Vol 10 Chapter 11 (2/2)

“I will, if you will as well, elder sister.”

“Hmph, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d.” I said as I lightly hit her chest, not daring to use much strength for fear of hurting her.

I really cannot believe that Cao Ren who fought so well before has lost so badly and reduced to such a state. As her family, I am really sad to see her like this. It really is a waste for a kinder, more joyous girl like her to become a general.

It’s also a waste of her healthy, speckless white skin. She will undoubtedly be scarred from the injuries borne in this battle. I had a sudden impulse to rip open her sleeve to check but did not have the heard to do so and merely put my hand down.

“Man Cheng, how are you?” I asked as I turned to her and found that she looked the same as she always did, less a few things she always had on her, “Where is you hat?”

“… Lost it.”

“… And your sword?”

“Lost it as well, along with my spear.”

“I see.” I nodded and decided not to ask her any further about this and looked her over to see that she too was covered in wounds and seemed to be in worse shape than Cao Ren was, “Are you alright? Yue Jin has mentioned you in her letters and reports and wanted to know how you were.”

“Thank you, my lord for your concern. I’m fine.” Li Dian said vaguely with a difficult expression. I looked at Cao Ren who smiled bitterly and turned to Li Dian who seemed like she had nothing to say. It feels like they are both drained.

“… You’re not dis.h.i.+ng out points this time?”

It might sound like I am being sarcastic but I was asking out of genuine curiosity as Li Dian would always be dis.h.i.+ng out points to anything and everything even if she does not speak much yet she is not even doing it now.

“We made too many mistakes in every skirmish so I have no right to score myself.”

Oh my. I looked at Cao Ren and saw that her smile had vanished/

“Is that so?” I smiled slightly and clapped their shoulders before returning into the room, “Alright, have a seat everyone and don’t stand on ceremony. Let’s have a seat before we continue.”

“My lord!” Just as I turned around, Li Dian called out to me again and the sound of knees. .h.i.tting the ground could be heard but I continued to return to my seat and ignored what she said, “We should be punished as the primary commanders of the vanguard which lost.”

“You will be punished, but not yet.” I quickly replied and went past Cheng Yu as I sat down but they still did not move, “Is there anything else?”

“The battle–”

“There’s no need to discuss anything about the battle which has already been detailed right here.” I said with some irritation as I dumped the letters they sent me from my sleeve on the table, “Come and tell me what you haven’t written on them.”

“…”

Li Dian and Cao Ren exchanged glances before coming over. That Cao Ren really is too much. She let herself get influenced by that overly polite Li Dian. There’s no need to go that far.

“I already reported the battle to Court this morning and the Son of Heaven has not issued any edicts or punishments.” I said as I picked up 4 cups and a liquor pot, “The only ones whom you owe a debt to are our troops who died in the battlefield. Don’t come to me and ask for punishment. When everything is over and you meet with the King of the Netherworld, there will be plenty of punishment to go around for you.”

Of course, that line applies to me as well.

“Alright, I understand.” Cao Ren quickly accepted this and sat beside Cheng Yu, exchanging greetings with her as she sat down. Li Dian on the other hand was still gloomy as she sat down opposite Cao Ren.

I smiled and pa.s.sed around the cups of liquor, “Come, let us drink. You may have lost but let us drink to your return at least.”

“Ah.”

“Thanks, elder sister.”

“Thanks, my lord.”

The 3 of them raised their cups as they replied me and I did so as well, “Let us remember this battle that we have lost and also remember the generals and soldiers who died.”

“”We will remember them.”” The 2 of them said when I finished.

I went ahead and downed its contents when they finished. The room was now rather quiet apart from drinking noises. Even when we finished, we did not breathe out heartily and merely spat out a small sigh as we placed our cups on the table.

“Alright, we’ve mourned the loss and the dead so don’t mention anything again. You will only hurt yourselves unnecessarily.”

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