Vol 9 Chapter 144 (2/2)

“Of course he’s gone back already. He would be exposing our true intentions if he just continued to stand there.” Chen Gong explained to Wen Yuan. Even so, Chen Gong still turned back to take a look but she turned back immediately.

And the reason why I smiled was naturally because I saw them. I saw big brother and a small girl standing atop the tower. Though she does not remember anything, and I am just an ordinary companion to her, seeing her stand beside big brother fills me with warmth and nostalgia.

Yi De, I await the day your memories return.

“Let’s go, you 2.” I said as I leapt up onto my horse and galloped off. There’s no time to waste, we need to get there as soon as possible.

“Alright~ Let’s go~”

“Wait up, you both! I’m an administrative official!”

I slowed down a little when they both yelled at me but continued to look ahead. This was because the tall pillars of smoke from their encampment could be seen even from here.

Yet the journey was shorter than I expected.

“We’ve reached already?” Wen Yuan voiced what I, and probably Chen Gong, were thinking.

I did not think that just 15 minutes of galloping was enough for us to reach the enemy encampment. When I looked up, I saw that the tents were just several hundred paces away. If I squinted, I could even see several archers stationed in the makes.h.i.+ft watchtowers.

“They’ve seen us.”

“Ah, yes. One of them just ran to inform the encampment. They should be expecting us.”

“… Hu.” I gave a small sigh. I do not know if it’s because of our nervousness or because we are almost there but all of us gradually slowed down. Even though I had been saying that I would succeed in this mission, I really have no idea what to do. What’s more, things can go bad real quick if I just say the wrong word.

“Un…” Someone else sighed as well. When I looked over, I saw that it was Wen Yuan which surprised me. She is normally very calm, and she was calm just now too. Yet, she looks very serious now and has not spoken for a while now.

“Don’t be so serious, you 2. I feel like you both are lying just by looking at you.”

“Eh?”

“… Really?”

Is it… That obvious?

“Yes, you both don’t look like people who have come to defect.”

“… Is that so?”

“You sure sound very well-versed in defecting huh?”

“W-what do you mean, well-versed…” Chen Gong stammered, “Come on, you both should be able to imagine how a defector would feel right?”

“…”

“…”

The feeling… The feeling of defecting huh… I tried to do as Chen Gong said and it seems like Wen Yuan was as well.

“No, no, you both are way too nervous~”

“You la.s.s!” Wen Yuan said as she lifted Chen Gong.

“Wah!”

“Stop messing around, Wen Yuan. We should concentrate on thinking about what we need to do later.” I said as I frowned, “If we commit even the slightest of mistakes, our lives will be forfeit.”

Yes, I underestimated how difficult pretending to defect would be. This is very different from a battle and a raid.

“Of course, you both don’t need to think about it too much either.” Chen Gong said while she was still being held by Wen Yuan, “Even if we do say something wrong, as long as it’s not too serious, we can always cover for each other by giving an explanation on each other’s behalf that dispels their suspicion.”

Covering for each other by giving an explanation on each other’s behalf that dispels their suspicion huh…

“Who goes there!” A yell came from the Cao camp up ahead as we neared the encampment.

“Above.” Wen Yuan said softly. I sneakily stole a glance upwards and saw that there was a row of troops standing atop the watchtowers. The voice from before should have come from one of them.

“Alright, this show is about to get started.” Chen Gong said calmly as Wen Yuan set her down on her own horse.

Yes, it’s about to begin. I sank into thought for a moment and gulped before taking in a deep breath–

“I am Guan Yu Guan Yun Chang, Marquis of Hanshou Village.” As I said so, i took out the letter and brandished it above my head, “I have come for an audience under your invitation!”

I did my best to be as loud as possible to let the other side know I was firm but also to help steel myself.

…

“Why is there no response?”

When I finished, there was no response from the watchtowers. All the troops did was to nock an arrow to each of their bows.

<script>