What Has the Han Dynasty Been Doing Until Now? (1)
Near Takhyeon, a yellowish storm was raging.
'China as expected...!' True to its origin as the birthplace of sandstorms, a cloud of yellow dust billowed over the plains. But it wasn't just a sandstorm.
"Wooooaaargh!"
Ferocious war cries from burly men echoed from afar.
"...We're screwed."
I instantly grasped the situation. Soldiers were swarming toward Takhyeon, clearly with hostile intent.
'I've seen this in Chinese historical dramas...!' Like those scenes where a million-strong army marches in, kicking up massive clouds of dust.
"What...?! Takhyeon is in danger!"
Guan Yu nu-na shouted in alarm, her face pale. Who the hell was invading? No time to think—it had to be enemies. Action first.
"Kim Gong!! We must hurry back to Takhyeon!!"
Guan Yu stated it firmly.
"Ah. Yeah, let's go!"
Our base village was about to get trashed—who had time to worry about anything else? Guan Yu and I bolted toward Takhyeon like mad.
But things didn't go smoothly.
"Kill them all!!"
"No matter how much you suppress us, the Yellow Sky has already risen!!"
"Heaven's will shifts, the era of the Yellow Heaven stands!!"
"New year, Jiazi—the Great Prosperity of the Realm!!"
Bandits clad in yellow robes surrounded us perfectly timed.
"Tch... These filthy bandits dare to show themselves."
Guan Yu clicked her tongue and drew her sword, but her eyes were fixed on the distant village. That's when I came up with a brilliant ploy.
"Lord Guan!!! Go on ahead!! I'll handle these bandits!!"
I flashed a heroic smile and shouted.
"......!!"
Guan Yu looked at me in shock. There were about ten bandits. Leaving me to face them alone?
Couldn't we just break through together? Sure, but wait—this was my scheme from the start.
"Kim Gong!! That's...!"
Guan Yu gazed at me worriedly.
"No!!! Go!! We must protect Takhyeon's people!!"
I struck right at her soft spot. Yeah, my Guan Yu nu-na didn't have time for this!!
"Kim Gong... you."
She looked at me with those pretty eyes.
"You truly are a righteous hero."
Guan Yu made a fist salute with genuine respect.
Whoosh!!!
She dashed off like lightning.
"Hah!! Where do you think you're going!!"
The Yellow Turbans tried to block her.
"Out of my way!!!"
I charged and slashed the one going after her, carving a massive gash across his body.
Spluuurt!!!
His ragged clothes offered no protection—the sword bit deep. One bandit crumpled, his gut spilling open.
"Your opponent is me!!!"
I bellowed decisively. Honestly, taking on a crowd didn't appeal, but no choice.
'This is basically a zombie apocalypse without zombies...!' Sooner or later, hordes of bandits would come. This was that moment.
"Fine!! Showing off for your girl, eh!!!"
"Hahat!! Become the stepping stone for the Yellow Heaven that will descend upon all under heaven!!"
Their aggro locked onto me.
"Yeah!!! Come at me!!!!"
I roared, sword raised, every bit the hero.
Guan Yu, meanwhile, raced to Takhyeon.
My plan was simple.
'Escape angle... nailed it!' Take out this Yellow Turban pack, then slip into the chaos of Takhyeon. The village would be in pandemonium from the war—no one would notice me. Loot what I could, bail fast, and live my life.
Just running? Liu Bei wouldn't let me go. That guy's sneaky tough. Once he marks you for recruitment, he sticks like glue.
To shake him, I'd have to fake my death.
But if I heroically held off the enemy and "died"? No lingering regrets from Liu Bei or Zhang Fei.
'Perfect!' Philosophical escape method, got it?
'Problem is... can I actually beat ten-plus guys...?'
Way more than ten. Only possible if I had the skills to mop them up.
'But... I have to.'
Couldn't live like a total loser forever. In this chaotic world, I needed strength to protect myself.
Clink. Deep breath, sword up, stance set.
"Charge!!!"
The Yellow Turbans rushed me.
"Urraaaah!!!"
I yelled and charged back.
"Come on!!! Let's see how many moves you last against me!!"
A cocky one lunged first. But his taunt was his mistake—delayed his action.
Slaaaash!!!!!
I brought my sword down on his neck.
"Guhk!!!"
Blood sprayed from his throat as he collapsed.
"Kkiyaaaak!!!!"
I swung again, carving the chest of another who'd frozen.
"Kuhehehek!!!"
Two down in a flash! Needed to crush their morale now.
I wiped the blood off my sword with my hand, then—eyes shut—licked it off my fingers.
Blood-crazed killer!! That's the vibe!!
"Heeheeheeheet!!!"
I let out a maniacal scream.
"Th-that guy's lost it...!"
"D-don't freak!! We outnumber him!!"
The Yellow Turbans turned passive instantly. Rabble through and through.
"Urraaaah!!!"
Outnumbered but winning on momentum, I swung wildly and charged!! Right now, I was Zhao Yun and Zhang Liao!!
About 15 minutes later.
"Hahk... hahk...."
Panting like mad, I leaned on my blood-soaked sword like a cane. Seven Yellow Turbans dead. More at first, but they fled when their buddies dropped. Rabble gonna rabble.
Strength 7
Agility 8
Vitality 7
Swordsmanship 7
Stats ticked up a bit as a bonus. Good XP fodder, you were.
Wrapped things up quick and hurried to Takhyeon. As expected, total chaos.
"Y-Yellow Turbans are attacking?!!"
"Wh-what do we do...!"
Takhyeon's folk were wailing, panicking. Quick ones were already packing to flee.
"No way....! Dear lord...!"
Others sat despondent, tears streaming.
'While everyone's freaking... sneak out with my stuff.'
I started moving—then froze.
"Waaaaaah!! Mommy!!! Daddy!!!!"
A snot-nosed kid stared blankly at the fleeing crowd.
"......"
Stopped dead. Escape thoughts faded. In a game, I'd bail without a second thought... but reality hit different. Brutal. Couldn't look away.
"Fuck it."
No choice. I scooped up the kid.
"Hey!!! You!! Take this little one too!!"
I yelled at a fleeing guy.
"W-wait.... That's not my kid...."
He protested innocently. Not his, so screw it? Classic selfish crap in hard times.
"Fine!!! Keep whining and I'll personally lop your head off!!"
I menaced with my bloody sword.
"O-okay!!! We'll take him!!"
He got the message.
"Everyone!! If you run, the bandits surrounding Takhyeon will slaughter you!!!! Gather in the village center!!!"
Panicked crowds were easy prey. Had to herd these lost deer.
"...Ugh. But."
They hesitated, exchanging glances.
"Hurry!!! I'll defend Takhyeon somehow!!"
I stomped and roared.
Ah..... was gonna bail, but fucked up. Modern humanitarianism kicked in.
Led the refugees to the center—more mess.
"No!! Lord Liu!!! Why?! Let go!! Huh?!"
I knew that voice. Takhyeon's magistrate. Liu Bei had him by the collar, glaring.
"No!! We need the garrison to protect the people!! But you're saying flee first and call for central army support?!!"
Liu Bei roared in fury.
"How can these rural garrison troops stop bandits from Nanpi Castle?! We'd all be massacred!!"
The magistrate whined weakly.
"....."
Total trash. Instant hate for late Han bureaucrats. Screw the people, bail, wait for central forces. Befitting a bought office.
Sure, call for help. But till they arrive? Massacred villagers? Wandering refugees?
'And Takhyeon gets wiped off the map.'
No people, no village—just ruins. Locals' daily lives shattered.
"......Brother!!! Just kill this bastard!! We'll kick the garrison's asses and hold here!! At least buy time for everyone to flee!!"
Zhang Fei bellowed enthusiastically.
"No."
Liu Bei shook his head, then smashed his fist into the magistrate's nose.
Crack!!!
"Guheek?!!"
Blood gushed; magistrate crumpled. Liu Bei yanked him up by the collar and roared at the despairing crowd.
"What have the Han officials been doing until now?!!! They squeeze taxes while forcing corvée labor on the common folk. Huh?!"
Suddenly, Liu Bei launched into a speech. In this mess? But his words had strange persuasive power. Terror faded from the villagers' eyes, replaced by anger at the irresponsible Han.
I got his intent instantly.
'Clever...'
Garrison too small to hold. So Liu Bei rallied the numbers—arming these pre-flee villagers as militia. Sharp as hell.
Liu Bei... scary guy.