Yun Chang POV

Like that huh~ I nodded.

“If that’s the case, then I think we shouldn’t tarry any further.” I said as I made my resolve and got up.

“Is Yun Chang going yo go now?” Big brother asked worriedly.

“Yes, it’s best to start going as soon as possible. That will help to communicate our sincerity to the enemy.” I said and then looked at the other 2, “Wen Yuan, Chen Gong, are you both ready to leave?”

“If you think that you might make any mistakes, it’s best if you refrain from speaking as much as possible.” Xu Shu instructed and took out 3 small wooden blocks and placed it on the table. The 3 of us went over and looked at it but it was just 3 pieces of sc.r.a.p wood with nothing written on it.

“These are the entry and exit permits I have acquired from Huang Zu for you 3. All commoners, soldiers and officials require this to go in and out of the city.”

“I’ve never used such a thing…” Wen Yuan said as she picked one of them up, “Ah, it’s a little wet.”

“They’re made from rotten wood under Lord Mi Zhu’s austerity measures. And you lot are top ranking commanders to begin with so even the rank and file can recognise you.”

I see, I thought as I nodded.

“Zi Zhong huh~ You’re so stingy~” Just then, a voice came from behind us all of a sudden and when we turned back, we saw big brother speaking to himself as he looked at a wooden block in his hands.

“Eh?” After a while, he finally noticed our gazes and looked at us nervously, “Umm, did I just say something?”

“… No.” I said first as I shook my head. The rest did not tell him the truth either, that big brother often speaks out what he is thinking unintentionally.

(TL: Essentially, this means that anywhere from 30-70% of the entire inner monologue of Liu Bei has been heard by the observers around him. Of course, I don’t believe that Liu Bei vocalises everything, but it’s a substantial amount for sure.)

“Ahem, Lord Xu Shu, please carry on.” I did my best to act normally and ask Xu Shu to carry on and she took a deep breath before handing each of us a wooden block.

“In any case, just have these on when you leave the city. Please note that you have to disguise yourselves. Leaving the city as you are is far too suspicious. And the enemy might have eyes in the city as well.” Xu Shu said and the 3 of us nodded.

“Understood. What do we do when we are there?” Wen Yuan asked as she slipped her wooden block into her sleeve pocket, “What kind of questions will the enemy ask?”

“Ah, I am not too clear about that myself but I can tell you that they won’t be simple.” Xu Shu said as she adjusted her bandana and seemed apologetic, “But I can tell you that there won’t be any problem as long as you don’t be careless.”

“So do we need to be a little timid?” Wen Yuan asked further.

“Not really…” Xu Shu pondered for a moment and then extended a finger, “Just… Don’t expose the fact that Liu Bei is alive. That will do.”

“It’s that simple?” Wen Yuan asked as she tilted her head. That sort of cutesy action really does not suit someone who is usually so cool and heroic.

“Understood.” I said as I memorised what she had told us and then went over to where big brother was, “Big brother, we’ll be going off then.”

“Ah.” Big brother nodded and gave

me a smile that was not very different from the one he showed me when he received me back from my defeat.

Whether you win or lose, it’s alright as long as you come back. That is what I feel from his smile. But personally speaking, I cannot tolerate another failure from myself.

“Big brother, I’ll definitely accomplish my mission successfully this time.” I said as I saluted him and respectfully bowed.

“Yes, my lord, don’t worry.”

“Let me repeat myself 1 more time, I would only choose to defect and join another action if and only if you are dead. Don’t think of me as an ungrateful person.”

The other 2 said as they saluted and bowed.

“I know, just be safe.” Big brother replied as he too saluted. His actions were not very well done and his choice of words and tone were not formal but that’s how big brother is.

“Well then, big brother, we 3 will be leaving now.” I said as I turned to the doorway but then remembered my little sister and added, “Please take care of Yi De for me, big brother.”

“Ah, got it.” Big brother replied with a tinge of sadness. But is that his voice or is that just my perception that is coloured by my own emotions?

Either way, I continued without turning back and left the main hall. As we entered the courtyard, the north wind buffeted our bodies. Chen Gong s.h.i.+vered and I too felt a little chilly.

“Hai~ Really~ Even though it’s something that always happens, I still get gooseb.u.mps whenever I see how you and my lord act.” Wen Yuan teased as she smiled widely at me.

“What do you mean, Wen Yuan…” I asked, feeling rather embarra.s.sed, as I took wide strides with the intention of heading back to my room to make some preparations. Wen Yuan and Chen Gong followed along as well.

“I mean what I said.”

“During times of parting, it’s normal to feel a little sorrow, no?”

“I feel like there’s something else hidden within that sorrow.”

“Haha, Chen Gong nailed it.”

*Pa* they both high-fived behind me.

Wu…

“Ahem, let’s leave this–”

“Changing topic huh?”

“Un, she changed the topic.”

They really do not want to let this go huh? But I am not planning on going along with them.

“Let’s leave this aside.” I forcefully repeated myself and looked at the skies and saw that it was still before noon, “Ah, let’s ready our disguises and leave separately before noon. After we leave the city, let’s meet at the north corner of the city walls.”

“Alright, understood.”

“Do we have to eat lunch on our own outside?”

“Don’t joke around, Wen Yuan~” I said when I saw that Wen Yuan seemed serious, “We’ll eat outside, yes, so just buy something that you can bring along with you.”

If we eat here, then I will have to repeat everything I just said to big brother. That will be way too awkward even for us.

“Lord Guan Yu is probably just afraid that it will be too awkward to say her farewell to Xuan De again.”

Wu… I got found out.

“No, not at all.” I said, suppressing my emotions and feigning nonchalance. But I cannot believe that they even detected this. Could it be that big brother has infected me with his condition that makes him say what he thinks?

… No, definitely not. I vehemently denied this and ascended the steps to my room before turning back to look at Chen Gong and Wen Yuan, “Chen Gong, Wen Yuan, we’ll part ways here then. Let’s meet later outside the city.” I felt nervous when I finished and gave a long sigh before I continued, “We must succeed this time.”

“Un, got it.” Wen Yuan said as she smiled confidently. Personally speaking, I think that she is the one who is most likely to make a mistake.

“If the enemy gives us an attractive offer, I might actually defect for real.”

“Maybe I should go and speak with Lord Xu Shu…”

“I was just joking.” Chen Gong said as she grabbed my arm and stopped me with an embarra.s.sed expression, “Don’t take a joke so seriously.”

No, I did not think you were joking to begin with. And are you being serious about your loyalty? I am still a little doubtful to be honest.

“Well, that’s that then.” I said and entered my room. Well then, how should I disguise myself…

— I feel like there’s something else hidden within that sorrow.

…

Chen Gong’s words from before continued to swirl in my head. Yes, I suppose it’s obvious to everyone by now.

…

I wonder if big brother still remembers the promise he made with Yi De and I back in Xu state. Big brother only decided to postpone it because Yi De lost her memories. I wonder if that day will ever come when the promise is fulfilled.

Too slow. What are the other 2 doing?

I looked at the sky and saw the sun s.h.i.+ning down on me. It was noon now and the sun was at its zenith. Even so, I still had to wear this thick grey gown and squat behind the wall to hide from the howling winds.

They are too slow. The sun has begun to descend to the west now so it’s obvious that it’s past noon yet there is no sign of them at all. They must be either held up at the gates or are slacking off somewhere.

But really, the inspections at the gates are really thorough. It was a good thing that my disguise was not seen through and n.o.body recognised me as Guan Yu, I thought as I lifted my hood and looked at myself. At this time, I looked like a commonplace vagabond. I did look like this for real back when I had just left my hometown so it was not too difficult for me to play the part.

I never though that there would be so many processes when I left the city though. Not only was I subjected to a body search, they also closely inspected the small wooden block. Those who did not have it were brought to the side where they were interrogated about their background. Naturally, no one was allowed in or out if they had a weapon with them.

(TL: TSA in ancient China.)

I initially brought my blade with me and had wrapped it up with cloth. But when I saw that even scissors were confiscated from the commoners up ahead, I realised that I could not bring my blade around as I would be exposed right away if they saw my Green Dragon Crescent Blade. And so, I rented a s.p.a.ce at a nearby store to store my blade before rejoining the queue to leave the city.

Un~ But where is Wen Yuan and Chen Gong? It should not be too difficult to act as a vagabond or refugee right? But perhaps this might be difficult for Wen Yuan as I cannot imagine her with a despondent and hopeless expression on her face.

Yes, a refugee with a confident and strong aura would undoubtedly arouse suspicion. Maybe this is why…

“Yun Chang, sorry to have kept you waiting.” Just then, Wen Yuan’s voice came from the side.