WRITTEN BY XAPHHJULY 10, 2016

Meng De POV

Today’s weather was honestly not matching up to one’s expectations of winter. It was now noon, yet the sun was high above the sky, making it unbearable hot and inducing one to say things one wouldn’t usually say.

Ben Chu and Zi Yuan only left 15 minutes ago. I was still standing on the mountain, reluctant to leave.

— Wu Chao, that’s where I stored all my supplies which I’m going to use to defeat you, Meng De. If you wish to defeat me, a.s.sault it if you dare.

Right at the very end, Ben Chu left those words.

Ben Chu my dear girl, what is the meaning of this?

But since it’s Ben Chu, then it could mean that she just wants to have a proper compet.i.tion with me, and since she has numerical superiority, she decided to make it more even by giving me that piece of information.

In that case…

A breeze blew, but it was not as gentle as before.

“… Xun Yu, Cheng Yu, weren’t you both supposed to be convincing the other neighbouring feudal lords? Why are you both skulking about here?” I yelled out, and after a moment, 2 black shadows dropped down from a slightly distant tree.

As the shadows landed, they knelt down.

Looks like it’s those 2 as expected.

“… Lord Cao Cao.” “… Imperial Chancellor.”

I made my way towards them as I began thinking, “So what is it that you both are here for?”

“Lord Guo Jia ordered us to follow you.” “We too felt that we should do so to ensure your safety.”

Really, I can’t believe I let them worry about me.

“I can’t be sure of much about her, but if it’s cunning, backhanded schemes, then I can a.s.sure you that Ben Chu would never do such a thing.”

And if it’s swordsmans.h.i.+p, then I’m sure I’m better than her. And I doubt they know what my original intention was anyway.

Never mind, forget it.

“Cheng Yu, Xun Yu.”

“Yes!” “Yes!”

I got on my horse as I addressed them.

“We’re going back,” I said as I pulled on the reins and the horse began to gallop off, “We need to prepare for tomorrow’s operation!”

— Tomorrow then. Tomorrow, we will finish this once and for all.

I gave this reply to Ben Chu after she left that piece of information.

Liu Bei POV

Outside the tent, life went on as usual and was mostly peaceful and calm as the soldiers went about their tasks, as though this morning’s event never happened.

But inside the tent, the retainers and generals who knew what happened were frantic.

“Eh! That Xu You actually betrayed us! Wh, what do we do now?” Feng Ji was hopping mad and flapped her black sleeves about as she exclaimed.

“Xu You is one of our earliest members so she can be said to be the one who knows all the secrets there are to know in our army.” Shen Pei was hiding behind Feng Ji as usual and was visibly worried as she continued, “If she joins Cao Cao, then all our hidden cards will be revealed. Whether its our formations, camp positions or the geography of Ji state, everything will be over~”

“That’s still fine. We can deal with those. But if Cao Cao knows about Wu Chao, and we lose it, then both attacking or retreating will be untenable.” Feng Ji shook her head as she thought about it.

And just then, Feng Ji’s opposite, a person with a stern look came in.

“Xu You, Wu Chao, these don’t matter now!”

“Eh? Tian Feng?”

Tian Feng was presently looking about with a frown and sweating profusely. This was the first time I’ve ever seen her so anxious before.

And for some reason, I involuntarily shuddered when her eyes fell on me.

“Lord Liu Bei! Why didn’t you stop my lord when she left to chase her?”

“I…” I wanted to explain myself but Tian Feng rushed over and pulled me up by my collar and began shaking me.

“Yuan Hao, this isn’t Lord Liu Bei’s fault.” Ju Shou came over to stop Tian Feng but she didn’t relent in the least.

“If any happens to my lord, I’ll court martial you!”

“Are you mad, Tian Feng!! It’s not like you to abuse your position!” Feng Ji, who had always held opposing views with Tian Feng, had rushed over to try and reason with and stop Tian Feng as well.

“Yan Liang and the rest have gone out to search for her already! Our lord will be fine, she’ll definitely return!”

“Our lord left without a single guard, if she should run into an ambush by Cao Cao, then… Then… Then what will we fight for!” Tian Feng’s voice grew weaker as she said ao, and her grip loosened as well. Everyone’s mood also darkened.

I had some difficulty breathing, and could call out to Zi Long who was waiting outside to save me, but at this moment, I was feeling relieved at seeing them so worried about Ben Chu.

Ben Chu, your subordinates do love you just as you do them.

“Everyone…” Just then, a soft voice that came from outside drew everyone’s attention.

The curtains parted and a beautiful and grogeous figure entered.

“My lord!”

“My lord, are you alright!!”

When they saw her, everyone rushed over immediately to Ben Chu’s side and began inspecting her.

And just then, Ben Chu began hugging everyone.

“I’m sorry!” Ben Chu’s voice was obviously tearful and it seems like she had been holding back for a very long while now.

“M, my lord! This is…”

As she cried, Ben Chu rubbed her face with that of the others. From my perspective, they were all very clearly intimate.

“Thank you all for everything up till now!”