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

Chapter 33. Banquet

My mouth was dry, and my head hurt like hell.

If I moved even a little, I felt like I would vomit, so I asked Haryeong to bring me some water.

“I told you to take it easy. You’re already hurt, why did you drink so much?”

“Just bring me the water already… I feel like I’m going to die before my time.”

“Ugh, seriously.”

Haryeong grumbled but hurriedly left the tent and quickly returned with the water.

I drank it down, feeling a bit more alive.

Next time I drink, I’m a dog, a complete dog.

“Are you feeling better now?”

I barely suppressed the urge to throw up while drinking the water, when Zhang Yang entered the tent.

It felt awkward facing her after all the nonsense I said to her yesterday.

“…Unryong.”

Zhang Yang approached.

I avoided her gaze, feeling uncomfortable.

Then, she grabbed my cheek and made me meet her eyes.

“…If you’re struggling, you can lean on me.”

Why was she suddenly creating this atmosphere?

I felt so embarrassed I could just disappear.

She stroked my cheek like she was petting a sad puppy, and Haryeong, covering her mouth in surprise, opened her eyes wide.

“…Since when did you two become like this…! This isn’t right! You two, please enjoy your time together…!”

“…W-wait a minute! That’s not what this is!”

Zhang Yang shouted and quickly stepped back from me.

Unlike before, she didn’t trip or fall; her earlobes just turned bright red.

“Why are you acting like that all of a sudden? It doesn’t suit you.”

“…”

When I asked with a puzzled expression, she looked at me with those same pitiful eyes again.

Damn, what the hell? Why is she doing this?

“Don’t make that face. Anyone who sees you would think you’ve just been dumped.”

“…What?”

I brushed it off and walked out of the tent.

From behind, I could hear Zhang Yang’s belated shouts, but I blocked my ears.

If I stayed in that atmosphere any longer, I would’ve probably thrown up.

As I kept walking, I realized that I was pretty much recovered. My leg was still limping a bit, but it wasn’t at the level of serious discomfort.

And then, I had to stop.

“Are you feeling better now?”

“…What do you want?”

“What do I want? Our meeting is purely coincidental. But it seems you’re the one who’s quite conscious of me.”

Coincidence, my ass. Our camps aren’t exactly close to each other.

Cao Cao, with her red gleaming eyes, approached me.

“Soon, our royalist army will achieve great things. And it’s all thanks to you.”

As she said, the coalition army was still in the mood for celebration.

Their morale was so high, it seemed like they were certain of victory.

“Don’t say such cringeworthy things.”

“By the way, what are you planning to do so early in the morning?”

There was nothing more I could do.

In my current condition, I couldn’t join the army.

And maybe I was just a little tired.

I didn’t want to see anyone around me get hurt anymore. I didn’t want to watch my brothers die for nothing.

I missed the past.

The days when I used to just gather herbs in the mountains and practice martial arts without a care in the world.

“I was just thinking about some things.”

“Ho, so even you have worries. I didn’t think you were that type.”

“What, do you think I’m some kind of monster? I’m human, of course I have worries.”

Geez, this is embarrassing.

Couldn’t she just pretend not to notice?

In response, Cao Cao merely smiled faintly.

“Is that so? Perhaps you’re contemplating what to do once this war is over.”

“…What is someone like me supposed to do? I’m just thinking about going back home to live a peaceful life.”

Cao Cao nodded.

“That sounds good. However, there might be better options. Like joining me. Even after this war ends, it will take time for the Han Dynasty to regain its former state. So, you could become a loyal servant of the Han with me. How does that sound?”

Was she seriously here to talk about this early in the morning? Shouldn’t she be making this offer to someone like Guan Yu instead of me? Why me?

Tsk, taking Guan Yu’s credit really was my biggest mistake.

I shrugged my shoulders and walked past her.

She just kept smiling, her red eyes gleaming as she watched me.

Even if she kept looking at me like that, my mind was made up.

I would go back home, settle down in Jizhou, drink with my brothers, and live out the rest of my days in peace.

Once this war was over, I’d return to my hometown with Unsam and live a quiet life.

Don’t be greedy.

There’s no need to risk my life just for some fleeting success.

And I definitely wouldn’t fight here, risking my brothers’ lives for nothing.

Protecting those who are precious to me. That’s my *侠* (justice).

That’s what I had decided.

As I was walking, lost in those thoughts, I looked up.

The sky was filled with black smoke.

I already knew.

I knew the outcome of this coalition.

***

The coalition army began its advance.

Led by Sun Jian, they camped near Si Shui Gate.

As Sun Jian’s troops entered Luoyang through Si Shui Gate, the coalition prepared to wipe out the remaining forces and launch a full-scale attack.

With the army on the move, it looked like victory for the royalists was all but certain.

However, that expectation was utterly shattered when a man named Zhao Cen arrived and announced his surrender.

“Dong Zhuo… retreated to the west…”

Even Cao Cao, who always maintained her composure, showed a moment of frustration.

Before retreating from Luoyang, Dong Zhuo set fire to the gates and the palace.

The flames soared, and black smoke billowed up into the sky.

The stench of burning filled the air. It wasn’t a pleasant smell.

The lords, who had been so certain of their victory just the day before, were now dumbstruck.

That’s when Cao Cao spoke up.

“The advantage is still ours, my lord. We must seize this opportunity and pursue Dong Zhuo’s forces.”

Her expression was one of fierce determination.

Her eyes alone were filled with passion and resolve.

“…”

“…Benchu?”

Though Cao Cao was ready to move her troops, Yuan Shao, the leader of the coalition, merely rested his chin on his hand, his expression indifferent.

“What are you all doing? Why are the troops just standing there, not moving?”

The other lords began glancing at each other.

They exchanged looks but were hesitant to speak.

“Our troops are exhausted. Marching all the way to Chang’an in this state wouldn’t guarantee victory.”

“What nonsense…”

Cao Cao’s eyes flashed coldly. Her shoulders even began to tremble.

“The traitor has set fire to the royal palace. He’s taken the Emperor captive, leaving the people lost and without hope. The sky has fallen, and you’re all afraid to act?”

“Now is not the time to act rashly.”

It was Tao Qian, the governor of Xu Province, who spoke up this time.

Despite Cao Cao’s urgency, they stood by, merely watching events unfold.

“…Then what did you come here for? Why did we gather this royalist army?”

Cao Cao asked desperately.

“We gathered to restore the Han Dynasty with loyalty and righteousness. To bring peace to the people and stabilize the empire. That was our cause.”

“General, calm yourself. Given the situation, I understand your feelings, but now is not the time for emotions.”

At Yuan Shao’s words, Cao Cao strode forward, her eyes blazing.

“…Are you really going to just sit here?”

Her crimson eyes moved coldly over the lords.

“…So you’re all cowards. What is this loyalty, this righteousness you speak of?”

As her red eyes swept over the gathered lords, they had no response, merely clicking their tongues in discomfort.

“I was wrong to think otherwise. Even if personal interests and gains are important, I thought that the cause and righteousness would come first. But look at you now. You put your self-interest and calculations before the greater good. How could I ever ally myself with you?”

“General!”

“You dare…!”

Yuan Shu, face red with anger, shouted, but she responded calmly.

“Wait here, twiddling your thumbs if you wish. If no one else will act, then I’ll personally bring back Dong Zhuo’s head.”

And the next day, Cao Cao led her forces in pursuit.

All I could do was watch her leave.

In my current state, there was nothing I could do.

So, we decided to remain in Luoyang, setting up camp until Cao Cao returned.

Flames rose high in the city of Luoyang.

Black smoke covered the sky, and cries and screams echoed from within the city walls, creating a macabre symphony.

Corpses littered the streets like spilled wine, and wounded soldiers, limping and writhing in pain, resembled revelers at a grim banquet.

Fallen roof tiles and smashed furniture, along with the blood-soaked bodies beneath them, served as the banquet’s appetizers.

Particularly, those related to the Yuan clan had their heads severed, decorating the palace.

As the flames danced, the sound of fabric burning reminded me of the clinking of wine cups.

Amid the gathered soldiers, the only sound was that of despair.

Luxury goods, scattered throughout the streets, mingled with ashes and rubble, while the screams and sorrow of the people marked the start of Dong Zhuo’s grim banquet.

I walked slowly, very slowly.

I already knew.

I knew all of this.

Though I didn’t know every detail, I at least knew that Dong Zhuo would move the capital.

What exactly had I been thinking just moments ago?

I watched as Luoyang burned.

I stood there, quietly watching.