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

Chapter 30: Peerless Warrior and Martial Artists (6)

Humans pursue life.

This is an undeniable truth.

At least, Lü Bu had never questioned it.

She had seen it.

How ugly human beings could become.

This was an era of chaos.

The lives of common people, no more significant than weeds, were as light as swarms of flies, crushed and trampled on in this time.

The one fortunate thing was that Lü Bu was born with strength unlike others.

Strength alone had allowed Lü Bu to survive in this chaotic world.

She flaunted her strength to stay alive, and many people revered her for it.

Everything was simple.

If someone blocked her path, she would cut them down. If someone mocked her, she would strike them down as well.

And as she continued, more and more people sought her strength.

Then she met Ding Yuan.

He was captivated by Lü Bu’s overwhelming power and gave her everything she wanted.

Thus, Lü Bu served under him, spending her days in comfort.

He cherished Lü Bu deeply, even commanding her to call him “Father” and treat him as family.

Lü Bu didn’t particularly yearn for family affection, nor did she crave such emotions.

She simply followed his orders.

As a result, she received delicious food, treasures, and power.

It was enjoyable.

Then the incident happened.

It wasn’t anything grand.

She was sent to wipe out Dong Zhuo’s forces on He Jin’s orders, but Dong Zhuo simply offered her a better deal.

Why refuse a superior offer?

She seized it immediately.

It was the natural course of things.

That’s how she had always lived.

Those who followed her were all enamored with her martial prowess.

None of her relationships were built on anything but power.

And so, Lü Bu acted accordingly.

– Thunk!

“Why… why did you…”

The expression on Ding Yuan’s face had been unforgettable.

Betrayal, despair, and fear.

Yes, everyone who faced Lü Bu eventually wore that expression.

That’s just how life was.

You use me as a tool, and I bring you victory.

“Life’s easy.”

“Sis, are you drunk?”

Zhang Liao, lazily chewing on a leaf, looked at Lü Bu as she reclined, sprawled out.

Looking at her like this, the so-called Peerless Under Heaven seemed no different from a carefree drifter.

“Shut up and get me another bottle.”

“…Dammit.”

In Lü Bu’s mind, the world was governed by power.

What would have happened if she had no strength?

The thought only conjured nightmarish images.

Perhaps the greedy bandits who had eyed her hungrily would have torn her apart like a pack of dogs. Or maybe she’d have died long ago.

Thus, power was everything.

Only power could rule all.

That’s what she believed and how she had lived.

But there was someone whose life was completely different from hers.

Someone with power equal to hers, yet who lived like a fool.

“……”

“……Ah.”

It was the worst encounter of her life.

The first time Lü Bu had seen a man’s genitals, she had felt a scream rising up to her throat.

But she couldn’t afford to show such weakness, so she pretended to remain calm.

Time passed.

It didn’t take long for Lü Bu to realize that he was, indeed, a fool.

Chivalry, chivalry, chivalry—that damned chivalry.

The most ridiculous part was that even Unryong himself couldn’t clearly define the chivalry he pursued.

It was proof that he was still immature.

She wanted to make him realize.

That such ideals were worthless here, where only greed, power, and bloodshed ruled.

That was the world.

A world where the corrupted thrived, where people killed, laughed, stole, mocked, and never stopped ridiculing.

A world where people no longer lived as humans.

That was the current Han Dynasty.

Yet, despite Lü Bu’s words, Unryong stepped forward with a smirk.

He risked his life over something as trivial as a promise, throwing himself into battle for a bunch of worthless nobodies.

Always. Always. Always!

“Why do you keep doing such foolish things?!”

She wanted to deny it.

The path he walked.

She had to, or else she would find no peace.

Her chest felt heavy.

It was as if something was blocking her, making her body refuse to move.

Their fight should have been exhilarating, yet why was it not enjoyable?

“Just stop… You’ve done enough!”

Don’t take another step.

Give up, and you’ll find peace.

There’s no need to throw yourself away.

Just follow me. If you do, I’ll guarantee your future.

Like I did.

Like I lived, you can live the same way.

And yet, he swung his sword.

Of course, the unconscious Unryong’s blade could never reach Lü Bu.

It sliced through empty air, and he lost his balance, collapsing to the ground.

He had fallen.

Strangely, Lü Bu felt a sense of relief.

But then, Unryong stood back up.

Lü Bu’s eyes reflected a swirl of emotions.

It was a feeling she couldn’t put into words.

This wasn’t simple fear.

It was a kind of terror beyond human comprehension.

Meanwhile, Unryong’s eyes showed nothing.

He was staring into the void beyond.

“D-don’t come closer…”

Lü Bu raised her halberd, shattering his shoulder. Blood dripped, and white bone showed through.

“Don’t come any closer!”

She sliced through his leg next.

Though she held back, it wasn’t a light wound.

Any normal person wouldn’t be able to move.

Yet Unryong dragged himself forward, pulling his remaining leg toward her.

“Don’t come… Don’t come! Don’t come!”

Lü Bu, once known as the Peerless Warrior, now shook her head like a frightened child.

Then Unryong’s sword rose into the air.

In Lü Bu’s vision, only his sword filled her gaze.

– Swish!

He swung his sword.

Just as he always did.

A small cut appeared on Lü Bu’s cheek.

As if in a trance, Lü Bu raised her hand to touch her cheek.

It was hot.

Burning hot.

“Sis!”

At that moment, Zhang Liao grabbed Lü Bu by the shoulder.

Sensing something wrong with her, he had rushed over, seizing the reins of her horse to drag her away.

“Get on the Red Hare! We don’t have time!”

“Haa… haa…”

Despite Zhang Liao’s urgent shouts, Lü Bu only gasped for breath, not moving at all.

She just kept rubbing her cheek.

“Damn it! Get ahold of yourself! Do you plan to die here like a fool?!”

“…Zhang Liao…”

Even though Lü Bu was the one closest to victory, she looked utterly defeated.

Her hair was disheveled, her eyes twitching.

Blood trickled down from her eyes, a sight so eerie it sent chills down one’s spine.

To make matters worse, Yubi, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei were rapidly approaching, their fierce intent evident.

Zhang Liao grabbed Lü Bu by the neck and slapped her horse’s thigh.

“Sis, are you serious right now? What are you so afraid of?! What does Lü Bu, the Peerless Warrior, have to fear?!”

“Afraid…? Me…?”

Afraid of what?

What could Lü Bu possibly fear?

Suddenly, she looked back at the man, now retreating into the distance.

He was still swinging his sword.

***

“N-no…”

Zhang Yang rushed toward them upon hearing the news.

“…Governor of Shangdang.”

Yubi gently laid Unryong’s body down and bowed respectfully to her.

To Yubi, Zhang Yang’s face was filled with sorrow.

Seeing such emotions from someone toward a mere wanderer—did that mean Zhang Yang was exceptional, or was this man truly remarkable?

It was hard to say.

Meanwhile, behind Yubi, Gongsun Zan clapped his hands.

“Well done.”

Gongsun Zan spoke.

“To have held Lü Bu back even for a moment—thanks to that, we were able to divide our forces and encircle them. I pay my respects to his bravery.”

As he said, after Lü Bu retreated, the battle had quickly come to a close.

Even Zhang Liao had left the battlefield to rescue Lü Bu, so dealing with the remaining remnants was trivial.

It was a decisive victory.

This would be a monumental triumph for the coalition forces.

“Damn…”

Zhang Fei clicked her tongue and muttered quietly.

Guan Yu quickly covered her mouth in shock.

Fortunately, Gongsun Zan didn’t seem to hear it.

Yubi could only sigh.

She didn’t even glance at Gongsun Zan, instead staring intently at the battered man.

Even after Lü Bu left, he had not stopped swinging his sword.

What had kept him going?

And what was that azure light that had reflected in her eyes?

The other warlords seemed not to have noticed, but Yubi, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei had seen it clearly.

A sword that shone brilliantly.

There were many things she wanted to ask.

But now was not the time to satisfy her curiosity.

Yubi slowly, very slowly, stood up.

Finally, she spoke.

“We have won.”

It was a declaration of victory.

Now, they would march to Luoyang.