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

Chapter 68: The Path of Unryong (3)

The momentum was clearly with the coalition forces.

Unryong had effectively bound Lü Bu’s movements, and generals like Zhang Liao and Gao Shun were struggling against the coalition’s commanders.

Thus, Lü Bu’s command structure was practically shattered.

However, with the sound of drums, the situation rapidly changed.

Li Ru’s banner rose high.

Li Ru watched the battlefield leisurely and swung his command baton forward.

Li Ru’s forces then split into left and right formations and began to join the fray.

The unexpected reinforcements caused Lü Bu’s soldiers to shout in excitement and surge forward.

Caught off guard, the coalition forces retreated to regroup.

Rushing forward recklessly would have meant getting trapped in the open terrain and encircled.

But they couldn’t afford to drag out the time.

Victory was already in their grasp.

If they gave the enemy time to regroup, all the momentum they had painstakingly built would crumble in an instant.

Knowing this well, Zhao Yun gripped her reins so tightly that her nails dug into her flesh.

What should we do? As that dilemma circled her mind—

Cao Cao, who had joined the allied forces, had now reached the central army.

“Sister!”

“Mm.”

Cao Hong, who had been cutting down enemies alongside Zhao Yun, brightened up.

“You’ve done well so far, Zilian.”

“Yeah, yeah! But things are really messed up now, aren’t they?”

“You’re seeing it clearly. It’s a real headache.”

“But we’re not retreating, are we? Even with their reinforcements, the situation isn’t that bad yet.”

“Yes, you’re right. But as commanders, we mustn’t observe the battlefield too optimistically. We have to consider the worst-case scenario.”

“What’s the worst-case scenario?”

“…”

Even Cao Cao, who always maintained a calm expression, couldn’t keep her composure given the current situation.

Yes, as Cao Hong said, they couldn’t afford to retreat here.

Cao Cao knew all too well that there was nothing more infuriating than letting a caught fish slip away.

However—

“He’s not here yet.”

Unryong was still nowhere to be seen.

Cao Hong lightly shook her head.

“No, I haven’t seen him at all.”

If the man were to present Lü Bu’s head to her, the morale of Lü Bu’s forces would plummet, and commanding the disordered army would be a challenge.

Thus, for Cao Cao, rather than recklessly advancing, the best course was to reorganize the army’s formation while anxiously waiting for news of the man’s victory.

Around that time, Zhao Yun suddenly covered her mouth with a gasp.

Cao Cao tilted her head at the odd behavior.

“What’s wrong?”

“T-that… over there…”

Cao Cao followed Zhao Yun’s pointing finger.

There, lying on the Red Hare, was Lü Bu.

“…No way.”

She wanted to deny it.

There’s no way a hero like you would die a pointless death on this battlefield.

However, it was unmistakably Lü Bu reflected in the red eyes.

She was bleeding profusely, but there was no doubt she was still alive.

Cao Cao gripped her command baton tightly.

“That beastly wench, how dare she.”

Cao Cao’s mutter caused Cao Hong to tremble.

The aura emanating from her was anything but ordinary.

To Cao Hong, it was an emotion she was witnessing for the first time.

“U-um, Sister, calm down. This isn’t the time to act on emotions—!”

“Emotional? I am calm, Zilian.”

Indeed, inside Cao Cao’s chest, tumultuous emotions were swirling.

However, seeing Lü Bu in a tattered state and, for some unknown reason, within the coalition’s formation, helped her regain her composure.

“Now is the time to surround her. Zilian, lead three hundred troops and bring Lü Bu before me. Then, I will order a retreat.”

“Y-yes.”

Cao Hong nodded immediately, not daring to predict how Cao Cao might react otherwise.

“Zhao Zilong, was it? Gather the troops and prepare for a retreat.”

“…”

Meanwhile, Zhao Yun said nothing, her gaze fixed solely on the Red Hare.

“Do not worry. I understand your feelings.”

Cao Cao spoke.

“Lü Bu, she will not die easily. I, Cao Cao, promise this. So hurry. Losing this battle here would be the worst possible outcome for him.”

“…”

Zhao Yun lowered her head.

Though her face was hidden in the shadows, it wasn’t hard to imagine what expression she wore.

Cao Cao likely wore the same expression herself.

“To think it ends so emptily. I, Cao Cao, had countless questions I wanted to ask you. And yet, it ends so meaninglessly.”

Cao Cao bit her lip. Blood seeped out.

A drop of blood dripped onto the ground.

At that moment—

– Thud! Thud!

Drums sounded from the formation led by Sima Yi.

Soon, the enemy’s banner soared high into the sky.

The drumbeat and the enemy banner.

This was certainly not a signal to retreat.

Rather, it was a signal urging them to regroup and charge again.

Cao Cao looked on, unable to believe what she was seeing.

Despite her young age, she was a clever girl.

Pushing back Xu Rong’s forces like that was largely due to the young strategist’s brilliance.

Could she have been swept up in emotion?

Just as those thoughts crossed her mind—

“Haah… haah…”

A man approached Cao Cao, breathing heavily and shoulders heaving.

***

‘Are you really going to do this?’

‘…Yes.’

‘Can you do it?’

‘…Yes. No problem.’

‘Boasting won’t work. I’m asking you seriously. You are too important to die in this war.’

‘Don’t worry. For now, just find me any sword. My favorite one’s broken, after all.’

‘Hah… you stubborn old man. Then listen carefully. You must come back alive. Without you, I would have no reason to be this army’s strategist. For the sake of your precious brothers, you must return alive. That’s a promise. Do you understand?’

‘I will.’

I told Sima Yi confidently, but even I didn’t know if I could do it.

However.

I looked down at the sword.

It was unbroken.

A sword capable of cutting down enemies.

My legs moved.

I could walk much more easily than before.

As for my body…

The bleeding hadn’t stopped yet, but it was bearable.

Yes, I could still fight.

“…Unryong, you!”

“…Cao Cao.”

As I walked, I found myself close to Cao Cao.

She looked at me in shock, as if she’d seen a ghost, and it didn’t feel good.

“Why has someone important like you come here?”

“You’re bleeding…! What are you trying to do in that condition? Hurry and rest!”

“…It’s nothing serious. Just took a tumble.”

It wasn’t a lie.

I did tumble.

Just a little rougher than usual.

“Are you really joking at a time like this?”

Why was she angry?

I shrugged my shoulders nonchalantly, trying to ease the tension.

“More importantly, we need to move quickly. Go do your part, and I’ll do mine.”

“What? You’re really going to fight in that state—”

“Master!”

As Cao Cao strangely grew agitated, Zhao Yun also approached me.

She didn’t look happy at all.

Had she been crying? Her eyes were wet.

“You’re alive!”

“Yes, no problem.”

“How can you say there’s no problem! You’re bleeding everywhere…!”

How bad did I look for everyone to be making such a fuss?

I knew I wasn’t in great shape, but it felt a bit overwhelming.

But I could still do it.

I could still fight.

So, I smiled.

“Yuna, don’t worry.”

“But, Master!”

“Shush. I said I’m fine.”

“…You’re going to die.”

Zhao Yun dismounted.

She approached me and bowed her head deeply.

Then, clenching her fists, she began to tremble.

“I still haven’t grasped the essence of martial arts. Didn’t you say you would teach me until then?”

“I did.”

“Then why don’t you take care of yourself…! Even if we retreat now, as long as we’re alive, we can rise again at any time! But if you die, we won’t be able to stand again! Please reconsider…!”

She raised her head, and her eyes met mine.

Her eyes were red. Clearly, something had happened.

Yes, I knew what she was worried about. I knew very well.

I, too, didn’t know how many days I spent in despair and wanted to give up when my brothers left.

And yet, here I was now.

“Yuna.”

I grabbed her shoulder firmly.

“What happens to Dong Zhuo then?”

“…”

I had seen it.

Luoyang, ravaged by Dong Zhuo.

I saw with my own eyes children burning, buildings collapsing, and people turning to ash.

“Will we ever have another chance to push Dong Zhuo this far? When will that be? When the people of Chang’an are groaning in pain, when thousands, tens of thousands suffer under his tyranny, will we finally be able to capture him?”

“…But.”

“Yuna, I’m not going to die. I’m going to take that pig’s head.”

I gripped her shoulder even tighter.

Startled by the strength of my grip, Zhao Yun’s eyes widened.

“Trust me.”

“…”

“And I will trust you.”

“Master…”

I patted Zhao Yun’s head.

She still seemed dissatisfied, remaining silent with a sullen expression.

Leaving Zhao Yun as she was, I turned and walked forward.

“Are you really going?”

Cao Cao’s voice came from behind me. Her tone carried a hint of anger.

“I’m not just charging in recklessly without a plan.”

“…What do you mean?”

“If you’re curious, just watch from a distance.”

I laughed heartily as I spoke.

I felt blood rise from my chest, but I managed to swallow it down.

Yes, charging in blindly would only result in a meaningless death.

My frail body was the problem.

Blood was pouring, and my body was in shambles.

That’s why, the soul.

One must reach the essence of humanity and the realm of all things.