Chapter 067: Lü Lingqi’s Obsession with Vengeance

Within the city of Xuzhou, a young woman moved cautiously through the streets, wary of being discovered, making her way toward Zhang Liao’s residence. She had smeared something on her face to deliberately disguise her features, but even so, her delicate and striking beauty could still be glimpsed beneath the mask. Dressed in coarse linen garments, she could not hide the natural grace and vitality that emanated from her.

Arriving at the entrance of a large manor, she sized up the two guards standing like iron towers at the gate, then stepped forward and addressed them: “Gentlemen, I wish to see General Zhang Liao. Would you please announce me?” The two men, hearing she was seeking Zhang Liao, scrutinized her more carefully. In their eyes, she was but an ordinary woman—hardly worth their attention. One of them sneered openly, “And who are you? A man of General Zhang’s stature is not someone just anyone can see on a whim.”

Rage flared in the young woman’s eyes. Once, as the daughter of Lü Bu, none in the army had dared show her such disrespect. Now, to be looked down upon by a mere gatekeeper—she could hardly bear it. With a cold scoff, her seemingly frail hand shot up without warning. The guard felt a sudden gust of force; before he could react, a stinging slap landed on his face, leaving it burning. She did not stop there—her arm, swift and sinuous like a serpent, twisted around him and threw him to the ground, pinning him beneath her foot so he could not move.

The guard, subdued and humiliated, began shouting. “How dare you cause trouble in Xuzhou! Are you some hidden traitor within the city?” The other guard, daunted by her ferocity, dared not approach and was about to rush inside for help when the door suddenly opened.

A burly general strode out, his voice stern. “Stop! What is happening here?” The second guard hurriedly reported, “General, this woman appeared out of nowhere, claiming to seek you. We questioned her, and she attacked us!”

Now that Zhang Liao had appeared, the young woman released the guard she held captive. “Oh? And what business do you have with me, young lady?” Zhang Liao was curious—what sort of woman could defeat one of his own guards in a single move?

He had not looked closely before, but when he did, he was suddenly taken aback. He ordered his guards to keep the gate and admit no one, then led the young woman quickly inside.

“My lady, what brings you here?” Zhang Liao was not a heartless man. Since pledging himself to Cao Cao, he had inquired after her and heard rumors linking her to Cao Peng. If it were true, Zhang Liao would not worry, for he regarded Cao Peng as an honorable man; with such a person, she would surely be safe.

After all she had endured, the young woman’s once-beautiful countenance now bore a trace of resolve. She bowed respectfully to Zhang Liao. “General Zhang, I come to beg a favor of you.”

He rushed to help her up. “My lady, whatever you need, speak freely. If it is within my power, I will do everything I can.”

Though Zhang Liao was loyal and willing to help, his expression changed when he heard the nature of her request. Her thirst for vengeance was so fierce that even he felt a chill. Truly, she was Lü Bu’s daughter.

He sighed deeply, troubled. Her desperate pleas made it hard for him to refuse. “General Zhang, when you served under my father, you were the most loyal and righteous of his men. That is why I have come to you.”

“I know your position is difficult; I will not ask you to endanger yourself. I only beg you to lend me a few dozen skilled men. If I am captured, I will end my own life before I implicate you.”

Moved by her words, Zhang Liao’s resolve wavered. He had once remained loyal to Lü Bu even when all others had surrendered, resisting until the bitter end.

“My lady, please rise,” he said, lifting her himself. The clever young woman understood immediately—he had agreed.

“Thank you, Uncle.”

He could only sigh.

After leaving Zhang Liao’s residence, the young woman hurried back to her lodgings. As she neared the alley, she saw from a distance a beautiful matron pacing anxiously at the door. It was the famed Diao Chan. Upon seeing the girl, she hurried over in relief.

“Ling’er, where have you been?”

The young woman embraced her, gently patting her shoulder to comfort her. “Mother, it’s nothing. I was feeling stifled inside, so I went out for a walk.”

Diao Chan did not care whether her words were true or false; she was only glad she had returned safely. Since Lü Bu’s death, Diao Chan’s only comfort and support was this young woman. When she was away, Diao Chan’s heart was restless.

This residence had been carefully arranged by Cao Peng, who had left many maids to serve them.

Once the young woman was home, Diao Chan immediately ordered food to be brought. At the meal, the conversation turned to their future. Diao Chan, never one with strong opinions, was now utterly adrift without Lü Bu. She had meant to take her own life when facing Cao Cao, but was saved by Cao Peng. Though she had longed for death, she had been unable to achieve it, and for now, the urge had faded.

She no longer cared what became of herself. The only thing that mattered now was the young woman—Lü Bu’s only surviving child, whom she loved as her own daughter. If she could not see her find happiness, Diao Chan felt she would never rest in peace.

The young woman said, “Mother, I intend to return to Xuchang with Cao Peng for now. In these troubled times, the two of us, alone and unprotected, would find it hard to survive.”

“Very well, Ling’er. Young Master Cao is a good man. Your father asked him to look after you before he died…”

“Enough, Mother. I only wish to treat him as an elder brother—nothing more, at least for now,” the young woman interrupted before Diao Chan could finish.

At that moment, voices sounded from outside the door.

“General Cao has arrived…”

The two women rose at once. Sure enough, it was Cao Peng. He had brought more food and women’s necessities. Truly, this man’s thoughtfulness and care left both women deeply moved.

In this male-dominated age, Cao Peng’s modern sensibilities toward women were rare enough to touch their hearts profoundly.

For all that, the young woman felt gratitude toward Cao Peng and, in truth, her heart was already affected by him. Yet, as she had just told Diao Chan, she had no wish to pursue feelings of love—not yet.

For she still bore a blood debt that must be repaid.