Liu Bei and Zhao Yun left the city and headed west. After traveling for more than ten miles, they saw smoke rising from a mountain hollow ahead, with houses faintly visible.
Zhao Yun pointed ahead with his riding crop. "This must be where Master Shui Jing lives in seclusion."
Liu Bei was delighted to hear this and urged everyone to hurry.
Liu Bei and Zhao Yun rode swiftly. Before long, they galloped up to the small manor. A bamboo grove stood before it, and inside the grounds, a little bridge crossed flowing water. It was a secluded and peaceful place.
"Who are you two? Why have you ridden here and disturbed my master's quiet cultivation?" A young servant suddenly emerged from the bamboo grove.
Seeing the boy rebuke them, Liu Bei and Zhao Yun dismounted and clasped their fists. "I am Liu Bei of Xinye. I heard Master Shui Jing was here, so I came to pay him a visit."
"Could you be General Liu Xuande, the one who defeated the Yellow Turbans?" the boy asked dubiously.
Liu Bei was startled. "How does a young boy like you know my name?"
"A guest came to visit a few days ago and told my master what the general looked like. I was only guessing," the boy explained.
"Is your master Master Shui Jing?" Liu Bei pressed.
"Indeed. My master's compound surname is Sima, his given name Hui, and his courtesy name Decao. He is from Yingchuan and is known by the religious name Master Shui Jing," the boy replied in detail.
"Is Master Shui Jing at home? Could you take me to see him?" Liu Bei asked.
The boy seemed troubled. "No general has ever come to visit here before. I cannot make that decision myself."
While they were speaking, the