Hey! I'm back, this is the 4th last chapter and I'm hoping it's a good one. Also Lu Lingqi will appear in the next story, despite the fact I hate her addition to the DW series. This is mostly a battle chapter and will feature a lot of battles. It marks the end of most of the characters role for this story.
Btw, some of the battles will be quick flashes, as some parts of the chapter are taking place at the same time.
kayladw7: Yes the show must go on, as sad as it is to Jia Xu die, but at least he has the honour of being the first playable character to die.
Assassin master ezio 91: Thanks! it is kinda sad, the purpose will be seen later on.
Diao Chan wasn't sure wether to relieved or upset when she heard the news of Jia Xu's death. She still didn't know if he could be trusted with her secret and while she felt utterly disgusted with herself, she decided to feel relieved by it.
He was untrustworthy and he was dangerous. She took out an erhu and looking down at the battlefield, played a melody to accompany the lost souls. She may of been changing but she still had a heart and this would be her only involvement in the battle.
The songstress looked up at the night sky once more and wondered, if she was becoming like the monsters she always loathed. She shook her and looked back down, to see the chaos and smiled as she saw Cao Cao's troops sneaking towards the supply depot.
'Maybe... Just maybe, I can sneak away and join Cao Cao... No, I need to be strong. I can't let Father down, I must carry out this mission.' She thought to herself as she continued playing the soothing yet tragic melody.
"An excellent melody Lady Diao Chan." A familiar voice said behind her, shocking her and causing her to jump as she turned around. Her blue eyes glared at the blonde playboy Guo Jia.
"How did you sneak past the guards?" The beauty questioned, she didn't bother to get out her chain whip. "What guards? There is no defending this hill. Anyway, I came to give you a message, Cao Cao is offering you and your father a chance to join his army."
"Tell him I refuse. I have a purpose and I'll let no one get in my way of accomplishing that purpose." Diao Chan said firmly, Guo Jia chuckled. "You a mysterious woman Diao Chan."
The seductress smiled, "So I have heard. Now get out, leave before I call for back up. A new position in Dong Zhuo's has just open up and unless you want to be forced into that position, I suggest you leave immediately."
"So I have heard, such a terrible loss. But I suppose the good are always the first to go. Unfortunately, it just had to be Jia Xu." Guo Jia stated before he walked away, a smile on his face. "Oh and Diao Chan, you're welcome to run away to me anytime you like."
Diao Chan ignored the last comment as the strategist walked away, she looked down at the battle and was immediately thanking her decision to stay out of it. She was way too inexperienced to be competing in a battle of this standard.
Zhen Ji glared furiously at Cao Pi. "The nerve of you! How dare you offend me in such a way!" She claimed as played her flute, causing a horrible sound which made Cao Pi kneel to the ground, his hands covering his ears.
Smirking, she kicked away his weapon. "This is for my husband." Ji said with a bored tone as she raised her flute high in the sky and swung it down, aiming for Cao Pi's neck. The flute never made it across his neck.
Cao Pi swung his legs, tripping the arrogant beauty and as she fell to the ground, she dropped her flute. In an instant, Cao Pi caught the woman. She stared up at him, the moon illuminating his figured.
Staring at him with dreamy eyes, he learned in for a kiss as Ji closed her eyes. Only moments later to remember where she was, what she was doing and who he was. She suddenly opened her eyes and slapped him in the face. The sound of her hand connecting to his face echoed throughout the battlefield as she pushed him away and kicked him in the nuts.
She fell to the ground and quickly rolled over and grabbed her flute and stood back up. "You savage monster! How dare you try to take advantage of me! I will make sure you pay for that!" She yelled in fury as Cao Pi smirked, his weapon in hand.
Cao Cao reluctantly followed Xu You, his bodyguard Dian Wei accompanying him as Xu You lead them to the Wu Chao supply depot. The guard was drunk. as expected and failed to notice anything.
The drunk guard was Chunyu Qiong, and after Cao Cao's troops had already set up the fire and were about to light it, he finally noticed. In a drunken state, his words came out slurred. "Hey! What are you doing! I'll kill you!"
Dian Wei quickly slammed his axe into Qiong's head. "No one threatens my Lord and gets away with it!" He yelled as he yanked his axe out of Qiong's skull and threw the now dead man away.
"Excellent. Now set fire to this depot!" Cao Cao ordered with a smirk. This battle was his and his rival would soon be buried in the ground. He watched as the depot burst into flames, the smoke rose high to the sky.
Zhang He turned his attention to the flames. His eyes widened from the beautiful sight and he clasped his hands together. "Cao Cao is truly a thing of beauty. Perhaps, I was too hasty when I judged him." The beautiful general said, but snapped out of his trance when he heard Wang Yi grunt.
The woman was struggling to defend against both Yue Jin and Li Dian while Zhang Liao, stood nearby, prepared to take out Zhang He. He smirked, as he crouched down and suddenly spun around, his claws imbued with some purple aura as he knocked Liao out and to the ground.
Then He tackled Dian to the ground and prepared to slash his throat while the warrior was in shock. The claw never made it to the throat as Yue Jin blocked the attack, while Li Dian kicked He off of him and quickly grabbed his weapon.
Wang Yi slashed her trishula at Li Dian who blocked it, while Zhang He and Yue Jin battled in a dual of fast slashes. Wang Yi jumped high and dived to the ground, ready to kill Li Dian. However she never got her target as Yue Jin tackled her in mid air.
Before Zhang He could go to aid his ally, a bladed wheel cut in front of him, narrowly avoiding getting sliced by it He turned to face the person who tried to kill him. It was Li Dian and He moved to attack.
Near them, Wang Yi and Yue Jin were in a power struggle and were exchanging punches as they rolled over. Wang Yi gained the upper hand and with glee in her facial expression prepared to skewer his throat with her trishula.
Yue Jin seemed to accept his fate as he closed his eyes, only for the strike to never come as a weight was lifted of his chest and Wang Yi's cries of pain filled his ears. He saw the look of pure anger and rage on her facial expression. "You! How dare you turn on me! You'll pay the consequences for this Zhang He!"
Lu Bu was engaged in a furious combat, locked in battle with Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan, he was forced on the defensive as the two generals exchanged one blow after the other, not giving him the time to counter or rest.
Xiahou Yuan then fired his rod at a high-speed, causing him to briefly rest his hand from the recoil. This gave Lu Bu an opening as he performed wide slash to the right which was trailed by red and black streaks, then a stomp the ground generating a dome of destructive energy which blew both Xiahou Yuan and Dun away.
"Ha! How pathetic, I thought you two vermin would be a much better challenge!" Snorted Lu Bu as he looked away from the two, turning his back he began to walk away. However, Lu Bu wasn't a fool and suspected one of them to attack him from behind.
"The nerve of that beast! I'll show him!" Xiahou Yuan mumbled angrily as he fired his rod forward with a bow. Lu Bu smirked as he stepped to his right, just before the rod could pierce through his skull.
"What! But how!?" Xiahou Yuan said in disbelief as the watching Diao Chan muttered a short sentence. "Lu Bu is a demon on the battlefield." Xiahou Dun remained silent as he griped his weapon tighter and got into his stance.
Slowly, almost in a taunting like manner, Lu Bu turned around. "Was that your best shot? You keep on getting more and more pathetic as this battle rages on. I want a real challenge." Yawned Lu Bu, Yuan grew even more furious but before he could even do anything, Lu Bu charged at him and with lighting sped slammed the blunt end of his halberd into the side of the head.
Xiahou Yuan was knocked out in few seconds and the thump of his rather large body hitting the ground echoed. "Now that the fat man is out of the way, I hope it'll be more challenging." Lu Bu stated as Dun's glare narrowed.
Yuan Shao grunted in pain as the handmaidens patched up the wound he had suffered from Jia Xu. "Serves that stupid tactician right for trying to assassinate nobility. He got what he deserved." The arrogant noble said through his hand.
"It's done my lord." One of the handmaidens told his as they cleaned and bandaged the wound. "Alright. You may go." Waved Yuan Shao as the three Handmaidens bowed and left. Sighing, Yuan Shao looked into the starry night.
"Is this to be the Yuan's last battle?" He asked, no one answered not that he expected anyone to since he was now in solitude. He looked over at the corpse of Tian Feng and felt only a slight twinge of sadness regarding his death.
"Cao Cao, Dong Zhuo." Yuan Shao began to shout into the skies. "I will not rest until I have your heads served on golden platters!" His eyes hardened as he mounted Storm Runner and charged into the battlefield, a new found confidence fuelling him.
"So Yuan Shao's decided to go all macho now?" A smile graced a handsome face as Guo Jia stepped out from the shadows. "I'm not surprised he didn't see me, he's not the most observant. However, it's too late for him to try and turn this battle around."
"Tsk tsk what a shame." Laughed the attractive strategist as he carelessly walked out of the main camp, miraculously avoiding getting caught by any enemies. "You would think a 'noble' would have his main camp have more men defending it, especially considering his large but useless army."
Li Ru and Dong Zhuo remained deep in conversation with Dong Min, regarding the news they had just heard regarding Jia Xu's demise they had just been informed of. "I kind of feel bad, considering he did save my life." Huffed and puffed Dong Min.
"Kind of?! You idiot! Jia Xu was my best strategist! You're lucky we're related or else this bomb will down your throat and boom goes your head!" Shouted Dong Zhuo, he was furious and knew that he would need to find a replacement and quick.
Meanwhile, Li Ru was filled with glee. His biggest competition had just been eliminated and he didn't even have a single thing to do with it. If his luck kept up then Diao Chan would meet her end soon. Oh, how he was dreaming of that moment.
"At least it wasn't me. Now that would of been a catastrophe." Boasted Li Ru, only to be shocked when Dong Zhuo slapped him across the face. "Shut your mouth! Jia Xu's come up with more strategies in one hour then you have in your entire life!"
A handmaiden came rushing into the room. Falling to her knees to form a bow she cried out, "Master Dong Zhuo, Yuan Shao has ordered for a duel involving you, him and Cao Cao!" Dong Zhuo's eyebrow raised.
"What a duel? Does that pompous man expect to be able to kill me? Ha! That insect is dreaming, but it'll be amusing to see his body parts fall down like the rain when I'm through with him!" Claimed Dong Zhuo as he walked out.
Before leaving, he turned to Li Ru and Dong Min. "Don't think that this is over. Li Ru, you have lost your position as master strategist and Dong Min, I'll come up with a punishment for you later!" He barked as he left the main camp for the first time since the battle started.
Rage filled Li Ru as fear consumed Dong Min. "How dare he treat me like that!" Complained Li Ru as Dong Min began to plead for his life, being even more scared then he was when Jia Xu died and he was alone in enemy territory.
Dian Wei approached Cao Cao, he had just been told news regarding the battle and was going to report it to his lord. "Lord Cao Cao! I have some reports from the battle to tell you!" "What is it Dian Wei?"
"The general Zhang He has defected to our side." Dian Wei said as Cao Cao smirked, "Excellent. My path to dominating Yuan Shao and Dong Zhuo is one step closer now. Is that all Dian Wei?"
"No my Lord. Yuan Shao has asked for a duel between Dong Zhuo, him and you." Cao Cao rubbed his chin, "Mmm, it could be a trap but nevertheless I will accept. I trust you'll have my back in case anyone tries to do anything."
"Yes!" Was Dian Wei's immediate response, Cao Cao knew how loyal Dian Wei was and he was grateful to have him. It was a shame Xu Zhu couldn't arrive otherwise he would be the safest man in the land.
With that thought in mind, Cao Cao raced towards the area where the duel would be taking place. Dian Wei was following him, his only thoughts were to protect his lord and hope that Shao and Zhuo didn't try any tactics to get the upper hand. If the did, they'd have to answer to the Coming Evil.
Diao Chan watched the battle between Cao Pi and Zhen Ji with interest. No matter how bad Zhen Ji tried to hide it, everyone knew she had feelings for Cao Pi. It was so obvious, anyone could tell.
Zhen Ji slapped Cao Pi three times before kicking him in the chest. She knocked him to the ground and strutted towards him, looking sexy while she did as she placed a foot on his chest and took out her flute, ready to play a melody.
Cao Pi smirked as he yanked her foot, catching her off guard and sending her towards the ground. He rolled on top of her and slowly leaned down to kiss her lips, this time Ji didn't resist as she took the kiss and made it into a make out.
When they finally separated for breathe, Cao Pi asked her something. "Come on, leave these Yuans. There is nothing left for you here, but come with me and you'll get everything." Zhen Ji stared into his eyes. "I need some time to think about it. I don't know if I can abandon my father in-law like that."
Cao Pi pleaded for his case once again. "You have no more ties to him, Yuan Xi is dead and so is your marriage to him. All ties you had to the Yuans are now over. Zhang He has defected, you'd be wise to join him. Besides, you know that if I'm your husband things will always be interesting."
"Let me think about it. Besides, I'll need to get my things so I'll have to return anyway." Zhen Ji snapped, before her tone softened and she apologized. "Just give me time Cao Pi. Surely you can understand?" Her eyes found his once again and he nodded.
"I'll be waiting for you." He told her as he hopped off and left the battlefield. Standing up, Zhen Ji's eyes never left him until he was out of her vision. She had too much running through her mind right now.
"So, you finally defected?" She asked, not even turning around to see who was behind her. She knew who it was anyway. "Of course, I'll only serve those with beauty." Came Zhang He's response as Zhen Ji looked over her shoulder.
"Too much beauty can be a bad thing. As will be proven when I rip off Diao Chan's more 'beautiful' face." Said Zhen Ji as she began to walk away, deciding that her part in this battle was over.
Wang Yi grunted as she blocked Yue Jin's attack, much to her displeasure she was forced to temporarily team up with Zhang Liao to take on Li Dian and Yue Jin. She was currently back to back with him.
"Just give up already." One of them spoke, Yi wasn't sure which one as she was too focused. Zhang Liao however gave a reply. "A true warrior won't give up in the heat of battle." Yi rolled her eyes.
"Hush, dog of Dong Zhuo." Wang Yi stated, it was clear to everyone she hated the fact she was working with a member of Dong Zhuo's army. "My loyalties lie not with Dong Zhuo but with Lu Bu."
With that, Zhang Liao powerfully rammed into Li Dian and jumped into the air to perform a cross slash. Li Dian failed to block and he fell to the ground, he had lost this battle. "Li Dian!" Yue Jin shouted as he rushed to his aid.
Wang Yi and Zhang Liao nodded to each other, it was a silent agreement that they were no longer allies. Zhang Liao made the first move and jumped into the air and started twirling both of his weapons at a high speed while in mid-air before stabbing them on the ground and performing a rising slash.
Yi winced in pain as she fell to her knees. "I'm not out yet." Was her response as she soon did a reverse spinning kick, knocking Liao to the ground. She looked over to where Yue Jin was only to find he had disappeared.
She never saw him flying through the air and landing onto the ground with a large shockwave, taking her down. "I'm faster then anybody!" Jin boasted before he became serious. "You two should really join Cao Cao. It would benefit everyone."
Considering the offer, Wang Yi shock her head. "Perhaps." Was her response after a brief moment of thinking, she stood up and retreated. "One day, I will get my revenge. Your head will be mine Dong Zhuo." She uttered as she faded into the night.
"Until either Lu Bu joins or he perishes, I cannot take you up on that offer. I want to know true strength and Lu Bu will show me the path to it. Farewell, Yue Jin." Zhang Liao refused as he also retreated from the battle.
Yue Jin soon followed in their footsteps and also retreated from the battle, picking up Li Dian and helping him as they walked to the medic. "You know, this isn't helping considering how short you are." Yue Jin's eyebrow twitched. "I am not short!"
Diao Chan gazed into the smoke filled sky. "So, the battle's finally coming to an end. Cao Cao will most likely be victorious, if only he can slay Dong Zhuo then my mission will come to a premature end."
However, the leaves rustled behind her and she turned around alarmed. "Who's there?" She shouted, worry filled her voice as she griped her erhu hard, prepared to use it as a club.
She almost didn't see it as the figure approached. "Relax, I won't bring harm to you. Unless you interfere with my goal." The voice was feminine and Diao Chan spotted the female figure, dressed in all black. Blending in with the night.
"Who are you and what is your goal?" Diao Chan demanded, she did not grow calmer, if anything she grew more alarmed as this mysterious woman took out a dark bow.
"Arrgh! I can't believe I lost!" Lu Bu growled, he had been triple teamed by Xiahou Dun, Guo Jia and Dian Wei. He was winning at first, until that arrogant pretty boy Cao Pi came to the battle.
Lu Bu was winning even then but that was when Xiahou Yuan regain consciousness and Lu Bu knew he wasn't going to win against five. "Don't look so cocky! Next time I will crush each and every one of you. Goodbye maggots!"
Mounting Red Hare, Lu Bu made it to the main camp in a matter of seconds. And, as bored as he was he decided to watch the three way battle to amuse himself. Aware that it would be pathetic.
Dong Zhuo threw a bomb. Cao Cao sent a clone rushing forwards. Yuan Shao jumped into the air and tried to skewer the throats of his enemies. The battle went like that for a long time, seemingly in repeat.
Yuan Shao suddenly twirled, a gold aura surrounding him as he healed his injuries and smirked. Cao Cao's glare narrowed as he charged forwards and stabbed Yuan Shao before performing a series of slashes.
The noble cried out in pain as he fell to the ground. He began to smirk as he realized to just watch and strike when the opportunity presented itself. "Looks like it's just me and you now Cao Cao!" Dong Zhuo said as he began throwing bombs wildly as Cao Cao hurried to avoid them.
Laughing maniacally, the smirk on Dong Zhuo's face disappeared as Cao Cao was still standing. Cao Cao then summoned forth a shadow clone as he commanded it to do several combos on Dong Zhuo.
Yuan Shao then took this as his time to strike when Cao Cao had his back turned. He glowed golden as he did a thrust with his rapier, it elongated and almost pierced through Cao Cao, however it was an cm off target and only stabbed through the air.
Meanwhile, the mysterious woman didn't answer Diao Chan's first question but she did the 2nd. "Consider my goal a favour to the land. I am going to kill all three of the enemy leaders with this bow right now."
Aiming, she fired it was a precise shot and no doubt would it of lodged into Yuan Shao's skull but it didn't lodge into his skull, instead a peon had gotten in the way and slumped to the ground.
"Dammit!" She uttered as her narrowed and she concentrated once more. The arrow flew through the sky, aimed for Dong Zhuo's fat face. "Yes, yes!" The mysterious woman cried out as the arrow was just about to plant into the face when a messenger came running.
The arrow soared into his temple and he died instantly. "What?!" The mysterious woman screamed in disbelief as the three leaders started to realize something. "One last shot, please Fu Xi let it kill one of them." She pleaded as she let the arrow soar.
She had targeted Dong Zhuo once again, the arrow was so close but one of Wei's soldiers had decided to a sneak attack and jumped in the way. "Dammit! Why?" She whined as she turned to Diao Chan. "I would love to stay but if I try a few more times, I'll get caught. This won't be the last time we meet." She stated as she vanished into the dark.
Diao Chan played the erhu as Yuan Shao and Dong Zhuo called a retreat. The battle had ended, Cao Cao had one. Diao Chan knew though, that this wasn't the end of Yuan Shao and he would attack and attack until his death.
And there ends the battle, sorry that it wasn't really that great of a battle or chapter. I also apologize for the long wait. The mysterious woman isn't an OC and she is one of the female characters, she in her disguise won't have a lasting impact on the main storyline but she'll be main in a subplot of the next story.
Also, when this story is finished there will be a Zhen Ji spin off, just to let you. So three more chapters and the story will end. Don't worry, they won't be as long a wait.