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

Chapter 21: Ah, Hot!

Things were unfolding in a way completely unrelated to history.

I wasn’t sure what exactly I had done, but the person to whom Cao Cao handed the cup of wine was none other than me.

“Hurry up and accept it.”

She kept urging.

I glanced over at Guan Yu.

I thought she might be offended, but surprisingly, she maintained a calm expression, silently watching me.

Judging by the way she was looking me up and down, it seemed like she was gauging my skills.

The die had already been cast, and there was no turning back.

Yet, the reason I still hesitated…

It was because I kept thinking about Liu Bei.

And Guan Yu as well.

I couldn’t even begin to imagine what might happen if I were to change history.

“Are you lacking confidence?”

As I showed signs of hesitation, Cao Cao’s eyes cooled.

The madness in her gaze from before had vanished, leaving only disappointment.

It seemed I had no other choice…

I sighed and glared at Zhang Yang. She avoided my gaze, trembling in fear.

I’ll get back at you for this.

At last, I accepted the cup of wine Cao Cao offered.

It was still warm.

Finally, Cao Cao raised her chin slightly, signaling for me to drink.

Given the situation, I figured it might be a good idea to assess where I stood right now.

So, I placed the cup on the table.

“What are you doing?”

Cao Cao asked, puzzled.

Without answering, I turned around.

It was clearly a rude gesture, but Cao Cao remained silent.

Would the wine cool? Or would it stay warm?

As she had said, time would tell.

***

“You’re not going to ride a horse?!”

When I nodded casually, the soldier in front of me was shocked and blocked my path.

“How can you possibly defeat cavalry without a horse? Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine, so stop talking. It’s making my head hurt.”

I already had enough on my mind; it felt like my head was about to explode.

I understood where the soldier was coming from.

The difference in power between soldiers on horseback and those on foot was staggering.

There were countless stories of skilled cavalrymen taking on a hundred men by themselves.

And I was up against a fierce general.

Not only had he defeated Bao Xin and Sun Jian, but also Yu She and Ban Feng—many generals had fallen to him.

Having won several battles already, Hua Xiong deserved to be called a fierce general.

The problem was, I couldn’t ride a horse.

I’d never ridden one before.

Honestly, if I fell off, it’d be pretty embarrassing.

Meanwhile, my younger siblings, startled by my sudden departure, simply laughed as they watched.

“Take care.”

Haryeong didn’t seem too concerned either.

As if my return was a given.

I’m not a monster, you know.

A little concern wouldn’t hurt.

I sighed and trudged toward Hua Xiong.

“What are you thinking, you fool?”

He clicked his tongue in disdain, clearly displeased by the fact that I had come on foot.

“Ha! You intend to face Hua Xiong without even a horse? Truly, there’s no one decent among you.”

One thing I’ve learned since arriving in this world of *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*:

These people can’t seem to fight without flapping their mouths.

In a life-or-death duel, fists should do the talking. Why all this unnecessary chatter?

As I sighed and drew my sword, Hua Xiong’s face turned even redder.

“Do you think a mere fool like you can receive my blade?! There’s a limit to how much you can mock someone, you worm of the coalition!”

“Hey, stop yapping and get over here already.”

“What did you just say?”

Hua Xiong cupped his ear and stared at me incredulously.

“You have no manners! Even a lowly fool should at least introduce himself first!”

“I am Unryong of Manbo County.”

As I spoke, I placed my thumb on my left chest.

“A mere frontier official… this is disgraceful.”

With a scoff, Hua Xiong dismounted from his horse, clearly unimpressed.

“Fine, educating a clueless brat isn’t the worst way to pass the time.”

He swung his spear in wide arcs before assuming his stance.

“Can you handle the spear of Hua Xiong?”

“We’ll see soon enough, won’t we?”

“Hah, I don’t even have the energy to be angry anymore. Come on, boy.”

I didn’t bother replying.

To gauge my current level, I’d need to go all out from the start.

There was no point in holding back my strength.

Gate of Opening.

With this, I unlocked all the gates in my lower dantian.

My body heated up.

It felt like my whole body was burning and about to melt.

Since I had fully released all the internal energy in my lower dantian, the strain on my body was immense.

But, well, I’d figure it out somehow.

Winning was all that mattered.

Hua Xiong, noticing the shift in my aura, wiped the smile off his face and glared at me.

“If you’re scared, maybe you should get back on your horse.”

“…You brat, you dare!”

And so, the battle began.

***

“Hah, this is ridiculous.”

Yuan Shu clicked his tongue and crossed his legs.

From his perspective, it was only natural to dislike Cao Cao for sending someone so low-born to fight.

The coalition’s dignity could be shattered in an instant, and if that happened, Yuan Shu would become a laughingstock as well.

As Yuan Shu glared at Cao Cao, she simply smiled faintly.

She was confident in her observational skills.

And the martial prowess she had seen in Unryong was indeed unusual.

An unfamiliar footwork and sword technique.

He wasn’t wielding twin swords, but somehow his single sword had split into two.

Was it a coincidence? Or something more?

Cao Cao just wanted to test her instincts.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yang, who had put Unryong forward, was trembling as she watched the duel unfold.

She was drenched in sweat, her entire body soaked.

“It’s fascinating, Aman. You’re showing such interest.”

In the awkward silence, Yuan Shao spoke up.

Cao Cao merely shrugged.

“As I said, only time will tell. It’s you, Benchu, who seems more interested.”

“Interest… Yes, interest.”

Yuan Shao smiled as a sandstorm blew in from afar.

It was an innocent smile, almost pure.

“I’m just trusting your instincts. Aman’s eyes have never been wrong.”

“Foolishness.”

Cao Cao snorted.

She knew better than anyone how terrifying Benchu was.

If they were to compete for supremacy one day, he would likely emerge as the victor.

Meanwhile, Zhang Fei was sighing heavily.

“Sister, what do you think will happen?”

“Hmm, I’m not sure.”

Liu Bei, her elder sister, was smiling as usual.

“I think it would’ve been better if our sister Guan Yu had stepped in instead of that guy, don’t you think?”

“Hmm, I don’t know.”

“Sister! You’re not paying attention, are you!”

“Hm?”

It wasn’t until Zhang Fei nudged her shoulder that Liu Bei finally met her gaze.

“Ah… Sorry.”

“See, even you’re worried, aren’t you? I knew it! It should’ve been our sister Guan Yu who stepped up instead of that fool!”

“Yide, be quiet.”

Guan Yu interjected.

Zhang Fei stomped her feet in frustration and pounded her chest.

“Ugh! Sister, how can you not be angry?! That fool is about to steal your credit!”

“How can you insult someone who has stepped onto the battlefield? Have you forgotten Sister Xuande’s words to always watch your tongue? A warrior must know when to remain serious. I’ve taught you this, yet you still act recklessly.”

“I’m just frustrated! Our sister is so strong! Hua Xiong? She could finish him off in a single round!”

“Yide.”

“…Alright. I’m sorry.”

Zhang Fei puffed out her cheeks and turned her head away.

No matter how she thought about it, she couldn’t believe that man was stronger than her sister.

Strong warriors have a certain aura, but he didn’t have any of that. His expression had even shown reluctance, as if he didn’t want to be there.

“Tch, if that guy dies, I’ll step in.”

Grumbling, Zhang Fei turned her gaze to the dusty battlefield.

No one said anything more.

Everyone simply watched the duel unfold.

Then—*clang!*

The sound of metal clashing echoed.

One round.

And then, silence.

A long, drawn-out silence.

“See? I told you, Sister! That guy’s weak. He’s probably already been beheaded—”

“…”

“Sister Guan Yu?”

Guan Yu, eyes wide in surprise, prompted Zhang Fei to tilt her head.

“Sister, what’s wrong?”

Sensing that something was off, Zhang Fei quickly turned her gaze to the battlefield.

– *Step, step.*

Through the dust storm, a lone figure walked toward the coalition forces.

“Ugh, spit got in my mouth.”

The man finally revealed himself, leisurely brushing off his shoulder as he walked.

And in that tense silence, as he raised the cup of wine—

“Ah, hot!”

No one could say a word.