Chapter 83: An Unexpected Outcome

After several rounds of fierce combat, Dian Wei had begun to vaguely discern the identity of the assassin before him. Now, he had his opponent completely suppressed and estimated that, within four more exchanges, he could capture the foe.

But it was at this very moment that unforeseen change struck.

The assassin hurled a black sphere from her hand, sending it hurtling straight for Dian Wei’s face.

A sense of foreboding welled up in him at the sight, but his instincts took over; with a swift slash, he shattered the black ball.

The moment it burst, a pungent stench assailed his senses, bringing tears and snot streaming uncontrollably down his face. This was a scent he knew all too well—pepper bombs that had once caused him great suffering in Wancheng.

Now everything was clear. Indeed, this assassin was intertwined with Cao Peng in myriad ways.

The assassin was none other than Lü Lingqi. As she deployed the weapon Cao Peng had given her, she silently repeated countless apologies in her heart. She knew that, once she used this weapon, her connection to Cao Peng would be exposed. She truly did not wish for this, but her determination for revenge left her no other choice.

With her surprise move to stave off Dian Wei, Lü Lingqi immediately turned, brandishing her short blade and lunged at Cao Cao.

Her figure moved as swiftly as a streak of light, graceful and nimble.

As the short blade thrust toward him, Cao Cao’s face turned deathly pale. In stark contrast to his terror, Lü Lingqi’s eyes shone with the joy of imminent vengeance, so much so that she failed to register the fierce whoosh from behind her.

Not until searing pain tore through her back and a spray of blood blossomed did she manage, with great effort and astonishment, to look back.

In the end, she had underestimated Dian Wei’s prowess.

Though blinded by the pepper spray, Dian Wei had, by sense alone, hurled his great blade with unerring force.

Struck by this wild blow, Lü Lingqi’s body was flung toward the cliff behind Cao Cao, her short blade falling from her grasp.

In that very instant as she was about to plummet over the precipice, she reached out and grabbed hold of Cao Cao.

Thus, the two of them tumbled over the cliff together!

This sight terrified Dian Wei. He dashed to the edge and leapt straight down without hesitation.

Using special techniques to enhance his speed, he managed to catch up with Cao Cao and, with desperate strength, grabbed hold of him.

Thanks to this grip, Cao Cao’s fall was slowed, bringing him closer to the cliffside. Driven by a powerful will to survive, he grasped at the wild grass and withered branches along the cliff.

So, he slid to the bottom, his hands scraped and bloodied, but otherwise safe and sound.

Dian Wei, who had risked his life to save him, plunged into the turbulent river below, likely carried far downstream by the rushing water.

Cao Cao hurriedly searched all around, but neither the assassin nor Dian Wei were in sight—both must have been swept away by the current.

The battle by the cliff had not lasted long before Cao Ren arrived with the rear guard.

Seeing the assassin’s corpse on the ground and the dying black-armored soldiers, Cao Ren immediately ordered, “Seal off the path behind us. Do not let the Emperor or the court officials approach!”

“To the rest of you, follow me down the cliff at once to find our lord!”

“Yes, sir!”

Having issued his orders, Cao Ren immediately led his men down to search for Cao Cao.

Meanwhile, Liu Xie had also arrived at the rear, only to be blocked by black-armored soldiers.

“Your Majesty must not go forward. There were assassins ahead just now!”

Liu Xie’s expression darkened as he cast a discreet glance at Dong Cheng behind him.

They believed that their own people had acted up ahead; in that case, they had no choice but to lend support.

Dong Cheng murmured softly, “Imperial Uncle!”

Liu Bei’s heart skipped a beat, but his face betrayed nothing. He nodded silently and spurred his horse forward.

The soldiers hurried to block him. “Imperial Uncle, there are assassins ahead. Please wait here!”

“Lord Sima is in grave danger. My brothers and I cannot stand idly by.”

With that, he and Guan Yu and Zhang Fei moved to advance, leaving the soldiers at a loss.

“This…”

Zhang Fei, hot-tempered as ever, promptly slapped one of the soldiers across the face.

“Out of the way! My elder brother is going to help your lord, and you dare block our path? What is your intent?!”

After such a rebuke, none of the soldiers dared to stand in their way, and so Liu Bei and his brothers were allowed through.

Shortly after the three brothers had passed, Cao Peng arrived, accompanied by Zhang Liao, Xu Chu, and the formidable Tiger and Leopard Cavalry.

Cao Peng quickly asked Xun Yu, Cheng Yu, and the others, “What on earth happened here?”

Xun Yu drew close and spoke quietly, “It seems assassins had lain in wait here. Our lord and General Dian Wei both fell over the cliff with the assassin.”

His voice was low, but the nearby commanders could still hear.

Cao Peng noticed the anxious faces of the commanders around him, but Zhang Liao seemed particularly uneasy.

“Wenyuan…”

Cao Peng’s voice startled Zhang Liao, who quickly looked over, but Cao Peng said nothing more.

Nonetheless, Zhang Liao felt certain that Cao Peng had noticed something from his earlier slip of composure.

Though young, Cao Peng was sharp-eyed and keen of mind; it was near impossible to keep anything from him.

But Cao Peng did not look at Zhang Liao again. Instead, he calmly began issuing orders.

“Xu Chu, take your troops and escort the officials and His Majesty back to the city at once!”

Xu Chu was reluctant. With Cao Cao’s fate still uncertain, how could he be at ease returning to the city?

But Cao Peng approached and whispered, “Zhongkang, once you’re back, seek out Chen Qun and Man Chong. They’ll tell you what to do. There are troublemakers in the city—your return with troops is just in time!”

Hearing this, Xu Chu made no further objection and dutifully led the soldiers back.

Once the officials and His Majesty had departed under Xu Chu’s escort, Cao Peng turned to Zhang Liao and said, “Wenyuan, let’s take some men and search down below.”

Zhang Liao offered a bitter smile and nodded.

Now, with neither Cao Cao’s advisors nor other commanders present, Cao Peng spoke directly.

“Wenyuan, if there’s something you need to say, speak up. If you keep it bottled inside, I can’t help you.”

Zhang Liao gave Cao Peng a look, hesitating, truly unable to voice his pain.

Cao Peng smiled faintly, then deliberately used a goading tone.

“Wenyuan, back when Xia Pi fell, you faced death without fear, possessing even greater resolve than Lü Bu. Why so hesitant now? That’s not the spirit of a true man!”

The ploy worked. Zhang Liao finally spoke up: “General, the assassin who struck at Lord Sima this time is very likely Lady Lü Lingqi!”

Always calm and collected, Cao Peng felt as though thunder had crashed in his mind.

Zhang Liao had just said that the one who attempted to assassinate Cao Cao was Lü Lingqi—something he could never have anticipated!

“Tell me everything you know, at once!”

Cao Peng’s tone was now severe and laced with deadly intent; Zhang Liao dared not meet his gaze.