??? - Old Legends Return
Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2012 3:14 am
Note: This deviates from the original Romance of Three Kingdoms and is essentially my rendition of the legend of Zhang Fei.
"You've got to be kidding me, right?"
This, Zhang Fei said at the end of spewing his wine all over an irate subordinate. Though, the shock of the news was mixed with some comedy about the situation as a whole.
"So... What's going on? Second Brother's got a date with that Hua Tuo, and I'm his distraction tool? Seriously?"
"That would appear to be the case, General. Please make haste, sir; his operation is to begin in the hour of shen. Your horse is ready."
Having already drank a few jars of nuerhong strong wines, Zhang Fei did not feel like acceding to the request, had it not been for Guan Yu personally summoning him to the medical hall.
"...what's an operation, anyway?"
"I have no clue, General."
"Augh. Hell. Get me some water; I'll fix myself on the way."
Since the ambush on their encampment near Fancheng, he'd been wary about fighting in a drunken state. That the constant sounds of warfare were beginning to irritate him just a little bit was enough reason for him to swamp himself in vats of strong wine. He knew it would be best not to let Liu Bei hear this, or he'll have no end of it. Zhang Fei shuddered at the thought, but shook it aside as he rode astride to meet his brother at the medical tents.
---
The gallops were beginning to sound loud enough. It was customary that his otherworldly partner would only speak to him while he was riding.
"What's the big deal, young man?"
"I don't know, Yanren," replied Zhang Fei. "I figure that playing weiqi with me must be a stressful enough matter that could double up as distraction."
"Perhaps..."
Zhang Fei took on a glum grin. "Any signs of enemy activity?"
"... I'm seeing one up the trees. Seems like two enemy archers perched up there. Thank goodness for Premier Zhuge's advice, or else I wouldn't have been able to use the moonlight effectively."
"You ready?"
"Whenever you are."
Without warning, Zhang Fei suddenly leapt off his horse, causing the men and horses following him to bank rough; some of them fell off their horses, unceremoniously trodden over by their own steeds, unable to react to their General's sudden act.
All Zhang Fei cared about, though, were the two archers that threatened his entire forces. Without due regard for his own safety, he took a wild swing at the trunks of the tree. Empowered by his Stray's ability to become a blade enhancer that cuts through most things, the tree that housed the archers stood no chance, as it began an abrupt crash into the forest floor, sending yet more of Zhang Fei's own men scrambling for their lives as the tree crashed with a dramatic boom, pinning an unfortunate horse-bound archer underneath the wood.
The two archers were in no better shape either; losing the comfort of the tree's balance, they crash-landed onto hard forest floor limbs-first, so they were effectively immobilized by injury.
It did not matter eventually; their heads were cleanly sliced off, causing blood to spurt onto the forest floor before the headless bodies, bereft of their controllers, slumped and spurted more blood into the forest floor.
Yanren was only too happy to lap the crimson liquid up; to others it may as well looked like the forest floor was absorbing all the blood.
"Mm... tasty blood."
"You go have it on your own time. I'm not looking."
"Thanks. You're such a chum," cooed the Stray uncharacteristically.
"You only get as much time as my steed hears my whistle, though. Do it fast, Yanren."
---
"You're half an hour late, Little Brother."
As Zhang Fei crashed into the medical tent, it was in plain sight of both himself and the second person present the blood traces that nagged and dragged at his footwear. Zhang Fei did not need a second glance to identify Hua Tuo - practically everyone in Shu Han recognizes the legendary doctor.
"It would seem you took care of an ambush along the way."
"Yes, Second Brother Guan. I'm really sorry about that."
Guan Yu waved his apology away; the legendary general did not pay much mind to it.
"It's fine, to receive treatment and play a game with you to dispel the pain is already a luxury."
"Really now? Is it so stressful to play with me, now? Wahaha!" Zhang Fei chortled aloud with his scythe settled beside him; it wouldn't do to have the weapon too far from him.
"I would be joking if I said it wasn't," replied Guan Yu cheerily. "Sir, please begin your work."
The physician nodded his head, and thus began peeling open a blackened patch on Guan Yu's right arm with what seemed like concentrated fire. But the bearded man paid no heed, as he picked up a stone from the weiqi bowl and placed a black stone on the board nearby.
"You're seriously thinking of playing with me in this condition, Brother?" Zhang Fei was a little sceptical that anyone could play weiqi with this sort of injury.
"No problems, Little Brother. I'm even going to have to warn you that you'll lose!"
I'd lose? If you can't beat me normally, I doubt you could do it with that severe an injury! Despite thinking that, Zhang Fei felt that he had no choice but to entertain Guan Yu a little, even though to him the outcome was already obvious.
---
At the end of two hours, Zhang Fei noticed two things of interest. One, that the doctor had begun to employ bandages around his brother's right arm, which means the treatment is already over. Two, that Guan Yu was left laughing at himself as he threw stones onto the stone-filled board - a common signal for conceding defeat, leaving the uneven clangs of stones to indicate his resignation.
"You got me there again, Little Brother."
"I thought you did, Brother Guan. You just failed to see the variation, that's all."
Guan Yu smirked a little. "I thought it wouldn't have been possible considering that there were at least two more other problems to solve before you could begin the attack, anyway. Even the pain in my arm could not force me to perform better. That is truly tragic. I shall take my leave then, little brother."
Guan Yu picked up his crescent scythe, and grinned - in exasperation and admiration simultaneously - as he left the tent and harked for his steed.
It was then that Hua Tuo, himself an occasional player, peered at the board as he packed his belongings, and was left slightly surprised.
"Sirs, I've never seen such a variation of attacks... How did this develop?"
Zhang Fei tapped at his forehead, used to the questions. "It's a little hard for me to explain in a few words, doc. Let's just say I'm good, alright?"
Hua Tuo smiled a little. "Well, in that case, let me have my most talented apprentice engage you in a round before you leave? I am afraid I cannot understand this intricate game that well."
That got Zhang Fei's interested piqued, as Yanren stared on.
"Well, bring that apprentice out, then."
Hua Tuo heeded the command. "Yue Ji, come o'er here."
Upon hearing that, Zhang Fei was astounded to see a soot-faced lass emerging from the kitchen behind. As Hua Tuo berated the lass for her tardy appearance, Zhang Fei intervened.
"But General Zhang, how can---"
"It's fine. We don't need appearances to judge strength. Lass, how many stones would you like me to give you?"
The lass said nothing, preferring to sit at the bench where Guan Yu was seated earlier, picking the white stones.
Zhang Fei took the signal, and without a word he clanged his first stone on one of the grid intersections with resounding force. Hua Tuo's eyes widened at the sheer intimidation, but the girl calmly placed her piece before Zhang Fei could break into a chortle.
---
After another two hours, it was Zhang Fei's turn to throw a palm's worth of stones off the board.
"...I can't believe it... I must've been dead drunk."
The young girl appearing no more than sixteen, though dirty and tired, bowed respectfully at the General upon his concession.
"Thank you, General."
"The Physician called you Yue Ji, right?"
"That is right, General Zhang. My name is Xiahou Yueji."
That brought alarm to his senses. "Xiahou... of Wei?"
Sensing the General's alarm, the already busy Hua Tuo left his stove and quickly stuck himself in between the General and his apprentice.
"Ah, General, please be at ease! She was no more than an illegitimate child of the Xiahou family, though she bears their surname!"
Zhang Fei had other ideas, however, as he relaxed his death grip on his weapon.
"...I've had a most interesting game with Yue Ji today. I won't kill somebody who is more proficient at weiqi than myself. Can I ask that she become my apprentice instead, Physician Hua?"
"Well..."
Yue Ji did not need a second to sidle aside the General when the chance presented itself.
"Why, you little rascal... Ugh. Fine. The lass never had her heart on the medicines. Maybe she would be better if she were a warrior..."
Upon hearing that, it was said that even the enemies that night could hear Zhang Fei's most rapturous of laughter.
---
Several years later...
"Your lord is at his deathbed, young man," Yanren observed as he, Yue Ji, and Zhang Fei stood before Zhuge Liang, whose body was so weak that he had to employ both teacher and apprentice to right himself before their presence.
"I prefer not to mention any of that at this time, Yanren," answered Zhang Fei solemnly as Zhuge Liang nodded respectfully to the presences of everyone.
"I see he's still doing well, Zhang Fei... That strange man that wards you. He is right that I am at my deathbed now..."
Zhang Fei didn't want much of that, having just had to deal with news of troops abandoning posts due to lack of supplies. "Tell us what it is to be done and it shall be done. I'll leave questions of your health to later times..."
But the strategist Zhuge, the one known as the Crouching Dragon, would only smile at him, in a knowing manner.
"It is imperative that you hear of it. I need you to execute the Solution tonight. After almost five years, the Solution is finally ready; the remnants of the Yellow Scarves' sorcery complete."
"You what? You used Yellow Scarves sorcery to...?" 'Yellow Scarves', the single biggest supernatural / militia threat that they had dealt with years ago, showed up unexpectedly enough that Zhang Fei's attention was instantly taken.
"...their sorcery was not all bad. Zhang Jiao did indeed have the people's mind in place, and all I wanted to do was to extend that part of his magic... only, unto Wei, so as to force them into a merger. If this succeeds, Guan Yu's death by ambush at Fancheng will be avenged."
Zhang Fei would only nod solemnly. "So what should I do?"
---
As the pair stalked off, Yue Ji was more worried for Zhang Fei than ever before.
"...Yanren," she began, speaking to the usually stoic Yanren, "say something to dissuade Master already..."
"Women should stay out of men's affairs. I'd advise the same to you."
"In the same manner, as a ghost you should stay his hands away from indifference," retorted an annoyed Yue Ji as Zhang Fei's expression remained unmoved despite the argument. "Master, say something already."
It was then that Zhang Fei stopped, allowing the winds of the prairies to soothe his head as he abruptly pulled Yue Ji - in his eyes a picture of radiance and ravishing, resilient beauty - towards him.
"To think just a few years ago you were that quiet, reserved little girl who excelled in weiqi. Now, you're here, randomly telling me things I probably never should heed. What do, little lady?"
"What do? Just don't go ahead with the plan at all! You know the Solution is at best suicidal, don't you? Don't you?! With all due respect, Strategist Kongming is literally staking your head, Liao Hua's head, Zhao Yun's head - heck, even my head - and hoping for the best when even he don't know how the Solution will turn out! Are you that blind?!"
"It's not blindness. It's seeing matters to the very end," was Zhang Fei's calm reply. "Guan Yu's sacrificed allowed us to walk a few more years on this earth. We should at least honor him with bravery."
"I'm not questioning that, you idiot! Bravery and recklessness are but just a fine line between each other---"
It was at this moment that Zhang Fei caught Yue Ji unaware by placing his face to her eye-level. For reasons neither of them were quite sure of, both of them blushed beetroot, and Yanren could only silently stare - unable to comprehend the situation as it were - as man of thirty-seven and woman of twenty-one locked at each other's eyeballs for an unnaturally lengthy period.
"...everything will be alright in the end... trust me."
"You've got to be kidding me, right?"
This, Zhang Fei said at the end of spewing his wine all over an irate subordinate. Though, the shock of the news was mixed with some comedy about the situation as a whole.
"So... What's going on? Second Brother's got a date with that Hua Tuo, and I'm his distraction tool? Seriously?"
"That would appear to be the case, General. Please make haste, sir; his operation is to begin in the hour of shen. Your horse is ready."
Having already drank a few jars of nuerhong strong wines, Zhang Fei did not feel like acceding to the request, had it not been for Guan Yu personally summoning him to the medical hall.
"...what's an operation, anyway?"
"I have no clue, General."
"Augh. Hell. Get me some water; I'll fix myself on the way."
Since the ambush on their encampment near Fancheng, he'd been wary about fighting in a drunken state. That the constant sounds of warfare were beginning to irritate him just a little bit was enough reason for him to swamp himself in vats of strong wine. He knew it would be best not to let Liu Bei hear this, or he'll have no end of it. Zhang Fei shuddered at the thought, but shook it aside as he rode astride to meet his brother at the medical tents.
---
The gallops were beginning to sound loud enough. It was customary that his otherworldly partner would only speak to him while he was riding.
"What's the big deal, young man?"
"I don't know, Yanren," replied Zhang Fei. "I figure that playing weiqi with me must be a stressful enough matter that could double up as distraction."
"Perhaps..."
Zhang Fei took on a glum grin. "Any signs of enemy activity?"
"... I'm seeing one up the trees. Seems like two enemy archers perched up there. Thank goodness for Premier Zhuge's advice, or else I wouldn't have been able to use the moonlight effectively."
"You ready?"
"Whenever you are."
Without warning, Zhang Fei suddenly leapt off his horse, causing the men and horses following him to bank rough; some of them fell off their horses, unceremoniously trodden over by their own steeds, unable to react to their General's sudden act.
All Zhang Fei cared about, though, were the two archers that threatened his entire forces. Without due regard for his own safety, he took a wild swing at the trunks of the tree. Empowered by his Stray's ability to become a blade enhancer that cuts through most things, the tree that housed the archers stood no chance, as it began an abrupt crash into the forest floor, sending yet more of Zhang Fei's own men scrambling for their lives as the tree crashed with a dramatic boom, pinning an unfortunate horse-bound archer underneath the wood.
The two archers were in no better shape either; losing the comfort of the tree's balance, they crash-landed onto hard forest floor limbs-first, so they were effectively immobilized by injury.
It did not matter eventually; their heads were cleanly sliced off, causing blood to spurt onto the forest floor before the headless bodies, bereft of their controllers, slumped and spurted more blood into the forest floor.
Yanren was only too happy to lap the crimson liquid up; to others it may as well looked like the forest floor was absorbing all the blood.
"Mm... tasty blood."
"You go have it on your own time. I'm not looking."
"Thanks. You're such a chum," cooed the Stray uncharacteristically.
"You only get as much time as my steed hears my whistle, though. Do it fast, Yanren."
---
"You're half an hour late, Little Brother."
As Zhang Fei crashed into the medical tent, it was in plain sight of both himself and the second person present the blood traces that nagged and dragged at his footwear. Zhang Fei did not need a second glance to identify Hua Tuo - practically everyone in Shu Han recognizes the legendary doctor.
"It would seem you took care of an ambush along the way."
"Yes, Second Brother Guan. I'm really sorry about that."
Guan Yu waved his apology away; the legendary general did not pay much mind to it.
"It's fine, to receive treatment and play a game with you to dispel the pain is already a luxury."
"Really now? Is it so stressful to play with me, now? Wahaha!" Zhang Fei chortled aloud with his scythe settled beside him; it wouldn't do to have the weapon too far from him.
"I would be joking if I said it wasn't," replied Guan Yu cheerily. "Sir, please begin your work."
The physician nodded his head, and thus began peeling open a blackened patch on Guan Yu's right arm with what seemed like concentrated fire. But the bearded man paid no heed, as he picked up a stone from the weiqi bowl and placed a black stone on the board nearby.
"You're seriously thinking of playing with me in this condition, Brother?" Zhang Fei was a little sceptical that anyone could play weiqi with this sort of injury.
"No problems, Little Brother. I'm even going to have to warn you that you'll lose!"
I'd lose? If you can't beat me normally, I doubt you could do it with that severe an injury! Despite thinking that, Zhang Fei felt that he had no choice but to entertain Guan Yu a little, even though to him the outcome was already obvious.
---
At the end of two hours, Zhang Fei noticed two things of interest. One, that the doctor had begun to employ bandages around his brother's right arm, which means the treatment is already over. Two, that Guan Yu was left laughing at himself as he threw stones onto the stone-filled board - a common signal for conceding defeat, leaving the uneven clangs of stones to indicate his resignation.
"You got me there again, Little Brother."
"I thought you did, Brother Guan. You just failed to see the variation, that's all."
Guan Yu smirked a little. "I thought it wouldn't have been possible considering that there were at least two more other problems to solve before you could begin the attack, anyway. Even the pain in my arm could not force me to perform better. That is truly tragic. I shall take my leave then, little brother."
Guan Yu picked up his crescent scythe, and grinned - in exasperation and admiration simultaneously - as he left the tent and harked for his steed.
It was then that Hua Tuo, himself an occasional player, peered at the board as he packed his belongings, and was left slightly surprised.
"Sirs, I've never seen such a variation of attacks... How did this develop?"
Zhang Fei tapped at his forehead, used to the questions. "It's a little hard for me to explain in a few words, doc. Let's just say I'm good, alright?"
Hua Tuo smiled a little. "Well, in that case, let me have my most talented apprentice engage you in a round before you leave? I am afraid I cannot understand this intricate game that well."
That got Zhang Fei's interested piqued, as Yanren stared on.
"Well, bring that apprentice out, then."
Hua Tuo heeded the command. "Yue Ji, come o'er here."
Upon hearing that, Zhang Fei was astounded to see a soot-faced lass emerging from the kitchen behind. As Hua Tuo berated the lass for her tardy appearance, Zhang Fei intervened.
"But General Zhang, how can---"
"It's fine. We don't need appearances to judge strength. Lass, how many stones would you like me to give you?"
The lass said nothing, preferring to sit at the bench where Guan Yu was seated earlier, picking the white stones.
Zhang Fei took the signal, and without a word he clanged his first stone on one of the grid intersections with resounding force. Hua Tuo's eyes widened at the sheer intimidation, but the girl calmly placed her piece before Zhang Fei could break into a chortle.
---
After another two hours, it was Zhang Fei's turn to throw a palm's worth of stones off the board.
"...I can't believe it... I must've been dead drunk."
The young girl appearing no more than sixteen, though dirty and tired, bowed respectfully at the General upon his concession.
"Thank you, General."
"The Physician called you Yue Ji, right?"
"That is right, General Zhang. My name is Xiahou Yueji."
That brought alarm to his senses. "Xiahou... of Wei?"
Sensing the General's alarm, the already busy Hua Tuo left his stove and quickly stuck himself in between the General and his apprentice.
"Ah, General, please be at ease! She was no more than an illegitimate child of the Xiahou family, though she bears their surname!"
Zhang Fei had other ideas, however, as he relaxed his death grip on his weapon.
"...I've had a most interesting game with Yue Ji today. I won't kill somebody who is more proficient at weiqi than myself. Can I ask that she become my apprentice instead, Physician Hua?"
"Well..."
Yue Ji did not need a second to sidle aside the General when the chance presented itself.
"Why, you little rascal... Ugh. Fine. The lass never had her heart on the medicines. Maybe she would be better if she were a warrior..."
Upon hearing that, it was said that even the enemies that night could hear Zhang Fei's most rapturous of laughter.
---
Several years later...
"Your lord is at his deathbed, young man," Yanren observed as he, Yue Ji, and Zhang Fei stood before Zhuge Liang, whose body was so weak that he had to employ both teacher and apprentice to right himself before their presence.
"I prefer not to mention any of that at this time, Yanren," answered Zhang Fei solemnly as Zhuge Liang nodded respectfully to the presences of everyone.
"I see he's still doing well, Zhang Fei... That strange man that wards you. He is right that I am at my deathbed now..."
Zhang Fei didn't want much of that, having just had to deal with news of troops abandoning posts due to lack of supplies. "Tell us what it is to be done and it shall be done. I'll leave questions of your health to later times..."
But the strategist Zhuge, the one known as the Crouching Dragon, would only smile at him, in a knowing manner.
"It is imperative that you hear of it. I need you to execute the Solution tonight. After almost five years, the Solution is finally ready; the remnants of the Yellow Scarves' sorcery complete."
"You what? You used Yellow Scarves sorcery to...?" 'Yellow Scarves', the single biggest supernatural / militia threat that they had dealt with years ago, showed up unexpectedly enough that Zhang Fei's attention was instantly taken.
"...their sorcery was not all bad. Zhang Jiao did indeed have the people's mind in place, and all I wanted to do was to extend that part of his magic... only, unto Wei, so as to force them into a merger. If this succeeds, Guan Yu's death by ambush at Fancheng will be avenged."
Zhang Fei would only nod solemnly. "So what should I do?"
---
As the pair stalked off, Yue Ji was more worried for Zhang Fei than ever before.
"...Yanren," she began, speaking to the usually stoic Yanren, "say something to dissuade Master already..."
"Women should stay out of men's affairs. I'd advise the same to you."
"In the same manner, as a ghost you should stay his hands away from indifference," retorted an annoyed Yue Ji as Zhang Fei's expression remained unmoved despite the argument. "Master, say something already."
It was then that Zhang Fei stopped, allowing the winds of the prairies to soothe his head as he abruptly pulled Yue Ji - in his eyes a picture of radiance and ravishing, resilient beauty - towards him.
"To think just a few years ago you were that quiet, reserved little girl who excelled in weiqi. Now, you're here, randomly telling me things I probably never should heed. What do, little lady?"
"What do? Just don't go ahead with the plan at all! You know the Solution is at best suicidal, don't you? Don't you?! With all due respect, Strategist Kongming is literally staking your head, Liao Hua's head, Zhao Yun's head - heck, even my head - and hoping for the best when even he don't know how the Solution will turn out! Are you that blind?!"
"It's not blindness. It's seeing matters to the very end," was Zhang Fei's calm reply. "Guan Yu's sacrificed allowed us to walk a few more years on this earth. We should at least honor him with bravery."
"I'm not questioning that, you idiot! Bravery and recklessness are but just a fine line between each other---"
It was at this moment that Zhang Fei caught Yue Ji unaware by placing his face to her eye-level. For reasons neither of them were quite sure of, both of them blushed beetroot, and Yanren could only silently stare - unable to comprehend the situation as it were - as man of thirty-seven and woman of twenty-one locked at each other's eyeballs for an unnaturally lengthy period.
"...everything will be alright in the end... trust me."