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

Chapter 47. Heavenly Extreme Linked Illusion Sword Technique (3)

It was a morning when the sword qi gleamed particularly brightly under the sunlight.

With my hand gripping the sword, I took a large step to the left.

Using the recoil of my shoulder, I performed the Linked Illusion Sword.

In an instant, two blades formed, disrupting the view.

Next, I halted for a moment, pivoted on my right foot, and spun my body. A series of continuous strikes flowed like water.

All movements were naturally connected. External martial arts were like flowing rivers—regardless of stance or movement, one should be able to seamlessly execute the next strike.

Originally, life and death were decided with a single blade, so it was wise to think that the moment you showed any gap, you were as good as dead.

Then, I naturally stopped and opened the Gate of Entry.

As expected, ever since I reached the threshold of the first-rate level, I didn’t feel any major side effects.

Moreover, opening the Gate of Opening seemed to have reduced the side effects significantly compared to before.

Normally, I should have suffered severe internal injuries, but my Lower Dantian had become firm, allowing me to endure even when expelling qi.

At this rate, I might end up becoming a true master.

In any case, I moved on to the next form of the Heavenly Extreme Linked Illusion Sword Technique —Six Linked Illusion Slashes .

This time, there were six blades.

The swords filled my vision, much like clouds covering the sun.

Certainly, it had become sharper than before.

Now, I had to push even further.

I took another step forward, directing my internal energy not to my Lower Dantian, but to my Middle Dantian.

It was to reach a gate I had never touched before.

The Gate of Blood.

I could feel the internal energy flowing through my meridians, coursing through my entire body.

Finally, I reached the Middle Dantian.

From here, I had to unlock the Gate of Blood, located near the heart.

If I could just manage that, my internal energy would become much more stable, and I would finally be able to utilize my Middle Dantian, marking me as a true first-rate master.

However.

“Urgh…!”

It wasn’t easy.

Blood spurted from my mouth.

Forcing the Gate of Blood open had caused my qi to flow backward.

I immediately set down my sword and sat in the Lotus Position.

It was internal damage. I had to calm my qi before the situation became more severe.

I’m not sure how much time passed, but I barely managed to stabilize my rampaging internal energy.

Of course, I still felt like my insides were boiling, and there was a lingering nausea I couldn’t shake.

Damn it, I might as well be a fragile fish!

In the end, to reach the Middle Dantian, it seemed like I needed to establish my Will soon.

It meant that merely imagining cutting through the sky wouldn’t suffice anymore.

I gripped my sword once again.

Then, I infused it with my qi.

At this moment, the sword felt like an extension of my body.

A faint, unstable Sword Qi began to form.

The more solidly I established my Will, the more my internal energy could be utilized differently.

Even this Sword Qi was proof of that.

By simply gaining this realization, a miracle made possible by setting my own law, my abilities had taken form.

In truth, the human body was like the universe.

Martial arts and internal techniques were like new substances that created another universe within me.

So, why was I using the martial arts I wielded? What law had I established?

These were fundamental questions I needed to clarify.

I thought.

Yes, it wasn’t just about cutting through the sky.

I knew that much.

The Heavenly Extreme Linked Illusion Sword Technique wasn’t such a simple martial art.

However, I couldn’t comprehend anything beyond that.

Soon, the world would once again plunge into chaos, and to stop here was unthinkable.

The current situation was far from ordinary.

The once-quiet lords were slowly revealing their fangs.

Therefore, before that happens, I had to become stronger.

Being on the threshold of a first-rate level wasn’t enough.

“Damn it…”

As I sighed, I noticed Zhao Yun wiping the sweat from her forehead and approaching me after finishing her training.

“What’s wrong, Master?”

“What, are you done already?”

“It wasn’t particularly quick, Master. We’ve been training since early morning until the second Shichen (1:00 AM to 3:00 AM).”

“It’s that late already?”

“Yes.”

With that, Zhao Yun drew closer.

Soon, she stopped walking, her eyes widening.

“…Are you injured?”

It seemed blood had stained my clothes.

I had managed to suppress what could have been serious internal damage through Circulation of Qi , so it wasn’t a big deal.

I shrugged nonchalantly.

“It’s nothing.”

“If you’re feeling unwell, you shouldn’t push yourself!”

However, she ignored my words and grabbed me forcefully.

“Oh, this is sticky. Hey, stop sticking to me! It’s hot!”

“Please, sit down first…! You’re bleeding so much.”

Hold on a second…! This woman!

Something soft is touching me!

“Damn it, let go!”

“Why are you bleeding? Did you injure your chest?”

She still wouldn’t let go and tried to lift my clothes.

“Hey, you lewd woman! What are you trying to do, peeking at a man’s body?”

“…Lewd woman!? It’s natural for a disciple to worry about their master, isn’t it?”

Zhao Yun’s eyes flared up, glaring at me.

Ignoring her reaction, I grabbed her hands and pulled her away from me.

“Ugh, seriously, how can I train when you’re scaring me like this?”

“Are you really okay?”

“I told you, it’s nothing. My qi just reversed for a moment. I’ve already stabilized it through Circulation of Qi, so don’t worry.”

“…I still don’t understand.”

“The point is, there’s no problem, so stop worrying. Lewd woman.”

“Stop calling me that! Didn’t you promise to call me Yuna from now on? Otherwise, it makes me sound like some kind of pervert!”

“If tackling a man in broad daylight isn’t perverted, then what is?”

“Master!”

Zhao Yun’s face turned bright red, and she yelled.

I brushed the dust off my clothes and stood up.

“Ugh, fine, fine. Get up, too.”

“…Yes.”

I almost thought I’d ended up getting married. I could still feel that soft, warm sensation lingering on my body.

I normally wasn’t too embarrassed about such things, but since she was my disciple, I felt conflicted.

As the strange atmosphere lingered for a moment, a small bird flew toward us.

The bird, unafraid of humans, quietly perched on my shoulder.

I removed it and inspected it.

There was a piece of paper tied to its leg.

It was a carrier pigeon.

I’d heard of them but had never seen one before.

Setting aside my curiosity for the moment, I untied the paper from its leg.

“What is it?”

At Zhao Yun’s question, I quickly read the note.

“…Liu Bei?”

“Liu Bei? Wasn’t she the magistrate we met yesterday?”

“Yes.”

Nodding, I continued reading.

She expressed concern over the matters discussed during yesterday’s banquet and wished to consult with me about it.

Coincidentally, I had also been contemplating the issue.

From Gongsun Zan’s perspective, it seemed the goal was to establish a new emperor centered in Hebei, and the key figure in that was none other than Yuan Shao.

Yuan Shao was currently one of the most powerful warlords in both the central plains and Hebei.

With the resources of Han Fu, the Governor of Ji Province, combined with the massive army of the Yuan family, Yuan Shao’s forces were the largest in the land.

Even Sima Yi had suggested we learn more about the individual they were trying to crown, as it would help us better understand the situation.

She was right.

It was essential to thoroughly investigate the Governor of You Province at the heart of this issue.

I sheathed my sword and folded the paper.

“Burn this.”

“Yes.”

“And get ready to head out. We have somewhere to go.”

“Are we meeting the magistrate?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll prepare right away. Should I inform the others as well?”

“There’s no need to drag everyone along unnecessarily.”

However, I needed to bring Zhao Yun, who was essentially my lieutenant, and Sima Yi, the smartest one in our group.

As for Baekrang and Unsam, they were probably lying around somewhere, so I decided not to wake them.

Zhao Yun immediately set off to fetch Sima Yi.

I, too, hurried to get ready.

***

“Sister.”

“Yes?”

“What are you planning to do now?”

Zhang Fei asked, as Liu Bei sat leisurely in the tavern, smiling faintly.

“Well.”

“No matter how long I’ve known you, I still can’t figure out what you’re thinking. So let me ask—are you planning to stay with the governor until the end?”

“Well, if it’s for the people.”

“Ugh, how frustrating.”

Zhang Fei patted his chest in frustration, and Guan Yu spoke in a calm tone.

“Yide, don’t be hasty. The more you rush, the more likely things are to go wrong.”

“Of course, I know that. You think I don’t? But just think about it. The camps are already splitting into factions. One side supports the Governor of You Province, and the other opposes him. They’re bound to clash soon.”

“Yes, you’re right.”

Liu Bei smiled absentmindedly, as if she didn’t care.

At times like this, Zhang Fei had to resist the urge to tear his hair out.

“Sister, I’m sure you have a plan. I know that. But if you don’t tell me, I won’t know what it is…”

In truth, this wasn’t the first time Liu Bei had acted like this.

Before joining the Anti-Dong Zhuo Coalition, Liu Bei had lived like a carefree idler, much like Unryong, hiding away in the mountains, drinking wine.

Back then, Zhang Fei had almost stormed off to join the coalition on his own.

If it hadn’t been for Guan Yu’s persuasion, he surely would have done so.

Of course, once Liu Bei read Cao Cao’s letter, she immediately led her forces, and the situation blew over without issue.

“…So, who are we waiting for here?”

Zhang Fei asked, sitting beside Liu Bei.

In response, Liu Bei smiled serenely.

“For a fish to swim, it needs a river. For a bird to fly, it needs the sky.”

“…What does that even mean?”

“Perhaps I’ve found the boundless sea or the sky where I can spread my wings.”