MTLNOVEL Chapter 74 - Cao Cao and Unryong
Chapter 74: Cao Cao and Unryong
I left the pig crying on the ground behind me, ignoring the pathetic wailing coming from Dong Zhuo.
There was no reason to listen to that pitiful fool’s ramblings.
As I continued walking, the remaining Dong Zhuo forces froze in place.
“Do you still wish to fight?”
At my words, they began to lower their weapons one by one.
The end was surprisingly anticlimactic.
With that, I decided to leave the rest to others and take a moment to rest.
I had quickly performed Qi circulation, but my internal injuries were far from fully healed.
Because of this, I couldn’t easily use martial arts, and it would likely take a month of proper rest to fully recover.
Simply moving now was already putting a significant strain on my body.
Nevertheless, I did not stop my steps.
Beside the throne, a young girl trembling caught my eye.
The girl appeared to be shaking with fear.
She tried not to show it outwardly, but her shoulders were visibly moving up and down in constant motion.
The one I had so longed to cut down, Dong Zhuo, was nowhere in my thoughts; my attention was fixed solely on this small girl.
It was truly an absurd situation.
“…Hiccup!”
As I approached, the girl shuddered and let out a hiccup.
Seemingly surprised by her own reaction, she hurriedly covered her mouth with her hands.
The girl was dressed in golden imperial robes.
Even the most ignorant person would immediately recognize who this girl was.
The sun in the sky.
The Emperor.
I knelt on one knee.
“Are you alright?”
“…”
The girl continued to cover her mouth.
It seemed her hiccups wouldn’t stop anytime soon.
I let out a wry smile.
“I’m here to rescue you.”
“…”
The girl’s eyes widened, though it was clear my words barely registered.
There was no reason for any loyalty to spring forth from meeting the Emperor, someone I had never even seen before.
Still, I had no choice but to speak.
“I’m glad to see you’re safe.”
This, at least, was true.
The girl before me was the Emperor, but also just a child.
Setting aside her status as Emperor, the fact that this young child was unharmed was a relief above all else.
“My name is Unryong. I’m here, so please rest easy.”
“…”
***
Standing silently beside the Emperor, Jia Xu propped her chin thoughtfully.
So this was Unryong.
The one who had successively defeated Xu Rong, Lü Bu, and Li Ru’s armies.
But on closer look, there didn’t seem to be anything particularly remarkable about him.
He walked awkwardly, and even the slightest movement had him panting for breath.
And to top it off, he didn’t seem to have been taught proper etiquette, yet here he was boldly standing before the Emperor?
What on earth was he?
Jia Xu scoffed quietly, ensuring the Emperor didn’t hear.
“Your Majesty, you must rest to preserve your health. Perhaps it would be best to formally meet again later.”
Jia Xu spoke with a smile, substituting for the Emperor who remained silent, still covering her mouth.
“Understood.”
Without hesitation, Unryong stood up.
Immediately, attendants flocked around the Emperor, hastily escorting the girl away.
Though called the Emperor, she was still just a young girl.
Having lost her brother suddenly, used as a puppet by Dong Zhuo, and now facing a moment of liberation, every event was overwhelming for the young girl to comprehend.
Time would be necessary.
Jia Xu moved to accompany the officials who were attending to the Emperor.
Although she wanted to talk more, her priority was to support the Emperor right now.
Satisfying her curiosity could wait.
The war had ended.
With Dong Zhuo’s defeat.
Li Jue, whom she had served, had fled alongside Guo Si and Hu Zhen, leaving Jia Xu free at last.
Yes, there was plenty of time.
As Jia Xu departed, the coalition forces began to clean up the aftermath of the chaotic situation, one step at a time.
First, Dong Zhuo’s punishment was dealt with.
As previously mentioned, Cao Cao burned Dong Zhuo.
After all, a pig is best when cooked, she said.
Cao Cao placed a candle in Dong Zhuo’s navel and openly displayed his disgrace.
For two full days, the fire that burned Dong Zhuo raged on.
Only when his corpse was reduced to ash and dust did the flames naturally extinguish.
Next, the prisoners were dealt with.
Generals such as Lü Bu, Zhang Liao, and Gao Shun were imprisoned, while some forces were absorbed directly into the coalition.
The last matter was ensuring the Emperor’s safety.
This was no simple issue.
Especially for Cao Cao, it was a particularly sensitive one.
Tap, tap.
Cao Cao, alone, tapped her fingers on the table and held a cup of wine.
“…”
The traitor she had longed to eliminate had been vanquished.
It was a cause for celebration.
Indeed, for the first two days, Cao Cao had been unusually jubilant.
However, as reality set in, her expression rapidly darkened.
What she desired was a peaceful era.
Thus, this Cao Mengde wanted to become a great minister of peace, caring for the world.
But the current Emperor…
“Legitimacy.”
Yes, there was no legitimacy.
The Emperor was merely a puppet established by Dong Zhuo.
That was why her close friend Benchu had attempted to crown the Governor of You Province as Emperor.
Yuan Shu, too, had settled in Luoyang and was acting as if he were Emperor.
The other warlords were the same.
To be honest, rescuing a member of the imperial family would indeed be a great achievement for Cao Cao.
However, there were bound to be factions that would oppose the current Emperor.
“…”
The remaining choice was clear.
But choosing it might make her no different from Dong Zhuo.
Yet, the vision of personally guiding the Emperor and leading the world into a peaceful era lingered before her eyes.
The truth was, the Han Dynasty was already rushing towards its end.
No matter what Cao Cao did, the warlords would no longer hide their ambitions.
“A wise minister in times of peace, a cunning hero in times of chaos…”
As Cao Cao was lost in thought, staring out the window, a voice interrupted.
“What are you mumbling about all alone?”
“…Unryong.”
Unryong limped over and slowly sat down on a chair.
“Why call a man who’s in pain? Did some melancholic dawn mood strike you?”
“…Hmm, sometimes you say things that are hard to understand.”
At Cao Cao’s words, Unryong shrugged.
He reached for the bottle of wine in front of Cao Cao.
In a swift motion, Cao Cao snatched the bottle with precision.
“…What are you doing?”
“Aren’t you a patient?”
“I didn’t think you’d be this strict.”
“Rest and take it easy.”
Faced with Cao Cao’s cold gaze, Unryong clicked his tongue and gave up.
“Seriously, not even drinking together. Then why did you call me?”
“Don’t pout. Once you’re better, I’ll personally select the finest wine and gift it to you. So hold on until then.”
“Tsk, fine.”
Cao Cao smiled faintly.
She then poured herself a drink.
Seeing the man, it felt like the worries she had been pondering were melting away along with the wine.
“You there.”
“Hm?”
“What do you plan to do next?”
“Well, first, I need to rest.”
“And after that?”
“…I haven’t really thought about it.”
“I see.”
Cao Cao nodded.
“Do you remember what I said before?”
“What you said before?”
“Oh dear, if you forget so easily, even I would be hurt.”
Unryong cleared his throat and avoided her gaze at Cao Cao’s words.
Cao Cao sighed, feeling exasperated.
“I said the heroes of the world are just you and me, Unryong.”
“…Oh, now that you mention it.”
Unryong nodded, as if he’d just remembered.
“I’m glad you recalled it now.”
Cao Cao stood up.
She rose and opened the window beside her.
She clasped her hands behind her back and gazed at the view.
“I wanted to be a hero of the Han Dynasty.”
“…”
“As a loyal minister, I wanted to care for the people and bring stability to the world.”
But her heart had been shattered twice.
Once, when she saw the disgrace of the Anti-Dong Zhuo Coalition.
And again, when Benchu revealed his true intention to crown the Governor of You Province.
“Do you remember?”
“What is it this time?”
“When you were the first to approach the Emperor and kneel.”
“Well… I did do that.”
“Was that out of the same loyalty as mine?”
“…”
She asked because she was confused about whether she was right or wrong.
Finally, Unryong answered.
“No.”
“…No?”
“I told you before, I’m not someone who cares about loyalty, righteousness, or grand causes. I just do whatever I feel like.”
“Then why? Was it pure ambition? Did you seek greater merit?”
“No, it wasn’t that either.”
Unryong shook his head and smiled.
“I don’t know how this will sound, but the Emperor just looked like a child to me.”
“…You’re openly admitting to a great crime.”
Cao Cao sighed.
Even she couldn’t predict where Unryong’s freewheeling mouth would go next.
Unryong, however, continued without a care.
“I don’t know what you’re trying to say, but one thing is clear.
A martial artist cannot just leave a trembling child behind and walk away. So, whether it was the Emperor or not, I would’ve acted the same.”
“…”
Cao Cao didn’t fully grasp his words, but she felt they were truly characteristic of Unryong.
Cao Cao turned and faced Unryong.
Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating his face more clearly.
“…How do you manage to walk so straight and unwavering? Even during the campaign, you never hesitated once.”
“I’m simply following the path I believe is right.”
At those words, Cao Cao gave a faint smile.
“A path you believe is right—such a noble sentiment. I truly find you intriguing.”
“…Don’t say creepy things.”
“Heh… Don’t be so disgusted. I’m well aware of your nature. I suspect you’re not someone who would quietly follow anyone.”
Even the Emperor was of no particular concern to Unryong.
So, from the start, Cao Cao had given up the fantasy of bringing Unryong under her command.
“Unryong, listen well.”
Cao Cao spoke.
“I wish to tread the path I believe is right, borrowing your words. Even if it is wrong, I will walk the path of this Cao Cao.”
“Well… good luck.”
“There is something I wish to ask of you.”
“Of me?”
“Yes, it must be you.”
Unryong let out a deep sigh.
“What is it?”
“If, just if, I ever walk down the wrong path, I hope you will scold me. That’s all I ask.”
“Well, if that’s all…”
Unryong nodded.
Cao Cao, seizing the moment, spoke again.
“This is a promise.”