Meng De POV

When I raised my eyes, I saw Ma Teng was deep in thought and frowning as she said, “… Commandant of the Guards huh?”

“If you’ve received it, then that makes things easier.” I nodded and smiled as I continued, “As the Commandant of the Guards, you are one of the 9 Ministers and am only second to the 3 Dukes. Not a bad role at all right?”

“It’s not bad indeed, but why?” Ma Teng said with a meaningful expression , probably because she has realised my intent in doing so.

But even so, I can’t possibly say outright that I am doing so just so I can take away your command rights.

“Haha,” I only lightly laughed in response.

“I’m going out of my way here to promote you like that.” I put on a show of melancholy before continuing, “Lord Ma Teng has fought many battles, in particular with the Qiang barbarians. Your service to the nation has been outstanding. It’s time you take your place in Imperial Court and enjoy your retirement.”

“Lord Cao Cao, those words are a little inappropriate.” Just as I finished, Ma Teng opened her mouth immediately and refuted me, “The troubled times have yet to end and there needs to be someone stationed up north to guard our borders. Xi Liang is impoverished but the commoners live together harmoniously and support each other so I have enjoyed my time there. If I should take my place in Court, the people and the garrison troops might curse my name.”

Un… I understand now. She is adamant on not giving up her command rights. In that case, it’s clear that her plan was to quickly reject the appointment and leave quickly.

Though I was mentally prepared for this, I’m still a little disappointed now that I’m faced with this reality. Oh well, it’s fine even if I let Ma Teng go for now. She’ll eventually slip up in Xi Liang anyway–

Meng De!

— Wu!

Just as I came to a decision to play the long game with Ma Teng, the sight of Xuan De’s corpse at the bottom of the river flashed in my mind.

In an instant, the horrible feeling I had before filled my heart once more. I had difficulty breathing and closed my eyes so I wouldn’t see the figure of Xuan De in front of me. But when I closed my eyes, a wave of nausea hit me and i hurriedly grabbed on to the table.

“My lord…”

“It’s fine, I’m alright.” I stopped Cheng Yu, who was carrying tea back, from coming over to help me. It would be far too unsightly to be supported after this show of weakness.

“… Lord Cao Cao, this is…” Even Ma Teng was shocked.

I raised my hand and waved, “I’m fine, it’s just fatigue from overworking myself. It’s nothing, nothing at all.”

These words were both for Ma Teng and myself. No matter what, I must recover from this sorry state immediately.

… Haa… Huu… I took deep breaths and waited patiently for my nausea to pa.s.s. After about 3-4 seconds, I finally got past the worst.

And immediately after I recovered, a voice from deep within me started resounding in my head.

Cao Cao, don’t you know? Liu Bei is already dead. The only one left who can save the world is just you.

Are you going to be so relaxed even under these circ.u.mstances? By when will you bring peace to the world if you are so relaxed?!

It’s time to hasten your pace.

Just then, my mind was fully awake. And I felt truly lonely and anxious.

I then opened my eyes and looked at the big woman in front of me and a

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fter a while, I no longer felt intimidated by her anymore.

“Lord Cao Cao, are you alright?”

“I feel much better. Thank you, Lord Ma Teng, for your worry.” I said, feeling extremely calm and looked at Cheng Yu as I shook my sleeves. Cheng Yu understood what I meant and nodded before bringing the tea to me, which I took a short sip from.

“Lord Cao Cao, on the matter of my Court appointment, shall we leave it for now?” Ma Teng impatiently said between sighs.

*Gudu*– Haa…

Even though it’s summer, I don’t feel hot from drinking this hot tea. How strange.

“Lord Cao Cao? Shouldn’t you be putting your tea down and listening to me?”

“Is that so? Did you listen to me in the beginning earlier?” I said in a louder voice than hers. At this stage, there is no leeway for me to take my time and feel things out or seek to accomplish my objectives with finesse. I need to subdue my foes by any means necessary.

“…” Ma Teng’s face darkened at this, “Your footsteps were too light before and I didn’t hear them. If i have disrespected you, please forgive me.”

“That’s fine.” I smiled, surprised that Ma Teng could say such half-hearted words, “But I feel that you shouldn’t delay or reject the matter of your Court appointment. If this goes on for too long, I’m afraid I’ll have to label you as a traitor and you and your family will have to suffer.”

“Cao Cao, what do you mean by this?” Ma Teng frowned and yelled at me

Asking questions which you know the answer to is far too foolish.

“I mean what I said. You should understand.” I said while keeping my smile plastered on, “On the other hand, we will treat your family well as per protocol. If you agree, then you family will be moved to Ye city.”

“Isn’t Ye city your territory?”

“The world belongs to the Emperor. How could there be land belonging to me?”

“That sounds very nice but you’re clearly taking hostages!”

It hadn’t been a long conversation before Ma Teng suddenly stood up and stormed over, drawing a dagger from inside her fur coat. Looks like she got it past the guards.

“Lord Ma Teng, please watch yourself.” I said very calmly as I looked at Ma Teng.

At the same time, Cheng Yu got up and stood in front of me as she drew her dagger from her sleeve and got into position. Ma Teng remained silent and only continued to come my way with eyes that burned with killing intent.

*Sou*– *Ding*!

2 sounds rang out when she was just 2 paces away from me and 1 pace away from Cheng Yu. Cheng Yu had slashed down at Ma Teng but her dagger was stopped by Ma Teng’s before it could land on her neck.

I looked up and saw Cheng Yu’s arm trembling while Ma Teng didn’t move at all. Looks like it’s all but decided.

Ma Teng stared at Cheng Yu, then at me. Perhaps all she needs to do is to put a little bit more strength into her grip and Cheng Yu will be swatted away. And with my skills, I’ll probably be sliced into 2 in no time at all.

When I thought of this, I chose to laugh and stare back at Ma Teng, “Lord Ma Teng, do you understand the gravity of what you are doing now?”

“What gravity is there to eliminating a treacherous thief?”

“Firstly, you brought a weapon into the abode of a Court official of the Great Han. Secondly, you have the intent of killing said official. Thirdly, you have been spouting slanderous lies of said official. These 3 charges are enough to warrant the death of your whole family. If I really wanted to, I can even order the execution of your entire clan you know?”

Ma Teng stared at me disdainfully, “You control the Son of Heaven and use him to command the feudal lords, what right do you have to talk to me about criminal charges?!”

“Ma Teng!” I was very displeased at her yelling at me, “Back when Li Jue and Guo Si kidnapped the Son of Heaven, who was it who tried desperately to save him?! Who was it who got her head smashed in by Fan Chou?! If it weren’t for this so-called treacherous thief in front of you, the Son of Heaven would have died long ago! In comparison to a treacherous thief like myself, you now hold dominion over Liang state with your battalions. What difference is there between you and Dong Zhuo?! Dare I ask, what do those actions mean?!”

I yelled back at her with my arms behind my back and withdrew my smile. Ma Teng seemed to wince at every word from me.

“Cao Cao!” When I finished, Ma Teng roared out angrily and in the next instant, she brandished her blade and swept Cheng Yu aside.

“Wu…” Cheng Yu was forced back quite a bit as there was a lot of strength behind that blow and I even had to catch her.

When I looked at Ma Teng once more, I saw that she stood rooted to the spot and didn’t seem to have any intention of attacking. She was twirling the blade of her dagger with her fingers, which were unharmed. What outstanding skill that is.

“… Lord Ma Teng.” I gave a long sigh and continued in a normal volume as I smiled, “I know that Lord Ma Teng has no intention of killing me.”

“… Oh? And how did you know that?” Ma Teng said as she frowned.

“If you did want to kill me, you would have done so when the ‘Edict in a Sleeve’ plot was brewing.”

Ma Teng seemed shocked when I raised this, “I did not partic.i.p.ate in that.”

“But your name is on it.” I said relaxedly.

Of course, I know that Ma Teng did not partic.i.p.ate in it. And anyone could have put her name down. But now, it looks like an irrefutable charge.

“Kuh…” She closed her eyes and stopped twirling her knife. Looks like she had nothing further to say.

“Alright, I’ve said all I have to say and all options are on the table. It’s all up to you now.”