Liu Bei POV
“Well then, see you again sometime.”
“I hope that when the time comes, we can meet again as comrades.”
“Hmph.” Zi Long snorted, “We would rather die fighting for our lord than surrender!”
Chen Dao too was now beside us and had an even more resolved look on her face. Li Dian and Cao Ren did not say any further and merely saluted before turning to leave. I do not know if it is just my misconception but Cao Ren was staring at Yuan Zhi as she left. That is not surprising however, as Cao Ren might just be memorising the one who broke her formation.
“Hu…” As I watched them leave, I could finally heave a sigh of relief.
Now that I think about it, this battle has gone for quite a while now. As my first major battle alone, it has taken me roughly half a month in total where we fought the enemy a total of 3 times in that time. Everything that has happened are things that I will never forget.
This battle is also the first time where I have been exposed to war as a main participant. Before this, I have only been a guest. Even when I was a main participant, the difference in resources available was vastly different. And so, I have gained a lot of experience as well as improved my understanding of my troops, my generals, my enemies, myself and this era.
Of course, there are many things that I need to think as a result, and there is much more room for improvement but I feel like I can call myself a feudal lord now. There is a lot of work to be done and it is real work that cannot be resolved with simple lip service. As I thought so, I shifted my thighs which were really sore by now.
It’s clear that there is a long way for me to go before I am a proper feudal lord, I thought as I looked at the backs of Li Dian and Cao Ren. But there is no rush to improve myself, not now at least.
“Oi~ My lord~”
I looked over and saw 2 familiar people walking over with happy faces. Wen Yuan’s elation was particularly obvious and could be seen from afar as she waved and called out to us. As for Feng Xian, she had her usual calm expression on as she stared at me, holding on to the reins with 1 hand and caressing Red Hare with the other.
“Hey~” I could not hold back and yelled back as I waved as well.
“That’s enough Xuan De. Don’t you think that action looks rather silly?” Zi Long said as she raised her hand to stop me when she could not take it anymore. When I looked over though, I saw that she was smiling.
By the way, is it alright for you to just call me by my real name? But then again, it’s not like the enemy had much of a chance or mood to send in some spies. And besides, now that we have landed a stunning victory, we should be all smiles.
“Now is not the time to be relaxed~” Yuan Zhi said, seeming rather tipsy still as she swayed about and looked into the direction where Li Dian and Cao Ren retreated in, “There’s more still.”
Ah yes, she is right.
“Yes, it hasn’t ended yet indeed.” Zi Long said as she shook her head.
“What’s up? Why do you all not seem passionate at all?” Wen Yuan asked us with a smile as she tilted her head.
“Un, because news hasn’t come from that side yet.”
“Ah~ That side huh?” Wen Yuan nodded and became serious when she heard what I said, “But that’s all we’re waiting for now then.”
*Wang*~
“Ah…” Wen Yuan trembled when she heard Red Hare bark as Feng Xian approached us. I shifted my gaze to Feng Xian as well and saw that she was covered in grime, gore and dirt. We could not have won without them and it was clear that it was not an easy fight even for Feng Xian with her prodigious martial prowess.
“Feng Xian, thanks for your hard work this time.”
“…”
“Eh? Feng Xian?” I asked when she did not reply me nor did she come to a half and merely continued to ride towards me, making me feel a little afraid.
“… Xuan De.” Just then, her voice came from right next to my ear as a warm touch could be felt against my shoulder. I turned and saw that she had rested her head against my shoulder but could not see her expression which was obscured by her hair.
“F-Feng Xian?” I asked in surprise, unsure as to why she would do this and wondered if she might be injured.
“This time… How did I do?” She whispered in a voice that was soft enough to make it clear that I was the only intended recipient for this message.
“Un,” I nodded and hesitated for a moment before resting my hand on her head and stroking her hair, “This victory could not have been without you.”
That was the truth. If it were not for Feng Xian being able to tear through the entire formation with just 3,000 troops, we would not have been able to reach Zi Long or escape the surround on our end. Everything was thanks to Feng Xian.
“Your contribution was invaluable this time.” I said once more so that Feng Xian could tell how I felt.
“…” She did not speak but I felt the weight against my shoulder increase as she rested against my shoulder more. This is a clear sign that she is relieved.
“Ah… My lord (Lu Bu), let’s…” Wen Yuan said softly and before she could finish, Feng Xian trembled and sprang up. She then stared at me and then at Wen Yuan before she understood what she had just done.
To be honest, I am quite embarrassed. I could feel the gazes from Zi Long and Wen Yuan since a while ago and they seemed to be saying something with their eyes but I could not tell what it was they were trying to say. As such, I felt even more anxious and shy. But because that was a delicate time for Feng Xian, I felt bad about snapping her out of it and heaved a sigh of relief when Wen Yuan did so.
“Ah… Un…” Feng Xian did not know what to say and merely turned to look at everyone but did not know where to rest her eyes and I felt awkward as well.
Given the ending of this battle, and how we are all still on standby, the battlefield is rather chillingly quiet. All of us were now like soap opera actors who had forgotten their lines and were just standing around awkwardly on stage in silence.
“Ah… My lord, should we be cleaning up the battlefield?” Just then, Chen Dao suddenly spoke up and broke through the silence.
“Eh?”
I looked at her and saw that she seemed confused and was not too sure why the atmosphere was awkward. ‘Isn’t it important to clean up now?’– I could see her thinking like this. Un, it’s good that there are thoughtless people around.
“Ah, un.” I nodded and looked at Zi Long, “Zi Long.”
I cannot directly command her so I will just shoot her a glance now.
Liu Bei POV
“Well then, see you again sometime.”
“I hope that when the time comes, we can meet again as comrades.”
“Hmph.” Zi Long snorted, “We would rather die fighting for our lord than surrender!”
Chen Dao too was now beside us and had an even more resolved look on her face. Li Dian and Cao Ren did not say any further and merely saluted before turning to leave. I do not know if it is just my misconception but Cao Ren was staring at Yuan Zhi as she left. That is not surprising however, as Cao Ren might just be memorising the one who broke her formation.
“Hu…” As I watched them leave, I could finally heave a sigh of relief.
Now that I think about it, this battle has gone for quite a while now. As my first major battle alone, it has taken me roughly half a month in total where we fought the enemy a total of 3 times in that time. Everything that has happened are things that I will never forget.
This battle is also the first time where I have been exposed to war as a main participant. Before this, I have only been a guest. Even when I was a main participant, the difference in resources available was vastly different. And so, I have gained a lot of experience as well as improved my understanding of my troops, my generals, my enemies, myself and this era.
Of course, there are many things that I need to think as a result, and there is much more room for improvement but I feel like I can call myself a feudal lord now. There is a lot of work to be done and it is real work that cannot be resolved with simple lip service. As I thought so, I shifted my thighs which were really sore by now.
It’s clear that there is a long way for me to go before I am a proper feudal lord, I thought as I looked at the backs of Li Dian and Cao Ren. But there is no rush to improve myself, not now at least.
“Oi~ My lord~”
I looked over and saw 2 familiar people walking over with happy faces. Wen Yuan’s elation was particularly obvious and could be seen from afar as she waved and called out to us. As for Feng Xian, she had her usual calm expression on as she stared at me, holding on to the reins with 1 hand and caressing Red Hare with the other.
“Hey~” I could not hold back and yelled back as I waved as well.
“That’s enough Xuan De. Don’t you think that action looks rather silly?” Zi Long said as she raised her hand to stop me when she could not take it anymore. When I looked over though, I saw that she was smiling.
By the way, is it alright for you to just call me by my real name? But then again, it’s not like the enemy had much of a chance or mood to send in some spies. And besides, now that we have landed a stunning victory, we should be all smiles.
“Now is not the time to be relaxed~” Yuan Zhi said, seeming rather tipsy still as she swayed about and looked into the direction where Li Dian and Cao Ren retreated in, “There’s more still.”
Ah yes, she is right.
“Yes, it hasn’t ended yet indeed.” Zi Long said as she shook her head.
“What’s up? Why do you all not seem passionate at all?” Wen Yuan asked us with a smile as she tilted her head.
“Un, because news hasn’t come from that side yet.”
“Ah~ That side huh?” Wen Yuan nodded and became serious when she heard what I said, “But that’s all we’re waiting for now then.”
*Wang*~
“Ah…” Wen Yuan trembled when she heard Red Hare bark as Feng Xian approached us. I shifted my gaze to Feng Xian as well and saw that she was covered in grime, gore and dirt. We could not have won without them and it was clear that it was not an easy fight even for Feng Xian with her prodigious martial prowess.
“Feng Xian, thanks for your hard work this time.”
“…”
“Eh? Feng Xian?” I asked when she did not reply me nor did she come to a half and merely continued to ride towards me, making me feel a little afraid.
“… Xuan De.” Just then, her voice came from right next to my ear as a warm touch could be felt against my shoulder. I turned and saw that she had rested her head against my shoulder but could not see her expression which was obscured by her hair.
“F-Feng Xian?” I asked in surprise, unsure as to why she would do this and wondered if she might be injured.
“This time… How did I do?” She whispered in a voice that was soft enough to make it clear that I was the only intended recipient for this message.
“Un,” I nodded and hesitated for a moment before resting my hand on her head and stroking her hair, “This victory could not have been without you.”
That was the truth. If it were not for Feng Xian being able to tear through the entire formation with just 3,000 troops, we would not have been able to reach Zi Long or escape the surround on our end. Everything was thanks to Feng Xian.
“Your contribution was invaluable this time.” I said once more so that Feng Xian could tell how I felt.
“…” She did not speak but I felt the weight against my shoulder increase as she rested against my shoulder more. This is a clear sign that she is relieved.
“Ah… My lord (Lu Bu), let’s…” Wen Yuan said softly and before she could finish, Feng Xian trembled and sprang up. She then stared at me and then at Wen Yuan before she understood what she had just done.
To be honest, I am quite embarrassed. I could feel the gazes from Zi Long and Wen Yuan since a while ago and they seemed to be saying something with their eyes but I could not tell what it was they were trying to say. As such, I felt even more anxious and shy. But because that was a delicate time for Feng Xian, I felt bad about snapping her out of it and heaved a sigh of relief when Wen Yuan did so.
“Ah… Un…” Feng Xian did not know what to say and merely turned to look at everyone but did not know where to rest her eyes and I felt awkward as well.
Given the ending of this battle, and how we are all still on standby, the battlefield is rather chillingly quiet. All of us were now like soap opera actors who had forgotten their lines and were just standing around awkwardly on stage in silence.
“Ah… My lord, should we be cleaning up the battlefield?” Just then, Chen Dao suddenly spoke up and broke through the silence.
“Eh?”
I looked at her and saw that she seemed confused and was not too sure why the atmosphere was awkward. ‘Isn’t it important to clean up now?’– I could see her thinking like this. Un, it’s good that there are thoughtless people around.
“Ah, un.” I nodded and looked at Zi Long, “Zi Long.”
I cannot directly command her so I will just shoot her a glance now.
