Chapter 5: The Downfall of Chen Dao

  Three days later, Guan Xing rode the Black Tiger, Dian Man and Dian Wei rode the Wild Oxen, under the protection of Guan Yu and Dian Wei in front and back, according to Guan Xing's opinion, set off towards Ji Province.

  Along the way, Guan Chen and his five companions continued to advance along the outer periphery of Taihang Mountain. On the one hand, they had a sufficient supply of meat; on the other hand, they could avoid many troubles. Dian Shi used to be weak due to poor appetite, but after these days of nourishment with meat, he looked more radiant and refreshed than ever.

  A team of five, three of whom were sworn enemies of ten thousand people, so safety was not a concern. When they passed through Dong Prefecture, because the city of Dong Prefecture was not far from the Taihang Mountains, Guan Chen suggested that they rest in the city for a few days and have suitable weapons made for the three of them, as well as replenish some water and food for everyone. After all, Dian Shi and Dian Man couldn't always eat meat.

  Everyone agreed, Guan Yu settled Hei Hu and Ye Niu in the deep mountains, letting Hei Hu protect Ye Niu. Dian Wei carried his wife on his back, while Guan Yu carried Dian Man on his back, and the five of them walked towards Dongjun City.

  Dong County City was just a medium-sized city. Guan Chen led the five of them into the city from the north gate and directly came to an inn near the city gate to eat.

  Guan Yu and Jian Yong both enjoyed drinking, Guan Yu ordered a big table of dishes for everyone to eat, and with the addition of Jian's jokes, everyone ate very happily.

  At this time, a young man in his early twenties came in from outside and shouted: "Boss, bring a bowl of noodles!"

  The waiter came up to the young man and said: "That will be five cents."

  The young man heard the voice and felt his body all over, saying: "Can I have a bowl of noodles first? I can wash dishes and sweep plates for you in exchange for food."

  The little second said coldly: "Hmph! A freeloader has arrived! Washing bowls and dishes, our store doesn't lack this."

  "Please, I can split wood and carry water for food money!" The young man begged again.

  The little servant saw this and shouted loudly: "Come on, take him out for me!"

  Three big men came out from the back hall at the sound, ready to take action against the young man.

  "Wait!"

  Guan Yu saw the situation and hastily shouted, then he signaled Guan Yu to take out a gold coin: "Waiter, I don't know if one gold coin is enough for this meal?"

  "That's enough, quite enough! Too much more!" The shopkeeper hastily bowed and scraped.

  Guan Chen heard this and smiled: "Give that strong man two bowls of noodles, a jug of wine, and a catty of beef. How much will be left over?"

  The shopkeeper heard this and quickly calculated: "That's still fifty coppers short."

  Guan Chen heard this and nodded: "Alright, then return those 50 coins to that strong man."

  "Alright! You strong fellow, please take a seat." The waiter shouted and went to serve the dishes. Those three strong men also retreated back.

  The strong man came to Guan Zhen's side and knelt down to thank him, saying: "Chen Dao from Yuzhou thanks you, brother, for lending a helping hand today. I hope you will tell Chen Dao your great name, so that he can repay you heavily in the future."

  Guan Zhen heard this and rubbed his own forehead with his hand, saying: "Brave warrior, your name is Chen Dao, courtesy name Shu Zhi? Are you a man of Yuzhang?"

  Chen Daowen heard this and bowed with his fists, saying: "Yes, brother! I don't know your honorable surname?"

  Guan Chen smiled and said: "My name is Guan Chen, courtesy name Yun Tian. This red-faced, long-bearded big brother is my brother Guan Yu, and this dark-faced big brother is my personal attendant Dian Wei. Uncle, please get up quickly, why not sit down and have a meal together?"

  Chen Dao looked at Guan Yu and Jian Wei, seeing that both of them nodded, Chen Dao then sat down and said: "Thank you, brother, thank you two brothers."

  Chen Dao finished speaking and started eating voraciously. Guan Chen and the others looked at each other and smiled, seeing his state. After Chen Dao ate for a while, he clasped his fists and apologized to Guan Chen: "Brother, I'm really sorry, I was too hungry! After being driven out of my home, my travel expenses were depleted, and I couldn't find a way to make a living, so I've been starving for three days."

  Guan Chen heard this and came to Chen's side, saying: "Don't be nervous, I'll help you calm down."

  Guan Chen used both hands to slowly knead the nape of Chen Dao's neck, and a wisp of spiritual energy slowly entered Chen Dao's body. After a moment, Chen Dao's tired body gradually recovered, all the discomfort in his body disappeared, and even the food he had just eaten was slowly absorbed.

  After Guan Yu stopped, Chen Zhen looked at him in shock. Guan Yu explained: "Brother Chen, don't be surprised, my brother and I once lived with the great doctor Hua for a period of time."

  Chen Dao heard this and knelt down to thank him, saying: "Thank you, sir, for saving Chen Dao's life."

  Guān Chén supported Chen up and smiled: "Brother Chen, I see you're strong and robust, why don't you go to the Taihang Mountains to hunt some wild game to fill your belly, instead of suffering this humiliation from this little servant for no reason?"

  Chen Dao heard this and suddenly enlightened said: "Uncle is so foolish! I didn't expect that hunting for a living, thank you, sir, for pointing it out."

  Guān Chén heard this and smiled, saying: "Since Uncle has come out of the house, he must not be planning to make a living by hunting. I wonder what plans does Uncle have for the future?"

  Chen arrived and heard this, furrowing his brow: "There's no place to go, nor any plans. First, let's just focus on living well for now. In today's world, it's already extremely difficult just to survive."

  Dian Wei, who had been silent all along, also let out a long sigh upon hearing this. Dian's wife lightly tapped Dian Wei on the shoulder. Guan Yu saw this and bitterly smiled, saying: "Uncle, if you're not ashamed of me, why don't we travel together? We can make our way forward together, it'll be better than you struggling alone."

  "Uncle Zhi is indeed willing! Uncle Zhi wishes to follow Dian's example and become the young master's personal attendant, I hope the master will not despise me!" Chen Dao got up again and bowed down to Guan Chen.

  Guanchen was overjoyed and helped Chen Daodao up, saying: "Haha! I've gained another brave general! This Dongguan City is indeed my lucky place."

  At this time, the shopkeeper brought up the wine and dishes that had been ordered, and hearing Guan Chen's laughter, he also said with delight: "Since that's the case, why don't you gentlemen stay here for a few more days? This brave warrior, here is your money."

  Chen arrived and received fifty taels of silver, which he carefully placed in his own bosom. Guan Yu thought for a moment, then said to Guan Yu: "Brother, first give Dian Wei and Shi Zhuan each fifty taels of gold. This way they can buy whatever they want very conveniently."

  "My lord, this cannot be!" Tian Wei and Chen stood up together, clasped their fists and said.

  Guan Chen heard this and said: "I'm not clear about the preferences of the two brothers, you can take them away and use them as you like. We'll stay in this hotel for ten days. You and my brother can go to the city to forge your own suitable weapons and buy some clothes for yourselves. After everyone is ready, it's not too late for us to set off."

  Guan Yu handed over 50 taels of gold to each of Dian Wei and Chen, who this time did not refuse but accepted them directly, as they knew the importance of a handy weapon for themselves.

  Guan Zhen took three rooms upstairs and paid for ten days' accommodation, then let everyone move freely. Dian Wei directly let his wife and son stay in the hotel to rest, while he himself went with Chen Dao to forge weapons.

  Before Guan Yu left, he said to Guan Xing: "Younger brother, what kind of weapon do you like? I'll have one made for you too."

  "Brother, just make me a two-foot long sharp sword and that's all I need, I don't like any other weapons."

  Guan Yu stroked his beard and said, "A sword is a noble weapon. When you become the lord in the future, having a sharp sword will be sufficient! Alright, I'll go make some weapons for us. Those two guys are even more anxious than me, they left early. Are you coming with me?"

  "Never mind, brother, you go ahead, I want to rest for a while."

  Guan Yu looked at Guan Chen's lazy appearance and smiled: "If you're tired, go to bed early, don't wait for us. The time it takes to forge the weapons may be a bit longer, we will supervise the forging of the weapons until they are complete. You take care of Dian Shi and the child, I left 50 gold on your bed."

  Guan Yu nodded upon hearing the words and left with a smile, only then did Guan Xing realize the importance that warriors of this world placed on their weapons.