Liu Bei POV
“Wu!” I hurriedly moved my head away when I saw the blade come for my head but this motion made the veil of leaves fly up…
If that would happen then Li Dian, who was in front of me, would definitely see my face. Since Yuan Zhi has said that hiding my identity is of paramount importance, then there is no way I can reveal it now. And so, I merely turned my face away instead of raising my head to dodge the incoming attack.
“Wu!” I moaned as the blade cut across my neck and left side of the face.
“Yaa! Ya!” I yelled as I hurriedly attacked her, somehow forcing Li Dian back with my haphazard and frantic movements. Even so, she continued to stare at me.
My breath was heavy as I was still recovering from the fright before and I saw that some of the leaves to the left side had been sliced off but my face was still not in clear view. I gulped and held my sword tightly with both hands.
“I am just an ordinary lieutenant. What enmity is there between us for you to come after me like this?” I asked, doing my best to imitate a rough tone of voice.
“There is no enmity to speak of. We are at battle. That is why I am after your life, no more no less.” Li Dian gave a non-answer as she continued to stare at me. She did not say it but she definitely suspects me. She could also be certain by now and is just trying to confirm it.
When I looked over at Li Dian, I found that there was something tied to her from behind. After taking a closer look, I found that it was a body that belonged to someone rather familiar.
I see… Lu Xiang fell to Yi De earlier huh…
“Li Dian!” Yuan Zhi yelled and charged over before Li Dian and I could have another bout, her white gown billowing behind her, making for an elegant sight.
*Ding* *Ding* *Ding*!
“Wu!” Li Dian groaned as she bent backwards while dealing with Yuan Zhi’s successive attacks. But she immediately sat upright, probably because of Lu Xiang.
“Ya!”
“Uwa!”
Similar yells came from behind and when I turned back to look, I saw that Zi Long had dealt a particularly powerful blow against Cao Ren, whose horse was forced to back up several steps.
“Cao Ren, it’s over.” Zi Long said as she pointed her spear at Cao Ren, “Be it the battle or our duel.”
“…” Cao Ren frowned as she looked at us and then at the troops around us.
Even though we had not yet made it out of the enemy’s formation, we had torn through a significant bit and it would only be a matter of time before we broke through their surround. I do not believe that Li Dian and Cao Ren can stop us as their troop morale is in the pits. The way they fought lethargically and even lifelessly was telling. Under these circumstances, they would not be able to prevail even if it was Feng Xian leading the enemy instead of them.
“Lord Cao Ren…” Li Dian called out to Cao Ren while remaining cautious of Yuan Zhi. Cao Ren did not say anything and merely nodded in response.
“Alright, perhaps you’re right. Though I don’t think our duel is decided, we have indeed lost the battle.” Cao Ren smiled as she stuck her spear into the ground, “You might not know this but the other half of our troops have likely been consumed by that madman.”
Eh? Feng Xian? I turned to look at Yuan Zhi and saw that she was smiling as though she had predicted that this would happen.
Feng Xian… How could you say that you were useless… You’re strong enough to go against heaven now…
“Hmph, you lot really are dumb huh?” Zi Long frowned as she continued to give them a tongue lashing, “Since you know you can’t prevail then why are you still here? Do you want to die together with all of your troops?”
Zi Long seemed to be rather angry from her tone. Even though this had nothing to do with her, she would still get serious about it. Wen Yuan and Yun Chang do the same thing sometimes as well. Perhaps this is just how skilled warriors behaved.
“That we have lost is something we have acknowledged before this.” Li Dian frowned as she reached up with her hand but then put it back down halfway.
Ah, is she trying to adjust her hat? She usually has a hat on but it seems to be missing now.
“But,” Li Dian paused and looked at Yuan Zhi, and then at me, “There are some other things that we still need to confirm.”
*Tatata*
*Shua* *Da*!
A gust of wind blew past me and a black figure suddenly appeared before me and Zi Long leapt over, “Lord Shamoke is a Nanman general who joined our faction. Though he still has room for improvement for his martial prowess, is not particularly outstanding as a person and has no finesse at all, he is still one of us. May I ask if you losers have any problem with that?”
I know Zi Long is trying to protect me but I am having great difficulties taking what she said lying down.
“You bastard…”
“Lord Li Dian, that’s enough.” Cao Ren said and stopped Li Dian.
Even if we fight to the death here, we will not achieve anything and our troops will be decimated. Cao Ren is likely thinking of such things.
“… Alright, we’ll take it that we lost this time.” Cao Ren said with difficulty as she put on a painful smile that made me begin to pity her. When she finished, she took out a small flag and attached it to her spear before waving it above her head.
*Dong*! *Dong*! *Dong*!
After several dozen seconds, the rhythm of the drum beats changed and became heavier and slower. When the surrounding enemy troops heard this, they all had different reactions. Some were downcast, others heaved a sigh of relief, and there were also some who cheered. Looks like they really are retreating.
“We’ve lost this battle. The responsibility for this lies with us, not our troops.” Cao Ren said as her smile gave way for a serious expression, “So don’t get too happy, everyone. Our troops will continue to come for Xinye.”
“We may have lost but this does not mean that the southern campaign has come to a halt.” Li Dian added, “I believe everyone knows of the might of my lord.”
“You lot needn’t worry about us.” Yuan Zhi calmly said, “You should hurry along now and think about how you ought to ask for forgiveness with your lord.”
“You needn’t worry about that.” Li Dian replied curtly with raised eyebrows before shifting her gaze back to me.
At this time, the enemy troops have begun to form up and retreat. Even when they went past our troops, no one bothered to fight any longer.
“I don’t know who you are but I advise you to leave Xinye as soon as possible and return to the Nanman plains obediently.” Li Dian suddenly spoke up, making me take a few steps back involuntarily, “Before long, this city will be flattened, man who calls himself Shamoke.”
Since she calls me that, that should mean that she has not confirmed it.
“I have my own considerations. But I hope that you won’t try to pry apart people’s veils in future. This is something that is very important in my people’s culture and I hope that you can respect it.”
Naturally, I had no such cultural practice to speak of and merely said this to try to dispel some of her suspicions, even if just a little.
“Un, apologies for my rudeness.” Li Dian said with no sincerity whatsoever. She definitely still suspects me. Up till now, she is still staring at my face, as though she is hoping to see something between the leaves. Of course, she will not be able to.
“Well then…” Cao Ren said as she exchanged glances with Li Dian and they both reluctantly nodded.
Liu Bei POV
“Wu!” I hurriedly moved my head away when I saw the blade come for my head but this motion made the veil of leaves fly up…
If that would happen then Li Dian, who was in front of me, would definitely see my face. Since Yuan Zhi has said that hiding my identity is of paramount importance, then there is no way I can reveal it now. And so, I merely turned my face away instead of raising my head to dodge the incoming attack.
“Wu!” I moaned as the blade cut across my neck and left side of the face.
“Yaa! Ya!” I yelled as I hurriedly attacked her, somehow forcing Li Dian back with my haphazard and frantic movements. Even so, she continued to stare at me.
My breath was heavy as I was still recovering from the fright before and I saw that some of the leaves to the left side had been sliced off but my face was still not in clear view. I gulped and held my sword tightly with both hands.
“I am just an ordinary lieutenant. What enmity is there between us for you to come after me like this?” I asked, doing my best to imitate a rough tone of voice.
“There is no enmity to speak of. We are at battle. That is why I am after your life, no more no less.” Li Dian gave a non-answer as she continued to stare at me. She did not say it but she definitely suspects me. She could also be certain by now and is just trying to confirm it.
When I looked over at Li Dian, I found that there was something tied to her from behind. After taking a closer look, I found that it was a body that belonged to someone rather familiar.
I see… Lu Xiang fell to Yi De earlier huh…
“Li Dian!” Yuan Zhi yelled and charged over before Li Dian and I could have another bout, her white gown billowing behind her, making for an elegant sight.
*Ding* *Ding* *Ding*!
“Wu!” Li Dian groaned as she bent backwards while dealing with Yuan Zhi’s successive attacks. But she immediately sat upright, probably because of Lu Xiang.
“Ya!”
“Uwa!”
Similar yells came from behind and when I turned back to look, I saw that Zi Long had dealt a particularly powerful blow against Cao Ren, whose horse was forced to back up several steps.
“Cao Ren, it’s over.” Zi Long said as she pointed her spear at Cao Ren, “Be it the battle or our duel.”
“…” Cao Ren frowned as she looked at us and then at the troops around us.
Even though we had not yet made it out of the enemy’s formation, we had torn through a significant bit and it would only be a matter of time before we broke through their surround. I do not believe that Li Dian and Cao Ren can stop us as their troop morale is in the pits. The way they fought lethargically and even lifelessly was telling. Under these circumstances, they would not be able to prevail even if it was Feng Xian leading the enemy instead of them.
“Lord Cao Ren…” Li Dian called out to Cao Ren while remaining cautious of Yuan Zhi. Cao Ren did not say anything and merely nodded in response.
“Alright, perhaps you’re right. Though I don’t think our duel is decided, we have indeed lost the battle.” Cao Ren smiled as she stuck her spear into the ground, “You might not know this but the other half of our troops have likely been consumed by that madman.”
Eh? Feng Xian? I turned to look at Yuan Zhi and saw that she was smiling as though she had predicted that this would happen.
Feng Xian… How could you say that you were useless… You’re strong enough to go against heaven now…
“Hmph, you lot really are dumb huh?” Zi Long frowned as she continued to give them a tongue lashing, “Since you know you can’t prevail then why are you still here? Do you want to die together with all of your troops?”
Zi Long seemed to be rather angry from her tone. Even though this had nothing to do with her, she would still get serious about it. Wen Yuan and Yun Chang do the same thing sometimes as well. Perhaps this is just how skilled warriors behaved.
“That we have lost is something we have acknowledged before this.” Li Dian frowned as she reached up with her hand but then put it back down halfway.
Ah, is she trying to adjust her hat? She usually has a hat on but it seems to be missing now.
“But,” Li Dian paused and looked at Yuan Zhi, and then at me, “There are some other things that we still need to confirm.”
*Tatata*
*Shua* *Da*!
A gust of wind blew past me and a black figure suddenly appeared before me and Zi Long leapt over, “Lord Shamoke is a Nanman general who joined our faction. Though he still has room for improvement for his martial prowess, is not particularly outstanding as a person and has no finesse at all, he is still one of us. May I ask if you losers have any problem with that?”
I know Zi Long is trying to protect me but I am having great difficulties taking what she said lying down.
“You bastard…”
“Lord Li Dian, that’s enough.” Cao Ren said and stopped Li Dian.
Even if we fight to the death here, we will not achieve anything and our troops will be decimated. Cao Ren is likely thinking of such things.
“… Alright, we’ll take it that we lost this time.” Cao Ren said with difficulty as she put on a painful smile that made me begin to pity her. When she finished, she took out a small flag and attached it to her spear before waving it above her head.
*Dong*! *Dong*! *Dong*!
After several dozen seconds, the rhythm of the drum beats changed and became heavier and slower. When the surrounding enemy troops heard this, they all had different reactions. Some were downcast, others heaved a sigh of relief, and there were also some who cheered. Looks like they really are retreating.
“We’ve lost this battle. The responsibility for this lies with us, not our troops.” Cao Ren said as her smile gave way for a serious expression, “So don’t get too happy, everyone. Our troops will continue to come for Xinye.”
“We may have lost but this does not mean that the southern campaign has come to a halt.” Li Dian added, “I believe everyone knows of the might of my lord.”
“You lot needn’t worry about us.” Yuan Zhi calmly said, “You should hurry along now and think about how you ought to ask for forgiveness with your lord.”
“You needn’t worry about that.” Li Dian replied curtly with raised eyebrows before shifting her gaze back to me.
At this time, the enemy troops have begun to form up and retreat. Even when they went past our troops, no one bothered to fight any longer.
“I don’t know who you are but I advise you to leave Xinye as soon as possible and return to the Nanman plains obediently.” Li Dian suddenly spoke up, making me take a few steps back involuntarily, “Before long, this city will be flattened, man who calls himself Shamoke.”
Since she calls me that, that should mean that she has not confirmed it.
“I have my own considerations. But I hope that you won’t try to pry apart people’s veils in future. This is something that is very important in my people’s culture and I hope that you can respect it.”
Naturally, I had no such cultural practice to speak of and merely said this to try to dispel some of her suspicions, even if just a little.
“Un, apologies for my rudeness.” Li Dian said with no sincerity whatsoever. She definitely still suspects me. Up till now, she is still staring at my face, as though she is hoping to see something between the leaves. Of course, she will not be able to.
“Well then…” Cao Ren said as she exchanged glances with Li Dian and they both reluctantly nodded.
