Chapter 9: Brothers (1)

  "Liu brother was implicated in this matter for Zhao Yun's sake, and Yun is both grateful and ashamed. Since things are not going well now, it is indeed because of Yun's bad luck. Brother's great kindness, Yun has no way to repay, so he will share this punishment with his brother. After this matter is over, Yun will visit a famous teacher again, and if one day his brother needs him, just a word or a sentence, Yun will be willing to die for it without hesitation." With both hands clasped in fists, Zhao Yun's eyes were slightly red as he spoke loudly to Liu Zhang, then fell to the ground and did not get up.

  Liu Zhang was stunned, never expecting that he would so easily gain Zhao Yun's heart without even using any tactics. However, ironically, this Zhao Yun was no longer the same as the one recorded in history books, the young and innocent Zhao Yun.

  He let out a long sigh, and with both hands, helped Zhao Yun up. A bitter smile escaped from the corner of his mouth. He shook his head and said, "Zilong, don't take it to heart. Alas, fate is unpredictable, who would have thought it would end up like this? I understand your intentions, but you don't have to follow me here and suffer, hurry down the mountain." As he spoke, another long sigh escaped his lips.

  "Fate is unpredictable......" Zhao Yun heard his words, and couldn't help but mutter to himself. He never thought that this was because of Liu Zhang, but rather that he was lamenting the butterfly effect. He just thought that he was sighing over not being able to find a master, and felt even more moved in his heart.

  Thinking of how Liu Zhang had treated him from the moment they met, his heart surged with emotion, and Huo suddenly lifted his head.

  "My brother, do not persuade me. A great man who receives kindness and does not know how to repay it, and instead harms others without a second thought, is no better than a beast! Although I may not have become your disciple today, I am fortunate to have met a noble gentleman like you. If you are willing to accept me, I would be honored to serve as your younger brother and attend to you morning and night." Zhao Yun said with great emotion, bowing again.

  Liu Zhang was stunned, and suddenly felt that the things of the world were completely illogical. The goddess of fate was like a jealous and resentful wife, the more people deliberately pursued something, the more she would set up thousands of difficulties to make it hard for them to achieve. But when they didn't pursue it, she would instead forcibly stuff it into their arms.

  Looking at Zhao Yun's sincere and expectant eyes, Liu Zhang suddenly didn't feel so regretful.

  What a pity! Even if Zhao Yun couldn't become Tong Yuan's apprentice, even if he wasn't one of the Five Tiger Generals who shook the world, and even if he couldn't help himself gain the world, what difference would it make? He was still him, still that loyal, straightforward, heroic, and chivalrous Zhao Zilong.

  In a lifetime, if one can get friends with such true feelings as brothers and confidants, what more can be asked for?

  "Good! Zilong is a true hero! If I, Liu Zhang, have a brother like you, it would be worth kneeling for half a year. Ah, what a pity that now is not the time, otherwise I'd definitely find some good wine to get drunk with you and make merry!" Liu Zhang's eyebrows rose high as he laughed loudly, patting Zhao Yun's shoulder and exclaimed.

  Zhang Fei was overjoyed and immediately kowtowed, greeting Liu Bei as a younger brother. Liu Bei pulled him up, saying with a smile: "A man's spittle is just like a nail - what's the point of all these formalities? Brothers are brothers, after all! We only need to be careful about our attitude towards our parents and teachers; as for others, humph, I'm afraid we can't stand their nonsense."

  His emotions rose and fell, after the turmoil, the unbridled and unrestrained personality of later generations was revealed. In this speech, even the king did not dare to kneel down. Zhao Yun listened with shock at first, but then a heroic spirit also rose in his heart, nodding heavily in response.

  It was the rainy season, and it had just rained. The courtyard was muddy and waterlogged. Liu Bei and Zhao Yun grasped each other's hands, kneeling in the mud and water as if they didn't notice. Both of their chests were filled with a joyful and heroic emotion, and they wished to let out a long whistle to express their satisfaction.