Chapter 52

Liu Bei gazed down at the fierce battle unfolding before him, lost in thought. The memory of his recent encounter with Cao Cao replayed vividly in his mind.

After much time had passed, when Liu Bei and Cao Cao met again, Liu Bei shed the cowardly mask he had worn to escape Cao Cao’s scrutiny in the past and faced him boldly.

Cao Cao was eerily calm. Even after losing his beloved kin and generals, he maintained his composure, sending a chill down Liu Bei’s spine.

However, when Liu Bei looked into Cao Cao’s eyes up close, he realized it was all a facade.

Cao Cao’s eyes were filled with a cold resentment, a submerged rage too vast to be expressed outwardly, reminiscent of the Cao Cao who had once massacred Xuzhou.

“You received Miao Zai’s body well.”

“I sent Zhao Hong with the Wu Dao army, so you can take him too.”

“…What about Junye?”

“Executed.”

Liu Bei did not return Zhang He’s body, and Cao Cao did not demand it. Instead, he made a proposal.

“Surrender.”

“Surrender?”

“If not, the events of the fourth year of Chuping will repeat.”

Cao Cao’s mention of the Xuzhou massacre was sincere, but it only fueled Liu Bei’s resolve.

“Cao Cao, are you scared?”

“What?”

“Since when do you resort to threats first? You know it too. You can no longer defeat me.”

At that moment, Liu Bei was struck by the illusion that he was back in the place where he had once relied on Cao Cao, sharing a meal. The moment lightning struck.

“Cao Cao, thunder is rumbling.”

Liu Bei laughed as he spoke.

“Your face hasn’t changed.”

§

The battles at Zhengjun Mountain and Yangping Pass were polar opposites. While the allied forces at Yangping Pass had completely shut their gates and refused to engage, sporadic battles broke out at Zhengjun Mountain.

Though Cao Cao primarily attacked and the allied forces defended, the allies boldly counterattacked whenever an opportunity arose. It was a continuous clash where both Liu Bei and Cao Cao poured their souls into the fight.

Cao Cao was, after all, Cao Cao. Despite the allies holding the advantageous position on the mountain, they struggled against his fierce assaults.

Even in the original history where Pang Tong died from an arrow, Liu Bei, undeterred, commanded from the front, encouraging his troops as if he had multiple lives.

Fa Zheng tried to dissuade him, but Liu Bei’s determination mirrored Cao Cao’s, both giving their all.

There were minor victories, like Huang Zhong’s raid on the Wei army’s supplies and Zhao Yun’s rescue of Huang Zhong.

But there were also moments when the Wei army gained the upper hand, such as Xu Huang’s defeat of Gao Xiang and Zhao Yu-Zhao Jin’s breakthrough of the Zhengjun Mountain defense line.

The back-and-forth struggle between Liu Bei and Cao Cao grew fiercer with each passing day.

I, too, roamed freely amidst the chaos of the battlefield.

From the heights of Zhengjun Mountain, Liu Bei would spot opportunities to attack and send me or Yu Feng to launch surprise assaults.

This time, after a fierce strike, Yu Feng led a group down the mountain for another attack.

Simultaneously, the Wei army, seemingly waiting for this, immediately moved to intercept. At the forefront was a familiar figure.

“That’s…”

I turned my horse around as soon as I saw the Wei vanguard and Yu Feng clash.

§

Yu Feng felt the strain. In just one exchange, he realized Zhao Chang was stronger than him.

In skill, strength, and wit, Zhao Chang was clearly superior.

Yet, Yu Feng had no thought of retreat.

This was a proxy war.

Liu Bei versus Cao Cao.

Cao Cao versus Liu Bei.

A clash of pride between the sons of two heroes.

Though Yu Feng was an adopted son and Zhao Chang a second son, they were the only sons on the battlefield with their fathers.

“Uaaah!!”

Yu Feng clenched his teeth. He was ready to die, but he couldn’t lose to this man. With that resolve, he launched a reckless, life-risking attack.

Without such determination, Yu Feng wouldn’t have even been able to engage Zhao Chang in a proper fight.

Conversely, it meant Yu Feng’s life-risking strike was barely enough to fend off Zhao Chang.

“Looking at you, I can gauge your father’s level!”

“Shut up! You, the son of a traitor, dare speak of my father!!”

Though Yu Feng shouted bravely, his body was accumulating wounds.

After just a dozen exchanges, the difference was stark. Yu Feng was bloodied and battered, while Zhao Chang remained unscathed.

It was clear Yu Feng would be killed if this continued.

Yet, Yu Feng’s spear remained relentless. The pain couldn’t break his resolve.

Yu Feng remembered.

His childhood, when Liu Bei took him in as an adopted son.

And the girl, Chang-ran, who received all the praise from Liu Bei.

‘I, too…!’

He wanted to shout that he wasn’t the only one who took up the spear to honor his father’s name.

He wanted to prove to the world that he could also achieve military feats, that he was a worthy son.

But the world is cruel, and no matter how hard one tries, it rarely grants such wishes.

Yu Feng twisted his spear, watching Zhao Chang’s strike aimed at his heart.

Was this how he would die?

Before his life flashed before his eyes, another spear intervened, deflecting Zhao Chang’s strike.

A beautiful spear technique. The precision was awe-inspiring.

Seeing the spear’s form entangled with Zhao Chang’s, Yu Feng wanted to look away. He knew who wielded the spear with the winged blade.

‘How pitiful…’

As the golden silk cloak fluttered before his eyes, Yu Feng’s vision darkened.

§

“So it’s you. You’re the one who killed Uncle Zaren, right?”

Ignoring Zhao Chang’s question, I handed the rescued Yu Feng to Bu Chuan behind me.

“Take him to the rear.”

“Yes, General.”

Zhao Chang watched silently as I sent Yu Feng away. He was sharp. If he had moved rashly, I would have counterattacked immediately, but he seemed to sense my readiness.

After confirming Bu Chuan had taken Yu Feng away, I responded to Zhao Chang.

“Yes. I am Chang-ran, the one who killed Zhao Hong.”

Even upon hearing that I was Zhao Hong’s nemesis, Zhao Chang remained unfazed.

Instead, he scrutinized me and nodded with a calm demeanor.

“Indeed, you’ve trained well. I like it.”

What is he getting at?

Since donning the mask and gaining fame on the battlefield, I hadn’t encountered such a sticky gaze.

It wasn’t the competitive spirit of a warrior or the hostility of facing an enemy. It was something entirely different, making me frown involuntarily.

“Disgusting.”

“Feisty. Well, fine. Let’s see that beautiful face first.”

Zhao Chang initiated. His spear technique, aiming for blind spots with precision, was like a venomous snake targeting my face.

But I am no ordinary general. My spear follows my will, and I’ve reached a level where I can control my strength even while removing my mask.

Clang!

Zhao Chang’s spear darted like a snake, but I parried and counterattacked. Yet, Zhao Chang effortlessly dodged, creating distance.

His horsemanship was astounding, even without stirrups. It was as if I were facing a Xiongnu cavalryman. His mounted spear technique was unparalleled.

“Hah! Good! That’s it! The one who killed my uncle and Junye should be at this level!”

“Fighting with words.”

“A battle with a worthy opponent. Isn’t it enjoyable?”

Zhao Chang’s spear transformed from a playful attempt to remove my mask to a deadly, menacing strike.

Even as we conversed, our spears never stopped targeting each other’s vitals. It was a dance of horse, man, and spear.

‘Faster, more dazzling.’

How was my father’s spear? The countless spear shadows that adorned the sky. It was an ultimate technique that one couldn’t block even if they knew it, leaving them entranced and facing death.

The accelerating spear strikes created a red illusion, teasing Zhao Chang’s eyes and causing visual distortions.

Despite the winged blade on my spear making it hard to discern the true strike point, Zhao Chang was exceptional.

He pierced through the illusion, accurately countering my spear.

Swoosh!

Not stopping there, his precise counter struck below my wrist. If not for a moment’s intuition, my right hand would have been severed.

“You dodged that.”

Truly, a worthy opponent after a long time.

My father, who sparred with me, was a master. Wang Ping and Zhao Hong were clearly inferior.

Zhang He, who was on par with me, was already exhausted from fighting multiple opponents and couldn’t exert his full strength.

Though it hurt my pride, I somewhat understood why Zhao Chang found this enjoyable.

Facing an equal opponent, clashing spears brought a sense of growth that training alone couldn’t provide.

“Once more.”

“Agreed!”

The exchanges increased.

One exchange became ten, then twenty. Thirty exchanges passed in an instant.

Both Zhao Chang and I realized the end of this fight was approaching. We also sensed each other preparing a decisive move.

And our intentions crossed.

Clang!

My head tilted back.

Hot blood streamed down my face.

The shallow cut, barely bleeding, wouldn’t leave a scar, but it was my first injury in the Hanzhong campaign.

“…Impressive.”

At Zhao Chang’s words, I realized my silver mask had been knocked off. That must have been his target.

Feeling the cool breeze on my face, I checked Zhao Chang’s neck, which I had aimed for.

Blood also flowed from Zhao Chang’s neck. But like mine, the wound was shallow, not causing severe bleeding despite hitting a vital spot.

Meanwhile, Zhao Chang stared at my face in awe.

“Truly… a beautiful face. It’s a shame to hide it.”

“Is this what you aimed for?”

“Of course. The rumors of Xichuan’s beauty are true. How could I not want to see?”

The retreat signal echoed from both sides. The sun was setting.

Zhao Chang, showing no intention of disobeying orders, began to pull back.

“It was a good show. Next time, I hope to see you without the mask.”

With those words, Zhao Chang turned his horse toward the Wei army camp.

As Zhao Chang’s figure grew distant, I raised my hand to touch the wound on my cheek.

‘He aimed for it…’

I had intended to kill Zhao Chang.

But Zhao Chang wanted to see my face.

Which was more challenging was obvious.

I was already in the midst of a battle? Zhao Chang’s horse was better?

Those were just excuses. Zhao Chang had also fought Yu Feng, and I had stirrups.

So, this fight was my defeat.

“Next time will be different.”

Reflecting on my first taste of defeat, I vowed to prepare for the next encounter.