MTLNOVEL Chapter 78 - Awakening (2)
Chapter 78: Awakening (2)
“Mengde, why do you look so displeased?”
“Hmm.”
Right after subduing Dong Zhuo and enthroning the Emperor, it had been a long time since Cao Cao’s expression looked this indifferent.
The only times she had looked like this were after her arguments with Yuan Shao and when clashing with the warlords in the Anti-Dong Zhuo Coalition.
Now, Cao Cao was like a quietly burning flame.
“Yuanyang, I detest those who covet what is mine.”
“Well, I know that.”
Xiahou Dun yawned as he sat across from Cao Cao.
“No one with their guts intact would dare covet anything belonging to our Mengde, wouldn’t you say?”
“Yes, I never expected it. To think it would come to this.”
Cao Cao’s eyes drooped lower.
To openly show her melancholy like this?
Xiahou Dun couldn’t understand.
“Can’t you just charm them or take over as you usually do? The Mengde I know isn’t someone who backs down so easily.”
“You’re right, but… Haa… Life doesn’t always go the way you want.”
“Who on earth has the great Mengde so scared? It’s not like you.”
“Let’s end this conversation here. I’ve lost my composure for a moment. Right now, official matters are more important.”
Cao Cao spoke and sighed softly, so softly that Xiahou Dun couldn’t hear it.
She craved power, but it stemmed from her loyalty to Han.
In other words, even after enthroning the Emperor, she never intended to follow the same path as Dong Zhuo.
When the young Emperor grew to become a true Son of Heaven, Cao Cao planned to step back from the frontlines.
To establish this era of peace with her people and as a loyal servant of the royal family.
However…
Losing precious talents before even beginning would be a problem in itself.
No matter how much Cao Cao respected the Emperor, her relationship with the royal family was currently complicated.
As a result, clashes with the Emperor’s supporters were inevitable.
The royal family would try desperately to maintain their power.
Therefore, for Cao Cao to take control of the court, conflict was unavoidable.
Thus, the current situation was the worst for Cao Cao.
‘I hope it’s just my imagination…’
The Emperor’s eyes had sparkled with countless stars.
That was undoubtedly the emotion of excitement.
Cao Cao knew this feeling better than anyone.
She, too, sometimes felt this way when meeting outstanding talents or warriors she wished to have by her side.
As Cao Cao continued her work with an unusual amount of sighs, Xiahou Dun watched her with a puzzled expression.
***
Standing at the center of a seemingly endless grassland, I focused on my breathing.
Holding my sword, I took a step forward.
Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath, drawing the qi in my body toward the tip of the blade.
I turned and swung my sword suddenly.
—Swoosh!
The blade cut through the air, the sound of the wind sharp and piercing.
I bent my body, spinning swiftly.
The sword light traced in the air, painting a silver flower.
It seemed my body had somewhat recovered.
Convinced, I increased my speed and executed my sword technique.
Using my right foot as a pivot, I concentrated my internal energy in my dantian.
I then used my shoulder as a lever, swinging my sword like a whip to perform the Linked Illusion Sword—
—Clang!
At that moment, I lost my grip on the hilt.
Instinctively, I looked at my palm, which was trembling violently.
A metallic taste filled my mouth.
“…Ptooey.”
I spat out blood and carefully picked up the sword again.
Every time I tried to use my internal energy, this happened.
My internal injuries were severe, and my body was completely wrecked.
I had optimistically thought I could manage with sheer willpower, but the damage was far worse than I had imagined.
“Damn it…”
All my motivation drained away, and I slumped to the ground.
When would this weak body fully recover? The recovery was painfully slow.
“Do I really have to do closed-door training…?”
I hung my head, sighing deeply when I felt something tickle my shoulder.
Instinctively turning my head, I saw a woman with her hair braided into pigtails, smiling brightly behind me.
“…Who are you?”
“From over there, I happened to see your swordsmanship by chance. I was so moved that I couldn’t help but come over. If I’ve been rude, I apologize.”
“Are you perhaps a martial artist?”
“I’m not, but I’ve watched people wield swords countless times.”
The woman laughed, her rosy cheeks glowing softly, and extended her hand to me.
“Staying there will only dirty your clothes. …Oh, now that I see you up close, aren’t you the hero of the coalition, the Unryong of Manbo County? To have met you like this must be fate. I’d love to treat my benefactor to a drink. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“No, I’m okay—”
“Oh, please allow me. Chang’an has been oppressed by a tyrant for so long, but thanks to you, we’ve been saved. It’s only right to repay such a favor, don’t you think? Please grant me the chance to show my gratitude.”
Repay a favor, huh.
To refuse would be unbefitting of a self-proclaimed martial artist.
Ah, indeed!
Grabbing my aching knee, I forced myself to stand.
“If you put it that way, I’ll gladly accept your kindness. But why is a non-martial artist wandering in such a remote forest? No matter how safe you think it is, you never know when something might happen.”
The place where we stood was an isolated forest far from the county center.
I had come here because Un would nag too much whenever I trained at the training grounds where my brothers were practicing.
“Oh, that’s because…”
The woman turned her head, causing her braided hair to sway.
Then, she pointed beyond with her finger, her movements as graceful as if she were stroking the sunlight.
Following her finger, I saw a breathtaking view.
I had been too focused on my sword practice to notice the scenery, but the sight of the sun-drenched forest was like a painting.
The woman walked slowly, gently brushing the grass.
Each dewdrop-laden blade, each wildflower on the rocks, swayed lightly at her touch.
“Isn’t it beautiful?”
“It is.”
“I love beautiful things. Humans are like the sun in the sky—fragile beings with fleeting lives. And because of that, they make beauty more precious. I don’t want to miss those fleeting moments. So, at this time when the sun is at its highest, I take walks like this.”
With those words, she walked back toward me.
“And I like handsome men. I haven’t seen any lately, and from that perspective, you, the Unryong of Manbo County, are captivating enough to catch my eye.”
“…”
Oh, I’m really not a fan of such blatant flirting.
Especially after Zhang Yang kissed me on the cheek last time, I’ve developed a bit of trauma regarding such things.
As I looked away, the woman’s smile widened even more.
It felt like she had found something amusing.
At this point, I wondered if she was here to mock me rather than repay a favor.
“Shall we leave the conversation here? Conversations are best enjoyed with a drink, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Do whatever you want.”
And so, we found a seat at a nearby tavern.
It had been a while since I had a drink.
And a free one at that.
There wasn’t a single Korean who disliked free things.
Although this place was far from Korea, my Korean blood was still flowing, so I couldn’t refuse.
“Ahh!”
Refreshing.
How long has it been since I had a drink?
As I gulped down the liquor, I felt my blood circulating more vigorously.
“So, who are you exactly? From your manner of speaking and appearance, you don’t seem like an ordinary citizen.”
“Oh, I am… No, never mind. That’s not an interesting answer. Just call me ‘Teacher.’ The only skill I have is in letters. I hope you understand.”
“Fine, if you don’t want to say, then don’t. I don’t really care.”
“You are quite the gentleman, aren’t you? Wonderful. In my line of work, I was surrounded by incompetent men, and it was truly a headache.”
“Yeah, I know. Colleagues are always a pain in the ass, aren’t they?”
“Oh, you get me. It’s been a while since I’ve had such a delightful conversation partner; today’s drink tastes especially sweet.”
Contrary to her cute appearance, the woman drank like a man, downing her glass in one go.
“It’s truly fortunate that the Unryong of Manbo County saved the court. Thanks to you, the Emperor’s body has been preserved in peace. You are truly a loyal servant of Han.”
“You don’t need to flatter me. I just did what I felt like doing.”
“What you felt like doing?”
“I wanted to get rid of that bastard Dong Zhuo. That’s why I came here to cut off his head. Though he turned out to be a pathetic fool who didn’t even require my direct intervention.”
“Hahaha! How amusing. Your reason isn’t exactly admirable, but I like how straightforward you are. You’re as clear as this plum wine—transparent inside and out.”
The woman laughed heartily, slapping her knee.
She continued.
“However, despite the end of tyranny, this world is far from beautiful. It’s now a place full of ugly desires. The current Emperor is too young to discern right from wrong, and with General Cao Cao’s rise, what will become of the court? It’s a complicated issue.”
“You seem well-versed in politics. Are you a member of the court?”
“You could say that.”
She nodded confidently.
“Are you sure you should be saying things like this? Your words could be taken as blaming the Emperor’s incompetence for the current situation.”
“…You’re sharper than I expected. I won’t affirm that, but it’s true that a small figure cannot bear the weight of a grand throne. It’s more like the throne will consume her.”
“I see.”
“And I’m not the only one who thinks so. There will always be those who covet the throne.”
She painted a rather complex picture.
In the end, it meant that another war was inevitable.
“It seems you have many worries, Teacher.”
“That’s right. Don’t you as well?”
“Huh? What do I have to worry about?”
“You’re about to receive a position directly from the Emperor. Once that happens, you’ll gain great authority.”
The woman leaned closer.
“I wonder, will you stand by the great tree or plant new roots? I’m very curious.”
“Are you here to interrogate me after promising to repay a favor?”
“Oh, don’t misunderstand me. You don’t have to answer. I’d be saddened if you took it the wrong way.”
“Haa…”
I understood her intention.
Was she asking if I would side with the royal family or with Cao Cao, the leader of the coalition?
Since she claimed to be part of the court, it was possible that she was sent by the court.
I’d heard that the power struggle between Cao Cao and the court had been intensifying recently.
I had no reason not to answer.
I slowly opened my mouth.
“I don’t know what answer you’re expecting, but I’ll say just one thing. I will end this damn chaotic world. That’s my job.”
“Is that really all?”
The woman glanced at me suspiciously.
In response to her gaze, I snorted and crossed my arms.
“If it weren’t for this damn chaotic world, I’d already be secluded in some mountain, training with my brothers.”
“You’re amusing, Unryong.”
The woman drew even closer.
Close enough that I could feel her breath.
She smirked.
“To think you only aim to quell the chaos. You have neither loyalty nor grand ideals, yet you say such things. It’s truly touching.”
The woman smiled broadly.
“So, what will you do once the chaos is quelled?”
“I will establish the Martial World.”
“The Martial World?”
The woman tilted her head.
I smiled back at her.
“A world full of martial arts and chivalry. A world of romance.”
“Martial arts and chivalry, huh? That sounds like a beautiful world.”
We continued to laugh and drink together, exchanging toasts.