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

Chapter 115. Intention (13)

Why did I pick up the sword?

It was a question that suddenly came to mind as I stood on the verge of reaching the state of Rebirth.

When you think about it, the sword—martial arts, that is—came after people.

People existed first, and because of them, the sin of desire was born, leading to the spread of war.

In other words, it was people who gave birth to martial arts.

In short, martial arts is merely a means to fulfill one’s desires.

The important thing is desire.

Why? Why do we practice martial arts?

Talking about realms is merely a discussion of how one wields this tool called martial arts.

Thus, the root of martial arts is essentially “why.”

Just as public sentiment shifts with the justification behind a cause, the reason for practicing martial arts also varies.

Whether it’s righteous or wicked, whether it embraces a noble cause or is just a means of survival, whether it holds a purpose or not, it determines whether one is a hero or a scoundrel.

Ultimately, the question of why one picks up the sword is the same as asking a martial artist to reflect on their origins.

Upon realizing this, I pondered and pondered some more.

The reason I picked up the sword was to cut down the heavens.

That was supposed to be my intention and reason.

However, when you think about it, this vague notion of cutting down the unjust heavens could also be an answer to how one wields the sword.

Ultimately, to reach the realm of Rebirth, a clear intention was essential.

And I began to understand, slowly, through my encounters with my comrades.

The root.

And the essence.

Breaking free from my idle thoughts, I fixed my gaze on Zhao Yun, who was hesitating to answer.

As a master, it is only right to teach one’s disciple.

Thus, she must establish her own intention.

Even if it is imperfect, just as seeds cannot sprout without water, one cannot master martial arts without intention.

And this did not apply only to Zhao Yun but to everyone.

I turned around and slowly walked back up the platform.

“Everyone, stand up.”

At my words, the younger ones got up, brushing the dirt off their clothes.

Some limped due to the harsh beating, while others panted heavily, struggling to catch their breath.

“Listen up, you punks. What are you?”

– ……

It was such a broad question that no one dared to answer, and they only exchanged furtive glances.

I tapped the ground with my sword sheath and asked again.

“What are you? Once, you were chivalrous warriors, then soldiers, and now, are you just thugs?”

“No, we’re not!”

Finally, one of the group answered boldly.

“Then what are you?”

I pointed at him.

He hesitated briefly, then stood at attention and shouted.

“We are practitioners of chivalry, as esteemed by you, sir! We are warriors who uphold it! What else could there be?”

Ah, damn it.

I scoffed.

“Do you really believe that?”

“Yes!”

“Don’t give me that crap. Chivalrous warriors, my ass.”

“…Pardon?”

He tilted his head as if he’d heard something he wasn’t supposed to.

Chivalrous warriors?

No way, not us.

“Neither I nor you are anything but nobodies. We were beggars and drifters from the start, so how could we be chivalrous warriors? We’re just nobodies pretending to be something we’re not.”

“That—that’s too harsh!”

A giant of a man interrupted.

“You were the one who taught us about chivalry! And now you deny our very foundation? While we are overjoyed at your return, we cannot simply overlook such words!”

Everyone’s attention turned to him.

Among them, Baekrang was already prepared to draw his weapon.

That overly eager bastard.

I quickly raised my hand to stop them and looked at him.

When I looked at him, he shivered slightly, despite his massive size.

Seems I beat him too hard.

Anyway.

I continued speaking.

“What’s so bad about being a nobody?”

“…What do you mean?”

“Chivalry is just one form of justice.”

I had realized that truth far too late and had made mistakes because of it.

Chivalry was merely an idea of justice.

It wasn’t something singularly defined; it was a concept.

In some ways, it was akin to the Dao—something that could be spoken of but was not eternal or immutable, carrying the nature of emptiness.

So, do not get lost in chivalry.

“It’s nothing special. Got it?”

He looked like he couldn’t quite accept it.

I faintly smiled.

“Now, listen carefully again. We are nobodies. That’s why we make mistakes, get lost, and sometimes even commit crimes.”

Roots.

Essence.

To approach these, one must have an understanding of who they are and what their existence means.

So accept it.

I am, and you are, nothing but nobodies.

“Despite that, we are gathered here. Why?”

Many different answers were exchanged.

The reasons varied.

There were too many to pinpoint one.

But in the end.

“It’s all to live a better life than before. We may be nobodies of lowly origins, but ultimately, our roots are the same.”

It’s like flowing water.

Though it might flow differently at times, the essence of water remains unchanged, like the ripples of a mountain stream.

As it moves forward, no matter how massive the rock blocking the way, it will eventually be overcome.

Therefore, one must never forget the essence of being a nobody.

It must be accepted and carried.

Because that was our root.

“Don’t forget. You are not just following behind me. You stand on your own. Why do you pursue martial arts? That reason must come from within. That is what it means to be a martial artist and a person.”

After that, I stepped down from the platform.

I walked through the group.

Having said everything I wanted, my mind felt clear.

“…Master.”

Before me stood my disciple, respectfully holding her hands together.

“I am a nobody.”

“Is that so.”

Zhao Yun no longer cried. Her gaze was resolute.

“But even so, I have chosen to live as a martial artist.”

She took a deep breath, her expression now relieved.

“For no other reason than to create a better world. That’s all.”

“That’s a good answer.”

I placed my hand on Zhao Yun’s head.

She quietly rubbed her hair against my palm, smiling faintly.

At last, I had returned to this place.

***

Afterward, we gathered in the command tent for a meeting.

In the end, because of Cao Cao’s inexplicable actions, things had gotten this tangled.

A full-scale war with Yuan Shu was now unavoidable, and since I had returned, conflict with Cao Cao was also inevitable.

Indeed, Cao Cao had now been entirely marked as an enemy by our forces.

I understood. It made sense. But it still left me uneasy. I couldn’t help but wonder what had changed her so drastically.

So, I decided that I would have to meet with Cao Cao in person.

…But anyway.

“Back off a bit, Ryeong.”

“Huk, huhuh…! No! If you’re going to leave my side, then step over me and go, you damned brother!”

“Sigh…”

I was getting too distracted by Ryeong, who clung to my leg from earlier.

Thanks to her, my pants were getting sweaty…

“Besides! I still don’t get it! Why were you with that wretched woman?! Why did you abandon me!”

“I already explained that earlier… And I didn’t abandon you, it was because of Cao Cao—”

“I don’t care! Just for today, can’t you spend some time with your loving little sister? Is it too much to let me borrow your leg for a bit?”

“…Stop talking nonsense.”

I shook my head and looked away.

Inside the command tent, Zhao Yun, Unsam, Baekrang, Haryeong, Sima Yi, Lü Bu, and I sat facing each other.

The problem was that the atmosphere among the gathered officers was chaotic.

Today’s meeting needed to be serious, but over there, Lü Bu was snoring loudly, and Baekrang and Unsam were cowering in a corner, cautiously watching Sima Yi.

Sima Yi, meanwhile, was glaring at Haryeong with her eyes narrowed in displeasure.

“Well, fine. Normally, such behavior would be unforgivable, but I’ll let it slide today since it’s a special occasion.”

She sighed deeply and leisurely fanned herself.

“More importantly…”

– Thwack!

“What the—damn it!”

She snapped her fan shut loudly next to Lü Bu’s ear.

“Sleeping, huh? And on top of that, as a new recruit.”

“…Huh? You little pervert.”

“Pervert?

“Pervert? Are you done talking now?”

“Ha, you’re so brazen already. Keep this up, and you’ll end up crawling into the red-light district one day.”

“You’re not even human, just a beast spouting nonsense.”

“…Hey kid, calm down and let’s start the meeting. We’re short on time, so cut the crap. And Yeo, let’s dial it down too.”

“Tch, nagging as always.”

Lü Bu picked her ear with one hand, yawning loudly as she nodded.

Sima Yi frowned at Lü Bu.

Well, at least this was some form of mediation.

But then.

“Pervert… What do you mean by that? Are you saying our strategist is a pervert? That seems rather disrespectful, doesn’t it?”

Zhao Yun, who lacked any sense of flexibility, interjected.

Lü Bu clicked her tongue and replied sharply.

“You call a pervert a pervert. Oh, right. I guess you’re in the same boat, huh?”

…Wait a second.

This isn’t good. This is definitely not good.

“It was quite the sight. That little brat sticking her ass out, and that idiot sweating profusely—man, I’ve never seen anything like it, not even from wild animals doing that crap out in the open.”

“……”

I leaned my head back.

I could feel the intense stares from Haryeong and Zhao Yun.

Ah, damn it, I should never have come back.