Chapter 3: Recalling the grandeur of those years, it is not as favorable as a career path in the capital.

Do you still want to go to Luoyang with me

Lü Bu cannot answer, nor can he come up with a response

Throughout the journey, it was only when Wang Yue took the initiative to engage in conversation with Lü Bu that Lü Bu would respond with a few words, and even then, his replies were minimal. As this continued, Wang Yue nearly lost all desire to converse with Lü Bu.

Unexpectedly, Wang Yue displayed none of the arrogance typical of renowned swordsmen; instead, he smiled and took out a piece of gold from his bosom, offering it with both hands. The guard merely smiled, accepted the gold into his own bosom, and then turned to swiftly enter the mansion, presumably to inform the Yuan family. Even Lü Bu could sense the guard's disdain towards Wang Yue, yet the latter remained completely composed, showing no signs of being affected.

Lü Bu could hardly believe that the inscrutable man before him had such a simple desire as to hold an official position. Wang Yue seemed to sense Lü Bu's thoughts and smiled, saying: "When I, Wang Yue, was eighteen, I rode alone into Helan Mountain and returned with the head of the Qiang tribe leader, no one dared to challenge me; by the age of thirty, I traveled across various states, almost defeating all opponents in the world. Now I am thirty-two, but look at what remains beside me, apart from this sword? I killed that Qiang tribe leader, yet my achievements only earned me the position of a county magistrate. I defeated all opponents in the world, yet people only gave me the title of 'heroic knight.' In the eyes of those aristocratic officials, I am merely a clown who can wield a sword. Now I am thirty-two, but look at what remains beside me, apart from this sword? I killed that Qiang tribe leader, yet my achievements only earned me the position of a county magistrate. I defeated all opponents in the world, yet people only gave me the title of 'heroic knight.' In the eyes of those aristocratic officials, I am merely a clown who can wield a sword. Lü Bu, tell me, is it wrong for me to seek an official position?"

Lü Bu said: "It is good to wander freely between heaven and earth; this is what brings contentment."

Until one day, Lü Bu came before Wang Yue, who was resting

Oh? Lü Bu, do you not wish to say something?

Wang Yue was once again troubled by Lü Bu, and could only walk away briskly. However, Lü Bu followed closely behind as usual.

Wang Yue could only smile wryly and say, "I truly admire you."

Lü Bu looked into the distance and asked, "Luoyang?"

Wang Yue has failed once again. Without further regard for Lü Bu, Wang Yue stepped forward and presented a bamboo slip from his bosom, saying to one of the guards, "Please inform the Grand Tutor that Wang Yue of Bingzhou requests an audience." The guard was no ordinary person; naturally, he did not know who Wang Yue was. Although he possessed an extraordinary demeanor and was equipped with a precious sword, he exuded an air of humility and lacked the qualities of a noble family. It seemed he was either a wandering hero from somewhere or a down-and-out scholar. The guard extended a hand and gave a slight shake. Upon seeing this, Lü Bu understood that the guard was asking for a meeting fee, and thus he watched to see how Wang Yue would respond. Naturally, he did not know who Wang Yue was. Although he possessed an extraordinary demeanor and was equipped with a precious sword, he exuded an air of humility and lacked the qualities of a noble family. It seemed he was either a wandering hero from somewhere or a down-and-out scholar. The guard extended a hand and gave a slight shake. Upon seeing this, Lü Bu understood that the guard was asking for a meeting fee, and thus he watched to see how Wang Yue would respond.

Subsequently, Wang Yue and the other person left the Yuan residence and found an inn in the city to stay temporarily

Understood

No

Aren't you going to ask where I am going to m.hetushu.com?

Lü Bu said little and turned to leave.

Wang Yue naturally did not believe it and followed Lü Bu. Lü Bu, as before, lightly tapped the tree trunk with his spear, resembling a dragonfly touching the water. Wang Yue could clearly discern the trajectory of Lü Bu's power in that instant. "Good, I did not expect that in just a month, you have already reached this level; I truly did not misjudge you." "Not enough," Lü Bu replied, looking directly at Wang Yue, "I still cannot achieve such an effect using a branch like you can."

Wang Yue laughed heartily and said, "I do not know if you have heard of Zhuangzi."

Apart from the process of practice making perfect, if one wishes to reach my level, it is important to note that when exerting force, one should not use all of it at once; instead, one should reserve some strength. This reserved strength is what I refer to as 'two-inch force.' However, this technique is only suitable for one-on-one situations; in the context of a battlefield, it is not as effective as previously mentioned.

Wang Yue smiled and said, "Then I will trouble you with this."

After a long while, Lü Bu finally asked: "Where are you going?"

Wang Yue then recalled that perhaps this young man had already mastered the method of breaking through the surface with a point. However, even he himself had spent more than half a year to fully comprehend it.

Oh ... ...

Lü Bu himself does not know whether Wang Yue is right or wrong, and perhaps he does not even know whether living in this world is right or wrong.

Wang Yue exaggeratedly said, "This is the first time I have seen you smile; let me see it again." Lu Bu rolled his eyes but chose not to respond to Wang Yue. Wang Yue, who was over thirty and a well-known swordsman in the world, found himself repeatedly thwarted by Lu Bu, who was not yet fifteen, which left him feeling quite frustrated. After enduring such repeated setbacks, Wang Yue and Lu Bu finally arrived in Luoyang. Subsequently, Wang Yue took Lu Bu to a clothing store and bought him several outfits. According to Wang Yue, he said, "You are basically like my attendant now, so when we go out, you must look presentable; otherwise, people might think that I, Wang Yue, am just an ordinary person without any style."

Luoyang

In the following month, Wang Yue and Lü Bu traveled south along the main road

Do you know whose residence this is? Wang Yue seemed to always enjoy asking questions in front of Lü Bu, and of course, his main purpose was to see some other expression on Lü Bu's unchanging face, such as surprise. Lü Bu shook his head. Wang Yue, with an expression that indicated he knew Lü Bu was unaware, instructed: This is the residence of the Yuan family, which has produced four generations of three dukes. The current Grand Tutor, Yuan Wei, is the head of the Yuan family today

Wang Yue cast a glance at Lü Bu and said: "One day, Zhuangzi was fishing in the swirling waters. Two officials sent by the King of Chu came to invite him, saying: 'Our king has long heard of your esteemed reputation and wishes to involve you in state affairs. We sincerely hope you will gladly come out of seclusion, to relieve the king's worries above and to seek the welfare of the common people below.' Zhuangzi, holding his fishing rod, paid no attention and calmly replied: 'I have heard that there is a divine turtle in the state of Chu that was killed at the age of three thousand. The king treasures it in a bamboo box, covers it with brocade, and enshrines it in the temple. May I ask, esteemed officials, would this turtle prefer to die and leave its bones behind in honor, or would it rather swim in the muddy waters and wag its tail while alive?' The two officials replied: 'Naturally, it would prefer to live and wag its tail in the muddy waters.' Zhuangzi said: 'Then please return, esteemed officials! I too would like to wag my tail in the muddy waters.' Ha ha, what do you think?"

Wang Yue asked: "What is good?"

Perhaps it was because he beheld such a magnificent sight that Lü Bu smiled for the first time.

At last, Wang Yue once again compromised, explaining how to wield such power using a branch

No

The two arrived at an official residence marked "Yuan Mansion" in just a quarter of an hour. Six imposing guards stood at the entrance, and two stone lions, fierce and majestic, were indistinguishable as to their authenticity.

The two fell silent again

Wang Yue said: "Centuries later, the turtle that swims in the mud and water knows not what is in the belly of man, yet the turtle worshipped in the temple is still remembered by the people of Chu. But look, this *Tushu* Zhuangzi has been recorded by the world since the Spring and Autumn period. I ask you, is he the turtle that swims in the mud and water or the turtle worshipped in the temple?"

I, Wang Yue, am preparing to open a martial arts school in Luoyang. If I can befriend a few high-ranking officials, I might seek a minor official position, which would not be a waste of this life.

Wang Yue said: "That is only natural, but those below are what I have prepared to pass on to my heir."

Where are you going

What I know is that I am currently acting according to my own thoughts

Oh

After Wang Yue had a conversation with Lü Bu, he still followed closely behind and could not help but laugh loudly and ask. Lü Bu, however, said little, merely following along, though the distance between them had noticeably shortened. The two traveled in silence, passing through Puyang and Chenliu, until they arrived at the formidable Tiger Pass. Wang Yue sighed, saying: "To the south lies Mount Song, to the north the Yellow River, with mountains and ridges interwoven, forming a natural defense. Among the eight great passes of the world, Tiger Pass ranks third, truly magnificent." Lü Bu stepped forward and surveyed the surroundings, seemingly recalling something, and could not help but exclaim: "One man guards the pass, ten thousand cannot open it, how grand!" Wang Yue laughed and said: "I did not expect you to be able to utter a few literary phrases."

All right

After a full tea's time had passed, the guard who had originally entered leisurely came out and said to Wang Yue and the other person: "My master is busy with official duties and will likely not have time to meet with you today. Please come again tomorrow afternoon"