Vol 9 Chapter 115 (2/2)

“We don’t have enough materials, or enough manpower for that matter. Judging by the current situation, the enemy will definitely attack within 2 weeks and the traps I can get ready by then will not have a significant effect…”

“– But this can’t be helped. Our manpower available to us is now even lesser after all. Ah, please forgive me.” Huang Zu frowned when she realised that she had interrupted someone else again without thinking. Chen Gong did not say anything and merely took a sip of water.

“Let’s leave all that aside for now. The most urgent task at hand is to send men to the mountains in the south to get some rocks.” Liao Hua, who had been silent for a long while, finally spoke up, “The defences to the north are the ones we need to fortify most urgently as it is where the enemy will attack.”

“Un, I know.” Huang Zu frowned. Looks like she’s taking this battle very seriously. Of course, she’s always been a serious person, be it in Jiangxia or here. I do not know if this is a misconception of mine, but it seems like she’s far more suited to being in charge of a city’s defences than the management and administration of an entire city.

“Un, alright, I understand. I’ll think of something.” Huang Zu said as she smiled, seeming more energetic than before. Her smile now reminded me a little of the Huang Zu I knew when I was at Jiangxia.

“Ah, Lord Huang Zu, where are you going?” I asked when I saw her get up and leave and no one else asked.

“To the encampment. I’ll need to borrow some troops for the city defence works.” Huang Zu replied without turning back and continued outside, her hair flying up as she did so.

To the encampment huh…

“Wait for me, Lord Huang Zu,” I said after a moment and got up, “I’ll go too.”

As I said so, I ran over to where Huang Zu was. Chen Gong and Liao Hua did not pay too much attention to what I did and merely sent me off with their gazes.

Ah yes, my hat. When I realised this, I hurriedly turned back to grab my hat.

“Wait for me, Lord Huang Zu.” I said as I hurried over to where she was. Huang Zu, on the other hand, continued to walk ahead wordlessly and exited the mansion before rounding the corner. Since she had no intention of waiting for me, I had no choice but to quicken my pace and catch up to her.

Just as I caught up to her, I began to get the feeling that it was not a very good decision to go with her as the atmosphere began to get awkward really quickly. If I had known this would happen, I would have taken my time and went to the encampment later on. But if I did so, it would also be awkward if I were to run into Huang Zu later on. Of course, I have to admit that I am thinking too much about these things.

“Hu~”

After running for several dozen paces, I finally caught up and slowed down my pace to match her. While catching my breath, I hurriedly put on the gra.s.s hat and adjusted the leaves. This sort of helped to alleviate the awkward atmosphere, albeit not by much.

And now that we were walking together, I had no clue what I ought to say and merely followed behind her and looked ahead and at Huang Zu from time to time. I was standing in Huang Zu’s blind spot so she should not be able to notice my gaze. When I realised this, I felt bolder and continued to stare at her out of the corner of my eye. But after some time, the awkward silence was too much and I felt compelled to speak up.

“How is it? Have you gotten used to things?”

“I have but there’s nothing that is difficult to get used to.” Huang Zu said as she folded her arms across her chest, “I am very familiar with Xinye to begin with anyway.”

“Hahaha… I suppose so…” I laughed stiffly as I wondered how I ought to continue the conversation but Huang Zu actually did so before me.

“By the way, Lord Liu Bei– Lord Shamoke, what are you headed to the encampment for?” She asked, changing her way of addressing me halfway when she saw the hat.

“Ah, I’m going to the encampment to check on Feng Xian and Wen Yuan.” I hurriedly replied, “The battle just ended and I thought I ought to check on how they’re doing.”

“Checking on them huh?” Huang Zu nodded but because of her fringe, I could not see what her expression was like, “My lord did the same for us a long time ago as well.”

Eh? Liu Biao? That’s really surprising.

“Very surprising, isn’t it?” Huang Zu said as she turned slightly to see me.

“Ah, no.”

Did she see through me? That’s really rude of me to think like that.

“That’s fine.” Huang Zu said as she turned back, “My lord eventually gave up such practices with time. I wonder how long Lord Shamoke will keep it up though?”

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