Chapter 74: The Taoist Priest Yu Ji (Seeking Three Rivers! Seeking Recommendations!)

  Although Liu Bian came with a mighty force, after all, his military strength was limited. Sun Jian could not be trapped by Lü Bu, and he wanted to retreat back into the city, Liu Bian could not stop him either. All he could do was order his generals to pursue and kill Sun Jian's defeated soldiers with all their might, inflicting as much damage as possible.

  The generals and soldiers of Bian's army were all bloodthirsty and fond of killing, especially the Bingzhou army led by Lü Bu. They failed to defeat Sun Jian in one move, so they came with excitement and returned in defeat. This bad breath naturally fell on those defeated soldiers who did not have time to retreat back to the city.

  War horses gallop, war knives dance in the air, one by one defeated soldiers are killed at the east of Liang County, the city gate just a stone's throw away is like a life-and-death pass, impossible to step into.

  Sun Jian gritted his teeth in anger. This battle had cost him dearly. The loss of the White Tiger Volunteers alone exceeded three hundred men, it was as if he had been cut with a knife. After the last one retreated into the city, Sun Jian arranged the defense and climbed onto the city wall, panting. Looking at the Ping Liao army outside the city who were still killing with enthusiasm, he couldn't help but let out a sigh.

  "The general should be happy instead of sighing." A voice sounded from behind.

  Sun Jian was greatly shocked and instinctively drew out the Wu knife from his waist. The Wu knife came out of its scabbard, making a sound like a dragon's roar, echoing unceasingly around the beams.

  "Good sword!"

  Standing in front of Sun Jian was a Taoist. He wore a Taoist crown, a long shirt, and had three long beards. His demeanor was very calm, but Sun Jian broke out in cold sweat. There were over ten elite fighters from the White Tiger Volunteers beside him, as well as his younger brother Sun Jing, yet this Taoist was able to approach him silently, which was truly terrifying. If he was an assassin, he would have already lost his head.

  However, Sun Jian was after all a seasoned general, and in an instant he calmed down, slowly sheathing his sword and lightly laughing: "Does the Taoist priest recognize this sword?"

  The Taoist shook his head: "I don't know what kind of sword it is, but I can feel that the sword's intention is different from others. It must not be an ordinary product." He raised his head and quietly sized up Sun Jian, smiling slightly: "However, compared to this sword, General's change is even more delightful."

  Sun Jian raised an eyebrow: "What's changed about me?"

  "White Tiger's fate." The Taoist praised: "I didn't expect that at this last juncture, you would understand the heavenly mandate, it is indeed heaven's will."

  As soon as he heard this, Sun Jian immediately understood. The Taoist in front of him was absolutely a superior man. He not only could see his knife intent, but also could see his fate at a glance, which is something that ordinary people cannot do. Compared to these abilities, quietly approaching him without making a sound was nothing worth mentioning.

  "Is it a long way? May I invite you to speak inside?" Sun Jian stretched out his hand in invitation.

  The Taoist priest glanced at him, stretched out his hand as if nothing had happened, and walked into the city building with Sun Jian hand in hand. Sun Jian invited the Taoist to take a seat, accompanied by himself on one side, let people serve wine, personally filled the cup for the Taoist, and then respectfully said: "Please ask the Taoist priest to point out, what is Jian's joy?"

  The Taoist raised his wine cup, took a small sip, and smiled: "You've only recently come to understand your destiny, so you don't yet grasp the subtleties. However, the benefits are indeed real, aren't they?"

  Sun Jian nodded hastily. After being enlightened by the fate, his physical strength and six senses were significantly improved, and even his mind became much more agile. As the Taoist said, the benefits were indeed real.

  "But you don't know, after understanding your destiny, the greatest benefit is that your facial features have changed. You won't die young anymore." The Taoist said with a smile: "Has anyone ever told you that you won't live past forty?"

  Sun Jian took a deep breath, and it was only after a while that he came back to his senses. Indeed, someone had told him so before, and it was precisely because of this that he disregarded the danger, always leading the charge in every battle. Firstly, since fate is predetermined by heaven, if one is destined to die, then there's no use being afraid. Secondly, if he didn't live to be forty years old, he had to leave some inheritance for his wife and children, so they wouldn't have to struggle too much. Sun Jian himself understood the difficulties of being from a humble background, and he didn't want his son to suffer the same discrimination and hardship as him.

  Although he had mentally prepared himself, Sun Jian was still very nervous as his birthday approached. Now that he heard the fortune teller say that after understanding his destiny, the greatest benefit would be that he wouldn't die young, he couldn't help but feel overjoyed, feeling like he had been reborn after a narrow escape from death.

  "Is the Taoist priest really here?"

  "Of course." The Taoist stroked his beard and nodded: "However, you have a calamity before your eyes." The Taoist pointed to the outside of the city: "Withdraw your troops and return to Jiangdong. Otherwise, you will not live to see your fortieth birthday, and you will soon meet your demise."

  Sun Jian's thick eyebrows furrowed: "Is Dao Zhang saying that I am unable to defeat Lü Bu?"

  "It's not just Lü Bu, but also the Son of Heaven." The Taoist raised his head, his profound eyes gazing into the distance, with a hint of confusion in his gaze. "You have enlightened to your fate, it can be said that you are one in ten thousand. However, outside the city, there are at least three people who have also enlightened to their fate, you are not a match for them."

  Sun Jian was shocked: "Three? Didn't they say that very few people can understand their own destiny?"

  "That was indeed the case." The Taoist looked at Sun Jian, "But a few months ago, the heavenly phenomenon changed suddenly, and all of a sudden, many people realized their own destiny. Isn't General one of them?"

  Sun Jian hesitated for a moment, feeling somewhat lost and yet somehow excited: "Daozhang, what does this portend?"

  "Foreboding..." The Taoist let out a long sigh: "Great chaos is coming to the world." He took another look at Sun Jian: "General, if you want to get a share of the spoils, go back to Jiangdong. The Central Plains are not a lucky place for you, don't stay here for long."

  Sun Jian gazed at the Taoist and bowed deeply: "May I ask what is your immortal name?"

  "The poor Taoist is gone." The Taoist said, stood up and bowed, then walked out of the road with a gentle pace. By the time Sun Jian came back to his senses and rushed out of the room, Yu Ji had already disappeared without a trace. More than ten White Tiger Guards looked at Sun Jian in confusion.

  Sun Jian was disappointed and disheartened.

  ……

  Huang Fu Song led his infantrymen to hurry over and set up a large camp.

  Liu Biao summoned Liu Bei: "You immediately rush to Jiangling, taking advantage of Yuan Shu and Sun Jian being in Nanyang at the time, to control Nanjun, Jiangxia and the four counties of Jiangnan in your hands."

  "Only!" Liu Biao was overjoyed and immediately knelt down to pay his respects. After losing the position of Northern General, he had been idle at home. This time, the Emperor's personal expedition brought him along in the army, and he had always thought that the Emperor wanted to take the opportunity to get rid of him. The reason was simple: he was very close to Yuan Shao, and in He Jin's Grand General's mansion, it would be more accurate to say that he was Yuan Shao's confidant rather than He Jin's staff officer.

  He never expected that the Emperor would want him to go to Jingzhou. He knew that Jingzhou was very important, but he had never hoped to have the opportunity to leave Jingzhou. With Liu Yan occupying Yi Province before, the Emperor's suspicion of his royal relatives was no less than that of Yuan Shao brothers.

  This was an unexpected joy, leaving Liu Biao somewhat at a loss.

  Looking at the uncontrollable excitement in Liu Bei's eyes, Liu Biao felt a bit helpless. He suppressed his own discontent and said calmly: "Are you sure? If not, I don't want to send you to your death."

  Liu Biao was silent for a moment, then said with a sigh: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. Even if I have to die, I will stabilize Jingzhou and not let Yuan Shu set foot in it."

  Third watch, asking for recommendation votes, asking for Sanjiang votes!

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