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

Chapter 45: The Heavenly Extreme Linked Illusion Seven Techniques (1)

After a brief rest, we headed straight for the banquet hall.

The road leading to the hall was dazzling, lined with intricate lanterns casting their bright light, illuminating the streets.

Luxurious silk drapes were hung everywhere, adding to the grandeur of the scene.

I left my men waiting outside and pushed open the grand doors of the banquet hall.

Inside, the first thing I saw was the neatly arranged tables and chairs, clearly made from expensive wood.

Lively music echoed throughout the room, and graceful courtesans danced elegantly while plucking their instruments.

I stood there, unable to close my gaping mouth, overwhelmed by the grand sight before me.

“You must be tired from your long journey.”

I turned toward the source of the voice and saw Gongsun Zan seated at the highest spot in the hall.

His sharp eyes seemed even more piercing today.

“Thank you for the invitation.”

I clasped my hands together and bowed respectfully, to which he nodded in satisfaction.

“No need for such words. You, more than anyone, deserve the highest hospitality.”

“Your praise is too much.”

“Let’s skip the formalities and get straight to it. Tonight, cast aside all worries and relax.”

At his words, I took a seat at one of the chairs.

Soon after, Liu, Guan, and Zhang—the three sisters—entered the hall one after the other.

They confidently stood before Gongsun Zan, clearly familiar with the scene.

“We greet our elder brother.”

“You don’t have to be so formal.”

Gongsun Zan chuckled heartily.

“Bring out the food.”

Seeing him like this, he seemed quite the affable man.

The image Zhang Fei had painted of Gongsun Zan didn’t seem to match the person before me.

A spread of delicacies was quickly brought out, filling the once-empty table.

The air in the hall soon became thick with the aroma of food and the warmth of conversation.

Seeing my men excitedly taking their seats and digging into the feast, I was glad I had brought them along.

I wanted to sit with them, but unfortunately, this wasn’t the time for that.

In front of me was a large, roasted pig, painted in a glossy red.

“Don’t hold back. Please, enjoy.”

Seated with me were Gongsun Zan, his lieutenants, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and my own lieutenant, Zhao Yun.

“Now, let’s raise a glass for our esteemed guest, who has graced us with his presence.”

At Gongsun Zan’s words, we all sat down and lifted our cups.

“Though this land may be insignificant, I will ensure that you are treated with the respect you deserve during your time here. Your loyalty, sacrifice, and righteousness are virtues this world desperately needs, and you have exemplified them brilliantly.”

I was tired of hearing about loyalty and righteousness.

I didn’t want to hear those words anymore.

“It wasn’t anything like that. I merely joined the coalition to secure a way to survive, to feed my men, and to find my own path to success.”

“Success, you say.”

I worried for a moment that I might have offended him, but Gongsun Zan simply laughed heartily.

“Good. It’s good to be honest. Whatever your purpose, your actions have brought peace to the people. How could anyone belittle that?”

With a firm thud, Gongsun Zan set down his cup.

“However, this is no time to celebrate. Dong Zhuo’s tyranny is still unchecked. The Emperor remains in his clutches.”

The Emperor.

In the end, the coalition failed to rescue him, leaving Dong Zhuo’s tyranny to continue.

“I invited you here not only to honor your accomplishments but also to present you with a proposal.”

“A proposal?”

“Yes, but first, I must ask. What do you think of the current state of the world?”

“A time of chaos. That’s the only word that comes to mind.”

“A fitting answer. Chaos. This damned chaotic world. Now that the eunuchs are gone, that wretched pig controls the land. How could such madness be allowed? And what enables this madness?”

The reason was simple—Dong Zhuo’s control over the Emperor.

Liu Bei spoke up, voicing this thought.

“It’s because the traitor is holding the Imperial Court hostage.”

“Exactly. With the Emperor, the embodiment of the Han Dynasty’s mandate, in his hands, Dong Zhuo is free to do as he pleases.”

Gongsun Zan poured more wine into my cup.

“I was speaking with the Governor of Bohai and the Governor of Ji Province recently. With the coalition dissolved, Dong Zhuo’s forces in Chang’an remain intact. If we don’t act soon, we’ll cross a point of no return. They said something rather amusing. Do you know of the Governor of You Province?”

I remembered the name from what Liu Bei had told me, another royal relative.

When I nodded, Gongsun Zan’s smile widened, nearly splitting his face.

“They’re thinking of installing him as the new Emperor.”

“…A new Emperor?”

Liu Bei looked shocked.

“Yes, a new dynasty to replace the current one.”

The meaning was clear.

They planned to depose the current Emperor and establish their own rule, securing legitimacy for themselves, just like Dong Zhuo had.

By allying with Ji Province and securing Hebei, they could potentially seize control of the Central Plains.

With perfect justification and the strength to back it up, Gongsun Zan was predicting a new wave of bloodshed.

“This is madness. How can they enthrone another Emperor when the current one is still alive and well? Ignoring the rightful ruler is an act of treason. They’ve become no different from Dong Zhuo.”

My mind spun with the weight of this revelation.

While I had been isolated in the mountains, so many things had already been set into motion.

Another war.

Another great war loomed on the horizon.

The burning city of Luoyang flashed in my mind again.

The thought chilled me to the core.

“I have but one proposal for you.”

“And what would that be?”

He responded in a serious tone.

“Come to You Province. Become my right hand, and together we will eliminate these traitors. That is the path of righteousness, the loyalty we must uphold to the Han Dynasty. Become a hero once more.”

“Wait, elder brother.”

Liu Bei interjected.

She tapped the table lightly with her finger, a cold smile playing on her lips.

“If you go through with this, countless people in Hebei will lose their lives.”

“Xuande, what is the world to you?”

“Master Lu Zhi taught us that the world is its people.”

Yes, I had come here to find an answer, and Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei had all given me the same one.

Was this the path I was supposed to take?

Liu Bei continued.

“Taking care of the people is the same as taking care of the world. That is the duty of the Han Court. But now you’re planning to start another war? Wouldn’t it be better to support the Governor of You Province to help the Emperor instead…?”

“You’re wrong! Both Master Lu and you!”

Gongsun Zan’s eyes blazed with anger.

“That’s just hypocrisy! The world belongs to those who can rule it! The Governor of You Province is nothing but a coward, trembling before barbarians! If he ascends to the throne, the Han will be doomed! How can I, as a loyal servant, stand by and let that happen?”

“But ever since Governor Liu took charge, we’ve achieved peace, haven’t we?”

“Are you really siding with him? Have you been swayed by that scheming snake’s silver tongue? The barbarians are still camped on the borders. Without me, this province would’ve been reduced to rubble! Remember, it’s Gongsun Zan who rules You Province, not that coward. He’s nothing but a spectator.”

Liu Bei silently nodded, her smile fading as she did so.

Gongsun Zan then turned his attention back to me, his expression softening.

“Apologies. Xuande is still a child at heart. We’ve known each other since we were students, but she’s always been too soft, always worrying unnecessarily.”

He refilled my cup.

“I’m prepared to offer you every convenience. If you entered the coalition for the sake of success, then joining me would be the right choice. I promise positions for your men and will ensure you all rise in rank.”

“…”

“All you need to do is accept. I will give you everything. I swear it on my name, Gongsun Zan, that I will see you succeed.”

“…”

Success.

It wasn’t something I cared about. But for my men, it was different.

They were born into poverty.

In the same land where some feast on grand meals, others starve to death for lack of a single grain of rice.

I could show them a better world.

I imagined them dressed in fine robes, pouring me wine, laughing together.

I would tell them tales of my heroic deeds, and we would spend our nights under the moon, sharing stories.

Yes, I only had to go to war.

It would be far better for me to fight alone than to send my two hundred men to their deaths.

If I showed Gongsun Zan my martial prowess, perhaps I could both protect my men and help them rise in the world.

“What are you hesitating for? All you have to do is accept.”

Maybe this was the path of heroism.

But I was still in Luoyang.

So, where was I now?

My thoughts tangled.

My vision blurred, and the landscape seemed to shift and change.

“Let’s just find a quiet place and settle down. Isn’t that the ‘martial way’ you talked about?”

“You cowards.”

“Save me! It’s burning! It’s burning!”

“Mom! Mommy!”

“Please, save my child…!”

“How could you be so cruel? You just wanted the Imperial Seal for yourself!”

“It’s already a broken pillar. No matter how much you try to repair it, it can’t be restored.”

“You’re right. The only way to stop this chaos is through strength.”

I saw the burning city of Luoyang, the broken pillars, and those eyes that urged me forward.

So, I…

“Choose.”

I…

“If you give up that pitiful belief of yours, I’ll spare your life. Not only that, I’ll guarantee your success.”

I…

“Brother!”

“Save our brother! Everyone, throw yourselves in!”

…

“What can you do with a body like that?”

“Give up…”

“Give up already!”

What I saw then were the deaths of my men.

The burning city of Luoyang.

The people in flames.

The greedy eyes.

The crumbling pillar.

“…What are you looking at?”

And the sky.

It was just the sky, with clouds lazily drifting by.

I still didn’t understand what loyalty or righteousness truly meant. I didn’t know how to save the world or its people.

But still, I made a choice back then.

When my men were dying, even if it meant my own death.

I chose to pick up my sword.

“…What are you doing?”

I set the cup down.

This wasn’t what I was meant to hold.

“Governor.”

I spoke.

“I won’t do it.”

“…What are you saying? Do you intend to become a traitor, like them?”

“Governor, the truth is, I was a fool. I wandered aimlessly, clinging to hollow ideals, not even knowing where I was.”

To keep from going mad, I had clung to the dream of a martial world.

I had to believe that my actions were for the sake of justice, that my bloodstained hands were cleansed by that dream.

But that wasn’t true. It never was.

“I was always like this. A fool who did whatever I wanted, walking my own path.”

I had always chosen my own way.

Whether it was right or wrong.

I chose what I believed to be right.

“Even if it leads to treason?”

“Listen carefully. Treason? Justice? Loyalty? I don’t care about any of that.”

I continued.

“I’ve always been an idiot who only follows the path I believe is right. That’s the life I’ve lived as Unryong.”

That was the path I had walked for the past ten years.