MTLNOVEL Chapter 72 - Interest
Chapter 72: Interest
“······.”
Zhang Yang froze on the spot.
Even she couldn’t understand why she had done such a thing.
She had only felt her heart sink when she saw him bleeding, and before she knew it, she had wanted to touch him.
In truth, the rumor that men liked touching women was just an excuse.
It was nothing more than a flimsy pretext to justify her actions.
Despite feeling disgusted with herself, she couldn’t ignore the heat rising within her body.
“Haa······.”
Zhang Yang clutched her chest, feeling as if her heart was about to burst.
Her body felt hot, and the trembling that instinctively overtook her was an emotion she had never experienced before as a woman.
When did this all begin?
Was it when he affirmed her?
Or was it when she glimpsed the weakness within someone who had seemed so strong?
It didn’t matter when it started.
The only thing that was clear was······.
“W-was it not good?”
The fact that it had already happened.
“Well, no······.”
Unryong scratched the back of his head and met her eyes.
Then his legs suddenly gave way.
It wasn’t because he was embarrassed by Zhang Yang’s kiss.
Before he could even concern himself with such things, his body was already a wreck.
It was the backlash from forcibly using too much internal energy.
As Unryong staggered, Zhang Yang quickly supported him.
“A-are you alright······?!”
“······I’m fine.”
Again.
Once more, his heart wouldn’t listen.
He felt so nauseated that he might throw up at any moment.
But more importantly, he needed to let Unryong rest.
Now was not the time to be swept away by emotions; his injuries were too severe.
Zhang Yang steadied her churning stomach with a deep breath and helped him walk away.
Neither of them spoke a word as they moved.
Amidst the delicate atmosphere.
“Mister······!”
Sima Yi came running over from afar.
It was hard to believe that this tiny figure, with her adorable movements, was the same strategist who had just been commanding the troops.
“Master!”
Zhao Yun also hurried over to Unryong.
She wore a sorrowful expression.
Then Zhao Yun noticed Zhang Yang, who was helping Unryong.
Zhao Yun was not someone who lacked perception.
In normal circumstances, Unryong would be bantering, but now he was avoiding Zhang Yang’s gaze, and Zhang Yang’s face was flushed red. Who wouldn’t notice something was up?
Zhao Yun looked at Zhang Yang with a mix of concern and suspicion.
“······Governor, please rest. I’ll take over from here.”
Zhang Yang could feel the chill in Zhao Yun’s voice.
Zhang Yang had always been timid and fearful.
Because of this nature, she had spent her entire life constantly watching others’ expressions.
It was for this reason that Zhang Yang quickly sensed that Zhao Yun did not look upon her favorably.
She didn’t know why.
There was no particular connection between Zhang Yang and Zhao Yun.
However, instinctively, Zhang Yang pulled Unryong closer to her.
Every time she felt his rugged male physique against her, a nearly overwhelming sensation flooded her mind, but she managed to endure it.
“D-don’t worry. I’m fine.”
“But······.”
“I’m nowhere near as worn as General Xiahou. Don’t make me feel worse by implying otherwise. Let me handle this much.”
Zhang Yang smiled faintly, though sweat was trickling down her face as Unryong’s weight increasingly leaned on her.
“······I can walk on my own now, so let go.”
“Hieek!”
Zhang Yang shivered as Unryong’s low voice struck her ears.
It was because of how close they were.
“Y-you shouldn’t push yourself······.”
“I told you, I’m fine······.”
“······Eek!”
“What’s wrong?”
“I-if that’s the case, then so be it!”
Zhang Yang quickly let go of Unryong.
She was at her limit.
If this continued, she would surely lose consciousness.
Frothing at the mouth and collapsing in such a situation was the last thing she wanted to do as a woman!
As Unryong steadied himself on his knees, Sima Yi stood beside him.
“You’ve worked hard. You kept your promise.”
“That pig’s head is still left.”
“That’s right. Still, it’d be good to rest for a bit. We need to set up camp around Hangu Pass, check the grain supplies, and keep an eye on their next move. You should be able to rest until then.”
“Is that so.”
To Unryong, it was the most welcome news.
“Of course, it won’t be a leisurely rest. As soon as we’re ready, we’ll march on Chang’an. They might retreat without putting up any resistance. But with Yuan Shu and Sun Jian in Luoyang, Yuan Shao and Han Fu in Hebei, and us in Guanzhong, they’re trapped no matter where they go.”
“Understood.”
“······Please don’t overexert yourself next time.”
Sima Yi gently poked Unryong’s shoulder with her finger, speaking in a sullen tone.
“Are you worried about me?”
Unryong grinned playfully, causing Sima Yi to turn her head away sharply.
“Hmph, worried? As a military advisor, it’s my job to calculate everything related to war. From that perspective, you need to be more aware of your position. Our army would be finished without you. You have to keep that in mind. Got it?”
“Look at you, little one, nagging away.”
“Who’s more childish than the little one here······.”
Unryong chuckled at Sima Yi’s familiar sharp tongue and ruffled her hair.
“Sure, sure.”
“Eek! I told you not to do that!”
Sima Yi tried to push his arm away as usual but hesitated upon noticing Unryong’s condition, trembling as she withdrew her hand.
“Hmm, things seem to be going well.”
At that moment, Cao Cao approached leisurely from behind.
“······How long have you been there?”
“Oh, just since things started getting interesting.”
Her red eyes glimmered as she glanced over Zhao Yun, Zhang Yang, and Unryong in turn.
“It was quite a sight.”
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
“You don’t need to worry about it.”
Cao Cao smiled faintly, shaking her head slowly.
Unryong looked at Cao Cao with displeasure. Something about her smile felt particularly insidious, more so than usual.
‘Wait.’
Suddenly, Unryong raised his head, seemingly recalling something.
“Where’s Lü Bu?”
“Oh, you mean that beastly woman.”
Cao Cao shrugged and called for Cao Hong.
Cao Hong dragged over Lü Bu, who was tightly bound with ropes.
Lü Bu hung her head, showing no signs of movement.
“······Is she dead?”
“No, she’s not.”
Cao Cao denied.
Cao Hong stepped in to explain further.
“She was at her limit. She just collapsed on Red Hare’s back. That’s why we were able to capture her so easily. Looks like the rumors of you being the hero of the coalition aren’t far off. To push this madwoman to this point.”
Cao Hong laughed heartily as she spoke.
“Yes, thanks to you, we’ve captured twelve thousand prisoners, including Lü Bu and Li Ru. I, Cao Cao, will publicly acknowledge your contributions.”
“That’s fine. So, she’s not dead?”
“It’s not something to brush off so lightly, but yes, I had momentarily forgotten the kind of person you are. Sigh······. If you’re asking about Lü Bu, she’s still alive.”
Unryong limped over to Lü Bu.
“Are you planning to behead her?”
“······.”
Cao Cao’s question went unanswered by Unryong.
He simply stared intently at Lü Bu.
Why did she help him?
Both the first time they met and now.
Lü Bu was his enemy.
But she was also his benefactor.
Caught between these conflicting roles, Unryong found it difficult to define his feelings toward her.
“······Now that I think about it, why did Lü Bu bring you to our side, Unryong?”
Sima Yi asked, her gaze calm.
Unryong shook his head.
“I don’t know either.”
“Lü Bu brought you?”
Cao Cao’s eyes widened in genuine surprise.
Zhao Yun and Zhang Yang were equally stunned.
Especially Zhang Yang, who knew the history between Lü Bu and Unryong, looked completely taken aback.
“How incredible. That beastly Lü Bu, showing mercy to someone.”
“What are you going to do with her now?”
Unryong asked.
“Well. She’s certainly a valuable talent to waste on an execution. But I don’t see her aligning with us either. If she were to beg for her life······.”
Cao Cao stroked her chin.
“I’d consider it.”
“What? Sis, are you serious?”
“What? The greatest enemy makes the greatest ally, Zilian. Even if we fought to the death, that’s all in the past. It’s only natural for people to try to kill each other on the battlefield.”
This was the kind of person Cao Cao was.
Even if someone had raised a sword against her, she would acknowledge that person if they were skilled. And if they sought mercy, she would sometimes show leniency.
Knowing this about Cao Cao, Cao Hong could only sigh as she slapped her forehead.
“However, I cannot decide on my own. Lü Bu was cornered by you, Unryong. No matter how much I covet her talents, I don’t wish to earn your disdain.”
“······.”
In other words, the decision on Lü Bu’s fate was left entirely to Unryong.
This was Cao Cao’s way of showing him respect.
Unryong sighed deeply.
“······There are still things I need to ask her. I’ll decide once this war is over.”
“That’s not a bad call. Lü Bu is already finished. We can imprison her and take our time considering the matter. Not letting emotions cloud your judgment is an essential trait for any warlord. You seem to have it in spades.”
Cao Cao nodded approvingly.
Unryong didn’t particularly possess such a trait, but he didn’t bother correcting her.
At this moment, Lü Bu or not, all he wanted was to find a place to lie down.
***
A few hours after Unryong entered the barracks.
Cao Cao strolled with her hands behind her back.
“······.”
She soon stopped behind a woman who was breathing heavily, her back turned.
A woman with chestnut-colored hair and elegant curves.
There was no doubt it was the Governor of Shangdang.
“······Truly fascinating.”
Cao Cao looked at Zhang Yang and couldn’t help but smile.