Vol 8 Chapter 28 (2/2)

“Ling Tong! Calm down!” I did my best to suppress my rage and when I saw an opportunity, I swung out with my hookswords and was able to precisely stop and catch both of her swords. I then flicked away her swords with my strength that was greater than hers and was able to disarm her successfully, sending the swords flying away.

“Lord Lu Meng! What arr you doing?! Are you trying to shelter my mother’s murderer?!” Ling Tong howled at me with bloodshot eyes that had long tear streaks below. She has probably been having a rough time these few days.

“Ling Tong, I understand how you feel. I too am very sorry about what happened to Lord Ling Cao–”

“You don’t understand! You’re only 3 years older than me!”

Wu…

(TL: In the original, Lu Meng was also belittled by others for his tender age.)

“Ling Tong! Stop being unnecessarily difficult! She’s now joined us, so can you think of the big picture! Has Lord Ling Cao not taught you that!” I lost control of my anger after getting rebuked by her and delivered a round of severe scolding.

If this was half a year ago, I would have just cut Ling Tong down immediately.

“Lord Lu Meng!”

“Don’t say any further.” I stopped Ling Tong’s pleas, “If you have anything to say, say it after the decisive battle tomorrow. If you have any disagreements, then direct your energy to killing enemies for me!”

Ling Tong looked extremely dissatisfied and unhappy but she didn’t argue any further and flew out of the room with clenched fists.

Inside the destroyed room, only Gan Ning and I were left.

“Gan Ning, be honest with me. Did you or did you not kill Lord Ling Cao?”

“I haven’t killed anyone, not for the past year.” She was as resolute as before when I first asked her.

Never mind… Right now isn’t the time to be thinking of such things.

I did my best to put this away. It’s going to be difficult to calm down after getting so heated up like that.

Liu Bei POV

What will come, will always come.

Chen Gong and I were sitting beside each other before the brazier in the encampment. Both of us were silent and were stirring the brazier with long sticks, sending sparks flying.

I felt a little awkward about this and looked about. It was very quiet, and though the torch was lit, there was no one on guard duty. This made me feel a little jittery and I did not feel safe at all. Looks like there are only 2 of us here.

“Chen Dao and Zhou Cang should be really busy at the riverside now.” Unexpectedly, Chen Gong was the one to break the silence first.

I looked at her from the side and saw that she was squinting. as though she’d come to a realisation about something.

Of course, I know what she is implying, as this is too obvious.

“Jiangxia’s naval defences are very lacking at the moment. Even if they finish what they plan to do all night, it probably wouldn’t be of much help.” I said what Chen Gong wanted to say to which Chen Gong only shrugged and didn’t add anything.

It’s a little late, but there should be enough time to rush something out

But who could have known? That Jiangdong’s naval fleet managed to rush here and were presently docked at a location less than 40km away from here.

Who was the one leading the combined army? Was it Zhou Yu? Or Lu Meng?

But no matter who it is, troops morale is dismally low especially with Gan Ning’s betrayal. Being able to put up a good show in the upcoming battle will be immensely difficult.

Presently, Huang Zu and Su Fei were stationed outside the city. Apart from us, Yi Ji and Wen Ping have also brough their troops out. Yi Ji had come back earlier and I heard from her that the riverside defences had been destroyed in the last attack and it will be difficult to restore them.

And so, we can only try and win the naval battle with our large s.h.i.+ps, and support from the sh.o.r.e with fire arrows.

Because of this, I didn’t hear any suggestions from Chen Gong. I didn’t ask, but I can feel that she probably thinks that nothing will help at this point.

I’ve felt that from her before but it’s stronger now.

“But Chen Gong, tomorrow–”

“Tomorrow, we will be following Huang Zu into battle right?”

I was about to timidly deliver what I’d been pondering about these few days but was cut off by Chen Gong who guessed what I was thinking about.

“Indeed.”

“Does Imperial Uncle feel pity for Huang Zu? Or perhaps something else?” Chen Gong said as she shot me a side glance filled with suspicion.

“No way!” I stood up and spoke louder to bolster my confidence, “I just feel that it’s not right to retreat now and we can always leave when our side’s loss is set in stone.”

The image of Huang Zu on the city tower from before flashed in my head. She seemed extremely lonely, and this sort of emotion was something that resonated with me the most.

Back then, I felt that it would be good if Huang Zu could win. At the very least, she should be able to live.

And so, I feel that I should help out where possible, why I sent troops to help with bolstering the defences, and why I decided to speak about this with Chen Gong.

“Uncle is still the same huh.” Before Chen Gong could reply, a more steady voice came from behind me.

I turned, no before I even turned, I already knew that it was Liu Qi.

<script>