Zhao Zilong: A Man of Profound Loyalty and Deep Righteousness

After Su Ming’s fusion of the Wuhun spirit of Yuwen Chengdu reached one hundred percent, he was essentially invincible throughout the entire late Han and Three Kingdoms period.

With a single strike, he severely wounded Guan Yu.

Now, Guan Yu lay in Zhang Fei’s arms, his breaths shallow and uneven.

Although Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei still fought on with difficulty, they were utterly incapable of stopping Su Ming.

At this most critical moment, the courageous Zhao Yun from Changshan stood resolutely before Su Ming, spear in hand, shouting, “Yide, you lead Yunchang to retreat quickly!”

Zhang Fei, also known as Zhang Yide, was not one to cower or flee. Normally, he wouldn’t abandon Zhao Yun to cover the rear while he escaped alone.

But how could he leave his half-dead sworn brother Guan Yu in his arms?

Su Ming’s devastating blow had struck Guan Yu head-on, bearing the brunt of the attack.

Guan Yu was now unconscious, blood bubbling from the corner of his mouth.

Zhang Fei knew that any further delay would mean the end for Guan Yu.

With no other choice, Zhang Fei lifted Guan Yu and, disregarding mounting his horse, broke into a desperate run toward their own camp.

Together, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun were no match for Su Ming, and now Zhao Yun stood alone.

Trying to stop Su Ming to buy time for Zhang Fei and Guan Yu was sheer folly.

Su Ming’s fusion with Yuwen Chengdu’s Wuhun was at its peak.

Zhao Yun was injured and utterly exhausted.

There was no way he could contend with Su Ming now.

With a sharp jab from the Phoenix Wing Gilded Spear, Su Ming knocked Zhao Yun and his horse to the ground.

After knocking Zhao Yun off, Su Ming spurred his horse to pursue Zhang Fei and Guan Yu.

But no matter how he urged his steed, the Thunder Leopard remained motionless.

Puzzled, Su Ming glanced down and saw Zhao Yun clutching tightly to the Thunder Leopard’s foreleg.

In terms of loyalty and courage, Zhao Yun was no less than anyone else.

Even now, he was trying to buy time for Zhang Fei and Guan Yu.

The Thunder Leopard, distressed by Zhao Yun’s grip, reared and kicked out at him.

This was no ordinary horse; a strike from the Thunder Leopard could cripple not only a weary Zhao Yun but also lions or tigers.

“Stop!” Su Ming slapped the horse’s head, signaling it not to kick.

Obedient to its master’s command, the Thunder Leopard ceased its attack.

“Zhao Zilong, are you willing to surrender to Chancellor Cao?” Su Ming asked, a hint of admiration in his voice.

Zhao Yun glanced toward the retreating Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, then smiled grimly.

“There is only the son of Han who dies in battle; there is no Zhao Yun who surrenders.”

“I, Zhao Zilong, will never surrender. Kill me if you wish.”

Hearing this, Su Ming thrust the Phoenix Wing Gilded Spear forward, the tip aimed straight at Zhao Yun’s throat, poised to end his life.

True to his reputation for bravery, Zhao Yun stared unflinchingly at the spear, his eyes wide and unwavering.

The spear was mere inches from his throat, ready to spill blood on the spot.

Yet at that moment, Su Ming halted.

Before his transmigration, Su Ming had always admired the fearless Zhao Zilong while watching Three Kingdoms dramas.

Zhao Yun was something of an idol to him.

Now, with his idol standing before him, the thought of stabbing him with a spear felt deeply unsettling.

To spare him was to add another rival for Cao Cao.

Su Ming found himself torn.

To kill would bring inner discomfort.

To spare him was to leave a formidable threat in Cao’s camp.

After much contemplation, Su Ming withdrew his spear and said, “Zhao Zilong, tell me—do you wish to die, or do you wish to live?”

Zhao Yun was stunned but resolutely shook his head, declaring, “If you urge Zhao Zilong to surrender, then kill me instead!”

The more generous Zhao Yun was in his willingness to die, the more reluctant Su Ming became to kill him.

Such a skilled and loyal warrior was hard not to admire.

But this loyalty was to Liu Bei, not to Su Ming.

Thinking this, Su Ming cursed softly, “Damn it, what kind of enchanted brew did Liu Xuande feed his generals?”

“To this day, Liu Xuande has no firm foothold, yet he commands the loyalty of these talented and fierce warriors.”

Indeed, when it comes to workplace manipulation, Liu Bei was truly a master.

Su Ming really didn’t want to kill Zhao Yun.

Such a fierce general was rare in the late Han and Three Kingdoms era; to lose one was a great loss.

Sighing, Su Ming said, “I respect you as a true man, and I do not wish to take your life.”

“Swear this: that for the rest of your days, you will not oppose Cao’s forces nor harm a single soldier of Cao. If so, I will spare your life and let you go.”

Su Ming trusted Zhao Yun’s character; as long as he swore not to fight against Cao’s army nor injure any of its soldiers, releasing him was acceptable.

Then, with Guan Yu and Zhao Yun both spared by Cao Cao’s and Su Ming’s mercy respectively, Liu Bei would have two sworn brothers unwilling to oppose Cao’s forces—a troublesome problem for him.

Moreover, the Three Kingdoms’ situation was still unsettled. Leaving Liu Bei as a disruptive factor was actually advantageous to Su Ming.

After all, as Cao Cao’s illegitimate son, Su Ming wasn’t guaranteed to be the heir if Cao unified the realm smoothly.

So a little chaos could only serve Su Ming’s interests.

“Really?” Zhao Yun looked incredulous.

He never expected that refusing to surrender would still earn him mercy.

Su Ming nodded. “A gentleman’s word is his bond.”

“Swear it.”

When Su Ming finished speaking, Zhao Yun clasped his hands in a martial salute and swore before the assembled troops:

“Heaven above, earth below, I, Zhao Zilong of Changshan, swear never to oppose Cao’s forces nor harm a single soldier. Should I break this oath, may I be torn apart by a thousand blades, pierced by countless arrows, and may my descendants be enslaved for generations, my daughters forced into prostitution.”

Having sworn the oath, Su Ming waved his Phoenix Wing Gilded Spear.

“Very well, you may go.”

Zhao Yun did not mount and leave immediately but bowed deeply to Su Ming.

“Thank you, General, for sparing my life.”

“I should have dismounted and surrendered, but I met Lord Xuande, who has never betrayed me. I, Zhao Zilong, would rather die than betray him.”

“If there is a next life, I will serve as a beast of burden to repay your mercy.”

(End of chapter)