Everything Was Liu Bei's Fault

The two men, meeting for the first time, had eyes shining with excitement. Liu Bei wore a broad smile and, completely unguarded, dismounted and walked toward Guan Hai.

Seeing this, Guan Yu hurriedly dismounted and followed. Facing his possible future lord, Guan Hai did not dare put on airs either, and quickly dismounted to meet him.

"Your humble subject Guan Hai greets Duke Xuande." The Han dynasty's social hierarchy was extremely strict. Even Guan Hai, the leader of the bandits, maintained sufficient respect toward those above him.

"General Guan, there's no need for such ceremony. Please, rise." Liu Bei stepped forward and personally reached out to help Guan Hai up. The sight made Lord Guan's hand tremble involuntarily, and he nearly lost control and struck Guan Hai down.

There was nothing to be done about it. The moment they met, Lord Guan had realized that this Yellow Turban leader was actually an expert in the externalized Qi realm—and not a novice, either. Although he had no idea exactly how great Guan Hai's martial strength was, he was certainly not someone Liu Bei could withstand.

Guan Hai, on the other hand, felt even more peculiar.

Yes, peculiar—a feeling he could not put into words. Delight? Gratitude? Excitement?

All kinds of emotions mingled in his heart.

Normally, the difference in status between the two was simply too great. It would have been quite enough for Liu Bei to acknowledge him with a nod. Words of approval like "General Guan" would never have been spoken aloud. Their status was plain to see. Though it could not be called an imperial pronouncement, it was still a form of official recognition.

As for personally helping him up, that was even more inappropriate. Merely extending a hand in his direction would already have been a gesture