Vol 9 Chapter 87 (1/2)

VOLUME 9 CHAPTER 87: DON’T TELL ME THIS IS A TEMPORARY RESPITE BEFORE THE NEXT BATTLE (2)

Li Dian POV

“Yes.” I replied as I shrugged, “If I hadn’t seen it myself, I wouldn’t have believed it.”

From what I saw, Zhang Fei did not move at all and merely took blow after blow.

“I don’t know any further details but it’s clear that Zhang Fei’s condition is far from optimal. This means that she is unlikely to take the field in future battles.”

“Un… Zhang Fei not taking the field is a boon for us. From what I know, in actual battles and in duels, Zhang Fei has always been a great boost to troop morale.”

I did meet with Zhang Fei back in Xu state. Back then, she was able to force her way through our multi-layered surround with just a small number of troops. All 3 sworn siblings faced very different circ.u.mstances back then but were able to make it out and reunite nonetheless.

“Un…” Cao Ren nodded and began considering future measures, it seemed, and her expression lightened up a little.

“But don’t get too happy, Lord Cao Ren. My last point relates to a barbarian I found amongst enemy ranks.”

Cao Ren’s expression darkened once again when she heard this, “Barbarian troops? Did Liu Bei ally himself with the southern barbarians? Is it Wuling Man?”

“No, it’s not a battalion but a single individual. He wore a barbarian hat that covered his face and seemed very odd.” I said as I thought back to what I saw back then. Because it was only a glimpse, I do not remember much in the way of details.

“It’s a relief that it’s not a battalion.” Cao Ren said as she heaved a sigh of relief. The barbarian troops are no easy foe after all. This is something all of us personally experienced when we suppressed Liaodong.

“But that person is rather strong, much like any barbarian troop.” I said, afraid that Cao Ren might underestimate him, “Though it’s just an individual, I’ve probably never met him before.”

“Could he be a warrior general who came to join Lei Bei’s faction?”

I nodded at Cao Ren’s guess, “That’s not impossible. Especially at a time when Liu Bei is still missing, it’s possible that the unity of Guan Yu and the rest is related to this barbarian.”

“Like…”

“That barbarian could have been the mastermind behind the pincer strategy for example.”

“Oh, on.” Cao Ren nodded approvingly and then pressed her temple as she closed her eyes and engraved this in her memory like an elderly person.

“I understand.” Cao Ren nodded and sighed after a while, “In short, there is still much to do from here on out. Though we lost, we managed to learn much. Many thanks, Lord Li Dian.”

“What are you thanking me for?” I smiled stiffly, “My survival is shameful enough now that we lost.”

“Haha, how could that be?” Cao Ren chuckled when she heard me say so and pointed to the back, “If you had died, they would be dead as well.”

I reflexively turned back and looked at the less than 2,000 men who survived. Indeed, as Cao Ren said, if I had died in battle back then, they would all be dead by now.

“And besides, elder sister and I still need you.” Cao Ren said as she patted my shoulder. She did not use much strength but I could the weight from her grasp.

“… Ahem.” My nose began to flare up and I turned away as I covered my mouth and feigned a few coughs.

— Man Cheng, it’s great that you’re her

e.

This made me think back to the time when I brought many mercenaries to join my lord. These were the words she said to me back then and the feeling of being needed was truly wonderful.

“I know, I will live on to win more battles in future.” I said as I turned back and reflexively reached up to pull down my hat only to remember that it was gone and decided against turning back.

“Lord Li Dian…” Cao Ren called and it seemed like she was smiling now as well. I know even if I am not looking at her because she resembles my lord a lot in uncanny ways.

“But now that your spear is gone, what will you do?” Cao Ren asked from behind, “Are you going to switch to a sword now?”

I gripped my sword when I heard this, “Though this sword is available, it’s only a standard issue military sword that I received along with my armour. I’m not really used to this.”

And besides, the sword has become a little blunt from just this battle. It’s poor quality steel as expected.

“Then…”

“No need to worry,” I said to Cao Ren, “I am accept with any mid-range weapons. Even if I don’t use a spear, I can use many others. I’ll go and get a new weapon made after we return to Fan city.”

A mid-range weapon huh…

— Hei! In my mind, the scene where Guan Yu struck down powerfully played back. To be honest, the gap between our skills was obvious. In various aspects of martial prowess, she is clearly superior to me. However…

“I’ll get a glaive made this time.”

“Eh? You know how to use a glaive?”

“Why not? I’m actually quite good at it too.” I said as I nodded and thought for a moment before I continued, “But the blade of this glaive will have to be a lot more solid.”