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

Chapter 32: The Birth of a Hero

Unryong, tipsy and exhilarated, staggered as he kept drinking.

Seeing this, Zhang Yang hurriedly approached him, alarmed.

“How much have you had to drink…?”

“Well, it just happened.”

With those words, the staggering man seemed more like a vagrant.

Zhang Yang could only sigh.

She had witnessed the fierce battle against Lü Bu.

She had seen his subordinates gripping their reins without hesitation, rushing to save him.

And then, she learned that more than half of them had lost their lives to Lü Bu’s Fangtian Huaji.

She expected him to be devastated, but instead, he wore a broad smile, cheerfully downing drink after drink.

“Please, sit down. I’ll prepare you some food.”

Zhang Yang carefully guided Unryong’s unsteady figure to a straw mat lying on the ground.

It was hard, rough, and even felt warm. Did a man’s shoulders really feel so different from a woman’s?

While mulling over this thought, Zhang Yang barely suppressed the hiccup threatening to escape.

“Hey, let go already. It’s suffocating.”

“Ah! Yes, of course!”

Zhang Yang quickly withdrew her hand and backed away.

Unryong chuckled, watching her.

“Are you still not used to it?”

“…A person’s nature doesn’t change so easily.”

“Nowadays, people really have a way of dressing up how they talk about being old maids.”

“W-What?! How dare you say something so rude!”

Zhang Yang huffed, her breath coming fast and furious. Her face was flushed red, not so different from Unryong’s.

Meanwhile, Unryong, oblivious to any offense, just gulped down his drink.

Zhang Yang, feeling suddenly hollow, calmed herself and sat down next to him.

His profile came into view.

He, who had been so fierce on the battlefield, now looked weary from intoxication.

“Aren’t you tired…?”

The question slipped out before she realized it.

Anyone near Unryong and his subordinates could see their bond.

There was never a shortage of laughter around them.

Even though she hadn’t spent much time with them, Zhang Yang had picked up on this.

So, the loss must have been immeasurable, yet Unryong seemed utterly unfazed.

“I can’t show them a pathetic side of me.”

Unryong spoke, raising a faint smile.

“Those guys…they follow me because they trust me. Whether I intended it or not, they’re my family now. I have to protect them. I can’t show them weakness.”

“But no one is here now.”

Zhang Yang moved closer.

“Are you truly alright?”

Before she realized it, she found herself caressing his cheek.

This was her way of getting back at him. It was the result of her own effort, in her own way.

“Your hand is cold.”

“This morning is unusually cold, it seems.”

“No, your hand is cold.”

“Then, it must be that the chill has already seeped into me.”

Despite her trembling hand, Zhang Yang continued to gently stroke his cheek.

What was this feeling?

It was a sensation she couldn’t quite describe, yet it was different from the fear she usually felt.

For someone like Zhang Yang, who was always plagued by distrust, this unfamiliar emotion was a first.

It felt calming, peaceful, like taking a leisurely stroll through a meadow.

“Never thought I’d see the day when the Governor would comfort me…,” Unryong sighed deeply.

“Of course it’s hard. It’s unbearably hard. I just want to give up. I bragged about protecting them, but instead, they died trying to protect me.”

Unryong raised his cup.

“The number of drinking companions keeps getting smaller. Not just here. As long as this chaotic world continues, people like us are bound to disappear.”

Naturally, this wasn’t the first time his subordinates had died.

Every time it happened, he drank.

Just for a moment, to forget the pain and the fear.

How could it not be terrifying?

People die.

People kill.

Forget that, and you cease to be human.

“I’ve always loved martial arts stories,” he said.

“Helping the weak, finding my own path, sticking to my beliefs. How could a man not admire that?”

“Surely, you’ve upheld that honor. Your loyalty to the Han Dynasty, and your hard work for the greater cause—everyone in the coalition knows of it, not just me.”

“Loyalty, a great cause.”

A smirk formed on his lips. It was a clear expression of mockery.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t care about those things. I didn’t kill Hua Xiong because I wanted to, and I didn’t fight Lü Bu for some grand cause. I just rushed in to save my brother.”

“But your righteous deeds…”

“They weren’t righteous at all. I’m just here to climb the ranks. Isn’t that ridiculous?”

“…”

Zhang Yang held her breath, meeting his gaze.

“The truth is, I’ve known for a while. I’m just a child. I’ve dressed up my actions with nice words, justified them, and lost sight of myself.”

What is righteousness?

Is it simply helping the weak? Or is it protecting the ones you cherish? Is it never forgetting a grudge, repaying kindness, and keeping every promise no matter the cost?

What is righteousness, really?

Unryong couldn’t answer that question.

Eventually, he shook his head.

“I don’t even know why I’m saying all this. Just forget it. Blame it on the ramblings of a drunk.”

His profile, even while he uttered those words, looked pitiful despite his nickname as a mad dog.

Though a smile lingered on his lips, the downward curve of his eyes suggested otherwise.

Zhang Yang realized it then.

The mockery in his voice wasn’t directed outward. It was self-derision, filled with wandering and self-loathing.

“…You’re lost.”

“Why are you taking this so seriously? And could you finally take your hand off my cheek?”

As requested, Zhang Yang slowly withdrew her hand from his cheek.

She gently placed it on his head instead.

Before the coalition marched toward Hulao Gate, she had thought of him as the strongest person.

After all, he had slain Hua Xiong in one strike and held off Lü Bu.

That wasn’t a false assumption.

But what about now?

He was strong, yet weak.

He was just human, like her.

Zhang Yang continued to stroke his hair gently.

“If that’s the case, then just let it all go for now. If you ever feel lonely, I’ll be your drinking companion. If you’re happy, I’ll be happy with you. Until you find your path, I’ll be by your side.”

Just as he had told her she wasn’t wrong, she offered him affirmation.

“So, don’t suffer alone.”

She wanted to affirm him and share his pain.

That was what Zhang Yang wanted to do at this moment, even if she couldn’t fully explain why.

Then, it happened.

“Now, this is interesting.”

A graceful voice echoed from behind them.

At the same time, the sound of heavy footsteps approached.

Zhang Yang, startled, couldn’t even think to withdraw her hand as she froze in place.

After all, all the lords were gathering around them.

Her face flushed red, ready to burst.

Cao Cao chuckled softly.

“Have I interrupted?”

“Aman, didn’t I tell you to wait?” came another voice.

“But, Benchu. I can’t resist when something piques my interest.”

“You should learn to curb that curiosity.”

Appearing from behind Cao Cao was a figure with golden eyes.

“We came to congratulate you for your valor at Manbo County, but it seems we’ve come at a difficult time.”

It was Yuan Shao, the leader of the coalition, who had recently joined the army before dawn.

“No, no! It’s not like that!”

Zhang Yang quickly stood up and backed away from Unryong.

Unryong, still dazed from the alcohol, sat on a rock, continuing to drink.

Yuan Shao, unfazed, continued.

“Then, let me say this to the General of Manbo. Your bravery will now be known throughout the land. Not only did you stand against Lü Bu, but you faced death and held your ground. Truly, you are a great hero. If not you, who else could bear that title?”

“Yes, you were splendid indeed,” Cao Cao added, her silver hair gleaming in the moonlit night.

“That’s not what happened,” Unryong replied lazily.

Typically, it would be rude to respond so casually to a coalition leader, but given the circumstances—his victory and drunken state—it was excusable.

In fact, both Yuan Shao and Cao Cao found his humility quite satisfying, nodding in approval.

“Excessive humility can be a poison. You are indeed a hero.”

“Pfft, it’s just what happens when ten thousand clash against thirty thousand,” Yuan Shu grumbled, clearly irritated by Cao Cao.

An elderly man, smiling kindly, spoke up next.

“Come now, let’s not be too harsh, Governor of Nanyang. Instead of trampling on the new bloom, shouldn’t we bless it?”

The old man with a flowing white beard was Tao Qian, the Governor of Xu Province, one of the eight lords who fought alongside Unryong and Zhang Yang.

“Once this war is over, I would be honored to host you in Xu Province. What do you say?”

“You’re rushing things, Governor of Xu Province. The war isn’t even over yet, and you’re already making plans.”

Cao Cao’s icy gaze flickered as she spoke.

“These personal matters can wait until we’ve completed the great task at hand. For now, we should focus on defeating Dong Zhuo.”

The old man stroked his beard and chuckled.

“Yes, General, you’re right.”

Unryong sighed, watching them all.

While he stayed still, they were busy beating their drums and sounding their horns, making a ruckus.

“Yes, Aman is right. We should focus on the great cause and celebrate this decisive victory.”

Yuan Shao nodded in agreement with Cao Cao.

Unryong was about to open his mouth, clearly unable to hold back any longer, when Zhang Yang quickly clamped her hand over his mouth.

She had momentarily forgotten, but he had a fiery temper.

Though he usually maintained a certain decorum while sober, right now, he was heavily drunk, and who knew what he might say.

“I-I apologize, but he needs to rest. He’s intoxicated and not in the right frame of mind. Perhaps we should leave this discussion for another time.”

Zhang Yang, sweating profusely, spoke, and Cao Cao narrowed her red eyes before nodding.

“You’re right. We can’t keep someone who needs rest. It’s better if he gets some sleep. I’ll be on my way.”

Cao Cao turned first, and the other lords followed suit.

“…Phew! Were you trying to kill me?” Unryong exclaimed as soon as Zhang Yang released him.

“If it weren’t for me, you really would have been dead!”

Unryong stood up, still holding his bottle.

“Ugh, I just need to sleep. Who knows what you might do to me if I stay here.”

“W-What? If someone hears, they’ll think I’m going to eat you alive!”

Just when she thought things had gone well, it ended like this.

Zhang Yang sighed deeply.

…Come to think of it, why am I even worried about the mood? she wondered.

At that moment, a soldier approached.

“Un-Unryong… General of Manbo, is that you?!”

The soldier, his face red with excitement, stood before Unryong.

He was quickly followed by more soldiers, each throwing a word or two his way.

“General of Manbo! What brings you here?”

“I’ve heard the stories! Not only did you face off with Lü Bu, but you made her tremble with fear!”

“Oh, it’s an honor to meet you in person!”

Unryong clicked his tongue and began walking away, while the voices of praise echoed around Zhang Yang for quite some time.

After some time had passed, Zhang Yang took a walk to clear her mind.

“What was I thinking, saying something so embarrassing…?”

She hit her head with her fist and slapped her cheeks, letting out a small scream.

Yes, it must have been because of the alcohol.

That’s the only reason such nonsense slipped out.

But, in truth, Zhang Yang hadn’t had a single drop of alcohol.

Nevertheless, while dwelling on her embarrassing memories, she kept berating herself.

“Governor of Shangdang?”

Suddenly, she heard a voice, and looking up, she saw Yu Bi approaching from a distance.

“…What brings you out here so late?”

She asked, forcing a smile.

“…Did you perhaps… see it?”

“Hmm…”

As Yu Bi hesitated, Zhang Yang’s face crumbled. She looked like she had lost someone dear to her.

Noticing this, Yu Bi cleared her throat and clapped her hands.

“I didn’t see it too clearly. Don’t worry too much.”

“…Ah.”

Zhang Yang covered her face with both hands, and Yu Bi chose not to say anything more.

After a few minutes, Zhang Yang finally composed herself, adjusting her posture.

“I’ve shown an embarrassing side of myself.”

“Not at all. Everyone has their worries. Why should that be something to be ashamed of?”

Yu Bi replied.

“Then, what brings you out here?”

“…Nothing. I just felt like taking a walk.”

“I see.”

Their conversation quickly ran dry. Their relationship was awkward, to say the least.

“Would you like to walk together?”

Eventually, Yu Bi spoke first.

Zhang Yang gave a small nod. She didn’t really want to walk with someone she barely knew, but the atmosphere was such that refusing didn’t seem right.

“By the way, is the General of Manbo doing well?”

“He still needs to recover, but as you saw, he’s passed the worst.”

Zhang Yang’s expression turned serious as Unryong became the topic of conversation.

“He seems like an extraordinary person. His name has spread far and wide.”

“Yes, I think so too.”

As Yu Bi said, the hero of this recent victory was undoubtedly Unryong.

Even now, in the distance, people continued to praise him.

Hero.

It wasn’t uncommon to hear such a grand title being thrown around.

“To be honest, I was worried.”

Yu Bi had seen it.

Unryong’s desperate struggle.

How he risked his life to save his subordinates.

“But, seeing that he’s doing well is a relief above all else.”

“Yes.”

It was something Zhang Yang had worried about too.

He certainly seemed to be feeling the weight of his loss, but not to the extent that anyone needed to be overly concerned.

Though he might wander for a while, she believed he would overcome it.

“Heroes always rise in times of chaos.”

Eventually, Yu Bi spoke again.

“That saying seems quite true.”

Her jet-black eyes sparkled with pure, unadulterated sincerity.

Hero.

A hero, indeed.

Yes, he had the makings of one.

And Zhang Yang believed it without a shred of doubt.

“It’s already this late.”

Yu Bi smiled softly, clasping her hands together.

“I enjoyed our time. I should be heading back.”

“Yes, I enjoyed it as well. Take care.”

With that, they both turned to leave.

But then, they both stopped, unable to move further apart.

They were looking at the same place.

There, standing alone, was a man.

Facing a vast field of rolling hills, the man had his head bowed.

The two women held their breath.

Neither could find the words to speak, merely observing the scene before them.

In the distance, soldiers continued to sing his praises, but amid all that noise came the sound of desperate sobbing.