Chapter 6

The Battle of Nan Commandery.

The battle surrounding the fate of Xiang Province, which could be considered a sequel to the Battle of Red Cliffs, had been ongoing for nearly a year.

Zhao Yun and Zhou Yu. The clash between these two top talents representing their respective sides was a collision of Zhao Yun’s bravery and Zhou Yu’s military tactics. The battle was seesawing back and forth, but overall, Zhou Yu held the advantage.

Zhao Yun was not just brave but also a wise and famous general, yet Zhou Yu’s tactics surpassed him. If not for Zhao Yun’s superhuman bravery, Nan Commandery would have already fallen into Zhou Yu’s hands.

Zhou Yu’s military camp, which arrived amidst Zhang Fei’s 1,000 soldiers, seemed somewhat disorganized. It wasn’t that military discipline had slackened, but an undeniable unease was evident among the soldiers.

The reason was obvious. Zhou Yu’s injury. Despite his determination to fight through the pain, there were limits to what he could endure.

Even though the soldiers had seen Zhou Yu sustain injuries that could have been fatal, their morale remained high, a testament to Zhou Yu’s abilities.

However, Zhou Yu himself was uncertain how long he could maintain this state, which is why he accepted Liu Bei’s proposal.

Knowing Guan Yu and Zhang Fei’s capabilities better than anyone, Zhou Yu didn’t want to miss the chance to quickly conclude the Battle of Nan Commandery while he could still command the army.

Regardless, Zhang Fei, now under Zhou Yu’s command, minimized training to prepare for the upcoming battle, focusing instead on personal management—essentially, getting as much rest and food as possible to conserve energy.

“Young Lady, are you sure it’s alright for you to stay with us?”

Zhang San, who had been by my side since I started speaking, asked. Zhang San, who was in the same squad as me, was subtly worried.

We were still sharing quarters with Zhang Fei, and with no training, it seemed uneasy for a mere 9-year-old like me to be deployed in actual combat.

“It’s fine, really. Don’t worry too much, Zhang San.”

Even I would be nervous if I were about to engage in combat, clashing swords and taking lives. But in this Battle of Nan Commandery, such situations would likely be few.

Zhao Yun was already overwhelmed by Zhou Yu alone, and even though Zhou Yu had diverted 2,000 troops to Liu Bei’s side, Zhang Fei’s arrival with 1,000 reinforcements made Zhao Yun realize his limits and decide to retreat.

Naturally, Zhou Yu, who was besieging Jiangling, attacked to stop Zhao Yun. Breaking through the encirclement wouldn’t be too difficult for Zhao Yun, known as the “Thousand-Man General,” but blocking his northern retreat path to join Cao Cao’s forces was Guan Yu’s task.

Given the disparity in forces, Guan Yu’s blockade was eventually breached, but ultimately, the Battle of Nan Commandery ended in victory for Zhou Yu and Liu Bei, with Nan Commandery falling to Zhou Yu.

Thus, my primary task was to block Zhao Yun’s retreating forces, and secondarily, to pursue Zhao Yun’s troops if they broke through the encirclement.

While not without danger, it was certainly safer compared to a typical battle. At most, there would be one or two battles before the war ended.

To Zhang San, unaware of these details, this war was equally perilous and unpredictable.

“Young Lady, but…”

“And, I’ve told you many times, don’t call me Young Lady, call me Ojang.”

Shortly before arriving at Zhou Yu’s camp, I became an Ojang. It was a position I earned by defeating the previous Ojang in a duel.

Of course, since it was an easily obtained position, it wasn’t an official rank, just a representative of a squad of five in the military organization, but still.

“Ah, yes. Ojang.”

The title “Young Lady” had been grating on my ears, and given my precarious position, the title of Ojang suited me well.

Knowing that others also disliked calling me “Young Lady,” my title changed to Ojang. Except for Zhang San. It seemed the term had stuck since he first spoke to me.

Anyway, after gathering the soldiers who had spoken with me for a quick meal and weapon inspection, a majestic drum sound echoed through the camp.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The drumbeats, spaced at regular intervals, conveyed a simple message: Advance.

“Let’s go.”

Now, I would truly face battle with my own eyes.

A massive struggle where thousands, tens of thousands of people fight to protect their lives and claim victory. Facing the worst event humans can engage in—war—my mouth went dry despite knowing the future.

Knowing something intellectually and feeling it in your heart are different. The earlier ease vanished, replaced by a chilling sensation creeping up my spine.

“But still, I can handle it.”

At my muttering, Zhang San asked, “Huh?” but I chuckled and patted his back.

“Let’s hurry. We’ll be late.”

Taking my assigned position, I saw Zhang Fei on horseback at the front. His large frame, with a long spear slung over his shoulder, made him stand out.

Zhang Fei’s position was the north gate. Although called the Battle of Nan Commandery, it was essentially a fight over Jiangling Castle within Nan Commandery.

The north gate, where Zhang Fei’s troops were stationed, was the most crucial point in the encirclement of Jiangling Castle, making it the key to determining the outcome of this war.

Perhaps, contrary to my expectations, I might experience real combat.

‘I’m trembling.’

I felt sweat forming on my palms. I wiped it on my clothes, holding the spear over my shoulder. Adjusting the formation with the soldiers under the commands of intermediate commanders, I noticed something.

The north gate opened, and Cao Cao’s forces began pouring out.

§

Sound. Sound. Sound.

The earth-shaking sound of hooves.

The sharp clashing of swords.

The shouts, screams, and cries of soldiers.

A cacophony of sounds shook my brain.

Those trying to block and those trying to break through.

Amidst the chaotic noise of intense combat, I stood frozen, as if petrified.

Not out of fear. On the contrary. It was as if I had been consumed by the madness of the battlefield, my brain feeling excitement rather than terror.

A shiver ran down my spine.

This is battle.

This is the battlefield.

This era is indeed chaotic times.

I don’t disregard life. I’m not a suicidalist who praises and glorifies death. But somewhere in my mind, something was twisted. If I weren’t such a person, I wouldn’t have wished to live again in a moment where I was crushed by cannon fire on the battlefield.

Having been left behind in peace, I sought the extreme. Ignoring my shortcomings, I chased after the superhuman of the past. For me, this place could never be a breeding ground for fear.

Swoosh.

Gripping the spear tightly, I stared straight at the enemy rushing towards me.

“Come on…”

Uttering words that might sound insane to some, I cooled my head. Don’t be swayed by emotions. The battlefield is a crucible of intense emotions, but one must never lose composure. I recalled Zhang Fei’s teachings.

And then, the clash.

Charging forward towards the oncoming enemies.

Thrusting the spear.

Thud!

The sensation running up my arm was unfamiliar. It was different from cutting meat while cooking—it was the feeling of taking a life.

The shock of my first kill was surprisingly vague. Perhaps my brain instinctively blocked it, realizing that being overwhelmed by shock in the midst of battle was dangerous.

While my heart pounded, my rationality remained alive, issuing the next command.

Clang!

Blocking the sword with the spear shaft using the Na technique, I immediately followed up with a thrust that pierced the enemy’s throat.

After killing two enemies in quick succession, I finally had the leisure to look around. Our troops, unable to form a perfect formation, were entangled in a chaotic melee with the enemy trying to break through.

‘Where’s Zhang Fei?’

Zhang Fei, at the forefront, had to face the tide of Cao Cao’s forces head-on. Even if he was called the “Thousand-Man General,” he was still human…

‘He’s not human.’

The area around Zhang Fei was like a typhoon; with every swing of his spear, enemies fell like leaves.

I had thought the title “Thousand-Man General” merely meant he was exceptionally skilled, but watching Zhang Fei’s unstoppable rampage, it seemed he could truly take on ten thousand.

He was like a human blender. Zhang Fei quickly dispatched the enemies charging at him and began riding forward.

He was heading towards the thinnest part of the encirclement. Most likely, Zhao Yun would be at the vanguard there.

I was eager to see Zhao Yun, the “Heaven-Sent General,” but this was a battlefield, not a fan meeting. Fighting for my life was already challenging enough; letting my mind wander was suicidal.

Focusing on the immediate situation, I visualized the battlefield in my mind. Zhao Yun’s forces had struck the center of the north gate. Their formation was likely a triangle with Zhao Yun at the head.

Zhang Fei, on the right flank, was breaking through the relatively fewer Cao Cao forces, advancing towards the center.

Behind them, Guan Yu had set up a secondary encirclement. Zhang Fei seemed to be calmly dismantling Cao Cao’s forces from the rear, sapping their strength.

Naturally, the troops led by Zhang Fei followed him. As he moved towards the center, we also naturally approached the center.

In breaking through an encirclement, the most dangerous positions are two:

The vanguard that must pierce through the enemy and the rear that must hold them back.

We were facing the latter, and the rear guard, prepared to die, fiercely pushed back our forces.

Zhang Fei’s troops numbered only a thousand, while Cao Cao’s rear guard was much larger, causing Zhang Fei’s charge to slow.

Amidst this, an enemy general surrounded by Cao Cao’s forces appeared in my sight.

Honestly, Zhang Fei could probably crush any enemy general, even if they joined forces. Historically, there’s no record of Zhang Fei being injured. If such a key figure had been injured, it would have been recorded like Zhou Yu’s injuries.

But standing idly by would be a disgrace to me, who called herself Zhang Fei’s daughter.

I took a deep breath, filling my chest.

“Huup…!”

Then, I shouted with all my might towards the enemy general.

“St─op─!!”

My voice, perhaps inheriting Zhang Fei’s qualities, was loud and high enough to startle even myself.

The sensitive horse hesitated. I had already thrown down the sword I held and reached out to Zhang San.

“Zhang San! Spear!”

“Huh? Yes, yes!”

Zhang San, bewildered, dutifully handed me the spear.

Grabbing the spear from his hand, I leaned back and extended my arm to gauge the spear’s trajectory.

‘Not too far. I can hit this.’

I had thrown a spear a few times before. The target was large, and the distance was short. The horse, having stopped abruptly, couldn’t move properly.

And then, the throw.

The spear, propelled by my taut body, flew through the air.

If the spear had been aimed at the general himself, he might have dodged. Even if he hadn’t, he could have deflected it. He might have been startled, but it wouldn’t have been a significant blow.

But I wasn’t aiming for the general. If you want to catch a general, aim for his horse first. My target was none other than his horse.

“Neigh!”

The moment the spear struck the general’s horse, it let out a pained cry. With the spear embedded in its hind leg, the horse lost balance and collapsed, throwing the general to the ground.

The general tried to perform a breakfall, but the sudden attack left him injured, his arm trembling.

Soldiers, realizing the general’s condition, rushed to his aid, but the general demonstrated why he was a general.

Even with one arm, he wielded his spear, sweeping aside the soldiers. He lived up to the title of a fierce general. I understood why Zhao Yun had entrusted him with the rear.

After quickly clearing the area, the general turned towards the direction the spear had come from and narrowed his eyes at me.

“Was it you?”