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

Chapter 50. Heavenly Extreme Linked Illusion Sword Technique (6)

The sunlight shattered on the flowing water.

It was a small lake, surrounded by sporadically growing, vividly colored flowers.

Ahead, a well-maintained lawn spread out in lush green, with a pavilion on one side, where a few people were enjoying tea.

As I moved forward, a faint floral scent filled the air, while birds chirped, and leaves rustled as they fell in the gentle breeze.

The residence of the Governor of You Province was more modest than expected.

In stark contrast to the extravagant banquet hosted by Gongsun Zan, this place was devoid of splendor, exuding only a pastoral charm.

“You and Unryong stay here. I’ll be back soon.”

“Yes, Master.”

“And don’t let any careless words slip.”

I had left Sima Yi and Zhao Yun to wait.

There was no need to bring them along to a gathering of warlords.

Still, it’s hard to believe such a high-ranking noble resides in a place like this.

It was so unpretentious that I might have mistaken it for a low-ranking official’s residence.

With that thought, I arrived at the front of the military encampment.

Before the residence stood men who looked like official guards, their spears firmly planted in the ground.

Their stern expressions suited them quite well.

“Halt, I need to verify your identity.”

“I am Unryong of Manbo County.”

“…Are you that famous…?”

The guard widened his eyes and stared at me.

I casually showed him my identification tag, and he quickly stepped aside.

“I will call an attendant to guide you inside.”

“Ah, yes.”

I was soon led into the encampment.

The wooden floorboards creaked as though they might give way.

After walking for a while, the attendant stopped and opened the door for me.

Soon, familiar faces came into view.

“It’s been a while.”

A man, adorned in gaudy ornaments and wearing a golden helmet, sat and spoke. His appearance clashed entirely with the serene surroundings.

Beside him was a middle-aged man with a bulging stomach.

I immediately clasped my hands together and bowed politely.

“Greetings, General Yuan Shao and Governor of Ji Province.”

“Oh! If it isn’t Unryong!”

The Governor of Ji Province, Han Fu, spread his arms wide, his robust frame on full display, welcoming me warmly.

“I’d heard rumors that you were staying in You Province, but to think it was true! Ever since the coalition disbanded, I haven’t had the chance to greet you!”

“No need to worry about that.”

“Don’t just stand there, take a seat.”

At Yuan Shao’s invitation, I sat across from them.

“How have you been?” Yuan Shao asked.

“Well, I’ve been recuperating, just getting by.”

“I see. It’s good to see you healthy, which is the most important thing.”

“It’s all thanks to your care, General.”

“I’ve hardly done anything. Don’t be so modest.”

Yuan Shao chuckled heartily, clearly pleased.

“Aman has been yearning to see you.”

“Aman? You mean Mengde?”

“That’s right. Aman is a fierce competitor who never lets go of a target once it’s in her sights. I suspect her insatiable need to win has flared up again.”

Cao Cao.

I hadn’t seen her since our rather unpleasant parting.

“So, what brings someone as renowned as you here?”

“Well…”

“Feel free to speak.”

I couldn’t exactly say, *I’m here to gauge the relationship between you and Gongsun Zan.*

As I pondered how to respond, the door suddenly opened, and Liu Bei entered the room.

“Hmm.”

At that, Yuan Shao leaned back, as if his mood had been spoiled.

“It’s been a while,” Liu Bei greeted them with a soft smile, bowing to the two of them.

Han Fu greeted her warmly with open arms, just as he had with me, but Yuan Shao remained unmoved, maintaining his dignified posture.

“We’ve done enough of that back in Luoyang. Why don’t you just take a seat first?”

It was a stark contrast to the way he treated me.

Yuan Shao even rested his chin on his hand and gestured to where Liu Bei should sit with his finger.

“Over there seems suitable. It’s a fitting spot for a peaceful magistrate.”

The seat was obviously in the corner, a clear sign of disregard.

Liu Bei, however, calmly took her seat without protest.

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“There’s no need to worry about it. But, you know, I don’t really like the idea of being watched by anyone.”

“What are you saying? How could a mere border magistrate like me take on such an important role?”

“A dog that thinks it’s a tiger is the most dangerous kind. Don’t you know when to stop overstepping your bounds?”

“If I’ve offended you, General, I offer my apologies.”

“Don’t worry. That wasn’t directed at you, Magistrate. Just talking to myself.”

Yuan Shao quietly chuckled as he said that.

Clearly, he wasn’t happy about Gongsun Zan trying to keep tabs on him.

What struck me as odd, though, was that despite Yuan Shao’s evident dislike for Liu Bei, he’d been rather kind toward me.

In any case, we sat in silence for a while, only Han Fu breaking the quiet now and then with recitations of poetry or chatter about food.

Just as I was wondering whether I should tell that pig to shut up, a voice was heard outside.

“The Governor of You Province has arrived!”

With that loud announcement, the door opened.

A middle-aged man entered. His beard was speckled with gray, and his deeply lined face suggested he was nearing old age.

Though his attire wasn’t as flashy as that of the other warlords, his air of refinement was unmistakable.

Each step he took lacked force, yet it exuded grace.

He had a dignified, calm appearance—nothing particularly remarkable, just an old man with a somewhat noble demeanor.

Finally, he sat down.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen such familiar faces.”

He said, suddenly meeting my gaze.

I looked into his eyes. I had no recollection of ever meeting him.

Soon, he turned his head.

“Such esteemed guests, visiting this humble land. What brings you here?”

“It’s hardly a humble land,” Yuan Shao took the lead in responding.

“How could the land that a member of the imperial family treads upon be considered humble? Such a notion is absurd.”

“So, you’re the famous leader of the coalition.”

“Please, those words are too kind. In truth, I have failed in my great cause and now wander aimlessly, nothing more than a humble man.”

“I am much the same. My imperial lineage is faint, and I have accomplished little compared to you. I am in no position to feel proud.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“I understand. Please, don’t be so hard on yourself.”

When Yuan Shao fell silent, he continued.

“I should have introduced myself earlier. I am Liu Yu, styled Bai’an, the Governor of You Province.”

“Yuan Shao, styled Benchu.”

“Han Fu, styled Wenzhe.”

“Liu Bei, styled Xuande.”

“Unryong. I don’t have a courtesy name.”

Liu Yu nodded, then stood up, stretching his back.

“Good. Let’s start with some tea. After all, we’ll need to wet our throats before we can really start talking. Please wait a moment.”

With that, he opened the door himself and briefly disappeared from sight.

Then, the commotion outside began.

— “What, what are you doing, Governor?!”

— “Didn’t you tell us to take care of these things?!”

— “Hurry, bring him back inside! What will those people think of our Governor?!”

— “Why are you all just standing there?! Hurry and prepare the refreshments!”

It was utter chaos.

Soon, the Governor of You Province returned.

He wore a bitter smile, his hands empty.

“…Nothing ever goes as I wish…”

He looked like a defeated soldier as he said this.

*Is this man really the great figure I was told about?*

Liu Bei, is this really the man you spoke so highly of?

I shot a glance at Liu Bei, but all I got in return was an inscrutable smile.

Crash!

The door opened again with a bang, and a maid entered, sweating profusely, carrying some light snacks and tea.

After catching her breath for a moment, she swiftly set the table with deft hands.

Wow, she’s faster than me.

And then, just as quickly, she disappeared.

Liu Yu sighed but lifted his teacup slowly.

“Let’s talk while we drink.”

At Liu Yu’s gesture, Yuan Shao also lifted his cup.

“So, what brings such esteemed guests to my humble abode?”

“The answer is loyalty.”

“Loyalty, you say?”

“Yes, the loyalty to restore the Han Dynasty. That is why we sought an audience with the Governor.”

At Yuan Shao’s words, Liu Yu’s lips curled into a faint smile.

“Loyalty… it has a nice ring to it. But I’m afraid it’s not a reason that applies to me. As I mentioned earlier, I’m just a withering fruit. Loyalty to me isn’t the same as loyalty to the Han Dynasty.”

“At least, that’s not how I, Yuan Shao, see it.”

Yuan Shao slowly removed his golden helmet and placed it down.

“It’s been ten years since I took to the battlefield, but nothing has changed.”

“That is unfortunate.”

“Yes, very unfortunate.”

Yuan Shao continued.

“This chaos, this nightmare—there are no words to describe how it’s consumed our Han Dynasty. We saw it with our own eyes. Luoyang in flames, the Emperor, a mere puppet in the hands of that greedy monster.”

At Yuan Shao’s words, memories of Luoyang flashed before my eyes.

The burning city, and the warlords scrambling to seize the imperial seal.

“They said the capital had moved to Chang’an.”

“Yes. If things continue as they are, his tyranny will start anew. The helpless commoners will be trampled underfoot, their wails unending.”

“I am well aware of it.”

“This is what I, Yuan Shao, believe.”

Suddenly, Yuan Shao slammed his hand on the table.

“The Dong Zhuo regime must come to an end.”

“I share that belief.”

“However, now I’m beginning to doubt whether it’s the right thing to do. Until now, as a member of the Yuan clan, I believed that my blood ran with unwavering loyalty, but now I see that the Han imperial family is rife with corruption and incompetence.”

“That’s a dangerous statement.”

“One night, a dear friend and I sat drinking, gazing out the window. We saw a rotting tree, leaning weakly against the window frame. My friend said to me, ‘That tree is the current Han Dynasty.’ So we laughed and said, ‘One day, we’ll revive that rotten tree.’ But we were wrong.”

Yuan Shao continued.

“Next to it, new roots were beginning to grow. Roots that would soon grow into something more formidable.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“Please allow me, Yuan Shao, to witness the emergence of that new tree.”

Liu Yu rested his chin in his hand.

“Are you suggesting that I become those new roots?”

“His Majesty is still young. Of course, I would never doubt the imperial family, but since His Majesty fell into Dong Zhuo’s clutches, he has become nothing more than a puppet, wielding a sword without realizing it. If that’s the case, then we must draw our own swords, must we not?”

Yuan Shao pushed his helmet aside and knelt on the ground.

“I, Yuan Shao, will be your sword. Along with the Governor of Ji Province, we will pave the way to Chang’an and reclaim the lost imperial family.”

It was a startling sight to see such a proud man adopt such a humble posture.

I was watching when Liu Yu let out a deep sigh.

“That would only lead to another war.”

“Virtue alone cannot bring peace to the world.”

“But the strength of the people who gather in trust of that virtue—that is the mandate of heaven.”

“I believe that virtue is something the people only choose in times of peace.”

“Do you truly believe there is an owner of this world?”

“The world must be led. We are the ones who will lead it forward.”

“Hmm.”

Liu Yu turned away from Yuan Shao and directed his gaze to Han Fu.

“Then what do you think?”

“Oh, I’m not sure I should say, but I share General Yuan’s thoughts. Isn’t it the duty of warlords to lead those who are powerless?”

“And what about you?”

This time, it was Liu Bei.

She smiled softly and bowed her head slightly.

“The world is the people. That is all that comes to mind.”

“That’s a fine sentiment. And you?”

Finally, he turned to me.

I remained silent for a moment.

The gaze of all the warlords was on me.

Shit, I feel like I’m about to puke.

To be honest, I can’t give a polished answer like the others, damn it.

I scratched the back of my head and finally opened my mouth.

“Does it really matter?”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know if the world is that important.”

“Hoo. Then, what is important?”

“Righteousness.”

“Righteousness?”

“I come from a humble background, so I can’t offer a great answer. But I believe the most important thing is to help those in need, to not abandon the weak, and to act without hesitation on what I believe to be right.”

“…”

Liu Yu gazed at me for a moment.

Then he spoke.

“You’re answering a different question.”

“…”

Did I speak too rashly? But I really didn’t have anything else to say!

Liu Yu continued.

“But yes. I see. You’re not the type to only look at the sky.”

What’s this?

Liu Yu was smiling gently.

– Clink!

He then set his teacup down.

“This is what I believe. There is no ruler of the world. All things under heaven are interconnected, and everything is in a constant cycle. Day and night, the changing of seasons, the cycle of life—everything moves according to this principle.”

Hearing that, I widened my eyes.

Liu Yu’s gaze returned to Yuan Shao.

“Heaven is just heaven. If you only look at the sky, you will eventually stumble and fall.”

“Is that so?”

Yuan Shao had regained his dignified posture. His golden eyes glimmered.

“Moreover, how can there be two suns under this vast sky? If that were to happen, the earth would crack, dry up, and famine would ensue. Countless lives would be lost. Therefore, I have no intention of rising to a position that is beyond me.”

“…I understand your intentions.”

The respectful Yuan Shao surprisingly conceded rather quickly.

“Very well.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“Then, I will take my leave.”

Yuan Shao stood up, and Han Fu hurriedly adjusted his clothes before rising as well.

“I hope we meet again.”

“I also hope for that.”

With that, the door closed with a thud.

“Shall we go too? There are other matters we need to discuss.”

Liu Bei whispered softly.

I couldn’t bring myself to respond.

Right now, I was overwhelmed.

My heart was racing uncontrollably.

It wasn’t just the shock of seeing someone willingly refuse the throne, but that wasn’t all.

“There is no ruler of the world.”

I muttered those words unconsciously.

And heaven, he said, is just heaven.

All things in the world are interconnected, constantly circulating. And this continuous cycle is the principle of Linked Illusion.

Where this ultimately reaches is the Heavenly Extreme.

Heavenly Extreme and Linked Illusion.

Without realizing it, my body began to tremble.

“Uh, I need to go!”

Suddenly, I stood up.

I felt an overwhelming urge to draw my sword right away.

It was pure instinct.

“Very well, off you go.”

At Liu Yu’s words, I hurriedly walked away.

“Let’s meet again next time. Perhaps we can go fishing together.”

I heard him say something, but I didn’t have the mental space to care.

With a bang, I opened the door.