"The Azure Heaven is dead, the Yellow Heaven shall rise! The year is Jiazi, great fortune for the world!"
The sixteen-word prophecy was catchy, and its words felt true.
In the first year of the Zhongping Era, Zhang Jiao led over a hundred thousand members of the Way of Peace in an uprising, calling himself the great enlightened teacher and the general of heaven! The rebel army crossed commanderies and provinces, sweeping across thousands of miles, capturing cities and towns. This was a massive uprising, the likes of which the two Han dynasties had not seen in nearly four hundred years, save for the chaos of the Xin dynasty!
Wherever the Yellow Turban Army went and clashed with the Han army, it was as if they had divine help.
Snow fell from the sky, and the rivers swelled with water.
The Han soldiers dared not block them, and the fires of war spread across the world.
"Jiao-snake, enough—!!"
In a desolate valley, the roar of that Thievish Heaven echoed in Qingnu's ears. Amidst the churning clouds and mist, he descended before her.
Seeing Heaven in such a rage, Qingnu did not give him any face either. She shot back, "It is not enough! If you have the ability, then just strike me dead with lightning! This snake is not afraid!"
"You—!!"
Heaven was beyond furious.
He spoke to Qingnu in a low, heavy voice, "If you continue like this, you truly will never be able to turn back!"
"Turn back for what? To be the obedient daughter of the gods and buddhas?"
Qingnu countered.
Wagging her tail and begging for mercy from those gods and buddhas whose true faces she didn't even know—this snake could not do it!
"Thievish Heaven, you should be on good terms with the gods and buddhas. Go back and tell them that this snake has a temper too!"
Seeing Qingnu's stubborn and unrepentant manner, Heaven paced by her side and let out a long sigh.
He always said this job was a difficult one!
The defeat and death of the Yellow Turban Army seemed to be a foregone conclusion.
Even with her help, the Yellow Turban Army was essentially just a peasant force gathered from refugees struggling to survive. Once the Han court's official armies reacted and the rebels lost their numerical advantage, they fell swiftly.
Most importantly, Zhang Jiao suddenly fell gravely ill!
Qingnu knew that historically, Zhang Jiao would die of illness at the end of this year. Therefore, she had always insisted he strengthen his body and occasionally prepared medicine for his health.
Yet he still fell ill. The illness came like a collapsing mountain, turning a healthy man bedridden within a few days, his life hanging by a thread.
Qingnu could not find the cause of the illness.
This sickness came strangely; one look and it was clear that the Thievish Heaven was at work.
"Master..."
In the thatched cottage, Zhang Jiao's face was pale.
A faint aura of death swirled around him. He let out a long sigh and said with regret, "I have failed."
Qingnu remained silent, saying nothing. Gradually, Zhang Jiao's breath ceased.
His death meant the Yellow Turbans had lost.
"But... humans will always win."
Staring at the departed Zhang Jiao, Qingnu murmured to herself as she composed her feelings.
Only after Zhang Jiao was buried did Heaven appear again.
"See? Such is fate. Those meant to die will always die. After his death, the Yellow Turbans no longer have the strength for a single battle, even with your help. Qingnu, go back to Mt. Tai."
Qingnu, however, burst into loud laughter. Her laughter made Heaven feel uneasy.
"Qingnu, you..."
Before Heaven could ask, he heard Qingnu say, "Zhang Jiao was supposed to die at this time, so you could make him drop dead! But... what about others?"
"Thievish Heaven, can you make a person born of destiny suddenly drop dead?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Heaven's expression changed instantly.
"I beg of you..."
Qingnu gave a cold snort and said, "It is useless to beg!"
Heaven's expression was helpless.
...
The Yellow Turban Army persisted for several more years after Zhang Jiao's death, but they were still no match for the multi-pronged suppression of the Han army and provincial private militias.
The various factions eventually met their end.
But the Yellow Turban Army had severely impacted the already weakened Han court!
The providence of the world was in turmoil. In the Han court of Luoyang, the providence was as weak as a silken thread.
Yet it still hung on by a single breath.
However, the passing of Liu Hong finally shattered this fragile balance. Qingnu only heard a thunderous boom from the vault of heaven as clouds churned like ocean waves.
The providence of the Han had scattered.
Several streaks of golden light flew in different directions, landing on different people.
But Qingnu did not go chasing after these bits of providence at this time. She packed her belongings, put on a bamboo hat, and lightly shook a handbell.
Ding-ling-ling—
The bell's sound was crisp.
Behind her, hundreds of followers of the Way of Peace followed. After the fall of the Yellow Turbans, Qingnu spent several years traveling the world, settling the innocent people one by one.
She knew Hongluan was looking for her, but she didn't want to see anyone right now—not Hongluan, and not Chunyu Tiying.
Qingnu concealed her aura and refrained from using magic.
In all the world, no one could find her except for the Thievish Heaven.
However, Heaven also seemed to intentionally help Qingnu hide her tracks, preventing Hongluan from finding her whereabouts.
This was somewhat unexpected for the snake.
...
In Nanyang Commandery, the footpaths between fields crossed each other, and the woods and wilds were peaceful.
Someone was farming in Longzhong.
Seeing a young man working in the fields, Qingnu sat sideways on the back of an old yellow ox and called out, "I have heard that in Longzhong, there is a young lad of the Zhuge clan. He has been talented since childhood, and his fame has spread far! I have specifically come from Luoyang to visit him. I wonder who could introduce me?"
The young man, hearing this, stepped through the gaps in the fields and approached. He cupped his hands and said, "Is the one the lady seeks... Zhuge Liang?"
"Exactly, Zhuge Kongming! Do you know where he is?"
Qingnu nodded and asked with a smile.
The young man put down his farming tools and solemnly cupped his hands. "I am Zhuge Liang. May I ask the lady's honorable name?"
Qingnu looked at the young man before her, smiling beautifully as she cupped her hands. "I am Dian Qing, and my style name is Jade Color. My respects, Master Kongming."
"How would Liang dare to accept the title of Master?"
Zhuge Liang was a bit embarrassed as he cupped his hands toward Qingnu.
He looked around, his expression apologetic, and said to Qingnu, "Lady Jade Color, Liang still has farm work to attend to. Please forgive my neglect. Would it be possible for you to wait in the straw hut first? Once Liang has finished the farm work..."
Qingnu shook her head, telling Zhuge Liang there was no need for haste. She reassured him, "Kongming, do not worry. It does not matter if I wait half a day."
The farmland was not large, but with only Zhuge Liang to tend it, it took quite some time.
Seeing Zhuge Liang covered halfway in mud, Qingnu clicked her tongue and shook her head, letting out a sigh of inner realization. With such an appearance, no one would be able to tell he was a great scholar.
After returning to the straw hut, Zhuge Liang ordered his page to serve tea.
Before long, he had changed into his scholar's robes and sat opposite Qingnu at a square table, cupping his hands in greeting.
"Lady Jade Color! This is just coarse tea from the countryside. I do not know if you are accustomed to it; please do not find it lacking."
"It matters not. Every drop of tea and every grain of rice is hard-earned."
Qingnu shook her head.
Although she cared about food and drink, she would not look down on what others offered. She understood such principles.
Qingnu talked with Zhuge Liang for several hours. Even though Zhuge Liang prided himself on his extraordinary talent, he could not help but be won over by Qingnu's brilliance. Whether it was astronomy, geography, or ancient and modern texts, there seemed to be nothing she did not know!
Even when it came to military formations, she could speak with great eloquence.
After their conversation, Zhuge Liang bowed deeply to Qingnu and said, "Lady Jade Color's knowledge is truly beyond Liang's reach!"
"I have my insights, and you have yours. Kongming, there is no need to belittle yourself. Let us simply be friends today. You can just call me Jade Color; what do you think?"
Qingnu looked at Zhuge Liang and spoke with a smile.
Zhuge Liang naturally agreed with joy. "To be friends with Jade Color is Liang's honor!"
Seeing Zhuge Liang agree, Qingnu also began to laugh.
The two of them conversed with great pleasure.
The sky grew late, and Qingnu prepared to take her leave.
Before departing, she suddenly turned and asked, "Kongming, what do you think of this world?"
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