Vol 3 Chapter 15 (2/2)

“… Eh?” I regained my senses to find that I’d already crossed the drawbridge and was now in front of everyone. I hurriedly gathered my thoughts and stopped thinking about things I had no answers to, “Oh oh, it’s been hard on everyone. How is it? Was anyone injured?”

“The enemy’s numerical advantage was too great and so we sustained some casualties,” Yun Chang reported as she walked up to the me on horseback, “But thanks to Lord Zhou Yu’s scheme, the casualties were minimised.”

Well, it is Zhou Yu after all.

I thought back to the scene when Zhou Yu came and looked about but could not find that imposing figure.

“Eh? Where is Sun Ce and her subordinates?”

“If you’re talking about Lord Sun Ce…” “They rested for a bit in the city, and then took off.” “She said something about giving Shouchun city in return for the favour though that is something that should be done of course.”

The Xu state 3 said so with their hands in their sleeves as they stood in a neat row.

“Eh? So they’ve gone back already?” I was a little surprised at that as I was still expecting that there might be some disputes or negotiations over Shouchun city.

“Ah, my lord, Lord Sun Ce also said that ‘After Lord Liu Bei has settled everything, come over to Jiangdong to enjoy some flower viewing over wine’ or something.” Zhang Liao said, and handed over a meatball with a disgusted face as though she wanted to throw it away to Feng Xian, “Geh, my lord, for you.”

“Ah, thanks.”

Flower viewing over wine huh… Un, from what I know, Jiangdong’s scenery is gorgeous. If I am able to, I would like to make a trip there.

And pay a visit to uncle Sun Jian while I’m at it too.

“Good boy~ Good boy~” Feng Xian received Red Hare and began cuddling it. Red Hare seemed to have really gotten close with Feng Xian and licked her icy expression profusely. And though it was not obvious, I could see that Red Hare’s licks seemed to have thawed Feng Xian’s expressions somewhat and her smile looked much warmer.

(TL: I don’t actually know what s.e.x Red Hare is but Feng Xian says 乖～乖～ to it and when translated, I have to add a subject in so I’m just a.s.suming it’s male for now.)

“Oi! Stop talking about unnecessary things.”

Un?

An unfamiliar voice came from behind everyone and I looked from between the crowds and saw a female general wearing a grand and s.h.i.+ny set of plate armour and wielding a jade sword.

“Oi oi! You’re Liu Bei right!” She walked over with a disdainful look and a scowl which made her image even worse than it was. When she came up to me, she put her hands on her waist as she sized me up, “You really look pathetic huh.”

… Pa, pathetic?

“What are you say–” Yi De made to charge at her but Yun Chang stopped her.

It’s good that Yun Chang is calm at times like these and no matter what, we can’t afford to offend her.

“Would you happen to be General Che Zhou?” I asked as I respectfully bowed.

“Hmph!” She laughed mockingly, and looked around her as she continued, “That’s right, it’s me, the strongest in the world.”

“…” I was shocked at hearing this.

Strongest in the world… Isn’t that a bit overdoing it?

As they say… First Lu, second Ma, third Dian Wei, fourth Guan, fifth Zhao, sixth Zhang Fei, then its Huang, Xu, Sun, and the 2 Xiahou, the other 2 Zhangs, Xu, Pang, Gan, Zhou, Wei. That’s already 19 people, how could Che Zhou claim to be the strongest?

(TL: Depending on the source and opinions, the relative positions may differ. Especially at the lower end, some people might differ entirely. But it’s widely agreed that Lu Bu is the strongest and the top 10 are well recognised.)

But leaving that aside… From what I know, Che Zhou’s life will end soon. And the on to kill her is–

Just then, I locked eyes with Yun Chang who was forcing a smile and nodded at me.

If Yun Chang kills Che Zhou, won’t I become enemies with Meng De? I can’t let Yun Chang do anything to her.

… But I don’t sense any animosity at all from Yun Chang towards her.

“Hmph! Listen well Liu Xuan De,” Just as I was gathering my thoughts, she continued speaking, “I am here to–”

In the next instant, she fell to ground after being hit by something.

Out of nowhere, a single arrow pierced Che Zhou’s throat who was now on the ground.

“Enemies?!” Everyone drew their weapons and got into position.

“s.h.i.+eld warriors stand guard!” Along with Yun Chang’s shout, the soldiers who were at the city gates rushed over.

And just 30 paces away from me, several people who looked like ordinary citizens charged at us with weapons drawn.

“Be careful my lord!” Yun Chang yelled out as she swung out with a spear she picked up from nearby.

The long spear tossed an enemy several meters away like a cannon.

*Sou* *Sou*–

The sound of arrows being shot out rang out again, but the s.h.i.+eld warriors were now in their formation in front of us and blocked them all.

“Get the military couriers to tell the troops to eradicate the enemies that have blended in with the civilians!” Yun Chang yelled out as she fought on.

“Where did the arrows came from?!”

“Seems like it’s from the troops that surrendered on the city gates!” Zhang Liao said as she peeked from between the s.h.i.+elds.

“Those b.a.s.t.a.r.ds, have they fallen this far?!”

“Kill them all.”

Feng Xian and Yi De clenched their teeth as they charged out from behind the s.h.i.+elds with 2 platoons following behind them as they went from different directions toward the mob.

In the meantime, I and Sun Qian pulled Che Zhou over while making sure that it was safe to do so. She was still alive, and we broke off the arrow stuck in her throat to prevent further blood loss.

“*Ke* *Ke*…” Che Zhou was presently coughing blood and breathing with great difficulty, and didn’t seem like she had much life left in her,

“General Che Zhou!?” I lightly shook her, “Hang in there, we’ll bring you to safety soon!” As I said so, I began asking where the nearest physicians were.

How could this have happened? Why did the surrendered troops rebel?!

If Che Zhou were to die here, then we might not be able to talk ourselves out of this…

Just then, I found that someone was pulling on my clothing. I looked over to see that it was Che Zhou’s hand. Her grip was now almost devoid of strength, and if I just shook myself, her hand would probably drop.

But she kept holding on to my sleeve, and seemed like she wanted to say something.

“Ah– *Ke* *Ke*…”

“Don’t speak anymore! We’re going to save you.”

“Big brother, it’s enough already.” Yun Chang said words that made my heart go cold as she patted my shoulders.

“Eh?” I turned back and found that Yun Chang had already drawn the sabre by her waist and was ready to slash down.

“Wait! Yun Chang, what are you doing?”

“I think General Che Zhou is hoping for someone to end her misery.”

“But…” I wanted to say more, but Che Zhou’s actions left me speechless.

Che Zhou closed her eyes in response to Yun Chang’s words.

Yun Chang was right. As warrior, Che Zhou definitely has her pride.

“Move away big brother. I don’t think this a scene big brother can stomach yet.” Yun Chang pushed me aside and placed her sword across Che Zhou’s neck.

Hai! Along with a sigh in my heart, Yun Chang’s sword descended on Che Zhou like it was supposed to in history.

We later found out that the one who rebelled was another subordinate general of Yuan Shu’s, Zhang Xun.

Seems like he had the intent to rebel from the very beginning, and decided to act when he saw us entering the city. He mistook Che Zhou as the highest commanding officer and acted against her first.

Thereafter, we easily dispatched Zhang Xun’s troops.

But now, we find ourselves in a difficult position with Che Zhou’s death.

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