Whew, after so long, here’s an update for this story! Thanks very much again for all you kind reviewers who take the time to review. Anyway, here’s the author’s reply!

Wolfie Star26: Well, thanks very much for your review. Actually, Chinese history can be rather interesting if you put your efforts to it. Just try and see!

The Gobbler: Well, for the tampering of memory issue, I won’t spoil it for you. You’ll see pretty soon!

Plinky: If you think the previous chapter is intriguing, wait till you see this one…

Tobias Fong: Actually, I don’t really intend Yao Wen to be in the fray in the future, but now, you’ve said it, maybe, I will put him in as an encyclopedia of sorts in the story. But don’t expect him to be a major character because the major dudes will be based on historical people…

Free-to-dream-15: Thanks for your comments, pal. On the identity of the mysterious dude, you’ll get to know pretty soon! Too bad it’s not in this chapter.

Mind of the Wind: About your question, I think it’s more of a possible conclusion on Gan Ning’s part. That’s what I have in mind when I write that part.

Casey Drake: Interesting, huh you said? Well, things are going to heat up very soon! Just you see…

Chocolatetuna: No, Zhao Yun’s no psychic. It’s due to some power originating from the ancient times that is responsible for this. As for the word issue, it’s for effect. Sorry if you think the word’s overused. After looking back at the chapter, I do think that it’s the case. For Gan Ning’s actions, that was his nature. He may be a brawler of sorts, but in the end, he could be what one can say as a loyal friend. Yeah, the dreams are getting freaky for sure. And for the Fate dude’s agenda, you’ll see soon!

Shadowhound: Well, for your question of the hero, I guess it would be okay for me to do that. Someone’s got to be the link to Zhao Yun’s humanity, right? Second question of yours, I can only say that the spear is actually the weapon of choice for the Three Kingdom’s Zhao Yun. As for Gan Ning’s weapon, I’ve managed to decide it. Just look out for characters with spears as their weapons in the future. I do think it’s gonna happen. Thanks for your CC btw.

Outlaw02: Thanks for your review. As for you comments on the movie issue, well, anything can happen although I don’t really count on the possibility. That’s life for you, pal. XD

Senbi: More characters from the Three Kingdoms era? Well, there’s gonna be more of them, I promise!

Ok, guys, with the replies done, let’s get the ball rolling!

XXX

Sendai Eiyuuden: Chapter 3 – Testing of Power

“Well, I’m glad that things managed to come to an end here…” commented Ruan Er as she was chatting with Zhao Yun, Gan Ning and Yao Wen at the campus cafeteria. The doctor had diagnosed no problems with Zhao Yun’s health and he attended school the next day after his discharge. Their parents soon began a habit of ferrying them to and fro to school. The only reason that they didn’t do this previously was because Zhao Yun and his friends insisted that it was okay for them. Now, however, the parents were not about to left things unchanged.

The girls of the campus, once knowing about what happened, practically swarm him under, asking the same old questions about his well-being. It was an absolute miracle that the fussing about lasted only one-fifth of the schooling time although Zhao Yun was thankful for it.

“Actually, is it true that you really did away with the thugs?” asked Zhao Yun to Gan Ning.

“Yeah… that’s the case. I remember the juniors here are paying more attention to me. I don’t know why, but I guess it’s a case of admiration psychology.”

“Okay, so I see. When you’re gonna get the plaque of appreciation or whatever the police call it?”

“Three days from now if I remember correctly…”

“I guess I’ll be there.”

“You better be there. That’s the first time I did service to the society. At least that’s what my old man said.”

“He really said that?” Yao Wen asked.

“Yeah he did. I do think that he’s really got a problem with the current life I’m having though…”

“Of course he should. No parent in his sane mind would want to see his son brawling almost everyday.” said Ruan Er.

“You’re exaggerating.”

“Not by a long shot anyway…”

XXX

Dismissal came too soon as Zhao Yun’s father arrived to ferry him, Gan Ning and Ruan Er home. They lived in different areas but at least the distance in between was rather near. As Zhao Yun’s father drove on, Gan Ning thought back on what was between him and Ruan Er in the hospital.

“I don’t know what in the blue fuck happened here, but we just can’t let Zhao Yun know about this.” said Gan Ning to Ruan Er.

“I second that. Something’s definitely amiss here with Zhao Yen having no memory of what’s going on and the thugs’ memories being altered. We can just let Zhao Yen knew about this. It will just complicate things…”

XXX

Zhao Yen lay down on his bed as he tried to recall what happened during the encounter with the robbers. Somehow, he felt that what the thugs said wasn’t totally true. That someone or something was tampering around.

“Trying to remember what happened before, aren’t you?” rang out a voice nearby. It wasn’t a familiar voice though. It was that of a stranger. Zhao Yun quickly got up and saw a handsome young man nearby around his age with short hair parted at the centre.

“Who are you?” asked Zhao Yun.

“Someone who will let you know your fate…”

“What do you mean by that? And how in the hell did you make yourself here?”

“I saw what was going on… from the time when you fight the thugs to you being hospitalized. I figure that it would be troublesome if the truth came out. That’s why I altered their memories…”

“You’re damn crazy! I don’t remember anything during that time!”

“Yes you did. Only it’s in your sub-conscious and you didn’t realize it.”

Zhao Yun started to protest, but suddenly, he saw images of him thrashing the thugs in his mind. The mysterious stranger seemed to notice it as well as he said, “You know it’s true right now, isn’t it?

Zhao Yun gritted his teeth as he heard those words. Indeed it seemed that this man before him knew him like a back of his palm and that really unnerved him. Balling his right hand into a fist, he proceeded to strike the stranger shouting, “Don’t think you know everything!”

But before he could strike the blow, the young man was already behind him leaning against the wall without him noticing. The young man continue to speak as he folded his hands in a relax manner.

“You cannot even touch me by your ability right now. If this was for real as in a life and death battle, you would have been dead.”

“Shut the hell up…” growled Zhao Yun. Obviously, the thought of being a sitting duck clearly flustered him.

“You don’t know what kind of battle you will be facing in the future. Either you become my companion, or end up dead one way or another. There’s no other option…”

Zhao Yun was obviously at his limit temperament wise. Without speaking, he drove his fist into the stranger’s direction, but only hit open air. He turned around but didn’t see anybody as the stranger’s voice echoed, Fate is descending upon you… you have no choice…

XXX

Ok, so this is a rather short chapter… anyway, in case you guys are wondering about the characters in the Three Kingdoms, here is the profile of one of them, namely Zhao Yun. Note that it will be based on the novel “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” rather than history unless otherwise stated.

Bio on Zhao Yun: Zhao Yun, style Zilong, was born in AD 168 and hailed from Zhending of Changshan. Originally, he was under the command of Gongsun Zan. During his stint here, he met Liu Bei, the future master of the Shu kingdom. Both were impressed by each other, but it was until the demise of Gongsun Zan that Zhao Yun did truly become Liu Bei’s general.

Most notable of his deeds was that of the battle at Dangyang Changban, where Liu Bei lost contact with his two wives, Lady Gan and Lady Mi, together with his infant son Liu Shan when Liu Bei and his followers were attacked by the forces of the Wei kingdom, ruled by Cao Cao. Seeing what had happened, Zhao Yun charged into the vast armies of Wei alone, slaying countless foes including Cao Cao’s sword bearer, Xiahou En, from whom he obtained the Qinghong sword, which was one of Cao Cao’s two prized swords. Very soon, Zhao Yun managed to find Lady Gan and guide her to safety. This wasn’t over however as Zhao Yun returned to the fray in search for Lady Mi and Liu Shan. Soon he found them at a dried well where Lady Mi was seriously wounded on the leg. Zhao Yun attempted to persuade Lady Mi to mount on his horse with Liu Shan as he fought on foot, but Lady Mi refused to be his burden. After countless persuasion, Lady Mi committed suicide by falling into the well, leaving Liu Shan behind. Zhao Yun, on seeing this, took Liu Shan upon himself, and fought through the enemy’s armies, killing the enemy generals by scores. Upon seeing Zhao Yun’s valor, Cao Cao, desired to make him his own, thus sending a messenger to ask for his name, after which he ordered no arrows be shot at Zhao Yun. Thus Zhao Yun was able to escape back to Liu Bei’s side. This was, without a doubt, a major point of Zhao Yun’s life.

However, if this battle reflects his valor, then Liu Bei’s campaign in the area of Hanzhong showed his intelligence and bravery, for after rescuing the Shu troops in a particular battle, he ordered the camp gates to remain open while he stayed outside with archers around him. Then when Cao Cao’s army arrived and advanced towards him, he stayed calm, thus causing them to hesitate. Then Zhao Yun gave a signal the archers began to fire at will. The armies of Wei retreated at the turn of events after which the Shu army turned on them. This was a major victory for the Shu kingdom as the enemies were routed. When Liu Bei learnt of this, he happily said, “Zilong is indeed full of bravery!” Later, Zhao Yun, together with Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Ma Chao and Huang Zhong, were bestowed the title of the Five Tiger Generals.

After the demise of Liu Bei, Zhao Yun continued to fight on participating in Zhuge Liang, who was the Prime Minister’s countless campaigns. He died at AD 229 out of illness, age sixty one, leaving behind two sons, Zhao Tong and Zhao Guang. He received the posthumous title, which was a great honor at that time, of Marquise of Shunping.