Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

The messy banquet had not yet been cleaned up. Zhang Lu looked at Ma Chao's tense jawline and raised his hand to invite him: "Marquis Wei, please accept my condolences. Why don't you return to the wing room first..." Before he finished speaking, Ma Chao took a half step forward, his black armor gleaming coldly in the candlelight: "Master Zhang, may I borrow the secret room for a chat?"

When the secret door opened, a damp, musty smell hit him. Zhang Lu sat down, twirling his beard. The flames from the bronze candlesticks cast their shadows on the "Map of the World," like giant beasts facing each other. "Marquis Wei, please speak frankly if you have anything to say." He stroked the Heavenly Master seal at his waist and, out of the corner of his eye, caught sight of Ma Chao's hand on the hilt of his sword.

Ma Chao suddenly laughed, his laughter carrying the smell of rust and blood: "Let me ask you first, Heavenly Master - sitting on the fertile land of Hanzhong and commanding a hundred thousand followers, do you want to be a prince who protects the land and keeps the people safe, or a hero who changes the world?" His eyes swept over the Chang'an mark on the map, which was heavily circled with cinnabar, like a bleeding wound. "Now that the Han Dynasty is about to fall, you and I both know that this world has no room for neutral people."

The candlelight flickered in the secret room, and Zhang Lu's fingertips unconsciously traced the grain of the mahogany chair. Ma Chao's questioning struck like a hammer at his heart. He gazed at the flames of revenge dancing in his eyes and suddenly remembered his grandfather's dying words twenty years ago: "The inheritance of the Celestial Master Way lies in assessing the situation." To express a rash opinion now would be tantamount to staking the entire clan's life on an unknown gamble.

"What Marquis Wei said..." Zhang Lu sighed, his sleeves sweeping across the numerous cities dotted on the map, "My Zhang family's ancestors founded the Five Pecks of Rice Sect, seeking nothing more than to relieve the suffering of the people and protect the peace of the area." He raised his eyes to the Tai Chi fish pattern on the dome of the secret room, his voice low but firm, "Since my grandfather entered Hanzhong, three dynasties have passed, and I have seen too many tragic scenes of bones covering the fields." The candlelight suddenly burst into sparks, illuminating the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, "Now the situation is bleak, heroes have risen together, but there is no true master. I am willing to use 100,000 believers as shields to build this pure land of Hanzhong - not for hegemony, but to provide the people with a place to live and work in peace."

Ma Chao gazed at the rare solemnity in the other man's eyes, the tip of his silver spear unconsciously scratching the blue bricks, leaving a winding mark. He suddenly remembered the phantom of Sun Ce covered in blood while he was unconscious, and a fishy sweetness rose in his throat: "What if one day, this 'pure land' can no longer tolerate peace?"

The candlelight flickered in the secret room, illuminating Zhang Lu's gray complexion. He dug his nails into his palms, a surge of regret welling up within him. If he had known this man he'd found on the sickbed was such a hot potato, he should have let him die that day. Why was he being interrogated like this now? If he had been more resolute then, the situation would have been very different: if the emperor had truly pacified the four regions, he could have surrendered. With the Tianshi Sect's foundation, he wouldn't have worried about not gaining a significant portion of its followers.

But now the arrow was on the string, there was no turning back. The Western Liang cavalry was renowned, and Ma Chao was determined to fight the imperial court to the death. Zhang Lu's vision flashed back to the tragic scene of Liu Zhang's army besieging the city, and a cold sweat instantly soaked his back. Even without Ma Chao, the emperor's willingness to allow the Yizhou army to attack Hanzhong was already clear. Even if the world were at peace, how could he easily clear himself of the charge of "collaborating with the rebels"?

Zhang Lu's Adam's apple rolled twice with difficulty, and he suppressed his resentment and forced a smile: "Marquis Wei, you are too kind... I am just an outsider, and I only ask..." Before he could finish his words, Ma Chao suddenly slammed the table and stood up. The sound of the collision of black armor startled the candlelight and shook violently, twisting the shadows of the two men into giant beasts with bared fangs and claws.

Startled by the clapping of the table, Zhang Lu stumbled back, his lower back slamming against the sandalwood frame, causing the bronze hexagram plates on it to clang. He stared at Ma Chao's blood-stained black armor, its cold gleam in the shadows, his throat tightening. "Marquis Wei... I have absolutely no intention of deceiving you!" Cold sweat trickled down his forehead, dripping onto the cloud pattern of the Heavenly Master's robe, leaving dark marks.

"Then please speak frankly, Heavenly Master!" Ma Chao took a half step closer, the tip of his silver spear lifting the corner of Zhang Lu's drooping robe. "One hundred thousand followers and a thousand miles of fertile land, are they the Heavenly Master's bargaining chips, or the people's support?" He suddenly released his spear, letting it slam into the blue bricks, splashing sparks. "Since Chao was a young boy, learning from his master, he has regarded loyalty and righteousness as more important than anything else. The mountains of corpses and seas of blood he has stepped on are more than the steps of the Heavenly Master's Mansion." His voice suddenly became hoarse. "I thought that adhering to loyalty and righteousness would bring peace and prosperity, but in the end..."

The candlelight flickered, casting a shadowy hue on Ma Chao's pale face. He reached out and ripped the silver chain from his collar, revealing a hideous scar: "The emperor was suspicious, the nobles framed me, even my closest relatives..." His Adam's apple rolled violently. "Now I understand why Mr. Dong dared to bear such a stigma. This rotten court is like a hollowed-out beam. Unless it is completely demolished and rebuilt, the people will never have peace!"

Zhang Lu's hand, clutching the mahogany rosary, trembled slightly. The young man's eyes reminded him of his grandfather's dying words. "Marquis Wei..." he began with difficulty, but Ma Chao raised his hand to interrupt him.

"I'm not forcing the Heavenly Master to take sides." Ma Chao took a step back, clasped his fists and saluted, "I only want to ask the Heavenly Master - if one day this chaotic world can truly see peace again, what will the picture of peace in your mind look like?"

Zhang Lu stroked the Bagua pattern on his sleeve, his eyes fell on the mottled inscriptions of the Tao Te Ching on the wall of the secret room, and a long sigh came from his throat: "Since Marquis Wei treats me with sincerity, Zhang will no longer hide anything. My Five Pecks of Rice Sect has been established for a hundred years, and all we seek is the six words 'reach the extreme of emptiness, maintain deep tranquility'." He walked to the candlestick, the flame dancing in the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, "Those who join the sect only need to pay five pecks of rice, and they can get medical treatment, relieve disasters, and provide relief to the hungry. The sect has set up charity houses to provide food and accommodation for travelers, and cultivated charity fields to provide relief for famine. Over the years, although the people of Hanzhong are not rich, they have been able to avoid freezing and starvation."

The bronze hexagram plate glowed dimly in the shadows, and Zhang Lu's voice grew deeper: "Everyone says that our Zhang family uses its teachings to make money, but they don't know that during times of war, our disciples are all in mourning, collecting the remains of refugees scattered in the wilderness." He suddenly turned, his eyes blazing: "Marquis Wei, do you know why the 'Heavenly Master' is revered in the sect? It's not for the sake of power, but to restrain the people with the Way of Heaven - if those in power fail to protect the people, they are violating the Way of Heaven and should be punished."

At this point, his sleeves swept across Hanzhong on the World Map: "I don't want to dominate the world, but I'm not afraid of the turmoil of troubled times. As long as the Five Pecks of Rice Sect's charity houses remain and the charity fields remain green, the people will be able to find a piece of pure land in this turbulent world. This is what Zhang has always sought."

After hearing this, Ma Chao's eyes suddenly lit up, and the sound of palms clashing echoed in the secret room: "Brilliant! Brilliant! The Heavenly Master's grand theory is truly blood-piercing and heart-piercing!" He strode forward, the sound of armor colliding like war drums, "I thought the Heavenly Master only wanted to maintain a peaceful life, but I didn't expect that he had such a profound mind! The Five Pecks of Rice Sect's mission is to provide relief to the people and to restrain power with the Way of Heaven. This is not only in line with the peaceful and prosperous world I want to build, but it is simply the same goal!"

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly knelt on one knee and slammed his silver spear into the ground: "I, Ma Chao, swear here: Today, I do not ask the Heavenly Master to send troops to help. I only wish to sign an alliance - when the war breaks out, I will protect Hanzhong. When the world is pacified, I will preach for the Heavenly Master and clear away all obstacles to educate the people!" He raised his head, his eyes burning with fire, "I only ask the Heavenly Master to allow me to march westward on the road of revenge, and not to hinder me at this critical moment. When the new flag is raised on the top of Chang'an City, I will drink a celebratory wine with the Heavenly Master!"

The candlelight flickered in the secret room. Zhang Lu stared at the blazing flames of revenge in Ma Chao's eyes, the hem of his robe scraping against the blue bricks with a rustling sound. He slowly lifted his Taoist robe, his long beard trembling with the movement, and finally knelt. "Marquis Wei sincerely invites me. How dare I refuse?" The Heavenly Master's seal loomed in his sleeve, casting a flickering light on his face. "The Five Pecks of Rice Sect has been rooted in Hanzhong for decades, always caring only about the people, not about power."

He traced his fingertips over the cool blue bricks, as if weighing the weight of the alliance: "On the westward march, Hanzhong can serve as a food and fodder station; in times of turmoil, our followers will not interfere." He then changed the subject, his gaze landing on Ma Chao, "As for the day when the situation becomes clear..." His Adam's apple moved slightly, his tone a mixture of tentativeness and deliberation, "If Marquis Wei can truly restore order, our sect will follow the will of Heaven—be the first to honor the Righteous Master of Xiliang and pave the way for the enlightenment of the people in the new dynasty."

After saying this, he clapped his hands vigorously, making the bronze hexagram plate on the table hum. The candle wax suddenly fell, spreading dark lines across the overlapping shadows of the two people, as if to burn this covenant, which contained hidden meanings, into the swaying light and darkness.

"Okay!" Ma Chao stood up suddenly, the sound of black armor clashing startled the candlelight, and the fire of revenge burning in his eyes almost burst out of his eye sockets. "Since I have received the promise from the Heavenly Master, Chang'an is in flames, how dare I stay any longer! Please prepare the carriage and horses, I will set off westward in the next two days!" Before he finished speaking, the wound on his chest was moved, and he groaned and covered his left rib.

Zhang Lu hurriedly stood up to support him, sweeping the candle wax on the ground with a whisk: "Why are you so anxious, Marquis Wei? The elixir may have saved your life, but your broken bones..." Before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by Ma Chao. "Does the Heavenly Master know?" Ma Chao ripped open his breastplate, revealing a hideous wound. "The Western Liang cavalry are challenging us day and night outside Chang'an. Every day I delay, more brothers will be stained with blood!" He suddenly grabbed Zhang Lu's wrist, the cold air from the armor seeping into his flesh. "The world still doesn't know I'm not dead. Return to Chang'an now, so we can launch a surprise attack!"

Zhang Lu looked at the young man's resolute face and sighed inwardly. His fingertips unconsciously stroked the Heavenly Master's seal, and suddenly he smiled and said, "Since Marquis Wei has made up his mind, how dare I stand in his way? I am willing to give you my 5,000 newly trained elite cavalry to pave the way for Marquis Wei to conquer Chang'an!" Before he finished speaking, Ma Chao shook his head heavily: "Hanzhong is coveted by the Chang'an court to the north and by Liu Zhang to the south. These cavalry are the foundation of the Heavenly Master and must not be moved lightly."

"Marquis Wei is so considerate of the overall situation..." Zhang Lu's eyes were slightly red, and he suddenly raised his voice, "Then leave 4,000. I insist on letting these 1,000 cavalrymen follow Marquis Wei! They are all from Hanzhong, well versed in the teachings of the Heavenly Master, and will not be swayed by others. They will definitely work together with you to defeat the enemy!" Seeing that Ma Chao was about to refuse, he raised his hand to stop him: "If Marquis Wei does not agree, it means that he does not value my sincerity from Hanzhong!"

Finally, Ma Chao looked at Zhang Lu's sincere face and clasped his fists firmly: "Obedience is worse than respect! When Chang'an is pacified one day, I will lead my men back in triumph!" Outside the secret room, the cry of an owl at night startled the cold stars in the sky, just like the bloody storm that was about to be set off by this hastily agreed alliance.