Vol 9 Chapter 46 (1/2)

VOLUME 9 CHAPTER 46: DON’T TELL ME THIS IS THE REUNION IN XINYE (4)

Liu Bei POV

*Tatatata*… *Ta*… The sound of horse hooves. .h.i.tting the ground has been unceasing the whole time and only now was there a slight abatement here and there.

*Sasasasa*… However, the sound of rainfall did not lighten up at all. We were lucky that Yuan Zhi had brought extra raincoats which meant we were able to stay dry. Getting a cold in this weather is no laughing matter after all.

“Xuan De, Lord Xu Shu, Lord Huang Zu.” Just then, the one in charge of leading the way, Zi Long, came to a stop and pointed ahead, “We’re here.”

I looked over in the direction where she pointed and only just saw a rather low length of walls. Looks like the mist of rain had hid it well.

I looked closely at the walls and found that they were indeed rather low and it was not my misconception. It seemed like about 3 storeys tall. If the outer walls were this short, then there’s no point even considering its inner walls. Is this Xinye?

Xinye seems smaller than any city I have ever seen but it’s probably the most meaningful to me. Hai… I am now finally where I ought to be.

“Xinye huh~ I didn’t know before but I was stationed here for a fair amount of time.” Huang Zu, who was behind me, spoke up, “Back then, I’d just joined my lord and knew nothing. For the sake of my growth, my lord sent me here. I stayed here for about 3-4 months before I was transferred back. Now that I think about it, I was really lucky that there were no battles here while I was here.”

As she said so, she looked with a little worry at the top of the city walls.

“Zi Long, let’s head to the residence directly.” Of course, I have no leisure to worry about how I ought to defend Xinye at this time as my companions are the only thing in my mind now.

“Ah, yes.” Zi Long nodded. Her expression was rather serious but it was considerably relaxed compared to when she had not yet found me, “They’ll probably be very happy to know you’re alive.”

Yes, probably like how you were too. Or perhaps like how I was when I saw you.

“I’m Zhao Yun Zhao Zi Long!” Zi Long yelled up at the tower, “Please open up!”

No reply came from the tower. I doubt anyone can recognise Zi Long if they look from above. Or so I thought, as the gates opened a few moments later with a dull and heavy clunk. From the sounds, it seems like this gate has not been maintained well. And why are they letting us in so easily when they clearly cannot identify us?

“Well then, let’s go in.” Zi Long said as she saluted the rest of us and led on.

“Yuan Zhi, we’ll be heading straight to the residence where I’ll introduce you to my companions.”

“Un, that would be nice.”

She does not seem to be too concerned about who my companions are or what they are like huh?

“Hai~ I wonder what they will think when they see this?” Zi Long spoke to herself as she turned back to look at me.

“Un? What do you mean, Zi Long? Will they be unhappy to see me return?”

“No, that’s definitely not the case.” Zi Long narrowed her eyes as she looked at me and then at Yuan Zhi before sighing, “Hai… There shouldn’t be too much of a problem.”

I really do not know what Zi Long is saying at all… Why will there even be a problem? And I even brought back a good strategist with me too.

“Ah yes, Huang Zu. If you want to, you can start heading back to Xiangyang now.” Yuan Zhi said, seems like she’s already

prepared to say goodbye to Huang Zu, “Don’t you need to go back and see your Governor?”

“That is indeed the case.” Huang Zu nodded, “But since I’m here already, I’d like to pay a visit to the local commander. I haven’t seen him in a while though so I don’t know if he still recognises me.”

As she said so, Huang Zu had a nostalgic look on her face. Though there was no smile on her, her expression felt watm. Looks like Huang Zu places a lot more importance on bonds and the like than I imagined.