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

Chapter 36. Sparring, and Growth (1)

I pondered for a long time before sending this letter.

I worried that, after seeing the ugly side of the warlords, you might even be disappointed in me, and so my anxieties grew day by day.

After our coalition failed in the punitive expedition, the entire area—from Luoyang to Henei and Shangdang—turned into a battlefield where the winds of war blew fiercely.

The cries of the people never ceased, and blood spattered the streets everywhere.

Every time I face this reality, I feel myself growing a little more weary.

The ideals that once seemed foolish, the youthful dreams that you held—only after you left did I realize how right they were.

Now, all I can do is pour my heart and emotions into each word I write to you.

I wonder, what are you doing now?

What are you seeing, feeling, tasting, and thinking?

On nights when the fragrance of plum blossoms carried by the spring breeze fills my nose, I often think of you.

Like those blossoms, one day we too will flow and meet again. When that day comes, I want to walk this path with you.

I want to hear your foolish words and see your mischievous smile.

So, I send this letter to ask after you, hoping you’ll finally respond soon.

Why haven’t you sent any word? How hard can it be to write a single letter?

You’re not illiterate, are you? Have you found a lover or something? Is that why you’re too busy to read my letters? Really? If that’s the case, I’d be interested too, so hurry and reply—

“Wow…”

I crumpled up the letter as I heard Haryeong’s exasperated sigh.

“The Governor is really something.”

“Well, she was incredibly shocked when you left, Brother. But still… how many letters is this now?”

Unsam and Haryeong both looked thoroughly fed up.

It hadn’t even been two months since the coalition disbanded.

In that short time, dozens of letters had come from Zhang Yang without pause, so it was no wonder they were tired of it.

I was just as annoyed.

Honestly, what’s the point of letters? We can catch up in person later. Why bother exchanging written words?

Besides, while she has people to deliver her letters, I don’t have the manpower for that.

“Brother, isn’t this going to become a serious issue? The Governor seems like she’s reaching her limit.”

“I’ll visit her in person later. Why is she so impatient?”

“Brother, you really need to be more considerate. There are nights when a woman wants to read a heartfelt letter from a man, you know.”

“Men don’t write that stuff.”

“…I can already see a bleak future ahead.”

I tossed the letter aside and opened the bundle of herbs I had gathered two days ago, dumping them into a pot of boiling water.

“So.”

I let out a deep sigh.

“Why are you here again?”

“Is there a problem?”

Zhao Yun, who had somehow naturally wedged herself between my younger siblings and sat on a rock, asked with innocent curiosity, as if she didn’t understand what was wrong.

She had shown up early in the morning and had been pestering me ever since.

“It’s not uncommon for martial artists to spar, test their skills, and improve by learning from each other.”

“You don’t bother someone while they’re eating. Even a dog knows that.”

“That’s why I haven’t interrupted you.”

“Hey, Brother, calm down. The young lady’s just full of energy.”

Unsam laughed heartily as he greedily scooped up the boiling broth.

“You brat, why are you eating before I even picked up my spoon?”

“Don’t be so stingy. I did a lot of hunting yesterday.”

Meanwhile, Haryeong naturally ladled some of the broth and handed it to Zhao Yun.

“That’s right, Brother. Don’t be so harsh. Here, eat while it’s hot.”

“Ah, thank you.”

Wait, what? Why are they already so close? Why am I the only one left out?

And why are they being so friendly to someone who tried to stab me with a sword the other day?

She tried to kill your leader, and they’re being all chummy with her?

It would make me sound overly picky if I complained, so I decided to hold it in.

“Tch, do as you like.”

In the end, I didn’t argue and quietly ate my broth as well.

“So, you want to spar with me?”

“Yes.”

Was losing to me that much of a shock?

I didn’t sense any defiance or stubbornness from her.

“Well, it’s not like I can’t do that.”

“Really?”

Zhao Yun’s face noticeably brightened.

As she said, martial artists are meant to spar, share experiences, and drink together.

Even if someone’s clearly weaker, there’s always something to learn in the details.

Besides, how could I turn away someone who genuinely wanted to learn?

And this was Zhao Yun.

Though she’s still a rough stone, with proper guidance, she’ll display talents that could rival any famous general in the future.

Thinking about it, I started to feel motivated.

I hadn’t had a proper opponent in a while, so this was perfect timing.

“Alright, eat up. You’ll end up throwing it all up anyway.”

“The last time, I was just flustered by unfamiliar techniques and couldn’t fully show my skills. This time, you’ll need to be on guard.”

“What a braggart.”

Though I pretended to be indifferent, my heart was pounding.

She has her pride as a martial artist, after all.

Good, good.

Finally, I was getting a break from all the scheming and politics, and a proper martial arts event was here.

“Brother, why are you suddenly smiling like that?”

“Yeah, it’s kind of creepy when you grin like that, Brother. You’re ruining the meal.”

No matter what they said, I quickly finished my broth.

***

“What are you doing?”

Zhao Yun tilted her head as she watched me meticulously carving a wooden stick.

Finally, it was done.

“Alright, finished.”

I handed her a roughly crafted wooden spear and took hold of my wooden sword.

“You’re quite handy with your work.”

The first thing I learned after coming here was how to wield a blade, so things like this were second nature to me.

“Quit yapping and get into position.”

“Yes.”

Standing in an open field, Zhao Yun and I took our stances.

My younger siblings circled around us, watching with interest.

“Show your respect.”

“Huh?”

“When challenging a master, it’s customary for the weaker to show respect.”

“…Is that so?”

Zhao Yun hesitated for a moment but then clasped her hands together and bowed lightly.

“Zhao Zilong of Changshan humbly seeks guidance from Lord Unryong.”

“Alright.”

“…Something about this feels off. Aren’t we both supposed to show respect?”

“If you’ve got time to complain, start. If you don’t make the first move, I will.”

“…You’re underestimating me.”

Zhao Yun grumbled but quickly readied her spear.

Her gaze sharpened.

At that moment, the air around us grew heavy.

I could feel the qi flowing through my meridians as I stepped forward with my right foot.

Stage one, Gate of Entry.

Since I had reached the beginning of the first-rate level, the side effects were gone.

I could feel the internal energy stored in my lower dantian spreading throughout my body.

“Here I come.”

Before her words had even finished, Zhao Yun vanished.

Like a predator hunting its prey, she lowered her stance.

With incredible momentum, she closed the distance in the blink of an eye, thrusting her spear forward in a clean, swift motion.

I casually tilted my head to dodge.

Keeping her forward-leaning posture, Zhao Yun planted her right foot and swung her spear horizontally.

I pivoted on my right foot, rotating my body.

Clang!

The sword and spear clashed.

Zhao Yun’s momentum hadn’t waned.

She quickly retracted her spear and drove its shaft into the ground, using the leverage to launch herself into the air.

Her slender legs came rushing toward me, and I blocked with my elbow, feeling the sting of the impact.

Using the force of the rebound, she withdrew her spear from the ground and swung it upward.

Our weapons clashed again.

But this time, Zhao Yun’s eyes widened.

Linked Illusion Sword.

The sword that should have met her spear was suddenly striking toward her side.

“Ugh…!”

She had allowed a clean hit.

It seemed she wasn’t used to the technique yet.

“What was that? A trick?”

“Martial arts.”

I said as I took a step forward.

Startled, she thrust her spear, but it was a poor decision.

I leaped.

When internal energy is accumulated in the body, such movements are effortless.

She widened her eyes, watching me soar into the air. In her completely exposed position, I was ready to follow up with a strike.

Once again, I rotated in mid-air.

The spear tip brushed against me as I closed in.

“Too slow…!”

Zhao Yun quickly lowered her stance and retracted her spear.

Again, I used Linked Illusion Sword.

This time, she skillfully read through the feint and raised her spear shaft to block my strike.

Now, to the thigh.

Without panicking, she responded to my follow-up attack.

How about this?

A sword strike rising from below, followed by a thrust to the right side, and then back to Linked Illusion Sword.

She began to grow accustomed to my movements, gracefully defending against all of my attacks.

Eventually, her spear even grazed my shoulder.

Yes, this was true talent.

It was no wonder she would earn the title of one of the Five Tiger Generals.

“Is this… all?”

Despite her labored breathing, Zhao Yun smiled faintly. Her eyes now carried a sense of certainty.

That certainty is what one must be most cautious of in battle.

So, breaking it now would help her grow in the future.

I slowly shifted my gaze.

I could see the faint blue qi flowing through the air.

It was still unstable, dispersing and gathering repeatedly.

The blue qi had not yet taken on a clear form, so it was invisible to the naked eye.

But for now, this would suffice.

Finally, she launched her confident strike.

I swung my sword.

Crash!

There was silence as wooden fragments flew in all directions.

“Your movements are impressive. But you’re missing something important.”

I sheathed my sword.

“To understand breath and qi, to grasp the essence of all things—that’s the path to true mastery.”

“…”

She quietly picked up the shattered remains of her spear.

“Breath and qi…?”

“Yes, that’s the first step in martial arts.”

“Martial arts…”

Yes, this is it.

This is what I’ve been waiting for!

Martial arts!

I nearly grinned like a fool from excitement.

“So, what are you lacking?”

“…Martial arts?”

Why did her innocent eyes look so seductive?

I couldn’t stand it.

“No.”

I approached Zhao Yun and poked her dantian.

“Wh-what are you doing…!”

She blushed bright red and backed away, covering herself, but I ignored her and continued.

“First, internal energy.”

“Could you please take your hand off me…?”

Thus began my training with Zhao Yun.