Zhao Yun's arrival brought new vitality to Peach Blossom Spring, along with a sense of urgency.
Chen Yu helped Zhao Yun settle in. Liu Bei found clean clothes and water for him to wash up, while Zhang Fei heartily thumped his chest and promised there would be plenty of food. Soon, Zhao Yun had washed and changed into clothes that were old but clean. Though his face was still sallow and bruised, his valiant bearing was impossible to hide, especially in his clear, resolute eyes, which showed a composure beyond his years.
Sitting with them around the campfire and eating grilled fish and stewed meat, Zhao Yun recounted his experiences in greater detail. The small border village in Flower Country where he had been born had never been wealthy, but it had been peaceful. In recent years, however, a group called the Black Snake Gang had extended its reach there, imposing onerous levies and abusing men and women alike. Zhao Yun had practiced martial arts since childhood. When he intervened against injustice and injured several gang members who had come to extort money, he brought catastrophe upon his village. The Black Snake Gang sent skilled fighters to burn, kill, and plunder. Zhao Yun fought his way out of the encirclement with his martial skills, risking his life, but his parents and fellow villagers all perished. He fled from place to place until he reached Bluestone Town, thinking a larger town might offer a chance to survive, only to be hunted again when he refused to join the Water Ghost Gang, which controlled the dock district.
"The Black Snake Gang... the Water Ghost Gang..." Chen Yu silently committed the names to memory. Flower Country's corruption was sustained by precisely this collusion between deeply entrenched gangs and rotten officials.
"Brother Zhao, your martial skills are exceptional. May I ask who taught you?" Guan Yu asked, deeply interested in Zhao Yun's fighting skills. He could tell that despite his youth, Zhao Yun had solid foundations and agile movements, far beyond those of an ordinary street waif.
Zhao Yun put down his food and answered respectfully, "Brother Guan, I learned some rudimentary skills passed down in my family, mainly spear techniques. It's just that... I lost my spear while fleeing." His expression dimmed at that.
"Spear techniques are great!" Zhang Fei exclaimed. "I like using a lance myself. Close enough! Let's spar sometime!"
"Please accept our condolences, Brother Zhao," Liu Bei comforted him gently. "Now that you're here, you're one of our brothers. When we have the chance, we'll certainly find you a fine spear."
As Chen Yu watched Zhao Yun, he had already made his decision. Such a gifted young man, bearing a deep blood feud yet possessing a resilient character, was an ideal candidate to receive a template. Moreover, Reshiram represented "truth," which closely matched the uprightness, loyalty, and righteousness that characterized Zhao Yun throughout his life.
Still, bestowing a template required the right moment. Zhao Yun also needed to become more integrated into their group and establish firm trust.
In the days that followed, construction and training in Peach Blossom Spring continued in full swing, now with Zhao Yun among them.
Zhao Yun had an excellent constitution and recovered quickly. He voluntarily took on a great deal of work, throwing himself into building houses, clearing land, and going out fishing and hunting alike. Agile and capable, he worked with great efficiency. His addition greatly accelerated construction of the base.
When it came to training, Zhao Yun displayed astonishing talent. He had no Legendary Pokémon template, but his basic martial skills far exceeded Chen Yu's and were even a little better than Guan Yu's and Zhang Fei's had been before they received their templates. Chen Yu asked Guan Yu to spar and exchange insights with Zhao Yun more often outside his own training.
Guan Yu held nothing back, teaching Zhao Yun some basic techniques for generating force and sharing his insights into footwork. In turn, Zhao Yun's solid foundation in spearmanship gave Guan Yu inspiration. The two often sparred. With the advantage in speed and strength granted by his Rayquaza template, Guan Yu usually gained the upper hand, but Zhao Yun could always hold his own for a long time through superb technique and tenacious will, earning Guan Yu's silent praise.
Zhang Fei was an even more frequent sparring partner for Zhao Yun. Both favored a fierce, forceful approach. Zhang Fei held an overwhelming advantage in strength, while Zhao Yun had the edge in technique. Their bouts rang with thudding blows and left them thoroughly exhilarated. After every session, Zhang Fei gave Zhao Yun a thumbs-up. "Not bad, lad! You've got some strength! Good technique, too! Once I've fully mastered this Earth Power, we'll have another proper fight!"
Liu Bei offered the care of an older brother, often talking heart-to-heart with Zhao Yun and helping him work through his grief and anger. He patiently explained their eldest brother Chen Yu's vision for Peach Blossom Spring and their ambition to build an ideal country together, leaving Zhao Yun deeply moved and inspired.
Chen Yu devoted more of his energy to his own training and developing Arceus's power. He discovered that [Life Creation] could not only stimulate plant growth but also offer a slight aid in healing injuries. He tried incorporating a trace of that power into the punches and kicks Guan Yu had taught him. Though it could not yet significantly increase their force, it helped him grasp the techniques for generating power faster and greatly improved his coordination.
Meanwhile, Chen Yu also quietly observed through the system. After days of strenuous training and practical use, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei had all made slight progress, reaching [Awakening: 2%]. Zhao Yun's loyalty had also rapidly risen from its initial 75 (Grateful) to 85 (Trusting), and was still steadily increasing.
One day, Chen Yu decided to venture out again. This time, his goal was to find metal ore or discarded iron implements and see whether they could forge a few simple weapons, particularly suitable weapons for his younger brothers.
Yet when he returned to Peach Blossom Spring that evening, his expression was even graver than last time.
"Eldest Brother, what happened?" Liu Bei keenly noticed that something was wrong with Chen Yu's mood.
"The atmosphere in Bluestone Town is off," Chen Yu said gravely. "The Water Ghost Gang has been very active. They seem to be searching for someone. What's more, I caught vague rumors that they may already suspect us. They may even have noticed something unusual about this forest."
Guan Yu's gaze sharpened. "Because of Brother Zhao Yun?"
"I'm afraid so." Chen Yu nodded. "I also learned that there seems to be an official from Flower Country behind the Water Ghost Gang. Our previous clash may not be as simple as an ordinary gang dispute."
"What the hell is there to fear?" Zhang Fei raged. "If they dare come, I'll let them taste my fists!"
Guilt appeared on Zhao Yun's face. "I've brought trouble upon all of you..."
"Don't say that, Brother Zhao," Liu Bei said, waving a hand. "Even without you, we would eventually have fought those who prey on innocent people. Your situation has merely brought that conflict forward a little."
Chen Yu looked at them all. "The enemy is hidden while we're exposed. We can't sit and wait for death. We need to actively gather information about them and prepare thoroughly. I propose that, starting tomorrow, we take turns keeping watch from concealed positions near the valley entrance, while also stepping up our training and preparations for battle."
He looked at Zhao Yun. The time had come.
That night, moonlight spilled like water over Peach Blossom Spring. Chen Yu called Zhao Yun to a secluded spot.
"Brother Zhao, you've been here several days now. How do you find it?" Chen Yu asked gently.
"I've wandered alone for so long, and never felt the warmth of a home," Zhao Yun said sincerely. "The four of you treat me like your own younger brother, and this place is like a paradise. I... cannot thank you enough. I only regret that I have no way to repay you."
Chen Yu smiled, looking at him with a deep gaze. "Yun, I can see you're no ordinary man. You possess great talent, as well as a loyal and righteous heart. Would you be willing to truly join us, not merely to find shelter, but to put our ideals into practice alongside us and accomplish something together?"
Zhao Yun trembled. Without the slightest hesitation, he dropped to one knee and cupped his fist. "Brother Chen! You saved my life, and I share your aspirations! I swear to follow you to the death and never betray you!"
[Zhao Yun's loyalty increased to 95% (Reverent)!]
Chen Yu helped him up and said solemnly, "Good! In that case, I'll bestow a power upon you! This is the ability of my 'Source of Mythical Pokémon.' It can awaken the sleeping spirit of a Mythical Pokémon within you! This Mythical Pokémon is called Reshiram. It symbolizes truth and is perfectly suited to your character!"
With that, Chen Yu focused his mind and selected Reshiram's template in the system interface.
[Bestow the template "Reshiram (Initial level)" upon the unit "Zhao Yun"?]
"Yes!"
A current of scorching yet gentle energy, carrying a sense of purity and loftiness, instantly surged into Zhao Yun's body!
Zhao Yun felt a powerful current of heat pour in through the crown of his head and instantly spread throughout his limbs and body! Unlike what had happened to Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, no distinct phantom appeared over him. Instead, faint currents resembling white flames rose around his body. Pure and scorching, they did not harm even a blade of grass or a tree nearby. Deep within his pupils, white flames seemed to burn. His gaze grew sharper, as though it could pierce falsehood and look straight into the essence of things.
He felt his body fill with power, and a fierce will to pursue truth and uphold his convictions arose within him. Instinctively, he held his fingers together like a spear and thrust forward!
"Hiss!"
A faint white wave of energy burst from his fingertips, scorching a small black patch into the trunk of a peach tree several steps ahead!
"This is Reshiram's power?" Zhao Yun stared at his hands in shock, feeling the powerful energy within him that was utterly different from before, along with the basic information that had appeared in his mind about abilities such as white flames and the Eye of Truth.
"That's right. This is only its initial power." Chen Yu nodded in satisfaction. "As you train and strengthen your convictions, this power will continue to awaken. In the end, you may be able to transform into a giant white dragon, wield the flames of truth, and cleanse the world of all falsehood!"
Overwhelmed with excitement, Zhao Yun bowed deeply once more. "I will not disappoint your hopes, Eldest Brother! With this body and this power, I will follow you, pursue truth, and uphold justice!"
[Zhao Yun's loyalty increased to 100% (Unwavering loyalty)!] [Zhao Yun's template "Reshiram" awakening: 1%]
With that, three of the Five Tiger Generals had gathered, and all had received Legendary Pokémon templates! Peach Blossom Spring's strength had undergone a qualitative leap!
Yet almost at the very moment Zhao Yun received his ability, Chen Yu sensed through the system that Guan Yu, who was on watch at the valley entrance that night, seemed to have detected unusual activity and was giving their agreed-upon warning signal of a birdcall.
Chen Yu's gaze sharpened, and he said to Zhao Yun, "Yun, it seems the time has come to test the results of our training! Prepare to face the enemy!"
Before you continue