Yun Chang POV

In a head on duel, a shorter weapon is usually at a disadvantage vs a longer weapon. The only way to match up to a longer weapon is weapon mastery and use the other side’s power advantage against them.

Or totally suppress the other side with short spear techniques.

“… Un! … Un!” Instead of yelling, Liao Hua would grunt with every attack.

I would dodge every attack only to be met with another immediately.

*Ding*! *Ding*!

I had no choice but to block her attacks but Liao Hua was always able to ready herself for the next attack with her lighter spear before me.

*Ding*! *Ding*!

I must say, this Liao Hua girl is a master of the short spear. Every move and technique doesn’t seem formulaic at all, yet every attack is aimed for a vital point. I can’t afford to underestimate her at all.

“Such martial prowess is wasted for a Yellow Turban commander!” I tried to bring across my respect in words between attacks in the hopes of turning her around.

“I’m not anyone important. Where ever I go, I’ll only just be an ordinary person. — Un!” She replied without halting her attacks.

“In troubled times, one can’t just claim to be an ordinary person and live on like that!”

“I’ll give you the words I live by, those who should live won’t die.”

(TL: It sounds just as stupid in Chinese, if that matters.)

*Ding*! *Ding*! *Ding*!

She frowned, perhaps because she felt that I had begun the conversation because I was underestimating her martial prowess, and began to use even smoother and faster attacks.

This really was problematic. I didn’t have the intention of underestimating her to begin with. Well then, time to end this.

*Ding*!

She attacked with her short spear again and I blocked it with the hilt of my blade. She then did what she had been doing before and tried to pull back and attack again, this was the chance that I had been waiting for–

“Ha!” I put all my strength behind an attack aimed at her short spear and pushed forward before she could withdraw.

“Wu!” She didn’t know how to react and could only tussle with me but she was clearly my inferior in terms of raw strength.

*Neigh*~~~ A shrill horse neigh pierced the air as Liao Hua and her horse fell to the ground from my forceful push.

“Uwaa! Kuh!” Liao Hua cried out when she landed on the ground and frantically tried to get up immediately but the horse had fallen onto her right leg so she was unable to get out.

Compared to her, I calmly swung my blade at the surrounding troops so they wouldn’t get involved and rode over to where Liao Hua was.

“…” When she saw that she had no way to get out, Liao Hua gave up and closed her eyes as she lay back.

“Why won’t you resist?”

“The difference in strength is too great. I have no way of resisting you.” She said as she threw her short spear away.

“So you’re surrendering then?”

“What meaning is there for a failure of a bandit to surrender? You might as well end me here and now and I can bid farewell to this life of mine.”

This fellow… Does she not have any dreams or ideals she wants to see to fruition at all?

“Then,” I said as I raised my blade and placed it at her neck, “You want me to end you?”

“…” She didn’t say anything, probably a signal of her consent.

It’s not like this is the first time I’m killing someone so one more or less doesn’t matter to me.

But…

“In that case, I won’t kill you.” I moved the cold blade away from her neck as I said so.

“…” She slowly opened her eyes and looked at the sky for a few seconds before she spoke up, “Why?”

Why huh, I feel like saying nothing, but I actually have a reason for doing so.

I surveyed my surroundings and saw that Wen Yuan has already dispersed the Yellow Turbans. Compared to my side, her shock charge was more effectual. Now that I think about it, it seems like I was bait of sorts in this battle.

But speaking of which, the actions of the Yellow Turbans are a little weird in several ways. Firstly, it is strange for them to appear here to begin with. Secondly, they went to great lengths to seal the city’s exits yet when we cane out of the gates, they all charged at us as though they wanted to eradicate us at all costs.

… Never mind, all’s well ends well. But now that things are wrapping up, I have more time to speak with Liao Hua.

“You said that those who should live won’t die right?”

“…” She looked at me silently, not sure what I was about to say.

“In that case, then you shouldn’t die.” I pointed the tip of the blade at her scar before I continued, “You bear great hatred within you and grievous wounds on your body but you have somehow managed to survive these troubled times. After all that you have lived through, you must surely have found a path you seek to live by. You’re not just someone who just wants to live for the sake of living so how can you die here just like that? By my blade no less.”

“And how do you know that I’m not someone who just wants to live for the sake of living?”

“If you were, then you wouldn’t have exposed yourself to me after attacking me with the hidden weapon, no?”

“That was just…” Liao Hua had more to say but she didn’t finish her words. I may not have gotten through to her but it seems like I was able to get her to reflect on herself. That’s enough.

After a short while, she sighed. “General Guan, what you said is right. I do have my path, and I have yet to finish it.” She spoke in a kind and warm voice, “What about General Guan’s path?”

“Me?” I smiled at the sudden change of topic to myself, “Actually I’m not too clear about what my path is yet. But I think that as long as I follow big brother, I will find my own path.”

“…” She sank into silence when I finished.

And in the next instant, she got out from under the horse and lunged at me.

This is–