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

Chapter 86. Qi Deviation (2)

What is qi deviation?

Martial arts consist of internal and external techniques.

To perform martial arts, the harmony between the necessary internal qi and the physical body capable of realizing it must be achieved.

However, when this internal qi is not properly controlled, it wanders aimlessly like a lost soul.

As a result, the meridians the qi flows through fail to function, the dantian where the qi should accumulate becomes chaotic, and the body is eroded from within.

In other words, qi deviation was akin to a death sentence for a martial artist.

I had never fallen into qi deviation myself, but as an avid reader of countless martial arts novels, I knew exactly what would happen next.

An explosion of qi.

Normally, qi that should flow efficiently lost its way and ran rampant, even leaking outwards.

“Grrk!”

Moreover, it hurt like hell.

The descriptions I had read in novels were nothing compared to this.

The pain was so intense that it made me dizzy, as if I might lose consciousness.

– Fwaaaaaah!

The only saving grace was that the qi bursting out of me kept the enemies at bay.

Damn it. Just like how a small cup would overflow if you force too much water into it.

If this state continued, not only would my body be damaged, but I could also suffer irreversible internal injuries.

In severe cases, it could destroy the brain, and sometimes even lead to death.

I took a deep breath.

Amidst the overwhelming pain, I calmly closed my eyes, trying to control my qi.

I had to escape from this qi deviation. Before they realized my condition.

And to escape from this state, I had to repair this already broken vessel.

***

“…Crazy.”

Zhang Liao, who had joined Unryong’s army, clicked his tongue as he watched the blue light emanating from afar.

“What a rare sight. If my sister saw this, she might faint, or perhaps it would ignite her competitive spirit.”

“What… what is that?”

“She calls it martial arts. But even seeing it, it’s hard to believe.”

Zhang Liao shook his head and wiped the blood from his spear. He then looked down at the fallen Sun Jian troops before him.

“Governor of Changsha… so that’s what he’s up to.”

The ground was littered with corpses, but that wasn’t all. Wooden planks clad in armor were mixed among them.

They had deceived the enemy by placing armored planks behind the ranks, making the enemy think the main force was in the front.

Thus, they flanked widely.

While this tactic wasn’t particularly effective in a direct assault, it was different in a siege.

By creating a brief distraction, they managed to strike the elite forces and even encircle Unryong.

Zhang Liao sighed and asked Gao Shun.

“So, how’s it going?”

“I’m not sure.”

“I told you now’s the right time. Why are you being so vague?”

“No matter how hard we try, this is up to Lady Lü Bu. You know her personality, don’t you?”

“Sigh… yeah, that’s true.”

They turned their gaze toward where Lü Bu was being held.

In this chaotic situation, this was the only chance to rescue Lü Bu.

They felt guilty toward Unryong, but they were Lü Bu’s troops, after all.

If there was a chance to save their lord, they were willing to tarnish their honor.

By now, the detachment to rescue Lü Bu should have arrived.

Everything depended on Lü Bu’s decision.

Would she accept the opportunity, or reject it? No one knew.

Both Zhang Liao and Gao Shun wished they could step in themselves, but they had to maintain a basic level of courtesy.

After all, Unryong had shown them mercy and saved their lives.

And it was Unryong who had made the promise to ensure Lü Bu’s safety, so they felt they needed to repay that debt in this battle.

As far as the overall situation was concerned, the momentum was in favor of Cao Cao’s and Unryong’s forces.

The fire attack orchestrated by Sima Yi and Jia Xu had been effective, and they had likely captured the battlefield much faster than expected.

After contributing significantly, Zhang Liao and Gao Shun were now waiting in the quieter rear lines, hoping for Lü Bu’s arrival.

Meanwhile, Sima Yi quickly gathered reinforcements to send towards Unryong’s cavalry.

She was steadily securing Zhongyue and preparing the formation for an assault.

The only remaining enemy was the main force on the right flank.

Everything was proceeding smoothly.

However, there was one unexpected variable.

They had no knowledge of qi deviation.

Naturally, they subconsciously believed that Unryong’s troops would hold out even in such a dire situation, and once the reinforcements arrived, Sun Jian’s main force would surely retreat.

If that happened, they could achieve a complete victory with minimal losses.

Sima Yi snickered.

“A foolish choice.”

The girl had already grasped everything.

Though she wasn’t aware of qi deviation.

She had already moved her formation slightly to the right to cover Unryong’s forces, and reinforcements would soon arrive.

And Unryong wouldn’t fail to withstand this brief moment.

The Unryong that everyone had seen was that incredible.

A man among men, the greatest under heaven, peerless in the world.

Even with countless titles, they were not enough to describe Unryong, a figure close to the Conqueror.

And, just as Sima Yi had thought, Unryong’s army was holding on bravely.

Reinforcements would arrive soon.

The enemy in front would be crushed.

The right-wing forces were also ready to join.

The left wing maintained its formation, and half of the central army, alongside the right wing, aimed for Sun Jian’s main force.

Could there be a more perfect victory?

That’s what they thought.

At that moment, a blue light burst into the sky.

Sima Yi, her eyes wide, stared blankly at the sight.

“What… what is that?”

When humans encounter an incomprehensible phenomenon, they tend to freeze.

Even the usually composed strategist who hid her emotions behind a veil of mystery couldn’t help but gape in disbelief at such a sight.

Had Unryong pulled another trick? What kind of tactic this time?

As someone unfamiliar with martial arts, Sima Yi could only think that way.

***

I opened my eyes.

Thick dust clouded my vision.

And there was an ugly guy, red-faced, suddenly yelling out of nowhere.

“General Lü! You must hurry!”

“…Who are you?”

“Forgive my rudeness. There’s no time to explain.”

“…”

Urgent movements.

The heavy breaths of a tense man.

Lü Bu suddenly remembered.

“…Has the war started?”

“Yes! In the chaos, the general judged that they wouldn’t have time to concern themselves with you. So, he formed a separate unit to come and rescue you.”

The soldier hastily unlocked the chains binding Lü Bu.

As he unlocked them, he couldn’t help but look shocked. The iron chains were cracked in several places, the result of Lü Bu’s earlier struggles.

“…”

Lü Bu quietly watched the soldier.

What meaning did it have to prolong this worthless life?

The Lü Bu they knew no longer existed.

With those tangled thoughts, Lü Bu lowered her head.

“…Unryong.”

And she mumbled.

“Unryong, Unryong, what happened to him?”

“P-Pardon?”

“What happened to him?!”

“Well, um, he’s probably fighting well. The battle is already in our favor, and victory is in sight…”

Is that really the case?

Lü Bu knew.

She knew that Unryong could no longer fight.

She could tell because she had confronted him head-on.

Only Lü Bu, who had clashed with him in every way, understood his state.

The cluttered thoughts that had filled her mind moments ago disappeared.

Now, only Unryong existed in Lü Bu’s mind.

“I need to see for myself. Hurry up!”

“…Yes!”

The soldier, sincerely shocked, tried to hide his feelings.

Gao Shun had said that Lü Bu would never accept this plan.

And if she showed any reluctance, they were ordered to forcefully bring her, no matter what.

He would take responsibility afterward.

But look at this.

Lü Bu fiercely resisted her chains, desperately trying to break free.

Her eyes burned with an unidentifiable fervor.

Finally, thunk.

The chains fell to the ground, and smoke rose.

“Where’s the Fangtian Huaji?”

“H-Here it is.”

Lü Bu grabbed the halberd handed to her by the soldier.

And then, she kicked off the ground.

She moved so fast that the soldier barely saw her small figure disappear as he tried to speak.

Accelerating, and accelerating.

Lü Bu’s red hair fluttered in the wind.

Outside the tent, numerous soldiers who had come along to assist in her rescue were gathered.

“I’m borrowing this!”

“Huh?”

Without paying any attention, she quickly mounted a vacant horse.

She seized the reins.

For her, there was no longer any meaning in living out her remaining days.

But if the man who had stood at her opposite end, the man who had ultimately rendered her useless, were to die, her own death would become even more meaningless.

How long did she ride? Soon, Zhang Liao came into view in the distance.

“Zhang Liaooooo!”

“S-Sister?!”

Hearing the loud call, Zhang Liao immediately turned his head.

Gao Shun, overwhelmed with emotion, had tears welling in his eyes as he saw Lü Bu.

“Where is that bastard Unryong?!”

Lü Bu quickly reined in her horse in front of Zhang Liao.

Zhang Liao, looking flustered, pointed toward the blue light shining in the distance.

“H-He should be over there.”

As Lü Bu turned her head, Zhang Liao spoke.

“There’s no need to worry. If it’s that guy, he’ll probably pull some strange technique again.”

“…”

Zhang Liao spoke, but Lü Bu didn’t listen.

It was the first time she had seen such a display of qi.

Was this really okay?

Lü Bu had grown tired of hearing about martial arts.

From the first time they met, even when she was imprisoned.

“So, does meditating like that have any meaning?”

“Aligning one’s qi is as vital to a martial artist as breathing.”

“Oh, please. Meditating while sweating buckets just looks ridiculous.”

“You’d understand if you tried it yourself, Miss Yeo. Aligning one’s qi isn’t easy. If you’re not careful, you could fall into qi deviation.”

“Qi deviation? What’s that now?”

“Ugh, you’re so annoying. To put it simply, it’s when qi goes berserk. If you fall into qi deviation, the raging qi causes your meridians to fail, and your body rots from the inside. In short, if you don’t handle it, you die. So please, just don’t talk to me.”

Lü Bu swallowed hard.

“No way…”

Watching Lü Bu’s shoulders tremble, Zhang Liao tilted his head.

“Sister?”

“Damn it… this idiot!”

Zhang Liao could only be bewildered when Lü Bu suddenly burst out in a string of curses.

“Sister? Sister!”

Without responding to Zhang Liao’s desperate call, Lü Bu grabbed the reins and galloped forward.