Vol 9 Chapter 189 (2/2)

in battle and even if they did, they would have likely been mowed down.

But no matter what, there would still be eyewitnesses and survivors.

“Let me describe a certain someone and let me know if you ever saw her.” I was getting impatient and decided to cut to the chase, “Have you seen a woman wearing a green robe and wielding a glaive with a green dragon engraved into it? To be more precise, her hair is reddish and rather eye-catching.”

“Ah…” When I finished, all the troops frowned and seemed to be puzzled at what I was saying. Just looking at them was enough to tell me what I needed.

“Let me ask again, have you seen any ‘关’ flags flying around?”

Even so, I decided to ask again. Under such intense pressure, they would not admit to seeing it if they only caught a fleeting glance. But if it really was there, someone must have seen it.

“No, we have no impression of that as well…” The leading soldier said and frowned. Looks like he’s worried about what I will do next.

“But there is one other person.” Just as I was gathering my thoughts, he continued, “If my memory serves me well, there was a swordswoman who tore through our troops. She was really strong, to the point where we did not even dare to approach her.”

Swordswoman… Ah! Is he talking about Xu Shu?! Then that means that it was not Zhang Liao and Guan Yu as I initially thought but Zhang Liao and Xu Shu…

“Continue marching.” I said as I left the troops. They seemed troubled and puzzled but did not ask me anything as they hurriedly returned back in line.

As I looked at the troops, I continued to ponder about this and the more I did so, the more fearful I got and the surer I felt that my guess was right. This really is a catastrophic defeat.

“Lord Li Dian, what’s the matter?” Cao Ren asked with a troubled look as she came close, “Are you… Sweating?”

Un? I touched my face and found that I was sweating buckets. I never expected that I would be this nervous even now.

“No, I’m fine.” I shook my head and feigned calmness as I decided to ask Cao Ren directly, “Lord Cao Ren, did you see Guan Yu at all in the entire battle?”

“Eh?” Cao Ren seemed stunned at my question but then began to think about it and frowned, “Now that I think about it, I don’t think I have… But could it be a coincidence?”

I shook my head, “As we entered the city, we engaged with Zhao Yun and saw Chen Gong at the tower. After we entered the city, we engaged with Lu Bu, Zhang Fei and that Nanman at the front. Later on, Zhang Liao and Xu Shu ambushed us in the middle. I don’t think her absence is a coincidence.”

“Then…” Cao Ren’s eyes bulged while mine narrowed.

I know that Cao Ren knows what I have guessed at but I still have to say it, “It’s a little late to be saying this now, but the reason why Guan Yu did not fight with us is because she was fighting elsewhere.”

Elsewhere. When she heard these words, Cao Ren trembled.

“All troops!” She yelled out as she raised her hand, “Fast march now!”

Yes, if my guess is right, Guan Yu should be in Fan city now.”

“Lord Cao Ren, we really must make haste…”

“Jia!” She yelled as she swung down her reins and charged to the head of the troops with me following close behind.

At the same time, I made sure to check that Lu Xiang would not fall off. As I looked at her, I felt troubled and bit my lips. If it really is as I guessed, then how am I supposed to fulfill our promise?

“Lord Li Dian, do you really think that the enemy would divert away a significant amount of strength to attack Fan city while they are engaging in a decisive battle?” Cao Ren asked in an attempt to overturn my guess, “After failing once before, they couldn’t possibly try again, could they?”

“No, they did so precisely because they know we will think like that. Think about our meeting with Guan Yu and the rest. We did indeed tell them that we would move out with all of our forces. They can thus be sure that Fan city’s defences will be spa.r.s.e.”

“Be that as it may, Fan city still has a garrison.” Cao Ren continued, “In total, Shen Pei has 2,000 troops in the Fan city garrison under her command. If Guan Yu wants to take the city, she will need at least twice that number of troops. Moreover, Fan city’s walls are hard and tall. The surrounding geography also makes it easier to defend than to attack. It would not be a stretch to say that one would need at least 3 times the size of the garrison to take Fan city. That would mean that Guan Yu requires at least 6-7,000 troops.”

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