Mythical Three Kingdoms-Chapter 1528 - 1471: Within and Without the Game

"Where does this young hero hail from?" Cao Cao asked with some curiosity, as unique people often have distinctive traits, and Sun Ce’s presence immediately drew attention.

"He’s my brother," Sun Ce replied nonchalantly, yet Cao Cao’s elevated status made his words powerful across the region. Even figures like Dian Wei and Ma Chao felt compelled to lower their voices and act cautiously in front of him, unlike Sun Ce’s confident demeanor.

It’s fair to say that Cao Cao had grown accustomed to others shrinking in his presence. However, this time, a young man had arrived with such a relaxed attitude.

"Cao Sikong, he’s a distant brother of mine. I’ve heard the Northern Huns are invading, so he’s joined me to head north and combat them," Ma Chao stepped forward, helping to cover for Sun Ce.

"Yes, exactly. I originally intended to borrow some men from my brother, but he mentioned needing your permission, so I came along to check things out." Sun Ce laughed heartily, patting Ma Chao’s shoulder.

"So that’s how it is. Meng Qi, a young hero, must value his companions, who wouldn’t be too far off in skill. As for heading north to quell the Huns, even if Meng Qi hadn’t mentioned it, I would have done it," Cao Cao smiled slyly, quite pleased with Sun Ce’s words.

Yet Cao Cao couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss about this person before him. However, he nodded in consideration of Ma Chao, "Meng Qi, you can lead the Qiang soldiers forward; once on the battlefield, make decisions on your own. However, victory is compulsory; defeat isn’t an option. Don’t let the spirit of the Han Dynasty fall!"

"Ah, that’s what I like to hear!" Sun Ce readily responded, "The mere Huns were defeated during the Former Han. Do they truly believe that amidst the chaos in the Central Plains, we would invite wolves into the house?"

Cao Cao raised an eyebrow but said nothing. That familiar feeling grew stronger as he scrutinized the youth before him, yet aside from his self-deprecating demeanor, Cao Cao found little else.

[How odd, lately I’ve been sensing such familiarity.] After watching Ma Chao and Sun Ce leave, Cao Cao wondered in confusion.

"Dian Wei, what do you think of that young man?" Cao Cao inquired.

"It takes fifty moves in close combat to pin him down," Dian Wei reflected and replied. Confident in hand-to-hand combat, he considered anyone able to withstand twenty moves without resorting to Inner Qi Manifestation against him a good fighter, and anyone capable of fifty moves...

Cao Cao was surprised, never anticipating Ma Chao would have such a fierce brother. Yet, it wasn’t a problem; Ma Chao’s demeanor made it clear he wasn’t lying, nor was the young man.

"However, I couldn’t shake the familiar feeling about him." Cao Cao didn’t hide his thoughts from Dian Wei, who was a brute with muscles for brains; whatever Cao Cao commanded, Dian Wei would faithfully execute.

Dian Wei tapped his head thoughtfully, "Oh, come to think of it, his speaking style does resemble our lord’s!"

Instantly, Cao Cao froze, realizing the identity of the swaggering youth. "Elai, go catch that guy after giving him a good beating!"

Dian Wei couldn’t grasp why Cao Cao issued such an order, but before his mind could process it, his body had already sprung into action, charging forward without so much as checking the path. Upon smashing through the wall, Cao Cao knew he couldn’t act against Sun Ce.

Knowing Sun Ce’s identity was akin to feigning ignorance. Acting against Sun Ce now wouldn’t benefit Cao Cao’s faction nor the campaign against the Huns, and considering Eastern Wu’s situation, if Sun Ce were harmed, Zhou Yu would undoubtedly retaliate fiercely.

Having chosen the hero’s path to pave a way for Liu Xie’s future, Cao Cao nearly coughed up blood at the realization. If Zhou Yu were to take action now, everything would turn disastrous. He aimed for a heroic path, but should Liu Bei benefit and refuse to cooperate, it would all be in vain.

However, Dian Wei didn’t hear Cao Cao’s shout to halt, not out of defiance but due to sound traveling too slowly. Dian Wei claimed that he could run fast enough to break the sound barrier, needing to reach such speed to leverage jumps mid-air...

After ten breaths, Cao Cao felt the ground tremble, raising a hand to his forehead involuntarily. Now he could only hope Sun Ce could withstand some pummeling.

"This is quite a headache, Sword Master Wang, lend a hand to prevent any harm," Cao Cao requested helplessly, hoping to avert trouble between them.

Upon arriving at Chang’an, Wang Yue quickly connected with Cao Cao, not out of opportunistic ambition but rather admiration for Cao Cao. He even sent a disciple to instruct Cao Cao’s sons in martial arts, and over time, they became quite familiar.

"I’ll do my best; against General Dian alone, let alone that young general, even if I show a different side, there’s no guarantee of victory," Wang Yue replied, then swiftly headed towards the source of shockwaves.

Cao Cao sighed, noticing dust rising in that direction, though thus far no Cloud Qi had emerged over the city. Indeed, Chang’an’s guards were slack.

[I’ll need to discipline these Chang’an guards wholeheartedly.] As he observed the unchanged state of Chang’an City, coldness flickered in Cao Cao’s eyes. Previously, considering the Emperor’s majesty, he handed over most of Chang’an City’s defense to the Emperor’s trusted ministers, yielding such results?

Residing in the Imperial Secretary Mansion, Xun Yu sensed the situation and showed a slight chill in reaction. Having had a candid discussion with Cao Cao recently, their relationship had visibly improved, yet today the Emperor’s ministers appeared so lackluster, Xun Yu struggled to explain it to Cao Cao.

[Oh Emperor, we’ve prepared everything for you, but ultimately the path you tread depends on you. We’ve done everything a minister can.] Xun Yu rarely displayed a worried expression, suddenly doubting whether his earlier judgments were correct.

"Wen Ruo, is something troubling you?" Chen Qun gathered the unprocessed political affairs and, upon noticing Xun Yu’s slightly melancholic demeanor, asked.

"Changwen, will you accompany us north or remain in Chang’an?" Xun Yu didn’t answer directly, instead inquiring about Chen Qun’s decision.

"I’ll go north with you," Chen Qun replied calmly. Even though heading north didn’t promise significant personal advancement, and if Liu Xie succeeded, he’d still fall under Xun Yu upon returning, Chen Qun didn’t hesitate in choosing the northern campaign.

"Why?" Xun Yu nodded slightly, obscuring his expression from Chen Qun’s view.

"I aim to surpass you, yet I believe what we perceive might not be reality. Even if events unfold, understanding others’ feelings in those moments remains elusive. Given the gravity of affecting the entire realm, I prefer reviewing it over a longer timeline," Chen Qun explained calmly, his eyes reflecting a wisdom comparable to none.