Rescuing Kong Rong and Capturing Guan He
Kong Rong, the Prime Minister of Beihai, had actually proven quite capable as a politician. Upon taking office in Beihai, he immediately reassured the hearts of Qingzhou's people, drove out the bandit hordes, and stabilized public order. It might seem like modest achievements, but considering that even these basics were beyond most officials—leading to the sorry state of the current era—he could be called a fairly decent man.
However, things changed when a man named Guan He rallied the bandits and launched a full-scale assault on Qingzhou Castle. Kong Rong might have had talent as an administrator, but he lacked military prowess. Caught off guard by the sudden siege, he had relied on past favors to ask Tai Shici to break through the bandits and request aid from Liu Bei all the way to Pingyuan.
"Lord Kong Taishou is in dire peril right now."
Tai Shici reported the situation as he spurred his horse at the front of the group.
"Hmm. Even after the Yellow Turban Rebellion was quelled, the remaining bandits didn't just vanish overnight."
Liu Bei said, squeezing his eyes shut.
Yeah. This era was overflowing with freelance bandits. It was like an apocalyptic world where you'd run into some sword-wielding psycho just walking down the road.
"He managed to break through alone, but food supplies inside the castle are critically low. If we don't hurry, there'll be no saving them."
Tai Shici fidgeted restlessly in his saddle, anxious.
"I understand. This Xuande may be speaking of himself, but I've grown quite seasoned in matters like this. Rest assured—we'll save them."
Liu Bei reassured Tai Shici.
That aside...
Tai Shici's name is enviable... It was the insanely cool nickname that made me jealous.
My name? Just 'Kim.' No flair, nothing. My real name's Kim Deok-su, but it's stuck as 'Kim,' which is seriously lame. Feels like an extra East Asian gangster in a noir flick.
You... Aren't you ashamed of being a descendant of the noble Geumgwan Gaya? Ashamed of being from Gimhae? Somehow, King Suro of Geumgwan Gaya was glaring at me from within, but honestly, Kim just lacks cool factor.
After galloping for a while, we finally reached the vicinity of Beihai.
"Uhaahat!!"
"Too scared to come out?! Open the gates!!"
Bandits clad in black armor were shouting urgently. Their momentum was impressive, no doubt.
"Hmph. Nothing special."
But Liu Bei's army, hardened by countless ordeals, viewed the scene with indifference.
"Everyone! Draw your swords!! Let's save Beihai!!"
Liu Bei bellowed, unsheathing his sword and charging ahead.
"Wooaaargh!!"
Taking advantage of the charge, I scanned the surroundings.
Where's my beloved Guan He-chan? Finding her was my mission.
"You lot!! Follow me!!"
I rallied the Kim Squad members and veered off to the flank. No need to stick to the main force's orders.
------
At that moment...
The bandit leader, Guan He, was deep in thought.
Her fierce appearance, dark brown skin, leopard-print cape loosely tied at her waist, matching leopard undergarments, and status as the sole female boss of this ragtag bandit crew gave her an intimidating aura—but inwardly, she was scared shitless.
She'd boldly formed the bandit gang on a whim, but Guan He knew it wouldn't last.
She'd once fought in the Battle of Guangzong. Back then, she'd been convinced the Yellow Turbans were invincible, but their downfall taught her a harsh lesson.
No matter how many numbers we have, we can't stand against an elite, organized imperial army. That's right. A military's true strength lies in organization. Once a proper army moves to exterminate them, bandits have no chance.
Knowing that, Guan He planned to loot Beihai lightly and then scatter—or maybe join some faction.
But things had gone too smoothly, which was the problem.
They kept winning against the local garrisons, and her men were getting way too cocky.
"Ooh!! Lady Guan He!!"
"Ooh!! Ooh!! With us, we could shake the heavens!!"
"Ekyakyaa!! Look at those rats running!!"
"As expected of Lady Guan He!!"
With victory after victory, the mood was shifting to why not just take Beihai for ourselves?
You idiots... If the real army comes, we're all dead...! Guan He knew the truth but couldn't say it outright due to pride.
"Lady Guan He!! Let's breach the walls today for sure!!"
Pushed by her men's cheers, Guan He grimaced, slung her crescent blade over her shoulder, and took the lead.
------
"Hyaat...! F-Fast..."
The Kim Squad kids on horseback followed behind me.
Chun Seol, Gwang Yeom, and the old Northern nomad clung precariously as we flanked around.
Honestly, excluding the nomad, their riding skills were passable now.
"Huergh..."
Every time I saw the old man, my heart raced with worry. He swayed like a reed in the wind atop the horse. This geezer's gonna croak right there.
Still, the whole detachment could now ride and maneuver—that was progress.
"Th-They're coming!!"
"Kill 'em!! We've killed plenty of imperial dogs!! Easy pickings!!"
The bandits blocked our path and drew their blades.
Shing.
I drew the Namun Sword and balanced atop my horse.
Damn, this thing's OP. The edge had been chipped, but after a day sheathed, it had partially regenerated. An artifact with auto-repair durability? Cheat-level convenience—no need for oiling or whetstones. Life quality boosted.
Shiiiing!!
Leveraging the horse's charge, I swung wide sideways, cleanly decapitating a bandit.
"Yaaargh!!!"
The nomad went berserk with his axe beside me, clearing the way.
"Hiiik...!"
The old man trembled wildly but somehow swung his sword to fend off foes. Chun Seol and Gwang Yeom did the same.
Where are you, Guan He? I was getting dizzy with longing... For my lieutenant with training bonuses!!
Guan He was hard to spot amid the generic grunts, all cloned mob models. But her outfit stood out.
Leopard print. The one in the leopard cape was her.
I spotted it soon enough.
But it wasn't a guy in the cape—it was a chick.
Gal? A cute woman with a dark-skinned gyaru vibe.
[Guan He] The nametag popped up above her head in my sight. Perfect. That's her.
"Wooaaargh!!"
Meanwhile, Liu Bei's detachment clashed with the bandit main force.
Clang!! Cliiing!!
Weapons clashed everywhere.
"Guan He!!! Fight me!!!"
I yelled loudly, sword drawn, charging at her.
Guan He's face stiffened as she gripped her crescent blade.
"Y-You..."
She seemed to recognize me.
"Kim!!! That monster..."
Guan He took a step back.
"Sis!! Take her down!!"
"Lady Guan He!! Go for it!!"
But her bandits egged her on wildly.
"Tch..."
Guan He charged reluctantly, spurring her horse toward me.
"You lot, guard the rear!!"
I tossed a casual order to the Kim Squad and pursued her.
Guan He's strong, but I'm stronger now. Break her weapon and pin her—that's victory. Plus, my gear outclassed hers. The mid-to-late game Namun Sword. I had the edge overwhelmingly.
Beat her decisively, then persuade her to join us.
"W-Wait..."
Guan He hesitated, then swung her crescent blade in resignation.
Squelch.
Her taut thighs, breasts, and arms stood out against her brown skin.
Face is pretty nice too... A Three Kingdoms gyaru skin might not suck. I blushed involuntarily. Same juicy vibe as Huang Gai, the dark gyaru type.
Cliiing!!
I deflected the thrust and countered with an upward slash like an uppercut, blade arcing from low to high. Normally it'd cleave an enemy's jaw clean off, but I aimed elsewhere.
Kikikiging!!
My sword targeted the crescent blade's long shaft. Split the polearm in two—that was the plan.
Claaang!!!!
As expected of the Namun Sword. Its razor edge shattered the shaft.
Shiiiit!!
The blade continued up, slicing a lock of Guan He's hair.
"Yaaargh!!!"
Then I swung lightly at her horse's head, flicking upward fast before slamming down.
Taiji Sword passive plus stamina to spare from level 19 let me chain attacks.
Spluuuurt!!!
The glowing blade severed the horse's neck cleanly.
Spluuurt!!
Blood fountained briefly as Guan He tumbled off spectacularly.
"Urghcha!!!"
As she fell, I called out.
"Do that patrol routine from before!!"
They followed the manual I'd drilled into them for rounds.
"Ngh..."
"Surrender...!"
"You villain!"
The Kim Squad swarmed, swiftly binding her with ropes from their belts.
Frequent patrol duties catching street thugs honed the skill. Killing worked, but publicly flogging ringleaders deterred crime better.
Trash-tier, but XP makes people sharper. They pounced and trussed her up in seconds.
"Good!! Haul her away!!"
I ordered, then checked the battle.
It was over before I could join.
With their leader intercepted, the bandits lost all will to fight.
"Yaaargh!!!"
"Hahat!! Come on!!"
Zhang Fei—the killer born of slaughter—along with Guan Yu, Liu Bei, and the volunteers massacred the bandits like madmen.
"Urrgh!!!!"
Tai Shici hurled his halberd fiercely, mowing them down.
In about an hour, it was done. No matter their morale, raw bandits couldn't match a veteran army.
Liu Bei's force had faithfully rescued Kong Rong.
Now... my turn.
"Let's go, Guan He."
I hoisted her like luggage and headed to Liu Bei's side.
"Ngh... Let go!!"
She wriggled like a maggot in her bonds.
Heh. Full of spirit. I whistled happily at my prize.
"Shall we go fishing at sea~? Or hunt game in the mountains~?"
At my song, Guan He shuddered.
"Hiiik...!"
She trembled with pure terror in her eyes. Why? I won't eat you.