Chapter 3: The Beginning of Reincarnation
Minjun worked day and night on his novel. He pounded the keyboard until his fingers ached, and completed Part 1 in a week. But just as he was about to move on to Part 2, he was stuck.
"How on earth can we transport modern gamers to the Three Kingdoms era? Reincarnation? Time travel? Parallel worlds?"
Minjun clutched his head. That was when.
"Minjun..."
He heard his grandmother's voice. Minjun raised his head, but saw no one. Yet, strangely, his grandmother's voice persisted in his head.
"Minjun, this isn't reincarnation. This is called 'calling.' The seven heroes receive revelations in their dreams and realize they are the true descendants of the heroes of the Three Kingdoms. The moment they log into the game, they are connected to a special server and transported into a virtual reality reminiscent of the actual Three Kingdoms era." "Virtual reality?"
"Yes, but it's not just any virtual reality. This is a special dimension created in heaven. Everything that happens there feels real, and their choices have the power to change real history."
Minjun's eyes sparkled. "I see! So this isn't just a game, it's an alternate history simulation created in heaven!"
"You're so clever, my grandson! Now write it down."
Minjun began tapping away at the keyboard again.
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Scene from the Novel
That night, Kang Minwoo opened the Romance of the Three Kingdoms game as usual. But something strange happened. An unusual message appeared on the login screen.
[You have been invited to a special event server] [Would you like to accept? Yes/No]
"Special event? What is it?"
Curious, Minwoo clicked 'Yes.' In an instant, a dazzling light erupted from the monitor, and he lost consciousness.
When he opened his eyes, Minwoo found himself standing in an unfamiliar place. He looked around and found himself in an ancient Chinese village. People were wearing hanbok (traditional Korean clothing), and horses were trundling through the streets.
"What... is this...?"
Minwoo looked down at his body. He was wearing a white robe, and a sword hung at his waist. And in his hands, he felt an unfamiliar weight. They were twin swords.
"Is this a dream? Or..."
"Liu Bei, Xuande!"
Suddenly, someone called out to him. Minwoo turned in surprise. An old man was approaching.
"Prince Xuande, I've been waiting. You've finally arrived."
"I-I'm not Liu Bei, I'm Jiang Minwoo..."
"No. You are a descendant of Liu Bei, Xuande, and you are destined to unify the world in this era."
The old man took Minwoo's hand. In that moment, countless memories flooded into Minwoo's mind. Liu Bei's life, his ideals, his anguish...
"I... Liu Bei...?"
Minwoo was confused, yet at the same time, a strange certainty filled him. He seemed to instinctively know why he had come here, what he must do. At the same time, Kwon Hyuk-jin, Park Min-seok, Lee Jun-ho, Jung Hyun-woo, Choi Sung-hoon, and Kim Dae-hyun were experiencing the same thing. They each opened their eyes in different locations and realized they were the reincarnations of heroes from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
Kwon Hyuk-jin, reincarnated as Guan Yu, discovered a village fighting the Yellow Turban Rebels. Without hesitation, he charged forward with the Green Dragon Crescent Blade. The moment he swung his sword, he truly felt that he had become Guan Yu.
Park Min-seok, reincarnated as Zhang Fei, was drinking in a tavern. A long-sleeved robe was placed before him. He drank and exclaimed,
"Good! Let's fight properly in this life!"
Lee Jun-ho, reincarnated as Zhao Yun, was practicing swinging his spear from horseback. Perfect stance, perfect trajectory. He smiled with satisfaction.
Jung Hyun-woo, reincarnated as Zhuge Liang, was reading a book in a thatched hut. But dozens of strategies were already being calculated in his head. Choi Sung-hoon, reincarnated as Bangtong, was observing the flow of water by the river. He was already coming up with a brilliant idea for a water tap.
Kim Dae-hyun, reincarnated as Yeobu, was swinging the Bangcheonhwageuk on the parade ground. His strength was beyond imagination. With a single swing, a tree was split in two.
"This power... is truly amazing!"
The moment all seven heroes were reincarnated, Buddha and Jesus smiled in heaven.
"This is just the beginning."
"That's right. This time, we must lead to a happy ending."
Chapter 4: The Peach Garden Oath, and Reunion
Kang Min-woo, reincarnated as Liu Bei, was walking down the market street in Tak-hyeon. The people were suffering from the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and screams and cries could be heard from all sides.
"This can't go on. I... no, Liu Bei must do something."
Min-woo resolved. He must raise an army, suppress the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and save the people.
At that moment, a loud voice came from the inn.
"You bastards! Officials who suck the blood of the people! I will not forgive you!"
Min-woo ran to the inn, where a burly man was fighting the officials. He stood over 190cm tall, and he held a long-armed hat. It was Zhang Fei.
"Zhang Fei!"
Min-woo unconsciously called his name. Park Min-seok, reincarnated as Zhang Fei, turned to look at Min-woo. In an instant, their eyes met, and they felt their millennia-old bond reconnect.
"Brother!" Minseok ran to Minwoo, tears streaming down his face. He then knelt down.
"Brother, I've waited for you for so long. This Jangbi, I will serve you once again!"
Minwoo, tears streaming down his face, helped Minseok to his feet.
"Minseok... no, Jangbi. I've waited for you too. This time, let's go together until the end."
The moment the two embraced, another figure entered the inn. A red face, a long beard, and the Azure Dragon Crescent Blade in his hand. It was Guan Yu.
"You two, you have finally met."
Kwon Hyukjin, reincarnated as Guan Yu, knelt down and bowed to the two.
"I am Guan Yu Yunjang. I wish to serve you, brothers."
Minwoo helped Hyukjin to his feet and said,
"We are brothers. There's no need to kneel. Let's conquer the world together and save our people."
The three gathered under a peach tree in the backyard of the inn and made a vow to the heavens. "The three of us, though of different surnames, pledge to unite as brothers, join our hearts and join forces to save our nation and bring peace to our people. We may not have been born in the same year, month, or day, but we pray to die in the same year, month, and day!"
The moment the Peach Garden Oath was renewed, thunder rumbled in the sky and a rainbow appeared. It seemed as if the heavenly gods were blessing us.
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That night, Minjun fell asleep on the sofa. He met his grandfather again in his dream.
"Minjun, you're doing well. But what happens next is crucial. You must write about the encounters between Zhao Yun, Zhuge Liang, and Pang Tong."
"How should we make them meet?"
"Refer to history, but reinterpret it in a modern way. Zhao Yun meets Liu Bei under Gongsun Zan, and Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong... How about making it a little more dramatic?"
His grandfather projected a mental image into Minjun's head. Minjun nodded and took notes.
The next day, Minjun resumed writing his novel.
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Scene from the Novel
The three Liu Bei brothers gained fame by suppressing the Yellow Turban Rebels. Their righteousness and martial prowess became known throughout the world, and many commoners began to follow them.
One day, while heading to Beiping at the behest of Gongsun Zan, Liu Bei and his men encountered a young general. He was fighting dozens of bandits alone. His spear-wielding movements were as graceful and deadly as a dance.
"That man... is extraordinary?"
Zhang Fei exclaimed in admiration.
Guan Yu nodded.
"I've never seen such spearmanship. Perfect posture, perfect timing. That man will become a world-renowned general."
Liu Bei dismounted and approached the young general. The young general had already subdued all the bandits.
"General, your skills are remarkable. Where did you come from?" "My name is Zhao Yun of Shangshan. I serve under General Gongsun Zan."
The moment Li Junho, reincarnated as Zhao Yun, saw Liu Bei, his heart raced. This is the man. The master I will serve for the rest of my life.
"General Zhao Yun, I am Liu Bei Xuande. If it's alright, would you like to come with us?"
Zhao Yun considered for a moment. Gongsun Zan was a good master, but he sensed something different in Liu Bei. True benevolence, true leadership.
"Lord Liu Bei, I still serve General Gongsun Zan. But if the opportunity arises, I will definitely serve you."
Liu Bei smiled and nodded.
"I will wait."
This was his first meeting with Zhao Yun. A few years later, Zhao Yun joined Liu Bei's camp.
Chapter 5: Wolong and Fengqiu
Time passed, and Liu Bei came to live in Jing Province. Cao Cao's power grew by the day, and Liu Bei was looking for ways to expand his own.
One day, a friend came to see Liu Bei.
"Duke Xuande, I have good news. They say there are two geniuses named Wolong and Fengqiu. If you can capture just one of them, you can conquer the world."
"Wolong and Fengqiu?"
"Yes. Wolong is Zhuge Liang, and Fengqiu is Pang Tong. Both are said to possess remarkable wisdom."
Liu Bei's eyes lit up. He made a decision immediately.
"Then I will go and see them myself."
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Minjun was stuck writing this part. He wondered how to get Zhuge Liang to meet him and how to get Pang Tong to join him.
That night, his grandmother appeared in his dream again.
"Minjun, don't worry. The story of the three arduous journeys is so well-known, let's try something different this time."
"How?" "It's true that Liu Bei is visiting Zhuge Liang, but Zhuge Liang was already waiting for him. And Pang Tong... how about assuming he was with Zhuge Liang from the beginning?"
Minjun's eyes sparkled.
"That's great! Wolong and Fengchu were already a couple, and together they were waiting for Liu Bei!"
"Yes, that's it!"
Minjun tapped away at the keyboard again.
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Scene from the novel
Liu Bei headed to Longzhong with Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun. The journey to Zhuge Liang's thatched cottage was arduous, but Liu Bei didn't give up.
When they finally arrived at the cottage, a surprising sight unfolded. Two people stood in front of it. One held a feather fan, the other read a book.
"Welcome, Liu Bei, Lord Xuande."
Jeong Hyeon-woo, reincarnated as Zhuge Liang, smiled and said,
"We've been waiting for you." Choi Sung-hoon, reincarnated as Pang Tong, also closed his book and nodded.
Liu Bei asked in surprise,
"How did you know I was here?"
"I knew it by looking at the stars. I saw signs of a dragon ascending to the sky, and that dragon was you."
Zhuge Liang led Liu Bei into a thatched cottage. There, a huge map was spread out.
"Lord Liu Bei, we have already prepared a plan to divide the world into three. No, this time, we have prepared an even better plan."
Pang Tong said.
"It's not a plan to divide the world into three, but a plan to unify the world."
Liu Bei held his breath and listened to their explanations. Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong explained their strategies in perfect harmony. One presented an orthodox strategy, the other an ingenious tactic.
"This is amazing. If you two work together, unifying the world is truly possible."
Liu Bei knelt and begged them,
"Please help me. For the sake of my people, for the sake of peace in the world." Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong looked at each other and smiled. Then, simultaneously, they bowed to Liu Bei.
"I will obey your command."
Thus, Liu Bei gained two genius soldiers simultaneously. This was a first in history.