We hurriedly left the place, our group moving quickly and covering a considerable distance.
A few months later, at noon one day, we finally arrived in Jizhou, planning to settle in a city called Yecheng.
Although there was still half a day left, considering whether we could find an inn within that time if we left, and given that we had been eating and sleeping in the open for the past few days, we decided to rest and recover here for half a day before setting off again tomorrow.
Yecheng in Jizhou was a magnificent city, visible from afar even outside its walls.
As expected, the city was bustling, with street performers showcasing their skills, vendors shouting their wares, and the chatter of the common folk blending into a lively scene far more vibrant than any place I had seen before.
As I’ve mentioned before, I have an almost fanatical obsession with anything related to the Three Kingdoms.
Unfortunately, due to an incomplete transformation by Liu Lingshan, I lost much of my previous life’s memories, including most of my knowledge of Three Kingdoms history.
What remains are fragmented bits and pieces, only the most vivid people and events vaguely recalled.
But since I’ve transmigrated to this era, it would be a waste not to see it all with my own eyes.
So, as soon as I entered the city, I couldn’t help but look around eagerly, wanting to take in every detail of this famous city.
I touched the city walls here, stared at the sentries there, squeezed into the crowd to watch street performers, and dashed to stalls to check out this and that.
The old man’s warnings and the calls of the maidservants faded into the distance.
By the time my feverish mind finally cooled down, I realized I was surrounded by complete unfamiliarity…
“…”
Huh?
Could it be… I got lost?
Like a child, lost because I was too busy playing?
No, wait, I’m in a child’s body now, aren’t I…
But my mental age is almost 30!
How could I get lost for such a childish reason!?
This isn’t scientific, utterly unscientific, outrageously unscientific.
Getting separated from the elders because of playing around, something only a kid would do—I absolutely, absolutely refuse to admit it!
As I racked my brain for an explanation for this once-in-a-century absurdity, a loud shout interrupted my thoughts.
“Brat! Stop right there!!”
Startled, I looked up, but my view was blocked by the crowd.
I could only see a commotion ahead, with figures moving toward me.
W-What’s going on!?
I took two steps back, confused by the situation.
Then, the crowd suddenly parted, and I saw a group of people rushing toward me, shouting, “Quick! Grab that kid!”
Tch, could it be they figured out I’m from the future!?
Well, of course!
Even though I’m in a child’s body, this level of disguise can’t hide my true identity.
Whether it’s my melancholic aura, my deep and weathered eyes, or the unique intellectual charm of a future person… they all betray me completely!!
With that thought, I resignedly closed my eyes, spread my arms, and shouted, “Since I’ve been found out, there’s no helping it… Come on!! Come get me!! I’m the one you’re looking for!! The man who will change the world!!”
Thud.
At that moment, it felt like a small, soft body crashed into me.
Eh?
That sensation… it’s a girl, right?
Could it be that after my future identity was exposed, a girl is throwing herself into my arms?
Curious, I opened my eyes and saw a child about my age.
Perhaps the collision hurt, as she was rubbing her reddened nose with teary eyes, staring at me with curious, wide blue eyes.
This girl had lake-blue hair, skin as white as jade, sparkling blue eyes filled with curiosity, and small red lips pursed tightly from the pain, along with the soft body I felt earlier.
A little beauty?
Could she really be throwing herself at me?
See, I knew it! As the protagonist who’s traveled through history, it’s only natural I’d get some perks according to standard transmigration tropes, right?
With that thought, I couldn’t help but stare into her eyes.
She, too, gazed back with her curious blue pupils, and we ended up locked in a staring contest for a while.
“A man… who will change the world?”
After a long silence, the girl tilted her head and asked curiously.
But somehow… her gem-like eyes weren’t just curious—they sparkled with a hint of excitement.
Ugh… crap, my chuunibyou tendencies kicked in again.
Why does my dark history keep piling up?
“Hey, stop daydreaming! Run, or they’ll catch up!” Just as I was awkwardly trying to figure out how to salvage the situation, another child shouted anxiously.
Turning to look, I noticed two other children besides the girl.
Both were dressed in noble attire.
One was strikingly handsome, with bright, star-like eyes.
Though still young, he was bound to grow into a heartthrob for countless maidens.
The other, while not as devastatingly handsome, resembled him closely and was also fair-skinned and quite good-looking.
They looked like brothers, given their similar appearances.
As I was still observing, I saw a group of people chasing after the children, shouting something.
“You little brats! Don’t run!”
“Oh no! Quick, let’s go!” The girl noticed the pursuers, shouted to the other two, and took off running without looking back.
Before I could say anything, I felt a tug on my hand—she was pulling me along!
“Wait, wait! Why do I have to run too?!” Somehow dragged into this fleeing group, my head was spinning.
“I need you!” the girl shouted back at me.
“Huh?”
She didn’t explain further, focusing only on pulling me along to escape the pursuers.
Need me?
Need me for what?
To marry her?
Still utterly confused, I followed her lead, running while looking around.
Only then did I notice she was also pulling another person with her other hand.
This person seemed to be a woman, though her age was unclear since I couldn’t see her face.
She was much taller than us, so probably in her teens or older.
As for why I couldn’t see her face… her head was covered by a veil, with only strands of blue hair similar to the girl’s peeking out.
Dressed in a red embroidered gown, she was forced to lift her long skirt slightly to run, as the girl dragged her along.
Haha, good thing there’s someone else being dragged into this escape too.
Though… that red embroidered gown looks like a wedding dress.
…
A wedding dress?
A bride!?
These three kids kidnapped a bride!?
And now I’m their accomplice!?