CHAPTER 432: 234, NOTHING BUT A THOUGHT TO SAVE THE WORLD

When Zhang Jiao, who saw through the dynasty’s decay, raised his arm and called out.

The Taiping Daoist Sect’s Huangjin Army all rose.

These commoners who followed the Daoist in rebellion, they didn’t understand much about ideals.

They only knew that within this Han Dynasty, under the exploitation of the Liu family royal clan, they could no longer live.

Whether Zhang Jiao’s talisman paper could cure illnesses, they did not know; they only knew the talisman paper mixed with burning ashes was bound together with a thick rice paste.

The raging fire of fury burned in the twilight of this dynasty.

The Huangjin Army rose!

The flames of war burned fiercely throughout the dynasty!

"So it was Zhang Jiao... he was a hero... I always thought he was just a rebel..."

Xia Na, having read "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," stared at this scene, dumbfounded, knowing that her favorites Liu Bei and Cao Wei were founded by defeating the Huangjin Army.

Conventional wisdom thought the Huangjin Army was merely a band of rebels.

Yet only after observing the decline of the Eastern Han Dynasty from Zhang Jiao’s perspective with Chen Che did one realize this man-made apocalypse.

This Great Sage, what an immense hero.

He was originally from a wealthy family, could possess an extraordinary status in Daoism, with standing equal to Zhang Daoling.

Yet he abandoned everything, taking his two brothers and whole family along for the people, fighting for a new tomorrow.

The talismanic water might not cure diseases, but it could fill the stomach.

The Scripture of Great Peace might not make them immortal, but it could give them courage to overthrow this dynasty.

Those in the council, witnessing everything, were all stirred, aligning hearts and minds. If they were ordinary people under such a dynasty, them too...

Would this bowl of talismanic water compel them to serve this yellow-robed Daoist?

Would this Scripture of Great Peace dare them to overthrow the dynasty?

The fury of the Huangjin burned across the Eastern Han land.

Yet Xia Na only felt helpless.

After witnessing the dire state of the commoners at the dynasty’s end, she sincerely hoped for the raging Huangjin fire to overthrow the decadent Eastern Han Dynasty, severing the Liu family’s rule.

But if this is continuing the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" to its end... the blazing Huangjin fire’s ultimate fate would be like a lit gasoline, burning fiercely without support, quickly extinguished.

The nobles finally acted when the Huangjin Army ignited, stepping forward with their own agendas, blocking the knife aimed at the Han Dynasty.

The Huangjin Army broke through several cities.

The burning flames weakened gradually with each cough from Zhang Jiao.

Guangzong City.

Due to a traitor’s confession, the Huangjin Army’s surprise attack on Luoyang City failed.

Lu Zhi besieged the Huangjin Army at Guangzong City.

Yet as long as the Great Sage was still here, no Rebel Army would feel fear.

They knew that following the Great Sage they’d find the gentleman of peace in their hearts.

But now, Zhang Jiao, in cough after cough, exhausted the vitality from his body, his life’s hope fading bit by bit.

Lu Zhi was about to attack the city.

The Huangjin Army was in peril.

Chen Che stood by Zhang Jiao’s sickbed, Zhang Bao already leading the Huangjin Army to defend the city.

Zhang Liang stayed by his elder brother with tears in his eyes.

The weakened Zhang Jiao lifted his head to look towards Chen Che’s place, softly speaking: "Sir, you and I have been together for over ten years.

Such a chaotic world, have you seen enough?

Zhang Jiao, incompetent, can go no further.

Zhang Jiao can die.

But the Huangjin Army cannot die.

These commoners rose with Zhang Jiao, only for the ideal of a peaceful and prosperous world in their hearts.

If I die.

They will surely perish under the iron cavalry of the Han.

Sir, you should have seen with your own eyes, under the exploitation of the dynasty and noble families, how miserable are the commoners?

Sir, I know you can create a world that the people truly like, a peaceful and prosperous world.

Sir, I beg you, appear now.

I beg you to inherit my name as Zhang Jiao, lead the Huangjin Army’s people, and create a peaceful and prosperous world!"

Zhang Liang looked blankly at Zhang Jiao, not knowing to whom Zhang Jiao spoke.

Yet he knew his elder brother well, suddenly knelt to the void, and kowtowed heavily.

Chen Che parted his lips, at that moment, seeing the scene outside.

Outside the tent were countless hesitating elderly, weak, and sick, in the distance, teary-eyed Huangjin Army charged determinedly against the Han army in a final deadly battle, despite tears of sorrow.

They were not trained soldiers, merely common folk under the damn Han’s exploitation, unable to survive, forced to rise in rebellion.

All they sought was merely a peaceful and prosperous world.

"Poor Daoist Zhang Jiao, begs you, grant a peaceful and prosperous world..."

Agreed? Refused?

The Huangjin Army howled in misery.

The commoners wailed in anguish.

Chen Che tightly closed his eyes, unable to bear witnessing the tragic battlefield.

A silence descended in the council, nobody spoke.

They all knew how hard it was to say no.

Just a thought to save the people.

Yet beneath the heavens, how many can truly emulate the Great Sage in word and deed, just on a mere thought?

The words "I refuse," why can’t they be forced out of the throat?

Yet Zhang Jiao suddenly spoke: "Sir, it was Zhang Jiao who was misguided.

Sir must have unspeakable difficulties, Zhang Jiao thus realizes, the people follow Zhang Jiao in rebellion not to be coerced by the dynasty.

Sir certainly has unspeakable difficulties too, unable to answer Zhang Jiao, but Zhang Jiao’s coercion here, how is it different from the corrupt dynasty?

Sir, Zhang Jiao nearly made a grave mistake before dying, forcing a dear friend.

Kindly forgive.

This Han’s fate has been cut by me, Zhang Jiao, and the Huangjin Army.

Ultimately, this vast expanse of land’s destiny shall chart its own course.

Sir, do you say Zhang Jiao’s life was right or wrong?"

"A bowl of talismanic water saves the people, how could it be wrong?"

As if hearing Chen Che’s words upon his deathbed, Zhang Jiao smiled serenely, with gentle eyes holding the last fragment of warmth, said: "Sir, if one day you can save the people too, treat them with extra gentleness.

The world ought not to have only exploitation and cruelty.

People should not live so wearily."

After speaking his last words, Zhang Jiao slowly closed his eyes.

All Huangjin Army seemed to sense the passing of their spiritual leader.

The Huangjin Army, eyes reddened, engaged in a desperate fight with Lu Zhi’s troops.

It was a tragedy.

Yet tragic and heroic!

The Illusion Realm collapsed again.

At this moment, Chen Che’s heartbeat raced.

He felt he comprehended something, felt it was finally time to act.

And what of a century of solitude?

A grand dream, a fleeting yellow beam...

Those in the council remained silent, at once admiring and saddened by the Great Sage’s fate.

Many present couldn’t help but wonder, enticed by three consecutive Illusion Realms, could they withstand this?

Hard indeed, too hard.

But Chen Che managed to endure.

It’s over, there shouldn’t be a Fourth Illusion Realm, right?

Everyone thought so, yet eyes seemed to reveal expectation.

If there was a fourth Illusion Realm.

What incredible scene would unfold?

Even Chen Che himself pondered.

If a Fourth Illusion Realm came...

Could he withstand it?

Progressing the image.

Brilliance filled before his eyes.

Chen Che’s heart sank, knowing this was the Fourth Illusion Realm.

"A Fourth! Indeed a fourth! My heavens, he’s truly defying fate! So many Illusion Realms, if he withstands them all, he’ll ascend to godhood!"

Among the audience, someone gasped in surprise.

How does this Fourth Illusion Realm manifest?

Chen Che slowly opened his eyes, an intense red sun in the sky appeared before him, a figure stood atop a mountain peak, broad and magnificent, his shadow elongated infinitely under the red sun.

As he slowly turned, smiling face looked over, Chen Che trembled beyond belief, his facial expression bewildered, eyes quivering, and tear-filled.

The council audience didn’t understand why Chen Che was suddenly so moved?

Then heard the magnificent figure speak softly: "From sorrowful cries and blood-stained grounds, only a thought to save all beings. My young comrade, how have you been?"