NOVEL WEB Chapter 42 - The Fallen Pillar
Chapter 42. The Fallen Pillar
The escort mission had been successfully completed.
The members of the Sima family had left Henei and settled in Shangdang.
Of course, Shangdang wasn’t much better than Henei.
Nevertheless, they chose to align with the Governor of Shangdang, though I couldn’t quite understand their motives.
In any case, we were now on our way back home.
However, there was a problem.
“Why is it so cramped here? Can’t you move a little forward?”
“Stop complaining. Before I smack you.”
“How barbaric.”
“This little… Why are you even here?”
A girl with purple hair, Sima Yi, clung tightly to the reins at my waist.
She scoffed at my words, finding them distasteful.
“Mister, our Sima family is now officially your sponsor.”
“Sponsor, my foot. I don’t need something like that.”
“Well, the military rations seemed pitifully meager for someone who claims they don’t need support. How did you plan to make it to Henei with such little food?”
Sima Yi clicked her tongue, pointing at the men pulling the cart behind us.
“Also, the Governor of Shangdang seems quite concerned about you. It’s best to accept such goodwill.”
“Fine, I’ll give you that. But why are you following me?”
“I’m here as a sort of observer. We need to verify if you really have the power to protect our Sima family.”
Is this something you’re supposed to say so openly?
Sima Yi shrugged under my skeptical gaze. Her small frame attempting to act all mature was strangely cute.
“To earn someone’s trust, one must first show them goodwill. I plan to reveal all my cards to you.”
“Pfft, what help could a kid like you be?”
“We’ll find out soon enough.”
Well, she’s the Sima Yi who would one day rival Zhuge Liang, so maybe she’ll be of some use.
Still, I didn’t need a talent as overqualified as her.
Especially not this bratty little kid.
I sighed deeply and gripped the reins.
By now, I had grown quite accustomed to handling the horse, so we moved forward smoothly.
“Master, don’t be too harsh on the young one. Perhaps it would be best to calm down a little.”
“Yes, at least Lady Zhao Yun seems to have some sense.”
Sima Yi smiled brightly at Zhao Yun’s words.
The younger ones in my group grinned at her in a creepy way.
At first, they were strongly opposed to the idea of a little girl like her joining us beggars.
Who would agree to that?
Zhao Yun had tried to persuade Sima Yi and even spoken firmly to her, but she couldn’t break the girl’s stubbornness.
It was no surprise.
As soon as Sima Yi saw the state of our army, she spent nearly two hours criticizing everything—our finances, supply status, formation, and command structure.
Of course, Haryeong, who managed those aspects, had argued back against Sima Yi…
“I’m useless. I’m useless. I’m useless.”
But ever since their argument, Haryeong had been moping around, dejected.
In the end, we had no choice but to back down in the face of the girl’s boldness.
“So, what will you do now? What’s the plan once we return to Ji Province?”
Sima Yi asked with curiosity, seemingly interested in our routine.
“Who knows?”
“Master will start training immediately after gathering herbs, won’t he?”
Zhao Yun answered in my place.
In response, Sima Yi shook my waist violently.
“What?! You weren’t joking about gathering herbs?!”
Seriously, stop shaking me. I’m still a beginner at this.
“Why would I lie to you?”
“W-wait a minute… You weren’t kidding about settling in the forest either?”
“Living in a cabin is comfortable. Don’t worry, since you’ve come along, I’ll build you a house too.”
Her grip on my waist slackened.
When I glanced back, Sima Yi looked like she was about to fall off.
I quickly grabbed the girl and sat her in front of me.
“Kid, are you trying to get yourself killed?”
“I’d prefer that…”
Sima Yi muttered, burying her head in the saddle.
“To think you were this much of an idiot…”
She probably thought she was whispering to herself, but I heard it loud and clear.
Damn brat.
“How about turning back now? It’s not too late.”
“…No, it’s fine. I’d just be bored at home anyway.”
Now she seemed a bit more like a regular kid.
“You’re quite stubborn, aren’t you?”
“I’ll take that as a compliment for my persistence.”
She really didn’t back down from anything, which was kind of irritating.
In any case, we continued toward Ji Province without stopping.
The scenery changed with every passing moment.
Smoke rose in the distance, and we began to see ruined buildings.
The pillaging that began in Henei was more severe than I had expected.
There were especially grotesque corpses scattered about, so I covered Sima Yi’s eyes for a moment.
“You think I’d be scared of something like this?”
However, Sima Yi pushed my hand away with some effort.
“Mister, are you really going to just let this happen? Are you seriously planning to just gather herbs while this goes on?”
“What can I do?”
“Well, if that’s your decision, then I don’t care.”
Despite my pitiful response, Sima Yi didn’t seem bothered.
In fact, she yawned, as if bored.
“Wake me up when we get there. Should I keep holding on?”
If only you weren’t just a kid, I would’ve dealt with you by now.
And then, we saw him.
In the midst of the desolate ruins, a frail old man was groaning.
I immediately stopped the horse.
As a result, Sima Yi nearly flew off, but I caught her with one arm.
“What the… What’s going on?!”
“Hold on for a second.”
I said as I dismounted.
The building where the old man was resting appeared to be a tavern, though half of it had already collapsed.
The wall he was leaning against was charred, and shattered wine bottles and a broken sign lay scattered in front.
“Are you a guest?”
As soon as the old man saw me, he slowly stood up.
“I’m sorry, but as you can see, due to the chaos, there’s nothing to eat.”
His eyes were unfocused, filled only with an overwhelming emptiness.
“However, I do have some wine left. Would you like to come inside?”
“…Very well.”
Following the old man’s lead, I sat on a crumbling chair.
The table before me was cracked in all directions, as if it might collapse at any moment.
As I sat down, Zhao Yun, who had been riding beside me, took a seat as well.
She bit her lip and quietly picked up a piece of fabric lying on the ground.
“What happened here?”
“What else? Bandits came. That’s all.”
The old man responded casually, lowering a cup of wine as though it were no big deal.
“That was my granddaughter’s dress. She was such a lovely child, but she was taken away by the bandits.”
He said this in a flat tone.
His tavern had been reduced to ruins, and his beloved family had been taken from him. Yet, he seemed so indifferent.
It troubled me deeply.
“…Zhao Yun, give him some of our rations.”
“Yes, Master.”
Zhao Yun’s face brightened as she stood to act.
But then, the old man blocked her path.
“That won’t be necessary.”
“Huh?”
Zhao Yun looked confused.
As the old man was about to explain, Sima Yi, yawning, spoke up instead.
“Even if you give him food, it’ll just get stolen again. Unnecessary kindness can be more harmful than helpful.”
“Sima Yi.”
“Am I wrong? As long as this chaos continues, there’s no such thing as lasting comfort. This is the reality of the world now.”
I had never thought about it that way.
I had just been offering help without much thought.
If there was food, I shared it. If there were bad guys, I dealt with them.
“The child is right.”
The old man’s white hair fluttered in the wind. He walked slowly, brushing his hand along the charred pillar.
“I am all that remains here. My granddaughter, who should have lived in peace, was taken, and my wife starved to death. Now, only this useless body remains.”
He gestured toward the ruins outside the tavern.
“It’s the same for everyone else. The children died of illness, and the women were taken by bandits. So, what more could I possibly need?”
“But…”
Zhao Yun’s protest was cut short as Sima Yi placed her small hand on her arm.
“Stop. This gentleman has his own beliefs.”
This time, Sima Yi spoke in a tone that was serious rather than playful.
“If you don’t respect someone, what can you accomplish? That goes for you too, Mister. Let’s just keep moving.”
“Bring the food.”
I said. Sima Yi marched right up to me.
“Mister!”
“Kid, you called it belief?”
I approached the old man.
“Even if that belief eats you alive, should it still be respected?”
If left alone, the old man would surely starve to death. His body was so emaciated that his bones were already visible.
The old man smiled quietly at me.
“You’re a good man.”
“I’m sorry for being so presumptuous. But having met you, I can’t simply ignore this. Forgive me.”
With that, I placed my hand on the pillar the old man had been touching.
Crreeeak, a harsh sound echoed from the worn wood.
“This pillar is already damaged. No matter how much you try to repair it, it can’t be restored.”
“So, you’re saying I should just leave it?”
“Whether you leave it or not, this tavern will eventually collapse. And I, too, will become a wandering ghost.”
“Then what should I do?”
I asked, and the old man replied.
“Build a new structure. Something sturdy, unyielding, that will not fall to anything.”
The old man’s hollow eyes met mine.
“So, I don’t need your false kindness. Nor does this world need a good man like you.”
At the old man’s words, Sima Yi scoffed.
“To think someone so extraordinary was hiding in a place like this. Indeed, the world doesn’t need good people. Only the strong. The fastest way to bring order to this chaotic world is through strength.”
As she said this, the girl’s violet eyes turned toward me.
“That’s the best way to save the people.”
Her gaze felt like she was urging me forward.