Cao Cao Draws His Sword
Cao Cao drew his sword.
“That bitch must be killed.”
Even Guo Jia had no room for rebuttal.
“You must do it, my lord. She’s a woman who sows future calamities—we have to cut her down at the root.”
The decision to kill Chen Soyoung was made. Now Cao Cao asked something else.
“But Jaogok? How did you arrive at that conclusion?”
“Yes, my lord.”
Summarizing the strategists’ words, it came down to this:
Shu has ties to Hansu of Xiliang and has mobilized an army, so Chang'an’s defenses must be even more thorough.
That was the conclusion.
“Isn’t marching on Jaogok all but impossible?”
“Not necessarily, perhaps.”
Jaogok was a route no one ignorant of the Art of War would even suggest for a large army.
Yet a year ago, Chen Soyoung had spoken as if she’d pierced right through this very situation.
What the hell had she been scheming for an entire year? Impossible to know.
It’s impossible, and that’s exactly why it’s terrifying. What could be more frightening than the impossible coming true?
Supply lines through treacherous paths. Bribing locals who know the terrain inside out. Or maybe granaries hidden in advance somewhere?
The army’s direction was ingenious too.
They claimed to be heading for Pachok.
What if that was a lie? What if they’d been aiming for Wuguan from the start?
The only explanation for her coming to the front lines herself was to plant these dark suspicions.
Assume we station troops at Wuguan.
What if, just as Chen Soyoung predicted, the Jingzhou forces seize Shangyong and push over Jaogok toward Chang'an?
That’s what’s terrifying. Creating a situation that makes you believe it’s possible.
That’s the point that chills the blood.
“We mustn’t let ourselves be manipulated.”
“Speak.”
Guo Jia bowed his head.
“This is Chen Soyoung’s ploy to manufacture a pretext for withdrawal.”
A justification to pull back the army.
If they followed it, they’d be dancing to her tune.
But the situation was already flowing that way.
If the momentum of the realm demanded it, they had to hijack that flow and seize the initiative.
“Petty concerns like that aren’t important now.”
“But… my lord!”
Cao Cao was resolute.
“Withdraw the army, Fengxiao. Doubts are already taking root. I’ve heard talk that Sima Yi might rebel. What do you make of it?”
“That’s not for us to judge on personal whims.”
“Exactly. If this is all orchestrated, there’s no need to debate Jaogok or Wuguan. Chang'an and Luoyang will fall in an instant, and the balance of the realm will shatter.”
Guo Jia broke out in even colder sweat.
A frame-up designed for this.
Layers upon layers, digging a pit.
Then the lord would surely withdraw the troops.
His most beloved general, Cao Ang, was defending Chang'an—no way to sway that.
But it was an utterly logical conclusion.
If Sima Yi betrayed them and enemies surged from all sides, as the lord said, they might have to brace for total annihilation.
This situation.
Overwhelming numerical superiority, yet an insidious unease creeping in.
“Prime Minister, more deliberation will just give you a headache. Kill her. Kill her and plot the aftermath.”
Cao Cao gripped the armrest and stood.
He pressed his temples with his right hand and spoke.
“What’s churning in my head isn’t some trifle. Now I understand why you were so on guard.”
*
The night wind bit fiercely.
Cao Cao strode forward with Guo Jia in the lead, dozens of personal guards in tow.
A pallid killing intent hung on Cao Cao’s face.
Moved the entire army on the whim of a mere girl’s silver tongue?
With every step, humiliation stabbed at his heart.
He’d spilled rivers of blood to claim the realm.
Betrayals, brushes with death beyond count.
But this humiliation? Unbearable.
Cao Cao’s eyes grew bloodshot.
He flew into a rage.
Spare that insolent wench, and he’d be a laughingstock for life.
Even if Chang'an burned, challengers to his authority had to pay the price.
“My lord?”
Guo Jia called anxiously from behind.
Cao Cao quickened his pace without a word.
There, in the distance: the command tent where he’d entrusted Chen Soyoung’s safety to Zhang Liao.
“...No one’s here?”
The tent was empty.
Zhang Liao and Chen Soyoung had vanished without a trace.
*
“General? Wait! Please!”
I was slung over Zhang Liao’s side like a sack of rice.
The moment Guo Jia stepped out, we exchanged a few words, then his eyes rolled back—he hoisted me up and bolted.
“Quiet!”
Zhang Liao clamped a hand over my mouth and dashed into the darkness.
Heavy armor on, lugging a person the size of a cement bag, and not a single gasp of breath.
The sudden shift left me reeling, no clue what was happening.
Why the hell are we doing a midnight escape?!
“You’ve faced my lord before, haven’t you?”
He whispered as if reading my mind.
“He’s full of tricks. Didn’t you feel that killing intent? He won’t let you live.”
“Gasp.”
“No value left in you now, right?”
“Gasp…!!!”
Zhang Liao tossed me onto the horse like luggage.
“Don’t think it’s a mistake. Yah!”
“Save me!!!”
“Quiet, I said!”
What the actual fuck is going on…!
“We head straight out of camp. The lord hasn’t issued orders yet—your companions should be waiting outside.”
—Yah!!
Neigh—!
Zhang Liao’s horsemanship bordered on divine.
Pitch black, couldn’t see an inch ahead, but he charged without slowing, and somehow it felt as comfy as lying in bed.
“Stop them!!!”
Shouts erupted as torches flared from all sides.
The pursuit was on.
Cao Cao’s Tiger Guards.
Terror choked my words. This was a real disaster.
Hoofbeats thundered everywhere. My heart hammered.
“Hold tight! Don’t bite your tongue!”
“Wha?!”
Creak.
Zhang Liao yanked the reins sharply.
Screeeeech—!!!
An arrow sliced through the air with a whistle.
“Waaah!!!”
Help! Actual arrows are flying at us…!!!
“Quiet!!!”
Zhang Liao roughly pressed my head to his chest.
His heartbeat thrummed clear through the cold armor.
The north gate loomed right ahead.
“Block it! Not one rat gets out!”
Dozens of cavalry barred the gate, forming a wall of spears.
Zhang Liao eased the horse’s speed.
“General, why? The Prime Minister gave orders.”
He tucked me into his bosom and gripped his spear.
“Move aside. I don’t want blood.”
“Prime Minister’s strict command! Bring that bitch’s head!”
Zhang Liao shook his head.
“If the general insists, we have no choice.”
A captain-like man raised his spear.
“Strike!!!”
“Waaah!!”
Dozens of Tiger Guards charged as one.
“Hold tight!!!”
Zhang Liao bellowed in a high-pitched yell.
Claaang—!
His spear carved the air like a massive windmill.
The first two riders tumbled with their horses.
I clung to his waist like mad.
Eyes squeezed shut. The ride turned bumpy as hell; his body jolted constantly.
Cracked one eye to check.
One hand on the reins, the other swinging his weapon, fending off the Tiger Guards.
“Block him! Go for the legs!”
Someone shouted.
Spears thrust at Zhang Liao’s legs…!
Neigh—!!!
His horse reared up, shrieking shrilly.
“Uwaaa!!!”
Zhang Liao used the recoil to bat away the spears.
Splaaat—!
A helmet shattered.
“Didn’t I tell you to move!!!”
Zhang Liao roared.
The Tiger Guards faltered under his momentum.
“We’re breaking through! I said move!!!”
He jabbed the horse’s belly with the spear shaft.
Clop-clop—! Clop-clop—!
The horse surged forward wildly.
The wooden barricade rushed at us.
“Huh??? Huh???”
We’re gonna crash!!!
“Haat!!!”
The horse kicked off the ground and soared.
The fence flashed below, soldiers streaking by.
Thud—!
A heavy impact as it landed beyond the palisade.
My whole body jolted.
No time to feel the pain.
“Shoot! Fire, damn it!!!”
Desperate shouts from behind.
Swish—!!
A volley of arrows rained down.
“Duck!!!”
Zhang Liao hunched over, shielding my back.
Ting! Tink-tink!
Something struck his armor.
“Uh… General?”
“Ride!”
Zhang Liao spurred the horse onward.
Into the darkness.
Deep into the darkness.
The torches gradually faded.
“Haa… haa…”
How long had we ridden?
The horse began to slow.
Zhang Liao’s ragged breaths reached me.
I cautiously lifted my head.
Two arrows were lodged in his back.
His helmet plume fluttered in the night wind.
“Your back… your back!!!”
“Just caught in the armor.”
Zhang Liao snapped the arrows off casually, as if it were nothing.
Sweat beaded on his forehead.
Without turning his horse, he said flatly,
“Now… you’re safe. Didn’t I tell you? I’d guarantee your safety.”
In the distance, Zhao Yun and Father’s guards were racing toward us.
“You alright!!!”
A familiar voice rang out.
Zhang Liao slowly reined in, coming to a full stop.
“From here… go on alone.”
Panting heavily, he lifted me off one-handed like luggage. My legs buckled; I nearly collapsed. He grabbed my collar and hauled me upright.
“Ek! …General!”
My voice trembled.
The arrows in his back looked agonizing. The shafts protruded grotesquely, blood seeping from gaps in his armor.
He’s a better liar than I thought.
“Treatment… you need treatment. Come with us. Please.”
“Take aid from the enemy?”
“But…!!!”
“I kept my promise, didn’t I?”
Zhang Liao gave a bitter smile. Zhao Yun arrived like the wind, spear tip trained on him.
Zhao Yun brimmed with killing intent, but Zhang Liao didn’t flinch.
He just gazed at him with weary eyes.
“Your spear’s as fierce as ever.”
“……”
Zhang Liao turned his horse.
“Why go die!!!”
He staggered without looking back.
“My lord may discard me, but I cannot discard my lord.”
“No.”
“Didn’t I pay the price for your life?”
“No!”
I looked quietly at Zhao Yun.
He nodded.
“Changshan’s Zhao Zilong! I’ll capture the enemy general! Enemy general, receive my spear!”
Zhang Liao wheeled his horse, wobbled, then tumbled from the saddle.
Ragged and spent, he coughed up a mouthful of blood and collapsed unconscious.