Jiang Wei's Solo Duel Against Zhang Yide

Jiang Wei secretly cursed Zhang Fei for being stingy. He was this miserly even toward a man about to die—fine if he was unwilling to give him more food, but why spout such inexplicable nonsense to fob him off? Yet before long, he truly felt full.

Was it poison, or some demonic sorcery? Jiang Wei was so shocked that he could not sleep all night, yet his body felt no discomfort whatsoever.

It was not until the next day, when Jiang Wei relieved himself and everything was perfectly normal, that he realized the food was anything but ordinary.

Over the days spent traveling along Qishan Road, Jiang Wei grew accustomed to using compressed rations to fill his stomach. Their taste had little to recommend them, but they were simple and easy to carry; a small piece could replenish half a day's strength.

At the end of the second month, Zhang Fei led the cavalry out of Qishan. Though Wudu was sparsely populated, the soldiers all felt as though they were returning home.

The army followed the valley of the West Han River. When they reached Wudu Road and halted to rest the horses, Zhang Fei ordered Wu Er to untie Jiang Wei. Both Wu Er and Jiang Wei froze at the command.

"General, what is this...?" Wu Er's face was full of question marks.

"Zhang Fei, what trick are you trying to pull?" Jiang Wei asked warily.

"I already told you—I, Old Zhang, want Jiang Wei alive. I only had you tied up these past few days because I was afraid you'd run off." With that, Zhang Fei stepped forward to help untie the ropes, carrying himself just as he had when he honorably released Yan Yan years ago.

The moment the ropes came off, Jiang Wei's body relaxed all