Vol 9 Chapter 37 (1/2)

VOLUME 9 CHAPTER 37: DON’T TELL ME THIS IS THE DEPLOYMENT TO XINYE (4)

Li Dian POV

Today’s weather gets 80 points. On temperature though, it will be difficult to even get a pa.s.sing grade given how b.l.o.o.d.y hot it is.

“… Ah…”

But as a warrior, I cannot possibly utter a complaint about the heat right? To say that I am suffering from the heat would be terrible right?

As I felt faint from the burning rays of sunlight, aimless thoughts filled my head. I looked up at the sky, wondering why on earth the skies were so clear when it widely known that the south was rainy. It just so happened that the heavens bestowed clear weather on us that had neither rain nor winds.

Though warriors ought to have endurance, I really cannot put up with this weather. Clearly, I still had a long way to go with my training but I do at least have the resolve. Back when I gave up my books and decided to be a warrior, I had already decided that I ought to keep at it. How can I possibly be defeated by the weather like this?!

As I thought so, I shook my head to clear my mind and reached out to grab 2 water gourds. As I shook them one by one, I realised that they were both empty.

Ah… I already finished them huh? Well, in that case–

“Lord Cao Ren, could I trouble you to lend me some water?” I said to a very healthy looking girl.

“Un? Water huh?” The white haired girl turned and said in a rather soothing voice. Even though the sun was so intense, she still looked impeccable, with no sweat on her at all. Not only that, she was able to calmly and radiantly smile at me.

Un, just being able to beam at me like that in this weather is worth 90 points. And she’s also my lord’s cousin…

“Here.” While I was occupied with my thoughts, Cao Ren had already took out her gourd and handed it to me, “It is indeed rather hot today, take care not to get heat stroke.” She smiled again as she said so.

“Ah, yes.” I said as I hurriedly took the gourd. As I did so, I looked at Cao Ren. Apart from her white hair, she does not look very much like my lord at all. One might dismiss the lack of similarity by saying that they are just cousins, yet why does Cao Hong look like the spitting image of my lord?

“Lord Li Dian.”

“Ah, yes.” Without warning. Cao Ren called out to me. Because I did not expect this, my reply was a bit lacking and I hurriedly sat up and awaited my orders. Cao Ren is the commanding officer for this expedition after all.

“We’re the vanguard for the southern expedition, which means that elder sister has high expectations for us. We cannot afford to let her down.” Cao Ren said with bare remnants of her smile remaining. It seemed like she intended to say this seriously but she looked far too friendly for it to be taken that way.

“Yes, your subordinate general thinks so as well.” I replied.

“You don’t need to address yourself as such.” Cao Ren said, her smile returning, “We’ll be relying on each other a lot from here on out.”

“Man Cheng will do her best to support you.” I said as I saluted Cao Ren to which she frowned and waved her hands.

“There’s no need to be so formal. During our next break, have some men take out some fruits we brought, chill them and give them to our troops.”

“Ah, alright.” I nodded twice, and felt that Cao Ren deserved 95 points for this. Now that I think about it, it seems like this is my first time taking part in an operation with Cao Ren. I have heard of her exploits before, in particular Mount Jiluo but I always thought that she was similar to my lord.

Now that I have gotten a chance to know her, I find that they are very different people. Compared to my lord, Cao Ren is a lot more friendly and personable. Instead of my lord, one could say that she is more similar to…

… That man who drowned a while ago. I have only had fleeting ties with him but when we took Xu state, his escape from my spear was worth a pa.s.s I suppose.

Hmph, I never thought that he would die just like that, and to drowning no less. As a warrior, dying on the battlefield after succ.u.mbing to one’s wounds is the best possible ending. Yet, he died because he fell into the water while escaping. What a poor show…

Hai… It really is…

“Lord Li Dian? Are you thinking about something?”

“Ah… Ah? Ah, no. Not at all. I was just thinking about what to do next.” I hurriedly changed the topic and turned away as I gathered my feelings.

I wonder if some weakness leaked out into my expression and Cao Ren found it out. Really, he is just an enemy leader, why am I thinking about so much?