The intelligence Zhao Yun brought back made Peach Blossom Spring's inner circle realize that their days of living quietly in a secluded corner might soon end. A thorough investigation confirmed that a newly recruited subordinate had gathered information on the abilities Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and the others displayed during training, while information about Chen Yu had been exposed by the bigmouthed Zhang Fei after drinking. The traitor had sold it while buying materials in town. Chen Yu had indeed been negligent in this regard. After the incident, one peach tree grew all the more luxuriantly, and Zhang Fei was forbidden from drinking for a year as punishment. Still, the sense of crisis would become an even stronger driving force, and the atmosphere of cultivation in the valley grew increasingly fervent.
Chen Yu decided to go to Bluestone Town himself to approach Huang Zhong. This was no impulsive decision. First, Huang Zhong's circumstances closely resembled those of Liu Bei and the others at the outset, making him an excellent prospect to win over. Second, the Dialga template concerned the supreme law of "time." If he could successfully bestow it, the improvement to their overall strength would be strategic in scale. Finally, Chen Yu also needed to verify the situation in town himself and assess the potential risks.
"Eldest brother, this journey will be dangerous. You must be careful." Worry showed on Liu Bei's face. He knew full well that the authorities and the remaining gangs must have tightened their guard.
"Eldest brother, I'm coming with you!" Zhang Fei thumped his chest. "If any fool dares cause trouble, I'll take them down with one punch apiece!"
"Don't be hasty, fourth brother," Guan Yu said steadily. "Since eldest brother has decided to go alone, he has his reasons. More people would only make a bigger target. We must guard our home and intensify our training to prepare for the unexpected."
"Eldest brother, I know the route," Zhao Yun said. "I can follow in secret to provide support."
Warmth welled up in Chen Yu's heart as he looked at his sworn brothers. He waved a hand and smiled confidently. "Don't worry, brothers. I know my limits. If I can't win a fight, running away won't be a problem. Liu Bei will stay home and oversee everything; Guan Yu and Zhang Fei will step up the recruits' training; Zhao Yun can roam the perimeter to provide support. I'll be back in a day at the earliest, two at the latest."
He changed into the coarse clothes of an ordinary peddler and smeared a little dust on his face, slightly concealing the air of authority that was, for now, still immature. Before leaving, he concentrated and tried to draw upon that faint power of Arceus to envelop himself. It was not invisibility, but a way to make himself "inconspicuous," allowing him to blend more easily into his surroundings. The effect was not pronounced, but the small animals passing by seemed even more indifferent to his presence.
[Power of Arceus · All Things Regulation (faint): presence-reduction effect beginning to manifest.]
Something stirred in Chen Yu's mind, giving him a new direction for developing this power of the creator god.
Relying on his extraordinary perception and caution, Chen Yu avoided the main road and quietly approached Bluestone Town along woodland trails. As expected, inspections at the town entrance had become much stricter. The Garrison soldiers scanned everyone entering with wary eyes. Chen Yu mingled with a group of farmers bringing mountain produce into town to sell, kept his gaze lowered and his manner meek, and passed through easily.
The atmosphere in town was even tenser than Zhao Yun had described. There were noticeably more soldiers on patrol, and members of the Black Whale Gang swaggered through the streets, clearly making every effort to take over the territory and businesses left behind by the Water Ghost Gang. In the gossip on the streets and in the alleys, "Peach Blossom Spring" and "mysterious youth" came up even more frequently, mixed with bitter complaints about the additional "bandit-suppression tax."
Chen Yu did not rush to find Huang Zhong. First, he listened quietly in teahouses, taverns, and other places frequented by a mixed crowd, then discreetly observed the areas around the town offices and the Garrison's station, checking Zhao Yun's intelligence. Sure enough, information that several people in Peach Blossom Spring possessed Zoan Devil Fruit abilities was already circulating among the higher-ups. Tax officer Zhou Ming and Captain Qian of the Garrison frequently visited the town governor's residence, clearly plotting something.
The Happo Navy... It looks like we must increase our strength as soon as possible. Chen Yu's sense of urgency intensified.
That afternoon, following Zhao Yun's description, Chen Yu found the dilapidated marketplace in the eastern part of town. Before long, he spotted his target in a secluded corner.
It was a crude shack built from tattered cloth and wooden poles. Outside, an old man stooped over a small chopping blade, carefully cutting some cheap medicinal herbs. His hair and beard were white, and his face was etched with the marks of hardship, but the hands holding the blade were as steady as rock. His gaze was focused and sharp, as though he held not herbs but arrows that needed painstaking shaping. This was none other than the veteran general Huang Zhong.
From inside the shack came faint bouts of stifled coughing, evidently from his son, Huang Xu.
Chen Yu did not approach immediately, watching from a distance instead. After cutting the herbs, Huang Zhong lit a small clay stove, set a medicine pot on it, and carefully fanned the fire. Every movement was meticulous, carrying a sense of quiet strength. Yet Chen Yu could feel that beneath that stillness lay bottomless exhaustion and worry over his son's illness.
The system interface quietly appeared:
[Potential recipient with high compatibility detected! Huang Zhong (compatibility: 96%, recommended template: Dialga)]
Ninety-six percent! An exceptionally high compatibility, second only to Zhao Yun's! Chen Yu felt reassured. He straightened his clothes and slowly walked over.
"Sir, how much is this bupleurum?" Chen Yu crouched down and casually pointed at some herbs on the stall, his tone calm.
Huang Zhong raised his head and glanced at Chen Yu with cloudy yet sharp eyes. "Three copper coins a bundle. How much would you like, young man?" His voice was hoarse but carried an unquestionable firmness.
"I'll take it all." Chen Yu took out a few copper coins and placed them on the stall, but did not immediately pick up the herbs. Instead, he watched Huang Zhong prepare the medicine and said softly, "Your movements when brewing medicine are steady and precise, sir, and you control the heat extremely well. You don't seem like an ordinary person."
The fan in Huang Zhong's hand paused slightly. He looked at Chen Yu again, a trace of scrutiny entering his gaze. "I practiced archery for a few days when I was young. My hands are simply a little steadier. Yours is an unfamiliar face, young man. You're not from this town, are you?"
"I came from beyond the mountains to trade for some salt." Chen Yu smiled, his gaze passing over the shack, his tone carrying just the right degree of concern. "This medicine... is it for someone in your family? From the sound of that cough, it seems to be a longstanding illness?"
Huang Zhong sighed, the wrinkles on his face deepening. "My son. He's been ill for years. We've exhausted the family's wealth, yet can barely keep him alive." His words were filled with helplessness and sorrow.
Chen Yu was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "I have some slight knowledge of Qihuang Techniques. Judging by your grave, composed countenance and the thick calluses on your fingertips, you are certainly no ordinary herb farmer. Might your surname be Huang, your given name Zhong, and your courtesy name Hansheng?"
Huang Zhong's entire body jolted, and the palm-leaf fan nearly slipped from his hand. He abruptly raised his head, his eyes flashing as the fierce presence of a battle-hardened general instantly fixed on Chen Yu. "Who exactly are you?!" This youth had named both his given name and courtesy name in a single breath! In this remote little town, few people knew his courtesy name!
Faced with that presence, Chen Yu remained perfectly composed and said with a smile, "There's no need to be alarmed, General Huang. I am Chen Yu, master of Peach Blossom Spring. I have long heard of your godlike archery and unmatched loyalty and righteousness. I came today specifically to pay you a visit."
Before you continue