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

Chapter 101. Reunion (2)

A tense silence lingered for a while.

The string of tension was taut, the creeping hostility sending shivers down Zhang Fei’s spine.

This was something unimaginable under normal circumstances.

Even if these people didn’t know the exact identities of the three, the fact that they could recognize them as martial artists and still show such hostility was absurd.

Zhang Fei glanced around, feeling the strange atmosphere.

Yes, all their gazes were focused on the man in rags.

As if worshipping him, and as if seeing Zhang Fei standing before him as some kind of impurity.

What kind of person could command the people’s hearts like this?

Could he be someone of high status?

Zhang Fei gulped.

Meanwhile, Unryong, who was the center of attention…

‘Damn it, why is Yide here?’

…was secretly sweating bullets.

How could he not be?

What were the chances of randomly running into these three in this remote area?

Unryong hastily suppressed his presence.

While he had quite a favorable impression of Zhang Fei, he had no intention of revealing his identity to anyone other than Lü Bu right now.

It was close.

All of his acupoints had been restored, leaving only the task of expelling the impure qi from his body.

Due to his recent battle experience, Unryong’s qi manipulation already far surpassed the peak level.

With just a little more time, he was confident he could achieve Rebirth.

So now was not the time to be interrupted.

And Lü Bu, who had stuck with him persistently over the past few months, knew this well.

Lü Bu leaned close to Unryong and whispered.

– “What do we do now?”

– “We should probably just run.”

– “…”

At Unryong’s words, Lü Bu snapped her head around.

She could see sweat beading on his forehead.

Unryong had a bad feeling.

– “You haven’t caused another mess, have you?”

– “I can’t help it when just seeing those bastards makes my blood boil…! What, am I supposed to just swallow my pride and endure this humiliation?”

Unryong rubbed his face in exasperation.

Lü Bu was also upset about this.

Even though she said this, she had tried, in her way, not to lash out.

Of course, with Lü Bu’s unpredictable nature, it was nearly impossible to control her outbursts.

As Unryong and Lü Bu fumbled around, Zhang Fei took a step forward.

“This is ridiculous. I was going to let it slide, but I can’t.”

She then clasped her hands respectfully.

“Under this vast sun, the law prevails. Forgive my rudeness, but I must know your identity.”

Who on earth could command such intense gazes from the people?

This was something she had to understand.

It wasn’t just Zhang Fei who thought this way.

Guan Yu and Liu Bei, who were observing the situation from behind, shared the same thought.

It was dangerous for a private individual, without an official rank, to lead the people.

History, written in blood, had proven this time and again.

Like the Yellow Turbans. Or the Black Mountain Bandits.

No matter who it was, it was dangerous for a single person to be revered to this extent.

Unryong stayed silent for a moment before letting out a deep sigh.

“I’m just a wanderer. I have no identity to reveal.”

“Is that so?”

Zhang Fei’s eyes sharpened.

“I’ve done nothing to be ashamed of. I merely came to the market for a bite to eat. Or is there a law that says I should starve to death under the imperial rules?”

“…”

It seemed he had no intention of answering honestly.

After all, who would willingly expose their hand, whether their intentions were good or bad?

How could she make him talk… As Zhang Fei tapped the Eight-Foot Snake Spear strapped to her back, Liu Bei grabbed her shoulder.

“That’s enough.”

Liu Bei was smiling.

Her smile was warm, like sunlight.

“My sister has been rude. Please, do not take it to heart, sir.”

Liu Bei bowed respectfully to the man who introduced himself merely as a wanderer.

It was as if status was no shackle to her.

This was truly typical of Liu Bei.

Unryong, having seen Liu Bei’s demeanor before, furrowed his brow in annoyance.

“Well, since she’s saying that, let’s just go.”

Lü Bu, without even glancing at Liu Bei, grabbed Unryong by the nape of his neck.

“Sorry about earlier. We both messed up, so let’s just go our separate ways. Please. Okay?”

“Please wait a moment.”

Liu Bei, still smiling, stopped them.

“Isn’t this meeting a kind of fate? Please, at least let me offer you a meal. I would feel guilty if I let you go after being rude.”

“I don’t care about that crap, so no, thank, you. Hey, why are you dawdling? Let’s go already!”

“Y-Yeah… Sure.”

Unryong, looking bewildered, was dragged away by Lü Bu.

Indeed, this was not the time for idle talk.

However, Lü Bu’s steps suddenly halted after a short while…

“Oh, pardon my late introduction.”

Liu Bei pulled out a badge from her sleeve.

A badge…!

It was like a masterpiece of this vile status-based society.

Unryong and Lü Bu, who had no official identity, couldn’t stand a chance against this badge…!

“I originally came here on official business, but now I have plenty of free time. So, please grant me the chance to apologize for my rudeness.”

“…”

Unryong thought to himself.

Liu Bei, that woman, was truly terrifying.

Even as she humbled herself, she subtly turned the situation to her advantage with her infuriatingly persuasive words, as if she had reached some higher state of existence.

In the end, Unryong and Lü Bu had no choice but to hang their heads and be escorted away…

***

Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.

Glasses of liquor were set down in order.

“Please enjoy. This is Xiaohong wine, the best around Xu Province. I’ll bring the appetizers shortly.”

The tavern’s chef said, and Liu Bei nodded with a smile.

‘Even the atmosphere here feels strange.’

Outwardly, she kept a bright smile, but her eyes were busy scanning the surroundings.

She wasn’t mistaken.

Even inside the tavern, people were oddly mindful of the man sitting at their table.

Those were eyes filled with deep concern.

Liu Bei, adept at reading emotions through observation, noticed this without difficulty.

Thus, she needed to confirm.

If this was the work of an evil path, it had to be rooted out immediately.

In the subtly heavy air, it was surprisingly Unryong who spoke first.

“What brings such esteemed individuals to this place?”

Zhang Fei clicked her tongue and answered.

“Tsk, do you know of the Green Forest?”

“…I’m aware.”

Of course, the very person who had destroyed the Green Forest was Unryong, sitting right there.

Zhang Fei, seemingly frustrated, bit her lower lip and downed her drink.

“Heh, then this conversation will be quick. We originally came to take care of those bandits, but instead, we’re just strolling around. It’s not like we’re out for a leisurely walk. Who the hell took care of them before us? No one here will tell us.”

“Is that so?”

“Exactly.”

Unryong was genuinely surprised at Zhang Fei’s words.

Suddenly, the events of that day came back to him.

– ‘I heard it from Hyeryeon.’

While walking with the Green Forest leader’s severed head, the villagers had greeted Unryong before anyone else.

Among them, an elderly man, who appeared to be quite advanced in age, had knelt before Unryong.

He pressed his forehead to the ground, unwilling even to meet his eyes, which Unryong had found rather uncomfortable.

– ‘He is said to be in hiding due to certain circumstances.’

– ‘Well, yes, but…’

– ‘Even if you subjugate the Green Forest, you won’t receive the reward fitting of your deeds. Why did you take action personally? This old man spent sleepless nights fearing for your safety, as did everyone here.’

Unryong scratched his cheek and replied.

– ‘Do you need a reason to hunt down bandits? Bad people get cut down. Isn’t that enough?’

– ‘Ah…!’

Thud.

The old man slammed his head to the ground.

And again, thud.

The countless villagers behind him also bowed deeply toward Unryong.

– ‘How merciful you are…!’

Just as Hyeryeon had said. So this was what they called chivalry.

The old man, despite his age, had wept bitterly.

Unryong couldn’t understand it, but to the old man, Unryong was nothing less than a savior.

When his granddaughter had been kidnapped, and his son’s vengeful attempt had only resulted in his head being returned, the old man could do nothing.

Nor could anyone else help.

For them, the Green Forest was a deeply ingrained fear.

Years passed.

The old man, and the villagers, had given up resisting.

For if they didn’t, the future held nothing but death by the bandits’ axes.

Yes, they feared death.

No matter how wretched, ugly, or pathetic, in the end, people were creatures who clung to life.

However, in the tavern, Unryong had told them.

To resist.

To resist until the very end.

And what he showed them were bandits trembling in fear before death, just like themselves.

They had forgotten.

That those bandits were just like them.

They also bled, ate, and clung desperately to their pitiful lives.

– ‘How can we ever repay this grace…!’

– ‘There’s no need for anything grand. The weather isn’t bad, is it? Just sharing a drink together, it’s the perfect weather for it.’

Just as he said, the warm sunlight was soaking into their bodies.

It was indeed a beautiful day.

– ‘Besides, just because Green Forest is gone doesn’t mean it’s all over.’

– ‘…’

– ‘Who owns this land?’

– ‘W-Well…’

The old man had instinctively thought of His Majesty, the Emperor, and the Magistrate of Xu Province.

But Unryong spoke first.

– ‘It’s you.’

– ‘…’

– ‘It’s you who will tend to this land from now on. So, will you just sit here crying? I don’t need bows and thanks from old men, so stop it.’

The old man stared blankly at Unryong.

Unryong smiled and lightly patted the old man’s shoulder.

– ‘Of course, from an official standpoint, it could be seen as a credit to those in power.’

Unryong said this casually and tossed the leader’s head away.

– ‘Well then, I’ll be off.’

“Excuse me?”

Unryong, lost in recollection, was jolted back by a sudden voice.

“Hm?”

“Are you even listening?”

Zhang Fei, with a flushed face from chugging liquor, seemed the very picture of the world’s greatest drunkard.

“Well…”

Unryong nodded slowly.

To be honest, he never expected the villagers would go to such lengths to keep his identity hidden.

It was unfathomable.

Meanwhile, the gazes of the villagers continued to deepen with admiration.

‘Ah, how magnificent he is today!’

‘Our savior…’

‘If I were in his place, I’d serve him a feast…!’

‘I wish I could greet him!’

So clingingly…

In truth, the three sisters’ suspicions might not have been entirely wrong.