Zhang Yide's Delicate Mind

The next morning, Liu Bei and Lan Tian boarded a ship and set sail from the port, heading toward Xiangyang.

Thinking of the imminent reunion with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, Liu Bei felt as though he were riding the wind; despite the biting cold wind sweeping across the bow, his face glowed with the anticipation of meeting his brothers once more.

The river flowed slowly in winter, making for a smooth journey, and it took several days of travel before they finally arrived at Xiangyang.

Liu Bei remembered his last visit here, back when Liu Biao was the one governing Jing Province; looking back now, it felt like a lifetime ago.

Guan Yu led a group of civil and military officials to greet them at the pier. No sooner had Liu Bei stepped off the boat than he saw two familiar figures; Zhang Fei was pulling Guan Yu along, running toward him in excitement.

"Big Brother."

"Second Brother, Third Brother."

Guan Yu pulled Zhang Fei down to kneel on one knee before Liu Bei. In that moment, they forgot that the man before them was now the King of Hanzhong, feeling as though they were still back in that Peach Garden.

Liu Bei crouched halfway to help them up. The intensity of their brotherly bond left the other generals bewildered, while Lan Tian, standing behind them, looked up at the scene, noticing that no one else saw the moisture welling in Liu Bei's eyes.

The three brothers of the Peach Garden held hands, staring at each other for a long moment. Though not a word was spoken, it felt as if they had said everything; the expressions on the faces of Guan Yu and Liu Bei shifted from joy to deep contentment.

"Ziyu, let us enter the city." After