Straggler Hunt
“These are Un Sam, Chun Bong, and Yeom Seok. All two-year veterans. They've taken down plenty of Yellow Turbans. Solid guys.”
The bearded middle-aged man who'd dragged me over introduced the mercenaries. They all seemed pretty experienced. Not like fresh-off-the-farm peasants who'd just grabbed a sword and stumbled out of their villages.
After that, the mercenaries we'd been introduced to all shouted out their names and courtesy names in a raucous chorus, but unfortunately their voices overlapped so much I couldn't make them out clearly.
“Ah. I'm Gong Geo, courtesy name Mengxiao.”
The bearded guy's name was apparently Gong Geo.
“Pleased to meet you.”
This crew seemed like they'd do fine.
“I'm Yu Hyun, courtesy name Hyungeom.”
Introductions done.
“Ah! Yeah! Looking forward to working with you!”
Gong Geo had a booming voice.
Not exactly my preferred vibe, honestly.
They seemed like a mercenary band that got along well after introductions, chatting amiably while they worked.
“Hold up. Yu Hyun? Ah, you're that ronin who's been making a bit of noise in Yeongcheon lately!!”
The guy named Chun Bong clapped his hands and stared at me.
Rumors? What about?
“Ah, the caravan got ambushed by bandits, the merchant leader got killed, and you took down the whole gang single-handedly, then pulled the cart all the way to the destination yourself?”
Un Sam next to him clapped too, fleshing out the rumor with more details.
That incident, huh.
Probably the merchants or laborers spreading the word.
“Ah! That's the guy!! What a sense of responsibility! I like you even more now!”
Gong Geo grinned in satisfaction.
“Wasn't exactly single-handed, though.”
I had a comrade. That spear mercenary who'd fought pretty hard beside me. He died midway, but people always forget the dead quick in this world. That's how it is.
“You had a comrade? If you're tight with him, why not bring him along? The more the merrier.”
Gong Geo's eyes lit up as he smiled.
“He's dead.” “Ah. I see.”
As always, just another day.
***
Gong Geo handled strategy and overall commands, which suited me fine. I could just follow his lead—no need for everyone to bark orders.
“Our big bro Gong Geo is amazing! These Yellow Turban bastards raided a rural village once. Bro rounded up all the able-bodied men and chased 'em off. That's when I knew—I'd follow him for life.”
Un Sam, Chun Bong, and Yeom Seok proudly spun tales of Gong Geo's exploits, laughing all the while.
“We knew we weren't the type to rot away in some village. So we took to wandering the land with just our swords. Who knows? We might become heroes!”
Yeom Seok let out a phlegmy chuckle, roaring with laughter.
“That's when the four of us swore brotherhood under the willow tree in the village center.”
Un Sam filled in the narrative gap.
“Hah. Impressive. Full of righteous spirit.”
Like a low-rent version of the famous Peach Garden Oath from the Romance.
People in chaotic times always dream big. Chaos itself is opportunity. Village boys dream of the throne, local gentry of becoming kings. Once you realize the system isn't as ironclad as it seemed, humans get greedy to surpass it.
“Wanted to raise a volunteer army all fancy-like and march out, but no money. So we're building a rep as ronin, earning cash and fame along the way.”
Gong Geo scratched his cheek and said it.
Fair enough. That's realistic.
Even Liu Bei with his 500 couldn't have fed them without merchant backing. Without patrons, all a self-funded hero can do is this.
“Got someone I wanna stand out to in this battle.”
Gong Geo chuckled as he laid out the plan.
“This time, Cao Cao himself is leading troops.” “That famous Cao Cao. The hothead who beat his uncle-figure from the Jian clan to death with a club. You heard that one?” “Ah, yeah.”
That story was legendary. Tales of righteous justice against the powerful always draw crowds, east or west, ancient or modern.
“Cao Cao seems different. Word is he's gathering talent from everywhere lately, no matter their status. Could be good to join up, gain experience, and climb the ranks.”
Ambitious guy, for sure.
“Yu Hyungeom. What do you think?”
Gong Geo asked me point-blank.
“Looks solid.”
Cao Cao's no bad pick. If you can catch his eye.
Even in the real histories—not the novel—Liu Bei's volunteers built careers under him. If you're serious about advancing in this era, stacking experience, there's no better spot.
“Haha! Knew it!” “Bro's got the vision!” “If we catch Cao Cao's eye, our true worth'll shine through fast.” “Uahaha!”
The Willow Tree Brotherhood shared their bond, laughing together. They looked like they enjoyed every damn day.
But our job wasn't chit-chat—it was hunting Yellow Turbans. Time to pipe down.
We spotted the Yellow Turban stragglers quick. Yakking away would've gotten us jumped first.
Beyond the half-collapsed camp, about ten Yellow Turbans dozed off with weapons in hand.
Typical stragglers in this era's wars. Soldiers who couldn't keep up with retreats or advances. They were usually no big threat, but surprisingly often turned into wild cards.
When the tide turned for the Yellow Turbans, stragglers would rejoin en masse and flip the battle. Especially in chaotic melees with blades flying everywhere.
Imperial forces hated variables. Might rejoin the enemy anytime—that's why they ordered these groups wiped out.
One more thing: public safety. This band had been raiding nearby villages hard. Rumors reached Yeongcheon County Seat, enough for a warrant.
Just hit-and-run looting, huh.
Fools.
“Yu Hyungeom and I'll draw their attention up front. The rest circle around from the side.”
Outnumbered, but Gong Geo stayed cool. Confident in his skills.
“Hyungeom. Let's see what you've got.”
Gong Geo grinned, drawing his sword. I stood beside him, unsheathing mine and taking stance.
I charged full tilt toward where Gong Geo bolted.
“Come at us!! You bandit scum!!”
The Yellow Turbans startled at his shout, faces twisting in panic.
“Two?! What can two guys do?”
The Yellow Turbans burst out laughing.
“Hah! Get outta my way!! I'll smash you nice and friendly!”
A hulking Yellow Turban swung his iron mace, kicking up dirt as he charged.
Another with a sword rushed beside him.
2v2 tag-team setup. Naturally, I took the sword guy; Gong Geo got the mace brute.
“Hiyaaah!!”
My opponent thrust his blade. His handling screamed his origins.
Shiiiing—!!
A swordsman's swing, well-practiced. Not a peasant—probably a bandit. Rare, but a farmer could've gained experience too.
Chaaang! Tiiiing!!
Two clashes exchanged.
“...”
The bandit's face hardened. Realizing I wasn't easy prey, he pulled his sword back defensively.
That was his fatal mistake. If he'd gritted teeth and pressed, he might've pushed me back. But he panicked early.
As he yanked his wrist in, I smashed my sword down at it full force.
Squelch.
His wrist flew off.
“Aaaargh?!”
I cleaved his torso wide while he screamed at his stump, then scanned the scene.
Boom! Crash!
Gong Geo and the mace brute were trading blows evenly. Time to help. I dashed at the brute's flank.
Seeing me charge, the brute paled.
“Your mom's a... Already dead?”
His stunned mutter was his last words.
Spluuurt!!
I slashed his side deep. Blood gushed as he toppled.
“Hyungeom. Thanks.”
Gong Geo sighed in relief, expressing gratitude.
“Those two we handled seemed the strongest. We're basically done. Let's rush the camp now.”
The remaining Yellow Turbans beyond the camp, who'd watched the fight, were prepping to bolt. Chase 'em down, and we'd seize total control.
“Yeah!! Let's go!!”
As Gong Geo and I charged the camp, Un Sam, Chun Bong, and Yeom Seok emerged from the flanks, cutting down internals.
Outnumbered but morale broken, the Yellow Turbans fell like chaff. The psychological weight of encirclement crushed them despite their numbers.
“Uwaaaah!!”
One Yellow Turban facing me inside swung wildly—not a killing stroke, more like swatting a fly.
Peasant, alright.
Freshly turned Yellow Turban, too. His swing matched scything crops.
Bandits loot peasants, ruined peasants become bandits and loot others. Looted peasants turn bandit anew. Mad world.
Squelch.
I cut him down and looked around. All stragglers processed.
“Everyone did great!! Now let's loot the place!”
Gong Geo laughed heartily, rummaging half-burnt tents for usable gear.
Straggler hunts paid extra via spoils. Time to dig—what's worth taking?
I poked around without high hopes, but it exceeded expectations—in the worst way.
This starved?
Nothing usable. A handful of parched grain was the best of it.
Most obvious item: a basin of ashy water. Common in Yellow Turban camps. This one too.
“Ah, that stuff. Their leader Zhang Jiao? They burn his talismans, mix the ashes with water, and drink it to cure all ills? Heh. Lunacy.”
Gong Geo kicked the basin, chuckling.
“Had wounded, looks like.”
Traces of force-feeding talisman water to the injured. A corpse lay discarded nearby, long cold.
Clinging to such flimsy superstitions to scrape through another day. The powerless masses' minds were this frayed. Bitter to witness.
“I'll check that side. Move out if nothing.”
Gong Geo headed to the far tent.
Really nothing else? Regret nagging, I searched the tent thoroughly again—and found something decent.
A hairpin.
Common women's hair pin. Not top-shelf, but pretty nice.
...
Keep it? Could gift it or sell for lodging fee.