Meng Huo's Amelioration

【Before Battles】
Descendants of the tribe had been killing each other to fight for the chief position of Nanman. The last survivor standing was Meng Huo the 13th son, which logically made him take over the position.
Due to food shortage resulting from the civil war, his wife Zhurong suggested invading Sun Jian’s territory.
However, the neck and neck war brought uncountable casualties; such deadlock had been a pain in Sun Ce’s head, the son of Sun Jian.
After nights of discussions with his strategists, they still failed to come up with a plan. So the exhausted Sun Ce decided to return to the barracks for a rest.

Sun Ce: ...

Once he stepped into the camp, a shadow flashed but vanished in a very short moment. Sun Ce walked to a desk as if he had seen nothing.
When he took off the armor, a burly shadow appeared behind a wooden screen, sneaking up on Sun Ce…

【After Battles】
Whoosh! Sounds of swords echoed over the sealed camp. Sun Ce’s and Meng Huo’s swords had already reached each other’s neck at the same time.
It was supposed to be a deathmatch, but none had the killing intention. Instead, they were just gazing at one another curiously.

Sun Ce: ...Why?

He broke the silence to ask.

Sun Ce: I would’ve been dead already if you did it when I stepped in the camp. Why the mercy?

Meng Huo: ...I’m not here to kill you.

Sun Ce: Then what’s your purpose?

Meng Huo: As the chief of Nanman, I want to make a deal with you, Sun Ce the son of Sun Jian.

【Before Battles】

Sun Ce: Oh, interesting. A chief has even risked his life to break into the enemy’s camp. You know you’ll be doomed if I call for help.

Sun Ce: Once you die, your army will be collapsed, and the victory will be mine. Then what’s the point of the deal?

Meng Huo: My death won’t have any influence on my army. Instead, you’ll be making the thing even more complicated.

【After Battles】

Sun Ce: ...What do you mean?

Meng Huo: If I die, no one can stop her. By then you’ll lose terribly.

Sun Ce: Her?

Meng Huo: My wife Zhurong. She is the true dominator of Nanman.

Sun Ce: “Seems he’s not lying…”

Sun Ce: ...What kind of deal is it?

Meng Huo: Make me your hostage. Then negotiate with my wife.

Sun Ce: What is good for me?

Meng Huo: Many innocent lives have been sacrificed in the war...This is not what you want, right?

Meng Huo looked at him directly; his gaze was pure and frank, which made a huge difference in Sun Ce’s perception of how brutal the chief of Naman was.
The sharp contradiction came as a surprise and interested Sun Ce with a smile.

Sun Ce: Hahaha, right...I can’t bear to see my people suffer. If this is meant to be a peace treaty, I’ll take it.

The agreement with Sun Ce made Meng Huo feel relieved. Then, they started discussing the arrangement for the plan. As everything was ready, Sun Ce raised his doubt before setting out.

Sun Ce: Are you sure it’s gonna work? What if Zhurong finds out you’re involved in this. Maybe we should change——

Meng Huo: No, it’s all good. I am willing to do anything for her as long as I can stop her.

Sun Ce: ”...He really loves her…”

Afterwards, Sun Ce brought Meng Huo to the negotiation table with Zhurong. The successful talk had also brought Sun Ce a close affinity with this couple, which was a very crucial key to save his life in the future…

【Before Battles】
With Sun Ce’s help, the food shortage of Nanman was resolved, saving the nation from a great turmoil. However, a threat appeared suddenly.
A scout at the border discovered an army was approaching from the northwest. Zhurong and Meng Huo immediately set out to reinforce the defence.

Zhurong: According to the soldier’s report, the army consists of two forces. 20 percent of the army is Nanmanese, the remaining is Cao Cao’s.

Meng Huo: ...So there are traitors in the tribe to borrow men of Cao Cao and attack us?

Zhurong : Right, but I can’t think of anyone who is capable of doing this.

Zhurong: Now only you have the blood lineage as a chief. And our people won’t be convinced if we find someone else to be the chief, except——Emm!

Meng Huo: Dear!

Zhurong felt dizzy all of a sudden; her body lost balance as she blacked out. Worried, Meng Huo caught her in time.

Zhurong: “Vertigo and nausea are getting more and more frequent lately...could it be...No, I should stay focused on the enemies.”

At the moment, footsteps came from the outside.

Soldier: Report. Enemy’s envoy is expecting you.

【After Battles】

Meng Huo: I didn’t——

Zhurong: Let him in.

Meng Huo: But your body…

Zhurong: I’m fine.

With her insistence, they called in the envoy and knew that the enemy’s general intended to negotiate peace, provided that Meng Huo attended the meeting. In view of Zhurong’s pale face, Meng Huo said immediately.

Meng Huo: Let me go. You stay and rest.

Zhurong: No, you can’t handle it alone. I’m coming with you...Emm!

However, Zhurong fell to a chair as the strong dizziness kicked in. Meng Huo’s face became grim when he saw that.

Meng Huo: If you insist, I’ll turn down the negotiation then.

Zhurong: NO! This is a good chance to sound the enemy out. You can’t miss——

???: I’ll go with Meng Huo.

Meng Huo: Sun Ce...how are your legs?

Sun Ce: Ah, I’m fine. Still a little rusty on running, but overall it’s okay to walk around, all thanks to your help.

Sun Ce and his father tried to overthrow the tyranny of the new emperor, but were defeated by Cao Cao. Sun Ce then fell off the cliffs; fortunately he was saved by Zhurong and Meng Huo.
Although his legs were paralyzed due to injuries, Sun Ce managed to heal his legs with perseverance.

Meng Huo: Dear, now you can rest assured. I got Sun Ce’s company.

Zhurong: ....Okay.

【Before Battles】
Meng Huo and Sun Ce came to a hillside camp. The enemy’s general had been waiting, and Meng Huo immediately recognized who it was when he entered.

Meng Huo: Third brother...weren’t you killed by the big brother?

3rd Elder Brother: Yes, half dead. But I guess it was god’s mercy to let me survive until I accomplish my crusade.

Meng Huo: ...So you joined Cao Cao’s camp and tried to kill our people?

3rd Elder Brother: Same old you, younger brother, kind and good-natured just as I know you. The things you did before were all Zhurong’s ideas, right?

【After Battles】

Meng Huo: ...And so what?

3rd Elder Brother: This is why I borrowed soldiers from Cao Cao, to save you and our people from that evil woman’s hand.

As the third brother clapped, three sexy ladies came in to surround Meng Huo.

3rd Elder Brother: If you’re willing to help, I promise you’ll be treated well after the victory.

However, Meng Huo pushed away the ladies in fury.

Meng Huo: Enough! Zhurong never forces me to do it. I’m totally happy to help her!

3rd Elder Brother: Sigh, it seems you’ve already been bewitched by that woman!

Meng Huo: ...Stop it, brother. If you surrender, I’ll risk everything to protect you.

3rd Elder Brother: Humph, YOU surrender! Soldiers!

A dozen of soldiers appeared from dark corners.

3rd Elder Brother: Kill him!

When they sprinted towards Meng Huo, a shadow flitted across the camp, disarming the soldiers’ swords with a crutch. At the same time, dozens of soldiers broke into the place to protect Meng Huo.

Sun Ce: Phew, gladly I made it. Are you okay, Meng Huo?

Meng Huo: I’m fine, thank you.

3rd Elder Brother: Tut! I underestimate you, brother. This is it. I’ll see you again in the battle!

As his elder brother left, Meng Huo was filled with pain and sorrow. Even though they were siblings, a fight was still inevitable.

Meng Huo: “Even so, I’m never gonna give you up, my dear.”