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

Chapter 44. Fortuitous Encounter

Inside the shaking carriage, Sima Yi traveled toward You Province with Zhao Yun, Unsam, and Baekrang.

‘Was I too hasty?’

Sima Yi was genuinely worried.

She furrowed her brow and hung her head, deep in thought.

‘That man is a coward.’

She knew something was wrong. He was hesitant, knowing full well that staying still wasn’t an option.

Even so, he refused to move forward.

What was he so afraid of?

Should she turn back now? Her heart wavered like a reed in the wind.

However, she couldn’t just give up.

She had finally left her family, ready to bloom and display her talents. She couldn’t let it all end in vain.

‘Maybe I should just watch the situation a little longer…’

As Sima Yi pondered, Unsam, sitting in front, raised the corner of his mouth.

“Feeling frustrated?”

“…”

Honestly, she was.

If he had the ability to achieve great things, he could be one of the strongest in the world. So why was he wandering aimlessly?

If his blade were to dull, the girl would end up back in her cage.

“Don’t worry. My brother is just resting for now. When the time comes, he’ll soar again.”

“How can you be so sure?”

In response to Sima Yi’s question, Unsam replied.

“He promised he’d one day recover the lost Dao.”

“A promise?”

“My brother always keeps his word, no matter what. That’s the path of Unryong.”

What nonsense… Anyone could talk like that.

But Unsam’s expression was nothing but serious.

Sima Yi massaged her forehead, feeling a headache coming on, and looked away.

Baekrang simply nodded quietly, and Zhao Yun gave a faint smile.

No matter how she thought about it, this group was truly strange.

***

August 190, I was in You Province.

Located in the northern region, You Province was a harsh land.

The dry earth cracked under the scorching sun, and unlike in Ji Province, there were no golden fields of crops to be seen.

In the distance, a grand mountain range stretched out across the horizon, adding to the desolate atmosphere.

It wasn’t a land anyone would call easy to live in.

Yet strangely, the people living here were smiling.

Despite the harsh environment, which made survival difficult, they laughed, shared food, and engaged in idle chatter with one another.

Even though the land was enveloped in silence, the people’s eyes sparkled with life.

“You’ve arrived, Lord Unryong.”

I was lost in thought, staring absentmindedly, when Liu Bei approached, politely clasping her hands and bowing slightly.

I returned the greeting.

“It’s been a while.”

“Yes, I hope you’ve been well, Lord Unryong.”

“Oh, I’ve been doing just fine. Plenty of food and rest.”

“That’s great to hear.”

Liu Bei brushed her long hair down to her waist and led me forward.

“The banquet will begin tonight, so why not unpack and rest for now?”

“That sounds good.”

I nodded and had my men unload the baggage.

“So, what do you think, sister? I convinced him to come!”

At that moment, Zhang Fei popped up beside me, sticking close to Liu Bei and laughing boisterously.

“Yes, you did well, my dear sister.”

“Hehe…”

Ugh, seeing Zhang Fei turn into a puppy in front of her older sister made me feel queasy.

Though her face was cute, knowing Zhang Fei was a heavy drinker made it hard to reconcile the image.

“So, what do you think? How does You Province feel?”

Zhang Fei grinned mischievously as she asked.

“Yide… isn’t the answer obvious? Why ask such a difficult question?”

At Guan Yu’s comment, Zhang Fei chuckled.

“Oh, right. It’s such a dull place, so what’s there to say—”

“No, it looks nice.”

“Huh?”

I turned my gaze to Zhang Fei’s surprised expression.

Before me, children in tattered clothes were playing in the scorching sun, laughing brightly.

When one of them fell, another child quickly helped them up.

The adults gently patted the children’s backs, and they continued on their way.

“It’s quite a beautiful sight.”

The laughter of the people seemed to breathe life into the dry land.

It had been ten years since I left the mountain.

This was the first time I had seen such a scene.

It felt like I had entered another world.

“Brother, are your eyes crooked or something? What’s so beautiful about this place?”

“I-Idiot!”

Guan Yu quickly tried to intervene, but I shrugged my shoulders with a smile.

“Come on, I’ve shared drinks with Yide. We’re practically friends by now.”

“You heard that, sis?”

“If my dear Yide ever acts rudely, please let me know.”

Guan Yu took a step back, sighing deeply.

She looked like a mother letting her mischievous child run wild in a field.

And then—*smack!*

Liu Bei clapped her hands, smiling brightly.

“Well, if we’re done talking, let me show you to your lodging.”

I walked beside her.

“The sound of the people’s laughter never stops.”

When I said that, Liu Bei nodded, her smile still present.

“Humans may be weak creatures, but when they gather in twos or threes, they become stronger.”

Still, the scene before me seemed strange.

That may be true in theory, but how could something like this be achieved in reality?

“Well, this Jixian is directly governed by the Governor of You Province.”

Zhang Fei cut in.

“The Governor?”

“…What? You don’t know the Governor of You Province, brother?”

How would I know?

I barely knew anything about the *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*.

“I’ve been holed up in the mountains for so long, I’m practically illiterate.”

“Well, there’s no need to brag about your ignorance.”

She had a point, though.

Zhang Fei’s blunt remarks always hit hard. Even I felt a little hurt.

As I ground my teeth in secret, Liu Bei spoke.

“The Governor of You Province is truly a great man.”

If Liu Bei, known for her kindness in *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*, said that, it must mean something.

“Is he that remarkable?”

“Yes, he is a member of the royal family of the Han Dynasty.”

Royal family.

I stopped in my tracks at those words.

“R-royal family?”

“Yes, he is a true member of the imperial family. No one is more humble or frugal than he is.”

Hearing that he was royalty made my legs tremble.

I had met many powerful warlords, but real royalty? That was a whole different level.

“Oh, we’ve arrived.”

Liu Bei stopped in front of a large inn.

“I’m deeply grateful for your personal guidance, Lord Unryong.”

“Isn’t that a bit too formal? I remember you being more relaxed in the coalition. It feels a little lonely.”

Liu Bei said, her smile unwavering.

That made it even scarier.

“It’s my way of showing my gratitude.”

“If that’s the case, I’m glad to hear it.”

“Well, brother must be tired from the long journey, so let’s head inside. We can catch up properly at the banquet tomorrow, right?”

“Yes, Yide is right. I’ll take my leave then.”

Liu Bei turned to leave, and the others bowed in respect.

“Wow, that person gives me the chills.”

Sima Yi, clinging to my pants, shivered as if she were cold.

“Stop saying nonsense. Go inside and rest.”

“Aren’t you coming in?”

“I want to look around a bit more.”

“Well, okay then.”

Everyone went back to the lodging.

After the expedition to Henei and the journey to You Province, it seemed they were a bit tired.

Stretching, I wandered through the streets alone.

The aroma of food filled the air, cheerful sounds echoed, and a cool breeze swept through the streets.

As I walked, I came upon a wide river.

The sunlight glittered on the water’s surface, dazzling my eyes.

In the distance, women were doing laundry, and I could hear the sound of splashing.

And right before me, a middle-aged man sat quietly with a fishing rod cast into the river.

He wore shabby clothes and a straw hat. By all appearances, he seemed to be a local of You Province.

“Caught anything?”

“I wouldn’t know.”

Intrigued, I approached, and the man answered.

“I might, or I might not.”

“Hmm, doesn’t seem like you’ve caught anything yet. Shall I lend a hand?”

“No need, just leave me be.”

Despite saying that, his fishing hook floated aimlessly on the water.

“Come on, let me show you how it’s done.”

“No, just wait a little longer.”

And then—*snap!*

The fishing line suddenly went taut.

“Pull it in quickly!”

“Don’t rush.”

“If you wait too long, it’ll get away!”

Before I knew it, I was more engrossed in the fishing than he was.

Slowly, he reeled in the line.

Oh! I could see the fish coming into view!

Finally, a wriggling fish was pulled from the water, flapping on the end of the line.

With skilled hands, he grasped the fish.

“Wow, you’ve got some real talent. If you’d hurried, you would’ve lost it.”

He smiled faintly as he removed the hook from the fish’s mouth.

“Rushing doesn’t always help, and being too slow isn’t good either. How could one say you were wrong, and I was right?”

Gently, he released the fish back into the flowing river.

The fish’s tail flapped vigorously, and it quickly disappeared into the water.

“What are you doing? You just caught that.”

“I’m just returning it to where it belongs. Nothing strange about that.”

“Doesn’t it feel like a waste?”

“I’m not hungry, and you seemed happy enough, so I’d say we both gained something.”

Ugh, he sounded like some old-fashioned know-it-all.

Anyway, I had no more reason to stay.

I turned to leave quickly.

“Well, thanks for the entertainment.”

“Be careful next time.”

Careful of what?

As I walked away, I glanced back. He had cast his line again and sat quietly, eyes closed.

What a strange encounter.