Vol 9 Chapter 163 (1/2)

Chapter 163

VOLUME 9 CHAPTER 163: DON’T TELL ME THIS IS THE SIEGE OF XINYE (12)

Li Dian POV

The city walls which had been rather short just a few days ago were not several meters taller. As I looked up, I found that the archers standing at the walls and the towers were rather few in number. Could this be the work of Chen Gong?

“I’ll go up and yell.” I said and was about to kick my horse to go up when I saw that Lu Xiang intended to go up as well and hurriedly raised my hand to stop her as I shook my head, “You don’t need to follow me this time. I’ll go alone.”

Lu Xiang does not know the details of our plan after all and if a duel happens, she might get too absorbed in it.

“… Yes.” Lu Xiang replied and let go of her reins after a while.

Alright… Now then…

“Jia. *Tatatata*” I steeled myself and lightly called out as I kicked my horse and went forward. As I did so, so did Zhao Yun. This time, she did not let her lieutenant come forward and came up herself instead, brandis.h.i.+ng her spear as she did so, probably in an attempt to intimidate me.

As we neared each other, we stopped while there was about 50 paces or so between us. At this distance, I looked at Zhao Yun’s expression and could see that her lips were pursed and her frown was tight. Though she seemed domineering and majestic with her silver armour, one of her shoulder plates was visibly slanted. Looks like she was in a rush to get out here huh.

“Long time no see, Lord Zhao Yun.” I greeted her calmly as I pulled up my hat slightly and saluted her, doing my best to appear as humble as possible.

Zhao Yun had a fierce look in her eyes but she did not seem as calm and collected as in the first battle but she still nodded and saluted me, “Yes, long time no see indeed.”

I do not know if this is my misconception but Zhao Yun did not seem to be focused and seemed to be rather tired as well. Well then, why not ask her, “May I ask why Lord Zhao Yun seems to be so distracted?”

“…”

Zhao Yun was originally pacing about with her horse but when she heard my question, she frowned and stared at me as though she were trying to see what she looked like in my eyes. As she did so, she forgot to control her horse and only realised that it was moving forward after a few steps and hurriedly stopped the horse before instinctively looking back and then at me.

“There is nothing unusual with me. I never thought that Lord Li Dian would be well-versed in such psychological tricks. Hmph.”

She’s still trying to feign nonchalance when it’s this obvious?

“Well then, let me ask you another question.” I calmly continued to ask her, “Why is Lord Lu Bu not out here with you?”

“…” She paused for a long while before she answered, “I alone am enough for the likes of you lot.”

“Hmph,” I snorted at her reply, “2,000 men against an army of 15,000 strong. That’s a little overconfident of you, isn’t it?”

…

Zhao Yun did not speak and merely raised her silver spear. Looks like she does not intend on speaking any further and intends on getting to action. However, since Lu Bu is not out here and only Zhao Yun is here, this impliues that Lu Bu is likely inebriated to the point where she cannot come out to take the field.

But then again… This could still just be a ruse. Until there are clear signs of a battle taking place in the city, nothing is clear.

But if this is all fake, then all I can say is Zhao Yun’s acting is simply superb. From the beginning of our conversation till now, it’s clear from he

r body language that something is going on in the city and it seems to be what we discussed with Guan Yu and the rest.

The more I thought about it, the more nervous I got. But at the same time, I also grew more confident that the chance to take Xinye city was at hand, so much so that I involuntarily gulped.

“Zhao Yun, why don’t you go back into the city and take a look? Perhaps they’ve already begun to fight?”

“There is no doubt about our unity. How could there possibly be in-fighting?” Zhao Yun replied as she stared at me angrily and pointed her spear at me, “Cut the c.r.a.p. Why don’t you have 300 bouts with me first?”

Zhao Yun was completely calm, collected and in control the last time, but now she only looks like a reckless buffoon. If nothing had happened, she would not be acting like this.

“… Alright, let’s do it then.” I said before turning around and shooting a glance at Cao Ren, who nodded in response. I then turned back to look at Zi Long and raised my spear, “Let’s see if it will be me or you.”

“Yaa!” Before I could finish, Zhao Yun charged up to me and so did I

*Dang* *Dang*!

Our spears clashed and we exchanged 2 quick blows before galloping past each other after having our weapons deflected.

*Neigh*~

I lightly called out and pulled on the reins to stop the horse and turn around. Zhao Yun on the other side did the same as well. Unlike me, her movements seemed slower. Her blows before were quicker and stronger than mine but there was no technique behind them to speak of.