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

Chapter 76: Resentment

I closed my eyes and focused my mind.

As expected, the meridian connected to the Middle Dantian was twisted.

If the qi had reversed flow here, I would undoubtedly have been left a cripple, unable to use any part of my body.

So, I gathered the scattered qi in my Dantian first.

I felt the flow of qi brushing down my spine.

Sweat gathered all over my body, and every muscle ached.

But I couldn’t afford even a single mistake.

I spread the qi flowing from the Lower Dantian throughout my body, mending the twisted meridians.

Next, I needed to make the qi flow slowly from the bottom to the top.

…

It’s done.

I slowly opened my eyes.

I didn’t know how much time had passed, but my whole body was soaked.

Sweat dripped onto the floor as if a flood had passed through.

For now, I had only temporarily suppressed the reversed flow of qi, but it was uncertain when the meridians would twist again.

Ultimately, to set everything right, external training—specifically, the growth of the body—was necessary.

However, physical growth isn’t something that happens just by training recklessly.

It requires the body to be refined to a certain extent first; otherwise, blindly training is almost impossible.

Thus, a process was necessary to completely transform this weak body anew.

A complete restructuring of the entire body—bones, muscles, and all—to make it capable of performing martial arts.

Rebirth.

So, let’s consider this.

What is my current state?

First-rate.

Not long ago, that’s what it was.

However, my mind and qi had already completely transcended the realm of first-rate.

That’s why even though my body could theoretically perform first-rate martial arts, it couldn’t withstand them.

Yes, the peak.

Maybe even the super-peak.

I was knocking on the door beyond the first-rate.

‘…But what should I do?’

I understood that rebirth was needed to advance further.

I roughly knew the method, too.

Spread the qi throughout the body, including the Governing and Conception vessels, unblock the clogged meridians, straighten the crooked, fill the lacking, and drain the excess.

The process of reconstructing a path for the qi and blood to flow smoothly—that was rebirth.

In other words, by practicing deep breathing techniques, forming Purified Qi, and circulating it, I would need to induce self-purification within the body.

But how?

In martial arts novels, rebirth is often achieved through miraculous medicines or closed-door training.

If there were miraculous medicines, I could achieve rebirth in a short time, but such things didn’t exist here.

As for closed-door training, while I could do it, there was no telling how much time it would take.

In short, I was cornered.

I couldn’t envision a way for me to achieve rebirth.

Damn it, if only this body were at least average, I wouldn’t be having these worries.

Born with such a weak body—it was a real problem.

Ugh, this is complicated. This isn’t good.

Alright, focus again. Focus.

“…Hey, what are you doing?”

As I tried to assume the lotus position again, a bored voice called out.

“What a ridiculous sight, huh?”

I turned my head to see Lü Bu lounging lazily on the other side of the iron bars, yawning.

It had been four days since Lü Bu had been locked in her cell.

In the meantime, the coalition, excluding me, was tirelessly working to bring order to the chaos in Chang’an.

As for me, I was allowed to visit Lü Bu often because of Cao Cao’s insistence that, as an injured person, I should rest.

“You don’t answer any questions anyway, so why are you bothering me? Just go away.”

“You seem much better than before. That sharp tongue sounds exactly like the Yeo I know.”

“You damn bastard, why are you doing that ridiculous qi circulation right in front of me? It’s distracting.”

“Well, it keeps me from getting bored.”

“You never listen to me while your eyes are closed anyway. Tsk.”

“What? Did you say something?”

“…I was just talking to myself out of sheer boredom. What are you so mistaken about?”

Lü Bu turned her head sharply.

Indeed, Lü Bu was a classic tsundere character rarely seen these days.

It was so old-fashioned that it sent chills down my spine.

“Come on, don’t be like that. I’m visiting because I’m bored too. If I try to move around from the sickbed, Haryeong gives me hell. You know her, right? The one you clashed with often.”

“Oh, that girl.”

Lü Bu spoke without turning her face.

“Of course, I remember. Is she still so loud and obnoxious? She’s got a personality that’ll get her stabbed someday.”

“There’s no need to say that much. Though, she can be a bit noisy. But her innocence is quite endearing.”

“Such admirable camaraderie.”

The real reason I frequently visited Lü Bu, aside from my siblings being too busy to keep me company, was because I genuinely wanted to talk with her.

Lü Bu had said she had no reason to help me.

The woman who was so eager to tear me apart claimed she had no reason.

Who would believe that?

So, I wanted to find out the truth.

However, no matter how many times I asked, Lü Bu’s answer remained the same.

She was just bored.

She just wanted to see me in my pitiful state.

Honestly, it was surprising.

“I never thought you would accept victory and defeat so easily, Lady Yeo. War is usually like that, isn’t it? The careless die, and at that moment, I showed you a flaw. That’s why I can’t understand it.”

“…Aren’t you resentful of me? You want to understand the woman who killed your beloved subordinates?”

“Of course, I’m resentful. But I also killed your men, Lady Yeo. In war, there is no right or wrong.”

I had no intention of feigning righteousness.

I had also cut down Lü Bu’s soldiers.

I killed all who blocked my path.

And Lü Bu did what she had to do as my enemy.

That doesn’t mean I could understand everything.

If it were just that, I would have certainly cut down the culprit without hesitation.

But Lady Yeo’s situation was different.

She had granted me favor multiple times.

In the world of martial arts, favors and grudges were destinies that could never be severed.

I was at a crossroads, deciding what choice to make regarding the favors and grudges between us.

Cao Cao was indeed willing to free Lü Bu if she could bring her over to our side.

That’s why I felt the need to meet Lü Bu directly to find the answer.

And ironically, when I met her, I found a coexistence of anger and calm.

It only served to further entangle me in confusion.

“…Hey, idiot, I don’t know what you’re agonizing over, but I’ll give you just one piece of advice.”

As I was lost in my thoughts, Lü Bu spoke in a bored tone.

“Cut off future threats.”

“…”

“Sure, I’ll admit it. You’re the greatest fool under heaven. I now accept that someone like you exists. But you know, this world is one where depending on sentiment will get you stabbed in the back. So don’t pretend to agonize over it. You’re best when you’re just a fool.”

Lü Bu lifted herself up and leaned against the wall.

“You, who defeated the Peerless Under Heaven, acting like a child—it ruins my image, don’t you think? If someone gets in your way, kill them. Kill, burn, threaten, and do whatever it takes to move forward. The ideals you hold won’t be achieved with half-hearted resolve.”

Lü Bu’s eyes met mine.

Her gaze was clear and transparent.

I could see my stiffened face reflected in those eyes.

I see, Lü Bu had already roughly figured out why I was visiting her.

Surprisingly perceptive.

Well, it wouldn’t make sense for the strongest woman under heaven to be a fool.

I smirked and spoke.

“Didn’t I say it was a foolish ideal?”

“I lost to that foolish ideal. And because of that fool, I’m still clinging to this life that should’ve ended long ago. But that’s it. Unryong, I told you before, didn’t I?”

Lü Bu bared her teeth and grinned fiercely.

“I’ve seen someone like you once before. Yes, I admired that woman. She was a fool, but I revered her, and in that moment, I wasn’t Lü Bu the Peerless Under Heaven; I was just a person named Fengxian.”

Yes, that’s right.

However, I couldn’t remember the details.

At that time, I was too focused on fighting to the death.

“My mother. A foolish woman. She had no power and no high status; she was just a weakling of her time. But even so, she stood her ground.”

“She must’ve been a remarkable woman.”

“Hmph, remarkable, my ass. She was just a foolish mother.”

Lü Bu hurled insults at me but was transparently honest.

I found it so amusing that I couldn’t help but let out a dry laugh.

“What’s so funny?”

“Oh, nothing. You’re just adorable, Lady Yeo. Still a girl at heart.”

“…Y-you damn bastard! What kind of nonsense are you spewing…!”

Lü Bu’s face turned as red as her fiery hair.

“Calm down. I wasn’t mocking you, I swear.”

“Ha! Seriously! I’m trying to have a serious conversation here.”

“Are you upset? I swear, it’s not like that. It’s just… you’re cute, like a little sister—”

“If you call me cute one more time, I’ll rip out every single one of your carefree teeth. Got it?”

Lü Bu fumed for a while before speaking again.

“…Forget it. I’ve lost interest.”

“If you’re really offended—”

“It’s fine. Just answer me one thing.”

Lü Bu spoke slowly.

Looking me straight in the eyes.

“The world you talked about, is it really a place where foolish women like that can survive?”

“A true martial artist never abandons the weak.”

“Hah, unbelievable. Fine, fine. You’re that kind of person. You fit that idiotic image much better. So don’t let yourself get swayed by sentiment too much. How many people do you think genuinely want the world you’re talking about?”

“…”

“I tried to kill you, and I didn’t care one bit about the trash under your command.”

“…”

“So I’ll say it again—don’t leave any threats behind. If you truly want that kind of world.”

“…Truly, I can’t win against you, Lady Yeo.”

I stood up.

I felt like my mind couldn’t take any more of her cold truths.

“Well then, see you next time. Thanks for the advice.”

“…Don’t come back. I mean it.”

Lü Bu said, her face serious.

I simply laughed and walked away.

My leg still limped from the lingering aftereffects.

Because of that, I had to lean against the wall, almost crawling as I moved.

I could feel her gaze from behind, but I kept walking without looking back.

Not long after, Lü Bu’s execution date was set.

It was a night when the crescent moon hung in the sky.