Vol 6 Chapter 23 (2/2)

“Xuan De.” Just as I was about to hand the responsibility of this matter to Liao Hua, Feng Xian who was slightly ahead called out to me.

I followed her voice and looked ahead only to see that there was a tall mountain range ahead. It was fortunate, however, that the road was not completely blocked off. It was however, split into 2 and both paths seemed to lead to the other side as you could see light coming from the ends of both oaths.

“The mountain slopes don’t seem to be holding together very well so if we go through a single path all together, the sounds might cause an avalance so it will be prudent to pa.s.s through in turns.” Yun Chang said as she rubbed her hands on the slope of the mountain. She applied strength into her hands, and a rock rolled down.

If we’re dividing our troops and pa.s.sing in turn, then–

“Everyone, there just so happens to be a complete roster here…”

—

“… Time to go.”

“Alright Xuan De, we’ll be leaving first then.”

“Un, be careful. Gong You, Hua Tuo.”

They both bowed to me before riding up the tail end of the contingent which slowly snaked into the narrow path.

“Now then, looks like the first division has entered the path completely.”

“Un, yeah.” I glanced at the roster as though I was actually perusing it, and replied Wen Yuan in the affirmative.

The general of the first division was Yun Chang, with Zhou Cang and Yi De as her a.s.sociate generals. Liao Hua led the main body, and Hua Tuo and Gong You led the rear guard.

Un… That should be the gist of it.

“Xuan De will be coming along with us right?” Feng Xian said in a slightly weird tone as she swung her reins. I looked at her and saw that she wasn’t looking in my direction.

“Un, because I want to ensure that both divisions pa.s.s through safely so I can’t be pa.s.sing through first.”

“Got it.” Feng Xian nodded as she tidied her hair and fixed her armour, but she didn’t look this way.

Come to think of it, Feng Xian was with Yun Chang when they crossed the pa.s.ses and slew the generals right? I don’t know everything but it seems like Feng Xian did indeed act together with Yun Chang.

After we reunited, Feng Xian seems to have spoken a lot less than before. If this goes on, she’s going to become like another Gong You.

“Xuan De.” Feng Xian called out to me all of a sudden.

“Un?” I stopped my thoughts and looked at her. Her face seemed calm, but I could tell that there was turmoil beneath the calm exterior.

“Back when we first met, Xuan De told me that I should choose my own path. But after such a long time, and after going through so much, I’m starting to feel more and more lost.”

After hearing this, I was sure now that something did happen to Feng Xian while she was travelling with Yun Chang. Looks like Feng Xian is troubled over her path as well.

“Why do you say that?”

“I don’t have a reason for it. It’s just a feeling I have.” Feng Xian lowered her head as she said so, and began playing with Red Hare, “I always thought that I should meet violence with violence, and if I kept solving problems this way, eventually everything would be resolved and violence would never be used again. But now, I’m starting to feel that if you use violence even once, you can never stop.”

“… That is to say that, Feng Xian is starting to question the problem of using martial force?”

Feng Xian nodded.

“I’ve always felt unwilling to resort to martial force, but whenever I meet with a problem, I only use martial force to resolve them.” Feng Xian said, and paused. She then nodded to herself as though she were steeling herself for something, “To put it simply, I’m starting to hate myself for my talent in martial arts.”

She hates herself because she’s talented in martial arts huh.

She’s surprisingly self-reflective, and it seems like Feng Xian really doesn’t want to use violence.

But I’m unable to give her an answer about this as I myself am facing a similar problem. All I can do now, is give her time to think.

“You may be talented in martial arts, but I won’t force you to fight.”

“Eh?” Feng Xian frowned in puzzlement.

“In any case, if you’re troubled, then feel free to deal with your troubles. You don’t need to force yourself to fight.”

“… Can I? Really?”

“Of course. Feng Xian is most like herself when she’s a little ditzy after all.”

“Ah…” The wind blew and lifted Feng Xian’s hair, and brought dust about, making Feng Xian close her eyes. It was rather strong, and even my horse was roused. Only Feng Xian stood motionless in the wind.

“A, actually–” She closed her eyes, and frowned as she continued, “Does Xuan De think that I have any wo, womanly charm…”

“Un? Feng Xian, did you say something?”

The wind was really strong and noisy, and I was concentrating on controlling my horse so I didn’t hear what Feng Xian said at all.

“No, nothing.” When I finally got things under control and looked up, Feng Xian had her stern look back on and sat up right. Seems like she has no intention of repeating what she just said.

“My lord (Liu Bei), you really are…” Wen Yuan snickered as she said so while riding behind us.

“General Lu, the first division has pa.s.sed through.”

“Ah, un. Advance!” Feng Xian yelled out as she brandished her double-sided halberd and swung it in the air. The troops followed suit and yelled out as they advanced in an orderly fas.h.i.+on.

Perhaps if it’s Feng Xian, she’ll be formidable even if she doesn’t use her martial prowess.

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