Chapter 5

As I stepped onto the training ground, Guan Ping recognized my face and greeted me.

“I didn’t expect to see you again. You were just a baby when I first saw you, and now you’ve grown so much.”

“Brother Ping, you’ve also become a fine gentleman.”

“Hahaha, seems like you even remember when you were a baby.”

“Yes, I remember it all.”

It’s true. Perhaps influenced by memories of my past life, I even remember being in my mother’s womb. Thinking I was joking, Guan Ping laughed it off.

“Unfortunately, we’ll have to save the conversation for later. What weapon do you use?”

“Hmm.”

I pondered for a moment. Honestly, the weapon I’m most comfortable with is the sword—a longsword. However, Zhang Fei had taught me spear techniques, saying that if I wanted to fight on horseback in future battles, I needed to master the spear over the sword.

My deliberation didn’t last long. This wasn’t about showing off my strength but about demonstrating my potential. Since I had declared my intention to succeed Zhang Fei, it seemed right to wield the spear he had taught me.

“I’ll use the spear.”

Guan Ping sized me up and handed me a wooden staff of appropriate length, similar to what I used in training. Guan Ping had a good eye for martial arts.

“Come at me first.”

Guan Ping took a serious stance, as if he had been briefed. If I had been training under Zhang Fei, Guan Ping must have been learning from Guan Yu, following him around.

Guan Ping, who inherited Guan Yu’s bloodline and martial prowess, was not someone to be underestimated. However, he was likely weaker than Guan Yu. If Guan Ping had been as talented as Guan Yu, he wouldn’t have been mentioned only three times in historical records.

I believe my potential is higher than Guan Ping’s. After all, I possess the qualities recognized by the mountain spirit, akin to Zhang Fei’s. But unlike Guan Ping, who is already an adult with battle experience, I’m still a novice.

Rather than thinking about winning, I focused on doing my best.

I pushed off the ground strongly and charged forward.

§

Back when I lived in the modern era, before becoming Chang-ran, a broadcaster once described Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei like this:

“Liu Bei is like bodyweight exercises, Guan Yu is high-weight low-repetition, and Zhang Fei is low-weight high-repetition. So, if Guan Yu is about powerful strikes, Zhang Fei emphasizes speed.” People laughed at his words.

But for me, facing Guan Ping, who had trained under Guan Yu, those words were no joke.

Whoosh!

The sound of the wooden staff, modeled after a great saber, was unnaturally heavy for a mere training weapon.

In martial terms, Guan Yu’s style is about strength and weight—domination.

In contrast, Zhang Fei’s style is about speed and continuity—illusion.

Though I had only trained for a few days, Zhang Fei’s spear techniques, which shared similarities with the longsword techniques I had learned, were effective even with my limited strength.

Clang! Clash!

Guan Ping blocked my rapid strikes with minimal, precise movements. His disciplined actions, rooted in extensive combat experience, were nearly flawless.

But his fighting style actually worked in my favor.

If Guan Ping had fought with fast, relentless techniques like mine, I wouldn’t have lasted long with my incomplete skills.

The extraordinary strength of a 9-year-old, though still behind Guan Ping, who had nearly finished growing, was enough to deflect his attacks.

As I refused to fall, Guan Ping grew impatient, his movements becoming larger and more wasteful. My stamina was also draining quickly.

‘My body is still too young.’

Despite my divine strength, I couldn’t surpass human limits. Though children have good stamina, they can’t outlast trained adults.

Unless my growth accelerates, boosting my strength and stamina significantly, I can only gamble in this fight.

Clang! Crack!

The three basic spear techniques: blocking, deflecting, and thrusting.

I deflected Guan Ping’s strike with a blocking technique. Choosing to face his attack head-on, Guan Ping seized the opportunity, twisting his staff to push mine upward.

But this was also my chance. The inevitable gap created by Guan Ping’s offensive move. My thrusting strike, like a snake, aimed for his exposed side.

Thwack!

The sound echoed from my body.

“Ugh!”

The difference in staff length was too great. My strike missed Guan Ping, but his hit my head. A sharp pain spread through my body. Thankfully, Guan Ping held back, so I wasn’t bleeding. But this is going to leave a mark.

“It’s over.”

“Yes…”

“Does it hurt a lot? Hmm, I got too serious. I tried to hold back at the end, but maybe it was still too much.”

“No, thank you for holding back.”

If I’m anything like Zhang Fei, I should have a strong constitution. I’m not really a child, so I can endure it.

As I resisted touching my head despite the pain, the audience reacted.

“Impressive!”

Liu Bei, who dared to speak first, praised me and said to Zhang Fei:

“It’s like seeing you when you were young. You were already beating up adults at her age. Isn’t that right, Yi De?”

“Big brother, what are you saying? It’s like I was some troublemaker picking fights with everyone.”

“Hahaha! Did it sound like that? I went around punishing those who oppressed the people. So brave at such a young age. Ran-a takes after her father. Don’t you think so, Yun Chang?”

“Yes. I saw Ping also getting serious at times. But she didn’t back down, showing she truly has her uncle’s blood.”

“Yes, yes. We came to assess her talent but ended up enjoying a great match. Military advisor, what do you think?”

Zhuge Liang, covering his mouth with a fan, bowed to Liu Bei and replied:

“With even your niece being so outstanding, how could anyone doubt the talents under your command? General Zhang’s words hold true, and even if there were complaints, no one would dare voice them.”

“I think so too. Come closer, both of you.”

As Guan Ping and I stood before Liu Bei, he patted our shoulders and said:

“You’ve grown so much. Truly worthy of being Yun Chang’s eldest son.”

“I still have much to learn. I will strive not to disgrace my father’s reputation.”

“That attitude is truly commendable.”

Turning his gaze to me, Liu Bei’s eyes softened.

“You’ve worked hard. I saw your sincerity. With such outstanding talent, how could we hinder your path just because you’re a woman? Will you help this inadequate uncle from now on?”

“Of course! Being a woman doesn’t mean I don’t know loyalty and filial piety. If you trust me, I will repay your kindness and contribute to Father’s great cause.”

Quoting an ancient story, Guan Yu’s eyes seemed to soften further. Liu Bei’s gaze also became gentler, indicating that the initiation had gone well.

Liu Bei offered more words of encouragement to Guan Ping and me before turning to Zhang Fei.

“Yi De, do as you see fit. If anyone dares to criticize this, I will personally punish them. Military advisor, spread the word.”

“Yes, my lord.”

After showing a kind smile to his nephews, Liu Bei put on the cold mask of a ruler and continued.

“Yi De, I’ve decided to send you and 1,000 soldiers to support Zhou Yu.”

“I will prepare to leave immediately.”

Without question, Zhang Fei immediately obeyed. For Liu Bei, he would jump into fire without hesitation.

But sending Zhang Fei to Zhou Yu meant the battle for Jing Province was coming to an end. The fight between Zhao Yun, Liu Bei, and Zhou Yu over Nanyang was also nearing its conclusion.

“I will follow as well.”

I was well aware of the three-way battle in Nan Commandery after Chibi. It was truly an all-star battle of Wei, Shu, and Wu.

Zhou Yu, Wu’s all-time number one, and Gan Ning, Wu’s strongest warrior, faced off against Zhao Yun, Wei’s pride, along with Xu Huang and Man Chong, and the three brothers Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei.

“Hmm, I won’t stop you, but this will be very dangerous.”

“If Father supports Zhou Yu, Zhao Yun won’t be able to hold Nan Commandery any longer. With Uncle and Second Uncle attacking, they’ll be cornered. How can it only be dangerous?”

In reality, the battle for Nan Commandery ended in victory for the Sun-Liu alliance.

It was one of the rare defeats for Zhao Yun, and Zhou Yu proved his talent to the world.

However, the injuries Zhou Yu sustained in this battle may have led to his death, making it a significant loss for Wu in the long run.

“Truly, Yi De has inherited not only martial talent but also strategic insight. To think so far at such a young age. Good. I’ll leave this matter to you and won’t interfere further.”

Zhang Fei didn’t seem inclined to stop me. He had even said he wouldn’t treat me differently from ordinary soldiers. In any case, I thanked Liu Bei.

On the way back after the discussion with Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhuge Liang, Zhang Fei said:

“Do you really intend to follow me to the battlefield?”

“Yes, Father.”

There’s the story of Choi Dong-rin, a young general who joined the Donghak Peasant Revolution at 13, and closer to home, my cousin Xiahou Ying drew his sword and fought enemies at 13 before dying.

Though only 9, with the qualities of the renowned Zhang Fei, I am confident I can contribute at least as much as one soldier.

“I should have taught you horseback riding earlier.”

There was an underlying thought that being by his side was safer than staying in the rear. A general like Zhang Fei charges at the forefront on horseback, crushing enemies. To follow him, I needed to be a cavalryman.

Of course, unlike in the novel, Zhang Fei is also skilled in strategy, but with fewer troops, it’s more efficient for him to lead the vanguard. For strategy, there’s Zhou Yu, who might even surpass him.

“Don’t worry too much. I am your daughter, after all.”

Zhang Fei didn’t say more. He simply left me with one word.

“I trust you.”