatever you want in my army, but you'll never get any recognition! You hear me child!" Yuan Shao continuously ranted.
"……"
"Don't have anything to say about it? Well, so be it! The land won't acknowledge you anymore, because at the end of the day…you're nothing but a disgrace! A bum found from the mountains where you came from!" Yuan Shao shouted.
"…." Zhao Yun doesn't listen to anything Benshu said. He continue walking out of the hall where the guardsmen struggled to get up.
"And a barbaric bum falling in love with a beautiful rich woman like Luoshen don't mix! That's the worst piece of trash this entire land has seen, you understand…." Yuan Shao had not finish as Zhao Yun left the castle. "…ZHAO ZILONG!!"
The voice echoed out of Ye as Zhao Yun mount on his white horse and rode out of town. The land no longer needed him. He has no other place to go and there's only one path he now has. It's a long and lonely path of True Loyalty.
Zhen Ji looked down the carpet and never look up at every noble presence she knew. Yuan Xi wanted to comfort her, but Tian Feng warned Xi that it will change anything to make her feel better.
Flashback ends…
"And here you are at Cao Cao's grasp, my lady. I know you'll continue to endure the burden that lies before you. However, I too have a burden I must endure," Zhao Yun thought.
"Little brother!" the voice is coming from behind Zhao Yun. The oath brothers are on the ship which is making it's voyage to Jiang Xia.
"My lord, it's Liu Bei!" Jia Xu pointed at the river where the ship is.
"Damn it! Of all people, he's still alive! All units, capture Zhao Yun right now!" Cao Cao ordered. The entire army charged towards one man and this time it's about half a hundred thousands of soldiers. Zhen Ji didn't stop looking at Zhao Yun when all those memories in the past cloud her mind.
"Well, that's it!" Zhao Yun then escape from the anger mob chasing after him.
"He's getting away, Gongming! I'm going after him right now!" Xiahou Dun kicked his horse and hurried to aid the pursuit. Why capture that man when the rest of the army wants him dead? Xu Huang joins with Yuanrang while Wenyuan stayed at the cliff staring at one man he acknowledged the most, Guan Yu.
Zhao Yun slides underneath the soldier blocking his way and continue running across the board walk and then he leap on the other soldier's helmet and springs on top of it sending him up 20th feet up the air reaching the ship's left side.
"Zhao Yun!" Liu Bei caught Zhao Yun's hand as he and his two sworn brothers pull him on to the ship. Zhao Yun soon flips over them and landed down the prank laying there.
"Thank you my lord," Zhao Yun got up and dust himself off.
"No, thank you. Because of you, you saved my son and the peasants," Liu Bei modestly said.
"….." Zhao Yun bowed. He can't thank Liu Bei enough to aid him on restoring the Han dynasty.
All of Cao Cao's soldiers stumble in defeat. They failed to capture a valuable officer which displeases Cao Cao a lot.
"What a shame to have let such a man escape…" Cao Cao sighed.
"Zhao Yun, you never giving up your path to True Loyalty. I always believe in you and now that you're fighting against Cao Cao; I too will continue to the burden and devote my loyalty to the Han. I'm no longer a weak willed woman because of you," Zhen Ji thought.
When the sunsets, Zhao Yun looks into the beautiful sunset thinking about Zhen Ji. He takes out a piece of paper he's been keeping it with for months now. It's his hand written with a poem about his confession.
Loving someone is like racing against time.
Life is short, I have missed many times to be loving her.
Until the last minute then I know that death is not the scariest thing.
The most scariest thing is before I die, I cannot see her.
Yet my brain was filled with her shadow.
That kind of feeling of thinking of her never dies.
If I could see her smile when I still live…even if it wants me to face the pain of death every night.
I will take joy from it, Luoshen
I love you.
One man's love becomes a shadow of it's image.
The End.