Chapter 099: Liu Bei’s Scheme Fails

Wang Yue’s eyes were filled with disbelief; the sword he had carried for many years was actually severed by Cao Peng’s Qinggang Sword. Cao Peng’s strike was an all-out attack. After cutting through Wang Yue’s sword, he struck fiercely at his chest, leaving a deep wound that exposed the bone.

Wang Yue screamed in pain, “You despicable scoundrel, resorting to treachery!” He had gravely underestimated Cao Peng’s strength and, even more so, the fact that Cao Peng wielded such a peerless sword.

As Wang Yue slowly collapsed, Cao Peng laughed heartily. “In warfare, all means are justified. If anyone’s to blame, it’s your own foolishness. Do you expect the enemy to pity your stupidity on the battlefield?” Cao Peng thought this man was truly a fool.

Ignoring Wang Yue’s lifeless body, Cao Peng strode into the stone cave and gently lifted Diao Chan into his arms. Holding the delicate Diao Chan and gazing at her radiant face, Cao Peng felt a flutter in his heart. Yet, he had no intention of taking advantage of her at such a moment. To do so would make him despise himself.

Carrying Diao Chan to the water’s edge, he saw Man Chong leading soldiers in a boat, heading toward the isolated island. This was convenient—it spared him the trouble of rowing back.

When Diao Chan woke, her first sight was Cao Peng, which made her slightly nervous. She retained some memory of her earlier abduction. “I’m sorry. It’s all because of me that the general has been implicated,” she said.

Cao Peng shook his head, urging her to rest and not dwell on it. After a moment of silence, Diao Chan asked about Lü Lingqi’s whereabouts. Cao Peng was momentarily speechless. He sighed, “I’m sorry, I failed to protect her. But rest assured, no matter how far, I will find her.”

Diao Chan placed her fair, jade-like hand gently on Cao Peng’s mouth, shaking her head softly. “General, you don’t need to say more. I understand.”

Lü Lingqi was a fiercely spirited woman—stubborn and rebellious. Asking her to abandon her quest for vengeance was impossible.

“Thank you, General. Please find Ling’er...” After saying this, perhaps due to exhaustion and anxiety, Diao Chan soon fell asleep again. It was also because Cao Peng’s embrace made her feel safe enough to rest peacefully.

When she awoke again, she found Cao Peng still by her bedside. “General...” Her cheeks flushed faintly. A sweet ripple stirred in her heart toward him.

“All right, get some rest. This residence is in Xudu City—very safe,” Cao Peng said. He kept his priorities clear, unwilling to let matters of the heart delay his ambition to conquer the world.

Eventually, he left, and Diao Chan watched until the figure on his steed disappeared from sight.

Having been delayed by this, Cao Peng had no time to rest and immediately set off for Xuzhou.

...

Upon hearing that Cao Cao had ordered Liu Bei to lead an expedition, Guo Jia and Cheng Yu hurried to advise him against it.

“My lord, you are mistaken. Do you know who Liu Bei really is? Sending him out is like releasing a tiger back into the wildI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.