MTLNOVEL Chapter 71 - Reward
Chapter 71: Reward
After Lü Bu was captured by Cao Cao’s forces, the situation took a sharp turn.
The surrender of Lü Bu’s generals, including Zhang Liao and Gao Shun, was a significant factor in Dong Zhuo’s defeat.
Moreover, Unryong and other coalition vanguards fortified their positions in front of Hangu Pass and even repelled the reinforcements, signaling the overall defeat of Dong Zhuo’s forces.
As a result, 5,000 of Lü Bu’s troops and 7,000 of Li Ru’s forces, including Li Ru himself, were captured, and the news quickly spread to the throne where Dong Zhuo sat.
“… Are you telling me Fengxian has been defeated?”
At Dong Zhuo’s question, Jia Xu cautiously nodded.
“Yes.”
“The Zhonglang General is dead, and Li Ru has fallen into the enemy’s hands. Am I really supposed to believe this?”
“Please calm your anger, Lord Dong. Now is the time for us to put our heads together and devise a strategy—”
“Silence!”
Bang!
Dong Zhuo slammed the armrest.
He struck it so hard that a thin crack formed on the throne’s armrest.
“What was the cause of this defeat? Who, exactly, drove Fengxian into this trap?”
“It is someone you are quite familiar with, my lord.”
“Speak.”
“He is known as the Mad Dog of Bingzhou and the hero of the coalition forces. Surely, there is no one in this world who does not know his name…”
Dong Zhuo’s eyebrow rose.
“Unryong.”
“…”
“It’s really him, is it?”
Dong Zhuo’s face turned bright red. He heaved his large body up and approached Jia Xu closely.
Jia Xu bowed her head and replied.
“Yes, rumors are rampant. It’s certain that he’s not human but a ghost. Not only did he personally slay Lord Xu Rong, but he also drove Lü Bu into retreat and even caused Li Ru’s forces to flee. He carries the momentum of a man who stands against ten thousand.”
“Hah.”
Dong Zhuo laughed weakly at Jia Xu’s words.
“Hahahahaha!”
He shook with laughter, then finally collapsed onto his throne under his own weight.
“So, in the end, he’s coming for my head.”
As Dong Zhuo slumped, Jia Xu clasped her hands respectfully and withdrew from his presence.
She walked toward a location not far from Dong Zhuo’s throne.
There was a delicate shadow behind a thin curtain.
– Swoosh!
Light entered the previously darkened tent.
The girl huddled inside covered her eyes, trembling.
“Your Majesty, why do you tremble in such fear?”
“… Jia Xu.”
Jia Xu smiled faintly. She then took something out from her sleeve.
It was a snack the girl liked.
“I was worried you might be hungry, so I brought this.”
“… T-thank you.”
“It is my honor.”
“… Are you planning to take me away this time as well?”
The girl accepted the snack slowly and asked.
Her voice trembled.
“Why would you think that?”
“I overheard them speaking. They said Chang’an is a fading star, and we must return to our homeland.”
“Hm.”
Jia Xu lightly tapped her cheeks.
Those whom His Majesty spoke of were likely Li Jue and Guo Si.
From a rational standpoint, there was still enough strength to resist with the remaining forces.
They could convey their intentions to Li Jue, protect the Emperor, and flee from those trying to end Dong Zhuo’s reign.
However—
“It is still a matter that requires further discussion.”
Jia Xu sensed it.
That this could be the wrong choice.
An intuition, or a woman’s instinct, if you will.
“…”
The girl lowered her head while chewing her food hesitantly.
Jia Xu watched her and let out a bitter smile.
“Your Majesty, above all, you are our beautiful sun. As the Emperor, you are our sky and parent; thus, you should not look down at the ground.”
“… Jia Xu.”
The girl cautiously raised her head.
When their eyes met, Jia Xu smiled gently.
The girl, whose shoulders had been hunched in, relaxed slightly and spoke slowly.
“… I am but a child. I only sit on this throne due to my brother’s tragedy, unfit for this position. I am uneducated and incompetent because of this. I am well aware that, as the Emperor, it is unacceptable to maintain such a weak attitude. So why do you continue to show loyalty to such a pathetic person?”
“Hm.”
“… Have I disappointed you by speaking weakly?”
“I am merely a humble official who awaits Your Majesty’s command. How could I possibly harbor such disrespectful thoughts?”
“… Is that why you are kind to me? Because you are an official of the Han Dynasty?”
At the girl’s words, Jia Xu chuckled.
“All those born in the Han are born under its grace. We are born with the blessings of this nation. Thus, it is right for all who are part of the Han to carry a debt of gratitude. Even if the forms differ, it is a person’s duty to repay their debt.”
With that, she rose to her feet.
“So, Your Majesty, rely on this Jia Xu. Don’t take the words of the Grand Commandant too seriously, as his nature is arrogant. And as for Lord Dong, he is a star on the verge of setting, so there is no need to fear. What this Han Dynasty needs is land and sky. Your Majesty’s safety, nothing more.”
With a simple bow, Jia Xu left the tent.
She stretched her arms wide.
Xu Rong, Lü Bu, Li Ru—having defeated them all, the one who would finally end Dong Zhuo’s reign was coming.
What kind of person is he?
One cannot know without seeing for oneself.
So, she would see and judge with her own eyes.
Thinking this, Jia Xu walked briskly.
***
Shortly after Cao Cao declared victory, I leaned against a tree, catching my breath.
Blood clung to me, making me feel uncomfortable.
My insides churned, and my vision was blurry.
As I gasped for air, Zhang Yang approached me out of nowhere and crouched down beside me.
“… Unryong.”
She gently touched my cheek.
It tickled, so I brushed her hand away lightly.
“… Why do you look like that? Anyone would think you were dead.”
“…”
Even with my lighthearted remark, Zhang Yang examined my body thoroughly, tears welling in her eyes.
I forced a smile.
“I kept my promise.”
“… Promise, you say?”
“I promised you victory, didn’t I? So greet me with a smile. When you look like that, it makes me feel guilty.”
“… You are mistaken.”
Mistaken?
I didn’t even have the strength to tilt my head, so I just stared at her blankly.
A tear rolled down Zhang Yang’s cheek.
“I have been truly foolish. I hesitated to act because I feared blood, and I was afraid of the world, so I feared stepping outside.”
“…”
“I am a coward. A pitiful person who can do nothing alone.”
Still can’t shake that nature of yours, can you?
Just as I was about to sigh, Zhang Yang continued.
“But someone has negated my fears.”
She said.
“He told me it is only natural to fear killing, that one should never get used to it. He affirmed me for who I am.”
“…”
Zhang Yang grabbed my cheek again.
This time, I had no strength in my arm to push her away.
“I am scared. Of people dying. Of seeing blood. I am still terrified.”
Her hand trembled.
“Do you think me pathetic?”
“… Goodness.”
A sigh escaped me after all.
I remembered.
That the person who said those words was none other than myself.
“That’s nonsense.”
We hadn’t been wrong about anything.
“We may have stained our hands with blood, but we walked the path we believed was right. Who could call that pathetic?”
“… That’s not what I mean.”
Zhang Yang shook her head.
Then she spoke.
“Unryong, I am afraid of you dying. I am afraid of a world without you.”
“…”
“In the end, I am just a weak woman. I cannot be without you. I cannot imagine a world without you. So please, do not overexert yourself again. You must understand that without you, everything falls apart.”
“What, are you confessing your love? This isn’t like you.”
I propped myself up, supporting myself with my knees.
I wasn’t used to this unfamiliar atmosphere.
I just wanted to get away.
“A warrior must risk their life when wielding a sword. So, I am just doing the same. But don’t worry. I’m trying my best not to die.”
I had completed the third form of the Heavenly Extreme Linked Illusion Sword Technique.
Of course, my current state was a mess, and whether I could fully recover was uncertain.
Still, I had no intention of dying.
“And really, why the gloomy talk when we’ve just won? I’ve achieved a great victory, so instead of giving me a reward, why are you sulking?”
I shrugged my shoulders, trying to lighten the strange mood.
“The fight isn’t over yet, so I’ll be getting a big reward for this achievement. Got that? Once I take Dong Zhuo’s head, be ready.”
As I tried to turn away, wiping the blood from my lips, Zhang Yang grabbed my sleeve.
Then, softly—
I felt a tender sensation on my cheek.
I saw her ears flush bright red.
Zhang Yang stood on her tiptoes, trembling.
For several seconds.
Zhang Yang finally pulled away.
“… They say men like being touched by women…”
“…”
Zhang Yang bowed her head deeply.
Smoke seemed to be steaming from her head.