Vol 6 Chapter 3 (1/2)

VOLUME 6 CHAPTER 3: DON’T TELL ME THIS IS MY FAREWELL WITH YUAN SHAO (3)

*s.h.i.+ku*~ Ben Chu sat on a plain cus.h.i.+on that didn’t seem very thick with her legs stretched out. She held a golden wine cup in her left hand and fiddled with the pattern of the wooden floor boards with her right. She did not continue from where she left off, and only sipped her wine.

“Ben Chu, I…”

“No, no need to say any further.” Ben Chu shook her head, and instead of anger, she calmly smiled, “I’ve already guessed that you would leave sooner or later since Xuan De doesn’t have a reason to stay here after all.”

Ben Chu twirled her index fingers about her wine cup and rocked her body back and forth as she said so, and was clearly on the verge of throwing a tantrum like a kid.

Though I felt troubled by this, I still kept my mind on business and nodded, “The whereabouts of 2 little sisters are still unclear so I must go and search for them. I’m afraid I can’t go with Ben Chu to Xuchang.”

“I haven’t even asked you to follow me but you’ve already rejected me huh.” Ben Chu smiled bitterly but it seems like she expected this as she nodded before she continued, “Un, this is something that can’t be helped.”

She downed the rest of her wine and gave a ‘Ha~’ before she kept the wine cup, as though she was trying to convince herself to accept it.

“But even if I’m not here, Ben Chu shouldn’t have much trouble. You have many capable retainers and brave generals by your side who can contribute far more than I can.”

Gong You had said that Ben Chu wanted me to follow her into Xuchang and it seems like she did have that intent but I really can’t quite understand why.

If you told me she wanted Zi Long or Gong You to stay then I can understand why since they’re talented individuals after all. But me? When it comes down to it, there really isn’t anything that I’ve done which can’t be done by someone else so I don’t see how Ben Chu would want me to stay.

But when she heard my words, Ben Chu’s face turned cold instantly and she stared daggers at me at which I didn’t know where to look and could only lower my head.

Did I say something wrong?

“Xuan De, you may not have realised it yet but there’s something you have in you which makes you surpa.s.s everyone else.” Ben Chu said as she slowly pointed at me, “And it is that something which can make you gather many about you.”

When did I ever acquire such a power?

“You don’t believe it?” Ben Chu’s expression remained serious as she said so when she saw my self-abasing smile.

“And so, what is this something that makes me surpa.s.s everyone?”

“…” Ben Chu sank into silence and only stared at me for a few seconds before she started laughing, “Hahaha!”

“What are you laughing about?”

“No, I just think that if I were to verbalise it, everything would become weird. No, it’s more accurate to say that it is I who will become weird.”

Un? I really don’t get it.

After she laughed for a while, Ben Chu’s expression returned the calm one at the start. I don’t what went on inside her head but it seems like things are alright now.

“Come to think of it, you should be busy with packing on your side right? Why don’t I send some help over?”

“Oh, that’s alright, I can’t possibly impose any further on Ben Chu.”

“No, this is something I should do.” As she finished, Ben Chu got up and slowly walked over to the entrance of the tent. I don’t know what she has in mind but I just followed for the time being.

Ben Chu parted the curtains and let in a ray of suns.h.i.+ne which shone on Ben Chu’s face and made her squint.

“Perhaps Xuan De is like this ray of suns.h.i.+ne.” Ben Chu said. I didn’t understand what she meant and only nodded in response.

And so, for the next 2 days, we were occupied with packing. Gong You was still a little apprehensive of Ben Chu at first but the troops she sent over to help us did indeed help us plenty so Gong You stopped suspecting Ben Chu.

And on the 3rd day, we decided to set off.

Whether it was I or Gong You, leaving Liyang seemed almost too easy but there really wasn’t anything that was worthy of suspicion.

Ben Chu really was letting us go.

When we left, Ben Chu came to send us off along with Yuan Shu whom we haven’t seen for a while now, as well as her strategists and generals. Not everyone seemed dismayed that we were leaving but they were all solemn at least and this was something I didn’t expect.

“I don’t know when we will meet again after this parting. I hope Xuan De doesn’t forget our promise.”

That promise is probably the favour that Ben Chu owes me.

“Un, if I ever need help, I’ll find Ben Chu.” I don’t actually feel like she owes me anything, nor do I intend on calling on the favour but I said as much anyway as it would make her feel easier.

Wu. The sound of hesitant swallowing of air came from behind Ben Chu. When I looked closer, I saw Yuan Shu’s little head poking out from Ben Chu’s side. She was holding on to Ben Chu’s long skirt with a somewhat angry expression.

“I’ll be seeing you again then, Lord Yuan Shu.”

“… Hmph!” Yuan Shu hesitated for a long while before she turned her head away and muttered softly, “You could have just stayed here. Why do you have to leave huh?”

“Gong Lu~” Ben Chu chided Yuan Shu and bade her not to say any further. Yuan Shu gave an “Wu~” and frowned.