Vol 5 Chapter 45 (2/2)

w.a.n.g Zhi looked exactly like an ordinary old man and did not have any imposing aura nor did he feel domineering. As I looked at him, I decided to speak up first, “May I ask…”

“You need not ask anything. Nor do you need to explain the cause and effect of your actions. I can more or less guess as to what happened from the rumours and reports that have come my way.” He immediately interrupted me when he heard me begin to speak and then he calmly picked up a piece of silk that was covered in words and threw it toward us.

When I saw this, I hurriedly stepped forward and leapt up to catch the piece of silk.

“That is the permit issued by the Imperial Chancellor. With it, you can cross the pa.s.s immediately, and we will not hinder you.” w.a.n.g Zhi explained just as I landed.

I opened up the piece of silk and inspected it, and found that it was indeed as he said it was. But… Why?

“I had a discussion with Bian Xi, Administrator of Sishui Pa.s.s, before, and we decided that we would obstruct you while simultaneously checking with the capital if you did indeed have the express permission of the Imperial Chancellor.”

“Bian Xi did that?” I was very surprised at hearing this. Bian Xi did indeed try to hinder us as best as she could, but I didn’t think that she was helping us behind all that.

“Administrator Bian Xi is a fair and upright person who will do what her duty requires her to. I just never expected that the c.u.mbersome permit would be delivered so quickly, almost as if it was already prepared beforehand.”

Eh? When I heard these strange words from w.a.n.g Zhi, I hurriedly looked at the silk in my hands once more and inspected it closely.

In the lower left corner, [Yun Chang’s Lost Property] was written. Clearly, this was something Lord Cao Cao added on.

… Lord Cao Cao, this was something you forgot to give us…

“If the permit hadn’t reached me before you lot came, I would have sent every soldier I have to meet you in battle for my son-in-law Han Fu.” w.a.n.g Zhi’s face grimaced when he said this, and the lines of age seemed ever deeper, making his expression look even more hateful.

So there was this relations.h.i.+p huh. Even though it was like that, he still suppressed the fury in his heart…

When I realised this, I hurriedly saluted and bowed, “… We did not consider things too deeply then. I seek your forgiveness for our acts.”

“No need for apologies. This is what it is like in times like these.” He waved his hands melancholically and stood up with great effort.

“If you wish to stay for a few days, then stay. If you don’t, then you can head for the crossing immediately. The crossing is not far, and it shouldn’t be a long journey.” w.a.n.g Zhi didn’t pay us any heed after he finished, and left the main hall.

As I looked at his aged figure from the back, a bad taste filled my mouth. I hated myself, and I hated the times we were in.

But in the end, it was just hatred.

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