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

Chapter 29: Peerless Warrior and Martial Artists (5)

“We must help him.”

Yubi, having withdrawn to the rear shortly after the clash between Lü Bu and Unryong, spoke to Gongsun Zan.

Gongsun Zan, resting his chin on his hand, remained silent for a while, deep in thought, before shaking his head.

“We will focus on circling around and breaking through their cavalry and Fang Yue.”

“Brother, Lü Bu is the heart of their army. If we can force Lü Bu to retreat, our forces will surely claim victory.”

Indeed, the tide had turned.

The man who felled Hua Xiong in a single strike was none other than Unryong.

So, it seemed likely that even if he faced Lü Bu, he could hold out for a time.

In that window, if they could surround Lü Bu, she would retreat.

But what would that mean for Yuan Shu’s orders?

The reason Gongsun Zan paid so much attention to Unryong was entirely because of what Yuan Shu had said.

If a lowborn man like Unryong gained all the glory, it would destabilize Yuan Shu’s already tenuous position, drawing the ire of the people.

Yuan Shao and other warlords would seize the opportunity to challenge him.

That, in turn, would threaten Gongsun Zan’s position.

While Gongsun Zan did not believe Yuan Shu would ever become the leader of the realm, there was value in utilizing Yuan Shu’s lineage.

In the barren lands of You Province, ‘he’ was already threatening Gongsun Zan’s place, while other provinces were full of powerful warlords.

For now, securing his position and his alliance with Yuan Shu was of utmost importance.

Thus, even if Unryong were to be slain by Lü Bu, they could honor him after the battle, and if Lü Bu were surrounded by Gongsun Zan’s troops, all of Unryong’s achievements would be credited to him.

It was the perfect opportunity to erase the stain of his earlier retreat.

“Xuande, focus on encircling the enemy for now. Their morale is not yet broken. While that man’s righteous act is commendable, we cannot afford to disrupt the order of battle.”

“…Are you serious?”

Yubi stared at Gongsun Zan in disbelief.

Gongsun Zan’s brow furrowed.

“Do you doubt my judgment?”

“…No, I would never question your grand purpose, Brother. It’s just that my meager mind cannot comprehend it.”

“Private matters can wait until after the war. Move swiftly.”

Yubi, clasping her hands together in a sign of respect, turned toward Zhang Fei and Guan Yu.

“What? You mean we’re just going to leave him there?!”

Having heard the whole situation, Zhang Fei erupted in fury, clenching her teeth so hard it seemed they might shatter.

“Must we follow these orders?”

Even the usually calm and composed Guan Yu frowned deeply, displeased.

“…”

Yubi didn’t answer and simply turned her head away.

She could see the warlords.

They stood, watching the battlefield with dignified expressions.

Yet, none of them made a move.

They merely maintained their noble poise, observing as men killed one another.

Only the Governor of Shangdang could be heard shouting from afar.

She turned her head again.

This time, her gaze rested on the lone man facing Lü Bu.

He had been thrown from his horse, rolling across the ground.

He spoke to one of his fallen comrades.

The soldier, barely able to stand, hastily retreated. His appearance was pitiful.

Now, Unryong was alone.

How could an ordinary man possibly stand against Lü Bu and the Red Hare?

Zhang Fei grabbed Yubi by the shoulders roughly.

“Sister, is this really right?”

Her tone was calm, but her heavy anger was palpable.

“…”

Sometimes, for the sake of a greater cause, one must bow their head.

There was no benefit in getting on Gongsun Zan’s bad side, especially after he had provided Yubi with her place in this coalition.

At that moment—

A beast’s anguished cry rang out.

The sound of such pain snapped Yubi’s head around.

There, she saw Lü Bu had also fallen from her horse, the Red Hare wildly bucking and thrashing about.

It was an incredible feat.

For an infantryman with only a sword to bring down a mounted warrior…

It was beyond the bounds of common sense.

The fierce battle between the two resumed.

Despite Lü Bu’s overwhelming power, Unryong was holding on.

He was not only defending but counterattacking, even pushing forward.

But as time passed, he faltered.

Lü Bu remained unscathed, while Unryong was visibly weakening.

His knees buckled.

Blood sprayed as he was thrown around, rolling on the ground.

Even someone with no knowledge of martial arts could tell that Unryong had reached his limit.

Lü Bu stood before him.

She aimed her halberd at him and exchanged a few words.

Meanwhile, Zhang Fei had already mounted her horse, ready to charge out.

Guan Yu, too, was gripping her reins, and Yubi found herself unconsciously moving her feet.

But before they could act, others arrived first.

“Brother!”

Soldiers rushed past them.

Their appearance was wretched, nothing like the proud warlords and their troops.

They looked more like beggars than soldiers.

Yet, they marched forward, determined to face Lü Bu.

There was not a shred of fear in their backs.

Only bravery.

Yubi mounted her horse.

“Tell Brother that we’re going to support them.”

She spoke the words without thinking.

Great righteousness.

And loyalty.

Yubi’s limited understanding couldn’t grasp the difference between them.

But one thing was clear.

Those men shone brighter than any of the warlords present.

A desperate cry echoed across the battlefield.

A loud, heart-wrenching shout pounded in her ears.

“Please retreat. Stop this. Please, just stop.”

The man calling out was already crawling across the ground.

Unable to use his arms, he buried his face in the dirt, inching forward with his teeth.

Then, a soldier grabbed him by the waist and dragged him away.

Unryong flailed desperately.

He could still fight.

This wasn’t an opponent they could face.

Even his voice lost its strength. You could see the life draining from him.

Yubi, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei gripped their reins and hurried toward the fight.

At that moment, Unryong managed to shake off the soldier holding him and stumbled toward Lü Bu.

He tripped and dropped his sword several times along the way.

“That fool! Does he really intend to die?!”

Zhang Fei shouted, her voice full of frustration.

Guan Yu’s face was tense, her lips pressed together tightly as she watched the man struggle.

And then, Lü Bu charged at him.

– Boom!

A huge cloud of sand exploded into the air.

The sound was thunderous, like an explosion, and the women could only stare, frozen in place.

Yubi’s usual smile disappeared.

If only she had moved. If only she hadn’t hesitated.

That man wouldn’t have died so meaninglessly.

She closed her eyes tightly, unable to bear witnessing his end.

What had been right, and what had been wrong?

Yubi silently chastised herself.

“…W-What… is that?”

Zhang Fei’s deflated voice broke the silence, prompting Yubi to slowly open her eyes.

Her jet-black eyes reflected a brilliant blue light, like the clear sky.

***

Lü Bu stared at her halberd.

The Fangtian Huaji, which had shone through countless battles, now had a crack in its blade.

It was the first time the Fangtian Huaji had been damaged.

Slowly, Lü Bu turned her gaze.

Unryong was approaching.

He was in shambles, his body covered in blood, and one arm was completely shattered.

“Give up…”

Lü Bu spoke, gripping her halberd tightly.

“I said give up!”

Despite her desperate shout, the blue light around Unryong’s sword only grew stronger.

What is that?

Lü Bu felt a chill.

Unryong drew closer.

Lü Bu hurriedly raised her halberd.

Death.

How long had it been since she had felt this sensation?

To think she was feeling this toward a man who was practically a corpse.

It was absurd.

Finally—Swish.

The sword moved.

“…”

Lü Bu said nothing.

Again, the sword swung.

The brilliant blue light faded, leaving only a worn-out sword moving sluggishly.

Lü Bu’s eyes met Unryong’s.

His eyes were already dimming.

He wasn’t looking at Lü Bu.

Lü Bu followed his gaze.

It was the sky.

Clouds drifted lazily by, the sun shining as it always did—a sky no different from any other day.

“…What are you looking at?”

Lü Bu asked.

But the man, already unconscious, couldn’t answer.

He was simply swinging his sword.

Swinging, and swinging again.