Shi Huan – Gōngliú

Guo Tu – Gōngzé

Zhang He – Jùnyì
Shen Pei – Zhèngnán
Yu Jin – Wenze
Xu Huang – Gōngmíng
Jia Xu – Wénhé
Xun You – Gōngdá
Xiahou Yuan – Miàocái
Cao Pi – Zǐhuán

Xiahou Dun – Yuánràng
Cao Cao – Mèngdé
Cao Pi – Zǐhuán
Zhang Liao – Wényuǎn
Yue Jin – Wenqian

Li Dian – Mànchéng

Yuan Shao – Běnchū

Guo Jia – Fèngxiào

Yue Jin squinted into the darkness, but quickly gave up when he saw that his efforts were futile. He could not pierce the inky black that surrounded them. He was barely able to make out his companions, around fifty or so of them, huddled around a single torch, each of them desperate to be near its orange glow.

Of course Jin understood the reason for the lack of light; it wouldn't be much of an ambush if your enemy saw you coming. That was the very reason they were doing this in the dead of night after all. Still, he wished they would have some sort of light. He had never fought in such darkness before. It would be tricky to ensure that you were attacking your enemies and not your allies, especially since they were dressed up in the enemy uniform.

Jin tugged at the uniform with a frown. He hated the color and hated the feel of it even more. It felt foreign and restricting to him and he couldn't wait until this battle was over so he could be back in his own armor.

"Should we come up with some sort of way to identify each other in this darkness? Especially since a good portion of us won't be recognizable by our uniforms anymore and it's not like we'll be able to huddle around a torch when we are fighting," Jin asked as he squinted to look at his other companions outside of their circle.

Those soldiers did not have the luxury of a torch and was forced to rely solely on verbal commands. They remained silent and nearly motionless within the darkness, afraid they may miss a command if they made too much noise.

Jin turned his attention back to Li Dian, the person he directed the question to. He could barely make his face out in the flickering light, but what he could see was that Dian wasn't paying attention to him at all. Jin shook Dian by the shoulder, shaking him out of his reverie. Dian blinked as the world around him came back into focus and his thoughts receded to the background.

"Time to move out?" He asked as he looked around to his fellow soldiers crowded around the torch with them and saw that no one was making any moves to leave.

"No," Jin replied with a slight frown. "I was asking you if you think we should come up with some sort of way to identify each other. It'll be difficult to discern friend from foe in this darkness especially since we are wearing enemy uniforms."

Before Dian could answer another voice spoke up in his place.

"Don't worry, the camp has plenty of torches lit. You'll be able to see when you need to."

"Enjoying creeping around, Gōngliú?" Dian asked without looking over his shoulder to the man staying hidden within the darkness.

"It comes with the job," he replied with a shrug that was seen by no one. "But wow, I didn't surprise you guys at all huh? I must be having an off day…"

"No one else knows we are here," Jin replied stoically. "It had to be you. Besides, if it were an enemy, why would they speak to us? Better to run one of us through while we were unaware."

Huan gave a pout and folded his arms across his chest. "Why are you using logic to ruin my fun?"

"Gōngliú, do you have a report?" Cao asked.

It was hard to see Cao as he was not huddled around the torch like the others, but he could just make out the outline of him standing a scant few feet away from them. He didn't have to see his face to know that he was probably frowning. The tone he used pretty much gave him that clue. Huan had taken longer than normal to scout out the fort, but wanted to make sure he got every detail they would need to capture it. The significance of this battle was not lost on Huan and he would not have it fail because he gave bad information.

"My apologies, my lord," Huan said as he made his way over to Cao. He gave him a formal salute, a pointless gesture as it could not be seen properly in the darkness, and began his report.

"It looks like our new friend Ju Shou spoke truly; it certainly does look like the bulk of Yuan Shao's supplies are housed in Wuchao."

"And their numbers?" asked Cao.

"He was pretty accurate about that too, only a few thousand. We have more men then they do. I overheard a few of them complaining being so lightly manned. They don't like sitting on so many supplies with the small force they have. They are desperately hoping for more men."

"And more men they should have," Cao said with a smile that was seen by no one. "Were you able to get any information on any officers that may be there?"

"Chunyu Qiong is there for sure. There are also some others there with him, but no one of renown. I caught a few of their names, maybe you know them? Lü Weihuang, Sui Yuanjin?"

"They are unfamiliar to me and thus useless. I am eager to move on with the rest of this plan. Are you ready, Gōngliú?"

"I am my lord."

"Then go. Lead our men into the jaws of our enemy."

"No pressure," Huan exhaled.

"You tout yourself as a skilled infiltrator; this should be child's play for you," came Dian Wei's gruff voice from somewhere beside Cao. If Huan squinted, he could make out the hulking bodyguard's massive frame standing close to his master.

"Sneaking myself in is a bit different than sneaking 3,000 men who aren't use to subterfuge, but I will do what is commanded."

"Good. We await your signal."

Though it was left unsaid, Huan knew that Cao's last words came with the addendum of 'Don't fail me.' The entire crux of this war between him and Yuan Shao rested on this battle. He imagined that anyone who failed Cao at this point wouldn't live to repeat the mistake.

Huan walked back over to Jin and the others. He wasn't surprised to see that they were already facing towards his direction. They knew his return would signal the beginning of the battle.

"We are going to move out," Huan began. He paused and allowed the other soldiers that would be going with him to move closer. He couldn't exactly shout being as close to the enemy base as they were. When enough had gathered, he continued.

"We will be acting under the guise of reinforcements from Yuan Shao's army. I know you'll be tempted, but don't attack any of them until I give the signal, understood?"

They gave a low rumble in agreement and Huan nodded.

"I'm going to be counting on you two to keep them in line while I get the gates open," Huan said to Jin and Dian.

"No problem," Dian replied. Jin gave a short nod in agreement to Dian's words.

"Might be for the best if you guys avoid talking to the other soldiers too much; don't want to tip our hand before we are ready."

"We'll do our part. Just make sure you do yours," Jin replied.

"Alright then, I'll take you at your word. Let's march and hope the heavens watch over our ambitious plan."

They set out with Huan leading the way through the darkness, holding the torch they were once huddled around like a beacon for the others to follow. Jin and Dian followed behind him with the other soldiers clad in Yuan Shao's armor in tow. They marched in silence, the weight and danger of their task looming over them like an oppressive fog. Sure they were wearing enemy colors, but they did not carry the enemy flag; nor did they walk with an enemy commander. For this plan to work, Huan had to truly have a silver tongue and not many had faith in that prospect.

Wuchao fort came into view. Huan felt a familiar wave of doubt and hesitation wash over him. He always felt this way before a mission. In his opinion it was a good thing. It reminded him to be careful. It made him remember that there was no such thing as a perfect infiltration and he wasn't infallible. He believed that feeling got him out of many missions alive and it is lack of this feeling that made others in his field end up dead. He squashed the feeling down as he had so many times, but he was certain to not completely stamp it out. That constant flutter in his stomach would serve to keep him alert.

They were at the gates now, two guards stood at the ready, eyeing them as they approached. Huan stepped up to them; the others stayed back and stayed silent. He could feel the nervous energy rolling off of them. He only hoped they wouldn't blow it and react too soon.

"We finally made it," Huan said to the two guards with a lopsided smile as he saluted them.

"Are you our reinforcements? They actually sent us reinforcements?" One of the guards replied in disbelief as he took in the sight of the 2,999 men that stood a few feet behind Huan.

"Yeah, in the middle of the night too. It was a pain to get here."

The soldier that spoke looked utterly relieved to hear Huan's words, but his companion wasn't so easily sold. He eyed Huan then the men behind him.

"You aren't carrying a flag," he said with a frown.

Hearing his companions words, the relieved soldier looked past Huan and finally took note of what he was saying. He eyed Huan with a newly critical eye.

"Why would we?" Huan replied nonchalant as he once again stamped down the fluttering that flared up within his stomach. "We didn't want to lead Cao's men to this fort. They made us hurry here in the middle of the night with one torch!" He exclaimed as he held up the torch he held in his hand as proof of his words.

The suspicious guard faltered a bit. Huan could tell that he starting to fall for the lie. He needed to push this home now or their charade will be over before it truly began.

"Look, guys, can we finish this inside? Master Pei pretty much told us that if we didn't get here before sunrise, he would have all of our heads. We are weary from travel and would really like some rest."

Both guards gave Huan a knowing nod. It seemed they were familiar with Shen Pei's temper. He was very glad he took the time to question Ju Shou about his former allies before they marched.

"Master Pei could be rather…difficult," the suspicious guard replied.

"Difficult is putting it mildly," the other guard replied with a snort.

For the first time since they arrived, the suspicious guard smiled. "You men go in and warm yourselves by the fire and get some food. We are lucky that Cao Cao hasn't discovered this fort yet, but I do not believe our luck will hold out forever. It is good to have more men at our side when that time comes."

Huan thank them both and saluted. They returned the gesture and the gates were opened, giving them access to the fort. They walked in, led by Huan. The enemy soldiers greeted them warmly seemingly pleased to have finally received reinforcements. Huan felt a small pang of guilt. They honestly look relieved to see them and he knew once they realized they welcomed a wolf into their midst they would be crushed. He hoped Lord Cao would take some of them prisoner. There was no need for them all to die. They are just men that were on the wrong side of the war.

"I'm going to go prepare the signal. Get ready to attack," Huan whispered to Jin and Dian. Both man gave him a nod and Huan slipped away from the rest of the group as they broke apart and began to wander around the camp.

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Huan made his way over to one of the guard towers. He swiftly climbed up the ladder and stopped near the top. Cautiously, he peered over the edge to get a look at the soldier standing guard there. The guard had his back towards the ladder and was looking out towards the landscape stretched out before him for signs of their enemies. He let out a loud yawn and reached behind him to scratch an itch in the inner cheek of his butt. His armor didn't make this easy and it took entirely too long for him to complete this task in Huan's humble opinion. To make matters worse the man then brought his fingers to his nose and sniffed. He made a face and shook his head before resting his hands back onto the shaft of his bow.

Huan climbed onto the watchtower landing behind the guard. He clamped one hand over his mouth to muffle his surprised cry and quickly ran a dagger across his now exposed throat with the other. The man struggled for against Huan, but he held tightly onto him, as his lifeblood seeped from the fresh wound. Finally his struggles began to get weaker, ultimately stopping completely. Huan set him down on the floor of the watchtower platform and pried the now dead guard's hands off of the bow. Huan notched an arrow, made a mental note to scrub the hell out of his hands when this was all done and aimed at the guard in the tower adjacent to his. He let the arrow fly and it buried itself into the guard's neck. The man crumbled to the floor out of sight.

Moving quickly, Huan readied three fire arrows and fire them off, one after the other. He could hear the guards below him, the very same that they had passed to get into the fort, question each other about what those arrows were. Unable to come up with an answer on their own, the guards began to call up to the two guards in the towers above them asking for an explanation, unbeknownst to them that they were no longer amongst the living. It was time for Huan to retreat. The first half of his mission was done; the signal was sent and now it was time for him to disappear until the next opportunity arose for him to complete his second mission. He wasn't a front line fighter, but he would watch the battle from the shadows. He slipped back down the ladder and dipped out of sight. It wouldn't be long now.

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"So far so good," Jin muttered as he looked around the fort. Part of him didn't think they would make it past the gate without a fuss. He had to give Huan credit, he was skilled at manipulation.

Dian nodded. "We will win this battle," he replied assuredly.

Jin regarded Dian in silence for a few seconds before giving him a nod of approval. If Dian said they would win, he knew it would be true. That didn't mean he had any right to be lax. He had to be sure to work hard to make Dian's prediction come true.

Dian's eyes swept over his surroundings. "I spot about four officers...but I don't see Chunyu Qiong."

"I see him," Jin replied with a frown. "He's headed towards a group of our guys. We better head him off."

"What's all this? Who are you?" Asked Chunyu Qiong, the general Yuan Shao had put in charge of this outpost. He made his way over to the newly arrived group and eyed them with open suspicion.

"Let me do the talking," Dian whispered as they made their way over to them. Jin gave him a short nod. He was all too happy to let Dian take the lead on this one. He wasn't good at this sort of thing and he didn't have the patience for it.

"Greetings, Master Qiong," Dian said with a salute.

Qiong turned his attention to them. His frown deepened as his eyes swept over the pair.

"I don't know you," he replied.

"We...uh…we just made the rank of officer after the deaths of Wen Chou and Yan Liang," said Dian.

Qiong continued to examine them in silence for a few more minutes before speaking once more. "Who sent you?"

"Master Pei!" He answered quickly, remembering the name Huan had used to gain them entrance earlier.

Qiong gave a grunt of acknowledgement. "Finally he sent us some help," he grumbled. He looked over Dian once more, his eyes stopping on his halberd.

"Not many people can use a weapon like that. Sure you can handle it?"

Dian gave a smile and easily hefted the halberd onto his shoulder. It weighed much less than his normal wheeled halberd. Unfortunately he had to leave his favored weapon behind. It was too much of a unique weapon. In all the land there were only two people who wielded it in battle. One being the man who taught him how to wield the weapon and the other obviously being himself. If he attempted to walk into the base with such a weapon, he was fairly certain he would have raised some red flags.

"This is nothing. I've trained with heavier."

Qiong waved a dismissive hand. "Carrying such an unwieldy weapon into battle is foolish unless you have the strength of someone like Lu Bu and boy, you do not look like you have much muscle on you. A good sword is all you need," he said as he gave a pat to the blade at his side.

"Take off your helmet. Let me see your face."

Reluctantly, Dian obliged, removing the helmet and tucking it under one arm while he awkwardly held his halberd with the other.

Qiong gave a dissatisfied tsk. "What is with that hair? It's all over the place. Do you not have any pride in yourself? Your hair should be brushed back and properly tied. Hmm your hair is a bit too short to be tied, but it can at least be brushed back. I don't want to see your hair in such a shape the next time I see you, understood?"

"Uh, yes, Master Qiong," Dian replied as he replaced the helmet atop his head.

"And you," Qiong began as he turned his attention to Jin. "Because of your stature, you should be using a spear instead of a sword."

"Excuse me?" Jin questioned as he eyed Qiong; his hand wondering dangerously close to his sword. This action thankfully was completely missed by Qiong.

"You are smaller and have less reach. It only makes sense that you use a weapon that can compensate. Not only are you using a sword which is completely a mismatch for someone of your size, you are carrying two of them! Trying to use two swords is foolish. Fighting isn't about being flashy, it is about being effective. Attempting to dual wield those swords will only hasten your journey to your ancestors' side. Trust me."

"I will take your words to heart, Master Qiong," Jin replied through gritted teeth as he forced himself to saluted Qiong respectfully. Internally however, Jin was very eager to show him exactly how good he was with two swords. They may not have been his hook swords, but he could still hold his own with them.

"No you won't," Qiong replied sourly. "I can see the defiance in your eyes. You young people today, you think you know it all and refuse to listen to those that are older and wiser than you. Do you think I got where I am by luck? No! It was by skill and hard work."

"I've never even heard of you until today," Jin muttered.

"What was that?!" Qiong asked angrily.

Dian nudged him hard in the side. Hastily, Jin amended his statement. "I said I've never heard wise words like that until today."

Qiong eyed him for a few moments before finally giving a satisfied nod. "You should take heed of them boy, don't just listen."

Mercifully cutting Qiong off from his lecture was the cry of the guards at the gate alerting them that they were under attack. Qiong's eyes bulged out of their sockets at hearing the news. How did Cao Cao find them? It was lucky that they just got reinforcements or they would be in dire straights—wait.

Realization dawned on Qiong and he shifted his attention back to Jin and Dian and saw wicked smiles on both men, Jin had his swords unsheathed and one pointed at him.

"I knew something was off about you," Qiong said with a sneer.

"I'll handle him," Jin said to Dian as he kept his eyes and weapons trained on Qiong. "Take care of the others."

Dian nodded and charged into the battle that had just gotten underway.

"Tsk, if we were to fight on even ground, I would beat a whelp like you easily."

Jin took a few steps back, giving Qiong space. "I look forward to the lesson."

Qiong unsheathed his sword. "Stupid little whelp. That will be the last mistake you ever make!"

The two men began to circle each other, each gripping their weapons tightly, muscles taunt as they waited for the other to make a move.

"I know your type boy," Qiong sneered. "You are the type that jumps headlong into battle with no plan at all."

"I'm in no mood for any more of your lectures, come at me and I'll show you my skill."

"But see, if you'd listen to what I am saying, you'd realize I'm trying to teach you something. You are so focused on me, you didn't even notice that archer that has an arrow aimed straight at your heart."

Jin quickly turned around to identify the threat. In his peripheral he could hear the sound of boots hastily distancing themselves from him. Jin turned his head back towards Qiong and saw his rapidly retreating back as he fled from the battle.

"I can't believe I fell for that," Jin groused. He moved to chase after him and saw that he was quickly being surrounded by Qiong's soldiers who wanted to cover their master's retreat. With a labored sigh, Jin dove into battle against them.

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On the other side of the camp, Huan used the chaos to sneak back to the front gates. With the aid of two ally soldiers the gates were thrown open ready for Cao's arrival. Huan didn't have to wait long for his lord. Cao's forces rode in and he ordered them to engage the enemy. Like a wave they flooded into battle with Dian Wei leading the charge, their numbers giving their forces a clear advantage in battle.

Huan maneuvered himself to Cao's side and saluted.

"You've done well," Cao remarked as he sat astride his horse looking out towards his forces engaging the enemy.

They were using their advantage in numbers to overwhelm the enemy forces. For every one enemy, two of his men engaged them and together, they took down their foe. It seemed Dian, Wei and Jin were doing more than their share too judging from the bodies strewn around each of them.

"Thank you my lord," Huan called out over the din of battle. I think we have a problem though."

The look Cao gave Huan made a shiver run down his spine. Those were not words he wanted to hear.

"What is it?" Cao asked crisply.

"The two guards that were watching the gate when we arrived, they were gone when we opened it. My guess is that they ran to inform Yuan Shao of the attack."

The frown on Cao's face slowly shifted into a smile. "I thought you said there was a problem."

Huan's brows furrowed. "I don't understand. Wouldn't getting attacked from the rear be a problem?"

Cao unsheathed his sword as he spared a final glance to Huan. "If Yuan Shao sends forces to attack us, our forces will retaliate and attack their rear. If they do nothing, we get supplies while denying him the same resources. I'm actually rather interested to see how he would react."

Huan had more questions, but they would have to wait. Having said his piece, Cao gave his horse a swift kick and charged off into battle. There was nothing left to do but see how it would all play out. With a shake of his head, Huan retreated back into the shadows to wait the battle out.

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Chest heaving and lung burning, the two guards stationed at the gates of Wuchao staggered across the threshold leading into Yuan Shao's main camp. Their legs giving way they immediately collapsed onto their backs as they struggled to suck much needed air into their lungs. Other guards rushed to their aid, asking them what happened. Heaving, one of the guards managed to get out three words, 'Wuchao under attack'.

The next few minutes were a blur. The camp was roused and an emergency council was called. The two guards, having been given water and time to rest were in attendance along with Shao's other generals as they waited their lord. It took some time to rouse him from his slumber, but eventually Shao plodded into the war tent. He didn't bother dressing in his usual armor and was instead clothed in his casual robes, which was nothing short of elegant. In a very rare site, Shao's hair hung loose as he didn't bother to tie it up being as rudely awakened as he was and the look he wore on his face clearly showed that he was not at all pleased about that.

"This better be good," he snarled as he plopped down into his chair that sat at the head of the war council.

"My lord, forgive us for interrupting your sleep," Tu began pausing to stifle a yawn. "These soldiers are from Wuchao. They say Cao Cao has attacked it."

"Yes, my lord," one of the soldiers said quickly. Tu cast him a nasty look irritated that he spoke before he was properly addressed.

"We spotted Cao Cao's forces on the horizon."

"How many?" Shao asked as he rubbed sleep out of his eyes. Once cleared, he narrowed them at the soldier that was speaking.

"I-I don't know, my lord," the soldier replied as he lowered his head to avoid Shao's gaze.

"What the hell do you mean you don't know? Which idiot sent you to me and didn't even give you basic information such as an estimation of the enemy's numbers?"

The other soldier stepped forward now, he gave a hasty salute. "No one sent us, my lord."

Shao stared at the second soldier as if he had suddenly grown a second head. After an uncomfortable minute of silence that felt like so much more to the soldier, he looked at Tu.

"What does he mean no one sent him, Gōngzé?"

"I…I don't know, my lord?" Tu turned his attention to the soldier.

"You there," he said as he pointed an accusatory finger at the man. "What do you mean that "no one sent you here"?"

The soldier looked between Shao and Tu and swallowed hard. "Well—um you see…," he swallowed again. For some inexplicable reason, his throat felt incredibly dry. "We saw Cao Cao's forces heading toward us. We tried to re-enter the fort but no one would open the gate so we thought it would be best to warn you…"

Once again, Shao leveled a glare at the soldiers standing before him. This time, the silence stretched for several minutes and frown on Shao's face seemed to deepen as they ticked by.

"So you thought abandoning your post on no authority but your own was the wisest thing to do?" Shao finally asked, breaking through the oppressive silence.

"We—we couldn't get back into the fort!" one of the soldiers protested.

"And I cannot abide by cowardice, execute them," Shao said with a wave of his hand.

"Wait! WAIT!" one of the soldiers protested. "If it wasn't for us, you wouldn't know about this attack! We didn't abandon our service to you! We came to warn you!"

"No!" Shao shouted as he shot to his feet. "What you did was act on your own! Instead of doing what you were assigned to do, you decided to do what you thought was best. Pray tell who gave you permission to THINK? I most certainly didn't. You are a bee and a good little bee does what it is told. It does not do what it thinks is best. I am SICK and tired of you plebeians who think you know better than those above you."

Shao turned his back to the two men, disgusted at looking at them. "You think you are showing initiative?" He asked the two men behind him. "Well you aren't. It is men like you with thoughts like yours that gave us that pain in the ass Cao Cao, another plebian that just couldn't do what he was told and had delusions of grandeur. No. I was lax in my handling of him and my failure gave us the menace that we face today. I will not make the same mistake. Execute them."

The men were dragged again and Shao made himself deaf to their protest. Wisely, none of the other generals spoke up in their defense. They knew Shao was in a foul mood and speaking up for them would put their lives in jeopardy just as readily.

"My lord," Shen Pei began once the soldiers' cries could no longer be heard. "There is still the issue of Cao Cao's attack that we must deal with.

Shao reclaimed his seat. "I know," he replied somberly.

"My lord," Zhang He began as he stepped forward and gave an overly elegant salute.

"I can ready my forces quickly and provide aid to Wuchao."

"As am I," said Gao Lan as he stepped forward and saluted.

"Reinforce Wuchao? Are you insane? Cao Cao has left his main camp! This is the perfect opportunity for us to capture it," said Tu.

"Yessss," Chenglei said with a hiss. "We need to take Cao's main camp. This would be the perfect time to assault it. His mind was focused on one thing and one thing only, the death of Zhuyue. If assaulting the camp could bring him closer to that goal, he would support it with all of his being.

"Cao Cao wouldn't be foolish enough to leave his base unprotected. I am sure we will still run up against considerable opposition. We can stop our people from a most unsightly defeat if we reinforce Wuchao," said Zhang He.

Tu glared at Zhang He, the dislike he held for him written clearly on his face. "You are a mere warrior. You have no knowledge of strategy and should leave it to your betters."

"Because I am a warrior, I know the hearts of the men I fight and bleed with. We lose Wuchao, we lose this war," said Jùnyì.

"You speak when you should remain silent, Jùnyì," Tu hissed. "Perhaps you have forgotten that words affect more than yourself."

"I also agree with, Jùnyì," said Gao Lan.

Tu's glare shifted to him. "Of course you would. You're too stupid to know any better."

"And you're too stubborn to take the counsel of others," Lan retorted.

"Enough," said Shao. He grew tired of hearing the squabbles between his people. "In case you have forgotten, the final decision is mine and mine alone."

"Of course, my lord," said Tu as he bowed deeply.

"The choice is yours, my lord," Chenglei begin as he eyed Shao. "But I hope you remember to honor your promises as I have honored mine."

Shao regarded him with a bored look. This man was such a nuisance. He was obsessed with the death of that woman. It would have been easier and much cheaper if he had simply forgotten whatever slight on his honor he claims she committed but no matter, it worked in his benefit.

"I haven't forgotten, Chenglei, but I will not act foolishly just to satisfy your revenge. I must make the best decision for my army. The only thing that matters is that she ends up dead, correct? Whether it is now or later means little."

Chenglei opened his mouth to argue the matter further but Shao cut him off by addressing his men.

"Now…we don't know how many people Cao Cao has brought with him, correct?"

"That is correct," Pei answered.

"And we have no idea how many forces still remain in Cao Cao's main camp…"

"That is also true, my lord," Pei replied again.

Shao let out a loud sigh and folded his arms across his chest. "Do you truly think victory will be in our grasp if we attack the base, Gōngzé?"

"I do, my lord," Tu replied. "While we do not know exactly how many forces Cao Cao has taken with him, we can assume that he has taken at least a few thousand with him if he had any hopes of claiming Wuchao for his own. This foolish move would have left his main camp weakened and ripe for our attack."

"And if we do not reinforce Wuchao—"

"We will lose our supplies and morale along with it," Jùnyì answered, cutting Shao off in mid speech.

Jùnyì could feel Tu's eyes burning into him, but he did not pay it any heed. He understood what he was doing would put Zhenji in danger and while it pained him to do so, he couldn't sit idly by and allow thousands of his fellow soldiers to die for her sake. He knew it was foolish to hope that Tu wouldn't make good on his threat; he knew him too well to think that. The only thing he could hope at this point was that she would find it in her heart to forgive him.

"I have made my decision," said Shao as he stood. He made a sweeping gesture out to his generals and made his decree.

"We will attack Cao Cao's main camp. I will not accept failure in this. Do not stop until it has been razed and his men either captured or dead."

"My lord, I implore you, please reconsider," Jùnyì pleaded.

"He's right, my lord. Despite what Gōngzé says, I don't think taking the main camp will be that simple. Cao Cao has many talented warriors that fight under him. If any of them remain at the main camp—"

"I have given my order and you question me?" Shao asked with a sneer.

"We are just trying to make you aware—"

"Trying to make ME aware?" Shao said incredulously. "So you think you know better than I?"

"N-no, my lord," Lan said quickly.

"My lord, we only wish to do whatever we can to aid you in this war. We speak up for that end only," said Jùnyì.

"And I am telling you both to shut up and do what I ordered. I am growing beyond tired of your backtalk, Jùnyì. You seem to have a problem with every order I give lately. I am beginning to regret letting you out of that prison you were in. Perhaps you need another trip to remember your place."

"No, my lord," Jùnyì said as he saluted. "Forgive my wayward tongue. I will do as you ask."

"See that you do. I want our forces ready for battle immediately!"

Shao's generals saluted and gave a resounding cry. Shao gave a nod of approval. Cao has erred greatly in attempting to take Wuchao and he was eager to show him the error of his ways.

=#=

Zhuyue stirred from her slumber to find Xiahou Dun readying his armor. She silently slipped out of bed and stalked over to her husband who was still unaware that she had awoken. Carefully, she wrapped her arms around his waist. He stiffened for a few seconds before relaxing into her grip.

"Why are you awake?" he asked as he turned in her arms to face her.

She gave a shrug and moved her hands so they wrapped around his neck instead.

"Going on patrol?"

He nodded and she pulled herself from his arms.

"I'll come with you."

"There's no reason for you to do so. Just go back to sleep."

"I can't sleep without you here anyway," she said as she began to don her own armor.

Dun regarded her in silence for a few moments. "Fine, do what you want," he said.

"I usually do," she remarked.

Dun smirked and resumed the task of putting on his armor. His hand suddenly stilled and looked up.

"You hear that?"

She remained silent and strained to listen. "I don't hear anything."

"Something's wrong," he said with a shake of his head. "Get dressed quickly."

"He loses an eye and thinks he has the hearing of an animal," Zhuyue whispered to herself as she resumed the task of strapping on her armor.

"Maybe if you didn't run that smartass mouth of yours so much, you'd be able to hear it too," Dun replied.

Zhuyue's eyes widened. He heard that? She was certain she had whispered and yet he still easily picked up her words. Less than a minute after she secured the last clasp, she heard it. The telltale sounds of battle.

"I truly have married a wolf," she said in an amused murmur as she hastily tied her hair into a ponytail.

"Tch, still running your mouth, let's go," he said as hefted his podao over his shoulder and left their borrowed bedchamber. Zhuyue flashed him a wicked smirk behind his back as she grabbed her weapons and hurried after him.

When she emerged outside, she saw soldiers running to and fro preparing to repel Yuan Shao's attack. She spotted Dun standing with Xiahou Yuan, Guo Jia, Zhang Liao, Lingqi and Man Chong. She hurried over to them and found them already deep in talks about the current situation.

"—Gōngmíng, Wénhé and Wenze have already engaged the enemy. Lord Pi wishes for everyone to join the battle as soon as possible. He, Gōngdá and Zhòngkāng will defend the base," Jia concluded just as Zhuyue arrived.

"Is this a wise plan?" asked Yuan. "I took a peek out there and Yuan Shao is hitting us with everything he's got. Shouldn't we defend or something?"

"The more pressure we put on Yuan Shao's forces here, the less likely he would be to send forces to Lord Cao," said Xun You as he approached the group.

"Ah, Gōngdá, you are back," Jia remarked with a small smile. "I take it we are going ahead with this plan then?"

Xun You nodded. "We need to hold their attention here, but we shouldn't be foolish either. Do not chase them too far into enemy territory. We are outnumbered here."

"Numbers mean shit in the face of skill and that's something we've got in abundance," said Dun as he turned away from the group. "We got a job to do so let's go do it."

"Did my dear brother just compliment us?" Yuan asked with wide eyes. "Aww!"

Dun stuck his middle finger up at his brother over his shoulder and walked away.

Yuan followed after laughing. "You like us! You really like us!" he called after his brother.

The others followed after the pair a smile on their faces as they headed into the battlefield.

"They certainly are in good spirits for a group about to go to war," Chong remarked as he looked towards Jia and You who pulled up the rear of the group.

"Morale is high, they believe we have a good shot in this battle, as do I," You replied.

"Oh I agree. I still think we should be careful. Overconfidence can often lead to ruin."

"Agreed," said Jia with a nod. "Until Lord Cao returns, we shouldn't chase too far into enemy territory. With the sheer amount of forces Yuan Shao has, it would be entirely too easy for him to set up ambush points for us to stumble into."

"I was thinking the same," You said in agreement. "I'll be sure to pass the message along to not go too far."

"What of Guan Yu? Does Lord Pi still insist on keeping him out of this battle?" asked Chong.

"Yes, and I agree with him," Jia replied. "I do not think his tenure with us will be for much longer. Letting him fight now could do us more harm than good."

"Hmm…his help would be an asset but I suppose we can make due with out it," said Chong.

"We can," You said in agreement. "He is too much of an unknown right now. I rather not have to deal with a potential enemy at our backs."

"Well then, with that settled, let's go show Yuan Shao the might of the Wei army, hmm?"

You and Chong nodded along with Jia's words. Chong and Jia mounted their horses and rode off into battle to face Yuan Shao's approaching army.

=#=

Yue Jin stalked towards Qiong; his armor and weapons slick with blood. Qiong eyed him wearily, his sword drawn and pointed towards Jin. His eyes flittered behind Jin and he could see the bodies of his soldiers strewn across the ground.

"I owe you for the lives of my men," said Qiong.

"If you wouldn't have run, your men would still have their lives," Jin countered.

"You take me for a fool whelp? You don't go to war to spare lives."

"If they surrender—,"

"It would mean nothing," Qiong spat. "Cao Cao is not so magnanimous as to let us go just because we ask nicely."

"I've seen him do it plenty of times."

"Lies. My Lord Shao has told us the truth of the serpent you follow. Enough talk boy. Show me your so called skill."

Jin charged and struck out with his left blade. Qiong blocked and Jin quickly followed up that attack with swing from his right blade. Qiong blocked that attack leaving Jin free to attack with his left blade once more. The pattern continued for a few more times but Qiong found it difficult to keep up with the speed of his attacks. A swing with Jin's right hand broke though Qiong's defenses slicing his upper right arm.

With a hiss, Qiong stumbled back, but Jin would not let him get away again. He moved with him, matching his pace. Seeing that he could not escape, he braced himself for Jin's attack. He expected an attack to come in from the left or right, but instead, Jin swung both swords in an upward arch, his body rising into the air with the blow. Qiong tried to block the attack, but only managed to partially defect Jin's swords from slicing his chest open before his blade was knocked out of his hand. At the height of their arch, the tips of Jin's swords drew blood when it sliced into Qiong's face. One sword cut through his cheek and top lip while the other sliced nearly half of his nose off.

Qiong let out a wail of agony as he fell backward, his hands flying to his face to stem the bleeding. Jin landed gracefully back on his feet and eyed his fallen opponent. It was clear he was out of the fight. He would take his defeated foe captive and leave his fate in the hands of his lord.

=#=

The battle for Wuchao ended just as the sun peaked over the horizon. As the morning light washed over the blood soaked battlefield, it was evident which side one. Cao looked out over the scores of bodies that littered the inside of the fort. Such a gruesome sight should turn anyone's stomach, but he had become numb to it.

"My lord, they are ready."

Cao glanced to his side to see Huan. Out of all his men, Huan had the least amount of blood on him. It wasn't a surprising revelation; he knew Huan wasn't a front line fighter. He clapped the man on the shoulder and gave him a nod. Turning away from the carnage, he walked over to his men where they had the captured officers and remaining soldiers bound and kneeling, waiting for his judgment.

Cao's generals saluted him upon his approach. Cao gave a short nod to them.

"You all did well today—"

"Cowardly traitor!" One of the captive officers, Lü Weihuang shouted out.

Furious that he dared speak in such a way about his lord, Dian Wei moved quickly behind the man and raised his axe, ready to separate his head from his shoulders. Cao raised a hand giving Weihuang a stay of execution.

"I am a coward?" Cao asked with a smile. He gestured to his blood splattered armor and his bloody sword which he still held in his hand.

"I fought along side my men. I shed blood and I bleed with them. Tell me…can you say the same of Yuan Shao?"

Lü Weihuang opened his mouth to speak but hesitated. Cao's words struck true. He could not remember a time when Yuan Shao had fought with his men. He always led from a distance.

"He had no need to fight with us," Sui Yuanjin argued. "He is our lord and a man of noble birth. It is our job to fight for him and protect him. Do you see the emperor fighting battles? No! Of course not! The fact that you do fight shows your true station. You only pretend to be a noble, but you cannot escape what you are!"

"That so?" said Cao. "Well I am afraid we have different ideas on the duties of a noble. I think that a man who refuses to fight and bleed with his men has no right to command another man to do the same. How can you expect respect when you give none?"

"Your words fall on deaf ears. Kill me and be done with it. I will never serve you."

"So be it," Cao said with a slight incline of his head.

Receiving the message, Dian Wei brought down his axe onto Sui Yuanjin's neck, severing his head from his shoulders. A fountain of blood erupted from the stump as the body twitched and fell unceremoniously forward. Cao's eyes scanned the remaining officers, his eyes stopping on Qiong.

"What happened to him?" he asked as he gestured to the blood soaked cloth tied over his nose, his eyes flittered up to his men.

"I accidentally cut it off in the heat of battle," Jin said with a grimace.

"Accidentally, pah!" Qiong said with a scoff. His voice came out in a strange pitch, most likely due to the lack of a nose.

"You believe he purposely cut off your nose?"

"Of course he did!" he replied angrily. Reflectively he tried to inhale through what remained of his nose but instead of air he got a throat full of blood. He let out a hacking cough as he tried to clear the blood out of his throat.

"It wasn't on purpose," Jin insisted over Qiong's coughs.

"It doesn't matter if you did," Cao remarked. "He is your enemy. You do what you must to defeat them."

"T-that's exactly why you must be stopped," Qiong sputtered out as his coughing fit finally tapered off. "You have no morals. You are a menace that will be more harm to this land than good."

"That's right," Weihuang shouted out. "You may have defeated us here, but Yuan Shao will win this battle!"

"Do the rest of you feel that way?" Cao asked as he looked towards Zhao Rui and Han Juzi.

"You are scum, Cao Cao. The only thing that makes my death bearable at your hands is that you will die to my lord soon after," said Han Juzi.

"And you?" Cao asked Zhao Rui.

"I have nothing to say to you. Do what you will," he replied.

"Very well. You die for a fool. How he manages to inspire such loyalty is beyond me."

Cao gave a nod to Wei and he nodded in return. One by one, he brought the judgment of death down upon them with the blade of his axe. Cao watched impassively as Wei went about this grim work. Once the last head rolled, Cao turned his attention to the surviving enemy soldiers.

"There is no need for you to join them in death. Yuan Shao does not care about you. This is evident by the fact that he hasn't even sent forces to aid you once I attacked. Join me and live, refuse and face the alternative. Make your decision now."

In the end, they joined him. Unlike those they served, they did not hold the same loyalty to Shao and was glad to be rid of him. Over a thousand enemies lay dead within the fort and a little over one hundred allies lay with them. Cao and his people took as many supplies as they could carry and they set the rest ablaze. Victorious, they made their way back towards Guandu unknowingly heading straight into a battle already underway.

=#=

Yuan Shao held his head in his hands. It was falling away from him. Everything was falling away from him. He just got the report that Wuchao had fallen and their plan to take over Cao Cao's main camp was not fairing well at all. His forces hadn't managed to get past the front line. Cao Cao's men fought like demons possessed. Despite being outnumbered, they easily overpowered his own forces. His advisors told him the reason for the poor performance of his troops was morale. Apparently it was low going into the battle.

'Pah! What reason did those layabouts have to be sad about?' Shao thought bitterly. Whatever issues they had in their pitiable little lives couldn't compare to what he goes through. They only needed to obey. It is such a simple concept that even an animal can do it yet they complain? Damn them all.

"How did this happen?" Shao asked aloud. He wasn't expecting to get an answer, but he received one from his advisor, Guo Tu.

"The fault lies with, Jùnyì, my lord."

Shao's head snapped up and his eyes focused on Tu.

"I don't recall calling for you, Gōngzé," he said in an icy tone.

"You are correct, you did not. I am sorry for bothering you, my lord but our men need your counsel. We are losing more and more ground and there are reports that Cao Cao is on his way back to Guandu. If we do not take action, our men will be caught between both forces."

Shao sucked his teeth loudly. "Those idiots wouldn't even know when to breathe if it weren't for me." He let out a loud sigh and rubbed his temples with his forefingers.

"We will retreat," he finally said after an extended period of silence.

"Retreat, my lord?"

"Are you questioning my orders?"

"N-no, my lord. I only wanted to be sure that I heard you correctly."

"We have no choice in the matter," Shao explained. "With our forces fighting the way they are, Cao Cao will just run over them when he joins the battle. It is best we take our remaining troops back across the Yellow River."

Tu bowed and turned to give the order.

"Wait, Gōngzé. What did you mean when you said the fault lies with Jùnyì?"

Tu turned on his heel to face Shao once more. "It was his idea to attack Cao's main camp rather than reinforce our forces at Wuchao. He and Gao Lan insisted on it. Don't you remember?"

Shao's brows furrowed as he tried to recall the impromptu meeting. His mind was so laden with sleep at that time it was hard for him to remember who said what. He did remember Jùnyì annoying him, but he couldn't for the life of him remember what he did to annoy him. The only thing he knew for certain was that he wasn't the idiot that came up with that foolish plan.

"So Jùnyì and Gao Lan came up with that idea?" he said questioningly more to himself than to Tu.

"Yes, my lord. I was completely against the action, but you chose to follow their council instead of mine."

"Why would I do such a foolish thing? They aren't advisors. They are only mere soldiers."

"I cannot answer that question, my lord. It is not my place to question your decisions."

Shao let out another sigh. "So my defeat is at the hands of those two idiots. Their heads will roll for this. Have our men return as quickly as possible. I want those two bound and brought before me before we fall back. They will not live to see the next day for their role in this."

"As you command, my lord," Tu said with a low bow. He turned and hurried out of the tent, a wide grin on his face. Jùnyì thought to call his bluff in the last war council. This will show him just how deadly serious he was.

"You!" he said as he pointed to a soldier that stood guard just outside of Shao's tent. I want you to retrieve Jùnyì and Gao Lan. Tell them it is imperative that they return. You bring them directly to me."

The soldier hesitated for a few moments. Unbeknownst to Tu, he overheard the entire conversation he just had with Shao. He knew the fate that awaited the two men should he fulfill this task.

"Well? What are you waiting for?" Tu snapped. "GO!"

Tu's words sprang the soldier to life. He gave a quick salute and headed towards the horses so he could deliver the message.

=#=

They were losing, badly. If things kept going this way, Yuan Shao's forces would be completely overrun soon. Zhang He sighed. He wanted to get his men out of this battle. It was clear their hearts weren't in this fight. He sent request to Guo Tu to ask for a retreat but he was denied each time.

He looked at his hands, his eyes traveling the length of the claws weapon he wore. The metal glistened in the sun's light. He closed his eyes and tilted his head up to the sky allowing the sun's heat to caress his skin. Such a beautiful feeling. Would he be able to feel it ever again? He opened his eyes and smiled sadly. Most likely not. He was meant to die in this battle. What other reason would Tu have to consistently deny his request for retreat. Very well. If he was meant to die on the battlefield, it would a beautiful death, one that will be remembered for years to come.

Just as Zhang He mounted his horse, Gao Lan came galloping towards him. Jùnyì watched him approach with confusion clearly written across his face.

"What—,"

"Jùnyì! Are you heading back to camp?" Lan asked in a panicked voice.

"No, I was preparing to go into battle," he replied, his confusion only growing by his Lan's agitated state.

"We are being set up!" Lan said hurriedly.

"What are you talk—"

"It's that bastard, Gōngzé! He spits on our name! He is trying to cast blame on us for the loss of Wuchao and the failure of this attack."

"So Wuchao has fallen?" Jùnyì asked bemusedly. Once the men heard this, the little fighting spirit they had will completely evaporate. This battle is truly doomed to an ugly defeat.

"Are you listening?!" Lan said angrily. "Yuan Shao wants our head! The minute we go back there, we are to be bound and executed!"

Executed. It seems Guo Tu didn't want to leave his fate up to a battle. After all, he was quite the capable fighter. He wanted to ensure his demise with an execution.

"How do you know this to be true?"

"One of Lord Shao's guards, he and I are friends. He overheard them talking and he warned me not to return to camp. But what other option do we have? Die at the hands of Cao Cao? Be hunted down for fleeing the war?!"

"So that's the way it's going to be," Jùnyì murmured with a shake of his head.

"Jùnyì, what are we going to do?" Lan asked. "I've loyally served Yuan Shao and this is how I am repaid? With death for something I didn't even do?! Do you think we can have Lord Shao see reason? Do you think—"

"Gao Lan, cease your yelling. It is most unbecoming," Jùnyì said in a calm tone as he removed his clawed weapons from his hands.

"Unbecoming?! Who cares about being unbecoming?! This isn't the time for your flowery words. We are going to die! Perhaps you think death is beautiful or something but I rather live!"

"While death can be beautiful, I have no intention of meeting that end right now."

"W-what do you mean? You know a way out of this?"

"We surrender to Cao Cao."

"And die by his hands?! No!"

"We will not die by his hands. Cao Cao is known as a man that collects talent. He will not dispose of us when we can be of use to him."

Lan frowned. "That may work well for you, but in my short time serving lord Shao, I have done nothing of note. Cao Cao will not find use in me."

Jùnyì gave a soft melodious chuckle. "You give yourself too little credit. You have yet to make your mark, but you are far from useless. I will speak up on your behalf and insist that you be allowed to live."

Lan eyed Jùnyì with suspicion. "You speak as if you already have an accord with Cao Cao. Have you been working for him all this time?"

Jùnyì chuckled once more. "Nothing of the sort. I just think that I understand Cao Cao. Yuan Shao and others make him out to be a brute, but I do not see him that way. He is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals. He does not hide his nature or pretend to be something other than what he is. He in fact embraces it. After being in a den of vipers for so long, I see the true beauty that comes with such truth."

"I really can't understand your thinking, Jùnyì, but what other choice do I have? I either die at the hands of Yuan Shao and Gōngzé for a crime I did not commit or I take my chances with my enemy. At least with Cao Cao there is a chance I live right?"

"Don't be so pessimistic, it is such an ugly trait. We will survive this. Gōngzé will not have his way. We will not be the ones who take the fall for his stupidity."

Jùnyì spoke with such confidence that he Gao Lan wanted to believe his words. It was that belief that led him to follow him straight into the front lines of the enemy.

=#=

A sickening crunch could be heard as Zhuyue's knee connected with the jaw of her enemy. His head snapped back and she leveled a front kick to his chest to ensure that he hit the ground with a thud. She leaned back just in time for the swipe of a blade to pass over her. She retaliated by thrusting her duck blade into her enemy's nether region.

There was another enemy approaching to her right. She turned to face him but soon realize she didn't have to as to her surprise and his, a rather large sword buried itself in the top of his skull. The soldier stared at her with confusion in his eyes before they rolled to the back of his head and his body was kicked forward. It landed an inch from Zhuyue's feet which she ignored in favor of eying Dun with a frown.

"I had him."

"I'm sure you did," he replied as he swung his blade through the air to shake off the recent blood. "But you were taking so long I got bored."

Zhuyue glanced behind him and could see a score of corpses behind him. She sucked her teeth at the sight as she shook loose the blood from her own weapon.

"Fucking show off," she muttered.

"They are retreating," Dun said as he turned his back to her, choosing to ignore her comment.

"Indeed, the enemies were fleeing away from Cao's forces as fast as their feet could carry them."

"Do we give chase?" She asked as she turned her attention back to her husband.

Dun's answer was drowned out by the cry of her name from a familiar voice. She turned her head to see Lingqi galloping towards them, waving one hand wildly in the air.

"Zhuyue, Yuánràng, come quickly!"

They looked at each other for a brief moment before silently agreeing to follow. Mounting their own steeds, they were led by Lingqi back to Zhang Liao.

Liao tilted his head in greeting to them once they arrived and stepped aside to show the reason why Lingqi had called them there in such a hurry. Bound and kneeling on the floor were two men. One that looked entirely too beautiful and delicate to be a warrior and another that looked completely average in every way.

"What's this, Wényuǎn?" Dun asked as he dismounted.

"They wish to surrender," Liao replied. They walked right up to us with their weapons and threw them at our feet. I wasn't sure what to do. We aren't taking prisoners, right?"

Dun gave a noncommittal shrug, his eye wandered back to the captured warriors, his gaze fixing on Jùnyì.

"You—," he said as he nodded his head to Jùnyì. "—Pretty boy, why did you surrender?"

Zhang He smiled. "I thank you for the compliment. I do try to exude my inner beauty even on such a gruesome stage as the battlefield. I am glad that my efforts have not been in vain."

"You said a lot of shit just now, none of it answered my question."

Jùnyì opened his mouth to complain about Dun's crude language but he snapped it shut again after thinking better of it. He was trying to get on their good side. Critiquing them at this juncture would not do that. He opened his mouth again, this time to answer the question posed to him.

"The beauty Yuan Shao once held drew me to him like a moth to a flame. I was proud to serve him, as was my companion here," Jùnyì said as he inclined his head to Gao Lan. "But as of late, that luster has dulled and left in its place is something that is tainted."

"The vultures that surround him have poisoned his mind and have turned their talons on us. If we were to return to Yuan Shao, we will be killed for their stupidity. We refused to be sacrificial corpses for them to dine on. We have decided to surrender ourselves to Cao Cao's mercy and offer him our services."

Dun stared at Jùnyì for a long while before speaking. "We want to defect. Four words. You could have summed all that up in just four words."

"Four rather boring words, wouldn't you say?" Jùnyì replied with a smile.

Liao decided to step in seeing Dun's eye twitch as he glared at Jùnyì.

"What should we do with them?"

Dun broke his glare and focused his gaze on Liao instead. "Accept their surrender."

"I am of the same mind, but Lord Zǐhuán said no prisoners."

"Zǐhuán isn't in charge of this army yet. We'll let Mèngdé decide their fates. If anyone has a problem with this decision, they can talk to me about it."

Liao nodded and saluted. "I will escort them back to the main camp then."

Dun shook his head. "We have Yuan Shao's forces on the run. Wénhé thinks he plans on fleeing to that camp he has set up just beyond the yellow river. Zǐhuán wants us to take the camp and Yuan Shao's head. We have a better chance of accomplishing this task if our strongest are heading the assault."

Liao nodded. He understood the truth of his words, but one factor remained. "Then who will take them back?"

"I will," said Zhuyue.

"I'll go with her," Lingqi spoke up.

Dun nodded. "This isn't an excuse for you two to sit this fight out. You drop them off and you come right back to join that battle."

Both women nodded and bid farewell to their husbands before leading Zhang He and Gao Lan away while Dun and Liao headed back to the battlefield.

=#=

Cao and his men returned to find his forces embroiled in a battle with Yuan Shao's forces. Or rather, the more apt term should be was. His men had taken over the battlefield and Shao's men were fleeing. Riding up to one of his soldiers, he received word that Pi had commanded them to chase them past the yellow river. Cao was pleased to hear this. His son had smelled blood in the water and decided to attack. It is exactly what he would have done. Cao turned his attention back to his men.

"Gōngliú, I want you to lead the supplies and our captives back to Guandu. Wenqian, Mànchéng, go with him."

"What about you, my lord?" Huan asked.

"I am going to join the battle. Yuan Shao will die by my hand and my hand alone."

"My lord, forgive me, but I must speak. You have been fighting all night. You must rest."

"I will rest once Yuan Shao is dead at my feet."

"My lord—"

Cao raised a hand to stop him. "I appreciate your concern, Gōngliú, but I know my limits. This is something I intend to see through."

Reluctantly Huan nodded and saluted.

"My lord, respectfully, I wish to go with you," said Dian.

"Me as well," Jin chimed in.

"I'll be okay alone," Huan replied quickly as Cao gave him a questioning look.

Cao nodded. "Let's be off then."

He gave his mount a swift kick sending it galloping towards the yellow river.

=#=

"Move damn you," a soldier under Yuan Shao hissed as he kicked the side of his mount. The horse let out a loud neigh before rearing back. The soldier held on and kicked the horse again. The horse dropped back down onto all fours and continued its trudge through the waters of the yellow river.

He looked back and could see one of Cao Cao's generals notching an arrow. Fearful that he would be its target this time, he kicked the horse one again. Stubbornly, the horse reared back once more, obviously displeased by its treatment. The soldier felt a hard thud against his back. His eyes widened as pain bloomed from the spot. He tried to reach behind him to feel what it was but he didn't need to get his hands on it to know. It was an arrow. His hands shook and he began to feel so weak.

"D-damn you horse," he man muttered before slipping off the horse into the water below.

"I'm beginning to feel a bit bad," Yuan said as he notched another arrow.

"Yet you don't stop," Jia Xu replied.

"Well no…why would I? They are still our enemy. More of them dead is good for us, right?" Yuan replied as he let another arrow fly, this time striking the neck of a soldier who was wading through the river on foot.

"Then why do you feel bad? You are doing a service for us," Xu asked as he pointed in the direction of another soldier. "Get that one there."

Yuan took aim at the soldier Xu pointed out and let his arrow fly. "They are pitiful targets…They aren't even trying to dodge. Just running in a straight line."

"I see no problem," Xu replied with a shrug.

"You guys on break or something?" Xu turned around to see that Dun and Liao had arrived.

"Not at all!" Xu replied with a smile. "Just some target practice."

"Yet I see, Miàocái doing all the work and you just sitting here."

Xu shrugged. "He's better at it than me."

"Get your ass across the river," Dun replied flatly.

"Fine, fine," Xu replied with a roll of his eyes as he gave his mount a light kick sending it galloping forward towards the river.

Yuan took down another soldier. "Hey, brother. Been waiting for you. Took your sweet time getting here."

"Had some captives to deal with."

Another soldier was taken down, falling into the water with a loud splash, his blood seeping out mixing with the rest of the river water that had already been stained red.

"Thought the little lord didn't want any captives."

"Not really his choice to make. It's Mèngdé's."

Yuan shrugged as he took down another soldier. "We going across? This is getting boring."

"Yeah, let's g—"

"Yuánràng, Miàocái."

Both men turned around to see Cao Cao, Dian Wei, Li Dian and Yue Jin galloping towards them.

"Mèngdé? What are you doing here?" Yuan asked as he shouldered his bow.

"Finishing this battle," Cao replied as he pulled on the reigns of his mount to slow its gallop to a stop. "Our battle is nearly at an end. I ask you all to bear with me just a little longer."

"Pfft, you don't even need to ask, Mèngdé," Yuan replied.

Dun nodded in agreement.

Cao nodded and stirred his mount into movement once more. "Then follow me and let us end this."

=#=

'It is over' Yuan shao thought to himself as he looked up towards the sky. The sky had darkened and the ominous clouds looming in the distance warned of a storm.

'The heavens echo my mood' he thought solemnly.

He couldn't help but lament his current woes. In the last twenty four hours, Yuan Shao had lost everything. He was once one of the most powerful warlords this land has ever seen. Shao lifted his hand and he lowered his gaze from the sky to stare at his open palm. He had the world in his hands. Power, wealth, respect, he had it all and a pathetic little nobody upstart had taken it away from him. Shao clenched his hand into a fist. Cao Cao…a man he gave the honor of being his friend. A man he once treated as an equal despite his meager beginnings. Cao Cao, the man who forgot his place and dared to challenge his better. Shao's fist shook in anger. To be taken down by someone like him. It was unbearable.

"My lord!"

"What, Zhèngnán?" Shao hissed as he whirled around to his advisor.

"W-we need to flee!" Pei stammered out.

"Flee you say? WHAT DO YOU THINK WE JUST DID!" He screamed out as he gestured to their surroundings. "Or do you think we got to Jiang Yiqu's camp by some other mystical means?"

"N-no I didn't—"

"Didn't what?! Didn't think? Of course you didn't! Get out of my sight before I remove your worthless head from your shoulders!"

Pei bowed quickly and hurried away. In his rush to get away, he ran straight into Guo Tu. Both men fell backward from the collision. Tu let out a string of curses under his breath while Pei apologized and helped him to his feet.

"Lord Shao is in a bad mood. It might be best to hold whatever you have to say to him to later."

"I'm afraid this can't wait," Tu replied with a frown as he dusted his robe off. "Cao Cao's army has crossed the yellow river. They will be here soon."

Pei winced upon hearing the news. "Lord Shao will not react to this well."

"As long as he reacts to it," he muttered as he walked past Pei towards Shao.

Tu found Shao glancing up at the sky once more. Shao could hear Tu behind him, but he did not turn to acknowledge his presence.

"Lord Shao, Cao Cao has crossed the yellow river. He is on the way here."

"The first drop of rain water struck Shao's forehead. The bead of water quickly rolled down to his left eye making it look as if he had shed a single tear.

"My lord, did you hear me?"

Another drop hit Shao and another. The speed of the drops picked up almost immediately quickly becoming steady rainfall.

"I heard you," Shao replied as he lowered his head. He turned to Tu, his face glistening from the fresh rainfall. "How many men do we have left?"

Tu cleared his throat nervously before answering. "A little over a thousand."

Shao gave a bitter laugh. "I once had the largest army in the land. Now I barely have any forces at all. So be it. If this is to be my end, I will face it with dignity."

Alarmed, Tu shook his head. "My lord, we can rebuild. We just need to flee—"

"Flee? I am tired of fleeing from that lowly peasant. I will turn my back to him no longer. I will meet Cao Cao on the field of battle and none of you will interfere."

"My lord, with all due respect this is not a wise ide—"

"No one will interfere, do you understand?" Shao repeated in a firm tone.

Tu frowned but nodded. "I…I understand, my lord.

=#=

A deep rumbling cut through the steady patter of rainfall. Yue Jin turned his head towards the darkened sky, shielding his eyes from the rainfall with his hand. The rain had started so suddenly and grew rather fierce in such a short amount of time.

"It's raining pretty badly and it sounds as if the very heavens are howling in anger. Do you think this is a sign?" Jin asked Dian.

Dian had his head turned upward and his eyes closed, the water pelting his face. Dian's eyes fluttered open, rainwater immediately splashing down into his eyes. He quickly shut his eyes and rubbed it with the back of his equally wet hand. He lowered his head and blinked a few times in an attempt to get the unwanted water out.

"Did you hear me?" Jin asked, oblivious to Dian's current discomfort. "Is this a good idea?"

Another rumble reverberated through the sky, this time louder than the last.

"You see?" Jin said as if the rumbling emphasized his point. "We shouldn't be out here right now, right? Maybe we should say something to Lord Cao."

"This weather sucks," Dian replied with a smile as he ran his hand through his drenched hair. "But we have to be here. Today a legacy will end."

"Yeah, but which one?" Jin replied with a frown.

"Good question, I have no idea. I've got my teals on Lord Cao though," Dian said with a grin.

Jin's brows furrowed in confusion. "You mean you don't know who's going to win this battle?"

Dian laughed at his friend's confusion. "I keep trying to tell ya, Wenqian, I'm not some sort of prophet. I just get strong feelings sometimes is all. I can't even control when it happens, it just does and I just learned to listen to it."

"So you have no strong feelings about the outcome of this battle?"

"Nope. Notta one. I just know that one way or the other, this battle will be the last we have with Yuan Shao…but that's really only because Lord Cao keeps saying it."

"I don't believe this…so what was this whole you staring up at the sky thing? I thought you were getting a sign or something."

Dian laughed once again. "I just like the way the rain feels on my face. It's cool and refreshing, ya know? It was also a good time to get some of this blood and grime off me since we can't properly wash just yet."

"Unbelievable," Jin mumbled.

"Enough chatter you two," said Dun. "We are getting close to the enemy camp."

Indeed, they could now see the enemy camp and to their surprise, there was a force waiting in front of it. Cao Cao stopped his men from approaching and rode to the front of his army. He looked towards the enemy camp and to his surprise he saw Yuan Shao standing before his army.

"So the little rat no longer flees," he mused aloud.

"Looks like he's waiting for you," said Yuan as he maneuvered his mount next to Cao's.

"Well, let's go greet him, shall we? Dian Wei, Yuánràng, Miàocái, Wényuǎn and Gōngmíng, you are with me. The rest of you stay here and wait for my orders." The men he called out gave a shout of approval and galloped after him as he rode towards Shao's camp.

Yuan Shao stood unflinching as Cao and his men approached. Standing with him was his faithful advisor Guo Tu, his general Jiang Yiqu, Chenglei, who had actually attempted to flee earlier but was caught and forced here by Tu and his men, and Shen Pei's two sons. Coincidentally, Shen Pei himself was conspicuously absent. Unlike Chenglei, he had the sense to sneak away much earlier, leaving his sons behind to whatever fate awaited them.

Cao pulled his mount to a stop far enough from Shao to be cautious, but close enough to be able to speak with him.

"No longer hiding behind your men, Běnchū…then again, you don't have many men left, do you?"

"We are no longer friends, Cao Cao. I have not given you leave to use my style name."

"But we were friends, weren't we? Such a shame you have forgotten that. We wouldn't be here today if you hadn't."

"I forgot?!" Shao squawked angrily. "YOU are the one who forgot their place. YOU are the one who reaches with unworthy hands for the heavens. I have forgotten nothing Cao Cao. It is you that has forgotten!"

"You still consider yourself favored by the heavens, Běnchū?" Cao said, making sure to put extra emphasis on Shao's style name knowing that doing so would infuriate the man even more.

"Then tell me. Why do I stand on the cusp of victory while you stand before me a broken man? Why are you standing before me? Did you think to beg me for forgiveness? To spare your life?"

"Beg you?! HA! I would never beg the likes of you. I am here to challenge you! I will do what I should have done years ago. I will personally end your tyranny here and now."

Cao let out a loud laugh that went on uncomfortably long for Shao. After several minutes, Cao's laugh tapered off as he wiped a tear from the back of his hand. This was mostly pointless to do as his face was drenched from the rainwater.

"T-that was priceless, Běnchū. There has never been a time in your life that you have been able to match my skill with a sword. For you to challenge me, it would be less time consuming for both of us if you would just put your neck against my sword and just let me end your miserable little life."

"Enough of your talk, Cao Cao. Come down from that horse and face me! I guarantee that my men would not interfere—"

"All five of them, hmm?" Cao interrupted.

Shao hissed at Cao's slight. "I have more men in the camp you nincompoop. I have done the honorable thing and requested that they stay out of this battle. It is between you and I."

"Very well, I accept your challenge. No one on my side shall interfere—" Cao paused to look over his shoulder to his men. "Is that understood?"

They saluted in acknowledgement, but Dun spoke up to add a warning. "We'll stay back, but if anything untoward happens to Mèngdé during this duel, we will slaughter you and everyone hiding in that camp."

"Save your threats you one-eyed monkey. I am a man of my word," Shao snapped.

Dun frowned and looked as if he was about to dismount and fight Shao himself but was stopped by Cao's raised hand.

"Do not worry cousin. That insult will be added to the long list of things I will make him pay for during our duel."

Dun gave an irritated sigh but he remained in his saddle, his eye boring into Shao who readily ignored him. Cao dismounted and unsheathed his sword. Shao unsheathed his sword as well and advised his men to stand back. Cao and Shao stood motionless as they stared at each other. Shao lifted his sword and with one hand on his hip, he pointed its tip towards Shao.

"Our past friendship means nothing Cao Cao. Expect no quarter to be given."

"I would expect nothing less from you," Cao said with a smile as he readied his stance.

The two men eyed each other, neither making a move or a sound. The only noise heard was the steady slosh of water as the rainfall hammered the muddy ground. A loud cracking rumble was heard in the distance, followed by a brilliant flash of lighting as it arched angrily in the sky. Both men charged at each other, their boots slapping nosily against the muddy water as they closed the distance. The sound of metal meeting metal rang out as they collided with each other, over and over again. The ferocity of their battle perfectly matching the ferocity of the storm.

Realizing that neither was giving any headway the two broke away from each other to reassess their strategies.

"You…are better than I remember," said Shao.

"I am the same. It is only now that you truly acknowledge me."

Shao grunted in reply. He refused to openly admit that he acknowledged Cao. He didn't want to cede even an inch to him and his ego. Instead of acknowledging him Shao launched a thrusting strike at Cao which was quickly blocked. Shao followed up again and again, thrust after thrust driving Cao backward with each attack.

Cao knew he could not remain on the back foot for much longer so he decided it was time to turn the tide of this battle in his favor. He attempted to parry Shao's latest attack but to his surprise, Shao recovered quickly and followed up with another thrust. Cao was forced to block this attack but something was decidedly different about it. The sky rumbled a warning before a bolt of lightning crashed down right where Cao was standing. Had he not felt the chi being charged, that blow would have undoubtedly been his end. He managed to hop back to avoid the full blow of the lighting bolt, but the sheer fury of it managed to knock him into the air.

Cao landed with a wet thud and skidded across the muddy ground before coming to a stop.

"Mèngdé!" Dun and Yuan called out in unison. Cao's generals moved to rush to his aid but he held up a hand to stop them.

Shao cackled in delight. "Are you getting it now Cao Cao? Have you finally learned your role, you pathetic dog?! You should kneel before my glorious figure! You should beg me to spare your miserable life!"

Cao did not reply to Shao's taunting. He pushed himself up into a sitting position, but Shao had no intention of letting him get back on his feet. He rushed at Cao once more, attacking with a downward thrust to where he was sitting. Cao managed to roll out of the way in time for the first strike and blocked the second attack that Shao sent his way. Before Shao could attack a third time, Cao grabbed a handful of mud and threw it in Shao's face. Shao recoiled upon being hit by the mud. He stumbled back as he quickly swiped the filth from his eyes and spat out what had gotten in his mouth.

Cao used this time to get to his feet and it was his turn to be on the attack. He wasted no time in striking out at Shao who just barely managed to clear his eyes in time to see the attack coming and dodge out of the way. Cao would not let him get a moment to breathe however as he continued to attack over and over, this time putting Shao on the back foot. Shao continued to deftly dodge Cao's attacks but he soon realized it was getting harder and harder to do so. Either he was getting slower or Cao was getting faster.

Cao attacked with a side swipe coming from the left and Shao tried to dodge but he was a bit too slow. His sword scraped across the Shao's breastplate and before Shao could retaliate, Cao quickly followed up that attack with another from the right. Shao knew he couldn't dodge the attack so he opted to parry instead. It was a dangerous gamble because if he missed by even an inch, Cao's sword would have a clear shot to his side. Luckily for Shao, his gamble worked as Cao was not expecting him to go on the offensive. Momentarily knocked off balance by Shao's parry, Cao was left open. Shao wasted no time in countering, his sword thrusting at Cao. Cao attempted to parry as well, but his timing was slightly off. Shao's sword slid across Cao's own, but Shao tilted the attack up at the last minute. Cao moved his face to avoid taking the brunt of the damage, but Shao still managed to nick Cao's face and part of his ear.

Cao quickly dodged back, he could feel the warmth of his blood as it seeped from the fresh wounds down his face. He did not bother to wipe the blood from his face as the rain did the job for him. He needed to take Shao down, now.

Cao rushed at Shao once more. From the way his eyes bulged at the sudden attack, it was clear he was not expecting Cao to return to battle as quickly as he did. Cao attacked from the left once more and Shao parried again, this time, instead of countering with his standard thrust, he did something Cao was not expecting. Shao released all of his chi into his sword and attacked with a full circle sword slash followed up quickly by a forward thrust. Had Cao not blocked the attack, he would have been cut clean in half at the waist and then impaled by Shao's sword. Unfortunately for Shao, he did.

While Shao's attack was powerful, it was also a risky once. There was a very short window after Shao's musou attack in which he was left completely open. If a warrior was fast enough, they could take advantage of the very narrow window and there would be nothing Shao could do to defend against it. Cao Cao was such a warrior. He quickly thrust his sword into the muddy ground and released his built up chi to summon his own musou attack. An afterimage of Cao sprang forward, moving so fast it was nearly impossible for the human eye to see. The image attacked Shao with impossible speed and Shao could do nothing but take each and every blow. Left, right, left right, over and over, Shao could do nothing as the afterimage shredded his arms, chest, stomach and sides. Cao maintaining it as long as he could completely draining his chi reserve. It was clear that he wanted to end this battle; that he wanted Yuan Shao dead.

Cao finally pulled his sword from the ground, the afterimage released one final powerful strike, knocking Shao clean off his feet and sending him sailing through the air. His body landed onto the ground with a loud splat, the mud doing nothing to cushion his fall. The collision against the ground knocked his mao clean off, unraveling his neatly tied hair; having it splayed within the muck he was thrown in turning its white color into a shade of brown. His armor was in tatters; the once impeccable golden armor that shone brightly as a beacon of nobility and excellence was covered in bloody slash marks showing that under the brutal assault that Cao had unleashed on him, there was no protection.

Shao tried to rise, but he no longer had the power to do so. He was bleeding profusely and he knew that this was the end. He let out a self depreciating laugh as tears rolled down his cheeks, whether they were from the pain or from the disappointment of losing one cannot say. The rainfall hammering down on his face hid them all the same.

"It—it wasn't supposed to be like this," Shao choked out. It was getting hard to breathe. There was so much pain. So much pain.

Cao walked slowly over to him, his heavy footsteps making loud slopping noises as he made his way over to Shao. Shao flexed his fingers in an attempt to grip his sword, but realized he no longer held it. He must have dropped it in the fall. It truly didn't matter. He did not have the power to lift his arm anyway. Cao stood over him now; his eyes piercing the broken man laying in the muck. His face and ear stung as the rain pelted the open wound but this was nothing. He could endure such trivial pain.

"C-curse you, Cao Cao. How…how dare you do this to me?"

Cao Cao didn't reply. It didn't matter to Shao. He would have his say.

"I, who have been your friend since we were children." Shao sucked in a deep breath, the gesture was a painful one, but he pushed through it. "I…with the noble name of the Han! How…how dare you! You…You should be beneath me! You…should be the one d-dying at my feet! How…dare you…"

"Say nothing more, Běnchū. I'll think you less of a man," Cao replied.

Shao grunted but he remained silent.

"A noble name, and a power army. All that strength, and yet you strove to bring back a land that is now long passed…"

"W-What are you talking about?"

"The very fact you do not understand is the reason you have lost. This is our final farewell," said Cao as he walked slowly behind Yuan Shao, positioning himself by his head.

Shao looked up to Cao and was startled to see dispassionate eyes staring back at him. Did his death mean nothing to him? Did those years of friendship mean nothing? Shao laughed bitterly. Who was he kidding? Had he been in Cao Cao's boots, he would be looking at him with those very same eyes.

Where they ever truly friends? Shao thought back to himself. Maybe there was a time when he felt some sort of kinship to Cao, but once Cao started to show his ambition, Shao began to loathe him. He never understood the glory of the Han. He never understood that everyone had a place and they should not rise above their assigned station. Why couldn't he just accept his lot in life? It didn't matter now. The Han would die with him. His idiot sons were too busy fighting each over who would should succeed him to care about the Han and Shao had no faith in Liu Bei's ability to carry on the legacy. That screw up could barely carry out orders given to him in battle. Such idle thoughts he was having mere moments before his death. None of them mattered yet they were all that filled his mind. All of his regrets and what he was going to leave behind unfinished.

"Know this, Běnchū," Cao began as he placed his blade over his heart. "You were nothing but another step upon my path of total rule."

His last words spoken, Cao thrust his sword straight into Shao's heart. Shao let out a pained cry before falling completely silent; his eyes slipping closed before stopping mid-way, his mouth left gaped open catching the fallen rainwater within. It was over. This damnable war was finally over. Yuan Shao was dead and the Han along with it.

Cao withdrew his sword from Shao's chest, his body twitched from the action before falling still once more. Cao looked over to Guo Tu whose mouth was dropped open in sheer shock as he watched his lord be killed so callously by the man he once called friend.

"The choice is yours," Cao said in a booming voice. "Surrender or be killed where you stand."

Guo Tu dropped to his knees. There was nothing they could do. They were at the complete mercy of Cao Cao without Yuan Shao's protection. Cao gave a short nod and headed back to his mount where his soldiers awaited.

"My lord, a fantastic battle!" Wei exclaimed once Cao arrived.

Cao gave him a short nod and clapped the large man on the shoulder. "Will you and the others secure the prisoners?"

Wei saluted immediately. "At once, my lord," he replied before nodding his head to the others beckoning them to follow.

They followed, but Yuan and Dun stayed behind.

"You okay, Mèngdé?" Yuan asked.

Cao nodded, his eyes on the fallen body of Yuan as he took in the full weight of his victory.

"We truly were friends since childhood. But my ambition cannot stop even for friends."

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before reopening them. "Still, our friendship is not one I will readily forget, even if he has."

He turned his attention to Dun and Yuan. "Běnchū's oldest son, Yuan Tan is currently stationed in Liyang. See that his body gets to them. I will give them time to grieve the loss of their father before we attack them."

"I'll see that it gets done," Dun replied.

Cao nodded and mounted his horse. He spared one final glance to the fallen body of Shao before galloping away.

=#=

Cao Cao's camp was buzzing with life. The way his forces were celebrating, you wouldn't think they fought in a major battle just hours ago. They all wanted to celebrate Cao's decisive victory over his enemy. For their hard work Cao decided to allow them the two days rest before they made their way back to Xuchang and they intended on taking full advantage of his generosity. Cao opted out of the celebration. He was exhausted from the back to back battles and he knew that his work was not done. Tomorrow he had to handle the issue of the prisoners they had.

He settled back onto the furs lining his bed and made himself comfortable. His body ached in relief to finally be given the option to relax. Just as his eyes slipped close, he heard someone call his name. He let out an annoyed groan and considered ignoring it. He told everyone that he did not want to be bothered unless it was of the utmost importance. Deciding that whoever was bothering him had to be doing so for a good reason, Cao forced himself out of his bed. With lumbering steps, he made his way to his door and exited his bed chamber. Standing just outside of it was Ju Shou. Cao eyed him angrily then shifted his eyes to Wei, drilling him with the same glare, annoyed that he allowed Shou to bother him. Wei raised his hands defensively.

"He said it was important, my lord. You said it was okay to bother you if it was important."

"It is truly important and cannot wait," Shou added.

Cao gave a labored sigh and spoke with the annoyance he felt coloring his tone. "Out with it then."

Shou bowed his head once more and shared with him his concerns.

=#=

Guo Jia downed his fourth cup of wine. Or was it his fifth? It didn't matter. What mattered was the wonderful buzz that was flowing through his body. He felt good, relaxed. The only thing that could make this moment better was to end his evening with a woman in his bed writhing in pleasure beneath him. He eyed the room and spied a servant girl he had become intimately familiar during his time here at Guandu.

Jia rose from his seat and made his way over to her. She was oblivious to his presence until he grasped her around the waist and pulled her against him. She gave a startled yelp and turned in his arms then gave him a relieved smile once she realized it was him.

"I have a problem," Jia said softly as he leaned close to her. The sweet smell of the wine on his breath washing over her as he spoke.

"Is there a way I can help you with your problem, my lord?" she asked coyly.

"There is. You can make your way to my bed chamber and lay naked on my bed," he replied punctuating the word 'bed' with a playful nip on her ear.

She giggled and gave a soft swat to his chest. "My lord, you are so bad."

"So shall we go?" He asked as he pulled her closer to him, eager to feel her soft body against his.

The servant pouted. "I would love to spend the eve with you, my lord but I cannot. I was made to serve lord Guan Yu today and he has been keeping me busy. He has already ordered over ten plates of food! I have to bring another to him soon."

Jia pulled himself away from the servant, her words pushing his hormonal thoughts to the background and his logical mind regaining control. Why would Guan Yu order ten plates of food? He has never seen him eat that much before. In fact Jia has only seen one man eat even close to that. His eyes widened as realization dawned on him.

"That clever bastard," he mumbled.

"My lord?" The servant asked, missing what he had said beneath his breath.

"No worries, my dear," he said with a half smile. "You do your job. I will catch up with you later."

Jia wasted no time in turning away from the woman and walking quickly away leaving her quite flustered. He normally wouldn't be so abrupt with his farewells to the fairer sex, but he was certain he had very little time to work with. He had to make sure the right people were made aware of what was about to happen.

=#=

Zhang Liao was awoken by light rapping against his bed chamber door. Groggily he lifted himself up on his elbow. He squinted in the darkness to see that Lingqi was still fast asleep beside him. Once again he heard the light tapping at his door. Whoever it was, they did not seem to be going away. Carefully, he lifted the arm he had draped across Lingqi's waist and walked over to the door.

Upon opening it, he was surprised to see Guo Jia standing on the other side of it. Liao cast one more glance back to ensure that Lingqi was still asleep before slipping out of the room and closing the door behind him.

"Is there something wrong, Fèngxiào?" Liao asked.

"My apologies for waking you, Wényuǎn, but I have information you may find of interest."

=#=

Zhang Liao could not remember a time when he had gotten his armor on as quickly as he had tonight. Jia had stressed how short of a time frame they had and Liao took his warning to heart. Of course Lingqi had woken while he was getting dressed and he told her he needed to go on patrol. For the first time ever, he lied to her and he felt terrible about it, but it was necessary. There was no guarantee that this would work and he didn't want to get her hopes up unnecessarily.

Liao rode quickly to the entrance of Guandu. Jia was already waiting for him there.

"Has he passed by yet?" Liao asked as he dismounted.

"Not yet," Jia replied. The guards I had posted here hadn't seen anyone pass by and this is the only exit out of here. He certainly couldn't escape over the wall…though it he attempted to do so, that would save us a lot of trouble."

"And what of the others? Were you able to convince them to come?"

Answering his question, Dun, Zhuyue, Yuan, Dian and Jin arrived with in seconds of each other, each dressed in full armor and prepared for battle.

"I cannot tell you all how much this means to me," Liao said to the group as they gathered around him.

"Yeah, go team, but I gotta tell you, I really only came for the opportunity to put an arrow through that fucker's eyes," said Yuan. There was no levity in his voice, no jovial smile. Yuan truly meant what he said.

"Lord Cao does not want him killed," said Jia.

"Yeah, about that," Zhuyue interjected. "I think that is a terrible idea. He is just going to be a problem later on. It would be better to just kill him now, right?"

"She makes a good point," said Dun.

"I know and I agree with our darling blood thirsty little sister's point—" Zhuyue rolled her eyes and Jia paused to flash her a smile.

"—but Lord Cao was adamant that he did not want any harm to come to him." He concluded.

"So wait, I don't get to put an arrow between his eyes?" Yuan asked with a frown.

"If we could get through this with out killing him, I think it would be for the best. No need to anger Lord Cao," Jia replied.

"If he refuses with my demands, I will kill him," said Liao.

This comment turned a lot of surprised eyes in his direction. He could feel them on him, but he would not waver in his decision.

"This is too important for me to simply let this go. I will accept any punishment Lord Cao gives for killing him."

Jia let out a soft sigh. "Let us hope that he is in a reasonable mood tonight then."

=#=

Guan Yu slid the door to his room open a crack. It was just enough to see his guard, Xu Chu sleeping soundly against the opposite wall. He let out a sigh of relief. He wasn't sure the man would ever go to sleep. It took eleven plates full of food to finally put him down. Yu fully opened the door and crept out of the room as quickly as he could. When he was confident that Chu would not stir, Yu tiptoed down the hall as stealthily as his large frame could manage.

Once outside, he could relax somewhat. He took a deep breath inhaling the fresh air. He could still smell the rain in the air even though it had abated an hour ago. Yu took the time to look around. Yuan Shao's victory had Cao's forces celebrating and security was a bit more lax than it normally would be. He was able to slip past the patrols that were half heartedly doing their job and make it to the stables where Red Hare was kept.

He led it through the streets of Guandu, being sure to stick to the back alleys. He would not mount it until he neared the front gate. By that time, it would be too late for anyone to catch him. Soon; in just a few more moments, he would have his freedom and he would be free to join his sworn brothers.

Finally the gate was in sight and to his infinite relief, there were no guards. The heavens were truly on his side this night! Yu mounted Red Hare, but before he could stir it into a gallop, a familiar face emerged from his hiding spot at the front of the gate. Yu knew him well, Zhang Liao. One of the few in Cao's army he actually respected. He wasn't sure how this man knew he would escape tonight but he would not let him stop him, respect or not.

"Zhang Liao…I hope you are only here to see me off."

"I am not," Liao replied stoically.

"Then you have come here to stop me?" Yu questioned. Yu wanted to make sure of his intentions before he reacted.

"I have not," Liao replied.

"Then why are you here?"

"I am here for Red hare."

This answer surprised Yu. His eyes looked down to the back of the head of the horse he currently sat astride before returning his gaze to Liao.

"Ah yes…you are with that girl…Lingqi. I suppose you hope to get the beast back for her."

Liao nodded in reply.

"That is a problem. While I sympathize with her, I find myself quite taken with this animal. I am not willing to give it up. It was after all a gift."

"That gift wasn't one Lord Cao had the right to give. I am willing to let you leave unharmed, but it will not be with that horse."

"And if I refuse?"

"You die here today."

Yu withdrew his Guandao. "I had hoped to leave quietly, but I am not opposed to making a little bit of noise."

"Oh you have no idea how much I was hoping you would resist," said Yuan as he emerged from the shadows, his bow already drawn and pointed at Yu.

One by one, each of Liao's allies emerged from their hiding places, each brandishing their weapons.

"It looks like I am severely out numbered," Yu said as he lowered his own weapon.

"As I said before, you are free to leave, but not with that horse."

"Am I truly to believe that you will let me go?"

"You are still alive, aren't you?" Yuan replied, keeping his arrow trained on Yu. "If we wanted you dead, you would have been dead already. But please, do resist. It'll make my night."

"I don't think I will," Yu replied as he dismounted. "I must say, you are leaving me in quite a predicament. I will not get far without a horse."

"We said you can leave," said Jia with an unusual amount of coldness in his tone. "We never said we had to make the experience a pleasurable one."

"I suppose you did not," Yu replied. He gave one final glance to Red Hare and gave the horse a pat on the side. "Truly a magnificent beast. It will be a shame to lose him."

With that, Yu strode forward confidently. He stopped once he reached Liao and spoke in a volume that only he could hear.

"You can have him for now, but should I meet your little woman in battle, I will take it back."

"You will have to go through me to do so," Liao replied.

"Then I look forward to the day we meet on the battlefield."

With that, Yu strode out of the city gates and to his freedom.

=#=

"We have to escape," Tu whispered to the others that had gathered around him.

Cao Cao had them all put in a cell where they were forgotten, at least for the night. Earlier they could hear the celebration of Cao's forces for their victory over Yuan Shao...for the death of his master, but now all was quiet. The revelers had gone to sleep and he couldn't imagine that there would be much guard on duty after such a boisterous celebration.

Just thinking about their celebration incensed him. They were chanting such crude things, praising the death of Shao. He needed to get out of here. He needed to make his way to Shao's sons so they could plot their revenge on Cao and his degenerate men. He was determined to avenge his lord if it was the last thing he did.

"And how do you expect us to get out of here?" Chenglei snapped. "We are locked in here if you hadn't noticed.

Tu produced a small blade hidden in the folds of his robes. "I have many secrets, Chenglei. We can cut binding that locks us in this cage and escape. They are mostly drunk from their partying so sneaking out should be simple if we are careful."

"Gōngzé! You clever bastard! Give me the blade and I will set us free," said Jiang Yiqu as he held out an expectant hand.

Tu complied and Yiqu hurried to cut the ties that secured the cell.

"Where will we go?" Chenglei asked as Yiqu worked frantically to set them free.

"It was Lord Shao's wish that Lord Shang succeeded him should anything befall him. We will head to his base in Ye."

"Is that where our father is? Asked one of Pei's sons.

"Who gives a damn where your traitorous father is," Tu snapped. "In case you little idiots had forgotten, he abandoned you to save his own skin!"

Pei's son recoiled back at Tu's admonishment and decided it would be best to remain quiet regarding inquires about his father.

"Hmph, so your plan is to serve his sons now? From what I've seen, they are even more inept than their father."

"How dare you!" Tu sputtered.

Chenglei ignored his outrage. "I think once we are out of here, I will cut my ties of the Yuan family. They seem to all be incompetent."

"Y-you dare?!"

"You deny it? Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu lie dead and you place your hopes on his three bumbling sons who are probably going to spend their time fighting over who should lead instead of actually doing something worthy. No, I will find a way to get my revenge on that whore that doesn't involve that cursed family."

"Good riddance!" said Tu. "You were never worthy to serve Lord Shao."

"He was never worthy to have me as a servant," Chenglei retorted.

Before the two could get into it any further Yiqu had finally gotten through the bindings holding the cell door closed.

"Got it!" Yiqu declared triumphantly as he pushed the bamboo cell door open.

"Good work," Tu said, immediately dismissing Chenglei from his mind. We must move quickly and quietly. Let's go."

Slowly the soldiers still loyal to Shao's legacy had begun to file out of the cell, one by one. Yiqu looked to two of the cells inhabitants that had purposely sat well away from the others.

"Gao Lan, Jùnyì, let's go!" he urged.

"No!" Tu hissed. "These traitors deserve whatever fate awaits them. Leave them to rot."

"Traitors?" Jùnyì repeated in amusement. "It seems that you surrendered just as we did. What right do you have to mark us as traitor, but you yourself are devoid of the gauche title?"

"We had no choice but to surrender, but I heard you walked willingly into the enemies arms!"

"After we were betrayed by the vermin that stands before us now," Lan replied.

"So you admit it!" Tu replied as he pointed an accusatory finger at the pair.

"We admit that you betrayed us quite readily," Jùnyì replied.

Tu spat at Jùnyì's feet. Jùnyì made a face at the action, obviously disgusted by it. "Damn you. You know what you did and I guarantee you, she will pay for it. I will make sure of it the moment I arrive."

"And I will make sure to dedicate your death to her when you are impaled upon my claws," Jùnyì replied.

"We shall see," Tu said as he left the cell. Yiqu cast one final glance at the pair before leaving as well.

=#=

This was surprisingly easy…or perhaps it was more apt to say this was suspiciously easy. They saw no guards at all as they maneuvered their way through castle's halls. Tu expected to see perhaps a few drunken guards passed out in a few corners but they saw nothing. Not a soul wandered the halls beside them. He wasn't sure if he should feel relieved or concerned.

"We are close to the exit, I think," Yiqu whispered."

Tu nodded and bade him to lead on, the wary feeling he had growing with each step. They came to a large door; the very same Tu remembered being led through when they first arrive. This was it. They had to just go through this door and they would be near the exit. Cautiously, they pushed opened the door and Tu could feel his heart drop into this stomach once he saw what awaited them on the other side.

Standing surrounded by at least a hundred armed guards was Cao Cao and his bodyguard. Judging by the look on Cao's face, he was in a foul mood. Tu was dumbstruck. He couldn't understand how Cao could have known they would try to escape.

"This is the part where you surrender," Cao said in a clipped tone.

There was nothing else they could do in the face of such opposition. They could see the exit behind Cao but they knew there was no possible way they could reach it alive. They surrendered themselves to Cao for a second time and somehow, Tu did not think they would be as lenient with them again.

"It seems your hunch was correct," Cao said as he looked to the side.

Tu's eyes followed where Cao was looking and he was shocked to see his former ally Ju Shou.

"You traitorous b—"

Cao gave a nod to Wei and he slammed his meaty fist straight into Tu's face cutting off whatever venomous words he planned on spewing. Tu had never been hit quite so hard in his life. He felt his head snap back from the blow and he swore he could taste copper on his tongue. The hit left him seeing stars and it efficiently silenced him.

"Gōngzé is nothing if not predicable," Shou replied as he made his way over. "I am only glad to see he hasn't rid himself of that particular trait during my brief time away from them."

"Indeed," Cao replied. "Fortunately for you lot, I am entirely too tired to deal with this. So enjoy breathing for one more night."

He looked to Wei. "See that they are under heavy guard. Wouldn't want our guest getting away before tomorrow."

Wei nodded and saluted Cao.

"Then get yourself some sleep. It has been a trying day for all of us," Cao added.

"Yes, my lord. Thank you," said Wei.

His order given, Cao walked away leaving Wei to handle things on his behalf.

=#=

"Lingqi."

Lingqi was stirred from her sleep by her husband's voice. She tried to open her eyes but sleep held them closed. Her foggy mind felt this was a good thing and felt herself slipping back into a blissful slumber.

"Lingqi," he repeated, this time more insistently.

Lingqi pushed the fog from her mind and forced her eyes open.

"What…what is it? Has something happened?" she asked, her voice thick with sleep.

"I need you to come with me," Liao replied.

Lingqi pushed herself up on her elbows and looked at her husband. There was something about the way he looked, but she couldn't quite describe what it was.

"Wényuǎn," she said softly as she placed a hand against his cheek. He took her hand in his own and turned his head so he could kiss her palm.

"Get dressed," he said as he lifted himself up from their bedside and headed out of the room without another word.

This was strange. Liao was acting extremely odd…as if he was hiding something. Since they got married, they promised to never hide their feelings from each other, but it felt as if Liao was doing exactly that. With a frown Lingqi pushed herself out of bed and quickly dressed. She could only hope that he had a good reason for doing so.

She exited the room and found Liao waiting for her. Without speaking a word, he led her outside. Her eyes scanned the horizon. The light of the rising sun was beginning to chase away the darkness of the night, leaving the sky with a beautiful blend of blue, gold and orange. Liao led her towards the stables, her confusion growing with each step. Finally she saw what he was leading her to and she stopped short, not wanting to get near the creature. Liao stopped with her, his eyes searching her questioningly.

"What are you doing?" She asked with a frown as she focused her attention on Liao. "Why would you bring me here?" Did he not realize how cruel this was? How cruel it was to be so close to Red Hare knowing that he now belonged to another.

"I thought you would want to spend some time with your horse," Liao replied.

"He's not mine," Lingqi replied. "You know that."

"He is."

"What are you—"

"Guan Yu is gone. He fled from Guandu during the night."

Lingqi eyed Liao skeptically as if his words were part of some cruel joke on her behalf, but in his eyes she could find no deception.

"You…? How…? Guan Yu…he left Red Hare behind?"

Liao nodded.

"Why would he do that?" she asked in disbelief. Truly why would anyone abandon such a magnificent creature? It didn't make sense especially since he seemed rather fond of it when it was gifted to him.

"He was persuaded to do so."

Lingqi repeated her husband's word in her head over and over, her still sleep laden mind having trouble processing the meaning behind them. Finally she understood. Liao did this. He got Red Hare back for her.

"You…you did this for me?"

"Yes, but not alone. We have good friends here."

"But Lord Cao—"

"I will deal with him," Liao assured her.

Lingqi threw her arms around his neck and held him tightly. "Thank you, Wényuǎn. Thank you so much."

Liao held her against him for a few moments before letting her go. "It has been awhile since you have ridden him. Perhaps you should go for a ride."

Lingqi nodded as she pulled away from Liao. She wiped the tears she shed silently with the back of her hand and lifted herself to her tip toes to plant a soft kiss on his cheek. She turned to Red Hare and took a few steps towards him before hesitating, part of her still disbelieving that this was real. Finding her resolve, she walked up to Red Hare and stood before it. Red Hare sniffed at her and gave an approving snort. Lingqi ran a hand down it snout before pulling his head into a hug. She released her hold on him and mounted him. She sat there for a few seconds, reveling in the feeling. She did not think she would ever get to ride him again and Liao had made it possible. She turned to look at her husband who was watching her intently. She gave him a smile which he returned with a nod of his head. Lingqi gave Red Hare a light kick stirring the horse forward. Liao watched on as the two galloped away.

=#=

Cao was up surprisingly early; a fact lamented by those that tried to escape last night. His first order of business was to call a war council to handle the excess of prisoners they had captured during the war. He watched them with eyes much too clear and much too sharp for someone who had only gotten a few hours of sleep. His eyes stopped on Jùnyì and Gao Lan. He studied them for a few moments before addressing them.

"You two were not with the others that attempted to escape."

"No, my lord," Lan replied.

"Why didn't you try to escape with the others?" Cao asked with genuine curiosity in his voice.

"Why would we?" Jùnyì replied speaking up in place of Lan. "Our intention was to join your glorious army from the moment we surrendered to your forces."

"I can confirm this, my lord." Liao said as he stepped forward and saluted. "While the others were fleeing from the battle, they came straight over to Lingqi and I, expressed their intent to join us and surrendered their weapons.

"Is that so?" Cao replied as he stroked his chin. He turned his attention to Ju Shou.

"I assume you know these two?"

"I do," Shou replied with a bow of his head."

"Tell me, are they men of exceptional talent?"

"They are," Shou replied. "Yuan Shao may have attributed most of his victories to Wen Chou and Yan Liang, but I can assure you Jùnyì has been just as instrumental if not more so."

"Hmm…and this one?" Cao asked as he inclined his chin towards Gao Lan.

"Admittedly he does not have as many accolades as Jùnyì, but he is a good man with a good head on his shoulders. This much is evident as he chose to surrender rather than join the others in their escape."

"Very true," Cao said. "Very well. Ju Shou has proved to be a valuable asset in the short time he has been with us. If he says you are worth keeping, then I will follow his suggestion."

Jùnyì and Lan were released from their bonds. Jùnyì gave a graceful bow to him the moment he was free. "This is marks a beautiful beginning for us, Lord Cao. I shall serve you with skill and grace befitting a man of your wonderful ambition."

Cao looked back to Shou with a raised brow. Shou gave a nervous laugh. "Yeah…he…talks like that. You'll get use to it. I assure you, he is a very capable fighter."

"I suppose we shall see."

Gao Lan saluted Cao. "Thank you for the opportunity, Lord Cao. I will serve you to the best of my ability."

Cao gave a short nod to him and looked over his at his generals. "Miàocái, you will help them get acclimated, won't you?"

"What? Why me?"

"Because I said so, dear cousin."

Yuan groaned but he did not argue the decision any further.

Cao's eyes rested on the other prisoners before shifting over to Shou.

"Is Shen Pei among them?"

Shou shook his head. "No, but his sons are…that will have to do for now."

"Such a dark streak you have, Ju Shou."

"Losing that which you loved most in this world will do that to you," Shou replied bitterly.

"That it would," Cao said sympathetically. He returned his gaze to the prisoners.

"Well, based on your impromptu escape attempt, it seems you are not pleased by my hospitality. Such a shame we couldn't come to an amicable solution."

"Pah, what solution would that be? To serve you? I rather die than betray my lord!" Tu spat.

"And die you shall. Have them buried alive. It will give them time to think about where they went wrong in life before they suffocate to death."

"YOU BASTARD!" Tu cried out, but his words fell on deaf ears as he was dragged away.

"Wait! Wait damn you! I am not with them! I am not with them!" Chenglei cried as he was being dragged from the audience hall. Cao raised a hand to stop the guards.

"I very clearly remember seeing your face last night," Cao said. "Unless you are calling me a liar?"

"No…no you are not a liar," Chenglei replied. "I was with them last night, but I do not serve Yuan Shao."

"Yet you were standing beside him when we dueled."

"I was forced to do so by that bastard, Gōngzé. I worked with Yuan Shao, yes, but it was because I was using him for a singular goal."

"And what might that goal be?"

"My lord, Yuan Shao called you a vile man and said you had no honor, but I never believed him. I am a wealthy noble and I can promise to dedicate my fortune to your—"

"No," Shou interrupted. "My lord, do not deal with this man. He is as vile as they come."

Cao regarded both Shou and Chenglei. "So he is not a noble of considerable wealth?"

"Well…he is but…"

"But what?" Cao urged.

"He joined Yuan Shao for the sole purpose of getting revenge on a woman who slighted him."

"How would working with Yuan Shao achieve this gaol?"

"The woman in question is currently under your command," Shou replied.

"That so?" Cao's eyes scanned his generals until they rested on Zhuyue whose attention was now focused on Chenglei, her face scrunched up in confusion as if she was trying to recall who he even was.

"And who is this woman?" Cao asked though he was certain he already knew the answer.

"Lady Zhuyue."

Chenglei visibly bristled at the mention of her name. Whatever Zhuyue did to him, it really got under his skin.

"Zhuyue, step forward."

Zhuyue did as she was commanded and saluted Cao. Chenglei's eyes bore into her as her figure filled his view. That bitch was here? The whole time? He is so close to getting his revenge yet so far!

"Zhuyue, do you remember this man?"

Zhuyue looked at Chenglei once more.

"Not really," she replied with a shrug.

"Y-you bitch! You do not remember me? How dare you! After all you have done to me—"

"And what exactly had she done to you?" Cao asked, amusement dancing in his eyes as he watched this drama unfold.

"She spurned me! ME!" He cried out, spittle flying from his mouth as he spoke making him look more like a wild animal than a man. "It was because of her that I lost my servant and was robbed by a bunch of peasants. I haven't been able to live down my shame since that day."

"Those are serious accusations, Zhuyue," as Cao with a grin. "What say you?"

Zhuyue rolled her eyes. Cao was having way too much fun with this. "I say I really don't remember this guy."

"I do," said Dun. All attention turned to him. "He was there when we first met you," Dun clarified. "He almost ran Xiaolian over with horse and paid the price for it. Though I guess I should be somewhat grateful to him. I wouldn't have known about you had it not been for him."

"Oh yea, I remember him," Dian remarked. "Oh wow…you've been following Lady Zhuyue for that long? That's…kinda sad."

"Not kinda, very," Jin chimed in.

Zhuyue thought back to that day. It was all a blur up until she met Dun, Dian and Jin. Chenglei did not stand out in her memory in the least.

"Still not ringing a bell," she replied with a shrug.

Chenglei was livid. "My lord! Please! I ask you; allow me a chance to avenge the honor that this woman constantly spits on! Let me duel her!"

"You have got to be joking," Zhuyue said as she folded her arms across her chest.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea!" Cao said with a wide smile. He looked as if he was about to positively burst from laughter.

"Seriously?" Zhuyue replied, growing rapidly less amused as the situation progressed.

"We cannot leave this man with his honor in tatters, Zhuyue. You must own up to your crime of…what was it? Rejecting him?"

Zhuyue gave an exaggerated sigh, but saluted Cao. If he truly wanted her to kill whoever this moron was, she would do as he asked. She still felt like it was a complete waste of time though.

"Release him and give him a weapon," Cao commanded.

The guards did as they were told, cutting Chenglei's bonds and giving him a sword. Chenglei rotated his wrist, working out the stiffness within them before taking his position opposite Zhuyue. She didn't bother drawing her weapon. She stood watching him with her hands at her sides.

"Know this woman as you breathe your last breath that it was Chenglei that defeated you. I have waited years! So many years for the chance to get reve—"

Zhuyue let out a loud sigh. "Yeah, yeah, can we please get this over with?"

Chenglei looked as if he was about to explode. With a cry he charged at Zhuyue, who stood unmoving in front of him. When he was a few feet in front of her, she threw one of her hidden daggers at his right leg. Chenglei wailed in pain and found himself stumbling forward. Zhuyue met him and took hold of hand that holding sword angling the blade he held toward him. Chenglei watched in horror as his stumbling ended in an inevitable freefall that he had no power to stop. He tried to release his grip on the sword but Zhuyue's hands on his own made sure that wasn't possible. Chenglei could do nothing as he felt himself impaled by his own sword. Chenglei let out a few wet gurgles as he reached towards Zhuyue. She smacked the hand that reached toward her out of the way and leaned close to him to whisper in his ear.

"All that time you wasted getting revenge on me was for nothing. I still don't remember you and neither will history."

These words would be the last Chenglei would hear as the last bit of life left his body leaving only a dead husk behind.

"That was much too fast, Zhuyue," Cao admonished as Zhuyue got back to her feet. She stopped to wipe the blood that had gotten on her hands on the back of Chenglei's robe before addressing Cao.

"My apologies, Lord Cao. I will be sure to kill the next idiot you pit me against much slower," she did nothing to hide the sarcastic overtone.

"I would appreciate it," Cao said in an amused tone. "Well, now that that is over, I give you all the rest of the day to rest. Tomorrow we will prepare for our journey back to Xuchang."

"There is another matter," said Jia as he stepped forward and bow.

"Oh? What matter is that, Fèngxiào?"

"Guan Yu has escaped," Jia replied.

"Is that so?" The smile that had graced Cao's lips just a moment ago had vanished. He looked at Chu who lowered his head in shame.

"Yes…and strangely enough, he left Red Hare behind."

Cao's raised a brow upon hearing this. "Strange indeed. Out of all the gifts I gave him, he truly only seemed to like that one. Hard to believe he would leave it behind."

"Yet, he did," Jia continued. "He gave it to Wényuǎn upon his departure, asking him to give it to its true owner."

Cao shook his head. This was a bullshit story and he knew it. He wasn't exactly sure what happened, but he could be sure of two things, Guan Yu is no longer among them and Lingqi was now in possession of Red Hare.

"What's done is done. I see no reason to why we cannot leave Red Hare where it is," his eyes leveled with Lingqi's as he spoke his next words. "Since it is now with its true owner."

Lingqi let out a shaky breath. She was sure Cao would demand Red Hare be returned to him, but it seemed as if he was content to let her keep it. She saluted and thanked him and he waved a dismissive hand toward her letting her know it was unnecessary.

"I take it that is all?"

Jia saluted. "That is all."

"Very well. Take the rest of the day for yourselves. Tomorrow, I want preparations for our return trip to begin at first light."