[Xu Shu]
My sword clashed with a podao. As my arm struggles to keep up, I lean my body into the clash, staring Xiahou Dun in the eyes. The clash ends as I lean back from the force of his slash. I see the curve of the blade and barely duck to dodge it. Blue and purple sparks appear around me as I zip back, avoiding any following attack. I use the leverage from my zip to dash forward and get a good attack onto him. He blocks it effortlessly and I zip around him to hit him from the back. A ring of fire protected him as I flew back and landed on my feet.
My breath came out shallowly, As he stabbed his podao into the soil.
"Let's take a break." He says.
I walk back over to him and stab my sword into the ground as well, the hook hanging onto it weakly. We both sit with our legs crossed, I relax from the physical exertion. As he smiles at me, leaning on his hand.
"You seem to be healing quickly. On top of that, mastering your sorcery."
I chuckle at the compliment. "I appreciate the sentiment, but I'm still nowhere near as skilled as you or Lord Cao Cao."
"Or Guo Jia." He added. I rub the back of my head, as he laughs at my sudden shyness.
"Lord Xiahou Dun?" I caught his attention as he dusts off his armor.
"I don't think I've properly thanked you for saving me."
He lifts his hand, stopping my words instantly. "I would rather you than me on the battlefield, and by the way you're fighting, I say you have done enough."
I nod to him, not really feeling any better, but I know better than to try to insist with Xiahou Dun.
"Glad your new robe avoided any more scuffs."
I looked down to my flowing robe, as it spreads out around my legs. The blue now even richer than before, and the gold surrounded the dragon, making it much more prominent. Looking at it alone, brought a smile to my face.
"I am as well."
After a few more minutes of casual talk, Xiahou Dun aggressively pat the grass and stood. And I knew that meant round two.
[Guo Jia]
I lowered myself from my brown horse as I walked into the base, using my scepter to aid my walking. I avoided the lingering coughs in my throat as the Base captain quickly approached me and bowed.
"My Lord, I'm glad to see my letter had reached LuoYang in time."
I nod to him, as I look around seeing troops training, albeit a little sloppily.
"So what's the status? The Shu citizen making any fuss?"
He nods, confirming my suspicions. "They've been refusing to be quiet, throwing empty threats at us, and some of them even refusing the food we fed them."
A sigh is drawn out from me, I'm honestly not surprised. The Kingdom of Shu has always been a stubborn bunch. I doubt that even their citizens would be pragmatic.
"Can I see the prisoners?" I ask, well it more of a demand. The captain bows to me and tells one of his men to open the prison.
Walking into the prison calmly, ad down the stairs it was quite talkative for a prison. Citizens were exchanging encouraging words, until they saw me. They went silent, all eyes becoming glares at me. They are a sharp bunch, as they watched me walk through their cells.
There were a variety of people, men, women, children, families were at least imprisoned together. There were even elderly people.
"You are no match for Lord Liu Bei! He will surely defeat you!" One citizen spoke up. And it started a roar of empty threats and promises of their escape.
"Wei Scum!"
"Lord Liu Bei has will save us!"
You will never have the land!"
The officers behind me attempted to quell the uproar, but to no avail. Their word did little to me, I didn't flinch. But someone had caught my eye.
It was an elderly woman, she said nothing, she just sat, hunched over clutching onto her shawl. She didn't look up, nor even speak up. I strided to her, stopping directly in front of her cell. I use my fingers to gently tap on the bars as she flinched and raised her eyes to mine. Her eyes were brown.
She seemed to gulp something, as I use my finger to coo her over.
She stood, obediently, and made her way over. She was much shorter than me, as I kneels to see her hers more clearly. The citizens seemed more preoccupied with the numerous soldier pouring in to reprimand them, so I decided to talk to her.
"Are you alright? Have you eaten?"
She looked shocked, as if she didn't expect kindness from me. Understandably, so. She shook her head, as I bring myself back up to my feet.
"I bring you some food then ma'am."
As I went to turn, I felt a tug on my arm. My head turns back as my eyes meet her brown eyes, now filled with a fiery passion.
"I refuse to eat, unless my fellow townsmen eat."
The words were said confidently, opposite of her previous demeanor. I nodded my head, accepting her offer.
I look out to all of the villagers and stepped back into their focus.
"Townspeople, as much as I understand your hatred towards Wei. I simply cannot allow this chaos to continue. I would love for you all to eat. I will personally oversee your meals and I can ensure that you will not be harmed, unless you step out of line."
The uproar continued a little longer, as another sigh escapes me.
I kneel to a nearby child and give them a kind smile, seeing their fear. I muster my kindest voice.
"Are you hungry,little one?"
The child nods, and the citizen seemingly go silent. I stand once again and look around the cells.
"Please think of your people."
After some more thinking time, the people agreed and I left to see to their meals. As I watch the cooks struggle to make such a large arrangement of food last minutes, the elderly woman stayed in my mind. Her demeanor was familiar. She was quiet, but firm with her beliefs. She knew her place but still knew what she is allowed to demand. She reminds me-
She reminds me of Xu Shu.
Memories of the early days of our fastly growing relationship came to me. He had called me Master back then. But he still knew what he deserved, albeit very poorly. He had always had this sense of being more than he was, and carrying sins on his back.
As I organized the men to go deliver the food to the people It began to feel hysterical.
Am I that deeply in love with Yuanzhi, that I start to think that random strangers are like him? I sound like a desperate love-smitten fool.
And maybe I am.
I watched as the people ate, all revelling in their families and loved ones. As the elderly woman sat alone, eating silently. As if she watched over the people to ensure they all had food. It was warm sentiment, one i could respect. She truly cared about these people, they all cared about each other. And I cannot punish that.
She coos me over this time, to my shock. I walk over to her cell as she holds her hand out to me. Hesitantly, I take it asher other hand cups my larger one. She smiled warmly as me, the laugh lines and wrinkles on her face seemingly all shining with heart. '
"Thank you so much." Her voice was soft, sweet. She was endearing and I couldn't help but smile. I nod and slightly bow to the woman, acknowledging her compliment. She was warm.
Just like he is.
[A/N] Here starts the 3rd angsty arc! I know this is a short chapter just of Xu Shu bonding with Xiahou Dun and Guo Jia bonding with a Shu elder. But trust it'll all make sense with time. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and are prepared for what's to come! See you next chapter!