Before Guan Hai revealed the truth, the entire tent was filled with joyous celebration. But after he spoke, the tent fell into a dead silence, and everyone stared at Guan Hai with stiff expressions.
"Great Leader… please say that again…" Jiang Gong, already believing what he had heard, knelt on the ground, asking with a trembling voice.
Guan Hai repeated his words, and the Yellow Turbans looked at him with bitterness in their eyes. "Commander, there's still time. You should leave before the Taishan army arrives. With your strength, you can survive anywhere."
"If I leave, what will happen to you? So stop saying foolish things. Watch over the brothers for me. Du Yuan, after I die, take care of the brothers and make sure they don't act recklessly," Guan Hai said, glancing at the leader Chen Mao who had spoken up and then turning his gaze to Du Yuan.
"Commander, there's still time to escape," Sima Ju muttered. "The situation with the former leader has happened once before. They'll believe us. You don't have to do this."
"Sima Ju, I've always thought of you as the most rational. But where could I go now? Abandon the Yellow Turbans? Join another lord? That's impossible," Guan Hai replied. His mind wasn't as sharp as Sima Ju's, but he understood this situation better than anyone.
"Must the future of the Yellow Turbans always require someone to sacrifice themselves?" Jiang Gong asked bitterly. "Why does it have to be this way?"
"No reason. I just think it's worth it," Guan Hai said, his tone weary like that of an old man who had seen through life's hardships. "Now go about your business. This matter is settled. I'm not informing you; I'm ordering you. Don't do anything foolish. The future of our women, children, and the elderly depends on your behavior."
Guan Cheng knelt on the ground, bowing three times to Guan Hai before silently standing up and leaving the tent. He had heard the unwavering determination in Guan Hai's voice.
Sima Ju and Huang Shao, too, bowed with tears in their eyes before leaving the tent. Soon after, the other Yellow Turban leaders followed suit, some even weeping uncontrollably. The Yellow Turbans had never wanted to be bandits, but they had been forced into it by circumstances. Now, as they tried to escape this fate, they could only watch as one hero after another sacrificed themselves to drag the Yellow Turbans out of this prison.
Guan Hai sat alone in the empty tent, sighing quietly. He couldn't help but reflect on his past, realizing that since he became a Yellow Turban, he had done nothing but fight to protect them.
"Alas," Guan Hai exhaled deeply. Looking back on his life, he found that he hadn't accomplished anything significant.
"Hunger pangs…" Guan Hai muttered as he heard his stomach growl, sighing again. "The only regret I have is that I can't die on a full stomach. Hahaha!" Guan Hai burst into a somewhat maniacal laugh.
After laughing for a while, Guan Hai felt a wave of desolation. Just then, he heard a commotion outside the tent. He frowned slightly and called out, "Guan Cheng, let Yuanjian in. Don't block him. We're brothers; don't disgrace yourselves. This is my choice, and it has nothing to do with Yuanjian. You'll need to get along after I'm gone. Don't give anyone a reason to laugh at you."
Guan Cheng and Du Yuan exchanged a fierce glare with Liao Hua before reluctantly letting him through. The other leaders also suppressed their anger and made way for Liao Hua.
"Yuanjian, what's the matter?" Guan Hai asked as he yawned, still seated at the head of the tent. Hunger always made him sleepy, even with his inner strength.
"General Guan sent one hundred dried chickens, a cart of dried lamb, three sides of dried pork, one side of beef, and a cart of strong liquor," Liao Hua said, his head lowered, unable to meet Guan Hai's gaze. The light emanating from Guan Hai left him in awe.
"Bring in the brothers. Let's eat together. Although it's supposed to be my farewell meal, there's no need to waste it," Guan Hai said with a pleased expression. He had just lamented not being able to die on a full stomach, and now Guan Yu had sent him food and drink. He had no more wishes left unfulfilled.
No Yellow Turban leaders entered the tent. Guan Hai sighed, had Liao Hua bring the food and drink inside, and then silently began to eat alone.
Among the Yellow Turbans, a leader's secret was everyone's secret. With over seventy leaders, it was inevitable that the entire force of over a million Yellow Turbans would know the next day. Being commoners, they had the virtue of gratitude. Although they didn't know how to repay Guan Hai, early the next morning, Kong Rong, who had been hiding in Beihai, heard the sound of wailing coming from outside the city walls.
Guan Hai was annoyed. He just wanted to wait quietly for his heroic death, but the mournful cries of a million Yellow Turbans outside were driving him crazy. Death was already complicated enough. Did they really have to cry?
Guan Hai sat in his tent, feeling frustrated.
As his mind opened, Guan Hai still revered the former leader but no longer felt the same awe. At least now, after making the same choice, he had earned the right to make light of the former leader's deeds.
Unable to stand the noisy atmosphere outside any longer, Guan Hai was about to curse aloud when Guan Yu arrived. At exactly 9:00 a.m., Guan Yu's forces reached the gates of Beihai. His army was small, just over two thousand cavalry, but they carried a large coffin. Guan Yu called for Guan Hai by name, demanding his presence.
When Guan Yu hadn't arrived, Guan Hai had been patiently waiting. But now that Guan Yu was here, Guan Hai didn't immediately rush out to meet his fate as he had planned. He felt an unexpected wave of sorrow. Even the bravest warrior would find it difficult to face death head-on, no matter how justified their reasons. Guan Hai's resolve remained strong, but the emotions of the moment weighed heavily on him.
Guan Hai replayed the joys and sorrows of his life in his mind, a tear sliding down his cheek. Then, with calm determination, he stood from his seat, grabbed his long spear in one hand and the unfinished jug of strong liquor in the other. Taking a deep drink, he walked out of the tent with a steady gaze.