Vol 9 Chapter 122 (1/2)

Chapter 122

VOLUME 9 CHAPTER 122: DON’T TELL ME THIS IS THE AFTERMATH OF OUR DEFEAT (9)

Yun Chang POV

“No, that’s fine.” I shook my head and looked away as I saluted back, not having the face to look at her in the eye, as I continued, “What Lord Zhao Yun said is right. I was too careless in this battle and later on I underestimated the enemy. After making all these mistakes, I was not able to redeem myself ultimately and that is my fault.”

“No… There’s no need to say that…” Zhao Yun hurriedly held my hand with an apologetic expression, “I sometimes speak harshly to motivate people to improve themselves but that is directed only to my subordinates. What happened just now was just me losing control of my emotions and saying hurtful things needlessly. Besides, this is not entirely your fault.”

…

I did not say anything in response. I do not know how the others think but I do not think there is no responsibility on my part for this grave loss. I am fully aware of this and have no intention of s.h.i.+rking it.

“Let’s not talk about such things anymore and go into the specifics.” Zhao Yun said and changed the topic, “How many troops have we lost in this battle?”

The topic may have changed but it still struck a sore spot.

“… Our losses were truly grave this time. Not only did we take 2 volleys of arrows, we were also met with a charge on our flanks.” I gave a quick summary but knew I could not avoid giving a number in the end and gritted my teeth as I continued, “In total, the survivors number about… 3,000.”

When the last few words left my mouth, my mind went blank. I do not know if this is because I have never had to experience what it’s like to suffer a loss in battle but this is truly terrible. I tried my best to rid myself of all these thoughts but after shaking my head, it returned quickly.

“In the first place, our troops were at a great disadvantage just looking at our equipment alone. I wonder how the frontal battle went.” Zhao Yun nodded and changed the topic, “Ah yes, was there a Lu Xiang amongst the warrior generals who fought this time?”

“I fought with Lu Xiang.” I replied as the image of Lu Xiang’s murderous visage filled my mind, “Because of what Lord Zhao Yun did to her elder brother, she seems to be consumed by vengeance.”

“Hai… What happened to her elder brother was merely a coincidence. If it were not for Li Dian who shot an arrow, I would not have been able to land a fatal blow in my frantic defence against her.” Zhao Yun said relaxedly, “Lu Kuang was already at his limits then. If he had chosen to retreat, I would have spared him.”

“Lu Kuang would not have retreated after fighting that hard and desperate.”

“You saw our duel back then huh?”

“No way,” I shrugged, “I saw what his little sister was like so I can guess what Lu Kuang must have been like.”

When I finished, Zhao Yun smiled and looked at me, “So? How is Lu Xiang now?” She then paused before continuing, “Did you finish her off?”

“I did deal her a fatal blow but it’s unlikely that she will die. At the very least, it will be difficult for her to move.” I said as I patted my blade, “It’s all thanks to this blade. I will have to repair it when I get back.”

“Ah yes, speaking of generals, I heard from Zhou Cang when I met up with them, that there was someone leading the enemy on her side that looked like a strategist.”

“Un?” Zhao Yun frowned, “A strategist? What did he or she look lik

e?”

“She couldn’t really get a good glimpse of her as she hid behind the troops to the back timidly,” I said as I recalled how unsatisfied Zhou Cang looked, “Zhou Cang tried to break through the blockade many times but failed every time.”

— What’s the point of coming onto the battlefield but refusing to engage fair and square!

Zhou Cang was furious and kept complaining for a long while after we met. Come on, she’s a strategist, it’s natural that she would not come up and engage you in a duel.

“But we can be sure of 1 thing,” I continued, “Since that strategist came to oversee the battle, she should be the architect behind the ambush.”

“That is very possible.” Zhao Yun nodded and bit her lip as she thought hard, “Un… Timid huh…”

“What’s the matter? Did Lord Zhao Yun think of something?”

“Un,” She frowned and looked over as she held her chin, “When you said that she was timid, the first person that came to mind was Shen Pei, a strategist of Yuan Shao’s.”

“Shen Pei…?” I asked as I never heard of this name before.