“Hero! Thank you for cutting off the breath of Tamhyeonsura on our behalf. Thanks to you, our fallen comrades can rest in peace.”
“I merely did what had to be done.”
“Hero…”
The only survivor of the patrol squad that was annihilated while chasing Tamhyeonsura, Yu Il-han, looked at me with tearful eyes.
When I heard he had awakened, I came with Elder Baek to check on his condition, but seeing him overexcited like this, it seems he’s recovering quickly.
Truly, he is a martial artist.
“Listen good fellow, don’t get too excited. You might reopen your wounds!”
“A…”
Only then did Yu Il-han sit back down and look up at us.
Does he have something more to say?
As I listen closely, another word of thanks escapes his lips.
“Thank you once again. I don’t know how to repay this favor…”
“As you live, you might come across a person lying by the road to help. Don’t worry about it.”
Elder Baek waved his hand and said to Yu Il-han. He looked even more moved at Elder Baek’s words, looked up at him, and exclaimed.
“Indeed, as one of the Nine Sects and One School, Hainan Sword Sect overflows with righteousness!”
“Ho ho…”
While pretending otherwise and stroking his beard, it’s clear he’s pleased with the compliment. As I watched this, I asked Yu Il-han.
“So…was it an ambush by that Tamhyeonsura?”
“No. We received information about his location, but we underestimated him. According to the Martial Alliance’s information, he was classified as a first-class expert, but we didn’t expect him to be at the peak of mastery…By the time I realized it was too late…”
Any martial artist of the Martial Alliance’s caliber should have assessed that better.
Perhaps he was blinded by the desire for status, and ignored all other warning signs. There are always people who get carried away with advancement and cause trouble.
I’ve seen many heads roll because of such actions, so a sigh naturally escaped my mouth.
“Be more careful next time.”
“Yes, I will never make that mistake again. I’ve learned from this incident…”
“Then we shall take our leave.”
“Yes, please take care.”
We turned our bodies and left the medical facility.
We must now leave Tongcheon and head to the Martial Alliance of Wuhun.
“Let’s gather our belongings and depart. Our next destination…is Red Cliff.”
“Red Cliff?”
The Red Cliff of the historic battle?
“Red Cliff…do you mean?”
“A city we’ll reach along the Gwan Road towards Wuhun. It’s a place everyone from the Central Plains knows, but perhaps not you, being from the Western Regions.”
…I actually know the place, but I can’t let on that I know about the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
If I mention it, it might seem strange that I know about it. Perhaps if I hint at it carefully.
“Red Cliff…what a good name.”
“It was once the site of a famous battle. If the opportunity arises, I’ll tell you the story sometime.”
Though I don’t think it’s necessary, since I need to pretend ignorance, I’m not sure how to brush it off.
“I look forward to it.”
Red Cliff, I’m looking forward to it.
Though it’s probably just a regular place famous only from history books, I can’t help but feel some anticipation about visiting the actual site of the famous Battle of Red Cliff.
Even though I haven’t particularly studied the Romance of the Three Kingdoms extensively, it’s a place even I know about from books.
“…I hope we can pass through Red Cliff quietly.”
“…I agree.”
A sigh escapes both Elder Baek and I.
————————————
“Wow…”
“It’s incredible.”
What a vast lake next to Red Cliff.
The lake stretches so far, I can’t see the end.
At first glance, I’m not sure if I’m looking at the sea or a lake.
“Uncle! Look! The words ‘Red Cliff’ are written on the cliff!”
…It’s really there.
I’m impressed by the red words inscribed on the cliff.
They’re written in an elegant calligraphy, not an ordinary script.
“Who could have written this?”
“Hmm…”
“According to an old tale, these words were inscribed by Zhou Yu to commemorate his victory at Red Cliff.”
How does he know that?
It might be true, but if it’s been standing against the elements for hundreds of years, it must be remarkable.
Given this world’s subtle twists from history, it’s hard to pinpoint the exact timing, but this must indicate that Zhou Yu was an incredible master.
No, he surely was a master.
Who else could inscribe such large letters on a cliff if not a master?
He must be at least a master level.
“Zhou Yu…?”
“Ahhh, Zhou Yu was one of the most famous generals of the Central Plains. He’s renowned for his great victory in the battle fought here.”
Hajin kindly provided additional information for me. While the explanation is somewhat simplified, she’s probably providing a concise version for my limited knowledge.
It would be too long to give a full explanation from the start.
Still, it seems interesting to hear about the Romance of the Three Kingdoms from a local perspective.
“A remarkable person.”
“Since Heaven has given us Zhou Yu, why must it also give us Zhuge Liang!”
In the serene silence below Red Cliff, Hye-ryeong’s clear voice echoed. Suddenly breaking the silence, she giggled and said.
“That’s what he said on his deathbed!”
“A dramatic last statement.”
Was that from the novel or the official history?
Ignoring Hye-ryeong’s dramatic arm gestures and turning my gaze to the lake, I was about to say something when an unfamiliar voice interrupted our conversation. Though somewhat pedantic, it was a male’s voice. I turned my head to look at the speaker.
…Zhuge Liang?
Is he trying to imitate Zhuge Liang? He held a fan to his lips as he looked at us.
When our eyes met, he inserted a white jade sword at his waist and bowed politely.
“I am Zhuge Hyeon-sang.”
“I didn’t expect to meet a son of the Zhuge family here.”
The man who appeared to be around mid to late twenties squinted as he scanned us briefly, then fixed his gaze on me and said.
“I also didn’t expect to meet a swordsman from Hainan Sword Sect here, especially the Blue-Eyed Lion who’s gaining fame in Hubei.”
Has word about me spread so far?
I looked at this man of the Zhuge family who mentioned my alias.
He did say his name was Zhuge Hyeon-sang?
Hmm…
It’s the first time I’ve heard of this name.
No matter how I search my memory, I don’t recall any character named Zhuge Hyeon-sang from the original story.
Considering the Zhuge family had almost no presence in the original, it’s understandable that I’d never heard of him. How many wuxia novels truly focus on the Zhuge family?
I slightly adjusted my bamboo hat, bowed politely, and introduced myself.
“William Marshall, call me Master Wei for short.”
“Ah, Master Wei. It’s a pleasure to meet you. You are indeed a gentleman as I’ve heard.”
“Basic courtesy, no?”
“Ha ha, there are many in this world who don’t even follow such basics.”
There’s a hidden meaning in that statement.
Though it doesn’t seem to be directed at us.
He pulled out the white jade sword from his waist again and smiled with a slight squint.
It was a subtly annoying look.
“I’d like to talk more, but I have duties to attend to, so I must bid farewell. I hope you have a pleasant journey.”
“Safe travels, young sir.”
“Then we shall meet again.”
Zhuge Hyeon-sang turned and walked away in the opposite direction from which we came. His leisurely pace seemed oddly swift, perhaps an application of lightness skills.
Watching him leave, it was Hye-ryeong who spoke first among us.
“Uncle, what was that all about?”
“Hmm…”
“I’m not even sure if he’s truly from the Zhuge family.”
Even Hajin seemed perplexed by his behavior, voicing her doubt.
In wuxia novels, we often hear about the numerous oddballs in jianghu, but what are we to make of someone who briefly chats like he just ran into an acquaintance and then leaves?
Certainly, as members of the righteous sects, exchanging pleasantries isn’t odd, but something didn’t feel right.
Maybe he’s just a character cultivating a mysterious persona, but it also felt like more than that.
…Well, whatever.
Since nothing has happened to us, we should simply consider this a meeting with an unusual person and move on.
“Let’s keep moving.”
At Elder Baek’s words, we suppressed our lingering discomfort and started walking again toward Red Cliff City.
