Storms Always Blow Twice
The deluge swept the world away with it, sand swirling wildly in every direction. There were so many things to see that paradoxically nothing could be seen at all, and everyone was screaming so loudly that with too many sounds in his ears, paradoxically nothing could be heard. For Zhao Yun, this was the perfect opportunity to complete his spell.
Cao Cao and Xiahou Dun right beside him were completely invisible in the thick sandstorm, and everyone else was terrified and shouting over one another. Unless someone was standing directly in front of him with an ear cocked, no one would catch whatever he said. And even if they did hear… he could simply deny it was him. In this chaos, who could possibly tell who had spoken? Reassured, Zhao Yun shouted the incantation.
"How can you be at ease!"
"Storms always blow twice!"
As if it had been waiting for him to finish, the sandstorm began to subside. In an instant the rain-laden clouds filled the sky, the fierce wind died down to the calm before a storm, and the dust-obscured vision slowly began to clear.
Already? That bastard Zhang Jue must have used a far more pathetic spell than I expected. I haven’t even finished mine yet, but my eyes that couldn’t see a thing are already starting to make out human shapes, however blurry!
Alarmed, Zhao Yun swiftly completed the spell while the dust still hung in the air.
"Storms always blow twice!"
“What did you say?”
The blurry shape before him asked again. The person apparently hadn’t realized Zhao Yun was the one who had shouted, thanks to the obscured vision, but… he could feel that the man—or perhaps woman—on horseback was staring straight at him.
Shit. If they catch me using magic it’s a death sentence. Time to run!
Zhao Yun spun around and bolted.
“Hey! Wait…! Huh?”
Plop— Just as the woman trying to stop him reached out, a raindrop landed on the back of her hand.
“...?”
Drop. Drop-drop-drop—
“No way…”
“M-My lord! The rain—the rain is pouring down and suppressing the sandstorm Zhang Jue summoned!!!”
Plop, plop-plop… Shaaaaaaa!!!
“Did he… summon the rain…?”
“My lord! It’s a miracle! Heaven is helping us!!”
The raindrops falling from the sky suddenly grew heavier. Thunder cracked and the heavens opened in a downpour. In the abrupt storm Li Jue was shouting excitedly at Dong Zhuo, but Dong Zhuo merely muttered with a dazed expression, as if she couldn’t hear a thing.
Frustrated, Li Jue yelled again.
“My lord!!!”
“...Ah, yes?”
“Issue the attack order at once! The Yellow Turbans are panicking!”
“......Right. We can’t miss this chance. Chiyeon! I’ll climb the watchtower to give the order. Don’t wait for me—take the cavalry and smash them however you like! Once the ground turns to mud only my Red Hare will be able to move freely. Our men must reach the enemy’s main camp before that happens! Can you manage it!”
“Deputy General Li Jue obeys! Hey! Guo Si! You heard her! Quickly find Zhang Ji and Fan Chou! We attack before the rain turns the ground into a swamp!”
“Ah! Wait a moment! Before that…”
Dong Zhuo stopped Li Jue, who was rushing to set out.
“Listen, Chiyeon. Did you happen to see the person who was in front of me earlier?”
“Pardon? A little while ago?”
“Yes, when the sand was blowing hardest.”
“Aigo, my lord… We couldn’t see an inch ahead in that sandstorm. How could I have seen anyone? Why, did the person in front do something strange?”
“...I suppose not. Never mind. If you didn’t see, it can’t be helped… Go quickly!”
After answering, Li Jue departed with Zhang Ji and Fan Chou whom Guo Si had summoned, leading the Xiliang cavalry to crush the Yellow Turbans. Once they had gone, Dong Zhuo leaned down and whispered something into the ear of the massive red horse she rode.
-Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
“Children of Han! Do you see? Heaven has aided our army and swept that wicked thief’s spell away with a storm! What is there to fear? What do you hesitate for? Can you not feel that Heaven fights beside us? The enemy is confused—this is our moment! Do not give them time to flee back to their main camp! Charge!”
-Piiiiiiiii! Piiiiiiiii!
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Dong Zhuo herself had climbed the watchtower and was beating the drum to rouse the troops. Only then did the signal soldiers snap to their senses, blowing sharp notes to draw every eye. All the banners were thrust forward and lowered long, signaling a full-scale assault by every combat-capable unit.
“Miss! The Central Army Commander has ordered the attack!”
“I am aware. A true superior need only command her subordinates well. Ji Ling, command them in my stead. Against those drenched rats, I see no need to dirty my own hands.”
“Ack!!! Miss’s trust!! This is the greatest honor!!! Thank you!!!”
While Ji Ling led his troops off to butcher the Yellow Turbans, Yuan Shu remained in the rear, furiously brushing sand and dust from her hair and throwing a fit.
The unit beside hers—part of Cao Cao’s forces—was also receiving the charge order.
“Aman! Look! The army flags have advanced!”
“Mm. The Xiliang cavalry are already tearing through the enemy’s rear. I suspect Dong the Central Army Commander told them to charge without waiting for orders. Blocking the retreat with cavalry before the ground softens… a rather fine decision.”
Xiahou Dun grew anxious at Cao Cao’s leisurely tone. She stamped her feet and urged her on.
“This isn’t the time to stand here admiring! Look—Ji Ling has already taken Yuan Shu’s troops into battle. Aman, we must hurry too!”
Even under Xiahou Dun’s prodding, Cao Cao had not yet committed her own forces. She calmed her fiery subordinate with a laugh.
“Hahahaha!! Wonyang, calm yourself. Even if we charged in immediately, we wouldn’t find much sport. Look. Their morale may be in the dirt, but they still number one hundred and fifty thousand, do they not? Rush in now and we’ll only bag small fry. The big fish will slip away.”
Only then did Xiahou Dun settle down and study the front line carefully. Just as Cao Cao said, the imperial army was indeed overpowering the Yellow Turbans, yet their sheer numbers prevented anyone from reaching Zhang Jue at the center.
“Hmm! At this rate Zhang Jue may escape… Ah, now! By the time our unit arrives there should be a gap somewhere. Wonyang! Lead the light cavalry and charge toward that huge yellow banner on the opposite side! Zilong! Take the heavy cavalry and break through the center. If it proves too difficult, circle around and watch for an opening. I will take the remaining infantry and seal the thinner sections so none can slip away. …Hm? Zilong? You’ve looked unwell for a while now. Why the expression of someone carrying all the world’s worries?”
“Understood! Hey, Zilong! Snap out of it! Distracted thoughts in battle will get you killed!”
The excited Xiahou Dun led the light cavalry away per Cao Cao’s orders, giving Zhao Yun’s shoulder a hearty smack as she passed.
…Right. This is no time to worry about whether I was discovered. Focus on the battle ahead.
Zhao Yun offered Cao Cao a small, reassuring smile and departed with the heavy cavalry. Only then did Cao Cao, relieved, lead the remaining infantry to reinforce the eastern encirclement.
. . .
“……Hiiiiiiing!!!”
“Yes… That man… thank you for handling the troublesome task, Red Hare.”
As Zhao Yun’s heavy cavalry unit swept past, Red Hare let out a loud neigh. Dong Zhuo gently stroked the beast’s mane.
-Purrrr!
But perhaps displeased at having been used like a hunting dog to sniff out its target, Red Hare violently shook its thick neck to dislodge her hand, then gave her shoulder a light, sulky nip.
“Puhuhuhu… I understand, I understand. Here, a carrot has arrived~ Open wide~ Ah~”
Using a cutesy voice utterly unlike her usual self, Dong Zhuo waved the carrot back and forth. Red Hare snorted, deliberately ignoring its own drooling mouth, still apparently harboring some grievance.
“Of course. Did I not promise to let you walk wherever you wished today?”
When Dong Zhuo smiled kindly and reminded the horse she had not forgotten their agreement, Red Hare finally began chewing the carrot with a satisfied expression.
“Then… shall we head out slowly now? Signal soldiers, remain here! It is fine for me to go alone, so scour every corner for any remaining cowards! Red Hare! It is time to trample them! Direction does not matter, but… perhaps it would be interesting to follow that man?”
Hiiiiiiing!!!
Red Hare roared wildly and began following Zhao Yun’s trail.
“Li Jue said heaven is helping me…. Puhuhut! Does that mean heaven sent that man to assist me? How amusing.”
“Is heaven punishing us this severely?! Does it truly still refuse to protect us!!!”
The sudden storm had shattered his spell. Shocked, Zhang Jue continued to stare at the sky, spewing resentment.
“Heavenly General! This is no time for that! We must flee this place at once and hide!”
Even at his subordinate’s tear-filled plea, Zhang Jue only shook his head weakly. The enemy had already surrounded them on all sides. Where was there left to run?
-KWAaaaaang!!!
“Kyaaaaak!!”
“Hold the line! If they break through here the Heavenly General will—! Graaak!!”
See. The evil spirit sent by heaven has finally come to take me.