Chapter 3

Humans are fascinating creatures.

Even when you think you’ve squeezed out every ounce of physical strength, you can still find new mental energy to move your body.

Things like relieving fatigue, securing nutrients, and muscle recovery don’t help at all, yet humans draw immense vitality from something as simple as beauty.

The fact that humans can sometimes gain strength just by seeing something beautiful is something the people gathered here are realizing more clearly than anyone else.

Even during a run, when you’re usually too exhausted to look around, the soldiers here are constantly glancing around, their eyes darting to one particular spot.

Their gazes converge on a girl running alongside them, her presence starkly out of place in a military camp filled with sweaty men.

With her short hair and calm breathing, the girl seems to inspire the soldiers just by existing. Thoughts like, “If that little girl can do it, so can I,” and the desire to keep up with her push the soldiers forward.

Zhang San, who is lucky enough to run right next to her, recalls when the girl first arrived. Their leader, Zhang Fei, had declared in his booming voice:

“This child is my daughter. From now on, she will train with you. But just because she’s my daughter doesn’t mean she’ll receive any special treatment. If any of you treat her differently, you’ll face the consequences.”

No soldier would dare ignore Zhang Fei’s stern words. And she’s just a 9-year-old girl. They thought she must have done something wrong to be sent here for training. They figured she’d be pulled out eventually.

Still, they couldn’t help but admire her beauty, whispering that she’d grow up to be a stunning woman.

But as days turned into weeks, Zhang San and the others realized:

This girl is serious!

“*pant* *pant*…”

Zhang San wasn’t particularly strong. In fact, he was below average. Trying to keep up with Zhang Fei’s grueling runs was exhausting.

Zhang San started to fall behind. The hyena-like soldiers waiting for his spot began to close in. Just as Zhang San was about to tearfully drop back, a voice reached his ears.

“Are you okay? Just a little more. We’re almost done.”

Unlike the rough voices of the soldiers, this clear, steady voice gave Zhang San an inexplicable surge of energy.

He widened his stride and pushed forward with all his might.

§

After finishing the run, I caught my breath and stretched to loosen my muscles. As I stretched, I could feel the gazes of those around me, but I was used to it by now.

While I was stretching, someone approached me. Given Zhang Fei’s earlier warning, most people kept their distance, so I wondered who it could be. Turning my head, I saw the familiar face of the man who had been running beside me.

“Um, so…”

He started speaking but hesitated, likely due to my ambiguous position. I thought to myself that I still had a long way to go and replied:

“What is it?”

My intentionally masculine tone, influenced by my past life, seemed to ease his tension. He took a deep breath, like a teenage boy about to confess, and bowed deeply to me.

“Thank you. Thanks to you, I was able to keep running until the end. I feel like I’ve learned something new.”

What? What did I do?

All I did was tell him to hang in there a little longer, right?

I thought he might be exaggerating, but the sincerity on his face made me realize it wasn’t an act.

People can sometimes find great inspiration in small things. This might be one of those moments. It’s a good opportunity. I’ve been feeling a bit out of place, but maybe this will help me blend in.

Unlike the harsh Zhang Fei, I’m someone who shares their hardships. If Zhang Fei is the distant, fearsome father, I’m the close, friendly sister. It’s like good cop, bad cop.

“Don’t mention it. I just said a few words. You’re the one who ran to the end…”

“I’m Zhang San. And please, lower your tone.”

“Lower my tone? I don’t expect any special treatment, as per the general’s orders. I consider you a comrade.”

I’m not sure if I, a rookie who’s never been to the battlefield, have the right to say this, but Zhang San seemed deeply moved.

Looking around, I saw that instead of resistance, many soldiers had expressions of gratitude, much like Zhang San.

Given that I’m the daughter of the notoriously strict Zhang Fei, their expectations were probably low to begin with. Zhang Fei, who couldn’t break his habits even when Liu Bei advised him, must have made them think, “What can you expect from his daughter?” But my respectful demeanor came as a fresh shock to them.

“How… someone like us, a country bumpkin, could be equal to a young lady like you…”

“We are equal.”

This is sincere. Coming from the egalitarian society of the 21st century, the concept of social hierarchy is still foreign to me. Of course, even in modern times, there are implicit class distinctions, and in these chaotic times, individual worth varies greatly. But at least for now, we are equals.

We wear the same clothes, undergo the same training, and eat the same meals. Of course, I’ll likely rise faster and higher than them, but that’s a matter for the future, and it’s not even certain yet.

“Even though the general said that…”

“The general is strict, but he’s equally strict with himself. If he said that, he meant it, so don’t worry too much.”

I call him “general” instead of “father” to keep things professional. Being called “young lady” already sets me apart, so emphasizing my relationship with Zhang Fei would only increase the sense of alienation.

People often think of Zhang Fei as passionate and emotional, but that’s the romanticized version. In reality, he’s highly self-disciplined. He aspires to be a gentleman and isn’t one to go back on his word.

“But don’t hate the general too much. It’s not that the soldiers hate him, but that he has high expectations. Didn’t Zhang San say he felt like he’d taken a step forward? That’s what it is. He pushes you because he wants you to improve.”

At my words, Zhang San nodded blankly, mouth agape. Was it too mature for a 9-year-old to say? I should probably act more my age to be easily accepted by those around me.

But then again, geniuses like Zhou Yu and Zhuge Ge left their marks in history from a young age, so maybe I don’t need to worry too much.

Contrary to my concerns, the soldiers seemed to find my words admirable, praising me as a filial daughter. The relationship between me and the soldiers had been like that of a zoo exhibit, with a clear boundary. But now, it felt like we were comrades sharing hardships.

Yes. If we keep getting closer like this, I might even form my own loyal unit. All while earning Zhang Fei’s favor.

Does Zhang Fei know how hard I’m working for him?

§

Recently, Zhang Fei’s face has been full of color. He rarely shows his emotions, so only a few could notice his mood changes. But now, everyone could see how happy he was.

Those in the know would ask in surprise, “Youngest, you’ve got a smile on your face. Did something good happen?”

With long arms and large ears, Liu Bei had a gentle appearance but a calm, serene gaze. He was the protagonist of this era, no exaggeration.

His voice wasn’t just pleasant to hear; it had a soothing effect, subtly drawing people to follow him. An ordinary person might have spilled their thoughts immediately, but Zhang Fei was used to it.

At Liu Bei’s question, Zhang Fei laughed out loud, and Guan Yu answered for him.

“You just came back from visiting home, right?”

It was a natural assumption that seeing his family would make him happy, but Liu Bei immediately saw that Zhang Fei’s joy wasn’t just from that. Guan Yu knew it too, but with the decisive battle for Jing Province looming, he didn’t think much of it. But Liu Bei was different.

“That’s not all, is it? Won’t you tell your elder brother?”

“I was planning to tell you, big brother.”

Zhang Fei stopped laughing and returned to his usual calm demeanor. What he was about to say wasn’t just a simple family matter.

“Do you remember what you said before, big brother?”

“What I said?”

“About forming a marriage alliance.”

“Ah, yes. I remember. We agreed to marry Adou to your daughter. Why do you ask?”

“Well… big brother.”

Zhang Fei struggled to speak.

“Would it be okay if that marriage was with my second daughter, Yeon-yi, instead of my eldest, Lan?”

“You fool! What are you saying!”

Guan Yu, already red-faced, roared even louder.

Liu Bei was not just their sworn brother but also their lord. For Zhang Fei to suggest marrying his second daughter instead of his eldest to Liu Bei’s son was the height of rudeness.

If it had been anyone else, Guan Yu might have drawn his sword on the spot. But because it was Zhang Fei, he tried to cover for him by scolding him harshly.

Guan Yu’s outburst wasn’t to reprimand Zhang Fei but to scold him within his own limits and smooth things over. But was that sentiment unique to Guan Yu?

Instead of getting angry, Liu Bei smiled kindly and asked Zhang Fei:

“Why is that?”

Feeling his brothers’ concern, Zhang Fei didn’t hesitate any longer.

“Lan wants to join the military.”

“The military?”

Guan Yu blurted out, not expecting such an answer.

“Yes. I heard you brought your daughter to the camp.”

Liu Bei already knew that Zhang Lan was training with the soldiers. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were like his left and right arms, and news about them always reached him. It would have been stranger if something like this hadn’t come to his attention.

“Yes, I did.”

“If it’s your decision, I trust you have a good reason.”

Zhang Fei recounted his story in detail.

What Zhang Lan had said to him when he returned home, how she had cut her hair to show her determination, her remarkable progress, and even their sparring session.

“Lan has inherited my martial talent.”

“But she’s still a girl. Girls may be stronger and grow faster than boys when they’re young, but ultimately, they can’t surpass men.”

Zhang Fei nodded solemnly at Guan Yu’s argument.

“You’re right, big brother. But Lan is different. If you see her for yourself, you’ll understand. She’s inherited my divine strength. A nine-year-old girl, one who hasn’t even properly trained, shouldn’t be able to display such power.”

“Is that so? I see.”

Liu Bei narrowed his eyes in thought. As Guan Yu and Zhang Fei watched him, the tent entrance was pushed open.

“My lord, I apologize for being late.”

A tall, handsome man with a scholarly air entered. His identity was clear from the scholar’s hat he wore and the fan he carried.

Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Kongming. The embodiment of a wise minister, a name that transcended the era.

As Zhuge Liang entered, Liu Bei opened his eyes wide and welcomed him.

“Welcome, Military Advisor. Come, sit here.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Zhuge Liang stood by Liu Bei’s side, trying to read the subtle atmosphere in the tent. But Liu Bei had no intention of continuing the earlier conversation.

“Yi De, we’ll discuss this another time. With the child present.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Zhang Fei, knowing how to separate public and private matters, answered formally.

At the mention of “the child,” Zhuge Liang immediately understood what had been discussed. But given the special relationship between the three sworn brothers, he decided not to pry. A lord’s family matters were not just personal affairs but matters of state importance. Yet, among the three brothers, it was difficult to intervene.

However.

‘I should probably look into this.’

The girl, Zhang Lan, who might become the future empress if she marries Liu Shan.