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

Chapter 112. The Will (10)

After the commotion had died down, inside the inner chamber.

“…Hng.”

Across from me, Sima Yi rubbed her sore butt, sniffling, and I couldn’t help but sigh.

How did things end up like this?

The ones who had gathered to live a better life were now choosing to walk a different path than mine.

Sima Yi was no different.

Though we had our disagreements, this little brat still wanted to follow me. But now?

This tiny girl had thrown herself onto the battlefield.

And I’m the one who pushed things too far, leading to this situation.

The cause of all this is none other than me.

I’d rather she vent her frustrations or curse at me, but Sima Yi just kept rubbing her little behind without any retort.

The other guys were the same.

They just cried and made a fuss without saying anything spiteful.

I felt so guilty because of that.

“Kid.”

“…What?”

Sima Yi glared up at me with her crescent-shaped eyes.

It seemed like she was struggling to endure the pain.

And yet, I had held back my strength.

Scratching the back of my neck awkwardly in the uncomfortable atmosphere, I lowered my head.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

Sima Yi said this while sharply turning her little head away.

From the side, her puffed-up cheeks looked slightly sulky.

I lightly patted her shoulder.

“Now that I’m this old, it seems all I’ve done is burden you.”

“I said, it’s fine.”

The girl turned her head toward me.

For a moment, my eyes widened.

Tears were streaming down Sima Yi’s eyes, who usually wore an uncharacteristically composed smile for her age.

“…Damn it.”

Sima Yi rubbed her eyes roughly.

“It’s just dust in my eyes, okay? It’s definitely not because of you.”

I let out a chuckle.

It was such a childish thing to hold on to her pride even now.

Feeling like I was truly home, I realized how fond I’d grown of her in such a short time.

At least we were alone.

Knowing Sima Yi’s personality, she would’ve hated showing this side of herself to anyone else.

I should thank Unsam later for taking the noisy ones away.

“Ugh, why do you keep doing this…”

Sima Yi’s tears kept flowing as she continued wiping her eyes.

As I reached out to pat her head naturally—

Thud.

Sima Yi slapped my hand away.

At the same time, she stood up.

“I’ve told you not to do that, how many times now?”

Even while her voice trembled, it was quite cute.

With her small frame, Sima Yi clasped her hands behind her back and stared out the window with as much dignity as she could muster.

“You’re really alive.”

“Yeah.”

“Who would’ve thought General Zhao would use such a trick. I was too naive.”

“It’s not your fault. If anything, the blame lies with me for hiding away and leaving you all.”

“It’s fine. Now’s not the time to argue about whose fault it is. You said you needed that time, right? I don’t fully understand, but you needed to be away to recover your body.”

“…Yeah, but the cause of all this was me—”

“Uncle.”

Her voice was still slightly trembling, but there was a strange strength behind it.

“That doesn’t suit you.”

“What doesn’t?”

“You’ve always been someone who charges forward without looking back. I know you have a greater ambition than anyone else in this world.”

“…”

Honestly, I was surprised.

Sima Yi, who always criticized my actions sharply, was saying something like this.

“Of course, I can’t forgive you for being this late…!”

“O-Oh.”

Getting lectured by a kid so much younger than me felt like getting nagged.

Anyone would think I was getting scolded.

But since she was right, I just kept my mouth shut and looked away.

For some reason, cold sweat was trickling down my back… Honestly, I wouldn’t have had anything to say even if she slapped me.

“…I thought you were dead, so I was trying to avenge you.”

“…”

“That’s the loyalty of someone who serves their lord, isn’t it? And the others felt the same.”

“But that’s—”

“That’s not what you would’ve wanted, Uncle. Yes, I admit it. I tried to use everyone who felt like I did. I pushed and pushed, driving them to the battlefield. But I don’t regret it.”

Sima Yi finally looked away from the window and met my eyes.

“If you were to die, I’d make the same choice again. I’d skin them, gouge out their eyes, annihilate their families in front of them, and burn their bodies so nothing remained.”

Sima Yi’s eyes were filled with an endless seriousness.

Man, this brat sure knows how to speak brutally…

“If not for you, Uncle, I would’ve done similar things anyway. That’s how you avoid leaving any lingering troubles. You instill fear in the enemy, crush them completely, and raise your own side’s morale—that’s how you lead to victory in the grand scheme.”

“Still, that’s wrong. We’re not here to debate life and death. In this era where war is inevitable, I don’t want to discuss good and evil just because someone kills. But those people are citizens of this country too. They could be evil or they could be weak. And if their lives end so cruelly… that’s just not right.”

“Then remember this clearly. The strategist Sima Yi is, by nature, an evil person.”

“…”

Sima Yi’s violet eyes gleamed. They held a resolute emotion that showed no sign of retreat.

I had no choice but to stand up.

Because now I knew what I needed to say.

“I’m sorry. I promise I won’t leave again.”

“…”

I’d always believed I was doing the right thing.

I have no regrets.

That’s the path I chose.

And so, I promise.

To move forward together with these kids.

“As long as I don’t die, you can just stay the cute little brat you are.”

“…Ugh, gross!”

Sima Yi yelled, her cheeks slightly red as if she’d heard something embarrassing.

I awkwardly raised my hand.

Then, flop.

My palm touched the girl’s hair.

This time, Sima Yi didn’t avoid it.

She just lowered her head slightly.

“I’ll say it again, I’m not as nice as you think. I could turn on you at any moment. Maybe I’m destined to be a rebel.”

“I’ve told you before, I trust you.”

“…Anyway, that’s exactly the problem, Uncle. You get attached so easily, that’s why General Zhao used such tactics.”

“…That’s…”

“It’s fine. I’ve known what kind of person you are for a long time. I doubt you’ll ever change.”

Soon, the softly glowing strands of hair slipped through my fingers.

Sima Yi knelt on one knee.

Wondering what was going on, I looked down and saw her folding her hands neatly in a respectful bow.

“I’ll follow you again, Uncle.”

The girl said, closing her eyes softly.

“I’ll join in that childish fantasy. I don’t even know why I’m doing this, but I just… want to see your end.”

“My end?”

“That world called Jianghu, let’s build it. I, Sima Yi, will be the brain of Unryong’s army.”

The soft moonlight poured in through the window, splitting into various beams.

Sima Yi’s violet hair shimmered with a sheen.

It seemed that historically famous figures truly had something unique about them.

Looking at her now, she exuded an aura that could rival even Cao Cao.

So I, too, folded my hands in a polite gesture.

***

After finally clearing the air, Sima Yi and I stepped outside.

Ahead, I saw Unsam and Baekrang waiting for me.

Baekrang was still bawling his eyes out, calling my name, while Unsam looked at him with a pitying expression.

Eventually, my eyes met theirs.

“Hyung, you’re here.”

Unsam shrugged as if my arrival was no big deal.

“Yeah.”

“It’s late, so I didn’t bother waking the others. So if you’re gonna hit us, do it in the morning. No need to bother with it now.”

“Hah.”

Unsam, how does this guy know my heart so well?

He’s a real handful.

“Brotherrrr!”

In contrast, Baekrang kept bawling annoyingly.

But I just subtly lifted the corners of my mouth, as I felt the same way as him, though I didn’t show it on the surface.

Just as we exchanged strange glances—

“By the way.”

Sima Yi spoke beside me, her tone particularly somber.

“Why is that woman with you, Uncle?”

Naturally, she was pointing at Lü Bu.

Come to think of it, I hadn’t explained anything about her.

“Oh, well… She’s been taking care of me these past few months.”

“That woman?”

Sima Yi clicked her tongue disapprovingly.

Lü Bu, hearing Sima Yi’s blatant attitude, gritted her teeth and stomped over.

Uh-oh, something was off here.

“Look at this rude brat. You wanna die, kid?”

“You’ve been with this beastly woman?”

Sima Yi nonchalantly ignored Lü Bu and turned her gaze toward me.

“Well, whatever.”

Lü Bu, enraged, raised her fist, and Unsam and Baekrang struggled to hold her back.

Furrowing her brows, Sima Yi rested her chin in thought, pondering something deeply…

“Oh, now that I think about it, the spot where you hit me earlier is still sore.”

“…Really? Did I hit you too hard?”

“It seems so.”

Then, with her characteristic sly smile,

“So why don’t you give it a little rub?”

She was trying to ruin me socially.