He took this opportunity to have a heart-to-heart talk with Liu Xie, the benevolence of the King of Hanzhong is renowned across the world.

Forcing Liu Xie to abdicate is certainly not an option.

So the only choice is for Liu Xie to 'voluntarily' relinquish the throne.

Sima Yi doesn't mind doing the dirty work.

Guan Yu's actions made him realize that in life, one must consider not only matters of the living but also those after death.

The Heavenly Deity stands on the side of the Han and Liu Bei, which side should he choose?

The answer is obvious.

"Shameless!"

Zhang Liao was furious, yet he had no solution.

His current forces are insufficient to besiege the city.

Zhang Liao looked around and found that even his personal guards had no idea of revenge for the Princely Heir's death, only displaying confusion about the future.

He understood the thoughts of his personal guards well.

At this moment, even he felt like there was no place for them in this vast world.

"Alas."

Zhang Liao sighed deeply.

At this point, his only option was to surrender to Guan Yu.

Joining Eastern Wu was something Zhang Liao would rather die than do; how could he, a man of great stature, submit to petty people?

Guan Yu was different; he had a deep friendship with Guan Yu.

Even though they hadn't seen each other for years, that friendship would never change.

He sincerely admired the heroic spirit of the King of Hanzhong.

He was a magnificent ruler.

Zhang Liao made up his mind, turned his horse, and left the place.

...

Chengdu.

Liu Bei, as the King of Hanzhong, did not rest.

By the lamplight, he was reading the military reports sent from Jingzhou.

Yun's flooding of the seven armies and the capture of Yu Jin were certainly joyous events.

But there was an unshakable unease in Liu Bei's heart.

He somewhat regretted returning the army to Chengdu.

If stationed in Hanzhong, they could assist Yun's actions at any time, aligning with the Longzhong plan he once discussed with Kongming in the straw hut.

However, before Cao Cao left Hanzhong, he forcibly took away the people of Hanzhong, and the army, after years of continuous warfare, was already exhausted.

People longed for peace.

He had no choice but to leave Wei Yan to guard Hanzhong and lead the army back to Chengdu to proclaim himself king.

"Forget it."

Liu Bei shook his head, dismissing his worries.

Even if the attack on Fancheng failed, the current achievements were already dazzling enough.

Yu Jin's status and position were notable.

Plus, he had defeated Cao Cao in Hanzhong.

The future looked bright.

Thinking this, Liu Bei's mood lifted, and he stood up, intending to return to his bedchamber to sleep.

Suddenly, a strong wind blew.

But all the doors and windows were tightly closed.

Liu Bei looked astonished, not knowing where the wind came from.

Before him, a familiar figure appeared out of thin air.

With a red face, long beard, and clad in armor.

"Yun!"

Liu Bei was overjoyed, disregarding how Guan Yu, who was far away in Fancheng, could appear here, and stepped forward to embrace him.

Guan Yu was also visibly moved, hugging Liu Bei, "Brother! It has been a long time!"

"Indeed!"

Liu Bei's eyes filled with tears. Since entering Sichuan, he hadn't seen Guan Yu even once.

He held him tighter with both hands.

Aozawa watched this scene, deeply touched.

The brotherly love of men often moves a man's heart more than a woman's emotions.

This was also why he favored the Ji Han. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

The breeze gathered, revealing Aozawa's form.

Liu Bei, seeing yet another young figure appear suddenly, held back his tears and asked, full of astonishment, "You, how did you suddenly appear?!"

"By the way, Yun, why are you here?"

This question brought Guan Yu back to reality, reminding him that now was not the time to reminisce with his brother. He quickly turned and said, "Brother, this is Aozawa, sent by the Heavenly Deity to help us restore the Han dynasty."

"Without his help, I would have long lost Jingzhou."

Guan Yu sighed deeply and began recounting the miraculous events of the night to a bewildered Liu Bei.

The bizarre events overwhelmed Liu Bei's mind as he stared at the seemingly youthful Aozawa in disbelief.

After a long while, he reacted, hurriedly bowing, "Thank you, Angel, for saving Yun from peril."

More than forcing Xu Huang to surrender or killing Cao Ren, Lü Meng, and Cao Cao, Liu Bei cared about Aozawa's rescue of Guan Yu.

"Without the Angel's rescue, Yun would be in danger. Is there anything I can do for the Angel?"

He was full of respect, not out of fear of Aozawa's power, but because he sincerely appreciated Aozawa's assistance in saving Guan Yu, as his words expressed.

Aozawa thought for a moment and said, "Then build a statue of me."

With that, he took the initiative to walk to the desk, picked up a brush and said, "This is the statue of me in contemplation."

Under Liu Bei's astonished gaze, the brush directly transformed into the likeness of Aozawa.

The posture of the statue was modeled after the French sculptor Rodin's Thinker.

The clothing was designed to mimic modern attire.

"You must prepare for burial, but remember, the clothing must not be imitated, and no one else must know!"

If people in the future were to discover it, who knows what their reactions would be.

Aozawa couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation at the thought.

Liu Bei immediately nodded and said, "I will definitely obey the Angel's command. Is the name Aozawa?"

"Yes, that's correct."

Aozawa nodded, then said, "I have to leave now. Will Lord Guan stay, or shall I send you back to Jingzhou?"

"Please have the Angel send me back to Jingzhou."

Guan Yu was very clear-minded.

If he didn't appear in Jingzhou to stabilize the situation, the subsequent tasks would be difficult to accomplish.

"Very well."

Aozawa nodded, waved his hand, and suddenly the shadows on the ground rolled up, wrapping around the two of them, and quickly disappeared from there.

Liu Bei looked around the room, now only himself remaining, and after a brief moment of daze, he pinched his cheek, then looked at the Aozawa statue left on the table.

He realized this was not a dream.

Liu Bei, full of joy, exclaimed, "Quick, immediately notify the strategist and generals to discuss important matters in the main hall!"

Cao Cao is dead.

According to the Angel's words, Yunchang should be able to march into Xudu soon.

The dream they've worked for their whole lives.

The restoration of the Han Dynasty is finally going to be realized!

...

Great joy, great bewilderment.

This is Sun Quan's current state.

He was previously dreaming of taking Jingzhou and claiming sovereignty in the south, but upon waking, all sorts of terrible news arrived like snowflakes at the desk.

Lü Meng, Han Dang, and others are dead.

The troops he sent to attack Jiangling and Gong'an were utterly defeated.

Guan Yu caused all of this.

Just one man.

When Sun Quan heard the news, he was dumbfounded. He couldn't believe Guan Yu could do such a thing alone.

But the returning soldiers all confirmed with one voice that it was true.

They said Guan Yu received assistance from a Heavenly Deity.

Some also said that during a banquet, Grand Governor Lü Meng was killed by a single shout from Guan Yu.

Jiangdong is now in a state of panic; he wants to send envoys to Xudu to negotiate with Cao Cao.

But the messengers returned with news that only compounded the woes.

Cao Cao was killed by Guan Yu, and the entire Cao and Xiahou families were executed.

Guan Yu led his army to take residence in Xudu.

Liu Xie, feeling unworthy of his forebears, chose to abdicate in favor of King of Hanzhong, Liu Bei.

Though Liu Bei had no intention of accepting, it was clear to everyone that the world was going to change.

Guan Yu's deeds spread in the north; just one decree could alter allegiance.

"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"

Sun Quan swept everything off the table in rage, "Guan Yu, that child! How could he do such a thing?

Getting help from a Heavenly Deity is total nonsense!

Come, pass my orders, anyone who dares discuss Guan Yu will be executed!"

"Lord Wu, it might already be too late."

A young man in white strode confidently into the hall.

Behind him was a group of armored soldiers.

Lu Xun looked at Sun Quan, his eyes no longer concealing his disdain.

The Lu family and the Sun family could be said to have deep animosity, and previously for the sake of family interests, Lu Xun had to submit to Sun Quan.

But now the noble families of Jiangdong have already made their choice.

The restoration of the Han Dynasty under King of Hanzhong is an unstoppable trend.

Unlike during the Battle of Red Cliffs, when Cao Cao came with the army that defeated Yuan Shao.

This time, it was just Guan Yu who broke through the Wei Army camp, and among thousands of troops, killed King of Wei, Cao Cao.

Such a miracle left the noble families of Jiangdong terrified.

They feared the wrath of the Heavenly Deity and a dire fate after death.

"Please, Lord Wu, submit to the Imperial Court!"

Lu Xun said loudly.

The attitudinal soldiers behind him made their position clear.

Sun Quan looked around, his face pale, and he sat weakly in his seat, saying bitterly, "Fine, fine, I will write to the Imperial Court."

"Bring paper and brush for Lord Wu."

Lu Xun didn't give him a chance to procrastinate.

Sun Quan looked at the paper spread on the table, trembling as he picked up the brush with his right hand, and wrote a letter to surrender.