Vol 5 Chapter 11 (1/2)

VOLUME 5 CHAPTER 11: DON’T TELL ME THIS IS THE BATTLE OF GUANDU (5)

This mountain was particularly tall but staying long inevitably made it feel chilly.

I hugged my body and tried my best to keep the cold winds away but still involuntarily s.h.i.+vered when the cold winds blew.

Just then, the cloud pa.s.sed and rays of suns.h.i.+ne shone down on the sword which reflected it and blinded those who saw it. One side of the blade reflected my face and the other, Ben Chu.

Ben Chu had dragged her thick and heavy luxurious robes across the floor as she now stood staring at me menacingly.

“It’s a been a while, Ben Chu.” I raised my hand and greeted her with no tension despite her animosity.

“Hmph!” She sighed disdainfully and looked at me, and then at the frantic Xu You before back at me, “You despicable fellow!”

“Ben, Ben Chu, that’s not it…”

“Don’t speak Zi Yuan!” Ben Chu roared angrily at Xu You who was so frightened she took several steps back and did not dare to speak.

“Come on Ben Chu. It’s been so long since we last met. Why are you pointing a sword at me now that we have finally seen each other face to face?”

As I finished, I could feel an icy blade pressed against my throat, “You know why!”

“…” Cowardice had begun to fill my heart but I had no intention of backing off here.

“Meng De, it was supposed to be an upright battle between us but here you are doing sneaky, despicable acts.” Ben Chu said as she trembled from anger, “You’ve incited rebellions in my lands, stolen my supplies and killed my generals. And now you even want to steal my subordinates?”

I couldn’t really deny what she said and only stared back, at which she withdrew somewhat before clenching her teeth and staring back.

“What? Did I say anything wrong?”

At these words, I sighed, and then–

“Ben Chu!”

“!”

At the same time as my sudden yell, I swiftly raised my hand and grabbed hold of Ben Chu’s sword.

Blood sprayed out from the blade in the next instant and splattered onto Ben Chu’s luxurious fur scarf.

“You, you!” Ben Chu seemed to have withdrawn a fair bit at seeing what I did and in her eyes, I could see the exact opposite of the resolve from just now.

“Meng De! What are you doing that for!” Xu You ran up and grabbed my wounded hand and forcibly separated it from the blade. Xu You’s face turned pale as she looked at my hand, “Why! Why did you do this?!”

“… I’m just sad.” I sighed and continued in my normal, calm tone, “We probably won’t be able to see the original Ben Chu anymore.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I seemed to see Ben Chu’s shoulder tremble at my words.

“Ben Chu…” I said as I looked at the somewhat sh.e.l.l-shocked Ben Chu, “From your perspective, are Zi Yuan and the rest just your subordinates?”

“What?”

“Because you have lands, because you have authority, because you have lineage, does that mean you can act like you’re above everyone else?!”

“Kuh! Subordinates are just subordinates. To me, I’ve long since thrown away things like companions since the time I became the Governor of Ji stare.” Ben Chu swung her sword away and sheathed it as she turned away so I couldn’t see her face.

“Is that really all?” I smiled warmly as I looked at Ben Chu’s back, “If that’s the case then why did you chase after Xu You alone? Why not loose a wave of arrows at her?”

“…” Ben Chu didn’t speak but I can guess why. I have that confidence.

“I believe that Ben Chu is here because you don’t want to lose your last companion.”

“What comp…”

“Has you been neglecting Zi Yuan more and more recently?”

Ben Chu was stunned and looked back at me with bewilderment.