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

Chapter 14: Zhang Yang

As we dealt with the Black Mountain Bandits, those who were moved by us declared themselves as volunteer soldiers and joined our ranks.

Thanks to them, we were able to significantly expand our forces.

The rewards we received for releasing the hostages we had taken were also substantial, so we didn’t have to worry much about military funds.

Thus, our forces grew beyond five hundred.

Thanks to that, we were able to pass through the gate inspections without much difficulty.

There was also the righteous cause of subjugating the traitor Dong Zhuo, and with our numbers being too large for them to easily block, the government troops didn’t bother stopping us.

In a country where even maintaining public order was a mess, who really cared about such things?

Anyway, we arrived at Shangdang County.

As soon as we arrived, the sight that greeted us was the army of several thousand troops.

They displayed a well-coordinated movement through a unified system, making each one of them seem like a great general compared to us.

As for me, I was the type to just smash through everything, so I’d never really paid much attention to military tactics.

Would they even accept beggars like us?

I had a feeling this was a bad idea.

In any case, Haryeong and I followed the soldier who had been waiting for us and moved toward the main camp.

The scenery was unexpectedly modest rather than extravagant, with a simple and monochromatic background standing out.

Flowers bloomed quietly in the inner courtyard, soldiers maintained a silent and composed posture, and in the distance, a small pavilion on a hill could be seen.

By a small stone spring beside it, clear water flowed, and a single lotus flower followed the stream, making the entire place incredibly quiet, except for the sounds of nature.

“It’s way quieter than I expected,” Haryeong whispered close to my ear as she stuck by my side.

“Indeed,” I could only agree with her.

When I thought of a warlord’s camp, I imagined loud shouts of motivation!

A discipline so intense it made your legs shake just by looking at it! But it wasn’t like that at all.

“What should we do? I’m starting to get nervous. Do you think a person like the Governor of Shangdang would accept people like us?”

Haryeong’s shoulders trembled, as if she was finally realizing the gravity of the situation.

“I don’t know,” I said.

Even if we weren’t accepted, it wasn’t like we’d be executed on the spot. Nothing to lose, right?

As we continued walking, we finally arrived in front of the main camp.

Just as I was about to lift the tent flap and enter, a soldier blocked my way.

“The mad dog of the Bingzhou, Unryong. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“…Who are you?”

Despite his polite tone, the guy looked pretty rough.

Judging by the scar that stretched from his chin to his eyebrow, he could’ve been a gang boss.

“I’m Sugo, in charge of protecting the Governor.”

“Oh, is that so? Well, if you’re done, may I see the Governor now?”

If he was planning to threaten or insult me because of my humble origins, he should wake up from that dream!

No matter where I am, even in enemy territory, a man never backs down from a fight… Ow, ow, ow!

Haryeong suddenly grabbed my earlobe and pulled it hard.

It hurt like hell.

“Please forgive his rudeness. We come from lowly origins and have learned nothing but honor, so we’ve made a great mistake,” she said, stepping in front of me and bowing politely.

“Don’t worry about it. How could I, Sugo, block heroes who act with a great cause? I had no ill intentions. I merely called you to give some precautions before entering the main camp.”

“We are grateful for your kindness. Please, tell us slowly, and we will listen carefully.”

Though he was speaking formally, his eyes looked at me with utter disdain.

Despite my official title of Governor of Manbo County, he called me a mad dog.

It was practically an insult.

I guess Haryeong was thinking there was no need to stir up trouble here in the Governor’s base.

I had to keep my expression in check.

Finally, Sugo began to speak.

“When you enter the main camp, try not to meet the Governor’s eyes. Also, do not respond, and absolutely do not use rough language. Manbo County Governor, this advice is for you.”

What kind of person was this Governor that there were so many warnings? Was she a tyrant? Did I just draw the short straw?

Though I wasn’t thrilled, I nodded.

At that moment, I heard the sound of someone grinding their teeth next to me.

“Don’t worry about it,” I said, trying to calm Haryeong, who was glaring at Sugo with fury. When I patted her on the back, she took a deep breath and held back her anger.

Turns out we weren’t that different after all.

The tent flap was finally lifted, and I saw a delicately beautiful woman inside.

Silence.

The only sound within the room was the gentle breeze.

Her light brown hair flowed softly, her black eyes lacked any distinctive features, and her outfit was simple.

The woman maintained a graceful posture in the stillness.

I found myself staring at her absentmindedly for a moment, but then remembered the warning Sugo had given and quickly averted my eyes.

It wasn’t because she was a stunning beauty or anything; I was just wondering why the Governor of Shangdang was a woman.

What if all the lords are women at this rate?

Not that it matters much, but it’s still a bit strange…

Well, Lü Bu was a woman too. It wasn’t surprising anymore.

As these random thoughts swirled in my head, a graceful voice broke the silence.

“Thank you for coming.”

I immediately knelt down.

“Manbo County Governor, Unryong. I greet the Governor of Shangdang, Zhang Yang.”

I carefully recalled the manners Haryeong had drilled into me over the past few days as I spoke.

“I’ve heard much about you, Governor of Manbo County, Unryong. Raise your head.”

Following her words, I lifted my head, though I still avoided direct eye contact.

This place really had some complicated rules, didn’t it?

“So, what brings the famous Governor of Manbo County to me?”

Her dignified tone made my shoulders shrink.

I wasn’t used to speaking so politely, and it made me cringe inside.

Anyway, the reason I came here?

Simple.

“I, Unryong, cannot stand by idly while the plague of Dong Zhuo spreads across the land. I only wish to offer a small contribution to the footsteps of heroes.”

“Are you asking me to accept you under my command?”

“My apologies, but that is not the case.”

She furrowed her brow as if I had just said something ridiculous.

“So, you just need a name to act under? You want me to lend you my name?”

“Yes.”

Her already quiet voice grew even softer.

“And why should I lend you my name? Why should I trust you, of all people, and bear the weight of your actions?”

From her perspective, I was just a low-born thug asking for her name, so it was only natural for her to see me as an opportunist looking for an easy way up.

Considering I only recently made a name for myself in the Wuyuan region, it wasn’t unreasonable for her to think of me as an overconfident fool.

Therefore, I had to persuade her here.

“I understand the concerns you have, Governor of Shangdang. In an era filled with deceit and greed, it is indeed difficult to trust someone.”

“Yes, it seems you do understand. So, I’m not particularly drawn to your proposal. After all, aren’t you also known as a mad dog? That doesn’t seem like a very favorable title.”

This woman…

She had been so composed, but now she crossed her legs and spoke as if mocking me.

“Then why not trust my abilities, if not my character?”

“That’s an interesting suggestion. And how do you intend to prove it?”

Suppressing my anger, I signaled to Haryeong, who brought out a prepared box.

“I lived my life swinging a sword rather than a brush. Although my background is lacking, I’ve gained a wealth of experience, and I’ve dealt with the plague in Wuyuan.”

With that, I opened the box.

Inside lay the severed head of Qing Niujiao, cleanly cut.

“This is the head of one of the leaders of the Black Mountain Bandits, Qing Niujiao.”

“······.”

“Though I may not compare to other generals, my force of two hundred defeated a group of two thousand. I believe we can elevate the name of the Governor of Shangdang. This is just a small token of proof.”

“······.”

Hmm? Why wasn’t she saying anything?

I couldn’t help but look at her face more carefully for the first time.

Zhang Yang, who had been calm until now, was trembling, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably.

What’s going on?

I thought, and I pushed Qing Niujiao’s head a bit closer.

And then…

“Hic, hiccup…”

For a while, the sound of cute hiccups echoed in the room…