Liu Hao was momentarily stunned.
Wasn't it supposed to be that a mighty general would immediately pledge loyalty after witnessing his heroic aura?
Dian Wei chuckled and shook his head.
"That won't work. I killed someone in public—it's a capital crime. If I follow you, wouldn't that drag you into trouble too?"
What an honest and loyal man.
Liu Hao felt moved and continued persuading him.
"To be honest with you, I am a member of the imperial Han family. Though my noble title no longer exists, by lineage I am still considered an imperial uncle to the current emperor. Even the officials of Hongnong must give me some face. Taking you in will not be a problem."
He continued calmly.
"If you stay hidden in the mountains, you'll struggle even to light a fire. You won't have wine, you won't have hot food. Any game you hunt will probably have to be eaten raw."
Liu Hao patted his chest confidently. His words sounded convincing.
Dian Wei thought about the past few months.
After killing someone in anger, he had been forced to flee, hiding in the mountains while escaping pursuit. From Chenliu all the way to Hongnong, he had barely eaten a proper meal.
Life like that was miserable.
Not something a man could endure forever.
Gulp.
Dian Wei took the wine flask from Liu Hao and drank deeply. Then he nodded without hesitation.
"Ha! If you're truly from the imperial Han family, then you can protect me. From today onward, I'll follow you. Whatever you ask me to do, I'll do it!"
With that, he stepped forward, tossed the wine flask aside, and suddenly knelt before Liu Hao.
"Dian Wei greets my lord! From this day on, I will follow my lord through life and death without regret!"
"Please, get up quickly."
Liu Hao felt delighted inside.
This was Dian Wei!
Since he had arrived in the chaotic era of the Three Kingdoms, he naturally wanted to recruit the strongest generals, ride the fastest horses, and enjoy the most beautiful women.
He hurried forward and helped Dian Wei to his feet.
"We will fight bandits together in the future. Whatever blessings come, we share them like brothers. Why kneel?"
For a noble descendant of the imperial family to treat a fugitive killer like a brother moved Dian Wei deeply.
"That won't do," Dian Wei said firmly. "Since I have sworn loyalty to you as my lord, the proper rites must be followed."
Dian Wei's arms possessed immense strength. His body remained unmoving as a mountain.
Liu Hao could not lift him at all and finally settled for patting his broad shoulder.
Of course, Liu Hao had no intention of behaving like some naïve reformer who transmigrated to ancient times and tried to abolish slavery or change the world overnight.
Still, it was somewhat amusing.
This fierce warrior who could barely read actually spoke about observing proper rites. Clearly, the ideals of loyalty and honor were deeply rooted in people's hearts.
With such a terrifying bodyguard by his side, Liu Hao no longer worried about his safety.
Even if a thousand Yellow Turban bandits appeared, they would simply be delivering themselves to Dian Wei.
"My lord," Dian Wei suddenly said, lowering his voice. "I hear people shouting that slogan about the Yellow Heaven again. There may be more Yellow Turban bandits ahead."
He immediately gripped his twin halberds and quietly moved toward the edge of the forest.
At that moment, outside the forest, a sharp and piercing voice suddenly rang out.
"Yellow Turban rebels! How dare you attempt to harm my lord—die!"
The voice was thin and cold, like a sharpened spike filled with killing intent. Even the leaves trembled, and birds burst into flight in alarm.
Then—
A streak of cold light shot out of the forest like a meteor.
"Our own people!" Liu Hao exclaimed in delight upon hearing the familiar voice.
Dian Wei peeked out and looked carefully.
"My lord… the old man under your command has extraordinary martial skill."
Two sharp sword sounds sliced through the air.
The last two Yellow Turban bandits outside the forest collapsed before they could even react.
Each of them had a bloody hole through the center of their back.
"Amazing swordsmanship, Uncle Cao!" Liu Hao thought with excitement.
He turned around—
But no one was there.
Then he turned back again.
An elderly man with a slightly hunched back was suddenly standing beside him.
Liu Hao nearly jumped in surprise.
"My lord, you were not injured, were you?"
The old man was Uncle Cao.
He was tall and sturdy, dressed in simple cloth robes. His face was pale and clean-shaven, his expression gentle and kind. His voice carried a faint sharpness, completely different from the cold killer who had just struck down the bandits.
Liu Hao's parents had long since passed away.
The only person who had remained loyally by his side all these years was this old servant.
The Prince of Jiangdu in ancient times had possessed a peculiar habit.
He raised loyal retainers trained from childhood to serve as bodyguards.
According to family tradition, every generation of the household head would be protected by one such elite retainer—a warrior who had been trained from youth and had undergone strict selection to ensure absolute loyalty.
Uncle Cao was the guardian of Liu Hao's generation.
The old man originally had no personal name.
During the years Liu Hao studied under great scholars in the capital, nearly all household affairs had been managed by this elderly servant.
"My lord, are you truly unharmed? And who is this hero?"
Uncle Cao noticed Liu Hao's unusual expression and hurried forward with concern, fearing he had been injured.
Then he noticed Dian Wei.
His pupils instantly contracted.
Liu Hao smiled calmly and waved his hand.
"It's nothing. Dian Wei is one of us. I encountered a group of Yellow Turban bandits earlier, and he saved my life. Afterward, please deliver the heads of these bandits to the authorities."
At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Zhang Jiao had led the Yellow Turban Rebellion. Though the uprising had been suppressed, the Yellow Turban remnants were now hated throughout the land.
The Han court had even issued bounties for their heads.
Killing them brought both justice and reward.
Uncle Cao nodded, but suddenly his eyes grew moist.
"My lord has grown thinner again. The weather has turned cold recently. You must return home quickly and add another layer of clothing."
"Uncle Cao… I'm not cold."
Liu Hao answered helplessly.
Then his eyes rolled playfully, and a mischievous smile appeared.
"Uncle Cao, since you often deal with officials, you cannot go without a proper name. Let me give you one."
The old man immediately knelt respectfully.
"My lord's knowledge is vast as the sea. I humbly request that my lord grant me a name."
His voice boomed like thunder.
Liu Hao smiled thoughtfully.
"From today onward… Uncle Cao shall be known as…"
"Cao Zhengchun."