It Wasn’t a Martial Arts World, but the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 104. Intention (2)

“So, you’re telling me that you got done in by that tiger cub?”

“That’s right.”

“And then, you fell into that qi deviation thing? So now you’re just recovering, right?”

“Exactly.”

“So while you were recuperating, you dealt with those Green Forest bastards who were raiding the village, and now they’re practically worshipping you. Wow, if it’s you, it makes perfect sense.”

Zhang Fei, who had moved to Unryong’s place, drank a glass of water to sober up as she spoke.

I had thought something was amiss, but I never imagined things would have gone this far.

Listening to Unryong’s story, I could finally understand why the current situation had unfolded.

“But you sent a letter, didn’t you? Why is there still talk of launching such an emotional campaign?”

Zhang Fei folded her arms, furrowing her brows.

That was something even Unryong couldn’t comprehend.

Then, Liu Bei cut in.

“No, it might have been a good opportunity.”

“A good opportunity?”

“What do countless military strategies emphasize? Strategy? Provisions? Reconnaissance? They’re all important, but ultimately, the most crucial element is the soldiers’ morale.”

“Morale.”

Zhang Fei’s expression turned grim.

“Cao Cao, that woman…”

“Yeah, with Unryong-gong missing, no one wants this war more than she does. Revenge can be a powerful driving force, you know.”

Liu Bei, who was always smiling, spoke seriously without a trace of his usual grin.

“Cao Cao, I just can’t understand her. Even if she seizes the world after forsaking benevolence and righteousness, what value does it have…?”

From Liu Bei’s perspective, it was incomprehensible.

Could the world, obtained through deceit and betrayal, ever be genuine?

Perhaps it was because she had mocked virtue and abandoned principles that the current Han Dynasty was rotten to its core.

Yes, in the end, Cao Cao was set to repeat this.

At least, that’s what Liu Bei believed.

While listening silently, Lü Bu tapped the floor and spoke.

“Damn it, that’s why you shouldn’t raise a vixen.”

Everyone hurled raw criticisms at Cao Cao, even Liu Bei.

However, the person in question remained calm, simply crossing his arms.

“We haven’t heard from her directly yet.”

“How can you still say that? You’ve been betrayed. By that sly fox.”

“The Cao Cao I know wasn’t like that.”

Unryong spoke with conviction.

“That’s why I have to go and see for myself. With my own two eyes.”

“…But, are you sure about this, Brother? From what I’ve heard, wouldn’t it be better to focus on recovering?”

“There’s no need.”

Unryong declared confidently, but Zhang Fei wasn’t satisfied.

This man often pushed himself too hard, even when his body was unfit.

Zhang Fei leaned closer to Unryong.

“Why don’t you just take a break and join us? We’ll keep your identity strictly confidential. It’d be better than hiding out in these mountains.”

Lü Bu ground her teeth in response.

Zhang Fei narrowed his eyes and glared at her.

Honestly, she couldn’t understand why Lü Bu was even by Unryong’s side.

After all, Lü Bu was the woman who once tried to kill Unryong.

“You’re a fugitive, right? So it’d be better to stay with us, where your identity is guaranteed. And don’t think I’ve forgotten what you’ve done so far.”

Lü Bu snorted.

“Even so, this guy asked for my help. Not yours.”

“That was because the situation was desperate. He had no other choice.”

“Wanna see if I rip that freewheeling mouth of yours wide open?”

“If you can, go ahead.”

“Oh, sure. I’ll kill you right here.”

Of course. Their violent natures remained unchanged.

Just as Zhang Fei and Lü Bu were about to draw their weapons—

“Yeo, sit down.”

“…”

“Yeo.”

“…D-Damn it!”

At Unryong’s command, Lü Bu sat down instantly.

Zhang Fei’s eyes widened.

The infamous Lü Bu, obeying someone’s command? And that, so readily?

It was unbelievable, so Zhang Fei rubbed his eyes.

But nothing had changed.

Just as before, Lü Bu sat grinding her teeth, while Unryong watched her with a smile.

It was like watching a hunting dog and its master, leaving Zhang Fei in a daze.

“N-no way, Brother, when did you get so close with Lü Bu?”

“Well, something happened. There were a lot of things in the past, but now she’s practically my disciple.”

“What?! Lü Bu, the infamous Lü Bu, is a disciple of an idiot like you?! Ha! Unbelievable!”

Even though she grumbled, Lü Bu remained seated in a dignified manner, which was truly a spectacle.

Zhang Fei could only step back, rubbing his forehead.

“Lü Bu, your disciple? brother, have you really gotten that strong?”

“It’s still far off. I haven’t even mastered the Heavenly Extreme Linked Illusion Sword Technique yet.”

Unryong smirked self-deprecatingly, tapping his waist before standing up.

“Well then, Yeo, let’s go.”

“What, you’re leaving right now?”

“It’s an urgent situation.”

Zhang Fei clicked his tongue at those words.

“Tsk, you just got here, and now you’re leaving already. Even if I wanted to follow you, I can’t. Who knew that having an official position would be such a nuisance?”

“Well, isn’t it good enough that I was able to check in?”

“That’s true.”

Zhang Fei nodded fiercely with a grin.

Despite the dangerous circumstances, Unryong was still alive.

As long as one was alive, meeting again wasn’t so difficult.

So, although there was a bit of regret, it was still satisfying to send him off.

Just as Unryong was about to turn his back—

“Unryong, before you go, I have something to say.”

“Sister?”

Liu Bei gently grabbed Unryong’s shoulder as he turned away.

“You are preparing for the worst-case scenario, aren’t you? That Cao Cao might be so blinded by power that she can’t distinguish between personal and public matters.”

“…”

This was an undeniable possibility.

Although Unryong had loudly declared his trust in Cao Cao, he couldn’t completely dismiss such a possibility.

“If that happens, how about coming to us temporarily, as Yide suggested?”

“…What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“I’m not asking you to join us as a subordinate general. But if Cao Cao wins this war and expands her influence across the Central Plains, her momentum will be unstoppable.”

Liu Bei continued, still without his usual smile.

“If she seizes control of the Central Plains, what do you think her next target will be? It’s Hebei. Currently, our elder brother and the coalition’s leader are holding sway over Hebei, but a battle for Hebei is inevitable, just like it was between the previous emperor and the conqueror. In other words, a great conflict is about to break out.”

“…”

“But Hebei isn’t an easy land to conquer. It’s bordered by formidable terrains, and You Province is filled with outstanding generals. Even a powerful force would be manageable with Ji Province’s abundant resources. And with its difficult terrain, invading Hebei won’t be easy. So, it’s unlikely Cao Cao will be satisfied with just the Central Plains.”

“So you’re saying?”

“Cao Cao’s next targets might be Jiangdong, Jing Province, or even Xu Province.”

Unryong’s eyes widened.

Such is the ambition of those who seek to rule the world.

It’s an endeavor that can only be pursued by those who crave to grasp all lands, something beyond human reach.

“If things go that far, the court might have no place for you. That’s why I’m suggesting that you temporarily join us and observe the situation. You’re free to refuse. But please remember this one thing. Just as you said you’d come running if we were in danger, we also hold you in high regard.”

Finally, Liu Bei’s usual expression returned. She was smiling.

But this smile was not her usual one—it was genuine.

Unryong couldn’t help but smile as well.

How could one heartlessly reject someone who so purely worried about their situation?

“Well, I’ll think about it if the time comes.”

“That’s good to hear.”

As the two of them laughed heartily and chatted, Lü Bu, who seemed displeased, interrupted them.

“You’re gonna latch onto this big-eared woman? Ha! You might as well cut my head off first!”

“Fengxian, I’d welcome you too. The past is just the past. If we move forward, sharing the same ideals, we might become comrades in the future.”

“Bullshit. Don’t listen to this nonsense. Let’s go.”

Despite Lü Bu’s harsh words, Liu Bei simply smiled, though this time it was a subtle, unreadable smile.

Lü Bu bared her teeth, growled, and hastily dragged Unryong away.

***

As I was being dragged away by Lü Bu, I waved back to Liu Bei and Zhang Fei, who were waving at us from afar.

“More importantly, are you really okay?”

Lü Bu asked as she walked beside me.

“I’m fine. I’m at least capable of handling one person’s worth of work.”

It wasn’t just bravado.

After restoring my acupoints, my body had undergone significant changes.

Although I hadn’t achieved complete rebirth yet, my realm had noticeably advanced, and my dantian had experienced a significant transformation.

That transformation was the opening of the gates.

What does this mean?

It meant that the Gate of Entry and the Gate of Opening in my lower dantian were now open at all times, even without conscious effort.

With my restored lower dantian now stronger than before, this had become possible.

Also, with improved qi manipulation, I had reached a state where I could wield great qi with little effort.

As a result, my body had grown significantly stronger compared to before.

Of course, I wasn’t yet at the level of the Absolute Peak, but at this pace, I would reach it soon.

Again, rebirth was now within my grasp.

However, no matter how much I expelled the impure qi, one crucial piece was still missing.

If I could realize what I was lacking amidst this uncertainty, I would achieve rebirth.

As I walked with these thoughts, I soon descended the mountain and reached the village.

“Seriously, do we have to do this?”

“Still, we should say goodbye. They’ve helped us quite a bit.”

“Hmph, you always pick the most useless things to do.”

“Yeo, you’re coming along too, so don’t be so sour.”

“…Stay away! It’s hot enough already!”

When I draped my arm around Lü Bu’s shoulder, she jumped away. Lately, she seemed oddly shy, and I couldn’t figure out why.

“Ah, damn it…!”

Lü Bu managed to shake off my arm and spoke.

“But seriously, it’s gonna take a while to get to Chang’an from here. Won’t the war break out before then? I don’t know the exact situation, but if this much information is leaking, it means the war is practically at the doorstep. And I heard she even declared war.”

That was very likely. I nodded firmly.

“You haven’t even achieved rebirth yet. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I can still beat you, Yeo.”

“What? You bastard, you wanna try?”

“Oh, scary. Don’t glare at me like that.”

I joked a bit, and Lü Bu almost drew her halberd. I immediately raised my hands in surrender.

It was then.

Standing at the gate, as if she had been waiting, was Hyeryeon. She was carrying a bundle in her hands.

“…Hyeryeon?”

“Ah, Doctor… no, I mean, U-Unryong-nim!”

Hyeryeon still seemed confused about my true identity, but her sparkling eyes were unchanged.

“You’re leaving now, aren’t you?”

“I was just on my way to say goodbye. To the villagers.”

“There’s no need. You’re busy, aren’t you? Especially for someone like you, Unryong-nim, a hero of the world, spending time on insignificant things like this is unthinkable.”

“What do you mean? We’re all just people.”

Hyeryeon widened her eyes at my words, then chuckled.

“Even after revealing your true identity, your attitude hasn’t changed.”

“What’s so important about status between people? I don’t really care about that.”

“Haha! I bet you’re the only person in this world who would say that, Unryong-nim.”

Well, how could the mindset of a modern person be the same as that of people from the past?

I shrugged my shoulders nonchalantly.

“Unryong-nim, you said it before. The reason you chose seclusion was to move forward.”

“That’s right.”

“Then, where is the path you’re heading?”

“At the very least, I plan to create a world where bandits can’t run rampant.”

“I see.”

Hyeryeon struggled but handed me the bundle she had been carrying.

“Then, we’ll resist to the end. In this unjust world, we’ll keep pushing forward, remembering you, Unryong-nim. And we’ll be there to witness that world together.”

The bundle Hyeryeon handed me was heavy.

“It’s filled with various snacks. Though we can’t fully grasp the thoughts of someone as high as Unryong-nim, we, myself included, believe that the path you’re taking is the right one. So, please stay true to your convictions until the end.”

“…”

“Now, off you go. May luck always be with you, my lord.”

Hyeryeon finally bowed her head.

As if to say no more goodbyes were needed.

Even Lü Bu, who would usually have something to say to Hyeryeon, only smiled faintly.

I looked up suddenly.

Today, too, the clouds were drifting.

And people were living their lives.

For some reason, I felt a surge of motivation.

With that, I set off for Chang’an.