Vol 9 Chapter 123 (2/2)

As I spoke, I could see lights spreading out from the encampment towards us. When I looked closer, I saw that there were troops running over, though not at too quick a pace.

“This is…” I was a little suspicious but stopped, “Everyone, halt for now.”

At my word, the troops stopped marching. They tiredly looked ahead but did not know what was happening. Some thought they were enemies and held up their weapons tiredly.

… Those troops should not be enemies. No, that is… It took me a while to get to the answer and when I did so, my eyes bulged in disbelief.

*Tatatatatata*…

As the troops neared us, we could see that they were not wearing the uniform of the enemy nor did they yell for our blood. All they did was merely march in 2 lines on either side of us with fires in hand. Their marching was done in unison and their clothing was tidy. These were Feng Xian’s few and elite heavy infantry.

*Tata*

2 loud sounds filled the air as they saluted us. When I looked again, I saw that the 2 lines of fires seemed to form a bridge leading back to the encampment. I could not believe what I was seeing as this was the sort of welcome that was only reserved for victorious returns.

It was clearly unsuitable for this occasion, much less at this time. I turned back and saw that the enemy encampment was rather distant, which meant that they would not come to attack even if they saw the fires.

“Zhao Yun… This is…”

“No, I was not told about this…” Zhao Yun seemed confused as well and swiveled about as she looked around.

“Yun Chang.” Just then, a voice could be heard in the distance. It was light and very familiar, so familiar that I could identify who it was immediately.

When I looked ahead, I saw several people coming over from between the lights with 1 man, the one who called to me, leading ahead. However, I did not reply immediately as I always did. As I looked at him, I could feel my emotions getting more intense, stopping me from saying all the words I wanted to say.

“Yun Chang.” He called out once more as he came neared, making my heart skip a beat. Before I could decided what to do, I had already dismounted. And in that moment, the fires finally illuminated his face.

“… Big brother.”

“Yun Chang…” Big brother called out as he dismounted and looked me over before heaving a sigh of relief, “Ah, it’s good that Yun Chang is alright.”

Wu… My heart did a flip and my head felt faint when I heard this, and I felt like when I was drinking and merrymaking with everyone a long time ago. But was I tearing up back then?

“Big brother!” I yelled as I ran into big brother’s arms, unable to bear the swirling emotions inside me, and let out all of my hurt, regret and anguish as I called out to him. I buried my head into his shoulders and wanted very much to cry but there were many people around so I held it in. Besides, I had things to tell him, “Big brother, your little sister was inept and threw big brother’s face.”

Big brother did not reply immediately and merely patted my back lightly, “You did your best, little sister. I know. You did your best.”

My best. Yes, I did indeed my best yet I was unable to turn the tide. This is proof that there is much room for me to improve. I cannot quite say what I am feeling right now, but no matter what, I hope with all might to be able to win the next battle.

I want to see big brother achieve ascendancy so bad, to see the day when he could stand tall amongst the other feudal lords. In the end, this desire only made me hold him back.

As I thought so, tears streamed down my cheeks, so much so that even when I closed my eyes, it would not stop. Yet I could not tell him all of this and more I had in my heart. If I were to do so at this time, I would be no different from a manipulative liar. All this, would have to wait for after a victory.

“Yun Chang, are you alright?” I looked over when I heard a voice call out to me and saw Wen Yuan standing there. Her smile was not as bright as it usually was but she still looked like how she usually did. Standing beside her was Lu Bu of course, who looked wordlessly at me.

“Ah, Wen Yuan, Lord Lu Bu.” I greeted them. Judging by their faces, I could guess what was up, “Big brother, the frontal battle…” I said as I raised my head and wiped away my tears.

“As you saw on your way back, the enemy has set up camp outside Xinye.” Big brother said words that made me take a deep breath but then he continued, “The frontal battle was a draw.”

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