Nanpi Conquest (3)
Guan Yu cleanly severed the neck of Zhang Yuanzi, the enemy leader.
Thank goodness....! It wasn't boasting, but my super save had played a big role. That bastard Zhang Yuanzi had been just about to thrust his sword into the slender woman's lower half. It was a brick toss to stop him. Protecting someone's chastity with a stone throw—it was exactly like David felling the giant Goliath with a single sling stone.
Thud.
Zhang Yuanzi's corpse collapsed limply into view.
Man. Gotta make sure I don't die mid-bang. Seeing his state brought that thought bubbling up. Something dangled limply from beyond his half-lowered lower half.
"Young lady!! Are you alright?!!" Liu Bei rushed right over and gazed at the trembling blonde woman.
"Eek....!" But maybe scarred by Zhang Yuanzi, she eyed us with extreme wariness.
Ah. Fair enough. Just seeing armed men would terrify anyone.
But damn.... she's gorgeous. This part wasn't rough around the edges. No shampoo in this chaotic world, yet her hair gleamed with luster, her skin flawlessly smooth like she'd just bathed. It was like spotting a dolled-up idol in an apocalypse flick. Yeah. Spot on.
Who the hell slapped hentai skins onto Romance of the Three Kingdoms? This wasn't the Yunlong I knew! People oughta look more ragged, right? Shit scattered in big cities and all. I'd pictured that gritty ancient era..... but she was straight out of a hentai bishoujo game illust, solo.
"Really, everyone's faces are so fierce-looking," Guan Yu said with a chuckle, tousling her hair.
I snuck a glance at Liu Bei and Zhang Fei. Yeah. Both had that "I've killed plenty" vibe. And they had.
But grouping me in with them? Kinda much.
"I'll handle it." Guan Yu strode straight toward the blonde beauty.
Ah. Right. Another woman would put her more at ease.
Swish.
But the woman dodged Guan Yu's hand.
Patter, patter.
And headed straight for me.
"Gr-Great hero! Thank you for saving me!" She clutched my hand tight, body quaking.
Wait. Guan Yu was the one who killed Zhang Yuanzi.....
"That fiend was about to pounce on me, but you threw yourself in harm's way to save me! Thank you!" Tears welled in her eyes as she spoke.
"I threw a stone, not myself....." What the? Why's she so clingy?
"Tch...." Guan Yu eyed the scene with clear discomfort.
"Pfft!! Threw a stone, not yourself!! Uhahat!! Kim Gong, you sure got a way with words!" Zhang Fei roared with laughter.
No. It ain't that funny. This guy's the type who'd crack up at tumbling leaves.
"Hmm. A verse from Hansu." Liu Bei suddenly dropped a pun.
I got the meaning.
No matter what, they're dragging me into this...! Chills ran down my spine.
Like new hires getting ace treatment at first.... only to get worked to the bone once onboard.
"Um... if I may have your name...." That's when the blonde asked me directly.
No affinity reading. Kinda disappointing. Games let you unlock affinity-check skills.... but not yet.
Still, chatting so friendly in this mess? Initial affinity's gotta be high.
But who is she? With Guan Yu turning hentai-fied, maybe she's a named character too?
Anyway, the mood got awkward.
"Thank you!!!" A blonde man came panting up.
"I'm Bu Taewon. A local magnate of Nanpi for now." He bowed deeply.
Ah. Hu clan. Explains the silk robes.
Hu clan... big landowners around here. Massive estates, slaves—local nobility. Even central gov magistrates kowtowed to 'em.
"This is Bu Yong-hwa, my only daughter. Yellow Turbans hit here, slaughtered our household, tried raping her. I thought of biting my tongue.... but heaven intervened. A blessing."
Bu Taewon sighed heavily.
But.... Chinese garb on blondes. Kinda alien.
"Kim Gong. Her hair's a curiosity?" Liu Bei whispered close.
Oof. Don't breathe in my ear like that.
"She's Xiongnu. Back when Han Gaozu campaigned against 'em, some Xiongnu aided the siege, settled in the Central Plains."
Liu Bei's explanation was spot-on, but I was baffled.
Wait. Xiongnu were blonde stunners? What kinda inhuman history twist is this...!!!!
"No worries. Nanpi's already taken by the official army under Yu Gong."
"Ah. Solid. But your group's attire seems.... different."
Bu Taewon eyed us keenly. Imagination? He didn't seem fond of Liu Yan.
Fair. Struggling against Deng Mu's 50k right next door? Looked incompetent as hell.
"I'm Liu Bei, Xuan De—a mere villager forming a volunteer force to aid these troubled times."
Liu Bei smiled humbly.
Saying Han bloodline might irk.... he held back.
"This is Zhang Fei, Guan Yu, and Kim. My sworn brother, sister, and ally."
Don't lump me in. Why? And you forgot my full name again. Why just Kim?
"Ah. Heroes do emerge in chaos." Bu Taewon teared up, offering a fist salute.
"Much to discuss, but take your daughter and rest first. Things'll be sorted by then."
Liu Bei patted his shoulder kindly.
Bu Taewon led Bu Yong-hwa to the inner quarters. Dark circles everywhere—starved and sleepless.
-------
Nanpi was a demon realm descended to earth. Corpses everywhere, rape victims strangled postmortem, decayed piles from long ago.
Just cleanup would take ages.
"Horrific...." Liu Bei sighed, laced with helplessness.
Even streets cleared, shattered buildings and eaves stirred pathos.
"This town won't bounce back." Zhang Fei sighed.
"Yeah. All victims. So pitiful." Liu Bei sighed again.
I should've empathized.... but knowing the truth, I couldn't sink into it.
Nanpi booms hard later? Nanpi and Gyerok turn into Yuan Shao's planned granary powerhouses.
Life's unpredictable.
-------
Nanpi mostly sorted, Liu Yan in uniform summoned us.
"Your aid let us reclaim Ge and Nanpi!! Your valor—I'll vouch for it personally!! We need more like you as soldiers, generals, to save the realm!"
Liu Yan laughed like a toothache cured.
"Hah. Too kind—don't know where to put myself." Liu Bei smiled modestly.
"I'd love to keep you, but other spots need help more. Won't hold you."
Liu Yan looked regretful.
"Truth is, Lord Lu Zhonglang's my teacher. Fighting in Gyerok.... tears me up worrying."
Liu Bei locked in our next stop.
....sneaky bastard.
Benevolent yet cunning—that's Liu Bei.
Could've aided Gong Sun Zan militarily—in Youzhou admin-wise. Viable.
But no spotlight. Stuck as guest general forever.
So picked helping old teacher, showcasing future talent.
Turning the Yellow Turban chaos into his big break.
Had to grab a spotlight spot.
Not heartless, though. Genuinely furious at Turban atrocities.
Layered guy.
"Ah! Lu Zhonglang!! True scholar!! I'm worried too—if brother Xuande's crew heads there, I'm relieved!!"
Liu Yan boomed a laugh.
"Rest a few days at least? I'll host you heroes proper!"
Patted Liu Bei's shoulder.
"Ah. Grateful for the kindness." Liu Bei bowed.
-------
Three days: volunteer army reorganized. Buried our 7 dead.
Takhyeon locals who'd risen with us.
Burying comrades hit hard with sadness.
Figured they'd survive. Fought like beasts—half-hoped the full squad'd stick.
Nope.
Death sneaks up easy.
Miracle only 7 down.
Positives. Survivors gotta survive.
Liu Bei and Zhang Fei gloomily boozing? Slipped out for air, strolled Nanpi's desolate streets.
"Ah. Kim. Walk with."
Shortly after, gloomy-faced Guan Yu caught up.
Staying'd just deepen the funk—better with me.
"Heh. Sure thing, sis."
Company beat solo.
Just as we set off together.
"Ah, ah, um.... K-Kim, great hero...."
One more: blushing blonde blocker. The rescued girl. Name was.... Bu, Bu, Bu.... Buu? Bu-something.
"Bu young lady."
China era—surname plus honorific makes a name. Surname's enough.
"Y-Yes.... couldn't thank you proper last time.... mind if I tag along?"
Bu Yong-hwa beamed, trotting close.
"Ah. Sure."
Just a "thanks" would've sufficed, but why? Crossed my mind, but refusing company? No chance.
Party of three now. Flowers in both hands...!!