Yun Chang POV
At this juncture, Shen Pei turned to look at the other 2 and they also turned to look at her. After a moment, Shen Pei turned back and she seemed like she was trying to stifle her laughter as though she were a kid who was waiting for her prank to unfold.
“Yes, well then, how about this?” Shen Pei said as she pointed at the table. Her smile diminished as she looked at me fiercely, “We’ll give you 3 days. Go back and kill Lu Bu, then open the gates for us. How about that?”
“What?! *Pa*!” Wen Yuan exclaimed as she slammed the table and got up once more.
“Why? Can’t do it?” Shen Pei sneered as though she expected that we would react like this.
But helping to kill Lu Bu… It’s definitely not something we could do. I turned to look at Chen Gong, hoping that she had any ideas but saw that she had sank into silence and was frowning.
“That’s enough. Stop acting.” Shen Pei said forcefully.
My heart stopped. In that instant, because of those few words, I began to break out into a cold sweat even though I barely even sweat on the battlefield sometimes.
Have we been found out? Since when? These doubts sprang to mind and I did not dare to look into her eyes for fear that she could see that I was now wavering inside.
But now is not the time to be thinking about whether we made any mistake before this.
“Lord Shen Pei, what do you mean bu that?” I said in one breath, “Does declining to act as per your plans equate to us acting in your eyes?”
“Are you not acting?” Shen Pei said as she put her hands on the table and stared daggers at me, “Your coming here at this time is illogical to begin with. Yet when I ask you to kill Lu Bu and open the gates, you 3 are acting up like this. What else is there to talk about?”
Wu. Indeed, it is the truth that we are unable to accept her request. Though we can accept it first and then go back and discuss things with Xu Shu later, we will not be able to produce Lu Bu’s head when it comes time to do so. And these people have definitely foreseen that. When the time comes, our ploy will be exposed.
I looked at Cao Ren and Li Dian from the side and saw that they were looking over at us with suspicion and seemed to agree with what Shen Pei was saying. Looks like we cannot rely on them to speak up on our behalf.
Wait… If I think about it again, there should be a way to explain ourselves out of this.
“Hu…” I gave a long sigh and steeled myself before looking up and facing Shen Pei as I spoke up, “… I understand where Lord Shen Pei is coming from. And I also know that this is a test of our intentions. Though you said that the test was over, in reality, it wasn’t.”
“…” Shen Pei smiled and remained silent. As expected, she’s a devious one alright.
“No, I have no intention of criticising you. Nor does Wen Yuan and Lord Chen Gong.” I hurriedly shook my head as I casted my gaze over at Wen Yuan and Chen Gong, “Suspecting our intentions is understandable. And besides, it does seem like our display has not been satisfactory.”
“Yes, I am completely unsatisfied with your sincerity. *Pa*!” Shen Pei said as she slammed both of her hands onto the table. Though she still looked calm, she was probably very frustrated inside, frustrated that we still had not given up despite all of her efforts at unmasking us.
But even though she was frustrated, this did not mean that the other 2 were frustrated. Even if they were, I am very sure that this is because of very different reasons. And so, I decided to try it.
“But even so, even if we have to be viewed with suspicion,” I paused and met Shen Pei’s gaze as I slowly rolled the dice, “We will still not kill Lu Bu for the sale of having our defections be accepted.”
“… Is that so?” Shen Pei said as she tilted the head, “Can you tell me why?”
“I was going to.” I nodded and saw from the side that the other 2 people on my side had no idea what I was going to say but they were in it with me. As Chen Gong said before, misunderstandings are fine, we just need to be able to provide a reasonable explanation.
“I’ll be direct with you, we may not get along with Lu Bu, but I deeply respect her as a warrior.” I said as I saluted to the entrance of the tent.
“Respect huh…” Shen Pei repeated and trailed off as she waited for me to continue.
“Yes, and it’s not just me. If Wen Yuan did not respect her as a warrior, how could she have put up with Lu Bu for this long?” I asked. But I knew that Shen Pei would not be able to answer and gave the answer myself, “The reason is simple. It is because Lu Bu is simply far too gifted and brilliant when it comes to being a warrior.”
I truly mean this. As a warrior, Lu Bu does not speak unnecessarily nor does she act unnecessarily. Even when it comes to emotions, apart from big brother, she does not seem to have very much of those. And most importantly, Lu Bu is strong, so strong that it seems like she can overcome anything, and very decisive even in the most critical moments. The latter is something that many people cannot achieve, including myself.
But these words are unlikely to reach Shen Pei. Only a warrior, one who is continually trying to improve him or herself and advance down the path of a warrior, can truly understand what I just said.
“A warrior huh…” Shen Pei said as she shook her head, “I’m sorry, I’m just an administrative official. If you were to say this to Gao Lan, perhaps these words might work.”
“…”
“Am I wrong?” Shen Pei said as she shook her head again, “Aren’t you just trying to give us an excuse for not being able go kill Lu Bu?”
She guessed it as I expected. I go to taverns to drink from time to time and there are always people playing cards and dice there. For some reason, the stakes always get higher and higher until the attention of everyone in the tavern is drawn in.
I, however, have no interest in such games.
“You can see it however you like.”
But this time, I have chosen to make the gamble of a lifetime.
“…” When I finished, Shen Pei did not continue and bit her lips, looking like she was very irritated with me.
“Hu…” She then sighed, “… Alright, it’s about time we finished this.”
*Clang* Shen Pei’s hand hit her cup and it fell off the table and landed on the floor, making a loud and crisp noise.
*Tatatatata*–
The tent was silent but soon, the sound of armour clinking and footsteps could be heard and in an instant, the tent was sliced open from all sides by many sharp swords. Tearing sounds filled the air and soon, we were exposed to the elements.
*Tatata*–
The soldiers came around and surrounded us wordlessly. As the cold wind buffeted me, the gleam of cold steel appeared before my eyes. All this happened in just seconds.
“You bastards!” Wen Yuan yelled even though she was giving her signature smile, “So you were looking to do us in from the very beginning huh?”
The way she made the cup fall was too smooth and natural but I was not surprised for some reason. And I believe that Wen Yuan and Chen Gong are of the same opinion as me.
“Yes, that is indeed the case.” Shen Pei said relaxedly.
As Xu Shu told us from the very beginning just as we were about to leave, they suspected us. And they are about to show us their animosity right now. As for the question just now, Shen Pei probably never expected that we would agree to it. And so, she fully expected me to refuse.
But from the very beginning, I was not aiming to earn Shen Pei’s trust. I was betting on the other 2 people.
I looked at Cao Ren and Li Dian from the side and saw that their reactions were frowning, confused faces that we should be having on instead. And when I looked up, I saw that the troops surrounding us were wearing the Yuan Shao army uniform.
As expected huh?
“Lord Shen Pei, what is the meaning of this?” Li Dian asked as she frowned.
“When did you station your troops around the perimeter of the tent?” Cao Ren said as she looked at Shen Pei, her smile now completely gone, as she placed her hands on the ground, “I was not told of this at all.”
“Commanding Officer, please forgive me for delaying my report to you on this.” Shen Pei said as she pointed at us, “What’s more important now is how we will deal with these liars.”
As she said so, the blades neared us. Of the 3 of us, only Chen Gong moved slightly in response. I looked at the other 2 but they were not looking over where I was. Looks like they have decided to play along with whatever I will do.
But at this time, I need to rely on Cao Ren and Li Dian to neutralise the threat posed by Shen Pei.
“Hu.” I lightly breathed out and looked at Shen Pei, “Lord Shen Pei, you’ve been saying that we were acting so I’m afraid you won’t believe anything we say.”
“Yes, I won’t.” Shen Pei said as she shook her head, “Just from the few most recent questions, I can conclude that you have no intention of actually defecting.”
“We did not even carry weapons and disguised ourselves to leave the city.”
“That doesn’t mean anything.”
“Then is it because we can’t accede to your request and kill Lu Bu?”
“Yes, if you promise to do that, I can believe you.”
“Hahaha!” Chen Gong guffawed at Shen Pei’s words.
Yun Chang POV
At this juncture, Shen Pei turned to look at the other 2 and they also turned to look at her. After a moment, Shen Pei turned back and she seemed like she was trying to stifle her laughter as though she were a kid who was waiting for her prank to unfold.
“Yes, well then, how about this?” Shen Pei said as she pointed at the table. Her smile diminished as she looked at me fiercely, “We’ll give you 3 days. Go back and kill Lu Bu, then open the gates for us. How about that?”
“What?! *Pa*!” Wen Yuan exclaimed as she slammed the table and got up once more.
“Why? Can’t do it?” Shen Pei sneered as though she expected that we would react like this.
But helping to kill Lu Bu… It’s definitely not something we could do. I turned to look at Chen Gong, hoping that she had any ideas but saw that she had sank into silence and was frowning.
“That’s enough. Stop acting.” Shen Pei said forcefully.
My heart stopped. In that instant, because of those few words, I began to break out into a cold sweat even though I barely even sweat on the battlefield sometimes.
Have we been found out? Since when? These doubts sprang to mind and I did not dare to look into her eyes for fear that she could see that I was now wavering inside.
But now is not the time to be thinking about whether we made any mistake before this.
“Lord Shen Pei, what do you mean bu that?” I said in one breath, “Does declining to act as per your plans equate to us acting in your eyes?”
“Are you not acting?” Shen Pei said as she put her hands on the table and stared daggers at me, “Your coming here at this time is illogical to begin with. Yet when I ask you to kill Lu Bu and open the gates, you 3 are acting up like this. What else is there to talk about?”
Wu. Indeed, it is the truth that we are unable to accept her request. Though we can accept it first and then go back and discuss things with Xu Shu later, we will not be able to produce Lu Bu’s head when it comes time to do so. And these people have definitely foreseen that. When the time comes, our ploy will be exposed.
I looked at Cao Ren and Li Dian from the side and saw that they were looking over at us with suspicion and seemed to agree with what Shen Pei was saying. Looks like we cannot rely on them to speak up on our behalf.
Wait… If I think about it again, there should be a way to explain ourselves out of this.
“Hu…” I gave a long sigh and steeled myself before looking up and facing Shen Pei as I spoke up, “… I understand where Lord Shen Pei is coming from. And I also know that this is a test of our intentions. Though you said that the test was over, in reality, it wasn’t.”
“…” Shen Pei smiled and remained silent. As expected, she’s a devious one alright.
“No, I have no intention of criticising you. Nor does Wen Yuan and Lord Chen Gong.” I hurriedly shook my head as I casted my gaze over at Wen Yuan and Chen Gong, “Suspecting our intentions is understandable. And besides, it does seem like our display has not been satisfactory.”
“Yes, I am completely unsatisfied with your sincerity. *Pa*!” Shen Pei said as she slammed both of her hands onto the table. Though she still looked calm, she was probably very frustrated inside, frustrated that we still had not given up despite all of her efforts at unmasking us.
But even though she was frustrated, this did not mean that the other 2 were frustrated. Even if they were, I am very sure that this is because of very different reasons. And so, I decided to try it.
“But even so, even if we have to be viewed with suspicion,” I paused and met Shen Pei’s gaze as I slowly rolled the dice, “We will still not kill Lu Bu for the sale of having our defections be accepted.”
“… Is that so?” Shen Pei said as she tilted the head, “Can you tell me why?”
“I was going to.” I nodded and saw from the side that the other 2 people on my side had no idea what I was going to say but they were in it with me. As Chen Gong said before, misunderstandings are fine, we just need to be able to provide a reasonable explanation.
“I’ll be direct with you, we may not get along with Lu Bu, but I deeply respect her as a warrior.” I said as I saluted to the entrance of the tent.
“Respect huh…” Shen Pei repeated and trailed off as she waited for me to continue.
“Yes, and it’s not just me. If Wen Yuan did not respect her as a warrior, how could she have put up with Lu Bu for this long?” I asked. But I knew that Shen Pei would not be able to answer and gave the answer myself, “The reason is simple. It is because Lu Bu is simply far too gifted and brilliant when it comes to being a warrior.”
I truly mean this. As a warrior, Lu Bu does not speak unnecessarily nor does she act unnecessarily. Even when it comes to emotions, apart from big brother, she does not seem to have very much of those. And most importantly, Lu Bu is strong, so strong that it seems like she can overcome anything, and very decisive even in the most critical moments. The latter is something that many people cannot achieve, including myself.
But these words are unlikely to reach Shen Pei. Only a warrior, one who is continually trying to improve him or herself and advance down the path of a warrior, can truly understand what I just said.
“A warrior huh…” Shen Pei said as she shook her head, “I’m sorry, I’m just an administrative official. If you were to say this to Gao Lan, perhaps these words might work.”
“…”
“Am I wrong?” Shen Pei said as she shook her head again, “Aren’t you just trying to give us an excuse for not being able go kill Lu Bu?”
She guessed it as I expected. I go to taverns to drink from time to time and there are always people playing cards and dice there. For some reason, the stakes always get higher and higher until the attention of everyone in the tavern is drawn in.
I, however, have no interest in such games.
“You can see it however you like.”
But this time, I have chosen to make the gamble of a lifetime.
“…” When I finished, Shen Pei did not continue and bit her lips, looking like she was very irritated with me.
“Hu…” She then sighed, “… Alright, it’s about time we finished this.”
*Clang* Shen Pei’s hand hit her cup and it fell off the table and landed on the floor, making a loud and crisp noise.
*Tatatatata*–
The tent was silent but soon, the sound of armour clinking and footsteps could be heard and in an instant, the tent was sliced open from all sides by many sharp swords. Tearing sounds filled the air and soon, we were exposed to the elements.
*Tatata*–
The soldiers came around and surrounded us wordlessly. As the cold wind buffeted me, the gleam of cold steel appeared before my eyes. All this happened in just seconds.
“You bastards!” Wen Yuan yelled even though she was giving her signature smile, “So you were looking to do us in from the very beginning huh?”
The way she made the cup fall was too smooth and natural but I was not surprised for some reason. And I believe that Wen Yuan and Chen Gong are of the same opinion as me.
“Yes, that is indeed the case.” Shen Pei said relaxedly.
As Xu Shu told us from the very beginning just as we were about to leave, they suspected us. And they are about to show us their animosity right now. As for the question just now, Shen Pei probably never expected that we would agree to it. And so, she fully expected me to refuse.
But from the very beginning, I was not aiming to earn Shen Pei’s trust. I was betting on the other 2 people.
I looked at Cao Ren and Li Dian from the side and saw that their reactions were frowning, confused faces that we should be having on instead. And when I looked up, I saw that the troops surrounding us were wearing the Yuan Shao army uniform.
As expected huh?
“Lord Shen Pei, what is the meaning of this?” Li Dian asked as she frowned.
“When did you station your troops around the perimeter of the tent?” Cao Ren said as she looked at Shen Pei, her smile now completely gone, as she placed her hands on the ground, “I was not told of this at all.”
“Commanding Officer, please forgive me for delaying my report to you on this.” Shen Pei said as she pointed at us, “What’s more important now is how we will deal with these liars.”
As she said so, the blades neared us. Of the 3 of us, only Chen Gong moved slightly in response. I looked at the other 2 but they were not looking over where I was. Looks like they have decided to play along with whatever I will do.
But at this time, I need to rely on Cao Ren and Li Dian to neutralise the threat posed by Shen Pei.
“Hu.” I lightly breathed out and looked at Shen Pei, “Lord Shen Pei, you’ve been saying that we were acting so I’m afraid you won’t believe anything we say.”
“Yes, I won’t.” Shen Pei said as she shook her head, “Just from the few most recent questions, I can conclude that you have no intention of actually defecting.”
“We did not even carry weapons and disguised ourselves to leave the city.”
“That doesn’t mean anything.”
“Then is it because we can’t accede to your request and kill Lu Bu?”
“Yes, if you promise to do that, I can believe you.”
“Hahaha!” Chen Gong guffawed at Shen Pei’s words.
