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Chapter 322: Gao Shun's Loyalty
Chapter 322: Gao Shun's Loyalty
September 25, 2017
On the road leading to the ranch at the rear of the bandit camp, the path had been cleared over half a year ago, but construction and maintenance continued.
Although the environment on the grassland near the ranch was already pleasant, several checkpoints remained along the road, and there were even plans to further strengthen the defenses.
With construction underway, hundreds of villagers worked diligently on the road.
In Lu HaiKong's territory, projects like this typically didn't require overseers, and the relaxed atmosphere allowed the villagers to work while exchanging playful banter, creating a scene of joyful camaraderie.
Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves interrupted their work, and the villagers, accustomed to such sounds, briefly looked up before returning to their tasks.
This road saw many bandits passing by daily, carrying various messages, and the villagers were used to it. However, this time, the horse stopped before them, and a tall man dismounted.
Upon seeing this individual, the villagers stirred with excitement.
Among the commanders within the bandit camp, Pan Feng was quite recognizable. With his imposing stature and the grimace axe he always carried, he was often seen by Lu HaiKong's side. Although not everyone knew his name, most were aware that he was a trusted aide to the warlord.
Witnessing Pan Feng's sudden appearance, the villagers remained silent but watched with curiosity, wondering why the warlord's trusted aide had come.
Amidst the crowd, Gao Shun saw Pan Feng and sighed, feeling a mix of relief and anticipation. The day had finally arrived.
Gao Shun couldn't quite pinpoint his emotions—was it anticipation, nervousness, or perhaps disappointment? He wasn't sure.
"Let's go. The Chief is waiting for you."
Gao Shun nodded, saying nothing and raising no objections. He obediently followed Pan Feng, mounting the extra horse Pan Feng had brought, as the villagers looked on in disbelief.
As Pan Feng rode ahead, Gao Shun prepared to follow, but a voice filled with excitement rose from the crowd.
"Gao Shun, when you go to the Chief, work hard and don't bring shame upon us." The speaker was a villager who had become quite close to Gao Shun over the past months.
Gao Shun trembled and turned to face the villagers he had lived with for half a year. After a moment of silence, he nodded firmly and then rode away.
Several months ago, not long after Pan Feng's first duel with Lu HaiKong, Lu HaiKong had sought out Gao Shun. Without saying a word, he pulled Gao Shun away and integrated him into a group of refugees, bringing him into the bandit camp.
Within the camp, Gao Shun lived as an ordinary villager for half a year, gradually understanding Lu HaiKong's intentions.
Lu HaiKong wanted to show that while the camp might be a bandit stronghold to some, it was also a place where others found refuge and a sanctuary for their lives.
Over the past half year, Gao Shun had immersed himself in the lives of those around him, witnessing the transformation of fearful refugees into devout followers of Lu HaiKong.
During this time, Gao Shun was free to leave at any moment, as Lu HaiKong never imposed any restrictions on him. Yet, he never took a single step outside the camp.
At first, it was his stubbornness and personality that made him unwilling to leave without a clear understanding of what had happened.
But as time passed, something stirred within him, an anticipation of something he couldn't quite pinpoint. When Pan Feng arrived, and as he struggled to avoid looking at the familiar faces around him, a voice filled with excitement rang out. Seeing the faces of those who looked up to him with admiration and envy, he suddenly realized what he had been waiting for.
Confronting his inner turmoil, Gao Shun felt a sense of relief. Accompanying Pan Feng, they arrived at the training ground of the bandit camp.
As Gao Shun entered the training ground, several formations were already lined up neatly. Across from the formations stood Lu HaiKong and four other commanders, awaiting his arrival.
"My lord, I've brought Gao Shun as you requested," Pan Feng reported to Lu HaiKong and then stepped aside, leaving Gao Shun alone before Lu HaiKong.
After several months, Gao Shun and Lu HaiKong stood face-to-face once more. In Gao Shun's eyes, those few months felt like an eternity.
After a brief silence, Gao Shun, still unsure of what to say, was prompted by Lu HaiKong.
"What do you think of these soldiers before you?"
Gao Shun was taken aback but responded without hesitation, "They're excellent!"
"And the four commanders behind me?"
"They're excellent too!"
"What if I entrust them all to you?" Lu HaiKong asked, a smile creeping onto his face, a confident smile.
In the 1619 book, it was a mistake-free version.
A strong sense of confidence had inexplicably arisen within Lu HaiKong the moment he laid eyes on Gao Shun. This time, Gao Shun would become one of his commanders; this confidence was unshakable, though its origin was unclear.
"Excellent!" Gao Shun replied almost without hesitation, surprising even himself.
Despite confronting his inner struggles, he had never anticipated such eagerness within himself, answering without a moment's thought.
But as he saw the seemingly self-assured smile on Lu HaiKong's face, Gao Shun's inner turmoil seemed to calm.
The environment can easily change a person. In just a few months, Gao Shun, without realizing it, had been influenced by the changing sentiments of those around him towards Lu HaiKong.
Gao Shun was aware of this change within himself but surprisingly didn't resist it, accepting it with ease.
From this perspective, Lu HaiKong had undoubtedly succeeded. In half a year, he had shattered the chains binding Gao Shun, gradually eroding his blind loyalty to the decaying Han Dynasty.
In reality, Gao Shun was the one who had succeeded. Following the journey of the villagers around him, he had found himself and confronted his inner demons.
"Fight for those you care about," Lu HaiKong could have said much more, but he stopped at that.
Dismounting, Gao Shun knelt on one knee, "I pay my respects, my lord!"
At that moment, a system notification appeared.
"Congratulations on recruiting the historical commander, Gao Shun. You have gained 500,000 Skill Experience Points and a Golden Chest."
(End of Chapter)
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