Vol 8 Chapter 53 (1/2)

VOLUME 8 CHAPTER 53: DON’T TELL ME THIS IS A SECRET LATE NIGHT RENDEZVOUS (1)

Liu Bei POV

I parted ways with Liu Qi about midway back and continued on alone. It wasn’t very far from here on out to my residence, and was certainly not a distance where one could get lost in. Even so, I still had some trouble with a few forks I had to take.

Unsurprisingly, Xiangyang was still bustling even late at night. Even though this was an era of endless wars, I could always catch a glimpse of hope and fervour for life amongst the people. It was the same everywhere be it Xu state, Xuchang, Shouchun or Jiangxia.

On the way back, I thought of buying some stuff for everyone and pretending that they were souvenirs from Jiangxia but decided against that as it was too risky and I would be subject to harsher punishments if I were to be found out. What’s done is done, no point trying to wiggle out now.

At this time, the sun had already descended a fair bit and would probably disappear soon. Chen Dao and the rest should have finished the ch.o.r.es by now so that should save me some trouble when I get back.

From what I heard in the banquet, it seems like Feng Xian and the rest have returned to Xiangyang so I should be able to see them when I get back. I wonder how Feng Xian has been in this period. She is far too strong so if someone manages to get to on her wrong side, she will be very scary.

Somehow or another, I managed to make it back while deep in my thoughts. As I stood in front of the main gate, I straightened my back and shook off my slight tipsiness and raised my hand to knock on the door.

*Dang* *Dang* *Dang*

… Un? Why is there no one coming to open the door? Where is Guan Ping? I thought as I raised my hand to knock once more.

*Giiya*

“Ah…” Just then, the gates suddenly swung open and the arm I was using to knock on the door landed on thin air and made me lose my balance and stumble forward.

What was going on? I was puzzled and when I raised my head, I saw a girl who was about just as tall as I was, or perhaps slightly taller, standing there with an icy gaze and a heavy expression. In her hands was a double-edged halberd.

“Feng Xian?” I softly called out as she squinted at me, her eyes dilating and constricting within seconds, making me even more puzzled.

In my hesitation, Feng Xian finally moved and reached out with her free hand and touched my face, “… Xuan De, you’re still alive.” She said, her eyes seemingly softer as she said so, as though they were melted by something.

“Ah, of course I’m still alive.” I said as I placed my hand on hers. I don’t really understand what’s going on but under these circ.u.mstances, I can only reply her seriously.

“… Haa.” On hearing this from me, Feng Xian seemed to have lost her strength and planted her halberd on the ground, driving it several inches into the steps as she leaned against it.

“I thought that Xuan De really died on the battlefield.” Feng Xian said in a voice that lacked a fair amount of her usual strength.

Wh, what is going on? I am seriously confused. Why is she talking about this all of a sudden?

… Ah, now I get it! Yun Chang and the rest must have tricked Feng Xian and the rest and Feng Xian took it a little too seriously.

“No way, I came back safe and sound, haven’t I?” I further emphasized that I was still alive as I was afraid that she might think that I am Liu Bei’s spirit.

“If Xuan De isn’t around anymore, I’m not sure what I might do.”

“Haha… You’re exaggerating. Come on, let’s head on in.” I smiled, and patted her back to rea.s.sure her. Hahaha, Feng Xian is really cute in certain ways huh? I didn’t think she would take it so seriously.

I have to speak with Yun Chang and the rest. How could they have done this? I thought as I entered the residence with Feng Xian.

“Big brother, you’re back.” Just as we entered the threshold, Yun Chang’s voice could be heard from the courtyard. Her voice was clearly a lot more tired than this afternoon.

“Un, I’m ba–” I said as I looked toward where the voice came from but what I saw silenced me.

Yun Chang was holding on to her Green Dragon Crescent Blade with both hands, her body covered by dirt and her clothes had slash marks all over. She was heaving and panting and her body was shaking.

“Yun Chang, this is–” I was utterly shocked by this sight.

“My lord…” “My lord, you’ve returned…”

Behind Yun Chang were a few more people. At the head was Zhou Cang with Liao Hua close behind her and Zi Long and Wen Yuan further to the back. The 2 in front were in the same state as Yun Chang and were both nursing wounds to their arms and stomachs.

Zi Long and Wen Yuan were slightly better off but they were visibly exhausted as though they had several dozen intense bouts.

… Wh-wh-wh, what the heck is going on?

“Yun Chang! This… Did a thief break in?” I just gave a random guess. Even though I knew this was impossible, I could not fathom what could have led to all of them being in such a state.

“… Big brother, this is all my fault.” For some reason, Yun Chang came forward and raised her hand and pointed in my direction. Only after a while did I realise that she was actually pointing at Feng Xian.

Eh? In an instant, everything clicked. I looked at Feng Xian but she looked to the side and didn’t dare to meet my gaze.

“… Feng Xian, did you–”

“It was Lord Guan Yu and the rest who tricked me first. Though I did lose it for a moment…”

Lost it… She really is scary.