"This Spirit Water really can cure illness and strengthen the body!"
Tian Feng stared fixedly at the bowl of Spirit Water, unable to believe his eyes.
He had been more inclined to believe in the Immortal Gods than doubt them; otherwise, he would never have risked entering the city. But he had yet to witness a "divine miracle" with his own eyes, so he could not be completely certain.
Now, however, he was sure that gods and spirits truly existed in this world!
That bowl of Spirit Water was proof!
Standing at the edge of the crowd, Tian Feng watched one person after another drink the Spirit Water and gradually regain a healthy flush. He remained there, stunned for a long time.
"Mr. Tian? Mr. Tian!" Xiao Wu called.
Tian Feng came back to himself.
Xiao Wu stepped forward. "If you're curious about the Spirit Water, sir, you'll have plenty of time to see it later. For now, we should head to the Recruitment Bureau."
Tian Feng nodded silently and climbed back into the ox cart. Xiao Wu drove him this way and that until at last they reached the county office. The Recruitment Bureau was located inside.
They entered the county office and passed through the gate to the main hall, where the county magistrate traditionally handled official business. Tian Feng was led to a side room, where he met He Yi, a commander of the Yellow Turban Army.
He Yi was a native of Runan, born into humble circumstances as a tenant farmer. Later, he followed Zhang Jiao, serving constantly at his side and learning to read and write.
After Zhang Jiao raised his forces in Ye City, He Yi served under him as a commander and won many battles. Even after Zhang Jiao suffered repeated defeats at the hands of Lu Zhi, He Yi remained steadfastly loyal, earning Zhang Jiao's trust.
He Yi was in charge of recruitment for the Yellow Turbans. He was decent in character, literate, and worthy of trust.
Seeing Tian Feng enter with his upright bearing and resolute features, He Yi felt an immediate liking for him. He rose and greeted him. "May I ask your honored name and where you are from, sir?"
Tian Feng had meant to give the false name "Tian Yuan," but the sight of the Spirit Water curing the sick flashed through his mind, and the words slipped out before he could stop them. "I am Tian Feng, courtesy name Yuanhao, of the Tian Clan of Julu."
Though the Tian Clan had fallen into decline, it was still well known throughout Julu Commandery. And since Guangzong belonged to Julu Commandery, how could He Yi not know its reputation?
He beamed. "I never expected to meet a gentleman of the Tian Clan!"
Since the Recruitment Edict had been issued, most of those who answered it had been commoners or scholars from poor families. Only a dozen or so had come from powerful clans and wealthy households, and not one had come from an Aristocratic Clan.
Tian Feng was the first scion of an established clan willing to join the Yellow Turbans!
"I've heard of your reputation, Lord Tian: your filial devotion is renowned, and your talent and insight are extraordinary. It is truly a blessing to have your aid!" He Yi said with a bright smile, taking Tian Feng's hand.
Since Tian Feng had revealed his real name, he had resolved to join the Yellow Turbans. But many of his clan members were still in Ye City, so he spoke earnestly. "I am willing to serve you with all my strength. However, my clan members are still in Ye City, so I hope you will keep my identity concealed and let me serve under the name Tian Yuan."
"That's a small matter!" He Yi replied without hesitation.
If he were in Tian Feng's position, he would be just as concerned for his family's safety. After all, though the Yellow Turban Army was currently strong, it had only captured Julu Commandery for now. Once it had all of Ji Province under its control, Tian Feng could reclaim his real name.
"Lord Tian, would you prefer to join the Political Academy or the Science Institute?" He Yi asked.
"Please explain the difference," Tian Feng said.
He Yi explained how the two institutes differed. He also told him that if he accomplished great deeds, he might later have the chance to enter the Dao Institute and study magic under God Huang Tian.
Tian Feng's heart burned with excitement.
Magic?
Immortal arts?
Could they grant eternal life?
He held back his yearning for the immortal arts and said, "I know little about machinery and engineering, so I would prefer to join the Political Academy."
He Yi nodded in understanding. "Then please wait here a moment, sir. I'll go inform the Great Virtuous Teacher."
Tian Feng was the first scion of an Aristocratic Clan to join the Yellow Turban Army. He could not simply be given some minor post and sent on his way. And to give him an important position, Zhang Jiao's approval was needed.
After He Yi left, Tian Feng settled comfortably onto the mat, kneeling with his legs folded beneath him. He wondered what the legendary God Huang Tian looked like and whether he might have a chance to learn immortal arts. Then his thoughts turned to the four-hundred-year-old Great Han and his own clan.
Well, he did feel a certain loyalty to the Great Han. But by comparison, he was more loyal to his clan. Its survival was what mattered most to him.
The realm was on the verge of changing hands. He had to secure a suitable place for his clan in the new dynasty...
Before long, Zhang Jiao entered the room, dressed in an apricot-yellow robe and holding the Nine-Section Staff.
"Lord Tian."
Zhang Jiao's voice was unexpectedly gentle, nothing like the rough one Tian Feng had imagined.
Tian Feng rose and bowed. "This humble one pays his respects to the Great Virtuous Teacher."
Zhang Jiao smiled kindly. "I hail from Ji Province and have long heard of your distinguished name, Lord Tian. Now that you've joined my Great Peace Sect under Huang Tian, I'm overjoyed. I would like to appoint you as my chief clerk. I hope you won't refuse."
The Yellow Turban Army now controlled nearly all of Julu Commandery. As the Great Virtuous Teacher, Zhang Jiao was effectively its governor. The chief clerk managed official documents, registers, and seals—in effect, the governor's trusted secretary—and held a highly respected position.
The offer of such an important post showed how sincere Zhang Jiao was. Tian Feng was delighted too, and he bowed to the ground. "The Great Virtuous Teacher has shown me such favor. How could I not give my life in his service?"
Zhang Jiao helped Tian Feng to his feet and said warmly, "From now on, we are brothers in Huang Tian's cause. There's no need for formality."
He turned and instructed He Yi, "Prepare a new residence for Yuanhao. Make sure he is well treated."
"Yes!" He Yi replied and left to carry out the order.
Zhang Jiao continued speaking with Tian Feng for a while, then left, citing his many pressing duties.
From beginning to end, Zhang Jiao had shown Tian Feng complete trust, seeming not to worry in the least that he might be a Han Army spy.
And in truth, he had no such worries.
So long as Tian Feng could be of use to the Yellow Turban Army, who cared what he thought?
As for the possibility that Tian Feng might leak information, that was an equally pointless concern.
For those who had never witnessed Heaven's might or divine power could never imagine its greatness!
With the Holy Venerable Huang Tian and boundless immortal arts on their side, those who followed would thrive, and those who resisted would perish!
Before absolute strength, every scheme and stratagem was a joke...
"General Huangfu has arrived! Our Great Han army now numbers forty thousand. It stretches from one horizon to the other, vast and mighty. The time has come to march on Guangzong, seize the city, and exterminate the rebels!"
In the main hall of the county office in Lieren County, Cao Cao stood before Huangfu Song, Lu Zhi, Dong Zhuo, Zong Yuan, and the others, who were seated on mats. He spoke with impassioned fervor, gesturing toward the map of the realm.
Lu Zhi said nothing. He only shook his head.
Cao Cao's thick brows drew together. "Lord Lu, you opposed my campaign before because our army was too small. But now we have forty thousand troops, well-equipped and high in morale. Why do you still think we shouldn't attack?"
Lu Zhi stubbornly replied, "If we don't learn the truth about God Huang Tian, we'll be defeated if we march."
Cao Cao gave a disbelieving laugh. "When will we learn the truth, then? You've sent plenty of spies into Guangzong. Have you still found nothing out?"
Lu Zhi sighed.
He didn't know why the spies who entered Guangzong never sent back any word. Had they all been discovered and killed?
Just then, Huangfu Song spoke up. "Whatever this so-called God Huang Tian may be, we must march now. His Majesty has issued two edicts ordering us to suppress the Yellow Turbans in Ji Province as soon as possible."
As soon as Huangfu Song, the commander-in-chief, spoke, Dong Zhuo had no choice but to agree. "This subordinate believes we should march soon. If we delay too long, the Yellow Turban rebels will finish training their troops, and they'll be much harder to defeat."
Huangfu Song nodded, then fixed Lu Zhi with a sharp gaze. "Lord Lu, what do you think?"
What else could Lu Zhi say? He had no choice but to agree.
The corner of Huangfu Song's mouth lifted. He rose to his full height and drew the treasured sword at his waist with a ringing clash. Then, with a forceful swing, he hacked off the corner of the table, brimming with confidence.
"Pass down my order! March on Guangzong and wipe out the Moth Bandits!!"
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