I Don't Want Any Regrets
“Yu Hyun!! To think we'd meet here!!!”
Mounted on his horse and surveying the surroundings, Cao Cao immediately dismounted and strode toward us.
“Cao Gong….”
“The real Cao Cao Mengde.”
Gong Geo's crew froze like frogs spotting a snake.
“Ah, Cao Gong. Good to see you.”
I hadn't expected to run into him so boldly in the middle of Yeongcheon city.
“Haha. It's only been a few days since we last met, but you've been on my mind constantly. And now we cross paths again. This must be fate. Fate.”
Cao Cao chuckled heartily and extended his hand for a shake.
If a beautiful woman said, “You've been on my mind,” my heart would flutter and I'd feel great. But coming from a guy like Cao Cao, it just made me uncomfortable.
“Birds of a feather flock together, as they say among heroes. You've got comrades too.”
Cao Cao greeted Gong Geo's group with a nod. It was smooth social savvy, flattering strangers without missing a beat.
“Uh, I'm… Gong Geo!! My courtesy name is Mengxiao. Ehe.”
“I'm Un Sam!”
“I'm Chun Bong.”
“I'm Yeom Seok!”
They all rushed to introduce themselves, their voices jumbling together since they shouted in unison. Same as when they'd introduced themselves to me.
“Hahaha! Indeed.”
Cao Cao laughed boldly, shrugging his shoulders.
It was a casual laugh, but his eyes were busy darting around, appraising Gong Geo's crew with a calculating gaze.
Still, running into him like this was fate. Gong Geo's bunch were decent folk, so I figured I'd give them some backup.
“They're all far stronger than me. I've cheated death multiple times thanks to them.”
They'd said they wanted to join Cao Cao's command. Time for me to put in a good word.
“….”
Gong Geo stared at me, deeply moved.
“Oho. Stronger than you, Yu Hyun Gong? Impressive.”
A glint of interest flashed in Cao Cao's eyes. But he was picky about people and didn't fully erase his skepticism. Still, a strong endorsement from someone carried weight.
“Are you all joining the Yeongcheon battle too? Our imperial forces are offering some pretty generous terms this time.”
Cao Cao asked.
“Ah, of course we plan to! I've always been grateful to the Han imperial house—”
Gong Geo launched into his prepared spiel like a nervous job seeker in front of an interviewer. Huh. Kinda similar, isn't it? Finding a faction to serve as a ronin is a skill in itself.
“I see. I'll look forward to your exploits then.”
As Cao Cao said that, he suddenly added something as if struck by a thought.
“By the way, if you're planning to fight, how about joining my unit? I can't divulge operational details—military secrets and all—but for earning merits, no one beats us.”
Cao Cao's offer came out of nowhere.
“Sounds great!! Count us in!”
“Us too!!”
Everyone lit up with excitement. Fighting under Cao Cao meant plenty of chances to show off against him directly. No way they'd pass that up.
Not a bad deal on this end either.
Cao Cao's imperial troops fought well. Hitching to them would boost survival odds.
“Excellent proposal. We'll do that.”
Our plans for the Yeongcheon battle were set.
Huangfu Song starts the fire attack, and we charge in to wipe out Pa Jae's main force, right?
“Ah!! What an honor! I'll be watching your valor closely!”
Cao Cao grinned agreeably and withdrew.
“….”
Just when I thought the friendly chat had wrapped up, Cao Cao threw a curveball.
“Oh, right—Yu Hyun Gong. You mentioned you're indebted to a benefactor here in Yeongcheon. I'd like to pay my respects too. That alright?”
Cao Cao fixed me with a straight gaze.
“…As expected of a righteous man.”
“Kuh.”
Gong Geo and the others were instantly awestruck, staring at Cao Cao like fan club members.
“Our benefactor's suffered so much from the chaos… She doesn't take kindly to strangers coming around. We'll gratefully accept the sentiment.”
I deflected politely.
The old man at the house I was staying at really didn't like outsiders. But there was more to it.
Ha Hui… She's a widow.
And a beauty at that. Right up Cao Cao's alley. Records said he always took women as spoils before and after battles. The thought of him snatching Ha Hui away made my gut burn.
What am I thinking? Do I like Ha Hui?
“Hmm… I see. Fair enough. In these times, armed strangers showing up would put anyone on guard.”
To my surprise, Cao Cao backed off easily.
“See you tomorrow then. Battle's on. Eat well and rest up.”
Cao Cao withdrew readily.
He probably wasn't dying to visit my benefactor's place so much as looking to build rapport with me. Bonus points for the hero image.
Or am I being too cynical?
After parting with the group, I prepped for tomorrow's battle.
On the way, I splurged some of today's earnings on pork. Imagining Ha Hui and the old man's reactions made me smile.
Back home, Ha Hui came out to greet me right away.
“Y-You're back, Yu Hyun Gong!”
Ha Hui blushed faintly, smiling shyly.
“Earnings were good today, so I got pork. Let's all eat together.”
I held up the meat wrapped in thin leaves.
“W-Wasn't it expensive?”
Ha Hui swallowed hard.
“Nah, this much is fine. Battle tomorrow—gotta enjoy while we can.”
If I die, that's it. No need to say that out loud.
“….”
Ha Hui knew what I meant and looked a bit downcast. But she was kindhearted. Shaking it off, she forced a bright smile, took the pork, and headed to the kitchen.
We all devoured the pork. I hadn't had pig in ages, so it hit the spot.
Ha Hui's a great cook.
Her skill with meat was obvious—she'd grown up in a household that could afford it. Like the old man said, they'd probably lived well once.
After dinner, we washed up, brushed our teeth, and turned in early.
In the now-familiar shed room with its half-collapsed ceiling, I lay trying to sleep come dawn.
Creak.
The friction of swollen hinges and wood grazed my ears.
Click.
Years as a ronin had sharpened my night hearing beyond normal. Suspicious noises woke me instantly. Eyes cracking open, hand inching toward the sword by my side.
Too peaceful lately. Who is it? Bandits?
Glancing toward the door, an unexpected figure slipped in.
Ha Hui. She entered demurely.
“Why….”
Why's she coming into my room at this hour?
“Ah… You're awake.”
Ha Hui sounded startled, speaking from the shadows.
Shuffle.
She knelt, fidgeting, then crept closer.
“Yu Hyun Gong, you're heading into battle tomorrow, right?”
Brushing off getting caught sneaking in, she asked boldly yet bashfully.
“Yeah. Big fight at Changshe Fortress tomorrow.”
Crushing Pa Jae's garrison there would wrap up the Yellow Turbans in Yeongcheon. Zhang Jiao's rebels would take a huge hit—losing control of this lucrative land.
“You could die there, Yu Hyun Gong?”
Tears welled in Ha Hui's eyes.
“….”
Is she trying to talk me out of it?
“It's my job.”
But I couldn't pass up this payday. That's mercenary life.
“I see. Your resolve seems firm, so no helping it. How could a mere woman stand in the way of a man doing great deeds?”
Ha Hui murmured at the floor, then lifted her gaze with determination.
“Then I won't do anything I'll regret either. All this could vanish like a spring dream.”
With that crisp declaration, she closed in fast.
What're you—
Ha Hui threw herself into my arms.
“Yu Hyun Gong. Hold me.”
She pressed her lips to mine as she said it.
“But….”
Can a wandering merc like me take responsibility? Moral qualms surged.
Ha Hui shattered those flimsy ethics in an instant. As she nestled close and caressed me lightly, I lost all reason.
That night, I held Ha Hui.
As dawn broke, Ha Hui stirred in my arms, gazing at me awake. She'd woken briefly in the night.
Her face, staring intently like she had something to say, was utterly adorable. Words piled up in my mind, but I led with what mattered most.
“I'll definitely come back. And….”
Whatever the future holds, I'll figure it out. If I've taken her, I owe her that much.
“Yes. Please do.”
Ha Hui wriggled deeper into my embrace, whispering.
Gearing up, I headed to the rendezvous with Cao Cao's army.
A forest some distance from Changshe Fortress—Cao Cao had his troops camped there.
“Yu Hyun Gong. Welcome.”
In full armor, Cao Cao greeted me soberly, unlike yesterday.
“Yuanxiang, Miaozai. This is the Yu Hyun Jian I told you about.”
Cao Cao introduced me to the burly men at his side.
Yuanxiang and Miaozai. Ha Hu Don and Ha Hu Yeon. Cao Cao's loyal generals.
“Ah, that merc from before. Hmph. Mercs. I say no to using them here. I've done merc work—know the type. They ain't real muscle. Bolt at the first sign of trouble. Hell, I've bolted a few times myself.”
Ha Hu Don scowled fiercely, clicking his tongue.
“Brother. Come on. More hands make this op better, right?”
Ha Hu Yeon reined him in, bowing slightly to me.
“Haha. Forgive him, Yu Hyun Gong. Yuanxiang talks tough, but he's no bad sort.”
Cao Cao smoothed the awkward air.
At the camp with Cao Cao's imperials and hired mercs, he began the op briefing.
“General Huangfu Song's main force will set Changshe Fortress ablaze, where Pa Jae's dug in. The enemy won't react in time and will panic hard. Meanwhile, we seize the camps in front of us one by one, then hit the fortress from the flank. Our goal: sow chaos to split their assault on Huangfu.”
With the simple outline done, Cao Cao mounted up.
No further details. Figure it out yourselves.
Afterward, our army waited about an hour.
Huangfu Song was biding his time till the wind was fully his ally.
Whoosh.
The wind gently ruffled my hair from behind when flames in the distance surged toward Changshe Fortress like an army.
ROOOARRR!!!
Wildfire from the plains engulfed Changshe and its nearby camps like a legion.
“Aaaagh?!”
“Fire!!”
Panicked yells erupted from the Yellow Turban camps near the fortress.
Now we charge into that inferno? Hack through foes without burning alive and carve a path to the fortress.
High pay makes sense. Risk matches reward. Nothing's free.
ROOOARRR!!!
As flames leaped to the massive eastern camp at Changshe, Cao Cao drew his sword and spurred his horse.
“Now!!! Advance, all of you!!!!”
His shrill command sent our army surging forward.
“Heh. Brother's hyping you up good—hope the rep ain't bullshit.”
“Brother… please control your temper….”
Ha Hu Don, stuck by my side leading infantry, tossed a jab my way. Ha Hu Yeon hustled to calm him.
At least fighting won't be boring.
Bicker with Ha Hu Don and Yeon mid-battle. And honestly, I was curious about their skills. Name-brand Three Kingdoms figures—natural intrigue. Let's see what you've got. While we fight.
And so, I, Yu Hyun—known as Hyun Jian—joined the 184 AD Battle of Yeongcheon. My first taste of historic warfare.