Vol 10 Chapter 5 (2/2)

“Un?” Yuan Zhi uttered as she opened her eyes slightly and looked at me, probably because she detected the seriousness from my tone.

“The battle this time was won thanks to your efforts but personally speaking, I do not wish to achieve victory by sacrificing you.”

“…” Yuan Zhi remained silent and only spoke up after a while, “Even if it means losing the battle?”

Ah… Yuan Zhi’s words stumped me. I am not someone who has highfalutin moral views and merely do things based on whether I feel they are correct or not. If Yuan Zhi dropping out meant that the battle would definitely be lost, then I would not approve of it. But this is not what I should be saying here.

“I do indeed have to admit that it would have been a terribly difficult battle if you hadn’t come with me.” I replied as I raised my head and looked at Yuan Zhi’s wound, “But this doesn’t mean that we should sacrifice the people who are important to us. If you hadn’t come with me back then, I’m sure that we would have achieved victory somehow just by relying on my other companions.”

Of course, my presence was not critical in the least.

“Are you sure?” Yuan Zhi asked as she looked at me.

“Probably, but it will undoubtedly be a very harsh battle. I believe in them, that they will pull through in their own way.”

Yuan Zhi remained silent but her eyebrows jumped slightly.

“Alright, I understand.” She said after a while as she gave a long sigh, “I won’t push myself this hard in the next battle.”

“Un, that’s the best then.” I nodded as I placed my hand on her wound, “Have you been applying Hua Tuo’s medication? It still hurts now right?”

“Un… It’s alright.” Yuan Zhi replied calmly.

To be honest, I doubted if it did not hurt badly as I have not been able to get an accurate read on her emotions except during our conversation at the market. She might say it’s alright now but it might just be that she does not want me to worry.

“But I would really like it if Xuan De can remove his hand.”

“Eh? Ah, sorry about that.” I uttered as I hurriedly removed my hand. Only when she reminded me did I realise how improper my actions were. No matter what, it was not right of me to just put my hands on a young woman’s abdomen.

“Ah, but it’s good that there’s nothing serious now.” I continued, feeling awkward once more and turned away.

“Hu…” At the same time, Yuan Zhi gave a long exhalation. I turned back and saw that her eyes were wide open and she was staring at the ceiling.

“What’s the matter, Yuan Zhi? Do you feel unwell?”

Yuan Zhi shook her head, “No, I just feel like I spent all of my life force in this battle.”

“Eh?”

“And my voice is still hoa.r.s.e.”

I was wondering why her voice sounded a little hollow this entire time too but it was just because she was hoa.r.s.e. It’s no surprise as she was yelling very loudly during the battle despite being a soft-spoken person usually.

“I suppose. You should have stayed on the sidelines and gave commands as a strategist.” I grumbled at her.

“You have no right to say that, Xuan De. Look at you, charging at the frontlines despite being a feudal lord.”

“Fighting alongside one’s retainers is the rightful duty of a lord and I did nothing wrong.” I retorted, feeling unjustly blamed.

“Hai, have you forgotten who it was who fell into the Tan stream? Xuan De, don’t forget that you are the lord here and if you die, everything is over.”

“Wu…” I was completely silenced by Yuan Zhi bringing up my fall into the stream.

“But that’s fine.” Yuan Zhi decided to show me some mercy when she saw my troubled look, “Those generals will definitely protect you.”

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