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

Chapter 35 - Farming



Chapter 35: Farming

Liu Bei had five great generals known as the Five Tiger Generals.

They were indispensable to Liu Bei, each one a significant figure in their own right.

Guan Yu. Zhang Fei. Ma Chao. Huang Zhong.

And Zhao Yun.

Zhao Yun, who wielded the Yajiao Spear (Suppresion Dragon Spear) with a peculiar spear technique, had no match in the world aside from Zhang Fei.

In particular, Zhao Yun was renowned for saving Liu Bei’s son by cutting through millions of enemy soldiers.

They even said that when Zhao Yun rode his horse, even Guan Yu was left in awe.

“Hey, why are you acting like that? Do you know her?”

“I’ve never seen anyone like this before.”

Both of them looked at me suspiciously at my strange reaction.

I shrugged my shoulders, pretending to be calm.

“I’ve never met such a reckless brat like you before.”

“…I already apologized! How much longer are you going to keep bringing it up?”

I couldn’t believe that this Zhao Yun was still such a young brat.

Maybe it was because she hadn’t yet joined Liu Bei’s forces, but she didn’t exude the unique aura of a strong warrior like Zhang Fei or Guan Yu.

Of course, I did think her spear, which bent in such a peculiar way, was no ordinary weapon.

“By the way, have the remnants of Dong Zhuo’s army pushed this far, kid?”

Zhao Yun nodded at Zhang Fei’s question.

“Yes. It’s not as bad as in Henei Commandery, but there has been an effect.”

After Dong Zhuo moved the capital to Luoyang, the land plunged into further chaos.

He ordered the pillaging of the Luoyang area, which gave the remnants of the Yellow Turbans an excuse to rise again.

With the exception of a few regions, looting and conflicts occurred frequently.

“Damn, the country’s in complete ruins.”

Zhang Fei let out a deep sigh as she continued to drink.

“How are things in You Province?”

When I asked, Zhang Fei grimaced, clearly fed up.

“It’s practically hell. It’s cold, there’s no food, and the tribes from beyond the border keep invading. That stingy bastard over there is constantly at war with them. And don’t even get me started on the Governor of You Province… ugh, I don’t even want to talk about it.”

It seemed like she had her own troubles.

Having been holed up in the mountains since the coalition disbanded, I had no idea what the situation was like.

“Hey, why don’t you come to You Province? That stingy bastard would welcome you with open arms. Oh, and my sister would be thrilled to see you too.”

“After hearing all that, do you really think I’d want to go?”

Zhang Fei shrugged as if she had expected that response.

“You said it yourself. Martial arts is about helping others through strength. How long do you plan on staying holed up in this mountain valley?”

With that, she stretched her back and stood up.

“The world needs heroes.”

“So, you’re saying the strong should help the weak?”

“Exactly, that’s my justice. As Confucius said, humanity is about caring for others, and wisdom is about understanding others. How can someone with strength not care for or ignore those without it?”

For someone who seemed brash, she was surprisingly well-read.

Most people saw Zhang Fei as a boorish drunkard, but she didn’t seem to be just that.

“Humanity and righteousness. It’s a nice idea.”

I spoke.

“I don’t think that’s wrong.”

“So, then why are you staying holed up here? Someone like you, with your talents, why are you wasting away?”

“You have a cause. You have convictions, and you don’t hesitate to act on them. I’m different.”

I still hadn’t found an answer. I was just a child wandering in the dark.

“What is the world?”

So, I asked. To find an answer.

“The people. What else could it be?”

Zhang Fei answered without hesitation.

“Damn, I might just fall for you, Yide.”

I chuckled as I stood up. A smile crept onto my face.

“I’m envious. You can give such an answer without a second thought.”

But I couldn’t do that.

I couldn’t give a grandiose answer like “the world is the people.”

“To me, the world is right here, this land I’m standing on.”

I spoke.

“My eyes can only see this area, and my arms and legs can only protect this place. That grand ideal of embracing all people is far too distant for me.”

I was just a human.

The idea of protecting all the people in this vast land was far too distant for me.

All I could protect were my brothers, and even that was a struggle.

“So, I won’t follow you. I need more time to think.”

“…Well, if that’s how you feel, I won’t force you. But still, think about it. You know as well as I do that you can’t stay here forever. The name Unryong is already known across the land. Others won’t leave you alone. Just like I didn’t.”

Zhang Fei flashed a toothy grin.

Rumors tend to get exaggerated.

In reality, I didn’t stop Lü Bu at all—I just swung my sword desperately to survive. But as stories passed from person to person, the rumor grew until people were saying I fought her on equal footing, or even had the upper hand.

“Well, I’ll be back, Unryong. Take care of yourself until then. Next time, make sure to prepare some snacks!”

With that, Zhang Fei turned and disappeared in an instant.

Now that the troublesome woman was gone, I could finally focus on farming herbs again—

“Excuse me.”

Oh, come on! She’s still here?

“Since you weren’t saying anything, I thought you might have run off. Why are you still here?”

“Did you just forget about me?”

Well, yeah, that’s true.

As I stayed silent, Zhao Yun furrowed her brows as if she were upset.

“You two were having such a serious conversation, so I was just quietly listening.”

“Is that so? Well then, go ahead and take care of your own business.”

“I have something I want to ask.”

Just as I was about to leave, Zhao Yun quickly blocked my path.

“What is it, brat? I’m busy, so make it quick.”

“I agree with that person, Yide. You’re strong, Unryong. I’ve never seen swordsmanship like yours.”

She was likely referring to my Linked Illusion Sword technique.

I had caught her off guard with it and delivered a blow to her stomach.

I shrugged my shoulders and smiled confidently.

“Yeah, I’m pretty strong. So what?”

“So, following her wouldn’t be such a bad choice. Even if you haven’t found your path yet, broadening your horizons would be a good idea.”

“Don’t speak about things you don’t understand.”

“You call yourself a hero, don’t you?”

Zhao Yun’s blue eyes gleamed. She looked straight into my eyes without flinching.

“You spoke so passionately about your life as Unryong. So why won’t you move forward? What are you, a hero of chaotic times, afraid of?”

“Hey.”

I approached Zhao Yun.

“Then why are you protecting Changshan Commandery? If you’re Zhao Zilong of Changshan, you’re practically a member of the local militia, right?”

Zhao Yun nodded.

“I can’t deny that.”

“So, is that something to be ashamed of?”

“…”

“What you’re doing is also chivalry.”

I lightly tapped her on the shoulder.

Then I took her hand and had her pat my shoulder.

“And what I’m doing is also chivalry. What that Yide woman was talking about is also chivalry.”

“There’s no big or small when it comes to chivalry. Is that what you want to say?”

“Exactly. I’ve never had lofty ideals like those grand people. Loyalty to the Han Dynasty? That’s a joke. I joined the coalition for my own ambition, you fool. Could someone like me have a grand cause like that woman?”

“…I see.”

Zhao Yun sighed. Her shoulders drooped.

“So, you fight just to protect your own people.”

“Well, you could say that.”

“What’s at the end of that? If this chaos isn’t resolved, there’s no future. Not for you, not for what you want to protect.”

“Who knows.”

I had never pondered what lay at the end of it all. I didn’t concern myself with such lofty matters.

I simply spoke of what I wanted.

“At the very least, it should be a world where children don’t starve.”

“What?”

“That’s the way of the Jianghu, as I see it.”

“The way of the what?”

Come on, why ask if you’re not going to understand?

Zhao Yun tilted her head, clearly confused.

Seeing that, I let out a sigh and waved her off.

“Alright, enough. I’ve answered all your questions, so go on now.”

I know you think I’m pathetic.

After bragging so much about myself, this must seem ridiculous.

So, let’s part ways without making this any more awkward.

Honestly, I wasn’t too keen on getting involved with another famous name.

“Unryong, pardon me for saying this, but are you perhaps an idiot?”

“What did you say, you brat?”

But Zhao Yun didn’t seem ready to leave. In fact, she even gave me a teasing smile.

“To make that world a reality, everyone would have to be well-fed. And yet, you speak as if it’s nothing.”

“What’s so grand about a world where children don’t starve? It’s just the way things should be, brat.”

A world where at least children don’t go hungry.

Isn’t that just common sense?

It’s not some lofty ideal or cause—it’s just the kind of world that should naturally exist.

As I casually picked at my ear and spoke, Zhao Yun’s eyes widened.

“You… have a broad mind.”

Zhao Yun nodded to herself.

What’s with her?

One minute she’s dead serious, the next she’s laughing to herself.

Are any of the generals in this place normal?

Finally, she clasped her hands together politely.

“Well then, I’ve bothered you enough for today.”

“Yeah, yeah, off you go. And don’t go swinging your sword around at just anyone next time.”

“…You really hold a grudge!”

Zhao Yun blushed and, before I could even finish my sentence, she disappeared as if fleeing.

Watching her retreating figure, I prayed.

May we never meet again.

She’s way too noisy.

Then, I stretched my back and started gathering herbs.

It was a good harvest.


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