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

Chapter 81. Approaching Shadows (2)

A month had passed since Cao Cao enthroned the Emperor.

Looking at Chang’an alone, one might be deceived into thinking that peace would last forever, but the political situation was rapidly deteriorating.

It all began when Yuan Shao dealt with Han Fu of Ji Province and took control of Hebei.

Once Yuan Shao made his move, the other warlords started making moves of their own, each assessing the situation carefully.

In particular, Yuan Shu was enraged when he saw his brother, whom he considered of lowly blood, advancing ahead of him.

As a result, Sun Jian’s campaign accelerated even further.

“The area around Guanzhong, where Cao Cao’s forces are stationed, is well-suited for defense. The mountain range surrounds it like a fortress wall, making the terrain treacherous, and the Guanzhong plains allow self-sufficiency. Therefore, even after the war, if the conflict drags into a long-term battle, achieving victory will be difficult.”

At Sun Jian’s words, Sun Ce, who had been summoned from Jiangling, rested his chin on his hand.

“So, you’re saying we need to force a full-scale confrontation.”

“Yes. However, Chang’an is home to a ghost.”

“I’ve heard the rumors. Father, is that person truly that strong?”

“I don’t know. I’ve heard that he wields a sword that reaches the sky and can even disappear from sight. It’s likely an exaggeration, but his martial prowess is undeniable. He’s undoubtedly the most formidable general we need to be wary of in this war.”

“There are too many things to be mindful of. ‘He who takes Guanzhong takes the world’—seems like those words are not wrong. But we have you and me, don’t we? They will never be able to defeat the Sun family.”

“Do not act rashly. How many times have I told you? No matter how heated your body becomes in battle, your mind must remain cool. Excessive confidence only turns into poison.”

“…Yes, Father. I will keep that in mind.”

When Sun Ce bowed his head respectfully, Sun Jian smiled faintly and patted his son’s shoulder.

“People call me a tiger. But no matter how powerful a beast, life has its end. I, too, will soon set like the evening star. The future of the Sun family rests on your shoulders. I am merely laying the foundation. If we win this war, you must rule the world in my stead. So, in any situation, do not lose your composure and stay calm. That is the true posture of a ruler.”

“…Father, why do you speak like that? The Tiger of Jiangdong is still alive and standing boldly before me.”

“Yes, it’s not yet time.”

Sun Jian rose to his feet.

He caressed the scabbard at his waist as he walked forward.

“I am Sun Jian, the Tiger of Jiangdong. And I shall be the pillar of the Sun family.”

At Sun Jian’s words, Sun Ce stood beside him, his gaze filled with admiration.

“Give the order to march.”

“We are ready.”

***

Yuan Shu, while not denying the legitimacy of Emperor Xian, began his advance westward with Sun Jian at the forefront after recapturing Luoyang.

The justification was simple.

With the chaos in the Central Plains not yet fully resolved due to the rapid shift in control of the Emperor from Dong Zhuo to Cao Cao, he began his advance under the pretext of rescuing the imperial family.

What made this possible was the public sentiment gained from the successful recapture of Luoyang.

Thus, Yuan Shu’s status rose to rival that of his brother, Yuan Shao.

With his birth and newfound military power, he grew into a rising warlord.

As the warlords began carving out their territories, they increasingly rejected the Emperor, recruiting local soldiers and forming independent forces.

This meant that the laws had collapsed.

In such a situation, justifications were as flexible as an earring hanging from the ear or a nose ring hanging from the nose.

The biggest issue was that the coalition forces had yet to properly manage the tens of thousands of prisoners they had captured, and Cao Cao, embroiled in political battles with the imperial family to secure control of the court, was not in peak condition.

Therefore, executing Lü Bu was the last thing on anyone’s mind.

“…Damn it, hey! What’s going on?”

Lü Bu asked the guard stationed at the prison, watching the busy soldiers.

Despite being tightly bound with iron chains, Lü Bu’s fierce aura hadn’t faded, causing the guard to flinch instinctively.

“Stay quiet, prisoner. If you open your mouth one more time, we have the authority to execute you on the spot.”

“Stop bluffing. Has that wildcat bastard already made a move?”

“Wildcat?”

“I’m talking about that so-called tiger bastard.”

“…How do you know that?”

“Ugh! Just answer me instead of acting all secretive. What the hell can I do in this situation?”

“…Their forces have started to surround Chang’an.”

“Damn.”

As the guard cautiously revealed the news, Lü Bu clicked her tongue sharply.

“What about him? What’s that idiot doing?”

“Who?”

“Unryong, that fool!”

“Don’t you dare speak of Sir Unryong with such disrespect! Once he resolves this chaos, your execution will proceed immediately. So keep your mouth shut until then!”

“Damn it… that idiot…”

Lü Bu lowered her head and clenched her teeth.

She bit down so hard that blood dripped from her lips.

Having crossed swords with him, Lü Bu was more certain than anyone.

No one knew the true state he was in.

It wasn’t just about his physical condition.

He was obsessed.

He was consumed by his ideals.

What was it that he used to say all the time?

He used to say that he couldn’t show a pathetic side to his younger brothers.

No matter what, even in the face of death, he always said that.

It was a promise.

A promise a man made to his people, which became his cause.

Thus, he only looked forward.

Yes, it was much like how Lü Bu had been obsessed with killing Unryong.

Once consumed by ideals, you can no longer see those around you.

And that’s not all.

The biggest problem is that you lose even the slightest regard for your own safety.

When the cause outweighs your own life, that’s when one becomes a hero and the closest a person can get to death.

“…Tell Cao Cao, that vixen, not to send him to the battlefield.”

“Stop spouting nonsense! Sir Unryong would never surrender to such a situation!”

“A useless piece of trash!”

– Clang!

“Ah, ah!”

Even bound by chains, when Lü Bu’s body tried to lunge forward, the guard fell back on his rear.

Her eyes burned fiercely, a glaring reminder that this was the woman once hailed as the Peerless Warrior of the World.

“I said… deliver the message…”

Lü Bu spoke, brimming with resentment.

Lü Bu, too, had allowed her ideals to outweigh her own life, and thus sought to abandon it.

She had lost her value, and the reason to fight had disappeared.

So, she thought it right that her blood-stained life should end here.

Yet, why did she still feel this fury?

What was reigniting this heart that had once burned out?

One thing was clear—right now, Lü Bu wanted to grip her halberd more than she wanted death.

But she was a prisoner.

And a loser.

She knew better than anyone that this was not her time.

Even so…

“Listen carefully… His life belongs to me, Lü Bu, and only I have the right to take it. If he dies here meaninglessly, I will show you all hell.”

She could not be stopped.

***

“Brother, are you really okay?!”

“Huh?”

As I was sharpening my blade, Haryeong clung to my arm, looking worried as she scolded me.

“You’re not fully healed yet, are you? Earlier, you seemed to have some difficulty moving—”

“So, should I just sit around in a situation like this? Besides, I’m perfectly fine. Don’t worry.”

“…That’s…”

“Hey, you. If your brother is going off to battle, the least you could do is cheer him on… Tsk, tsk. When did you become so contrary?”

“I’m just worried, okay?! Can’t I even be worried anymore?!”

“Alright, alright.”

I patted Haryeong lightly on the head.

“I’ll bring you victory again this time. So don’t worry, Haryeong.”

“…If you’re really alright, then I have no issue.”

As I ruffled her hair, Sima Yi, who had apparently approached unnoticed, lightly smacked my hand away.

“Do you do this with everyone?”

“…Huh?”

“No, it’s nothing. Haryeong, you need to make sure to check the supplies thoroughly. If there’s even a single mistake—”

“Eek! I’m sorry!”

Although Haryeong seemed to be older, she scampered off like a drenched mouse whenever she faced Sima Yi.

I wonder what kind of terrible sight she had witnessed.

“And you, Uncle. I told you to rest.”

“Is it really something I can afford to rest on?”

“Well… not really.”

Sima Yi pouted as if struggling for words.

“Why is everyone making such a fuss? Do you all really not trust me? Afraid I might die a meaningless death?”

“Of course, we don’t think that.”

“Of course, that’s how it should be. And I have my own plans. This time, I won’t be leading the vanguard. A friend of mine told me that people in my position are better off staying in the back.”

“…That’s true. But you’re not just going to sit quietly, are you?”

“Of course, I’m going to take the head of their leader. I’ll end this chaos swiftly. Any objections?”

“…Fine, fine. Got it.”

Sima Yi shook her head, as if she could no longer argue.

“If that’s what you’ve decided, Uncle, then just answer this one thing. Can you still use that skill you showed last time?”

“Of course.”

Though unstable, I could still wield sword qi.

Though my martial arts were shaky, I could still perform at an acceptable level.

However, I wouldn’t be able to sustain it for as long as before.

So, my plan was to strike only when I could decisively take the enemy leader’s head.

As I walked, the stares from my subordinates, other than my younger siblings, were overwhelming.

With this much pressure, I couldn’t afford to show a disgraceful side.

Right, there was no longer any room for hesitation.

Now, just a little more.

If we could seize control of the Central Plains and conquer Jiangdong and Hebei in this battle, everything would come to an end.

The peace my younger siblings and my people had longed for.

I would bring this turbulent era to an end with my own hands.