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

Chapter 43. The Invitation

“So, in the end, you gave him the rations?”

“Yes.”

I grabbed the reins again and continued toward Ji Province.

Now that we were out of the chaotic Henei, the desolate ruins were no longer in sight.

Instead, vibrant trees and forests filled with life came into view.

“Hahaha! That’s just like you, brother.”

While I was mindlessly taking in the scenery, Unsam laughed heartily beside me.

“Like me, my foot. The old man looked at me like I was some kind of lunatic.”

“So, why did you do that, mister?”

Sima Yi narrowed her eyes, glaring at me fiercely.

To me, it just seemed like a child’s tantrum, but it was clear that she was deeply displeased.

“Just because.”

“…What?”

Sima Yi, with a dumbfounded expression, fell back. Since I was behind her, she ended up leaning into me.

I was well aware that this behavior was just her way of self-satisfaction.

Also, I knew full well that, as Sima Yi had said, saving the people required having enough power.

It wasn’t chivalrous wanderers who could quickly bring peace to this world, but powerful heroes.

Even so, I had given the old man food.

Simply because I thought it was the right thing to do.

No other reason.

I’ve always been a selfish beggar.

I lived my life without caring about others, doing whatever I pleased, and that hasn’t changed.

Even if this path was the wrong one, it was the path I had chosen.

“I can’t even predict what goes on in your head anymore, mister.”

Sima Yi shook her head, puffing out her cheeks in frustration.

“Sure, what I said earlier was extreme, so maybe it didn’t resonate with you. But don’t you agree that things can’t go on like this?”

I knew it well—what I was doing was just hypocrisy.

Very well.

“What exactly do you want to do, mister? Do you want to save the people, or do you just want to live the rest of your life in peace?”

“Master.”

Zhao Yun interjected.

There was a serious tone in her voice.

“Master will create a world where no one goes hungry.”

“…What?”

“That is the world he will ultimately reach. At least, that’s what I’ve heard.”

Sima Yi looked at me as if I had lost my mind.

I glared at Zhao Yun as if she were crazy.

“When did I ever say anything like that? I only said I wanted a world where kids wouldn’t starve.”

“That’s the same thing.”

“Geez, such a common sense in Jianghu.”

I clicked my tongue loudly.

Sima Yi continued to look at me as if she couldn’t understand me at all.

“Then it makes even less sense. If you have such a grand vision, why are you hesitating so much?”

“This isn’t some grand cause.”

“Stop dodging the question. In the end, don’t you want to bring peace to this chaotic world?”

Of course I did.

People were dying.

The younger brothers at my side were dying, children in front of me were dying, women were dying, men were dying.

It was a world painted in blood. So, I had no choice but to wield a sword.

To survive, I had to fight, and to protect, I had no choice but to kill them.

At some point, I had even forgotten how many people I had killed.

And the faces of the brothers I had lost in the past were starting to fade from memory.

Oblivion.

Ultimately, as a wretched creature, a mere creation of the gods, it was impossible to remember and carry everything in our hearts.

And as time went on,

I began to lose sight of who I was.

With no clear purpose, no justification, I was killing people.

I had been killing without even finding the right path to follow.

So, was I a hero? Or just a murderer?

What was the right or wrong of killing?

“As you said, it might be true that those with power are the heroes who will save the people.”

But then, I continued.

“But what about the innocent people who die in the process?”

“That’s just theoretical nonsense. Every dynasty, every history is written in blood. Why are you bringing that up now?”

Sima Yi said.

“That’s false justice. The world’s already gone mad.”

It was a time when murder was normal. So, it made sense to say that the world was insane.

But I was still in Luoyang, the city that burned.

In that brutal, horrifying banquet, I still remained.

“Ugh, stop your prattling and let’s go. My head hurts.”

In the end, all I could do was silently continue down the path I believed to be right.

***

When we arrived in Ji Province, we were greeted by none other than Guan Yu. And beside her was Zhang Fei.

“What took you so long, brother? We were just about to leave.”

Zhang Fei was clearly drunk. Guan Yu, watching her, sighed deeply.

“Well, what brings you here? Even you, Lord Yunchang?”

“It’s been a while, Lord Unryong.”

“I came to check on you and deliver a message.”

Unlike Zhang Fei, who was sitting on a rock guzzling down liquor, Guan Yu stood up and gave a formal bow.

“By the way, I see a kid I don’t recognize. How is your group getting bigger?”

Zhang Fei pointed at Sima Yi beside me as if it were none of her business.

Sima Yi puffed up her cheeks and glared at him.

“Kid? I didn’t expect such words from a drunken bum.”

“Well, you’ve brought quite the cheeky brat with you this time. Seems like she’s got a personality similar to yours. Is she a secret daughter or something?”

“Don’t say creepy things like that.”

I dropped my bags and sat down.

“Did you just come back from a war?”

“We stopped by Henei for a bit.”

“Huh? Why Henei?”

In response to Zhang Fei’s question, I pointed at Sima Yi, who was still pouting.

“She’s from the Sima family.”

“…The Sima family?”

At that, Zhang Fei dropped her bottle.

“Well, looks like I’ve been rude. No wonder you look so fancy. I didn’t recognize such a distinguished guest.”

“Don’t bother. I’m not interested in you.”

“…”

Zhang Fei clamped her mouth shut and whispered in my ear.

– “What a brat with no manners.”

I nodded vigorously.

She was spot on.

“So, what’s the message?”

“I’ll explain.”

Guan Yu said as she handed me a letter from her sleeve.

I took it and opened it.

“A banquet?”

It was an invitation to a banquet.

“Yes, the Governor would like to invite you, Lord Unryong.”

“Our sister is also eager to see you again.”

“Yide, I’m sure our sister told you to keep quiet about that.”

“Maybe, but there’s something I did that needs fixing. If the Governor is inviting you, you wouldn’t refuse, would you? So, what do you say, brother? You’ve been through a lot after the war, so wouldn’t it be nice to have a drink together?”

“I’m not sure.”

It was an unexpected offer.

Honestly, I just wanted to rest. But it wasn’t easy to refuse when Guan Yu herself came to invite me.

Gongsun Zan’s influence was also quite strong.

Zhang Fei described him as a petty man, but his rank was still much higher than mine.

“I think you and our older sister would get along well.”

While I was pondering how to decline, Zhang Fei spoke up.

“You might even be alike in some ways. That sense of righteousness and all. Right, sister?”

“…That might be true.”

“You’re saying I’m similar to Lord Liu Bei?”

“That’s right. You came here as a hero. Our sister rose from the ranks in Taicun, defeating the Yellow Turbans along the way. She’s always walked the path she believed to be right.”

…Liu Bei.

I unconsciously clenched the letter tightly.

“If that’s the case, then I’m nothing like her. Compared to her, I’m just a child.”

“Huh? That’s not how it seems to me, brother. Why are you putting yourself down?”

A hero.

And righteousness.

Among the many warlords of the Three Kingdoms, Liu Bei was the one who embodied these ideals the most.

At least, that was the Liu Bei I knew.

To say I was like her—it didn’t make any sense.

I sighed deeply.

“Well, it’s not every day I get invited to a banquet, so I suppose I should make an appearance at least once.”

“…Really?”

Zhang Fei’s eyes widened in surprise, and then she slapped my shoulder roughly.

“That’s the spirit, brother! Yes! This is it! If you have a chat with our sister, you might even end up joining us, huh?!”

“Yide, don’t get ahead of yourself.”

“Oh, come on, sister. It’s a good day, isn’t it? Let’s not be so stiff. Let’s have a drink!”

I accepted the drink Zhang Fei handed me.

The bitter taste filled my mouth.

Soon, the alcohol warmed my body.

If I meet her, will I find the answer to what righteousness truly is?

With that thought, I continued to drink.