Before Immortal Arts, Those Who Obey Prosper, Those Who Defy Perish

"This Spirit Water truly possesses the power to heal illnesses and strengthen the body!"

Tian Feng stared fixedly at the Spirit Water in the bowl, his heart filled with disbelief.

He had always leaned more toward believing in immortals and deities than doubting them, or he would never have risked entering the city, but without seeing a "miracle" with his own eyes, he could never be entirely certain.

But now, he could be sure that gods and spirits truly existed in this world!

That bowl of Spirit Water was the undeniable proof!

Tian Feng stood on the periphery of the crowd, watching as one person after another drank the Spirit Water and gradually saw their complexions turn rosy, remaining stunned for a long time.

"Master Tian? Master Tian!" Xiao Wu's voice rang out.

Tian Feng snapped back to reality.

Xiao Wu stepped forward and said, "If you are curious about the Spirit Water, there will be plenty of time to observe it later. For now, we should head to the Recruitment Bureau."

Tian Feng nodded silently and returned to the ox cart. Following Xiao Wu through various twists and turns, they finally arrived at the county office, where the Recruitment Bureau was housed.

Entering the county office and passing through the temple gate, they reached the main hall, which had always been the place where the county magistrate handled official business. Tian Feng was led into a side chamber, where he met the Yellow Turban Commander He Yi.

He Yi was originally from Runan, born of humble origins as a tenant farmer. Later, he followed Zhang Jiao, serving by his side at all times, and learned to read and write in the process.

After Zhang Jiao raised his army in Ye City, he served as a commander under him and won many battles. Even when Zhang Jiao was repeatedly defeated by Lu Zhi, he never wavered, earning Zhang Jiao's deep trust.

He Yi was the one responsible for this Yellow Turban recruitment drive; he was of good character, literate, and highly reliable.

Seeing the upright posture and resolute expression of the man who entered, He Yi felt a surge of goodwill. He stood up to offer a greeting: "May I ask for your honorable surname and given name?"

Tian Feng had intended to use the alias "Tian Yuan," but the scene of the Spirit Water curing the sick flashed through his mind, and he blurted out, "This Humble One is from the Tian Clan of Julu, Tian Feng, courtesy name Yuanhao."

Even though the Tian Clan was in decline, they were quite famous in Julu Commandery. Since Guangzong was part of Julu, how could He Yi not know of the Tian Clan's reputation?

He said joyfully, "I never expected a gentleman of the Tian Clan!"

Since the Recruitment Edict was issued, most of those who responded were commoners or scholars from poor families. Only a dozen or so had come from wealthy merchant backgrounds, and not a single one from a noble family.

Tian Feng was the first scholar from a prominent clan willing to join the Yellow Turbans!

"I have heard of your reputation, Master Tian—filial to your kin and possessing exceptional talent. To have your assistance is truly a great fortune!" He Yi smiled and took Tian Feng's hand.

Since Tian Feng had revealed his true identity, he was determined to join the Yellow Turbans. However, he still had many clansmen remaining in Ye City, so he said earnestly:

"I am willing to serve you with the loyalty of a dog or horse, but my clansmen are still in Ye City. I hope you can conceal my identity and allow me to serve under the name Tian Yuan."

"That is a trivial matter!" He Yi replied without hesitation.

If he were in Tian Feng's shoes, he would be equally worried about the safety of his family. After all, while the Yellow Turban Army was strong, they had only captured Julu Commandery for now. Once the entire Ji Province was under their control, Tian Feng would naturally be able to resume his real name.

"Master Tian, do you wish to join the Political Academy or the Science Institute?" He Yi asked.

"Please explain the difference to me," Tian Feng said.

He Yi described the distinctions between the two, while also mentioning that those who performed great meritorious service would have the opportunity to enter the Dao Institute to learn magic from God Huang Tian.

Tian Feng's heart burned with fervor.

Magic?

Immortal arts?

Could it be that one could attain immortality?

Suppressing his longing for the immortal arts, he said, "I do not have much understanding of mechanical arts, so I shall join the Political Academy."

He Yi nodded in understanding: "Then please wait here for a moment while I go to report to the Great Virtuous Teacher."

Tian Feng was the first noble scion to defect to the Yellow Turban Army; he could not be dismissed with a random position. To grant him a significant role, Zhang Jiao's approval was required.

After He Yi left, Tian Feng sat calmly on the mat, his mind filled with thoughts of what the legendary God Huang Tian looked like, whether he would have the chance to learn immortal arts, and then, thoughts of the four-hundred-year-old Han Dynasty and his own family.

Well, he did harbor a sense of loyalty to the Han, but relatively speaking, he was more loyal to his family. The survival of his clan was what he cared about most.

With the world on the verge of a change in dynasty, he needed to find a suitable position for his family in the new era...

Before long, Zhang Jiao, dressed in an apricot-yellow Daoist robe and holding the Nine-Section Staff, walked into the room.

"Master Tian."

Zhang Jiao's voice was unexpectedly gentle, not at all as rough as Tian Feng had imagined.

Tian Feng stood up to greet him, "I have met the Great Virtuous Teacher."

Zhang Jiao revealed a kind smile, "I am from Ji Province and have long heard of your great name. Now that you have joined my Great Peace Sect, I am overjoyed. I wish to appoint you as the Chief Registrar; please do not decline."

The Yellow Turban Army now controlled nearly the entire Julu Commandery. As the Great Virtuous Teacher, Zhang Jiao was effectively the Governor of Julu. The Chief Registrar was responsible for managing documents, ledgers, and official seals—the "confidential secretary" to the governor—a position of high status.

Granting such a position showed Zhang Jiao's sincerity. Tian Feng was delighted and bowed to the ground, "Having received such regard from the Great Virtuous Teacher, how could I not exert my utmost strength?"

Zhang Jiao helped Tian Feng up and said kindly, "From now on, we are fellow travelers under the Yellow Heaven; there is no need for such formality."

He turned to instruct He Yi: "Go and prepare a new residence for Yuanhao; do not be negligent."

"Understood!" He Yi accepted the order and left.

Zhang Jiao then spoke a few more words with Tian Feng before leaving on the grounds of being busy with official duties.

From beginning to end, Zhang Jiao showed complete trust in Tian Feng, seemingly not worried in the slightest about whether Tian Feng might be a spy for the Han Army.

In reality, that was indeed the case.

As long as Tian Feng could be put to use by the Yellow Turban Army, who cared what he thought or felt!

As for the concern that Tian Feng might leak intelligence to the outside, it was an entirely meaningless worry.

Because those who have never witnessed the might of Heaven and the power of the Divine can never imagine His greatness!

With Holy Venerable Huang Tian present, and with the vast immortal arts at hand, those who submit shall prosper, and those who resist shall perish!

All schemes and tricks are nothing but a joke in the face of absolute power...

"General Huangfu has arrived, and our Great Han Heavenly Army now numbers forty thousand strong. Looking out, they connect heaven and earth, vast and mighty; it is time to march on Guangzong, seize the city, and execute the rebels!"

In the main hall of the Lieren County government office, Cao Cao stood before Huangfu Song, Lu Zhi, Dong Zhuo, Zong Yuan, and the others, speaking with fervor and pointing across the landscape.

Lu Zhi said nothing, merely shaking his head.

Cao Cao's thick, bushy eyebrows furrowed. "Master Lu, you previously disagreed with my proposal to march because our forces were few. But now, with forty thousand troops, strong horses, and high morale, why do you still believe we cannot engage?"

Lu Zhi stubbornly replied, "Unless we clarify the matter of God Huang Tian, marching will lead to defeat."

Cao Cao laughed in exasperation. "Then when will we ever clarify it? You have sent many spies into Guangzong; have they still not figured it out?"

Lu Zhi sighed.

He did not know why the spies failed to send back any messages after entering Guangzong. Could it be that they had all been discovered and killed?

At this moment, Huangfu Song suddenly spoke up: "Regardless of what this so-called God Huang Tian is, we must march. His Majesty has issued two imperial decrees demanding that we eradicate the Yellow Turbans of Ji Province as soon as possible."

As the commander-in-chief, once Huangfu Song spoke, Dong Zhuo had no choice but to echo him: "This subordinate believes we should march as early as possible. Otherwise, if we delay for too long and the Yellow Turban rebels complete their training, the war will become even harder to fight."

Huangfu Song nodded, then fixed a sharp gaze upon Lu Zhi. "Master Lu, what is your opinion?"

What else could Lu Zhi say? He had no choice but to agree.

The corners of Huangfu Song's mouth curled upward. He stood up tall, drew the precious sword from his waist with a metallic clang, and forcefully hacked off a corner of the table, his spirit soaring:

"Pass on my orders: march for Guangzong and exterminate the Moth Bandits!!"