Chapter 044: The Eight Champions and Cao Peng's Spy

In the city of Xiapi, within the residence of Lü Bu.

Lü Bu’s eight elite generals came to pay their respects to him, but were stopped at the entrance by Chen Gong.

“We have come especially to see the Marquis Wen. Why do you block our way?” Zhang Liao demanded sternly.

He was anxious, for the morale within the army was already fraying; without Lü Bu stepping out to take command, no one could keep the unruly soldiers in check.

“I’ve already told you, though the Marquis Wen is out of danger, the scar on his face has not yet healed, and it is inconvenient for him to receive visitors,” replied Chen Gong.

With that, Chen Gong ignored them and ordered the doors to be shut.

Since Lü Bu’s failed breakout and subsequent injury on the battlefield, he had secluded himself in his residence for recovery. Days passed, yet he remained unseen, and rumors began to circulate throughout the city.

Some claimed Lü Bu had been disfigured, others insisted he was grievously wounded and near death, the most outrageous even said he had already died, and that Chen Gong was concealing the news.

Led by Zhang Liao and Zang Ba, Lü Bu’s eight elite generals came to check on him, but each was refused by Chen Gong.

These eight generals were not ordinary men; each could fight a hundred foes. Zhang Liao and Zang Ba, the leaders among them, were considered top-tier warriors even among the Three Kingdoms, capable of holding their own against the likes of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.

Denied an audience with Lü Bu, their suspicions deepened.

“The Marquis Wen hasn’t shown himself for days. If he truly is well, why is Chen Gong making excuses?” one muttered.

“Exactly, there must be something going on,” another agreed.

“The Cao army could attack at any moment. If the Marquis Wen doesn’t recover soon, we are truly finished,” a third worried.

Amid the murmurs, Zhang Liao silenced them: “Stop gossiping! You must have faith in the general’s unparalleled valor. He will be fine!”

Seeing that their visit was futile without Lü Bu, the eight dispersed.

Among these eight, one was named Hao Meng. After parting from the others, he carefully checked that no one was around and slipped into a tavern.

He made his way upstairs, settling at a screened, window-side table, and began to wait.

After some time, a man dressed in black and wearing a bamboo hat sat across from him.

The stranger produced a sand tray, placing it between himself and Hao Meng.

Hao Meng immediately picked up the stylus, writing on the tray. The man in black wiped away the writing as soon as he finished, then wrote in return.

Thus, the two conversed silently, exchanging words through the sand.

“I only saw Chen Gong. Lü Bu has not appeared; perhaps his injuries are truly severe,” Hao Meng wrote.

“Keep watching. Report any developments to me immediately,” came the reply.

“Understood.”

“Try to find any of Lü Bu’s generals who might be persuaded to defect. If you succeed, the Minister will reward you handsomely.”

Hao Meng considered carefully, then wrote, “Zang Ba. He is not particularly loyal to Lü Bu. There’s a high chance he could be won over.”

“Very well. Proceed cautiously,” the man in black wrote, then abruptly blurred the words on the tray, stood, and left.

Watching him depart, Hao Meng felt a mix of emotions.

His current role as a spy for Cao Peng was not his original intention, but the result of a recent accident.

Previously, when Lü Bu attempted a forced breakout, Hao Meng had gone to war with him.

He and Zhang Liao served as bait; while Zhang Liao fought Guan Yu to a standstill, Hao Meng was blocked by Zhang Fei.

As Lü Bu retreated in defeat, some soldiers saw Hao Meng captured by Zhang Fei, yet later he somehow returned.

He claimed to have found a gap and escaped at great risk.

Zhang Liao and the others accepted his story without suspicion.

As for becoming Cao Peng’s spy, Hao Meng had done so willingly.

After his capture, Cao Peng immediately appeared, personally untying him and offering food and drink.

He then reasoned with him: Lü Bu was finished; following him would lead to ruin. By turning to Minister Cao, not only would he be rewarded with gold and jewels, but he might also receive imperial recognition.

Through persuasion and threats, Cao Peng broke down Hao Meng’s resistance.

Not only did Hao Meng feel no regret for his actions, he grew increasingly grateful for having seen the truth early.

Cao Cao’s army was pressing in, with generals rivaling Lü Bu in might and strategists unmatched in wisdom.

Lü Bu’s defeat was inevitable—only a matter of time.

Now, having switched allegiances, Hao Meng knew that when the city fell, he would not have to die alongside Lü Bu. Instead, he could expect wealth and honors from the court. Why not embrace such fortune?