【Before Battles】
Since the couplet contest, Sima Yi was appreciated by Cao Cao and promoted to his strategist. With wit, the two climbed to the higher rank, rooting out all those who defied Cao Cao.
However, his tyranny had stirred up much grievance among the public. In view of the situation, Lü Bu, Sun Quan and Liu Bei had led armies, intending to overthrow Cao Cao.
Informed by Yuan Shao, Lü Bu's subordinate, Cao Cao took this opportunity to create a setup——
When Lü Bu arrived at Sun Quan's territory, he would bring the elites in person to seize the city. Once Lü Bu entered, he would be immediately cornered by Sima Yi.
Unfortunately, this strategy was seen through by Zhuge Liang, the strategist of Liu Bei, who played tricks to delay the march of Sima Yi's army.
Despite her knowing, the delay was already unavoidable. Therefore, she had been hastening to the destination with the troops.
Suddenly, a huge noise sounded; war was sparked off somewhere at the shoal nearby, which made Sima Yi even more unsettling.
- Sima Yi: “Cao Cao, you can't die before I beat you!”
【After Battles】
When Sima Yi was advancing in the woods, a familiar voice echoed over the surroundings.
- ???: Hey! I just can't die here before I get a girlfriend!”
- Sima Yi: “That idiot...It must be him!”
Reining in her horse, Sima Yi commanded the soldiers at the rear to head to the voice direction. As expected, Zhang Liao, once freed by Cao Cao, was there.
He was being encircled by dozens of soldiers, with many deep and shallow cuts on his body. The blood-soaked Zhang Liao was trying to protect a man passed out behind.
- Sima Yi: “Cao Cao!”!
- Soldiers: You have no way out, die!
When the soldiers were about to attack, they were slashed by Sima Yi's army in time.
- Zhang Liao: Phew, lucky me...You've saved me from dying in the name of virginity…
- Sima Yi: What happened?
- Zhang Liao: We were ambushed by the rebels. To save Cao Cao out of danger, Xiahou Dun let me take him away by knocking him out, while she stayed behind to hold the rebels off.
- Zhang Liao: That was a close call. I almost died as a single if you hadn't showed up…
- Sima Yi: “It's my fault...my mistake to put Cao Cao in danger...Damn!”
At the moment, the faint Cao Cao woke up, sprinted towards Zhang Liao and grabbed his collar with a glare.
- Cao Cao: How dare you leave Dun behind and flee on your own!
- Zhang Liao: ...You know better than me. I have no choice.
- Cao Cao: You——!
Obviously Cao Cao understood Zhang Liao, and his life was still intact only because of Zhang Liao's protection.
However, putting Dun's life at stake was totally unacceptable. Cao Cao threw him to the ground and answered coldly.
- Cao Cao: Get lost!
- Zhang Liao: ...Take care.
After bowing to Cao Cao and Sima Yi with sorrow, Zhang Liao went straight to the forest alone…