Cao Cao's Amelioration

【Beginning】
Framed by Dong Zhuo, Cao Song, the father of Cao Cao, went from a noble minster to a peasant, which had driven him mad. The insane man even sold his son to Zhang Jue the ascetic just for a chance to regain his honor.
Fortunately, Xiahou Dun managed to save Cao Cao from demon possession in time at the cost of her left eye to seal the demon.

Young Cao Cao: Dun...I’m sorry… It’s all my fault…

Xiahou Dun: It’s okay...Any eye means nothing to me as long as you’re safe...Come on. Let’s go home.

Just when Xiahou Dun thought everything was over, a fierce fire broke her hope. Arriving as fast as she could, all she saw was Cao Cao who stood in front of a burning house. Her attempt to save his parents was stopped by Cao Cao.

Young Cao Cao: We can’t have them for the things we’re going to do. Let this be their salvation. They have suffered long enough in this world.

At this moment, Xiahou Dun realized that Cao Cao had made up his mind. She laid her head on his shoulder as a silent support.

【End】
With the assistance from the Xiahou’s family, Cao Cao was enrolled into the government academy. To retrieve what he had lost, not only did he invest all his effort on study but he learnt martial arts from Xiahou Dun. Soon he got his effort paid.

Teacher: Cao Cao is the top of the class this time. Please make him your role model.

Instead of clapping, all the other students glared at Cao Cao.

Teen Cao Cao: “...I guess I just got myself into trouble.”

Cao Cao had made the correct prediction. When the class ended, a well-dressed teenager came over to stare at him in disdain with his arms crossed.

Teen Cao Cao: “He is...the son of the military minister...And the military minister is Dong Zhuo’s henchman…”

Minister’s Son: How do you manage to be the top of the class every time? Did you use witchcraft like your dad did?

Bang! Cao Cao suddenly stood up, pushing his chair away.

Minister’s Son: Why are you grumpy? Was I wrong?

Teen Cao Cao: Get out of my way.

Minister’s Son: No.

Cao Cao tried to barge his way through, but four boys appeared and grabbed him.

Minister’s Son: You’re not going anywhere.

【Beginning】

Teen Cao Cao: Mmm——!

Minister’s Son: Tough one You’d rather die than begging for mercy...Soon you’ll regret your resistance. Do it again!

Somewhere in the academy, there were four teenagers pushing Cao Cao’s head into a water bucket, who became soaking wet.

Minister’s Son: Alright. Get him up.

Teen Cao Cao: Cough——!

【End】
Outnumbered, Cao Cao was unable to escape on his own. At this moment, he glimpsed at a teacher passing by. The desperate boy then shouted as loud as he could to the teacher, who was terrified.

Teen Cao Cao: Mister!

However, the teacher looked away on purpose and left the scene as quickly as possible, who seemed unwilling to displease the minister’s son.

Teen Cao Cao: “...I can only count on myself…”

Cao Cao felt a surge of power inside his veins, as if answering his desires. Next second, his body moved faster than his thoughts and all he saw was crimson. His fists punched on a bare body again and again. Somehow the smell of blood calmed him.

Teen Cao Cao: “How wonderful is this...Act on instinct without thinking…”

Xiahou Dun: Master!

Teen Cao Cao: Dun...I…

Cao Cao had been in trance until Xiahou Dun held his hand. Looking around, he found the four bullies lying on the ground; As for the minister’s son, he was subdued and beaten up by Cao Cao with a swollen face.

???: Hey! What are you doing here?

Xiahou Dun: Run!

The clashes between Cao Cao and the minister’s son had given rise to some unnecessary attention. At this moment, Xiahou Dun’s reflex action kicked in, fleeing the scene with Cao Cao.

Minister’s son: H-How dare you hit me! You won’t get away from this!

The minister’s son glared at Cao Cao when the danger was lifted; instead of feeling afraid, Cao Cao gave a creepy grin in return.

【Beginning】
Xiahou Dun hid Cao Cao inside an abandoned house in the woods to stay low. One day when Xiahou Dun was on the way to deliver food, she overheard a conversation between two women.

Woman A: Hey, have you heard what happened yesterday?

Woman B: Of course. It’s horrifying. The whole family of the minister including three cattles was murdered by thugs.

Woman A: And it’s brutal. All women got raped and all men got dismembered. Sigh…

Xiahou Dun: “The minister...Could it be…”

【End】
When Xiahou Dun hurried to the house, Cao Cao was humming while cooking. He turned to Xiahou Dun enthusiastically as soon as he noticed her presence.

Teen Cao Cao: Dun, you’re right on time. Let’s have dinner together...What’s wrong?

Xiahou Dun: The minister’s family...Did you do that?

All of a sudden, a wicked grin appeared on Cao Cao’s face. He shrugged his shoulders and said,

Teen Cao Cao: Yes, I did that. I sent fake news to the mafia and made the guards drunk. Then I unlocked the mansion’s gate...

Teen Cao Cao: All I had to do was to wait for the mafia. And I stayed up all night just to hear that brat’s scream. He screamed pretty loud though.

Xiahou Dun: ...Does that make you happy?

Teen Cao Cao: Happy...Tut! Do you think that I’d care about a bug?

Teen Cao Cao: Still, it was fun to watch a bug struggle before it died...What’s wrong? Dun, do you think I’m a horrible person?

Xiahou Dun shook her head with immense sorrow in her right eye. Before she left, she held the shorter Cao Cao in her arms tightly, as if he might vanish anytime.

Xiahou Dun: ...Never...No matter what you’ve become, I’ll never be afraid of you.

【Beginning】
An insidious man was walking alone in a foggy place. A fat man suddenly popped up and scowled at the lone man.

Dong Zhuo: You scum! Go to hell!

Cao Cao: Just shut up and stay dead.

Dong Zhuo’s phantom vanished when Cao Cao slashed him with a sword. Next second, a baby crying sounded behind him. Turning around, Cao Cao saw Cai Wenji with a baby in her arms. She blamed him anguishly,

Cai Wenji: I loathe you...You ruined my life!

Cao Cao: Humph. It’s you who ruined my life.

Cai Wenji’s phantom vanished when Cao Cao slashed again, but not the baby in her arms. Falling down, the baby turned into a handsome teen, who looked into Cao Cao’s eyes sullenly.

Cao Pi: Father, do you really fear nothing? We fear as a human, for we all have a heart to love.

Cao Cao: ...That’s exactly what kills you…

The woeful Cao Pi shook his head and pointed his finger to the dark afar.

Cao Pi: Isn’t that your heart?

Looking over, Cao Cao saw a girly silhouette in the dark. That was Xiahou Dun. When he was about to move his feet, a sword suddenly pierced through her body, splashing blood all over the place.

Cao Cao: No...NO! Dun!

【End】
Cao Cao, jumped by his dream, was gasping on his bed. Xiahou Dun came over to check on him immediately.

Xiahou Dun: Master, what’s wrong? You’re sweating. Are you ill?

Cao Cao: ...No. I didn’t expect to be haunted by a nightmare...Looks like I’m not ready for hell.

Xiahou Dun: ...I’ll be there by your side even in hell.

The wholehearted Xiahou Dun placed Cao Cao’s palm on her forehead. Her gesture deeply touched Cao Cao.

Cao Cao: “I don’t care about my ending. As long as I have her, I have no fear of being the most hated man in this world.”

Someone knocked on the door. Cao Cao let the visitor in.

Soldier: Lord Cao Cao, Yuan Shao is asking to meet you.

Cao Cao: Ha. Looks like something fun is about to happen. Dun, let’s go.

Cao Cao dressed himself up and left the room with Xiahou Dun. What he didn’t know was that he would be walking alone very soon.