Chapter 91

Chapter 725: Attending Unarmed (3)

--------------

“General, what do you think of what he said?”

“It’s a good thing, all things considered. Luo Xi is coming in person, isn’t he?”

“Do you think he’s trying to take Luo Xi as a hostage to find a way out, as that mountain man suggested?”

“It’s not impossible. But that would only happen if negotiations break down. If Luo Xi doesn’t accept our terms and instead proposes something outrageous, then we’ll have no choice.”

The advisor spoke as if he was still weighing the options, even in this situation.

After all, since Luo Xi wanted to return to their side, there was no need to worry about the central army’s attacks. With the other side showing goodwill, there would be no immediate danger.

“But that mountain man clearly warned us. If we interpret his words, Luo Xi might be useless as a hostage and won’t help us get what we want.”

“That man, Mr. Shan, was truly remarkable.”

“He was a man of integrity. I don’t want to think he was lying.”

Ma Teng, who was the master of the warlord in Guanzhong, sometimes showed a simple side. After all, the Guanzhong warriors were not familiar with the intricacies of returning to the fold, so it’s not surprising they didn’t notice Shan Ben’s intentions.

The problem was that even the advisor, who was a seasoned general, didn’t catch on.

“I think so too.”

“Then what should we do?”

“If Luo Xi comes, we should try to get as much out of him as possible. There must be a reason for his goodwill towards General Ma. If we press him relentlessly, we might get a favorable deal.”

“Ha ha ha! They say even if the sky falls, there’s a way out. This is exactly that kind of situation.”

While Ma Teng and the advisor were preparing to deal with Luo Xi, events in Hanguan were also unfolding.

“Since Mr. Shan has brought good news, I will go and see. Open the gate!”

The Hanguan gate opened again, not long after Shan Ben had entered.

But Gao Shun blocked his path. Luo Xi’s expression turned serious.

“I have my limits. If you try to reverse what’s already been decided, I won’t hold back, no matter who you are.”

Luo Xi’s outburst made Gao Shun bow deeply with his hands clasped.

“General, how could I have such thoughts? I won’t block your path. However, …”

“Speak your mind.”

“I will accompany you, General.”

But Luo Xi shook his head.

“Is it necessary for you to come? You have many responsibilities. There’s no need to court trouble.”

“That’s not an option. I must fulfill the orders given by my lord. How can I send you into the enemy camp alone? If you don’t take me, you can’t go either.”

“It seems you won’t change your mind … Very well. Let’s go together.”

“I’ll make sure no one lays a finger on you.”

“I feel more secure. Let’s go. Oh, I need to leave my swords behind.”

Luo Xi drew his two swords, scabbards and all. Gao Shun also drew his short saber, and a soldier from the camp took both their weapons.

Watching from a distance, the advisor covered his mouth with his sleeve, not wanting to show his surprise.

* * *

It was understandable that Shan Ben came unarmed, as he didn’t appear to be a warrior. Even if he had carried weapons, he wouldn’t have posed any threat.

But Luo Xi was different. His dual-sword technique was unparalleled. Even if the Guanzhong people didn’t care much about the heroes of Guandong, they knew how formidable Luo Xi was.

To a swordsman, his weapon is like his life. Yet, Luo Xi came unarmed.

“Coming to the enemy camp unarmed … You’ve got some nerve. Truly an impressive man. Don’t you agree?”

“You seem to have a different measure. But for someone to come with just a saber, it shows not only courage but also great virtue.”

The advisor couldn’t recognize Gao Shun, seeing him as just a bodyguard.

Ma Teng and the advisor were tense, swallowing hard as they watched Luo Xi and Gao Shun approach.

Luo Xi and Gao Shun were equally tense. Gao Shun was thinking about how to protect Luo Xi from any threats.

Luo Xi was considering how to subdue Ma Teng quickly.

‘Should I emphasize my relationship with the Ma family from the start? Or should I start with formalities and send supplies before getting into serious negotiations?’

Various thoughts swirled in Luo Xi’s mind. When they were about ten paces from Ma Teng, he thought:

‘Why does this have to happen now …!’

Luo Xi’s wound from Huang Bo’s attack throbbed, causing him to grimace. Ma Teng, noticing this, became even more tense.

‘Did we offend him by not showing proper respect? He’s here to accept our surrender, not to surrender himself. We should show respect, but I, Ma Teng, …’

Ma Teng didn’t want to appear submissive. He needed to show respect but didn’t want to kneel, putting him in a difficult position.

“You are Ma Teng.”

Luo Xi’s casual use of his name annoyed Ma Teng.

“What a lack of manners! Even if our situation is dire, we can’t be treated like this! If this is how we’re treated before surrendering, we’ll be worse off than dogs after surrendering.”

Ma Teng’s outburst worried Luo Xi.

‘Did I come on too strong? No, this is the enemy camp, and I have no weapons. But if I’m too soft, General Gao will be in danger.’

Luo Xi wasn’t concerned about his own life, but he was worried about Gao Shun. That’s why he tried to establish his authority early.

“Hmph! I, Luo Xi, can call you by your name.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Lower your voice. I’m not trying to embarrass you. If you want to know why I can call you by your name, come to the tent. If you still can’t accept it after hearing everything, I’ll kneel and apologize.”

Luo Xi was taking a risk. If Ma Teng didn’t value the Ma family’s legitimacy, Luo Xi’s plan would fail. But with nothing else, he had to take the chance.

* * *

Luo Xi followed Ma Teng and the advisor to the tent where Shan Ben had been. Inside, Ma Chao blocked Gao Shun’s path.

“The bodyguard can’t enter.”

“Move aside.”

“This is my call. If I say no, it’s no.”

“Even without my saber, what are you afraid of?”

Gao Shun grabbed Ma Chao’s shoulder. Sensing that Gao Shun was about to use force, Ma Chao braced his legs. But to his surprise, Gao Shun moved him aside with little effort.

Ma Chao then grabbed Gao Shun’s shoulder, but he couldn’t budge him. Gao Shun was like a tree rooted in the ground. When Gao Shun shook his shoulder, Ma Chao’s arm swung wildly.

Fang De then stepped in, extending his arm to block Gao Shun. Gao Shun slapped his arm away, embarrassing Fang De as well.

Pushing aside two of the Ma family’s top generals, Gao Shun entered the tent and stood behind Luo Xi.

Luo Xi felt more secure with Gao Shun behind him. He confidently took out the jade horse token.

“Ma Teng, do you recognize this?”

“No, that’s …!”

Luo Xi nodded slowly, as if he had expected this reaction. Ma Teng, regaining his composure, asked:

“Why does Commander Luo have the jade horse token?”

“Do you know what this jade horse token represents?”

“Why does Commander Luo have the Ma family’s heirloom?”

The jade horse token belonged to the Ma family. Ma Teng was curious why Luo Xi, who wasn’t a Ma, had it.

“This was left to me by my teacher, Mr. Ma Rong. He asked me to look after the Ma family.”

“I don’t understand why Mr. Ma Rong would leave the jade horse token to someone outside the Ma family.”

“Think about the hardships the Ma family has endured. It’s not strange that one of the two jade horse tokens was entrusted to someone outside the family to act as a guardian.”

Ma Teng had to agree, given the family’s history.

“I understand that you are the owner of one of the two jade horse tokens. By seniority, you are on par with my father, and as a guardian of the family, it’s not disrespectful for me to address you by name.”

Ma Teng finally treated Luo Xi with the respect due to a family elder. Luo Xi sensed the time was right.

“The commanders and officials in Hanguan tried to stop me from meeting you. But as a warrior of the Han dynasty, I didn’t want to see more bloodshed among the Guanzhong warriors. Moreover, as a guardian of the Ma family, I wanted to give you a chance.”

Luo Xi wasn’t just saying this to gain Ma Teng’s support. As a seasoned swordsman, he genuinely believed in giving others a chance.

Ma Teng bowed deeply to Luo Xi.

“I don’t know how to thank you. But both of us are in positions where we must distinguish between public and private matters. We should decide the terms before discussing personal matters.”

L