Chapter 77: Awakening (1)
“You went to see Lü Bu again, didn’t you?”
Unsam asked as I lay sprawled like a loafer.
I hadn’t intended to keep it a secret, but I also hadn’t planned to talk about it openly.
However, it seemed rumors had spread since I’d been conversing with Lü Bu so frequently lately.
“Yeah, something like that.”
“I heard that Lü Bu saved you. Man, life sure throws some surprises.”
“Yeah, tell me about it. I still don’t quite understand it myself. By the way, you’ve been busy lately; are your duties done?”
“…Don’t even get me started.”
Unsam sighed so deeply it seemed like the ground might swallow him up.
“I’m just not cut out for this kind of thing. Compared to me, Baekrang has adapted so well. I’ve always felt that guy should never be given power.”
After Cao Cao declared her intention to support the Emperor, we were given positions befitting the change.
I wasn’t sure if this was right, but as Cao Cao said:
Now was the time for strength. To reclaim past glory, we couldn’t afford to stay where we were.
The tree of Han Dynasty was already rotten. For decades, people had died, one after another, and trust in the royal family had all but vanished.
In other words, the situation had reached an uncontrollable point.
I knew that well.
In the end, legitimacy was of paramount importance.
The Emperor lacked legitimacy, and discontent against her would only grow, eventually leading to open rebellion.
“Whew… It’s a good thing that girl Haryeong is here; if not for her, I’d already be a dead man.”
Unsam, Baekrang, and Zilong had been recognized for their contributions at the Battle of Hangu Pass and were appointed as generals.
It wasn’t any grand generalship, just General of Subjugation, but still, it was a position they could never have imagined holding before.
Yet Unsam didn’t look particularly pleased.
This guy was similar to me in nature; he liked to eat, sleep, and laze around. He was awful at anything that required using his brain.
“Don’t push too much work onto Haryeong. She’s busy managing finances and military provisions.”
“Heh, don’t you know? Ever since our little tactician joined the army, Haryeong’s work speed has surpassed human limits. She’s so fast, I think she could wield a sword just as well.”
“Is that so?”
Now that I think about it, I hadn’t had much chance to speak with Haryeong since Sama Yi joined.
Tch, I need to pay more attention, but I’ve been preoccupied myself lately.
I should bring some of her favorite snacks when I visit next time.
“But why haven’t you received any official position, Hyung?”
“Who knows.”
I scratched my butt and yawned.
“Not that I care.”
“What do you mean? You were the main hero of this war.”
“I’m still just a former beggar. There’s no need to honor someone like me grandly. Besides, you know how it is. If you get a position, it just means more work. I’m not good at using my head. I’d die for real.”
Just thinking about being bogged down by official duties, unable to train in martial arts, and wasting away was horrifying.
Not to mention, I urgently needed to perfect my body.
Lately, it wasn’t responding as it should.
I acted composed, but even walking normally was getting harder.
Sometimes, when I picked up my sword and tried to regain my sense, it slipped from my grasp.
Seeing that, Yun was so alarmed.
Come to think of it, Yun is starting to resemble Haryeong more and more.
When they’re around, their nagging nearly ruptures my eardrums.
While I was chatting with Unsam after a long time, the door opened.
It was Sama Yi.
She hurried over to me.
“Is your body okay now?”
“Yeah.”
“Really? Zilong said she still had doubts about your condition last time. You’re not just putting on a brave face, are you?”
“Do I need to prove that I’m perfectly fine?”
“If you say so.”
Sama Yi nodded cutely.
She then fixed her gaze on Unsam, who turned pale like someone in desperate need of a bathroom and immediately fled out the door.
“Hyung, I’m busy, so I’ll get going!”
And so, only Sama Yi and I were left in the room.
“What, did he do something wrong?”
“Wrong? Not really. It’s just that after becoming an official, he still struggles to read, so I gave him some lessons.”
Ah, this kid is surprisingly strict despite her appearance.
“You too, Uncle. You’re better at reading than others, but there’s still a lot to learn. Once your body recovers, I’ll start teaching you, so be prepared.”
“…I suddenly don’t feel so well.”
“Don’t act like a child.”
Sama Yi poked my forehead with her tiny index finger.
She was young, but so capable. If only she were a little more immature, more fitting for her age.
“You’ll be receiving an official position soon, so you should study hard until then.”
“Official position, my foot. No word yet, so it’s unlikely to happen.”
“Are you serious? You’re going to be much busier than you think.”
“Don’t say such dreadful things.”
I sighed, and Sama Yi smirked. She looked like a cute little animal.
“By the way, I’ve heard you’ve been talking with Lü Bu a lot lately.”
“Even you’ve heard about that?”
“Is there anyone who hasn’t? Some of your subordinates don’t seem to care, but there are also those who aren’t happy with what you’re doing. That’s why I came to you directly. Suspicion, like a tiny flame, grows uncontrollably over time. So, what are you planning to do?”
“…Not sure.”
“Forget the politics or any of that. What do you personally want to do?”
Previously, Sama Yi had deeply questioned why Lü Bu helped me.
This clever kid likely concluded there must be something between Lü Bu and me.
Well, if she asked what I wanted to do, I had to answer honestly.
“…I don’t particularly want to kill her.”
“And why’s that?”
Lü Bu had told me.
If someone stands in your way, kill them, intimidate them, and leave no threats behind.
And in truth, I had always killed my enemies without hesitation.
But this situation was entirely different.
Lü Bu had essentially saved my life twice.
No matter how much of an enemy she was, she was also a benefactor.
What meaning would there be in betraying a benefactor and moving forward?
That was not the way of a true martial artist.
“I just feel that way. Lü Bu has lost her will to fight, and I have no desire to swing my sword at someone who’s already given up.”
“…I see.”
Sama Yi let out a long sigh.
“…I also agree with sparing Lü Bu.”
“What?”
It was more surprising than I expected.
I had thought Sama Yi would insist on executing Lü Bu immediately.
“What’s with that look? I don’t have a personal grudge against Lü Bu; she was someone I only knew by reputation. But I’ve seen her skills firsthand. Uncle, your job is to seize the land.”
Sama Yi crawled onto my sickbed, her face coming close enough to feel her breath.
Her purple eyes gleamed with a cold light.
“And seizing the land is no easy feat. Honestly, our current forces are still lacking. No matter how many hundreds you take on alone, there are limits. If we can recruit Lü Bu, we’ll take a big step forward. Lü Bu’s forces are from Bing Province, which is a significant asset. Moreover, Lü Bu herself is known as the Peerless Under Heaven.”
Sama Yi poked my shoulder.
“A force with both the Greatest Under Heaven and the Peerless Under Heaven would be terrifying in itself. With renowned figures seizing power in Hebei, Jing Province, and Luoyang, we need to build up a force of that level too.”
I understood what she meant.
But whether Lü Bu would accept was a different matter.
That woman didn’t seem like someone who could be recruited no matter what I did.
In most stories, Lü Bu was portrayed as a betrayer, but this Lü Bu had an unyielding core.
“…If you insist, I’ll give it a try.”
“Looks like it’s not going well, is it?”
“You’re too sharp, kid. Pretend not to notice sometimes.”
“Hmph, just do your best. We can’t drag this out forever. If Lü Bu is to be executed, it should be done quickly.”
“I will.”
I patted Sama Yi on the head.
“…Uncle, are you really okay?”
She glared at me, her eyes blazing.
“Your hand is shaking.”
“I’m just tired, you brat.”
“…Really?”
Sama Yi’s tone grew serious.
I smiled and nodded.
***
“Your Majesty, then I shall consider this matter approved.”
“Yes, yes, go ahead.”
The young Emperor, Liu Xie, struggled to contain her hiccups as she looked at Cao Cao bowing before her.
Her position was practically unchanged from Dong Zhuo’s time.
Whenever Cao Cao presented official documents, she was powerless to do anything but grant approval.
Yes, she was nothing but a puppet.
Thinking back, it had always been that way.
No one had ever reached out to her with pure intentions.
Under the title of Emperor, Liu Xie was just a frail girl.
However, just once.
Though it was only one encounter, there had been someone who had tried to save her, not as Emperor Liu Xie, but as the girl Liu Xie.
It might have been a misunderstanding.
But for Liu Xie, who had never experienced such kindness, it was a deeply moving moment.
“Then, I, Cao Cao, shall take my leave.”
“…Wait!”
So she mustered the courage to call out to Cao Cao.
“T-there’s something I wish to ask!”
“…Whatever it may be, please command it.”
“It’s just personal curiosity, but what is the name of the man who knelt before me?”
At the Emperor’s question, Cao Cao’s shoulders stiffened.
“…I believe you’ve already heard of him. He is Unryong of Manbo County.”
“…Unryong, so he’s that famous…”
“May I ask why you’re inquiring about his name?”
“Hmm, no, it’s just that… I wish to speak with him. Can the General convey that?”
“…He is currently focused on his recovery.”
Cao Cao smiled faintly.
It was a seemingly harmless and captivating smile, but her red eyes blazed ominously.
“Could you perhaps wait a little longer?”
“…Ah, I see.”
Liu Xie swallowed hard.
The aura emanating from Cao Cao was intimidating.
After Cao Cao left, Liu Xie clutched her pounding heart and gasped for breath.
‘T-that was terrifying…! How could someone so small exude such overwhelming presence…! She might be even more terrifying than Dong Zhuo…!’
While Liu Xie was in a state of shock, Jia Xu approached the girl.
“Your Majesty, if you are so interested in that man, shall I take the initiative?”
“…Jia Xu!”
“Just give the command.”
“Yes, yes! That’s right! Jia Xu, go and find out his intentions.”
As Emperor, she was unable to leave the throne at will.
Visiting the sickbed of a commander she had never met was utterly impossible.
Jia Xu smiled gently.
“Trust me. I, Jia Xu, though lacking in exceptional talent, will carry out Your Majesty’s command even if it costs me my life.”