Yun Chang POV

The days were getting colder and colder, probably in part due to our journey taking us progressively norther as we advanced.

As I thought so, I hugged my green robes. I didn’t accept Lord Cao Cao’s kind intentions then, and it seems like I’m just self-flagellating. No matter what, one cannot get through the wintry cold just by willpower alone.

Even since we’ve left Dongling Pa.s.s, we’ve been on the road for 3-4 days now. I don’t know if it’s our luck or that these parts are generally unpopulated, but we haven’t come across a single village or town where we could stop and rest.

It was still fine for us. I, Hua Tuo and Wen Yuan can live with camping out, and Lu Bu can even sleep while she’s riding. But this isn’t good for Gan Qing and Mi Zhen. If we have to keep staying out in the wilderness or keep travelling, they will fall ill eventually.

“Achoo!” Just then, Meng Huo, who was beside me, s.h.i.+vered as he gave a loud sneeze and mucus dripped from his nose.

Meng Huo was s.h.i.+vering uncontrollably as he rubbed his hands over his body which was covered by several pieces of thin cloth and looking ahead with lifeless eyes.

Beside him, Lady Zhurong, Ahuina and Dongtuna were wrapped in thick beast hides and fur that made one feel warm just looking at them.

“My lady… Can I please have 1 piece…” Meng Huo pleaded as he extended a thin arm out, looking exceptionally pitiful as he did so.

“…” Unfortunately, this was not enough to move Lady Zhurong as she coldly said without even looking at him, “Isn’t being able to keep your most beloved woman warm from the chilly cold the greatest happiness for a big man like you?”

That is right… But we’re here on a leisure trip… Meng Huo moved his lips but he could not form the words as he was soundly convinced and could only continue on as he was.

And as for our side–

“My lord, my lord, you can’t sleep here! You will catch a cold!”

“Wen Yuan! You b.a.s.t.a.r.d! Keep drinking!”

Oi oi oi. I shook my head.

At this time, everyone seems to have loosened up. Lu Bu wasn’t the sort who could remain serious for long to begin with and Wen Yuan was fully occupied with taking care of Lu Bu.

Looks like I can only depend on myself. I silently nodded, and took out the map from Wen Yuan’s pouch which hung by her saddle and inspected it.

Un… If we continue downstream, we should reach Luoyang before long. I s.h.i.+fted my glance away from the map and looked into the distance.

That said, there are only dense low forests around…

Un?

In the distance, columns of smoke rose up to the skies.

That’s!

I swung the reins and galloped forward.

Somewhere ahead of us stood city walls that weren’t too tall.

City walls that weren’t too tall… Did I really say that?

Now that I’m closer, isn’t this close to 10 meters already?

(TL: Don’t think I’ve ever said this, but the author has used the metric system for lengths (thank G.o.d or whoever). I won’t be bothering to translate any other measurements unless they have any specific story importance and will just modernise if need be like times.)

“What tall city walls, I wonder if our Nanman troops can scale them.” Lady Zhurong said as she looked at the city walls.

Back when Luoyang was burned down, it seems like only these walls remained. At that time, I hadn’t thought they were much but now that they stand in my way, they seem a lot more formidable.

Speaking of which, I wonder how Luoyang city is like now, and the progress of restoration efforts.

“Yun Chang, what do we do?” Wen Yuan asked as she squinted at the city walls.

How could I possibly have a solution for this…

“Whatever the case, we should speak to the Administrator first.” As I said so, I readied myself to yell out but I suddenly remembered what happened at Dongling Pa.s.s and hurriedly turned to Meng Huo and the rest.

“Umm, Lord Meng Huo.”

“Ah-ah-ah-ah? Wh, what is it?!” Meng Huo replied between his chattering teeth with lifeless eyes.

“Ah, un, in a while when I speak with the Administrator, don’t get your troops to charge out. I intend on settling things in a more peaceful manner.”

“Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah, I understand ah-ah-ah…”

… Will it really be alright? I’m still a bit worried but I still cupped my hands to my mouth and raised my head as I yelled out at the city–

“We are Imperial Uncle Liu’s subordinate generals and are on our way to reunite with the Imperial Uncle! We wish to borrow pa.s.sage through your city and hope you may let us though!”

My voice continued to echo in the air even after I finished.

I’d thought that someone in the towers would ask if we had a permit, but nothing came from the city even after the echoes died down.

The coldness got even worse in such an awkward atmosphere.

Come on, even if you don’t intend on letting us pa.s.s, at least reply. If you don’t, we can’t even proceed with negotiations.

“Yun Chang, this is…” I frowned at Wen Yuan’s question and rubbed my hair.

Is the other side planning to wait us out? If that’s the case, then we have met with the worst possible scenario…

*Guu*!!!!!

Un?

Just as I was thinking about how to deal with this situation– The gates opened up.